Chapter 8: Changing Straw Sandals
"When my cousin Feng and I went hunting, we saw a lot of soft grass in the woods. Its leaves are tough but very soft. If we could cut some, tear the leaves apart, weave them into soles, and use the flocculent material inside the grass core as filling, we could make shoes and boots that are convenient for long journeys."
Qin Xiangnuan shared her idea with everyone, tilting her head and continuing, "There's no end to the soft grass, and there's nothing to do on the road. I could make a pair for everyone in the general's mansion. If we cut enough, maybe we can even take turns."
"In that case, I'll help my cousin Nuannuan!"
Qin Feng was young and recovered very quickly. When he heard that he could help the people in the general's mansion, he rushed into the woods carrying a bamboo basket.
While the men were busy mowing the grass, Qin Xiangnuan found a secluded place and quietly opened the space.
Although soft grass can be used to weave straw sandals, it still hurts the feet.
Qin Xiangnuan went to the supermarket and found a few packs of soft and comfortable insoles. She put them in her arms and hid them secretly, planning to hide the insoles inside the straw sandals after she had woven them. This way, they would be like sneakers, without rubbing the feet and causing much less damage to the body.
As the sky gradually brightened, Qin Feng and others came back carrying a large bundle of soft grass.
They walked and stopped along the way. Liu and Zou were busy weaving. Their soft fingers were rubbed by the grass leaves but they refused to stop. In about two days, they had made more than ten pairs of straw sandals. Qin Xiangnuan put the insoles in and handed them to Qin Yi and Qin Wen, "Second uncle, third uncle, try it on."
"Don't tell me, it's so light. It feels like walking on cotton. It doesn't hurt at all."
Qin Yi exclaimed in surprise, and Qin Xiangnuan finally breathed a sigh of relief.
She had all the men and women in the general's mansion change into new straw sandals, and also set aside some for replacement. Looking at the few remaining pairs, she walked up to the officer and handed them over, "If you don't mind, you can try them on too."
"this……"
The officer looked at Qin Xiangnuan and his expression became embarrassed.
They were ordered to escort the people from the general's mansion to the border. They used to think it was a tough job and just wanted to urge them to arrive as soon as possible. In addition, the seventh prince had secretly instructed them, so they also wanted to be strict with them.
But Qin Xiangnuan always greeted them with a smile, either giving them money or sending them some game to fill their stomachs.
Now they are given straw sandals, which... as the saying goes, one should not hit a smiling person. Even if they want to find trouble, they become restrained.
"You can rest assured. The people in the General's Mansion will never ask you to do anything difficult. However, we will be traveling together for a long time in the future, eating and living together, so I would like to trouble the officials to take good care of us. Just keep these things and don't worry about any future troubles."
Qin Xiangnuan looks petite, but her clear eyes can always see through other people's thoughts.
After hearing what she said, the officer took the things, nodded, and said nothing more.
The distance between them was just a little further, which gave the people in the general's mansion more convenience and space.
"Nuannuan, where did you learn all this?"
As dusk approached, Liu walked beside Qin Xiangnuan, observing her actions over the past few days. The once timid and weak daughter, whose sole focus was on the Seventh Prince, had become the backbone of the General's Mansion, handling everything properly and appropriately. Even the old lady seemed to be listening to her instructions.
As a mother, I can always sense something strange about such changes.
Qin Xiangnuan held her arm, a gentle smile on her face, "Mother, your daughter was never stupid. It's just that the Seventh Prince blinded her and made her do many absurd things."
"I read all these things in storybooks. I had no use for them before, but now that I'm in exile, they've made me stronger than my uncles, aunts, and brothers. Mother knows that I always enjoy reading these things..."
"That's true."
Liu knew Qin Xiangnuan's personality, and after being coaxed by her words, she dispelled some of her doubts.
After passing through the woods, there was a flat road. Although the road was easy to walk on, the surrounding area was desolate and dilapidated, with only stones and soil blocks. There was not a single house in sight for several miles, let alone water and food.
"No, I really can't walk anymore."
A complaint was heard from the exile team. Qin Xiangnuan looked back and saw Qin Xiangsong, the only son of his third uncle, sitting cross-legged on the side of the road, talking in a spoiled manner. Everyone stopped because of him.
Qin Xiangsong is two years younger than Qin Xiangnuan. During the birth, her third aunt Qi suffered a difficult delivery and was in danger.
It was Liu and Old Lady Qin, using their imperial status, who wrote a letter and sent it to the imperial palace in the capital, inviting a midwife from the Imperial Hospital to come out and barely save the child. After that incident, Qi became especially fond of Qin Xiangsong, pampering him and never scolding or scolding him.
During the days of exile, Qin Xiangsong had made many noises, but was always stopped by his uncle.
He must have been extremely hungry today, which is why he finally started throwing a tantrum.
"Why don't we all stop and take a break?"
Old Madam Qin naturally loved her grandson very much. She sighed and took out two hard steamed buns from her bosom, "Song'er, eat something to fill your stomach. We will be there soon. When we see them, we will ask for two bowls of soup for you..."
Qin Xiangnuan couldn't help but frown as she looked at the scene in front of her.
Old Madam Qin is old and her body can't withstand the hardship.
Even though she had been watching closely these days, she had secretly saved most of her food rations, intending to provide more food and supplies for her grandchildren. Seeing her become thinner and older, she knew that this was not a solution.
This section of the road was flat, and Qin Xiangnuan couldn't find a chance to take out wild game from the space to improve everyone's meals.
For several days in a row, Qin Xiangsong had only been able to fill his stomach with the dry biscuits and steamed buns given by the officials. The meaty food he had eaten in the past few days had spoiled his appetite. He slapped away Madam Qin's food and shouted, "Why is there no wild rabbit to eat? This dry biscuit has no taste at all, it's hard, like stone, and it makes my stomach feel uncomfortable. I don't want to eat it anymore!"
"Shut up!"
Qin Wen saw his son like this and scolded him angrily.
But Qi, who was standing next to him, couldn't sit still any longer. She hugged Qin Xiangsong in her arms and said, "Why are you scolding him? He's just a child. How could he have suffered so much? Even I can't eat these days."
"Could my second brother and eldest sister-in-law do that?"
Qi frowned, looking at Liu with resentment, muttering softly, "If we hadn't been implicated, why would we have to live like this? Why can't we even let people say a word? If this goes on, it would be better to just seal our mouths and tie us up and take us away."
"What nonsense are you talking about!"
Qin Wen's face flushed crimson because of her words. He looked at Qin Xiangnuan and Liu Shi with a look of blood dripping from his eyes. "Sister-in-law, she is just a woman. Please don't take it to heart. I have never blamed my brother. If it weren't for him, we wouldn't be able to live a good life in the capital."
Qin Xiangnuan looked at Qi's beloved son calmly and said softly, "Brother Song is right..."
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