Chapter 6 006 Be Well
Chapter 6
Qi Jingyan's tent had been folded up. He was now sitting in a wheelchair, holding Yi'er, who was still sleeping soundly, in his arms.
Mu Feng walked forward with Meng Yuning and said with a bow, "Your Highness, Miss Meng said she has something important to tell you."
Qi Jingyan raised his eyes and looked at Meng Yuning: "What's the matter?"
Meng Yuning bowed, looking somewhat worried. "Your Highness, I went to pick wild vegetables this morning and spotted some suspicious signs on the road. It looked like a large group of people were passing by."
In fact, she didn't see anything at the time, but just vaguely heard the sound of horse hooves, and then she got on her horse and ran away. But according to the book, the bandits who chased the original owner off the cliff should have appeared on the day "she" escaped.
Although Qi Jingyan and his group did not encounter that group of bandits in the original plot, she thought it would be a good idea to remind him.
As I recall, we had set off right after breakfast in the morning in the past few days, but for some reason today, we were delayed until this time.
She didn't know whether this was consistent with the original plot. She was worried that her arrival would cause a butterfly effect, and it would be troublesome if she met that group of bandits again.
When she heard Mu Feng say that he was leaving now, she thought of this excuse to remind Qi Jingyan.
Mu Feng heard this and said nonchalantly, "Miss Meng, the direction you were running and picking wild vegetables in is the same way we came here. Those traces must have been left by us."
Meng Yuning shook her head and continued to make up stories: "No, it doesn't look like that. We passed by there yesterday, and the marks should have faded after a night, but the marks today seem fresh."
Mu Feng didn't doubt it, he said "oh" and believed it.
Meng Yuning had just breathed a sigh of relief when she heard Qi Jingyan suddenly ask, "How is it new?"
Meng Yuning choked. How did she know this?
Under Qi Jingyan's calm yet inquiring gaze, she could only bite the bullet and make up a story: "I can't really explain it, but it looks quite new anyway."
Qi Jingyan looked at her for a few times and lowered his eyes: "Okay, I understand. You go back first, pack up and wait in the ceremonial carriage."
Seeing him so calm, Meng Yuning didn't know whether he would take any precautions, but as a "girl who had never traveled far", she really shouldn't know too much. She could only say this much, then agreed, bowed, and walked towards her tent.
Mu Yun, who was waiting nearby, asked cautiously, "Your Highness, I see that Miss Meng doesn't seem to be lying. Do you think we should change our itinerary?"
The five hundred elite soldiers sent by Emperor Kangwen only restricted them from contacting others, but as long as they headed south, they did not interfere much with their itinerary arrangements.
Qi Jingyan said without hesitation, "No need, what is meant to come will always come."
Mu Yun's expression became serious, he nodded, and turned to inform everyone to prepare to set off.
---
Soon, a team of two hundred people set out and marched south in a mighty manner.
The five hundred elite soldiers also set up camp and followed behind, not too far away.
Meng Yuning sat in the carriage carrying the gifts, following behind Qi Jingyan's carriage. She opened the curtain a little and looked out quietly.
Judging from the height and position of the sun, it should be around two or three in the afternoon. There are lush green trees on both sides of the road, and the sound of horse hooves can be heard.
Meng Yuning was in a trance for a while, feeling as if she was in a dream.
Before coming here, she was not an orphan, but she was worse than an orphan.
Her parents divorced when she was five years old, and for various reasons, she was awarded to her father.
Her father soon started a new family and had a new child, a boy, so she, the "burden", was thrown into the countryside to live with her grandmother.
Grandpa passed away a few years ago, and grandma was alone in the old house. When she saw her come back, she hugged her and kept calling her "good girl", and was so happy.
Her grandmother loved her very much and raised her single-handedly. Although she did not have her parents with her all the time, she lived a happy life.
It was not until her second year of high school that the tangerine peels grown at home ripened. Her grandmother carried a full basket of tangerine peels, took someone else's tricycle to the town, and then took the bus to the city to deliver them to her.
The seedless kumquats at home were sour and sweet, and were her favorite. Grandma will always remember them.
Their school does not allow mobile phones. The grandmother was in a hurry to find her when the school was over at noon. She walked in a hurry and was not paying attention when turning. She was hit by a small truck that suddenly rushed out and flew far away.
When she received the notification and rushed to the hospital, her grandmother was already dying.
She threw herself on the bed, crying so hard that she could not see, but her grandmother smiled, took her hand, and stuffed the yellow skin tightly in her hand into her hand, but the yellow skin had been squeezed to pieces, leaving only the skin.
Grandma wiped her tears with trembling hands, saying, "Don't cry, dear."
Not wanting to upset her grandmother, she tried hard to hold back her tears, but she couldn't hold them back.
Grandma added, "Grandma can't be with you anymore. Be good, dear. You must be good." After saying that, grandma left.
His father returned and learned from a neighbor that his grandmother had been in the car accident because she was trying to bring her some yellow tangerine peel. He rushed over and slapped her in the face, then started to scold her, saying she would die if she didn't eat the yellow tangerine peel, that she had killed his mother, and that he told her to get out of here. He also said that his grandmother's tuition and living expenses would be cut off and he would no longer support her, a jinx...
Relatives stopped him, saying that the child was studying hard at school and had no idea that her grandmother would bring her something, so it was not the child's fault.
But the irritable man refused to listen, he knelt before grandma's coffin, supported the coffin and cried loudly, saying that he was unfilial and how could he have given birth to such a jinx like her.
She did not argue, but silently kept vigil over her grandmother's wake and attended her funeral. After her grandmother was laid to rest, she packed her bags and left her only home in the world.
When her grandma passed away, she was sadder, more upset, and more guilty than anyone else.
But grandma's death was an accident, not caused by her.
She didn't agree with what her father said, but she didn't want to stay in that house anymore.
After leaving home, she had nowhere to go and felt lost and helpless.
I sat on the steps of the station for two hours with my luggage, and finally went into the city and knocked on my mother's door.
Over the years, occasionally during the Chinese New Year, her mother would give her a gift, and when she saw her, she would ask about her well-being with a smile on her face.
Especially after she was admitted to the best high school in the city, she visited her several times and brought her some fruits and snacks.
So she thought that now that she was in trouble, her mother would be willing to help her.
When her mother saw her coming suddenly, she was surprised but also happy, and asked her why she came.
She told her the whole story and asked if she could stay with her for a while. Of course, she usually lived in school and only stayed there during holidays.
He also asked if he could lend her the tuition for her senior year of high school and living expenses before the college entrance examination, and after she finished the college entrance examination the following year, he would work a summer job to pay her back.
She also took out her old test papers from her suitcase to prove to her that she had good grades, would definitely be admitted to university, and would definitely pay her back.
But after hearing what she said, her mother's expression changed instantly. She didn't let her into the house, but closed the door behind her and walked out.
The mother looked embarrassed and hesitated, saying that she was not having an easy time now, and she had two younger brothers and sisters at home, so there was really no place to take her in...
Seeing her mother's alert face, blocking the door as if to prevent thieves, she didn't say another word, picked up her suitcase, turned around and left.
Her mother called her several times, but she didn't stop. Later, her mother caught up with her with a few hundred yuan and tried to force it on her. She refused, threw it on the ground, and left without looking back.
She used the remaining money in her pocket to buy a bus ticket to the largest city in the province. On the day of arrival, she carried her luggage and walked an unknown distance. Before dark, she found a hotel that provided food and accommodation and started working as a waitress.
Later, she asked to be transferred to the kitchen and learned cooking skills. Later, she took the chef's certificate exam.
After saving some money, she resigned from the restaurant and took advantage of the rise of self-media to make videos while working as a private chef, cooking for people at their homes.
Although she has only been doing this for two years, she has accumulated a lot of loyal customers because her food tastes good, her service attitude is good, and she has a good reputation.
She has a good image, and her vegetable-cutting movements are neat and decisive. This contrast has helped her quickly accumulate a lot of fans online, and they have nicknamed her "Cleaver Xishi".
She just went with the flow, selling products and taking advertisements. Over the years, she saved a considerable amount of money, which was enough for her to pay a down payment for a 100-square-meter apartment in a good location and property in the city.
Her self-media account with hundreds of thousands of followers was found by her mother. After several twists and turns, she contacted her, expressed her apologies to her, and wanted to repair the relationship with her. She also said that her brother failed to get into college and her sister was not very good at studying, and asked if she could work with her.
She didn't say anything and blocked her directly.
Her father also contacted her and warned her in a condescending manner not to forget his kindness in giving birth to her and raising her. He also asked her how much money she had earned and said that he had lost money in business, so he should transfer a few hundred thousand to him to help him make ends meet so that it would not be in vain that he had raised her.
She blocked him as well.
But the two did not give up and continued to harass.
She hired a lawyer and asked him to bring ten strong men over 1.8 meters tall that she hired from a bodyguard company. They went to her father's house and educated her father and mother on the law separately. Only then did they calm down.
Before her grandmother left, she said to her, "Be good, you must take care of yourself." She has always kept these words in her heart.
Over the years, she has eaten well, slept well, worked well, made money well, spent money well, and treated herself well. She has always been good.
But she left home at the age of sixteen, and five years have passed. Except for the Qingming Festival every year when she goes back to visit her grandmother's grave, she has never had a good rest.
She suddenly wanted to go out for a walk and relax. She planned to buy a house and settle down after she had enough fun.
Unexpectedly, when the tourist bus was driving in the mountains, it was first hit by a rainstorm and then a mudslide. The whole car was rolled over continuously, and she lost consciousness after hitting her head several times.
In that world, there was no one worth her nostalgia, so if she died, she would be dead.
But all the money she had saved with great effort was wasted. She couldn't even think about it. Her heart ached when she thought about it.
---
Meng Yuning was just mourning the money in her bank account with a depressed look on her face when she saw Mu Feng riding towards her.
Mu Feng came closer and pointed to the roadside with excitement: "Miss Meng, look, isn't that the wild bamboo shoot you used to stew mutton earlier?"
Meng Yuning lifted the curtain and looked out. She saw densely packed bamboo shoots sprouting from the bamboo forest beside the road. Her eyes lit up: "Exactly. Wait for me to go down and pick them."
Mu Feng smiled and said, "Miss Meng, there's no need to do this kind of rough work yourself. Just watch from the car while we go pull it out."
After saying this, he dismounted and shouted to the guards, "Brothers, these wild bamboo shoots are delicious. Everyone, pick a few and when we set up camp, ask Miss Meng to cook them for us."
Only 20 to 30 people tasted the pot of wild bamboo shoots stewed with mutton, and the remaining 100 or so people didn't even smell it. However, those who had eaten it kept showing off, and everyone was drooling with envy.
At this moment, when they heard Mu Feng's words, everyone responded in unison: "Okay!"
Twenty or thirty guards jumped off their horses and rushed towards the edge of the bamboo forest with quick eyes and hands.
This action immediately attracted the attention of the escorting officers and soldiers. Immediately, a general-like man came running over with ten horses and warned with a stern face: "Your Majesty has ordered that no one is allowed to..."
Mu Feng crossed his arms and interrupted him with a cold snort: "I know, no need to talk endlessly, we are pulling bamboo shoots, not doing anything else."
The other guards held up the bamboo shoots they had just plucked. "See? These are called bamboo shoots. We're picking them."
Mu Feng took the opportunity to sarcastically say, "We left Beijing in such a hurry that we didn't have time to prepare any food. We've almost finished the food that the Empress Dowager sent us. We wanted to go out and buy some, but you wouldn't let us. You didn't even bother to arrange it for us. Oh, and we don't dare eat the food that you prepared. We have to grab whatever we see along the way. Why, you won't even let us do that?"
"If you don't even let me do this, don't blame me for fighting you." As he said that, his face suddenly became cruel and he quickly pulled out the knife from his waist.
"Let's fight!" "Let's fight!" Countless guards drew their swords in unison.
The general shouted, "What do you want to do? Rebellion?"
The ten officers and soldiers following him also drew their weapons and shouted, "Want to rebel?"
Meng Yuning sat in the carriage, watching the entire tense scene with her own eyes, and her heart ached.
She clasped her hands together and prayed silently, "Don't fight, don't fight, don't fight."
There is a huge disparity in numbers between the two sides. If a fight really breaks out, they won't be able to gain any advantage. Don't let anyone accidentally kill her.
She tilted her head to look in Qi Jingyan's direction and saw his carriage parked safely in front of her, without any movement. She couldn't help but sigh, this guy is really patient.
Mu Yun stood beside Qi Jingyan's carriage with his arms folded and a cold face, and gave Mu Shan a wink.
Mu Shan nodded, walked to Mu Feng, patted Mu Feng on the shoulder, then bowed to the general and said naively, "My dear, did His Majesty tell you that we will not eat and starve to death?"
The general's expression immediately changed, and he angrily shouted, "How dare you! When has Your Majesty ever said such a thing?"
Your Majesty cares most about the reputation of a wise ruler. If such words were to spread and reach Your Majesty's ears, I'm afraid they would all be killed.
Mu Shan scratched his head. "Then I don't understand. Your Majesty didn't even say he wanted to starve His Highness to death, so why won't you let us find food for His Highness?"
The question was so tricky that the general's face paled and turned pale. He looked up at the towering peaks covered with dense jungle on both sides and said through gritted teeth, "You must not stray more than three meters from the roadside. Otherwise, it will be considered as desertion and you will be killed without mercy."
Then he pulled the reins, turned the horse around, and took his men back.
The conflict subsided, and Meng Yuning patted his chest, feeling relieved.
Mu Feng waved his hand: "Keep pulling, pull more, or you won't have enough to eat later."
The guards responded loudly: "Okay."
Mu Feng smiled triumphantly, ran over to Meng Yuning, and humbly asked for advice: "Miss Meng, take a closer look. Besides bamboo shoots, are there any other edible vegetables on this roadside?"
It was hard to see clearly from the car, so Meng Yuning got out, walked to the side of the road, and started to pull it up: "This is the shepherd's purse for making porridge this morning."
Mu Feng took it, plucked a few of them according to the instructions, and passed it on: "This shepherd's purse can also be eaten, just pick it when you see it."
Meng Yuning plucked two more wild onions and a purslane: "These two are edible, and this dandelion, too, are all edible."
Twenty or thirty guards followed Meng Yuning and Mu Feng. After learning about some edible wild vegetables, they dispersed to look for them.
Mu Yun led the team forward slowly without any delay.
Doctor Tang sat across from Qi Jingyan, lowered the curtains, and sighed, "A few days ago, I saw the eldest daughter of the Meng family crying all day and unable to eat. I thought she wouldn't make it to Lingnan. I didn't expect that after this trip, she has changed her ways. But the food she cooks is really delicious. I have never eaten such delicious food in my life."
Qi Jingyan: "You don't have to cook for me from now on."
Doctor Tang clapped his hands and said, "I couldn't ask for more."
Seeing that there were no new varieties, Meng Yuning was persuaded by Mu Feng to go back to the car. They ran excitedly to the left side of the team to pluck a few handfuls, and then ran to the right side of the team to pluck a bunch. Twenty or thirty people were like people who had been injected with chicken blood, and they didn't stop.
Soon, the empty open-top carriage at the back of the team, which was originally loaded with vegetables, was filled with various wild vegetables.
The escorting officers and soldiers would occasionally ride closer on horseback to check, and when they saw that everyone was just picking wild vegetables and bamboo shoots, they gradually relaxed their vigilance, came less frequently, and just watched from a distance.
The team of two hundred people was originally walking in two rows, and the team was not too long.
But later, because the guards who were picking vegetables were running around, the team was dispersed, and the team was unknowingly stretched to more than twice its length.
It was already dark. Meng Yuning was leaning against the window. She was watching with great interest at the beginning but now she was yawning. She wanted to go back to the carriage and rest for a while.
But when he turned around, he found that two thin guards were like two leopards, rushing into the dense forest at an extremely fast speed.
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