Zhou Quan landed, deliberately making a loud noise. Liu Rumei in the room immediately heard it, her expression changed slightly. She raised her hand and extinguished the oil lamp, then whispered, "There's someone outside!"
Hearing that there was someone outside, Chen Xiaobei's heart sank, and he suddenly had a bad premonition.
As expected, Zhou Quan's voice sounded outside, "Miss Liu, no need to talk about another day, you can tell me now."
Upon hearing this, Liu Rumei's expression became somewhat awkward.
Chen Xiaobei was about to walk out when he saw Liu Rumei. He instantly came to his senses, quickly gestured to Liu Rumei. Liu Rumei understood, turned and walked towards the inner room. At this moment, all she could do was hide for now.
Seeing Liu Rumei enter the inner room, Chen Xiaobei turned and walked out.
He came to the door and saw Zhou Quan standing in the courtyard, looking at Chen Xiaobei with a smile.
Chen Xiaobei had no choice but to brace himself. He cupped his fists and said, "Ah, Brother Zhou, why are you here so late?"
Zhou Quan smiled slightly, pointed towards the house, and said, "I was going to report back to the Crown Prince tomorrow, and I wanted to bid you farewell. But I didn't expect..."
Chen Xiaobei felt awkward. At this moment, it was not appropriate for him to forcefully explain. He could only step aside and point towards the house, "Brother Zhou, let's go inside and talk."
Seeing Zhou Quan enter, Fang Jun also seemed a little embarrassed. After all, it was his idea. After greeting him, he sat there, his face slightly flushed.
Chen Xiaobei, of course, was much thicker-skinned. After all, he was standing up for his woman. At this moment, he had to see it through, even if it was difficult.
Chen Xiaobei pretended to know nothing and shouted into the inner room, "Xiao Qing, bring a cup of tea."
Xiao Qing in the room replied, and then there was movement, as if she was busy.
Chen Xiaobei then turned to Zhou Quan and said, "Brother Zhou, this matter is all my fault. I gave Rumei a bad idea. I am a straightforward person."
"Let me tell you the truth. I disagree with Rumei going to the front line. You know the situation. Marquis was tricked and banished to Xiangguo Temple. Rumei followed me to this small mountain village. The Liu family is a family of loyal and righteous people. To suffer such an end, can I not be disheartened?"
His words made Zhou Quan look indifferent, and the atmosphere in the room became somewhat awkward. Fortunately, at this moment, Xiao Qing came out with a cup of tea, placed it by Zhou Quan's hand, and bowed, "Captain Zhou, please have some tea."
Zhou Quan nodded, picked up the teacup, and took a sip.
After alleviating the awkwardness, Zhou Quan looked at Chen Xiaobei and said, "Brother Xiaobei, I can understand your feelings."
"But the border is in crisis now, and the morale is scattered. You know that Marquis Liu has extremely high prestige in the army. When something happened to him, the troops from all over naturally..."
Zhou Quan's words were unfinished, and Chen Xiaobei understood. Banishing Liu Xiangnan to Xiangguo Temple and marrying off Liu Rumei was Xiao An's plan to minimize their influence in the army. However, the opposite happened. The incidents involving these two people had affected the current morale, which was probably beyond Xiao An's expectations. And now, instead of letting Liu Xiangnan come forward and choosing Liu Rumei, Xiao An was trying his best to reduce the Liu family's influence on the army.
But this way, it was too unfair to the Liu family. They wanted them to contribute, but they didn't want them to have influence in the army.
Zhou Quan's words were halfway through, and Chen Xiaobei understood that Zhou Quan was acting on the Crown Prince's orders and had no choice.
Thinking of this, Chen Xiaobei sighed, "Brother Zhou, I know you are in a difficult position, but I hope you can also understand our difficulties."
After speaking, he shouted into the inner room, "Rumei, get ready and come out to see Brother Zhou."
Liu Rumei in the inner room had already started washing her face. She washed off the dirt from her face, then changed into a beautiful outfit, and then came out with a smile to greet Zhou Quan.
Zhou Quan looked at Liu Rumei's smiling face, feeling a mix of emotions.
After a few words, he had no choice but to stand up and say, "Miss Liu, Brother Xiaobei, things have come to this point, and I know words are useless. I will take my leave. We will meet again."
Liu Rumei did not try to keep him too much. Hand in hand with Chen Xiaobei, they escorted Zhou Quan to the village entrance.
After a brief farewell, Zhou Quan mounted his horse and disappeared into the darkness.
After this commotion, Zhou Quan was completely disheartened. He had made up his mind to stay in the county town for the night and return to Wannian City tomorrow morning.
Seeing Zhou Quan leave, Chen Xiaobei frowned. He looked at the village guards next to him and confirmed that Zhou Quan had not entered.
At this moment, Liu Rumei next to him said, "Brother Xiaobei, our village is so large that it's not difficult to enter."
Hearing this, Chen Xiaobei frowned. Indeed, the village was too large, with too many entrances and exits, making it too difficult to guard them all. Su Dan Novel Network.
In this case, guarding only the village entrance was not very meaningful.
After much thought, Chen Xiaobei remembered something. In his previous life, his old village had a wall around it, with only a few entrances and exits.
By utilizing the courtyard walls of the houses in the village, a portion of the construction work could be saved. This was a major event for the beginning of spring.
At this moment, on Wengong Ridge, Princess Zhaoning received an urgent report from her father, Xiao An.
Xiao An said the situation was urgent and hoped the princess would put aside their past grievances and return to Wannian City to help him.
After reading the message, Princess Zhaoning felt a bit heavy-hearted.
Princess Zhaoning knew that her father was a stubborn man. He would not give in unless absolutely necessary. Being able to say such words to her meant that the situation was probably worse than she had imagined.
Thinking of this, she instructed Chun Hua and Qiu Yue, "Alright, go and prepare. We will return to Wannian City tomorrow morning!"
"Princess, if we leave, what about Guo Chuan and the others?" Chun Hua tentatively asked.
Princess Zhaoning pondered for a moment, "Leave a hundred men to guard the entire mountain stronghold. The rest will return with me."
Chun Hua turned to pass on the message.
Princess Zhaoning returned to her room and began to pack, but suddenly stopped.
"Qiu Yue, later send someone to Xiaojia Town to tell Feng Xiaoyue that my shops and houses don't need to be dealt with for now. I don't know when I'll be back."
"Also, go to Hetou Village and tell Sister Rumei that due to the urgency, I won't be able to bid her farewell in person."
The next morning, Guo Chuan led his men and followed Princess Zhaoning, galloping towards Wannian City.
The news also quickly reached Xiaojia Town and Hetou Village.
Liu Rumei was having breakfast when she received the news that Princess Zhaoning had rushed to Wannian City early in the morning and had taken all the men from Wengong Ridge with her.
Hearing this news, Chen Xiaobei also sighed, "It seems the situation is not favorable!"