After her mother and aunt learned about the situation, Shen Xingmian stopped worrying. Good steel should be used where it's needed most, so she had to go back to her space to work.
Three days later, Shen Zhiheng returned home to visit his family and was shocked to learn the news.
They were old neighbors for many years. Although they didn't see each other much, they were still quite familiar with each other. In particular, their daughter used to run to the neighbor's house every day when she was little. Even though he was in the North, he knew something about it.
He was filled with gratitude at that time, and the more he felt indebted to his youngest daughter, the more grateful he was to the couple next door.
Later, upon hearing that their family had suffered a great misfortune, and that they were too far away to help in time, he felt very sad for a while.
Now that he can bring her back to the manor and let Yanyue have a blood relative to love her, he feels much better.
He went to see Shen Xingmian specifically, wanting to host another welcome banquet that night to wash away all the bad things from the past.
Shen Xingmian had no objection, even though they hosted a banquet for the two grandmothers that very evening, along with Wanrong's husband who came to visit the next morning.
However, since her maternal grandfather felt it was necessary, she was very happy to receive a formal welcome from him, as the head of the family.
After practicing her kung fu for the next three days, Xiao Yanyue would stay with her maternal grandmother. With no one to disturb her, Shen Xingmian continued working, planning to take her "stock" with her maternal grandfather to the military camp.
If we send horse-drawn carriages, even ten carriages wouldn't be enough; if she runs it herself, one trip is enough.
Saves time and effort.
This dinner party was noticeably less reserved than the first day, but the three of them were still a little nervous when they saw Shen Zhiheng, the legendary fierce general of the Northern Border.
Shen Zhiheng warmly welcomed them, telling them to make themselves at home and not to be shy, and to just ask Mianmian for help if they needed anything.
After spending a few days together, the three of them gained a deep understanding of Mianmian's position in the family and realized that there was nothing this little girl couldn't handle, so they all obediently nodded.
Shen Zhiheng was afraid they wouldn't feel comfortable, so he didn't say much, quickly finished his meal, and went to handle military affairs, so that they could relax a little.
After finishing her meal, Shen Xingmian quickly followed him out, making a point of catching up with her grandfather to show off her achievements over the past few days.
Shen Zhiheng's reaction truly pleased her; his shocked expression didn't seem fake at all, haha.
"It's only been a few days, and Mianmian has already produced such a bunch of treasures?!"
Shen Xingmian tilted her head back proudly and chuckled, "Of course! Grandpa knows what kind of treasure I am now, right?"
"Nonsense, I didn't just find out now, I've known this for a long time!"
The grandfather and grandson laughed so loudly that even the group of people still in the dining room could hear them clearly, but no one knew what they were talking about so happily.
The next morning, Shen Xingmian went to the military camp with his grandfather. After putting away the weapons, he also replenished the granary and the animal feed.
Looking at how crowded everything was, Shen Xingmian felt that she was practically a super-sized version of the fairy godmother.
After returning home, life went on peacefully and slowly. One day, my grandfather came home with news that the group of people who had been exiled with them had finally arrived.
Unlike others who can stop at any time, exiled prisoners cannot stop; even if heavy snow blocks the roads, they must trek all the way here.
Needless to say, they endured countless hardships on the road, and those who survived were all emaciated, looking almost like walking corpses.
The number of people is less than half of what they had when they fled, which shows how difficult the journey was.
The officials were also very unhappy. They had never taken on such an ill-timed job in their lives. Not only could they not go home for the New Year, but they didn't even have a safe place to spend the holiday.
They still had to continue escorting these prisoners on their journey.
Later, they exploited the exiled prisoners even more ruthlessly. Those who survived were the ones who had silver hidden on them, while those who were unprepared had long since frozen or starved to death on the way.
After handing over the duties to the government officials, the officers planned to wait until spring to return home, so they could at least travel by carriage instead of walking.
Moreover, they had amassed a considerable amount of money along the way, which would allow them to return more comfortably and make up for the suffering they had endured on their journey.
There was originally a limit to the number of deaths that could occur during the escort of prisoners. If half of the prisoners died at the destination, it would not contribute much to the development of the exile area.
But this time is an exception. There is a big problem with the timing, so the restrictions on the number of people have been relaxed.
They might get scolded when they go back, but they will definitely not be punished.
For the officials who had worked hard all the way, as long as they were not punished and received a penny of the silver they collected, the trip would not have been in vain.
After hearing her grandfather's description, Shen Xingmian felt that those prisoners were truly miserable. If she herself had committed a heinous crime, then she would deserve to suffer as much as she could.
But for those who have been implicated or falsely accused, to suffer this kind of pain is truly tragic.
"Grandpa, what will happen to those prisoners?"
"Usually, accommodation is arranged first, and then the work is assigned. It's all dirty and tiring work, very hard work." Shen Zhiheng's tone also carried a sense of pity. Among those people, there were even some whose names he could recall, who were not bad people at all.
"Grandpa, you are now the most powerful person in the Northern Territory. If you want to help them, you can certainly do so. Who can stop you? Or do you have some concerns?"
Shen Zhiheng was silent for a while, then said firmly, "No, I want to help them."
Shen Xingmian also cheered up: "Okay, then I'll go with Grandpa and help them check on them. They've been freezing and hungry all the way, so their health must not be very good."
"Okay, sure."
That same day, the grandfather and grandson led their troops to the place where the exiled prisoners were settled. They set up a pot on the spot and distributed hot porridge and steamed buns so that the people could have a full meal.
Someone recognized Shen Zhiheng. Unexpectedly, the general who had been sentenced to exile managed to reach the northern border before them and continue serving as a general.
This skill is truly beyond the reach of ordinary people.
Those people didn't make a fuss. Instead, they obediently got some hot porridge and steamed buns, and went to eat them while expressing their gratitude.
But he would still steal glances at her from time to time, weighing his options in his mind.
The emperor has harmed them so badly; if they continue to be the people of Linyue, endless hard labor awaits them.
Who would want to live that kind of life?
They didn't do anything wrong. Who doesn't know that the Crown Prince's faction is being manipulated?
Because they are related to the Crown Prince, they are treated so cruelly. Who could accept this? Who wouldn't harbor a desire for revenge?
Now, General Shen, who was also wronged, is right in front of them and is doing very well. Why can't they go and seek refuge with a new master?
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