The older woman's gaze fell on Xiao Bin's hand supporting Su Wanwan, and she exchanged a smile with the young woman behind her, teasingly saying:
"Lord Xiao is so considerate. All the men in Maoling Village should learn from him."
The young woman, holding the clothes in her hands, said with a smile:
"Exactly, my husband just isn't considerate."
Xiao Bin looked embarrassed for a moment, and was about to explain.
Su Wanwan greeted him shyly:
"Hello, Auntie. Hello, Sister-in-law."
They changed the subject.
These words left Xiao Bin speechless, his ears turning slightly red as he coughed awkwardly.
The older woman and the young wife are hardworking and efficient.
They quickly cleaned up the house.
Soft bedding and blankets were laid on the kang (a heated brick bed).
Even the rooms on the west side and the main hall were cleaned.
The old lady went back and brought back a pot of steaming hot porridge and several sorghum and wild vegetable buns.
"My old man went to town to buy bath powder and pots and pans. Xiao Niangzi, have breakfast first, and we'll come over later to help tidy up the yard."
Su Wanwan felt a little awkward; the title "Xiao Niangzi" made her uncomfortable.
However, it's understandable that the old lady misunderstood.
Because she had been married before, she always wore her hair in a traditional Chinese woman's bun.
Since she came with Xiao Bin, it's easy for people to mistake them for a couple.
This is good for concealing one's identity.
With this in mind, Su Wanwan felt much more at ease.
He politely declined, saying, "Auntie, please share."
The old lady chuckled and scooped out two earthenware bowls of porridge, placing them on the table.
"This is for you two. Lord Xiao has already paid for it. We'll just go home and eat. We won't bother you any longer."
After the old woman and the young woman left, Xiao Bin said apologetically:
"It was my fault for not explaining clearly, which caused them to misunderstand."
His thoughts coincided with Su Wanwan's.
If a man and a woman are alone and want to avoid being seen, it's naturally more convenient to call each other husband and wife.
Anyway, they're only staying here for a few days and probably won't be coming back.
I've done this kind of thing before when I was hiding from pursuers.
Su Wanwan had already sat down at the table, placed her chopsticks on the bowl of porridge opposite her, raised her eyebrows, and sighed with a smile:
“Guard Xiao, you’re only getting simple meals by following me. You’re really unlucky.”
Seeing her smiling face, Xiao Bin knew she hadn't taken it to heart.
He generously sat down opposite her, picked up a wild vegetable bun, and handed it to her.
"Then let's wait until the girl makes a fortune and improve everyone's treatment."
"Absolutely no problem, what would you like to eat?"
Xiao Bin looked at the brown sorghum bun in his hand and thought about it seriously for a moment.
"It should at least be white flour steamed buns."
Su Wanwan covered her mouth and laughed, "Then I'd better work hard."
It seems like she's penniless.
In fact, he knew very well how much wealth she had.
The morning sunlight streamed through the window and fell on the dining table, giving the two of them a golden glow.
Xiao Bin looked up at her; the fine downy hairs on her face were clearly visible.
Her eyes were like water, and her features were delicate and graceful.
Her tender, rosy lips were sometimes pursed lightly, and sometimes her pearly teeth gently bit them.
Su Wanwan felt his gaze and looked at him as well.
Their eyes met, and Xiao Bin looked away first. "What are your plans next?"
Su Wanwan looked down at the bowl of porridge, feeling a little embarrassed. "I originally wanted to go to Weizhou to find you."
Xiao Bin paused, his hand holding the bowl of porridge still.
A thin layer of red was applied to her chiseled face.
He lowered his eyes, his grip on the bamboo chopsticks tightening and loosening repeatedly.
Finally, he simply said in a hoarse voice, "I'll arrange it."
Neither of them spoke after that; they simply ate in silence.
Just after breakfast, the old lady and a fifty-year-old farmer carrying baskets came over.
The old man took pots, pans, and other household items out of the basket, muttering to himself:
"A lot of soldiers have come to Huangling Town. They're checking the population door-to-door. I guess they'll check our area too."
Su Wanwan's expression hardened. "Did you specify who you're investigating?"
"They didn't say that. I heard someone was arrested for plotting something, and they're arresting accomplices right now."
Then it's not about looking for her.
Su Wanwan breathed a sigh of relief.
She was grateful to both the usually low-key Prince Rong, Lu Youting, and Xiao Bin, who came from beyond the Great Wall, for coming to save her.
As for Lu Xingjian, he was busy with many affairs of the court and the harem, and probably had no time to take care of her, this "jinx".
Xiao Bin frowned, but was very polite to the old man: "Uncle Chen, please say a few good words for us in front of the village."
The old man was somewhat flattered and waved his hands repeatedly.
"Is that even a question? The village head's son got his job and started receiving a government salary thanks to your help. He's doing very well now and is very grateful to you."
As Su Wanwan watched Xiao Bin see the old man out, she couldn't help but sigh, "He's so down-to-earth."
With his abilities and skills, if he hadn't been forced to serve as her bodyguard, he would probably have achieved great things.
...
Steward Li entered carrying a teacup and advised Lu Xingjian, whose eyes were bloodshot:
"Your Majesty, even if you were made of iron, you couldn't endure this for long. You should rest for a while. We'll find Miss Su eventually."
Lu Xingjian looked at Huangling Town on the map, rubbed his tired brow, and tapped his long fingers on the map:
"Has this place been thoroughly searched?"
Steward Li's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Huangling Town is related to the feng shui and dragon vein of our Great Liang Dynasty. It has always been heavily guarded, and outsiders are not allowed to enter or leave without permission."
“Sending people to conduct a thorough search might disturb the royal ancestors.”
Lu Xingjian pursed his thin lips and decisively ordered: "Have Gu Dayong and Qiu Ju from the Imperial Horse Administration lead their trusted officers to search the area. Do it secretly."
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