Chapter 207: The Xiao Family Reunion

Although Baoning city was drier than the southern areas, it had enough water to satisfy it’s daily needs. Since it was directly governed by Li Chengyi, the guards here were more polite and kind than those in Da’an county. They were hospitable to everyone except for someone that claimed himself to be the sixth king’s 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 Da’an 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, “Where are you from?”

As usual, Squire Liu replied, “We’re from Qinghe county. What about you?”

“We’re 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 grass. Have you had any casualties?”

Squire Liu savored the porridge as he replied, “Yes, I lost a servant when we confronted some bandits up a mountain.”

“Only one?” The refugee was surprised.

Squire Liu said, “One is bad enough. Life is precious, isn’t it?”

The refugee still felt it unfair. “Alas, 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.”

Squire Liu said, “Martial arts are more important than carriages. Bandits don’t care whether you have carriages or not. Without two men’s help, we might have all been killed in a robbery.” As he said tis, he took a look at Li Chengru.

Li Chengru didn’t respond because he was still angry about being ridiculed.

Squire Liu seemed to think of something and turned to comfort Li Chengru. “Mr. Li, now that you’re so excellent in martial arts, you don’t 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, it’s better than herding or mowing.”

Li Chengru’s face fell again. The cake in his hand was no longer delicious.

Fengsheng said, “Our master won’t do that kind of job.”

Squire Liu said, “Mr. Li, if you were anywhere else, you could definitely be a leader with your talents. But now you’re a refugee, you can’t ask for too much. If you want to stand tall, you can begin with a small position, right?”

The Xiaos agreed in unison.

Li Chengru’s face flushed with rage again.

…

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, “Why don’t you stay with Jia Zhenbo?”

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, “I’ve grown tired of him.”

“Who believes that? What do you want to say to me?” Ye Xiaoxian asked.

Liu Qianqian indeed had something to ask her, so she came straight to the point. “What do you plan to do after entering the city?”

“We’ll be allocated to a tribe, won’t we?” Ye Xiaoxian said. “Men may herd goats, camels or horses. Women may milk goats or plant melons.”

Liu Qianqian smiled and said, “I’m asking about this. I mean, do you want to be alone all the time?”

“Alone? But I have so many relatives.” Ye Xiaoxian was confused.

“Ah, why can’t you get my meaning? I mean, don’t you want to marry again?” Liu Qianqian asked.

“After we enter the city, we will have a lot of things to worry about. How can I have time to think about this?” Ye Xiaoxian said.

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Liu Qianqian looked at Li Chengru before she whispered, “What about Mr. Li? You’re divorced and he’s unmarried. The whole way, he’s cared about you the most. Every time you relieve yourself at night, he’ll protect you. Even if he doesn’t follow you, he’ll also watch where you go.”

“Really?” Ye Xiaoxian remembered it happening only once.

“Yes, I’ve seen it many times,” Liu Qianqian assured her.

“You’ve been watching him? Maybe it’s you who likes him,” Ye Xiaoxian joked. “Don’t be too greedy, or your love will be jealous.”

“How could I be that kind of person? I’m considering you!” Liu Qianqian said with a sigh.

“Thank you! But he and I are from different worlds. You also heard him mention he was the sixth prince’s brother, the seventh prince.” 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.

“But how can I meet my sixth brother?” 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 rider’s excellent horsemanship. 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 didn’t 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, “Open the gate. I’m Dong Biao.”

Dong Biao?

Li Chengru realized it was his sixth brother’s trusted bodyguard.

Before the gate was opened, Li Chengru rushed up to him and said hurriedly, “Dong Biao, I’m Li Chengru!”

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, “Are you really the seventh king? But why are you here?”

Now that Li Chengkun was enthroned, the princes also became kings. Li Chengru resumed his arrogance and showed his jade pendant. “Look at this.”

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, “Your highness, are you here to meet the sixth king? If so, I can take you in now.”

Li Chengru said, “Wait a moment.” 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, “Sister Ye? Mom? Baofeng?”

Li Hongmei knew there had been a woman on the horse, but she couldn’t see her face clearly in the darkness. When she heard Xiao Baozhu’s voice, she exclaimed in surprise, “Baozhu? Is that Baozhu?”

Hearing Li Hongmei’s voice, Xiao Baozhu became excited and ran over. When she saw all her relatives, she was moved to tears. “You’re all alive! You’re all alive!” 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 Hongmei’s arms, Ye Xiaoxian’s, and then Xiao Baofeng’s.

Biao went up to her and asked, “Are they your relatives?”

“Yes! They are my mom, brother and Sister Ye. Over there are my grandpa, uncles and aunts.” Xiao Baozhu introduced them.

Biao said immediately, “Now that they are General Xiao’s relatives, just let them come in with us. How can I make them stay outside?”

Li Chengru was stupefied.