Xu Jiacan habitually teased him, "If I didn't feel sorry for Big Black Horse, I'd have let you stay on its back a while longer."
Hearing Xu Jiacan's words, the chubby boy put on a pitiful expression and pleaded, "Brother, I beg you, you're my real brother, please get me down quickly."
The captain also quickly winked at Xu Jiacan, "Fatty's physique is too much for Big Black Horse."
As they spoke, they helped the chubby boy down from the horse. Big Black Horse whinnied several times, as if saying: I can finally rest.
Fu Xinci felt pity for Big Black Horse's situation and quickly took a large wooden basin from her space, channeling the stream water from her space into the basin for the horses to drink.
"Neigh." The stream water was cool, and the horses enjoyed it greatly.
After Fu Xinci had settled the horses, she washed her hands and sat down next to her companions. Then, she spread out a clean tablecloth and took out the food.
Seeing the steaming hot steamed buns, the chubby boy's regret from the morning vanished without a trace.
The captain took a large gulp of egg soup, then picked off a green coriander leaf that had fallen onto the rim of the bowl and set it aside.
Xiao Ai's eyes widened as she looked at the captain's large hand and exclaimed, "Captain, I only found out today that you don't eat coriander?"
The captain didn't speak, only giving her a look that said, "What a fuss about nothing."
"What the heck, the captain has things he doesn't eat? That's rare," the chubby boy mumbled, his words slightly unclear as he chewed on a steamed bun.
"Why so much talking? Eat and shut your mouth," the captain said, picking up a large steamed bun and directly stuffing it into the chubby boy's mouth.
Looking at the white, plump meat bun softy filling his lips and teeth, the chubby boy, knowing when to yield, mumbled, "Only food is to be cherished."
"Heh, Fatty, I absolutely agree with your point this time."
"Of course," the chubby boy said proudly, then looked at Fu Xinci and asked, "Xinci, do you have any more watermelons?"
"We need to keep moving, let's not eat watermelon," the captain said, casting a glance at the chubby boy.
The chubby boy immediately fell silent.
The companions continued to eat their lunch comfortably in the shade of the trees, but the captain looked towards the rather desolate official road shrouded in green and reminded everyone, "Someone's coming, and they're in chains."
"In chains?"
The companions didn't quite grasp what was happening, but Fu Xinci understood.
"They must be exiles."
"Oh my goodness!"
The companions immediately recalled that Xinci had told them she had come to Liaodong with a group of exiles years ago.
The companions fell silent. After about the time it takes for a cup of tea to brew, a gruff angry voice echoed from down the official road, "Lift your legs, everyone! We'll rest up ahead in a few more steps."
Fu Xinci felt that the voice was somewhat familiar. As the sound of chains dragging on the ground grew closer, the figure of an official, as imposing as half a black tower, entered Fu Xinci's sight.
Fu Xinci immediately remembered who it was, "Uncle Zhuzi."
The dark-faced man was wiping sweat from his face with his sleeve when he heard a voice call out from ahead, "Uncle Zhuzi."
"My heavens, who's calling me in this desolate wilderness?"
"Uncle Zhuzi, it's me."
The dark-faced man looked over and saw a fair and graceful young woman standing under a large tree by the roadside, smiling at them.
"Young lady, who might you be?" The dark-faced man didn't immediately recognize the girl.
A sturdy and strong official in his early twenties behind him, however, darted over. He pointed at Fu Xinci, revealing a row of white teeth, and laughed heartily, "You're Xinci? Where's that kid Qi He?"
Seeing the exuberant smile of the young official, Fu Xinci boldly called out, "Brother Nianzi."
"Ah."
The officials escorting behind them, hearing Nianzi mention Qi He, finally realized who the young lady ahead was.
An old man with white hair and a still-sturdy physique hurried over, shaking a worn-out palm-leaf fan.
Fu Xinci recognized him immediately, "Grandpa Jiang."
"Ah, Fu's girl has grown into a young lady. Where's that rascal?" Headman Jiang said, waving his hand to signal his subordinates to drive the prisoners they were escorting into the shade of the nearby trees to rest.
The prisoners were already exhausted. Hearing that the officials were finally showing mercy and letting them rest, they all collapsed by the roadside, nearly shedding tears as wide as noodles.
With her companions providing cover, Fu Xinci took out a stack of flatbreads and a jar of mushroom sauce from her space and gave them to Headman Jiang and his men.
The dark-faced man was the first to run over, take the stack of flatbreads and mushroom sauce, and sit down in the nearby shade, beckoning his brothers over to eat.
Headman Jiang looked at the young woman who had grown up so much before him and said, "Thank you, Fu's girl." He then asked about Second Master Meng, "Fu's girl, is your grandfather still in good health?"
"Thank you for your concern, Grandpa Jiang. My grandfather is still healthy. The place we live now is called Mengjia Town. If you and your uncles pass by, you can come and visit."
"Mengjia Town?" Headman Jiang murmured, then it dawned on him, "Fu's girl, is that Mengjia Town built by Second Brother Meng and his people?"
Fu Xinci didn't confirm, but vaguely replied, "When we first arrived there, we didn't get along with the villagers of Wujia Village, so Uncle Qi had the Meng clan establish their own village."
"Second Brother Meng is a good person, and a rare good official. In just a few years, he turned that desolate Eagle Beak Cliff into a town. If you hadn't said it, who would have believed it?"
The officials were heartily eating the white flatbread with mushroom sauce, while among the group of exiles, everyone's eyes were fixed on the flatbread in the officials' hands, swallowing their saliva.
Only a boy of four or five years old, with dark, big eyes, kept looking at Fu Xinci.
Such an gaze reminded Fu Xinci of Yu'er, whom she had met on the road during her exile, and she couldn't help but wave at him.
The boy glanced at the young woman beside him and, after receiving permission, hesitantly walked towards Fu Xinci.
Fu Xinci didn't say much, picking up the water skin and handing it to the boy. The boy took the water skin and cautiously took a small sip, his eyes immediately brightening.
Fu Xinci gestured for him to drink more, and he then took small sips.
After he had drunk his fill, Fu Xinci handed him a piece of white flatbread spread with mushroom sauce.
The boy swallowed and then timidly asked Fu Xinci, "Sister, can I share this with my mother? My mother is sick and very hungry."
Looking at the sickly young woman, Fu Xinci guessed that she was likely hungry and nodded.