Fu Xinci and the others didn't yet know that their actions had made them famous, establishing a foothold in Ningyuan City. Local ruffians would now steer clear of them.
Why? Even a fool could tell – they were untouchable! When the Embroidered Uniform Guard got involved, they truly meant business!
...
Seeing that the Embroidered Uniform Guard had taken the people from Tianxiang Tower to the yamen, Qi Yuanshan felt relieved. He cupped his hands towards Yan Yi and prepared to lead the Meng clan into the city.
"Wait, this official doesn't know how you plan to arrange for Mr. Meng's family."
When Qi Yuanshan saw that this Embroidered Uniform Guard official was inquiring about the settlement of Meng Qingping's family, he did not conceal his intentions.
"About ten li south of the pass I'm guarding, there's a hundred-odd mu of wasteland. The terrain is flat, backed by a mountain cliff, and a river flows in front. I believe it would be a good place to settle down."
When his son had told him about Meng Qingping's family, Qi Yuanshan had thought of this place.
At the time, a wealthy family in the city had also set their sights on this spot, wanting to build a manor. He had refused outright, never expecting it to be useful today.
Yan Yi thought the place Qi Yuanshan described sounded good, but he considered that Meng Qingping had once been a county magistrate and might not fancy farming in the countryside. He stepped forward to ask for Meng Qingping's opinion.
"Mr. Meng, are you satisfied with Brigadier Qi's proposal?"
"The commoner is quite satisfied with Brigadier Qi's proposal." Throughout the journey, father and son had discussed their livelihoods in Liaodong. After much deliberation, they both felt that farming in the countryside was the better option.
Fang shi had also suggested opening a small restaurant, but Meng Qingping had not agreed.
After all, the Meng family's troubles had not yet settled, and there was no need for them to draw attention.
They were already targets, and if they didn't keep a low profile, what else could they possibly want?
"Alright." Since Meng Qingping was willing, Yan Yi did not try to dissuade him further. Instead, he continued to discuss with Qi Yuanshan, "Brigadier Qi, please accompany this official to the county yamen shortly to designate this land and prepare a deed for Mr. Meng."
Meng Qingping: ...?
"Sir, please do not refuse. This is the Emperor's will. You should accept it."
Yan Yi found it difficult to state directly that the Emperor felt indebted to Meng Qingping, so he could only use money and land as compensation.
This land was still wasteland, and even a large area of it would not sound particularly impressive.
Meng Qingping had intended to refuse, but upon hearing Yan Yi say it was the Emperor's decree, he could only lead his family to kowtow and express their gratitude in the direction of the capital once more.
Fu Xinci endured the pain in her knees and muttered to herself again: A mentally-challenged emperor and a bunch of imbecile ministers had brought such ruin upon their entire family, and yet they had to kowtow and offer thanks.
Thanks to whose mother, and for what?
After Meng Qingping's family rose, Yan Yi went to the yamen with Qi Yuanshan.
Qi Yuanshan's two subordinates gestured for everyone to follow.
Upon reaching the yamen gate, they were asked to stop and wait. Jiang tou'er also had to go to the yamen to report, so he bid farewell to Meng Qingping's family with much reluctance.
"Brother Meng Er, from this point on, we brothers may never have the chance to meet again. I wish you and your family the best."
"Ah, Brother Jiang, you all take care too. Have a safe journey back to the capital."
"Thank you for your kind words, Brother Meng Er." Jiang tou'er finished speaking and strode into the yamen.
"Grandfather, I'm going to buy some medicine for injuries." Fu Xinci watched Grandpa Jiang's retreating figure, a thoughtful look on her face as she slung her small backpack over her shoulder.
Meng Qingping looked at his granddaughter's small backpack and knew she was about to do something important. Recalling that his granddaughter had dared to fight just now, he did not stop her, only cautioning her carefully, "Go, be careful, and come back quickly."
"Mm." Fu Xinci replied and rushed towards a street not far from the yamen.
"Sister Fu, wait for me." Qi He spotted her and without hesitation, he chased after her.
Fu Xinci: She had to run faster, she couldn't let this elder brother see through her trick. She turned and darted into the nearest alley.
Qi He: "Where did Sister Fu go?"
Fu Xinci: Not far in front of you.
Fu Xinci hid in the small alley and quietly looked around. Perhaps it was the time of day, and everyone was busy. The few households in the alley had their doors tightly shut.
Heh heh, this was perfect.
Fu Xinci took out a bottle of half a jin of white wine, which she had already processed, from her spatial dimension. The label of a certain brand of sorghum liquor had also been carefully removed.
If this were in her previous life, it would have been a complete "three nos" product.
Heh heh, here, just this glass bottle alone would be worth some silver.
Having disguised herself, Fu Xinci light-footed it out of the alley. Qi He was still looking around for her ahead.
"Brother Qi, I'm here."
"Ah." Qi He turned back and saw Sister Fu standing behind him, unharmed, though her dark face held a trace of anxiety.
"Sister Fu, why were you running?"
"Brother Qi, I was looking for a doctor's clinic, but I ran half an alley and couldn't find one."
"Sister Fu, why are you looking for a doctor's clinic?" Qi He asked himself how foolish he was after asking the question.
They had just finished a fight. "Sister Fu, are you injured? Where are you hurt? Let me see."
Fu Xinci: This sounded a bit off, but thinking that Qi He was still young, she didn't dwell on it.
Qi He, having realized his mistake, blushed crimson and said in a voice as quiet as a mosquito's, "Sister Fu, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to, I was just worried about your injuries."
"Brother Qi, there's no need to worry, I'm not injured."
"Sister Fu isn't injured, so why are you looking for a doctor's clinic?"
"I was worried that you guys might be hurt." After saying this, Fu Xinci felt her own face heat up. Using Qi He and the others as an excuse, especially in front of the people involved, her skin was getting thicker and thicker.
As Fu Xinci was silently blaming herself, Qi He happily touched his slightly bruised face and comforted her carelessly, "Sister Fu, you don't need to look for a doctor's clinic. It's just a small matter, no need for medicine."
"How can that be? You all got hurt, you should find a doctor to examine you. It mustn't be delayed."
"Hmm, that's true." Qi He thought of Meng Yuwen and Meng Yuwu, whose faces were swollen like pig heads, and no longer refused.
The two of them, accompanied by a passing auntie, inquired about the location of a doctor's clinic. The auntie kindly pointed in the direction they had just come from, "It's just ahead, a few steps and you'll see it."
After thanking the auntie, Qi He reached out his hand and said, "Sister Fu, give me your backpack to carry."
"Brother Qi, no need. The backpack isn't heavy at all. Besides, if anything were to happen, I'd be counting on you to protect me. A backpack would hinder your performance."
"Ah." Sister Fu's words seemed quite right. Wasn't he here to protect Sister Fu?
Understanding this, Qi He no longer insisted. The two walked along the street, chatting and laughing, passing a few more shops, and finally spotted the sign of a doctor's clinic.