The Eldest Daughter of a Rural Family
Chapter 928 - 207: Head North to Rescue Husband_3

Chapter 928: Chapter 207: Head North to Rescue Husband_3

Seeing that Pei Qin had returned, Manager Liao hurriedly presented her with a letter from Xiao Guangbi.

The letter also instructed Pei Qin to take Xiao Yi southward as soon as possible and to ensure his safety at all costs. Additionally, they had dispatched a team of light cavalry to escort and protect them.

Xiao Yong noticed her grim expression after she had read the letter and said, "Sister Qin..." Although he understood what she was thinking, he was also in favor of the southern retreat. Once the war chaos began, the Changjiang River would become Great Chu’s last natural line of defense. Heading south would be much safer, and he hoped that Pei Qin would take everyone with her as they moved southward.

Pei Qin knew in her heart that once the Emperor embarked on his southern inspection, it would become a huge bait. The people fleeing with him—aside from those nobles who could receive care—would only meet their deaths even faster. But she still couldn’t believe it; that suddenly, the Waci People had broken through and invaded. Mo Heng... He was still in Xining!

Shen Songming saw the brief moment of distraction in her and said with a bitter heart, "General Mo is carrying weapons, and he has martial arts skills; he won’t come to harm."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Ma Heng, Zhao Xiaochen’s brother, arrived from Xining, "General Mo led his men to scout the enemy’s movements and was driven deep into the Waci territory... It has been more than ten days without a trace! The Waci People are nearing Yanmen Pass, and there are no spare troops to send... Xiao Chen asked me to come back and report, to see if the family could think of a solution!"

Ma Heng thought that the family would definitely not be able to come up with a solution! Even if Pei Qin held a Third Rank Decree, she was still just a woman. Xiao Chen insisted that he return to ask for help, but he didn’t know if it would work.

Zhao Xiaochen had sent him back to ask for help partly because he was unmarried and this would hopefully save his life, and partly because he knew of Zhao Yong’s mysterious status and that Xiao Yi was likely to be a member of the imperial family. Surely there would be strength to borrow!

"Big sister!?" Pei Wendong’s face turned pale in an instant. Having ventured deep into the Waci territory and with no trace for more than ten days, his brother-in-law...

Zhang Gengshan stumbled, his face turning pale, "Madam! The young master... the young master’s situation is critical, please save him, Madam!"

Pei Qin’s mind was a mess, buzzing with noise. Quickly, she made the decision to move south. Looking at Shen Songming, she said, "Once Yanmen Pass falls, Runing Prefecture will not hold for long either. You don’t need to head north anymore; let’s head south together!"

Shen Songming just stared deeply at her, saying nothing.

"Since we are heading south, we should take Zou Xing, Zou Fu, and their families as well," Pei Qin calmly organized the details for the southern evacuation, instructing someone to go to Fang Family Village and Qinghe Town to send word, bringing over Old Scholar Fang and their group as well as Pei Yuan and others.

"Young master, what about us...?" Shuang Xi asked Shen Songming.

Shen Songming didn’t say a word until Pei Qin had finished arranging the southward journey; he then turned to her and asked, "Are you really planning to leave your sisters and nieces in my care?"

Pei Qin’s body stiffened as she looked straight at him, not uttering a sound.

Shen Songming stared into her eyes for a long time, then closed his own with a sense of helplessness, "I’ll take care of them, but I won’t wait for you too long!"

Pei Qin pressed her lips together and smiled, "Alright!"

She was a woman of action. In just one day, she had gathered Old Scholar Fang and Grandma Fang, Lady Yu, and others, led by Fang Fu. Pei Yuan, Mrs. Zhao and Old Master Zhao with Happy. Chang Yonglin with Landlord Chang and Old Lady Chang. Sun Tiezhu’s family, Sun Quanliang’s family, Zhang Dacheng’s family, Sun Dashun, and others, including Zou Xing’s family, were all ready, carrying only what was necessary and leaving everything else behind to meet up on the main road before dawn.

Zouxing’s wife looked at the long procession; although it was long and guarded by soldiers, only a few families were part of their relatives. They were neither relatives nor long-term workers of their household, yet Pei Qin had also taken them with her as they fled for safety. She looked at Zou Xing, whose gaze never left the man clad in vigorous attire, and curled her lip.

"Where are we going? Are we abandoning everything at home?"

Grandma Fang couldn’t leave her daughter behind and had called Fang Hui’s family to join them.

"If they don’t follow orders, we’ll abandon them at any time! Just focus on heading south!" Pei Qin said with a cold glance.

Feng Shouxing held Fang Hui back, not allowing her to speak anymore. With the Waci People breaking through, a war was imminent. With Pei Qin having manpower and a decree, following her was the safest option.

Fang Hui felt nothing but resentment. Pei Qin was planning to flee without the slightest intention of bringing their family, not even informing them. If it weren’t for her mother still cherishing mother-daughter ties, their family would have already been left behind.

"Qinqin! Aren’t you coming with us?" Old Scholar Fang keenly noticed that although Pei Qin had been arranging everything, she didn’t seem to be preparing to leave.