Xie Xuan set off a big fire in the new General's Mansion, and the front yard of this mansion also caught on fire.

  "What's going on, I haven't seen anyone!" As soon as the official heard Liu Shifu say that the sample clothes from Qingfeng Shop had arrived, he hurriedly rushed to the flower hall. Unfortunately, the young widow he had been thinking about day and night was not there, but instead saw a silly little servant standing under the corridor, trembling with fear. How could he not be angry!

  Liu Shiyeye's palms were sweating profusely, gritting his teeth in silence. This Qin Xiaoniang was indeed good at putting on airs. Every time there was a reason, this time he simply came up with a dragon sighting and slipped away cleanly.

  Mr. Zhang had just turned forty and was still in his prime. In the backyard, there were many beauties with different charms, some alluring, some elegant, each with their own unique flavor. Especially the third concubine, who was only twenty years old, blooming like a flower, usually catering to his every whim. But since he met Qin Xiaonu, Mr. Zhang's heart had been burning with desire, and even though the third concubine attended to him with all her charm, she had become dull and flavorless to him.

  "Go! Send someone to keep an eye on me, and bring anyone they see over. No matter what method is used, I don't believe it, Zhang Mou has set his sights on this person, who can escape?" Lord Zhang was so angry that his teeth ached, he had originally wanted to have a romantic encounter with the talented and beautiful woman, but in the end, she didn't even take notice of him. Then don't blame me for resorting to strong measures."

  Qin Miao, who had already walked onto the official path, didn't know that she was being remembered by someone at this moment and suddenly let out a sneeze.

  "Miss, are you alright? These past few days have been so busy that I'm not even myself, did you catch a cold?" Zi Xuan poured a cup of hot tea from the teapot and handed it to Qin Miao with concern.

  The warm tea went down her throat and she felt much more comfortable. "Where are we?"

  Zi Xuan put away the tea bucket and prepared the dry rations for later. "It's early, we've only just left the city suburbs." This trip to Hangzhou will take at least seven or eight days.

  Dong dong dong! Zixuan lifted the curtain and saw Second Master leaning forward, about to speak. "Come down and take a short rest before continuing on your journey."

  "Alas!" Zi Xuan took out the dry rations she had just prepared, and helped Qin Miao down from the horse carriage. The three of them found a large tree with a windbreak, spread out thick cushions, and prepared to hastily eat some dry rations before continuing on their journey.

  Just as the three of them were leaning against the tree trunk, a group of horses and men rushed by on the official road, looking like they belonged to an official family. Perhaps because they were in a hurry, the horses galloped too quickly, and dust flew everywhere on the official road for a while.

  They hastily finished their dry rations and the three of them prepared to continue on their journey. Qin Lang asked with some concern, "Can your body handle it?"

  Qin Miao shook her head: "Second brother, look at me. With this physique that can climb trees to pick bird eggs, what problem could I possibly have?"

  Perhaps recalling a fun event from her childhood, Qin Lang saw that her face was flushed and didn't say anything else. He flipped over onto his horse and continued to move forward, guarding one side of the carriage.

  As planned, if nothing unexpected happens, the group of people can rest in Shanggu Town tonight. At this time, the sun was already setting in the west, and there were more and more people on the road. Qin Miao lifted up the curtain to look outside, but was startled by what she saw.

  As far as the eye can see, eight or nine out of ten are refugees. Dragging their families along, carrying simple luggage on their backs, many have the look of hunger and hardship. Among them, there is no lack of beggars, crippled by poverty.

  Qin Miao couldn't help but furrow her brow, and turned to Qin Erge on the side, saying: "How can there be so many refugees in this place?" At this time, they had only been traveling for one day, having just left Xunyang City, and were still within the borders of Jiangxi Dao. Although Jiangxi Dao was mostly mountainous and hilly, its agricultural culture originated early on, with a rich water system, although it couldn't compare to the grain stores of Huzhou and Jiaxing, but it wasn't a barren land either.

  "I came from Guizhou to Jiangxi and saw many refugees along the way. According to local people, the government required an increase in grain tax collection. Last year's rainfall was not abundant, and the autumn harvest was not satisfactory. Many families had no choice but to hand over their stored grains to the public."

  "Is Prince Yu Zhang Wang, the master of this fiefdom, also not going to take care of it?"

  Qin Lang shook his head, showing great helplessness: "A Nuan doesn't know this. Although the Yu Zhang Wang is the master of both Jiangxi and Guizhou, he has no more than 10% power over the land taxes and labor services. You should know that 70% of the grain supplies have to be handed over to the national treasury, and the king can only control 30%."

  No wonder...

  As they journeyed to Shanggu Town, refugees were still visible everywhere. The Qin family was once a prominent philanthropic family in Hangzhou City, and every year they would provide disaster relief. However, the current Qin Miao was no longer from a wealthy merchant family, and the silver she carried with her was limited. She could only share the dry rations she had on hand with the beggar children by the roadside. Although she knew it was just a drop in the bucket, she sought comfort in her own heart.

  The next day, after a simple breakfast, the three of them set off again. For three consecutive days, there were small towns to stay in, and they gradually entered the border area between Jiangsu and Jiangxi provinces, where the official road began to narrow and the terrain became undulating.

  "Today we must hurry on our journey, cross the mountain early, and take advantage of the sun not having set yet to arrive at Linshui Town in Jiangzhe Road." Qin Lang urged his horse forward, the coachman also cracked his whip on the horse's buttocks, and the carriage suddenly started running rapidly.

  It was approaching noon, and people and horses were getting tired. The mountains here were overlapping, and the smoke was thick. There were fewer and fewer people on the road, and Qin Lang unconsciously tightened his reins, vigilantly looking around.

  The horse carriage had just entered a dense forest, with tall trees reaching the clouds and branches densely covered, like a net or a cloth pressing down on people's heads, forming an inexplicable oppressive atmosphere.

  Suddenly, a burst of birds flying in unison was heard from the woods, and in the blink of an eye, a large net descended from the sky, while on the ground, a long rope suddenly appeared out of nowhere, directly blocking Qin Lang's path.

  The coachman was greatly startled, and seeing that he was about to run against the thick rope as big as a bowl mouth, he hastily pulled the reins and fell back. In this coming and going, Qin Miao was knocked back and forth against the wall, her spring clothes were thin, and she was knocked until her skin was sore.

  For a moment, she heard Qin Lang's loud shout outside "Take cover, don't come out!" and suddenly felt something was off. She secretly lifted a corner of the curtain and found that her own home had been surrounded by a large group of people.

  "Big brother! There are two little girls in the carriage!" A man holding a knife shouted excitedly, and Qin Miao could feel that the people surrounding the carriage were getting closer.

  What's wrong with Second Brother? Why isn't he making a sound, could it be that...?!

  Before they could even think, the curtain was pulled open by the thief. Qin Miao hugged Zi Xuan tightly, trembling with fear; after all, they were just two young girls who had never seen such a frightening scene before.

  She bit her lip, thinking of the worst plan in her mind. Dying is not a big deal, but she can't let others defile her either. She managed to escape from the lecherous Zhang FuTai, but unexpectedly encountered a group of mountain bandits who were even more lustful and greedy.

  The two of them simultaneously pulled out their hairpins and pressed them against their throats, but their chins still trembled with fear.

  "What have you done to my brother?!" Qin Miao grasped the hairpin tightly, not daring to let go, and shouted at the bandit outside the curtain.

  The scoundrel saw the two of them so delicate and charming, his eyes were fixed straight on them. The mountain was originally lacking in good looks, how could the women from the nearby desolate village compare to these two beauties in front of him? "Beautiful ladies, follow me obediently back home. I guarantee I won't do anything to your brother, what do you say?" After finishing speaking, his dirty hand reached out to grab Qin Miao's ankle.

  Qin Miao was suddenly frightened, shouting loudly to get out of the way and pedaling with all her might. Just when she thought disaster had struck, the thief's hand that had been exerting force was instantly severed, blood splashing everywhere. The severed arm remained alone in the carriage, its coarse fingers still moving. Qin Miao was so frightened that she almost fainted.

  Xie Xuan rushed into the carriage, hastily throwing out the severed arm and quickly taking out a small bottle from her body. Qin Miao smelled it and finally regained some consciousness, looking at the person in front of her with tears bursting forth instantly.

  "Xie Xun! Wuuu...". After all, she had been his wife before, so there was a sense of familiarity. Now, he appeared like a hero and she suddenly hugged him, bursting into tears.

  Xie Xun's hands were still stained with blood, the smell of gore filling the air, and he didn't dare to directly stain Qin Miao's clothes. But seeing his heart's desire so devotedly dependent on him, his heart ached in waves.

  "Don't cry, I'm here. Be good, don't cry." There were many horses outside, and he only brought Cheng Ying with him. Qin Lang was also injured. He had to get rid of these fugitives as soon as possible. He instructed solemnly: "Zi Xuan, take care of your master. Never leave his side! Otherwise, I won't forgive you!"