"Okay, thank you, we understand." Song He'er didn't want to get too involved in their affairs. Now that they were hungry and cold, it was best to quickly take the food and go back to rest.
"Let me make this clear before you go in. This area is called Xinzhou. To the east lies the Central Plains, and to the south lies Nanzhao. You'd better stay here obediently, with the Su River as the boundary. If you cross over and secretly associate with the people of Nanzhao, we have the right to execute you on the spot. Don't blame me for not warning you then."
Qin Xiaoniang glanced at him, too lazy to talk to him, and simply carried Huan Ge'er out.
Li Qiang's wife replied perfunctorily, "We understand."
The officers and soldiers said nothing more, but led them inside...
An iron fence was built around the vast land, stretching all the way to the side of the Su River.
It seems that once you enter this place, you really can't get out unless you swim out through the Su River.
The Su River has a rapid current, and according to the map, piranhas are also found in this area. Without boats, who would go there to die?
After the officers and soldiers took them inside, they locked the iron gate with a large iron chain, as if they didn't want to let even a fly out.
Nianjie fell asleep on Zhang Xiue's body. The children were so tired that they could barely walk, so they found a clean spot for them to rest.
Qin Xiaoniang took out a few hard eggs from her bundle and handed them to Zhang Xiue and the others.
"The officers didn't search you, and you can keep the tent. All you have left are these few eggs. Eat them to tide you over, and tomorrow morning, see if there are any wild vegetables to dig up."
Zhang Xiu'e handed the egg back to Qin Xiaoniang, saying, "You're the weakest, so you should eat it. I have so much fat on me, missing a meal won't hurt me."
Li Qiang's wife breathed a sigh of relief, then lamented, "In a place like this, it would be a miracle if there were any wild vegetables!"
Chunrao and Chundi had been taking care of the children, and for a moment they didn't even realize how hungry they were.
"If all else fails, we'll have to go to those soldiers and buy some seeds to see if we can grow some vegetables to eat, even cabbage would be fine!"
Zhang Xiu'e was speechless for a moment, then looked at the innocent Chun Di and said, "Oh my, my dear sister~ do you think this is some kind of magical soil? You think it will grow as soon as you plant it? Besides, it's winter here, and the soil isn't very good. It's pointless to plant any vegetables here!"
Qin Xiaoniang sighed and looked at the candlelight in the distance. She said softly, "Even if it's impossible, we have to try. If we go to those soldiers to exchange for food today, and then go to those soldiers to exchange for food tomorrow, we'll run out of our own money sooner or later. Are we all going to starve to death then?"
"That's true, but even though I've worked in the fields, I don't fully understand farming. Sigh..."
Chun Di smiled and went up to Zhang Xiu'e's hand. "Sister-in-law, how will we know if we don't try? Besides, we can't just use money to exchange for food with the soldiers. Didn't those soldiers say that we can do odd jobs for them?"
Zhang Xiue nodded and had no choice but to agree, "Then let's do it this way for now. Although He'er has some travel money given to her by the young prince, we shouldn't spend it all on these beasts. Let's save it for emergencies. Tomorrow morning, I'll go find those people and exchange it for some coarse rice flour so we can make some pancakes."
"Um."
After saying that, the group went to sleep fully clothed.
The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Song He'er heard hurried footsteps outside.
Zhang Xiue thought the soldiers had come again, so she quickly went out to deal with them.
As soon as Ke Ren stepped out of the tent, she froze.
"General...?"
The word "General" made Qin Xiaoniang sit up abruptly, as if petrified, unable to calm down for a long time.
Are we finally going to meet?
Song He'er roughly guessed who the people outside were. Apart from her heartless and ungrateful father, who would have the time to come and see them?
Song He'er patted Qin Xiaoniang's back, signaling her to be strong. The man she used to fear most in the mansion, even if he has reappeared now, is just a prisoner and can no longer be arrogant, so there is no need to be afraid of his expression.
Qin Xiaoniang understood Song He'er's meaning, and with a burst of energy, she raised her head and walked out of the tent with great confidence.
Outside the tent, Song Xiaoqi looked haggard, his back hunched, his face dark. The sharp eyes beneath his sword-like eyebrows had lost their former brilliance, but his expression remained stern, just as Song He'er always did, frightening and repulsive.
“Father.” Song He’er still addressed him respectfully as ‘Father’.
Song Xiaoqi clearly had something to ask her, so he looked impatient and didn't even speak properly, asking coldly, "Where is your stepmother? I heard you came on your own, but your stepmother didn't come. Is that true?"
Look! What a ridiculous question!
Song He'er was utterly disappointed in her father. She had initially held onto a sliver of hope, thinking that at least she would receive his care and concern after meeting him. It seemed she had overestimated Song Xiaoqi; he remained the same cold-hearted and indifferent person.
"Father, you should ask the officials where Madam went! Why are you asking us? How would we know?"
"Besides, you don't know! Your whole group arrived in Xinzhou unharmed, while your stepmother and your two older sisters have disappeared without a trace. Isn't it because you had bad intentions and harmed them?"
These words completely enraged Qin Xiaoniang. She walked step by step to Song Xiaoqi's side, raised her hand, and slapped him hard across the face!
This was the first time in her life that she had mustered the courage to hit this man.
“Song Xiaoqi! The biggest regret of my life is marrying you! He’er is your daughter, and Huan’er is your son. When you see us, you don’t show the slightest concern, but instead question us! Where is your conscience! You are not fit to be a father. Get out of here!”
Song Xiaoqi was terrified by Qin Xiaoniang's erratic behavior; this was the first time she had ever lost her temper in front of him!
"Are you crazy? Are you insane? How dare you talk to me like that?"
Qin Xiaoniang suddenly laughed, and her laughter was terrifying. "Do you still think you're that high and mighty general who never takes anyone seriously and can dominate the court? You're not anymore. I really can't bear to think about the days I spent under your command... You ask me where your first wife is? You still have the nerve to ask me?"
Seeing that something was wrong, Zhang Xiue quickly went over and pulled Qin Xiaoniang away. "General, this is really your fault. Your first wife has caused us a lot of trouble along the way! As for why she didn't come, you can figure that out yourself!"
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