If they held onto illusions, they would undoubtedly be more heartbroken in the future.
Despite his young age, Yun Xiaojing had listened to many stories and often heard tales from the village elders. He clearly understood that their situation might very well be one of abandonment!
Upon hearing this, Zhan Xiaofeng and Zhan Xiaoli's eyes immediately welled up with tears.
Though they had always been strong.
Facing the reality that their father might not want them, they were truly sad.
Tears glistened in Zhan Xiaofeng's eyes, "Father wouldn't possibly abandon us. There must be some misunderstanding. Perhaps Father is in danger right now."
"I grew up by Father's side. Although Father was always stern and very strict with me, I know very well that Father would never abandon us," Zhan Xiaoli gritted his teeth, still resolutely defending Zhan Tianye.
Others might doubt their father, but he could not.
However…
Seeing that his two elder brothers still refused to accept reality, Yun Xiaojing felt a sense of helplessness. But he didn't insist on his own thoughts, only saying, "Alright, I also hope Father still wants us! However, we must prepare ourselves mentally. We might be abandoned by Father. So, let's stop asking Grandfather and Mother about Father. Also, we can pretend we know nothing and secretly help Mother find Father."
This suggestion was met with support from Zhan Xiaoli and Zhan Xiaofeng.
"I can hear others' conversations just by listening quietly now. I must find Father and not let Father fail Mother. If Father truly fails Mother and really intends to abandon us, then I..." Zhan Xiaoli gritted his teeth again, his small face pale in the dim room, "Then I won't acknowledge him either."
Zhan Xiaofeng wiped his tears and said bravely, "I think the same as you. If Father is in danger, then we'll go save Father. If Father doesn't want us, then I don't want him either!"
As the three little ones talked, they endured their sadness and unknowingly fell asleep.
When they woke up the next day, they all pretended to know nothing and happily went out shopping and playing with Yun Shu.
After buying some items, the group continued on their journey.
Their movements were also kept hidden.
When they entered the city from the border before, the three little ones were curious about the disguised faces and kept asking Yun Shu and Yun Changfeng why, but this time they didn't ask anything as they left the city.
There was a constant clamor outside the carriage.
After leaving the city, Yun Shu got into the carriage and looked at her three well-behaved sons.
"Are you curious why, after so many days, you still haven't seen Father?" Yun Shu asked gently.
Zhan Xiaoli shook his head, appearing very sensible, "Father must have something very important that he cannot get away from, and cannot meet up with us quickly. I've already told Xiaofeng and Xiaojing that we are not in a hurry to see Father. We only hope Father is safe and sound!"
"Anyway, I'm content as long as I can see Mother and Grandfather every day," Yun Xiaojing giggled.
Zhan Xiaofeng blinked his eyes, "Xiaoli and I think the same, Mother."
Yun Shu's heart warmed. She hadn't expected them to be so thoughtful and sensible. She hugged all three of them and kissed their foreheads, "Alright, Mother will let you see Father."
"Mm!" they replied in unison.
A few days later.
On the second floor of a restaurant.
The group temporarily stopped in a town and found a restaurant for lunch.
Soon, a table full of sumptuous dishes was served.
The three little ones, having traveled continuously and not eaten much hot food on the road, had their eyes light up at the sight of the steaming dishes. "It smells so good!"
"I'm so hungry! I can eat two big bowls of rice!"
"There are chicken legs!"
Yun Shu couldn't help but smile as she watched them, their eyes practically falling into the food. "Don't rush, eat slowly."
"Hahaha, they are all at an age where they are growing, so they get hungry easily. They only ate some fruit on the road earlier, no wonder they are hungry now. Don't just talk about them, I'm hungry too," Yun Changfeng said with a chuckle.
A'Cha and Yu Le also joined in the laughter.
Qiu Lu, not in a hurry to eat, scanned their surroundings while they were chatting and laughing.
Finding no danger, he finally picked up a bun and started eating.
Jing Heng still disliked Qiu Lu, but after spending so much time together, he could see that Qiu Lu truly knew nothing.
He was also a pitiable fellow.
He offered a chicken leg, "Eat."
Qiu Lu was a bit taken aback, "You..."
Could the chicken leg be poisoned? Otherwise, how could Jing Heng kindly give him a chicken leg?
Seeing Qiu Lu staring at the chicken leg and not taking it, his eyes flickering constantly, Jing Heng knew what Qiu Lu was thinking. He snorted, "If I wanted to poison you, you would be dead by now."
"I'm just a bit touched," Qiu Lu chuckled twice and quickly took it.
It was one thing not to smell the meat earlier, but now that he smelled the aroma, he realized he was also hungry.
The group began to eat their lunch quietly.
There weren't many people in the restaurant; it was very quiet.
Even the few tables of guests were mostly dining in silence. If they conversed, their voices were low, and they didn't disturb each other.
After finishing her meal, Yun Shu looked outside at the passersby, wondering where they were all going. They had been traveling for days, and in about ten more days, they would reach the capital of Xixia Kingdom.
Along the way, as expected, she kept seeing her portrait. The closer they got to the capital, the more even the portraits of the three children appeared.
"I have a residence in the capital that I had someone buy for me. Not many people know about it. When we arrive in the capital, we will stay there for the time being," Yun Shu said after Yun Changfeng had also finished his meal.
Yun Changfeng nodded, "Good, having a place to stay is fine. We might need to stay for some time."
The father and daughter didn't say any more.
Throughout their journey, the information they wanted to investigate had, without exception, yielded no response.
But everything would eventually be clarified once they reached the capital of Xixia Kingdom.
Zhan Xiaoli was drinking water.
As he was drinking, he suddenly heard a thought.
"Why are they looking for Yun Shu? Isn't Yun Shu in Dongning Kingdom?"
"Could it be that Yun Shu has come to Dongning Kingdom? Why is she so persistent?"
"Or perhaps the woman in the portrait isn't Yun Shu?"
Zhan Xiaoli, certain that someone was repeatedly thinking about his mother, immediately looked at Yun Shu. "Mother, I just heard someone mentally saying Mother's name. She knows Mother! She also said Mother should be in Dongning Kingdom, so why is she here in Xixia Kingdom, and why is she so persistent?"