Went to Miaojiang to build border defenses?

The key words suddenly popped into Xiao Ruyu's ears.

She leaned against the woman's arm and a soft, chirping voice rang out.

"Don't be sad, Auntie. What's the matter with this border repair?"

The woman looked at her soft little face and her heart melted.

"Three months ago, the imperial court issued a notice stating that every household must send one strong worker to repair the border."

"After my son left, there has been no more news."

These words fell into the ears of Doctor Yang without missing a word, and he looked puzzled.

After the woman went to the yard to light a fire and cook, he spoke in a low voice inside the house.

"Master has never heard of the Miaojiang border defense when he was in the court, so I am a little suspicious of what this woman said."

Xiao Ruyu scratched his chin and was about to say something when Wang Dazhu had already prepared the meal.

"Come on, sorry for the wait."

"I don't have anything good to offer you at home, so I hope you won't mind."

He put a large bowl of porridge on the table and looked at them with a smile.

Seeing Wang Dazhu and his wife enter the room, they also fell silent.

The woman enthusiastically served the food to them and placed it in front of everyone.

Xiao Ruyu had been hungry all day, and when he smelled the fragrance of the food, he was already starving, so he picked up the bowl and started eating.

Although Doctor Yang was still on guard, he could not resist the temptation of the food.

After testing the poison with a silver needle while no one was paying attention, he ate it with confidence.

Wang Dazhu asked casually without even raising his head as he stuffed rice into his mouth.

"How did you come to such a remote area? Judging from your accent, you don't seem to be from this area."

Xiao Ruyu blurted out with food in his mouth.

"We took a detour to Miaojiang."

She covered her mouth, realizing that she had let the cat out of the bag.

Fortunately, Eleven came to smooth things over and dealt with it.

"We were taking my father to visit relatives, and we lost our way while walking."

Wang Dazhu showed an expression of sudden enlightenment, "No wonder, that forest is really remote. If you hadn't met me, you would have to camp there tonight."

When the woman heard that they were also going to Miaojiang, she remained silent.

Xiao Ruyu glanced at her and found that her eyes were red.

She turned Eleven, and consciously asked him to look over as well, feeling a little overwhelmed.

Wang Dazhu noticed that something was wrong with his wife and hurriedly wiped her tears.

"What's wrong? Are you missing Xiao Zhuang again?"

He explained to Xiao Ruyu and others on behalf of the woman.

"She has been worried about her son since he left, but it's been almost half a year and there's not even a single letter from him."

Wang Dazhu wiped his eyes with his sleeve and looked at them earnestly.

"When you get to Miaojiang, can you go find my son and give him a message?"

He suddenly pulled the woman and knelt down in front of Doctor Yang.

"Tell him that his father and mother are at home and everything is fine, don't worry."

"If you have time, please write back so that his mother can rest assured."

Doctor Yang quickly helped him up, looking at the two men's weathered faces, he couldn't bear it.

"Of course you can. When we get to Miaojiang and find your son, we'll have him write back to you."

Then he asked in detail about the name and whereabouts of Wang Dazhu's son.

At night, several people were arranged to rest in Wang Dazhu's son's room.

Listening to the snoring sounds coming from next door, Xiao Ruyu asked the two of them in her heart.

【What does Master plan to do about Wang Xiaozhuang's matter? 】

Doctor Yang looked outside and saw no movement, then answered in a low voice.

"We are not sure about the border defense. What if they are trying to trick us?"

Xiao Ruyu turned over and recalled the pitiful appearance of Wang Dazhu and the other man in the evening.

[But I don't think they are lying. Why don't we go to Miaojiang to confirm it first?]

【Eleven, what do you think? 】

Eleven replied softly.

"Eleven will naturally support the little princess unconditionally, and will accompany her there when the time comes."

"Master, there is no room for refusal!"

Doctor Yang nodded helplessly between her brows and agreed for the time being.

The next morning, the three of them said goodbye to Wang Dazhu and set off.

With Wang Dazhu's guidance, they easily bypassed the woods and reached the city.

As the city appeared ahead, Xiao Ruyu's mood also became more relaxed.

At least you don’t have to worry about sleeping outdoors in the woods and getting snatched away by wild beasts!

As he was thinking, a noisy sound was heard outside the carriage.

"What are you doing?!"

Doctor Yang's furious voice came from outside the carriage.

Xiao Ruyu quickly opened the curtain and found a circle of soldiers surrounding outside.

Holding swords in their hands, they handcuffed Doctor Yang's hands behind his back and detained him.

"The government has issued an order that anyone who enters the city gate without permission will be taken away and made into a slave!"

"Let him go!!!"

Xiao Ruyu jumped off the carriage and yelled at them, her little face pulled and she glared at them angrily.

The next second, she was lifted up by the scruff of the neck, and the leading officer glared at her.

The searching officers and soldiers threw eleven people out of the carriage and reported to the leading officers and soldiers.

"Sir, there is another one in here."

"These two are too young, just put them in jail."

The leading soldier threw Xiao Ruyu to the ground and took Doctor Yang away.

"Don't abandon us!"

Xiao Ruyu ignored the pain in his body and crawled forward, trying to rescue Doctor Yang from the soldiers.

Doctor Yang was being escorted and turned back to give her a look.

Xiao Ruyu understood instantly, stopped, and watched him leave with tears in her eyes.

Eleven was injured and stepped forward to protect her, fearing that the soldiers would attack her again.

Half an incense stick later, the two were thrown into the prison together.

The prison was dark and damp, with rats crawling around from time to time.

The creaking prison door was opened and Xiao Ruyu was pushed inside.

【Eleven, why did they bring us in?】

Xiao Ruyu hadn't reacted yet. Things happened too fast and she was still confused.

Eleven helped her sit down in the prison nearby and touched her head.

"Don't be afraid, just wait and see."

Xiao Ruyu looked around the prison. The two of them were held alone in a room.

Looking through the prison gate, there were many people being held captive around.

They sighed and huddled together in twos and threes, lifeless.

"Hey, how did you get in?"

Xiao Ruyu grabbed the prison door and shouted at a middle-aged man opposite.

The middle-aged man felt a little pity for her when he saw that she was thrown into prison at such a young age.

"There was a locust plague in the city, and these officers and soldiers went out on the streets to arrest people without any discrimination."

"Anyone who looked like a scholar or a doctor was arrested."

Xiao Ruyu remembered the medical box that Doctor Yang carried with him, and suddenly understood.

So that's how it is!

"How come you were arrested, little kid?" the middle-aged man asked reluctantly.

Xiao Ruyu said she didn't know either and shook her head repeatedly.