Qi Yue was doing somewhat better.
Shen Yu could hardly sit still, getting up every minute to pace around, her neck nearly stretching out like that of a giraffe, constantly asking questions without pause.
Zhao Shuanghua and Zhao Shuangyue were not faring much better.
They kept pacing back and forth, daring not to cry, their pale teeth almost piercing through their lips, growing even more beautiful and touching.
Zhao Yonglian had only two daughters, Zhao Shuangyun and Zhao Shuangxue.
They were a bit younger, one twelve and the other thirteen.
Perhaps because they had grown up without a mother, both of them were exceptionally sensible, both sweet and strong.
Now, they too huddled together, their faces full of fear, yet bravely holding back their tears.
Seeing that they had no appetite for the dark buns, Qi Yue quietly took a small packet of peach blossom pastries from her space.
These were previously collected from the Zhao Family's kitchen.
"Have these instead, eat quietly."
The journey of exile was harsh, and these peach blossom pastries were once common treats in the Marquis Residence, now they had become a rare commodity.
Each of the four girls took a piece, quickly finishing it off.
"Big sister, did the commander give you these peach blossom pastries?" Zhao Shuangyun asked, blinking.
"Mhm."
In an instant, Qi Yue unlocked a new skill—she could blame any good thing on Guan Yidao in the future.
"Oh, how strange, why does it taste the same as the ones we have at home?"
Qi Yue's lips twitched.
"Peach blossom pastries should all taste the same."
"Oh."
With the little girl not pursuing further questions, Qi Yue also sighed in relief.
Why was giving them food so difficult?
If she had known, she wouldn't have shared them, and would have eaten them all herself!
Half a shichen later, seeing that Shen Yu was truly anxious, Qi Yue suggested to go and check.
Just as she got up, she saw Zhao Yonglian pulling the cart out of the inn.
Zhao Yongzhe and Zhao Xiyan were both sitting in the cart, all three of their expressions grave.
Qi Yue held back her questions, helped push the cart back to camp, and only then did Zhao Yongzhe say nothing untoward had happened.
On the contrary, Qian Faliang was very enthusiastic.
Not only did he want to host them at the inn, but he also found someone to treat their injuries, which they both declined.
They had struggled to leave the inn.
Shen Yu, somewhat incredulously, asked, "Husband, if that Qian did not make things difficult for you, does it mean he won't do anything to Yanyan?"
Zhao Yongzhe shook his head.
"No, Qian's actions can only mean that he has bigger plans, we need to be more careful."
Hearing this, Shen Yu's wan face grew even more worried.
"What should we do then?"
Zhao Xiyan, who had been quiet, suddenly spoke, "Father, it will be fine, don't scare Mother."
Qi Yue suddenly stood up; she really couldn't stand his voice anymore.
Melodious like music from a stringed instrument, with ups and downs, it spoke directly to her heart like a persistent drip.
Especially now that he was injured, it carried an even more hoarse weakness, making Qi Yue's heart ache.
And all she could think about was Zhao Xiyan's face!
Oh heavens, why was she such an audiophile? Or was her preference for gazing upon handsome men?
"I'm going to find General Guan!"
Her sturdy frame ran with the swiftness of the wind.
In the eyes of the Zhao Family, everyone had different thoughts.
Shen Yu wiped away her tears, comforted, "Yanyan, see how much Yueyue cares for you, she really cares a lot about you, you should be nicer to her, take the initiative to talk to her."
Zhao Yongzhe also nodded his head.
"A tiger father will not have a dog son, after all, she is General Qi's daughter. If I had known earlier, I should have gone to ask for her hand in marriage early, and you two could have enjoyed some good days."
Zhao Shuanghua and a few others also nodded repeatedly.
"How is your sister-in-law doing? She even shared the peach blossom pastries that the commander gave her with us."
Zhao Xiyan, however, had a look of suspicion.
Why did he feel that Qi Yue not only didn't want to see him but also didn't want to hear him speak?
When Qi Yue arrived at the post station, she saw Guan Yidao and received two very important pieces of news.
One was about Qian Faliang's background.
According to Guan Yidao, this fellow had a significant influence, and he didn't even regard him, having taken over the house that belonged to his commander upon arrival.
The second was that Qian Faliang's pursuit here seemed to be related to the lost treasure of the Ducal Mansion.
On learning this, Qi Yue was somewhat taken aback.
If only she had known earlier that moving the Ducal Mansion's money would cause trouble for Zhao Xiyan, she would have left some regardless.
After returning to camp and reporting Qian Faliang's situation to the Zhao Family, Zhao Yonglian and the others were also taken aback.
Zhao Yongzhe and Zhao Xiyan were taken away by the officials very early and had been unconscious ever since, knowing nothing about the Ducal Mansion's treasure being emptied.
Hearing this now, they were all confused.
Everyone agreed that this big misunderstanding should be explained clearly to Qian Faliang.
As the person behind the emptying of the treasure, Qi Yue felt it necessary to take responsibility.
Thus, a day later, when the exiled party stopped again to spend the night, Qi Yue decided to find Qian Faliang.
Naturally, she wouldn't go empty-handed at such a time.
Considering they were exiles without a penny to their names, Qi Yue still chose to give food.
Despite Guan Yidao and these commanders and vice commanders riding high horses during the day, cracking their whips at whoever they pleased, their food in the wilds wasn't great.
Having made up her mind, Qi Yue went to the nearby forest.
First, she entered her space and ate and drank her fill before catching three chickens and a half-grown pig.
She gave the chickens to Zhao Yonglian to roast, and then she dragged the pig to the post station.
This action once again caused the exiles to enter the forest to try catching chickens and pigs, resulting in, of course, nothing at all.
Because of this pig, she saw Qian Faliang in the upper room of the post station.
This person had a sharp mouth and monkey cheeks, clearly not looking like a good person.
Moreover, he didn't look much like a man.
His lean hands pinched a piece of brocade handkerchief, occasionally covering his nose, with a vulgar scent of rouge faintly present.
If Guan Yidao hadn't specifically reminded her that Qian Faliang was not a eunuch, she really would have thought so.
"You are General Qi's daughter, the one who married Zhao Xiyan?"
Qian Faliang flicked his handkerchief, a creepily pleasant smile on his face, his voice disgustingly nauseating.
"Yes, Vice Commander, sir."
"No, no, don't be so formal. I quite admire Zhao Xiyan," said Qian Faliang, with a glint in his beady eyes, "That's why I've specially followed to protect him. You can call me Brother Qian."
Damn it, my man Qi Yue been protected by this effeminate guy?
Qi Yue suppressed the discomfort in her heart and bowed slightly in salute.
"To respond to the Vice Commander, sir, how dare Qi Yue? When I left, my father specifically instructed me to treat the Vice Commander with a heart full of respect."
"Oh?" Qian Faliang covered his nose and chuckled a few times, seeming very pleased with the answer.
But Qi Yue clearly saw that pair of eyes hidden behind the handkerchief were like a venomous snake, chilling to her core.
In an instant, she was almost certain that this person must be extremely malicious.
She even had a premonition that Qian Faliang's focus on Zhao Xiyan was not just for the sake of retrieving the Ducal Mansion's treasure.
With this thought, Qi Yue furrowed her brows, and hid the emotions in her eyes.
"Vice Commander, sir, I heard that you come from the Capital City and bear a heavy responsibility. There's something I would like to report to you."
"Oh," said Qian Faliang, his small eyes twinkling, "If it's interesting, I might have a listen."
"Absolutely interesting, it's something that I also can't figure out, which is why I wanted to discuss it with Brother Qian."
"Oh, do tell quickly."