"That's no problem, but you all had better behave yourselves. If you cause trouble on my territory, I won't hold back."
Song He'er didn't speak, but obediently nodded.
Behave yourself? Who would live a life of conformity and abide by other people's rules in a foreign land?
Sooner or later, she will avenge herself and leave Xizhou in glory!
"Someone, please ask this young lady to leave. Also, arrange for her family to rest at the inn."
The officers and soldiers were puzzled. They looked at Song He'er and then at the young prince above.
"this……"
"You dare question my words? Get out and carry them out immediately!"
"Yes, I understand."
Song He'er followed the soldiers to the outside of the prison. Upon hearing the commotion, Qin Xiaoniang ran over without a second thought.
"He'er, how are you? Are you hurt?"
Song He'er shook her head, signaling her not to speak.
"His Highness has pardoned you! Please rest at the inn."
Zhang Xiu'e was full of surprise, thinking she had misheard. She looked up at Song He'er's face and saw that she was nodding. She didn't say anything this time, and carried Nian'er out.
The group followed the soldiers and walked out of the prison through a maze of twists and turns.
It was already pitch black outside, and only after entering the garden could one vaguely see the light of lamps.
The officers and soldiers led them to a place called "Narcissus Residence," opened the door, and gestured for everyone to go inside.
"Miss Song, please leave with me immediately!"
Song He'er hesitated for a moment, "I want to say a few words to my mother, you wait for me outside!"
The officers and soldiers did not agree and stood by, coldly watching her.
"Have you forgotten what His Highness said! You are not allowed to mistreat me, so get out of here now!"
Upon hearing this, the officers and soldiers turned around helplessly and left the room.
As soon as Qin Xiaoniang saw the person leave, she quickly went to Song He'er's side and pulled her to sit down on a chair.
"You... He'er, tell your mother what you promised them? Why did that prince suddenly arrange for us to be here?"
Song He'er patted Qin Xiaoniang's hand to reassure her and tell her not to overthink things.
"Mother, don't always think the worst. He didn't do anything to me, he just made me his maid. Don't worry, I will definitely find a way to get you out!"
Zhang Xiue was a little anxious and came over to argue, "This is no maid. He's just after your beauty and wants to take advantage of you!"
"Oh dear, Auntie, don't get involved and make things worse. That's not what he meant. Besides, I'm so young, what can I possibly accomplish?"
"What do you mean 'small'! There's an old prince in the capital who's taken a thirteen-year-old girl as a concubine! You'd better not agree to any of his unreasonable demands. We're not afraid of suffering a little!"
Song He'er was speechless and quickly pulled the restless Zhang Xiu'e to a chair to rest.
"Third Aunt, I think you're the one who needs to calm down. My identity is unknown. Would the young prince of Xizhou want someone like me as a concubine? He's royalty, not some commoner with a little money. Even if he were willing, his ministers would object. He doesn't mean it that way, so don't worry! Besides! If I don't agree, will we all die here? And if the dog emperor of the Central Plains finds out we didn't go to Xinzhou, he'll exterminate our entire clan?"
Zhang Xiue was speechless. She was indeed annoyed because she couldn't help everyone. If she were the one being treated like a servant today, she wouldn't have so many concerns.
Qin Xiaoniang was also at a loss and couldn't think of any good solutions for the time being.
About half an incense stick's time later, the soldiers came in again to urge them on.
"Are you done yet? Why are you rambling on and on! Let's go!"
Song He'er turned around and hugged Qin Xiaoniang. "Mother, don't worry about me. Take good care of Huan Ge'er. A wet nurse will come later and she will take good care of your child."
Qin Xiaoniang held Song He'er tightly and urged her again, "You must be careful. If anything happens to you, I won't be able to live either."
Song He'er smiled, revealing a sweet dimple on her cheek.
But the next moment, before anyone could leave, the aroma wafted in from outside.
Several maids dressed in Western Region attire placed dishes on the table and arranged them neatly...
Song He'er examined the dishes carefully and saw that the dishes on the table included fruits and pastries from the Central Plains, as well as beef and mutton from the Western Regions.
The soup was pigeon soup with goji berries. The rich broth had an enticing golden hue, which suggested that the chef's skills were superb.
Qin Xiaoniang and the others dared not eat. This delicious food that had fallen from the sky seemed to them like a huge trap, tempting them to jump into it.
"These dishes are a gift from His Highness! You mustn't be ungrateful and fail to appreciate His Highness's kindness!"
After saying that, he pulled Song He'er out of the room, then closed the door tightly and left four soldiers to guard outside.
"Can't my mother and the others move around freely?"
"We'll have to ask His Highness to know!"
"oh."
Song He'er remained silent and followed the soldiers into a magnificent hall.
The palace was built in a magnificent and imposing manner, and behind it was a garden with mountains and water, a pleasant place that was warm in winter and cool in summer.
"Just wait here. You can't go inside unless His Highness summons you."
"Yes, I understand."
Song He'er pretended to be well-behaved, but as soon as the soldiers left, her true colors were revealed.
How could she possibly stand still and wait here? She needed to carefully observe every blade of grass and every tree, so that if she noticed even the slightest clue, she could quickly leave this wretched place!
The room was poorly lit, with long curtains hanging over every window.
The houses here are quite different from those in the Central Plains. Most of them do not have floor partitions, and the distance from the ground to the roof is as high as ten meters, giving people a very spacious feeling.
With this kind of construction method, even if you light seven or eight stoves in the house during a strong winter wind, it probably won't be effective.
Looking further to the side, you can see one low gate after another, only about the height of a person.
Strange... very strange. The roof is so high, but the entrance is so low... People from the Western Regions are naturally tall, so how can they get in?
Song He'er became curious and, taking advantage of the fact that no one was around, decided to go inside and find out what was going on.
She bent down and quietly went inside...
The spacious room was spotless, with few antiques for people to handle and admire, mostly just some copied paintings hanging on the walls.
Moreover, each place where the inscription is signed bears the three large characters "Jiang Huai Fu".
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