Chapter 307 Qingshui County
The wheels rolled and the horses' hooves clattered.
Cheng Jiaojiao sat in the vermilion carriage, gazing at the scenery receding outside the window, but she had little leisure to appreciate it.
As she drew closer to the planned location for her "fake death escape," a mix of tension and anticipation caused her to frequently drift off into thought.
Jiang Ling noticed her unease and often talked to her or discussed the details of the upcoming plan with her.
The mission continued its journey.
Awei parted ways with them the day after drinking the ginger soup.
Xiao Ran lived up to expectations and gathered a lot of useful information. She even spent a bottle of strong liquor on the process.
It turns out that Awei's surname isn't Li. His surname is Zhou.
As for why they paid special attention to Old Zhao's family, it was because Old Li's only son and Awei were very close sworn brothers.
Xiao Li and Awei had known each other since childhood. They had studied martial arts under the same master and went out to do business together a few years ago. Unfortunately, they were unlucky and the business failed. Xiao Li also died far from home.
Awei then took the initiative to shoulder the responsibility of caring for Xiao Li's parents, which is why he chose to stay and live in the dilapidated temple outside the village.
After traveling for two more days, they gradually ventured deeper into the hilly area.
That afternoon, the caravan was passing through a sparse woodland when the official road turned a corner, and wisps of smoke could be faintly seen ahead.
"General, we are approaching Qingshui County. Should we enter the town to rest and resupply?" Zhao Shuo rode forward to ask for instructions.
Zhao Jingxing glanced at the sky, estimated the journey, and nodded, saying, "Pass down the order to set up camp outside the town and send a team into the town to buy some fresh fruits, vegetables, and meat. The others must not disturb the people and must strictly abide by military discipline."
The order was given, and the troops stopped at a flat open space outside the town and began to set up camp.
Zhao Shuo turned around and walked to Jiang Ling's carriage: "Miss Jiang, would you like to go into town together and take a look? We can also buy some things that you and the princess might need."
Jiang Ling was feeling bored, having been confined in carriages and ceremonial processions for many days. She longed to see the everyday life of ordinary people and immediately agreed: "Great, it'll be good to replenish some supplies."
Jiang Ling, accompanied by Xiao Ran, Zhao Shuo, and four soldiers, prepared to enter Qingshui County.
Qingshui County is not large, but it is located on a major transportation route and is quite lively.
Shops lined both sides of the cobblestone streets, with wine flags fluttering in the breeze.
It was afternoon, and the streets were bustling with people. Peddlers carrying loads, women with baskets, and children playing created a vibrant scene of daily life.
As soon as Jiang Ling and her group entered, they attracted a lot of attention.
After all, soldiers carrying weapons are not common in a small town like this.
Zhao Shuo deliberately instructed the soldiers to tone down their imposing manner and follow behind Jiang Ling, trying not to appear aggressive.
Jiang Ling's main purpose for this trip was to purchase food.
She first picked out some fresh vegetables and eggs at the market, and then bought half a pig and several chickens and ducks at a butcher shop.
Although the food in the army had improved, it still felt too bland for her, who was used to the rich flavors of modern cuisine.
So whenever she had free time, she would give Xiao Ran, Cheng Jiaojiao, and Zhao Shuo extra lessons. Zhao Jingxing would occasionally join in as well.
After replenishing their staple food and seasonings such as salt and sugar, they strolled slowly along the street, looking for some interesting little trinkets to keep Cheng Jiaojiao entertained on the way.
Just as they were about to continue forward, a commotion and cries suddenly came from ahead, mixed with a few sharp curses.
Pedestrians on the street stopped and peered out.
A crowd had gathered in front of a fairly respectable-looking house.
A young woman collapsed to the ground, tears streaming down her face, tightly holding a toddler of about two or three years old who was crying loudly.
She was wearing only a worn-out blouse, her hair was disheveled, and she wasn't even wearing shoes.
There was also a piece of clothing belonging to a man that had been thrown out nearby.
A portly middle-aged man stood on the steps, his face contorted with rage. He pointed at the woman and cursed, “Shameless slut! Our Liu family has treated you well, yet you dare to do such a disgraceful thing! Today we will divorce you and throw you out of the house. From now on, your life and death are none of our business! Take your bastard child and get out!”
Beside them stood a young woman dressed provocatively, feigning to persuade the man: "Sir, please calm down. It's not worth ruining your health over someone like that. I was just confused for a moment..."
The onlookers were buzzing with discussion.
"This Liu family's daughter-in-law seems quite virtuous, how come she..."
"You can know a person's face but not their heart! I heard they found men's belongings in her room!"
"Tsk tsk, the child is already so big, what a waste..."
The woman, who had been called a "bitch," trembled all over and protested in a hoarse voice, "I didn't... Husband, I really didn't! I've never seen that thing before, I don't know why it was under my pillow..."
She looked pleadingly at the elderly woman next to the middle-aged man; that was her mother-in-law.
"Mother, believe me! I've been married into the Liu family for three years, working hard day and night, and being filial to my parents-in-law. How could I possibly do anything to betray my husband or the Liu family!"
The old woman glared at her: "Now that the evidence is irrefutable, what are you still trying to deny! I thought you were being filial, but you were just fooling me!"
Clearly, she and her son are on the same side.
Upon hearing this, the man surnamed Liu became even more enraged. He rushed down the steps and tried to grab the child from the woman's arms, saying, "It's a pity that my Liu family has doted on you for two or three years, only to raise another family's bastard!"
The two- or three-year-old child in his arms was being pulled painfully and cried loudly.
"No! This is my child! Tiger is your own flesh and blood!" The woman clutched the child tightly in terror, desperately trying to avoid him.
The pulling and tugging only made the child feel more pain and cry even louder. His little face turned bright red.
Seeing this, the onlookers all showed expressions of pity, and their discussions took a different turn:
"What does this have to do with the children? It's all the adults' fault!"
"If you keep pulling like that, it'll break!"
"Why would a grown man make things difficult for a child?"
"How can you lay a hand on women and children in broad daylight? What kind of behavior is this?" Zhao Shuo couldn't hold back any longer. He stepped forward and reached out to block the arm of the man surnamed Liu.
Although he didn't exert any force, the soldier's aura and strength caused the portly man to stagger back two steps, looking at Zhao Shuo and Jiang Ling and the others who had suddenly appeared with surprise and uncertainty.
The man surnamed Liu composed himself. Seeing Zhao Shuo in military uniform, with an extraordinary air about him and soldiers following behind him, his arrogance immediately diminished. However, he still stubbornly said, "Sir, this is my family matter! This shameless woman is unfaithful, and the evidence is conclusive. I have divorced her according to the law. What's wrong with that? Please, sir, do not interfere."
"Domestic matters justify bullying women and children?" Zhao Shuo frowned, his tone stern.
"Although the laws of the Great Yu Dynasty allow divorce, they clearly stipulate that there must be a legitimate reason verified by the government, and the divorced woman and her children must not be mistreated. If there is any injustice, you can appeal to the government. How can you set up a private court and disregard human life!"
The laws of the Great Yu Dynasty never restricted women from divorcing and remarrying. Divorce required a legitimate reason with the government's consent; otherwise, divorce was the only option.
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