Chen Xiaobei was a bit mistaken, and only then did he realize that his subconscious response earlier seemed to be wrong. He was about to correct himself when he saw Liu Rumei wave her hand with a smile, "Alright, alright, it doesn't matter what Xiao Qing calls me."
After speaking, Liu Rumei smiled at Chen Xiaobei, "You've all worked too hard."
"I just met Liu Cema Biao and them, and they said you were ahead, so I rushed to catch up."
Chen Xiaobei nodded, "I originally wanted to cover the rear, but Steward Liu and Advisor Ma insisted on staying behind."
"Miss Liu, do you have anything else to do? The rope bridge will be dismantled tonight when they return."
Liu Rumei stepped onto the rope bridge and looked around, a look of emotion on her face, "Dismantle it. We'll build it back up tomorrow just as it is today. Brother Xiaobei, don't worry, I, Liu Rumei, will keep my word."
Chen Xiaobei nodded. The rope bridge was originally built with the help of Ma Xiaoyi and others, so Liu Rumei's words had substance.
"Alright, let's go first. The Crown Prince has asked many times."
Liu Rumei nodded, "Let's go, I also have something to report to the Crown Prince."
The group arrived at the sheltered spot in the dogwood grove. There were a few tents for the Crown Prince, the Princess, Liu Rumei, the Lotus Cult Leader, and other female companions like the little girl. Sudancn.
Besides these, scattered tents in other areas belonged to Chen Xiaobei, Liu Cema Biao, and the others.
Liu Kai, being older, was also arranged in a lower-lying area where the wind would be less severe.
At this moment, a fragrant aroma filled the air. Some were cooking porridge, some were roasting meat, and it looked like a sumptuous feast was about to begin.
Upon seeing Liu Rumei, Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun was very excited.
After paying her respects to the Crown Prince and Princess, Liu Rumei's expression turned solemn as she recounted the day's events.
"When we went up the mountain, someone had already led troops into Hetou Village. It's estimated that by tomorrow at the latest, Zhu Meng's men will be on the mountain."
Xiao Jingyun nodded, "You are absolutely right. Even though they are on the mountain, they are not certain if Xiao Feng and I are here."
Liu Rumei naturally understood Xiao Jingyun's unspoken words, which were to ensure that there were no traitors among the people living on the mountain and that no information leaked out.
"Your Highness, rest assured. I have arranged for sentries. As soon as Zhu Meng makes any move, we will be alerted."
Xiao Jingyun understood Liu Rumei's meaning; she had it all arranged and everything would be fine.
In reality, Liu Rumei had not fully arranged everything. After bidding farewell to the Crown Prince, she secretly pulled Chen Xiaobei aside, "Brother Xiaobei, is there really no way down the mountain? Shall we search again?"
Chen Xiaobei thought to himself, I know the way, but I can't say so now. No one can know.
Therefore, he had to agree to Liu Rumei's request, "Alright. Tomorrow morning, we'll walk along the valley again and see if there's anything we missed."
That night, on Centipede Ridge.
Cui Hongyu tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
Ever since she married Chen Xiaobei, he had often gone up the mountain, and they often parted ways. But this time was different. This time, they were facing an army of three hundred thousand.
Chen Qiao'er noticed the change in Cui Hongyu's mood and asked with her big, blinking eyes, "Sister-in-law, when do you think my brother will be back?"
Cui Hongyu calmed herself down and tried to force a smile, "Don't worry, he'll be back soon. You need to behave yourself."
As a child, Chen Qiao'er nodded understandingly, "Don't worry, I'll be very good and study hard with Sister Ziyan tomorrow."
Just then, they heard someone speaking outside the window, "Is Chen Qiao'er saying bad things about me?"
As the voice fell, Shen Ziyan pushed the door open and entered.
Cui Hongyu warmly welcomed her to sit down and poured her a bowl of water.
"Ziyan, you've come at the right time. There's nothing much to do here anyway. Tomorrow, you can teach everyone to read and write in the open space outside."
Shen Ziyan nodded, "Okay, I came precisely to discuss this with you."
"Also, look at so many people crammed in here. I'm afraid there will be trouble if this goes on for too long. You need to think of a solution soon."
"But what can be done? We can't go down the mountain, nor can we go out," Cui Hongyu frowned.
Shen Ziyan smiled slightly, "I have a way. Look, there are so many trees on the back mountain. You can let everyone go chop firewood and trees."
"When we move back to Hetou Village in the future, we can burn the firewood or take it to the county town to sell. It will all turn into money."
Her words reminded Cui Hongyu, and her eyes lit up, "That's right! Carpenter Zhang is also here. Tomorrow, let's ask him which trees can be used for furniture and cut those. We can sell them to him then."
After saying this, she looked at Shen Ziyan with admiration, "You really think things through. If it were me, I'd let them just eat and be idle all day."
After speaking, they looked at each other and smiled.
After their laughter, Shen Ziyan changed the subject, "Is there any news from the village?"
Cui Hongyu shook her head, "My husband said he would send someone to tell me if there was any news. He left Da Chun and seven or eight other village guards behind."
Shen Ziyan nodded, "I wonder what the Crown Prince has done to provoke the court to send so many soldiers."
Cui Hongyu looked at Shen Ziyan, "Alright Ziyan, let's not talk about these things. We're just ordinary people, and we can't control them."
As they were talking, they heard a knock on the door outside.
"Come in."
As the door opened, Chen Xiaowen walked in timidly.
"Sister Hongyu, Mr. Shen, you are both here."
Seeing his demeanor, Cui Hongyu was quite surprised.
"Xiaowen, what is it? Just say it."
Chen Xiaowen hesitated to speak.
Seeing his hesitant look, Shen Ziyan smiled and said, "Since my presence is inconvenient, I'll excuse myself."
Chen Xiaowen waved his hands repeatedly, "No, no, that's not what I meant."
"Sister Hongyu, I want to go to Xiaojia Town tomorrow. I left in a hurry and forgot some things. I want to buy some more."
Before Cui Hongyu could speak, Shen Ziyan next to her said, "No, absolutely not. It was clearly stated then that no one is allowed to go down."
Cui Hongyu hesitated for a moment and stood up, "Yes, we did say that no one is allowed to go down."
"But we left in a hurry, so it's normal for the villagers to be short of things."
Shen Ziyan looked at Cui Hongyu and sighed, "You are too soft-hearted. You don't intend to let people go down, do you?"
Cui Hongyu nodded.
"Tomorrow, send two people down the mountain to ask the villagers if they are missing anything and bring it back at once."
"By the way, Xiaowen, you handle this. Note down each household."
"After you've compiled the list, bring it to me for review first."
Watching Chen Xiaowen happily leave, Shen Ziyan shook her head.
"You do all the good deeds, and I'm the bad guy."