Zheng Qingshu didn't have much time left. There were only half a month left before the next trip. It would take ten days to reach Quanshui Prefecture by water, and he would have to set off in five days at the latest.
"If you'd like to go to the capital, I can send guards to escort you. Seeing familiar places might help you remember the past," Zheng Qingshu sincerely suggested.
But Zhu Lin thought it was a bad idea. "If Xingxing really is a princess, she was kidnapped two years ago when she was only four years old. After that, she traveled from the north to the south for half a year. Who knows what she went through during that half-year journey? What do the adults mean by 'familiar place'?"
Was she on the way to being kidnapped, or was she in the palace? Before her identity was confirmed, and before she could enter the palace, what familiar place could she possibly recall?
Therefore, going to the capital is not advisable.
Zheng Qingshu's expression stiffened for a moment, then he regained his composure and said, "It was my oversight. Don't worry, I will continue to investigate this matter. Once I have a firm grasp of the situation, I will find a way to bring Xingxing to the palace."
Zhou Laoda was in a complicated mood and didn't want to speak because he didn't know what to say. Zhu Lin also kept his eyes down and didn't say anything. He felt that relying on these court officials was not as good as relying on himself.
Zheng Qingshu's trip wasn't a complete waste; he did gain something. Before leaving, he mentioned that he was going to take up his post as prefect of Quanshui Prefecture and told the Zhou family that Tie Qingfeng would be going with him. He also said that he probably wouldn't come to Yegou Village again.
"Congratulations, sir!" Old Zhou stammered after a moment of hesitation.
Zheng Qingshu chuckled, cupped his hands in thanks, and then turned his gaze to the boy, who looked up at him.
"I hope we meet again, young master." Perhaps because the governor had spoken many flattering words about Xianwu Island to Zheng Qingshu, Zheng Qingshu seemed to take this matter very seriously.
"Until we meet again," Zhu Lin replied calmly.
Xingxing thought for a moment, then got up and chased after them. At the crossroads, she saw Tie Qingfeng and Song Jiao coming out of the Song residence. The two of them also saw her, glanced back at her, and then got into their carriages one after the other.
The carriage quickly drove away from Yegou Village, leaving behind only a cloud of dust.
Looking at the imposing vermilion gate of the Song family mansion next door, Xingxing sighed in a mature and old-fashioned manner, "In the end, the mansion is deserted."
This house was originally prepared for Tie Qingfeng, but it was built in the name of the Song family. Now that Tie Qingfeng has recovered and left, the house is empty. So many carriages have left, and even the servants who served him have left.
"It seems there are still three people left: a husband and wife who are in charge, and an old doorman. Such a big house always needs people to help manage it." Zhao Guihua had just chatted with the villagers who were watching when she found out this news.
"Forget it, it's none of our business," said Boss Zhou indifferently.
Upon hearing that they were going into the deep mountains, Jingjing and Xiaoxiao expressed their desire to go as well. They knew they wouldn't dare to go alone, but with the people from Xianwu Island by their side, it would definitely be a lot of fun. They wanted to see what treasures were hidden in the deep mountains.
Candy wanted to go too. She knew Xingxing was going, so she clamored to go as well. She didn't care whether there were any treasures or not; she only knew that she would get candy if she went with Xingxing.
“No, the three of you have to stay home and protect your parents. There’s so much grain to dry. What if the weather suddenly changes? The sweet potatoes will be ready to be dug up soon, so you have to stay home and harvest the grain.” These were Xingxing’s words. In the past, when her parents were at home, she wouldn’t have to worry.
However, after being chased by men in black for months, everyone felt the deep malice from Prince Gong. The three female guards suffered a lot on the way. After being bought by the family, they continued to travel and resist the assassins. They did not have many peaceful days.
Let the three of them stay at home this time before going into the mountains. They can protect their parents, and the adults can feel more at ease going into the mountains.
Jingjing and the others had eaten sweet potatoes before. The Zhou family took them with them when they left. They roasted sweet potatoes and cooked sweet potato porridge along the way. They were indeed quite delicious. They had never eaten them before. Now that they heard that they could help dig sweet potatoes, they thought it was a good idea.
"Sweet potatoes are delicious, dried sweet potatoes are delicious too, Candy likes them, Candy, go dig some." Candy understood and stopped pestering Xingxing to go into the deep mountains.
The next day, the group was about to set off into the mountains. Zhao Guihua got up early to prepare dry rations, making many flatbreads and steaming many buns. She also prepared dried meat and dried fruit for them to take with them.
Zhu Qiuyu glanced at the food on the table and said with a smile, "Auntie, you've worked hard, but you don't need to bring so much food. There's everything in the mountains. We just need to bring some rice, some salt, and a clay pot for cooking."
“Eldest brother is right. Auntie, just give us enough dry rations for two days. There’s no need to give us all of it. There are plenty of wild animals on the mountain, and we can hunt them anytime. There’s really no need to prepare too much.” Zhu Changge also advised, saying that bringing too much stuff would only be a burden.
"Bring enough steamed buns for a day, but bring all the flatbreads. We can boil them later." Zhao Guihua also put away the dried meat. She knew the abilities of her masters; there were plenty of prey in the outer mountains, not to mention in the deeper mountains.
But the wild beasts in the deep mountains are fierce, and she felt uneasy about it. She called her five sons to her side and gave them a long lecture, and she also nagged Xingxing a lot.
In the end, Zhao Guihua hugged Xingxing and said with a sob, "Daughter, the deep mountains are too dangerous. Those beasts are even more ferocious than the men in black. Why don't you stay home and keep your mother company?"
"Mom, I'll be fine. Don't worry. Trust in Brother Lin and the others. We're going to dig for treasure, not to die. There's nothing to be afraid of." Xingxing said calmly, patting Zhao Guihua's hand to comfort her.
Sigh, well, children grow up and don't listen to their mothers anymore. The kids have their own ideas, and none of the six children are willing to listen to her.
Zhao Guihua sniffed as she continued packing, and after finishing, she started rambling on, "I've prepared three sets of clothes for you, and five sets for Xingxing. She's very clean and changes her clothes every day. I've also prepared three pairs of shoes for each of you, and for the masters..."
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