Chapter 207: The Xiao Family Reunion
Translator: Fan Translation Studio
Although Baoning city was drier than the southern areas, it had enough water to satisfy itâs daily needs. Since it was directly governed by Li Chengyi, the guards here were more polite and kind than those in Daâan county. They were hospitable to everyone except for someone that claimed himself to be the sixth kingâs brother.
After bringing the water back, Ye Xiaoxian bought some dried dung and a simple tent to shelter them from the wind. Getting the dung lit, she began to make dinner. They had bought a great deal of solid food in Daâan county, so they could eat well for the next few days.
Ye Xiaoxian cooked porridge and baked some cakes. When everything was ready, they sat in a circle to enjoy the meal. With their pale, wizened faces, most of the refugees looked malnourished and unhealthy. Ye Xiaoxian and her companions also had dirty faces and worn clothes, but they were dressed neatly and appeared glowing with health.
A refugee near them asked, âWhere are you from?â
As usual, Squire Liu replied, âWeâre from Qinghe county. What about you?â
âWeâre from there too. But we lived in the countryside. Sadly, three people have left us on the journey, but we could only bury them with some earth and gra.s.s. Have you had any casualties?â
Squire Liu savored the porridge as he replied, âYes, I lost a servant when we confronted some bandits up a mountain.â
âOnly one?â The refugee was surprised.
Squire Liu said, âOne is bad enough. Life is precious, isnât it?â
The refugee still felt it unfair. âAlas, money and carriages can save lives. We poor men are different from you. My dad died of hunger. He gave his food to my son secretly and sacrificed himself.â
Squire Liu said, âMartial arts are more important than carriages. Bandits donât care whether you have carriages or not. Without two menâs help, we might have all been killed in a robbery.â As he said tis, he took a look at Li Chengru.
Li Chengru didnât respond because he was still angry about being ridiculed.
Squire Liu seemed to think of something and turned to comfort Li Chengru. âMr. Li, now that youâre so excellent in martial arts, you donât need to be an ordinary herdsman. As the refugees increase in numbers, more men are needed to maintain public order. Then, you can ask the government official for a job patrolling or guarding the city. Anyway, itâs better than herding or mowing.â
Li Chengruâs face fell again. The cake in his hand was no longer delicious.
Fengsheng said, âOur master wonât do that kind of job.â
Squire Liu said, âMr. Li, if you were anywhere else, you could definitely be a leader with your talents. But now youâre a refugee, you canât ask for too much. If you want to stand tall, you can begin with a small position, right?â
The Xiaos agreed in unison.
Li Chengruâs face flushed with rage again.
â¦
The sky became dark secretly.
As the refugees made fire one after another, Ye Xiaoxian and her companions were also ready to take a rest. The men were still responsible for night-watch duty.
Gradually, the wilderness grew quiet. When Ye Xiaoxian laid down on a mat for a sleep, Liu Qianqian came up to her.
Ye Xiaoxian asked curiously, âWhy donât you stay with Jia Zhenbo?â
All this way, Liu Qianqian and Jia Zhenbo had been clinging to each other just like conjoined twins. If they were at home, they would have had more intimate moments.
Liu Qianqian nudged her and joked, âIâve grown tired of him.â
âWho believes that? What do you want to say to me?â Ye Xiaoxian asked.
Liu Qianqian indeed had something to ask her, so she came straight to the point. âWhat do you plan to do after entering the city?â
âWeâll be allocated to a tribe, wonât we?â Ye Xiaoxian said. âMen may herd goats, camels or horses. Women may milk goats or plant melons.â
Liu Qianqian smiled and said, âIâm asking about this. I mean, do you want to be alone all the time?â
âAlone? But I have so many relatives.â Ye Xiaoxian was confused.
âAh, why canât you get my meaning? I mean, donât you want to marry again?â Liu Qianqian asked.
âAfter we enter the city, we will have a lot of things to worry about. How can I have time to think about this?â Ye Xiaoxian said.
Liu Qianqian looked at Li Chengru before she whispered, âWhat about Mr. Li? Youâre divorced and heâs unmarried. The whole way, heâs cared about you the most. Every time you relieve yourself at night, heâll protect you. Even if he doesnât follow you, heâll also watch where you go.â
âReally?â Ye Xiaoxian remembered it happening only once.
âYes, Iâve seen it many times,â Liu Qianqian a.s.sured her.
âYouâve been watching him? Maybe itâs you who likes him,â Ye Xiaoxian joked. âDonât be too greedy, or your love will be jealous.â
âHow could I be that kind of person? Iâm considering you!â Liu Qianqian said with a sigh.
âThank you! But he and I are from different worlds. You also heard him mention he was the sixth princeâs brother, the seventh prince.â Ye Xiaoxian giggled at the thought.
Liu Qianqian also laughed with her.
Keeping watch at night, Li Chengru overheard their conversation clearly. He was on the verge of exploding again. How dare Liu Qianqian try to match Ye Xiaoxian and him! How dare Ye Xiaoxian look down on him! How dare she talk about him in a disdainful tone! After he met the sixth king, he would have various ways to shut her mouth.
He tried hard to suppress his anger and calm himself down.
âBut how can I meet my sixth brother?â he thought. In all honesty, he was not familiar with his sixth brother. He wondered what kind of person his brother was and whether his brother would like him.
Just then, a horse approached from the distance. The gallop of hooves was rapid and strong, indicating the riderâs excellent horsemans.h.i.+p. Under the pale moonlight, two figures could be seen on horseback.
Hearing the noise, some refugees who were awake climbed up and began discussing why these two people, who didnât seem like refugees, had come here at night.
The horse rushed to the gate at once. Although the gate was closed, there were guards on the ramparts. The rider shouted from below, âOpen the gate. Iâm Dong Biao.â
Dong Biao?
Li Chengru realized it was his sixth brotherâs trusted bodyguard.
Before the gate was opened, Li Chengru rushed up to him and said hurriedly, âDong Biao, Iâm Li Chengru!â
Biao lowered his head and looked Li Chengru up and down. When he recognized the man in front of him, he dismounted the horse instantly and helped Xiao Baozhu down. Then, he knelt and asked, âAre you really the seventh king? But why are you here?â
Now that Li Chengkun was enthroned, the princes also became kings. Li Chengru resumed his arrogance and showed his jade pendant. âLook at this.â
Biao took it and looked even more surprised. This man was indeed the seventh king, not merely looking like him. Why was he here then? Although, it was possible for this exceptionally willful king to do anything.
Biao said immediately, âYour highness, are you here to meet the sixth king? If so, I can take you in now.â
Li Chengru said, âWait a moment.â He wanted to prove to the Xiaos and the Lius that he was a distinguished king and give Ye Xiaoxian a shock.
In fact, they had all been looking in his direction and saw the rider kneeling in front of him. It occurred to them what Li Chengru had said before.
Was he really a prince?
Just then, Li Chengru turned to the Xiaos and planned to tell them he would enter the city first to meet the sixth king. After that, he would go back to pick them up and accommodate them well. Of course, he could also take them into the city now. As a king, he had the right to do so. But he was still angry about being ridiculed and wanted to give them some sort of punishment. Anyway, they had become used to outdoor life lately.
But as he walked over to them, Xiao Baozhu followed on and asked tentatively, âSister Ye? Mom? Baofeng?â
Li Hongmei knew there had been a woman on the horse, but she couldnât see her face clearly in the darkness. When she heard Xiao Baozhuâs voice, she exclaimed in surprise, âBaozhu? Is that Baozhu?â
Hearing Li Hongmeiâs voice, Xiao Baozhu became excited and ran over. When she saw all her relatives, she was moved to tears. âYouâre all alive! Youâre all alive!â she cried with joy.
As she had witnessed more and more corpses on her journey, she had grown increasingly worried about her family.
The Xiao family was neither rich nor influential. How far could the Xiaos go? Would they confront any bandits?
The more she had thought about it, the more frightened she had become. It was such a surprise that she could meet them at her final stop.
She threw herself into Li Hongmeiâs arms, Ye Xiaoxianâs, and then Xiao Baofengâs.
Biao went up to her and asked, âAre they your relatives?â
âYes! They are my mom, brother and Sister Ye. Over there are my grandpa, uncles and aunts.â Xiao Baozhu introduced them.
Biao said immediately, âNow that they are General Xiaoâs relatives, just let them come in with us. How can I make them stay outside?â
Li Chengru was stupefied.