Footsteps approached from outside the door, and the two Jinyiwei sitting on the bed stood up, hopping towards the door on their legs.
Their ankles were bound, preventing them from running, and even walking was difficult, so over time everyone found it more convenient to hop.
Their hands were smeared with some kind of medicine, and although they were not tied, they were unable to exert any force to untie knots, and could only manage to eat, drink, and relieve themselves.
After so long, every strategy had been tried, and everyone had given up hope.
Confined in this small courtyard, they were not mistreated in terms of food and drink, were not left to freeze, and were even provided with new clothes and bedding; a few days ago, they were also given freshly made rice cakes and tofu for the New Year.
At first, they kept shouting to see Miss Jun, but these seemingly simple and honest villagers didn't talk back, just stuffed something unknown in their mouths when they yelled and caused a ruckus, leaving their mouths numb for three days.
Later on, they resigned themselves to their fate.
"If she dares, let her kill us," Eighteenth Jin said.
However, Miss Jun clearly didn't dare; not killing or caring for them, it seemed like she had forgotten them.
Now it was the time for delivering meals, which would be left at the door.
The two Jinyiwei, as per habit, hopped towards the door, but the footsteps outside did not stop, and the door was pushed open.
Daylight streamed in, and at the same time, a woman's voice was heard.
"We'd completely forgotten about them; if not for Lei Zhonglian's reminder," Liu'er said, startled by the two hopping towards her, "Hey, what are you playing at?"
Playing what? The usually impassive faces of the two Jinyiwei showed a flicker of anger.
What are we playing? We are the ones being played with by you.
Eighteenth Jin also sat up from the bed, but of course, he didn't hop over, instead looking coldly at the young girl standing at the doorway.
The young girl, oblivious to their anger, walked in with her hands behind her back, swaggering and looking around.
"Wow, you've got good food, drink, and lodgings; you're living quite comfortably," she said, "We've been working ourselves to death."
Sarcasm? Mockery?
Eighteenth Jin coldly observed the young girl, but did not find such emotions on her face.
It must be said, she's very good at acting.
"Alright, pack up, let's go, let's go," Liu'er waved her hands and said, "We've been waiting for you, hurry up."
Go?
What does that mean?
Eighteenth Jin looked puzzled, observing the villager guards entering, each holding a knife.
What manner of going?
In the midst of his thoughts, several men cut the ropes on their feet.
..........
The village was bustling, with villagers gathering under the big tree at the village entrance, watching the fully prepared group of riders.
The horses were newly arrived, and one person was allocated two horses. Miss Jun did not use the village's horses, even though they included shares for Lei Zhonglian and the escort guards.
Lei Zhonglian and others had also changed into new traveling attire, and Xia Yong, Yang Jing, and others were helping to check the equipment on the horses.
"Why aren't we allowed to go this time?" a villager asked, unable to hold back.
Lei Zhonglian coughed slightly.
"What 'why'? It means that we are more formidable than you," he said.
In these days of eating, living, training together, and jointly suppressing bandits and outlawed rebels, everyone had grown very familiar with each other and could joke around.
At Lei Zhonglian's words, the villagers all laughed.
Laughing, Liu'er arrived with Eighteenth Jin and others. The villagers here still remembered them; just upon entering the village, Miss Jun had ordered these few men tied up, and they had been kept that way until now, making it clear they weren't Miss Jun's men.
Why are they being released now?
The villagers' laughter faded, their expressions thoughtful.
"Lei Zhonglian, they've come," Liu'er shouted.
Lei Zhonglian looked at Eighteenth Jin, and Eighteenth Jin and the others coldly returned the gaze.
"Give them traveling attire, and let them choose horses," Lei Zhonglian ordered.
Then two guards handed several sets of clothes to Eighteenth Jin and the others, and Eighteenth Jin, without a word, coldly accepted them.
"They're going too? They're hardly formidable," a villager asked again, unable to hold back.
If they were only bringing Lei Zhonglian and the guards, it would be understandable, but bringing Eighteenth Jin meant the matter was definitely not simple.
The villagers gradually came to understand something.
Because they are trouble, Miss Jun is certainly going to take them away.
If they don't come back, leaving these people here will bring danger to the village.
But there are those that Miss Jun will not take away, because they are not trouble, but instead the ones she needs to protect.
Taking away the troublesome, leaving behind the cherished; this is clearly the preparation for a journey of no return.
"...I'm not going," Liu'er's voice came from behind, clear and cheerful.
"...Miss will be back soon."
This time, no one responded to Liu'er's words, and everyone looked at her with complex expressions.
They had experienced such a scene long ago.
That person also said, I will be back soon, you all wait here, and that person has not returned to this day.
The laughter at the entrance of the village gradually ceased. Liu'er remained unaware, continuing to speak joyously, making the atmosphere somewhat eerie.
Footsteps came from behind, and everyone hurriedly turned to see Miss Jun and that woman approaching.
They had also changed into their travel outfits, and a new carriage followed behind them.
Xia Yong approached with a complex expression.
"Miss Jun, everything is ready," he said.
Miss Jun smiled and nodded.
"Thank you, Second Uncle Xia," she said, while pulling over the hopping and jumping Liu'er, "Please take good care of this girl."
Xia Yong, a man without much to say, couldn't help but feel a twinge in his nose.
"I don't need their care," protested Liu'er, dissatisfied, "Miss, don't worry, I'll take good care of them when you're gone, make sure they eat and drink well."
Miss Jun smiled and patted her head.
Just as she was about to say something, the Shopkeeper from De Sheng Chang hurried in from outside.
"Miss Jun, Miss Jun, something terrible has happened," he blurted out without caring for the crowd present.
Miss Jun gestured with her hand to stop him.
"Things have been bad for a while, so there's nothing that could be worse," she said.
The Shopkeeper swallowed the words he was about to say and handed over a letter.
Miss Jun unfolded the letter and glanced over it, her expression impassive, showing neither joy nor sorrow.
"Things are not going well," she said, turning to Madam Yu and handing her the letter.
Madam Yu took it and glanced at it, also showing no expression.
"Hmm, it's faster and worse than I expected," she said.
Miss Jun smiled.
"Then we should move even faster," she said, her expression resolute.
Madam Yu also smiled.
"Alright," she said, extending her hand.
Liu'er, standing beside, instinctively reached out to help her onto the carriage.
"Hey, can't you get on by yourself? I'm not your maidservant," she reacted and murmured, but still did not let go, helping Madam Yu onto the carriage.
Lei Zhonglian was also busy getting everyone on their horses, and Eighteenth Jin did not say anything, getting on his horse with a stern face along with the Jinyiwei.
Miss Jun gave her respects to Xia Yong.
"Village Chief Xia, I'm leaving," she said.
Xia Yong looked at her, wanting to say more but hesitating. Miss Jun faced the gathering villagers, lifting her head to sweep her gaze over them as if to memorize their faces, then without speaking again, she nodded slightly, mounted her horse, and rode off.
The Shopkeeper from De Sheng Chang also made to get on a horse, but Xia Yong suddenly stopped him.
"Miss Jun, I have something to entrust to the Shopkeeper," he said.
Miss Jun, without any question, signaled the Shopkeeper to stay.
The Shopkeeper and the villagers watched as Miss Jun and her party set off. The people at the village entrance were reluctant to disperse, and some children couldn't help running after them.
Xia Yong did not follow or keep watching; he pulled the Shopkeeper aside directly.
"What other bad news has happened?" he asked.