The official road was very eye-catching amidst the lush green forest. Several carriages came slowly from among the green trees, and the sound of human voices could be heard from time to time.
Chen Huaixu's eyes were slightly closed, her long eyelashes drooping quietly. Several years of pampering had made her taller and gradually show the posture of a young girl. Under the long-term influence of the body-tempering potion and the mermaid pearl, her palm-sized oval face was as white as jade, her cheeks were rosy, and the contours of her eyebrows and eyes were growing more and more breathtakingly.
At this moment, she was half lying on the carriage, frowning slightly due to the occasional bumps, without her usual leisurely and relaxed demeanor.
"Miss, did you take the official road to escape the famine before?" Xiaoman was wearing dark riding clothes and riding on a horse. Compared with the ordinary maid's outfit, she looked more heroic at this time.
Shen Huaixu stretched with difficulty, sat up, and replied in a light and lazy voice: "There are too many refugees on the official road. At that time, people are much more terrifying than the beasts in the mountains."
Xiaoman was silent for a moment, "Indeed, in a world like that, human nature is the most terrifying."
Shen Huaixu didn't say anything else. Looking at the familiar terrain and vegetation outside the window, she said to Xiaoman, "Xiaoman, I'm going out for some fresh air."
Soon, the two men switched positions, and the long neighing of the horse broke the silence of the forest, startling birds and flying into the sky.
When they reached the carriage in front, Shen Huaixu grabbed the reins and slowed the horse down, "Second brother, Shuangjiang and I will go ahead and explore the road."
Slender, bony fingers lifted the car curtain, and Jiang Xunqingjun's handsome face appeared at the window. With a gentle smile on his lips, he warned, "Be careful, don't go too far."
Chen Huaixu had already ridden her horse forward. "I understand, second brother. Don't worry." As she said that, she kicked the horse's belly and galloped away, completely ignoring the gazes following her from behind.
The figure on the horse was obscured by the carriage. Jiang Xun restrained himself and withdrew his gaze, his hands dropping. He pulled out a wolf-shaped wooden sculpture from his bosom. Perhaps it had been stroked so many times that the wolf's body had become shiny.
After this wood carving, Ah Xu would always send some gifts back, both expensive and inexpensive, but he liked this one the most.
The early summer wind brought a hint of heat and penetrated into the carriage. The sound of sighs was left in the wind, making it difficult to tell whether one had heard it wrongly.
After walking like this for another two days, the group stopped at a fork in the road in the evening.
"Second brother, now that we've reached this point, it's time for us to separate." Shen Huaixu looked along the official road. "There's a post station two or three miles ahead. It's a good opportunity for you all to rest up."
She wanted to take the small path next to it. If she went any further, the carriage would become a burden and she could only leave it to her second brother.
Jiang Erlang frowned subconsciously, "There's only one post station within a twenty-mile radius. It's getting late, so if we continue on our journey, we'll have to sleep outdoors."
His eyes darkened for a moment, then quickly vanished. After this farewell, he would need to stay in Huai'an Prefecture for at least three years. Whether he would stay or leave after that was still unclear. Secretly, he wanted to keep Shen Huaixu for one more night.
Chen Huaixu curled his eyes and said, "Second brother, sleeping outdoors is nothing. I'm almost used to it after walking all this time. This place is not far from Nanxia. It will take another two or three days to get there. I'll go there early and come back early. When I come back, I'll go to the county under your jurisdiction to see how your county magistrate is doing."
Hearing this, Jiang Erlang's depression dissipated a little. He curled his lips and said, "Second brother is naturally happy that you can come, but there are wild beasts rampant in the mountains..."
"With Xiaoman and Shuangjiang here, there's no need to worry, brother. It'll be dark soon if you delay any longer, brother, hurry to the post station."
Facing Shen Huaixu's gaze, Jiang Erlang nodded slowly. He got on the carriage and cast a deep glance at Shen Huaixu through the window, "A Xu, Second Brother is waiting for you."
After seeing Jiang Erlang off, Chen Huaixu and the other two rode their horses into the sunset and embarked on their next journey.
Through the heavy shadows of the trees, Jiang Erlang could vaguely discern the figures of the three people until he could no longer see them.
He probably never imagined that after this separation, he would not see Shen Huaixu again for many years. It seemed as if the prelude to their farewell had already been composed, waiting to be played.
Three days later, Shen Huaixu and the other two arrived at Xiangyi City, the capital of Nanxia Kingdom.
The three of them had already changed into low-key Southern Xia attire and were walking on the streets of Xiangyi City, leading their horses. Despite this, they still attracted the attention of many passers-by. Although their attire and appearance were not much different, these people seemed to be able to tell that they were outsiders. Shen Huaixu didn't care much about this.
Xiangyi City is a mountain city, surrounded by mountains on both sides, with a large lake to the south called Luoyin.
As the largest city in Southern Xia, Xiangyi City is naturally very lively. Shen Huaixu noticed that the roadside vendors were selling some strange food - all kinds of insects.
"These insects can be eaten?" Xiaoman tried her best not to appear too surprised, but she could still not hide her surprise in her eyes.
Shen Huaixu was not impressed by this kind of food, but he was also not surprised. "It's edible, rich in protein, just like eating meat."
"Are there any places selling scorpions and centipedes?" Xiaoman glanced at a small stall with a few leaves as big as cattail leaves scattered on the ground. Poisonous creatures were placed on the leaves. He couldn't help but sigh, "As expected of Nanxia Country, the saying that poisonous insects are everywhere is true."
"Be careful, I don't have much antidote on hand." Shen Huaixu warned.
As the two spoke, Shuangjiang quietly surveyed her surroundings. She was always wary of new places; it was her habit, and with Shen Huaixu by her side, she was even more cautious.
This glance made her realize something unusual - someone had been following them.
She whispered a reminder to Shen Huaixu, who did not stop and whispered in the same low voice: "It's okay, let's find an inn to rest first."
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