"I don't know, let's go take a look."
After saying that, the group began to walk towards the riverbank...
The Su River is the widest and longest river in the Central Plains, passing through Nanzhao, the Central Plains and Xizhou. Although there are many fish in the river, no fisherman has dared to fish here to this day.
Song Xiaoyu pointed to the spot where she had fetched water and said, "Right there!"
Zhang Xiu'e pondered for a long time, then shook her head. "The water source is alive, and the river is so rapid, how can the water we draw up be so murky? It shouldn't be like this..."
After observing carefully for a while, Song He'er felt that there was something strange about this area.
Although the river flowed in the same direction as usual, a small whirlpool was formed in this area as if some foreign object was blocking it.
Song He'er casually tossed in a small pebble, which spun twice in the eddy before flowing downstream.
"It seems like something was lost..."
Qin Xiaoniang tugged at Song He'er, "Don't get so close, it's better to stay away."
Zhang Xiu'e glanced upstream and suddenly said, "Why don't we go upstream and take a look? Perhaps someone did throw something here, causing silt to accumulate at the bottom of the river, which is why the yellow sand is so muddy..."
"But why would those prisoners throw things away? That's unlikely, since they need to drink the water in the river themselves. If they did that, wouldn't they be without water to drink?" Song Xiaoyu asked.
Song He'er's gaze drifted with the wind to the Nanzhao territory on the other side of the river...
"Perhaps some people want to block the river, seize land for private gain, and clean up the fish, shellfish, pearls, and other aquatic products in the river to make huge profits?"
Song He'er's sudden analysis caught Zhang Xiu'e off guard. She stared blankly for a moment, then asked, "Where did you learn about these business matters? You're so young, yet you know so much..."
Song He'er didn't speak, but Qin Xiaoniang smiled and replied, "You probably forgot what my family does for a living. Her little bit of cleverness probably comes from my shrewd and calculating father."
Zhang Xiue suddenly realized, "Oh right, I seem to have forgotten that you come from a wealthy merchant family. I remember when you entered the manor, the general also made a big fuss for you. I only remember that your dowry was more than that of a concubine in an ordinary family, and the eldest lady personally inventoried and put it into the storeroom!"
Upon hearing this, Qin Xiaoniang's expression stiffened.
Although Zhang Xiue was telling the truth, no one wanted to hear others constantly mentioning "the wealthy and powerful" and even emphasizing the word "concubine" in their words.
In the Central Plains, merchants held the lowest social status among scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants. They were generally forbidden from marrying officials in the court, as this would invite ridicule and criticism.
So back then, Qin Xiaoniang could have easily married a middle-class merchant of equal social standing and lived a respectable life as a lady. But because of her beauty, she caught the eye of the powerful Song Xiaoqi and was forced to marry him, which led to her suffering for half her life.
Song Xiaoyu pulled Zhang Xiue aside and scolded her, "What nonsense are you talking about? What concubine, what merchant family? I think people have become pedantic from reading too much. If no one in the world did business, how could the Central Plains be so prosperous? We clearly need other people for food and clothing, yet we act like we're doing you a favor. That's what makes those scholars so hateful."
Song Xiaoyu himself was a civil official who came from the imperial examination system. The fact that he could say such things now is enough to show his breadth of mind and ambition.
"I'm sorry, He'er's mother, I didn't mean it. Please don't take it to heart. You know I'm the kind of person who doesn't mean what I say. I really didn't mean it that way." Zhang Xiu'e stepped forward and took Qin Xiaoniang's hand.
"I won't take it to heart," Qin Xiaoniang replied with a smile.
Song Xiaoyu didn't want to continue this topic, so she led the people upstream...
Sure enough, after walking about a mile, the river water became a little clearer.
"Let's get some water here," Zhang Xiu'e suddenly said.
Hearing her words, Song Xiaoyu fetched a bucket of water and then led everyone back...
Everyone enjoyed breakfast this morning. The wild mushroom soup was very nutritious; all you needed to do was add some salt.
"Mother... I'm itchy..." Nianjie'er finished her meal, scratching herself as she walked toward Zhang Xiu'e.
"Why is it itchy? Could it be fleas?"
"Don't talk nonsense, how could that be? It's winter now!" Qin Xiaoniang said.
"Can't you get fleas in winter?"
Qin Xiaoniang's face paled, and she pulled her aside, admonishing, "Don't listen to the child's nonsense! It's so unseemly to have fleas. Girls still have some self-respect. You, as her mother, are so careless!"
"Alright, alright, I won't say anymore. I'll have Song Xiaoyu go fetch some water right now, and we'll boil a pot of water so the children can all take a bath!"
As Zhang Xiue spoke, she walked toward Song Xiaoyu's side, but as soon as she took a step, another problem came to mind.
Where's the basin?
They need to take a bath, but they don't have a basin!
"Hey! Where does your older brother live? A bunch of grown men need to make a living, right? Go ask him if he has a basin, and borrow one to use!"
Song Xiaoyu was slightly taken aback, finding it difficult to speak.
"I'm asking you a question, so answer me!"
"Yes, there is, but you two had a rather unpleasant falling out, so even if you went, he might not give it to you!"
Zhang Xiue put her hands on her hips as she spoke, "Didn't you say he's doing pretty well here because he's a general? Well, that's perfect. His wife and children are in trouble, so he has to help them, whether he wants to or not. Just go and ask him for it. Honestly... why should he live so comfortably while his own flesh and blood suffer here? Just go and tell him that the children need to take a bath! We can always give it back to him after we're done!"
Song Xiaoyu couldn't persuade her otherwise, so she got up and walked to a spot not far away.
Song He'er also wanted to see how her father was doing, so she asked to go with Song Xiaoyu.
"Are you really going? What if your father says something unpleasant? You'll be heartbroken again."
Song He'er smiled nonchalantly, "In my heart, he is no longer my father, so no matter what he says, I won't take it to heart, and neither will my mother! So Uncle, there's no need to worry!"
Song Xiaoyu gently stroked Song He'er's hair, then affectionately took her hand and walked forward together.
Xinzhou was a large place, and the exiled prisoners were scattered in various places.
If you have a family background or good connections, you can have someone send some money over to bribe them. But if you don't have any relatives, then you really only have one way out: death!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
