Song He'er was momentarily embarrassed and stood there awkwardly. What did he mean by "she...used"?
“I haven’t used it. It’s new. I know you’re a germaphobe. How could I possibly give you a used bowl as a thank-you gift? Your Highness really underestimates me.”
With a smile playing on his lips, Jiang Huaifu continued, "Then how do you know the food won't get cold all day?"
When Song He'er saw this arrogant person, she was furious, but since she was a servant and he was the master, she could only bite the bullet and answer.
“In our Central Plains, before the masters in the palace eat, servants taste the food to confirm that it is not poisonous before the masters can eat it. Don’t you have this rule in your Western Continent? So I tested this bowl with heated food in advance, but no one uses it, so Your Highness can rest assured.”
Song He'er was very displeased. If she had known that she would be suspected, she would have been better off not giving it to him at all. It was hard for her to go through so much trouble for a cheap thermos!
Jiang Huaifu probably noticed that Song He'er's expression was not good, so he stopped joking and seriously put the bowl away.
"You've come just to say goodbye to me?"
"Yes," Song He'er answered readily.
"The mountain roads are treacherous and difficult to traverse. Do you really think you can cross this mountain with just your clever tricks?"
Although the words were extremely ironic, there was still some truth to them. Song He'er had indeed encountered difficulties. Before even reaching the mountain, she had already run into local thugs. Although she had a gun, she still couldn't handle a group of bandits on her own.
"Your Highness, is there no other way to go here?"
"No."
Song He'er sighed helplessly and replied disappointedly, "Then take care, Your Highness. We're leaving now."
Jiang Huaifu was stunned for a moment, a hint of pity flashing in his eyes. Before Song He'er had fully stepped out of the tent, he suddenly spoke, "I will escort you to Xinzhou..."
Should we send them there?
What merit does she possess to warrant a prince from the Western Continent 'escorting' them to the wilderness?
They are a family of criminals! They have exhausted themselves trying to escape and avoid being bullied by the soldiers, and they really don't want to cause any more trouble.
If the officials of Xinzhou find out that they have connections with the prince of Xizhou, they will probably be charged with adultery, and then it won't be as simple as just being exiled!
Realizing the seriousness of the matter, Song He'er directly refused Jiang Huaifu.
"Your Highness... it's best to avoid it. Not only is it unbecoming of your status, but even if you can protect us for this short journey, can you protect us for a lifetime? Xinzhou is a place that ordinary people rarely set foot in. Your Highness should not go."
Jiang Huaifu knew Song He'er would answer this way, so he had already thought of a way to deal with it.
"We're just taking you across the snow-capped mountains; we won't be entering Xinzhou territory. You're overthinking it."
"......."
"As I said before, your easy escape from the palace was with my tacit approval. So what if I don't want to let you go today?"
Jiang Huaifu looked up and stared at her blankly.
Song He'er broke out in a cold sweat under his gaze; why wouldn't he let her leave?
Does that mean... to bring her back to the palace and make her continue to serve him as a maid?
No! She must never go back!
"Your Highness, are you threatening me?"
"No, I just want to help you."
Song He'er knew this strange man's temperament; he always kept his word. Rather than fighting back, she might as well agree to his terms. After all, having someone to protect her along the way was a good thing!
"But Your Highness, may I ask you a question?"
Jiang Huaifu understood from her words that she had agreed, and his clenched fists immediately relaxed, and the smile on his lips gradually returned.
"Ask away."
"Why did you insist on taking me across the snow-capped mountains? And why did you tell me that the person who was killed was from the General's Mansion, but then wouldn't let me see what that person looked like?"
The barrage of questions gradually plunged Jiang Huaifu into deep thought, the smile on his lips slowly fading away, his eyes becoming as if covered in frost, giving off a chilling feeling.
"Your cleverness will get you into trouble. I have no other intention than to protect you. If you think that I am attracted to you because of your appearance, then so be it."
The answer was impeccable, and Song He'er didn't know what else to ask.
Perhaps he knew everything, knew the identities of these thugs, and knew who the dead person was, but he just deliberately didn't say it.
"This servant has nothing to say and will leave now. The young lady and the others have already packed their things and are ready to depart."
Song He'er didn't wait for his reply, but turned around and left the military tent directly.
When they returned to Qin Xiaoniang and the others, Zhang Xiue had already packed all the luggage. There were still some potatoes left from the previous night's cooking, so they each had one, and they ate them so they could set off as soon as possible.
Qin Xiaoniang was the thinnest among the group. Song He'er had intended to take out some nutritious cakes from her spatial storage to give to her, but now was not the time. She would wait until things calmed down before taking them out.
"Miss, this is steamed egg custard that His Highness sent over. He said it was for all of you. Please accept it."
Song He'er turned her head and saw a young soldier carrying a small bowl of yellow egg custard. Judging by the amount, there were at least ten eggs, enough for their group to share.
In front of Zhang Xiu'e and Qin Xiaoniang, Song He'er dared not accept rashly, fearing that they would say that she and the young prince were entangled in an ambiguous relationship.
"We won't accept these things. I've already eaten. Please take them and share them with yourselves!"
To everyone's surprise, the young soldier had no intention of leaving. He put the bowl on the ground and said, "Miss, if you don't eat, His Highness will punish us. Please have pity on us and accept it!"
Punish them?
Jiang Huaifu is truly eccentric! Why does he always like to exploit other people's weaknesses to threaten them?
Thinking of this, Song He'er felt even angrier, but for the sake of the thin little soldier, she had no choice but to bite the bullet and accept the steamed egg custard.
"I understand, I will eat it. Go back and report!"
It's unbelievable! This living devil suddenly appeared on the road to exile! He blocked her room for free action!
Qin Xiaoniang hesitated for a moment, then walked to Song He'er's side and asked softly, "He'er, I feel like this prince is acting strange... I'm really afraid he'll have designs on you..."
"Fight if you want! At worst, we'll both die!"
The sudden remark startled Zhang Xiue and the others.
After all this time, Song He'er has always been well-behaved and sensible, and I've never seen her get so angry before!
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