"Alright. Yu'er will go now. Your father fears that once Administrator Yan leaves Eagle Beak Cliff, certain petty individuals will start to get restless and target the refugees of Qingzhou. Other matters can be discussed, but your Uncle Song and the others might get hurt. If that happens, your father will never be able to live with himself."
Fu Yu grew up in Qingzhou and was familiar not only with its customs and culture but also with his father's deep affection for the region, which was like his homeland. This was because his mother and maternal grandmother's family were all true natives of Qingzhou.
Thinking of his father's inseparable bond with Qingzhou, Fu Yu immediately agreed, "Father, please don't worry. Your son will go now."
After speaking with his elderly father, Fu Yu promptly headed to the Thousand Household Office to find Qi Yuanshan.
Upon hearing Fu Yu's words, Qi Yuanshan also took the matter seriously.
"Brother Yu, go back and tell Uncle Meng that I will send people over immediately. We will absolutely ensure they are not harmed in any way."
"Thank you, Brother Yuanshan. I'll head back now."
"Go ahead."
After seeing Fu Yu off, Qi Yuanshan immediately dispatched personnel to Qingxi Academy.
Considering Uncle Meng's concerns, he personally accompanied them on the trip.
When they arrived near the academy and saw suspicious individuals loitering, Qi Yuanshan's gaze deepened. It seemed Uncle Meng's worries were not unfounded.
He swept a cold glance over the three individuals and then carefully instructed several soldiers to patrol in three shifts, preventing any ill-intentioned people from exploiting opportunities.
The individuals who harbored wicked intentions, just beginning to scout the area around the academy, were terrified to see the Thousand Household Commander arrive with soldiers.
They were immensely relieved that they had only entertained the thought and hadn't acted yet. Otherwise, they would have no future in Qingxi Town.
These three ruffians had been around various parts of the Northern Frontier and had a basis for comparison. Among the territories of the Northern Frontier, Qingxi Town was the safest.
While the provisions and supplies distributed by the imperial court to the Qingzhou refugees were substantial, even if they managed to seize them, they wouldn't be able to escape the Northern Frontier. They might even attract the attention of other powerful individuals. Unlike other places, Qingxi Town had the backing of the Thousand Household Commander.
Furthermore, Qingxi Academy was the property of Magistrate Meng's family. If they committed any misdeeds, Magistrate Meng's family would be the first to retaliate. And Commander Qi stood firmly behind Magistrate Meng.
They recalled the hardship they endured to obtain temporary residency in Qingxi Town. They didn't want to wander anymore. The Northern Frontier was not an easy place to navigate, and they wished to grow old in Qingxi Town.
Considering their future, the three exchanged glances and reluctantly chose to abandon their plan.
Song Bantou was also worried about this matter. Before he could devise a solution, he saw the Thousand Household Commander arrive with several soldiers.
"Thank you, Commander, for your protection. We humble folk express our deepest gratitude."
Seeing Song Bantou kneel, the others followed suit.
"Rise, all of you. This is Uncle Meng's wish; he does not want you to be harmed," Qi Yuanshan said before returning to the Thousand Household Office, as he had important matters to attend to.
Song Bantou and the others remained standing in the autumn wind, moved to tears. This further solidified their determination to stay in Liaodong. Besides Magistrate Meng, who else cared about their plight?
Fu Xinci knew her family had been very busy these past few days, so she hadn't gone out. Seeing her father return and speak with her grandfather, she realized her grandfather was concerned about the safety of Grandpa Song and the others.
She understood her grandfather's feelings. Although their family had come to Liaodong with the Meng clan, they were not very familiar with them initially. It was the refugees from Qingzhou whom her grandfather and father knew well. Especially Grandpa Song, who had worked with her grandfather for over twenty years and was a loyal subordinate.
Inside the house, Fu Yu recounted his conversation with Brother Yuanshan to his father. Seeing that Qi Yuanshan also took the matter seriously, the old man felt somewhat relieved.
Fu Xinci stood in the courtyard, bathed in the warm sunlight. She looked up at the vast sky, where clouds as white as cotton wisps floated serenely on the horizon.
"Sister, what are you looking at?"
Between the autumn harvest and the Qingzhou refugees using the academy, Yu'er hadn't attended school for the past few days. He was actually quite bored. He was also unhappy that since the beach was now guarded by soldiers, his sister couldn't take them to play by the sea as before.
Hearing her second brother's voice, Fu Xinci turned back with a smile.
"Yu'er, are you bored staying at home and want to go for a ride on horseback?"
"Mm." The young man, whose features were gradually maturing, nodded shyly and smiled.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go to the stables now."
"What are Sister and Brother going to the stables for? Ning'er wants to ride horses too." The little one, who had been eavesdropping, popped out when he heard his siblings were going for a ride, unwilling to be left out.
Yu'er smiled and said nothing when he saw his younger brother clinging to their sister's leg. He went directly to the stables to fetch the horses.
"Sister?" Ning'er, seeing his sister only smiling and not replying, felt a little anxious.
Only when his brother led out two horses and his sister unhesitatingly lifted him onto the saddle did the little fellow exclaim with joy.
"Ning'er is going to ride horses with Brother and Sister! Ning'er is going to ride horses with Brother and Sister!"
The father and son, who were talking inside, looked over upon hearing Ning'er's voice.
Through the glass window, Fu Yu watched his youngest son sway precariously on the horse, his heart filled with trepidation. He quickly spoke to his daughter, "Ci'er, you'd better not take Ning'er horseback riding."
Ning'er, feeling proud on the horse, pouted the moment he heard his father's words, looking as if he would cry if his sister didn't take him.
"Father, please don't worry. Yu'er and I will ride slowly; it'll be fine."
"Father, it's okay," Yu'er also chimed in.
"Mm, Sister says it's fine." Ning'er spoke with evident disdain, finding his father's interference bothersome.
Fu Yu was about to object again but was stopped by his father.
"Ci'er knows what she's doing. You don't need to be so anxious."
"Father, Ning'er is too young and can't stay still for a moment. I'm really afraid he'll cause trouble for Ci'er on the horse."
"Rest assured, he is quite obedient when he's on horseback."
After speaking with his son, the old man called out to his granddaughter through the glass window, "Come back early."
"Okay."
Ning'er waved his chubby hands, loudly bidding farewell to his grandfather and father. "I'm going horseback riding with Brother and Sister." The little one was quite clever. As soon as he lowered his hands, he urged his sister, "Sister, let's go quickly!"
"Why the hurry? Let's go slowly," Yu'er deliberately teased him.
"Slowly won't work! What if Father calls us back?" Ning'er was most afraid of his father changing his mind and preventing him from going out with his siblings.