295. Going Home
However, Xie Wenling's attitude was too firm, leaving no room for negotiation.
Qu Zijin finally sighed, let go of her hand, and didn't try to persuade her anymore: "Fine, since you're confident, just do as you say."
Xie Wenling nodded and said nothing more.
The guards immediately stepped forward, wrapped a thick rope around Sun Weicai, who was slumped on the ground, and tied him up tightly, dragging him toward the horses.
Sun Weicai's cries and pleas for mercy faded into the distance, soon drowned out by the wind, and all was quiet.
After dealing with Sun Weicai, Xie Wenling turned and walked towards the temporary medical tent at the back.
-
Inside the tent, the little dumpling sat obediently beside the old lady, her small body wrapped in a cloak. Her chubby little hands held the old lady's hands tightly, and her round eyes were fixed on the doctor treating the old man. She didn't even notice Xie Wenling walking in at first.
The doctor was taking the old man's pulse and examining the wound on his arm. He looked up at Xie Wenling and shook his head, his tone grave: "The old man is old and has been tortured for a long time. He's in very bad condition and needs proper care. He can't be subjected to any more torment."
Xie Wenling nodded, adjusted his expression, walked to the bedside, and said in a gentle voice to the old man and woman, "Grandpa and Grandma, thank you for saving the county princess earlier."
"The chaos has now subsided, and we will soon be returning to the capital."
"If you are willing, come with us."
"The county princess is the Fukang County Princess, personally bestowed by His Majesty, and is the daughter of the Marquis of Beiding. They, and I, will repay you."
"Once we arrive in the capital, I will find you a stable place to stay, enough money to hire a doctor to take good care of your health, and servants to attend to you. You will no longer have to suffer the hardships of wandering."
He paused, then added, "If you don't want to go to the capital, that's fine too. I will give you enough money and send guards to take you to the safest city nearby, so you can spend your old age in peace. I will never let you suffer any more grievances."
Upon hearing this, the little dumpling immediately raised its expectant face, its eyes sparkling as it looked at the grandpa and grandma.
She wanted the elderly couple to go with her, but she felt they should be able to make their own choice.
The elderly couple exchanged a glance.
The old man reached out his hand tremblingly and touched the little boy's head: "Child, we have no children in our lives, and we have lived in the village all our lives."
"We originally thought that if we couldn't find your family, or if you were willing to stay, we would keep you by our side, adopt you as our granddaughter, and raise you well."
"Since you want to go to the capital, then we'll go with you, so we can stay with you and watch you grow up."
The old woman nodded in agreement, gently patting the little boy's hand with her withered hand: "That's right, going to the capital is good too, then we won't have to be afraid of bad people anymore."
The little dumpling immediately smiled, tears still clinging to her cheeks, but revealing her tiny white teeth. She hugged the old lady's arm and rubbed against it happily: "That's great! Yue'er will have grandpa and grandma from now on!"
Xie Wenling looked at the heartwarming scene before him, his expression softening. He raised his hand and gently touched the top of the little dumpling's head: "Alright, then let's go back to the capital together."
-
The group walked slowly but steadily on the road ahead.
The carriage was warm and cozy, the charcoal stove was burning brightly, and the three children huddled together, listening to Qu Zijin tell short stories, laughing from time to time.
The little princess sat beside her, holding a piece of pastry in her hand. She broke it in half and handed it to the little dumpling: "Little Moon, you eat this, it's sweet."
The little dumpling took it, took a small bite, and said, "Thank you, Little Cloud, it's delicious."
Xie Wenling sat opposite him, leaning against the car wall, his eyelashes drooping, concealing the emotions in his eyes.
Only when the little dumpling came over and rubbed against his arm would he lower his head and gently scratch her chin with his fingertips: "Don't be naughty, be careful not to fall."
As they drew closer to the capital, Qu Zijin closed his book, let out a long sigh, and said with a sigh of relief, "We're finally about to reach the capital. This journey has been full of twists and turns, from being chased to the plague. Thinking about it now, it still feels thrilling."
Qin Fengsong happened to lift the curtain and come in to deliver water. Upon hearing this, he immediately nodded and said, "That's right! If it weren't for Lord Xie's solution, we would probably have really been defeated by the Prince of Zhennan this time."
The little dumpling nodded in agreement, patted its chest, and said seriously, "And rumble, rumble is so powerful, it scared the bad guys away in no time!"
Everyone laughed, and the atmosphere in the car became exceptionally relaxed.
Qu Zijin looked at the little dumpling and said gently, "Teacher, the Marquis of Beiding and his wife must be very worried about you. Once you get to the capital, your family will be reunited. Isn't that wonderful?"
The little dumpling immediately nodded emphatically: "Yes, yes, Daddy and Mommy must miss Yue'er, and Yue'er misses Daddy and Mommy too!"
Qu Zijin smiled and sighed to Xie Wenling, "Lord Xie, you can finally breathe a sigh of relief now that you've safely delivered your teacher back."
Although his emotional journey was somewhat turbulent, Qu Zijin came to believe that Xie Wenling was a good person.
After all, they really did return safely because of this.
Xie Wenling slowly raised his eyes, his gaze devoid of warmth, and a cold smile curled at the corner of his lips: "Heh."
He didn't say anything more, but simply reached out and pulled the little girl back to his side, letting her sit on his lap.
Qu Zijin was stunned for a moment, and for some reason, he seemed to be in a bad mood.
Just as she was about to ask further, Lin Fuman suddenly spoke up: "Wait a minute, let's stop the carriage for a bit, I have to go."
Everyone looked at her.
The little girl immediately grabbed her hand, her round eyes filled with reluctance: "Sister Fufu, where are you going? Aren't you coming to the capital with us?"
"No, I can't get in," Lin Fu smiled. "I'm going home, so I won't be going with you."
Xie Wenling looked at her and said in a calm tone, "Be careful on the road. If anything happens, have someone send you a message."
"Okay." Lin Fu nodded and then said goodbye to Qu Zijin, Xiao Tuanzi, and the little princess.
Finally, he patted the little dumpling's face and said, "Goodbye, little Doraemon. You should spend your time with your dad and mom. We'll meet again when we have time."
The little dumpling said reluctantly, "Yue'er will go see Sister Fufu tomorrow."
"Alright, see you there." Lin Fu replied with a smile, and got off the carriage carrying her large bundle.
The carriage slowly started moving, and the little dumpling clung to the window, waving her little hand and shouting, "Goodbye, Sister Fufu!"
She reluctantly sat back down only after Lin Fuman was out of sight.
-
After walking for another half hour, the city gates of the capital were almost in sight.
[Task Completed]
[Although the process was extremely arduous, and I was on the verge of death several times.]
But you succeeded.
Not only did you solve the plague in the south, you also brought back Xie Wenling.
[The living, intact Xie Wenling!]
[Reward: 3 Lottery Potions]
Looking from afar, a large crowd had gathered at the city gate, including many officials, who were clearly there to welcome them.
Qin Fengsong immediately lifted the curtain and shouted, "We've arrived! We've reached the capital!"
Everyone got out of the car, and the little princess, holding the little dumpling's hand, walked to the front of the crowd.
Then a man and a woman, along with two boys, ran towards them like madmen, shouting, "Moon! My Moon!"
The little boy paused for a moment, then his eyes lit up when he saw who it was. He broke free from the little princess's hand and ran towards them, calling out, "Daddy! Mommy!"
The couple were Marquis Beiding and Jiang Xiyue, and the two boys were Jin Qizhi and his second brother.
The family gathered together, and Jiang Xiyue hugged the little girl tightly, her eyes brimming with tears: "Yue'er, you're finally back! Mother was so scared, afraid that she would never see you again!"
Marquis Beiding's eyes also reddened. He patted the little dumpling's back, his voice choked with emotion, "It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back. I'll never let you suffer again."
Jin Qizhi and her second brother also surrounded their younger sister. One helped her adjust her cloak, and the other wiped away her tears, their voices full of heartache.
The family embraced, tears welling in their eyes, and the surrounding officials stepped forward to comfort and congratulate them.
Just as Jiang Xiyue reached out to pick up the little dumpling from the ground, Xie Wenling, who had been standing next to her, suddenly stepped forward, picked up the little dumpling first, and held it steadily in his arms.
Jiang Xiyue was stunned for a moment, and reached out to take it again, but Xie Wenling took two steps back, showing no intention of letting go, clearly not intending to give the child to her.
Marquis Beiding, Jiang Xiyue, Jin Qizhi, and the second brother were all stunned and stood there, looking at each other.
What happened?
Why are you holding onto their Yue'er so tightly?
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