After a day's delay, Shitou and the others began to pack their things and prepare to leave early the next morning.
It was foggy in the early morning and there was no rain, but it was extremely wet and the sky was misty.
The entire foot of the mountain near the Tumiao Temple was swollen with mist, and mist floated in the air, covering the mountains and plains, and became sticky. The fallen flowers by the river were stuck in the soil, and the patrolling cavalry passed by, and the sound of horse hooves trampled them deeper.
After packing their things, the group left without even saying goodbye to Tao Daizhuo.
Xia Zhaoyi was sitting in the carriage with the curtain raised. She looked at Qingyun who was following Dai Yu outside with an empty look in her eyes.
As she passed a long slope at a turning point, she suddenly seemed to find something, her eyes brightened and became clear and clear.
Shen Lie sat aside, looked at her for a while, and then said, "Ah Li, what are you thinking about."
Xia Zhaoyi smiled, looked away from the window, looked at the handsome young man beside him, and said, "If we encounter any villages ahead, let's go our separate ways first."
"Separate paths?" Shen Lie frowned slightly, "Didn't you say before that you would go to Tangzhou with us first, and then to Muzhou?"
"Yes, but I have other things temporarily," Xia Zhaoyi said, "I acted a little too abruptly at the banquet last night. I wonder if Tao Daizhuo will blame you for my offense. If so, I will apologize properly in the future, but now I can only apologize first."
After speaking, he raised his hand and arched it. His tender little hand had not yet grown, but he always liked to bow to adults in a serious manner. The contrast looked particularly pink and cute.
"You don't have to be so arrogant and arrogant," Shen Lie said, "In these troubled times, and you are weak, is there anything that you feel is urgent and must be done?"
Xia Zhaoyi smiled, did not answer, turned her head and continued to look out the window.
She selfishly didn't want to follow them anymore. Originally, she wanted to be protected because she was too small and could easily be bullied.
But now I have another idea, this method is far better than going with them.
After all, she was accustomed to the temperament of Xian Yun Yehe, and she really didn't like to be with the children of the aristocratic family. Not to mention that she was afraid that she would be disturbed by other things on the way. That guy named Shitou already hated her very much.
Shen Lie looked at her side face and moved his lower lips, but in the end he said nothing.
It was just a chance meeting, and other people's affairs were decided by others, so he didn't interfere too much.
Going all the way further north, you will see a village not far away.
The carriage stopped at the intersection. Xia Zhaoyi got out of the car and said goodbye to them. He quickly took Qingyun and turned around to leave.
Dai Yu felt puzzled, watching her small body pulling the long leash back and forth, and shouted: "Where is she going?"
Shitou hummed, "It doesn't matter where we go."
After just one day of getting along, Shitou's dislike for her was no longer as simple as the shadow of the snake before.
"Let's go." Shen Lie said, "Continue on your way."
The soil was wet and slippery, so Xia Zhaoyi walked leisurely, holding the horse, and his small steps were not fast.
When she finally reached the long slope before the turn, she glanced at the mark on the tree, and then walked into the woods inside.
After arriving under a few apricot trees, Xia Zhaoyi said, "Old Tong, Zhi Changle?"
The two people who had hid after hearing the noise immediately raised their heads and looked up when they heard the sound.
Seeing that it was really her, old Tong Yile jumped down from the tree and ran over: "Ah Li!"
"Okay," Xia Zhaoyi put his hands on his chest, tilted his head and smiled, "Did you two really escape?"
"This is a loser. He said he wanted to go back several times yesterday!" Lao Tong pointed angrily at Zhi Changle, who was walking out weakly.
Both men had taken off their light armor, but the inner clothes were still clearly identifiable as military camp attire.
Xia Zhaoyi looked at their dirty and messy appearance and said, "It looks like we have to find a few dead people to strip off their clothes."
"What?"
"What?"
Zhi Changle and Lao Tong shouted at the same time.
Xia Zhaoyi smiled, pulled Qingyun forward, and said, "Let's go and wear the seal."
Upon hearing this place name, the two veterans behind him were dumbfounded.
Looking at the little girl's thin back, Lao Tong couldn't help but stepped forward and said, "Why do you want to go to Pei Feng? Didn't they say that the famine was serious and all the big cities were sealed off?"
"If we go to the countryside, if we don't starve to death, we will be captured and eaten by hungry people, right?" Zhi Changle also followed.
"You two are deserters." Xia Zhaoyi stopped and turned around, "Do you dare to take the right path?"
Lao Tong frowned: "It's a good disguise...it shouldn't be a problem, right?"
"The rich land is tightly guarded and will be checked at all levels on the road. We refugees will not be allowed to pass." Xia Zhaoyi said seriously, "It is best for us to pass through Peifeng."
Lao Tong gritted his teeth, but still felt uneasy in his heart. When he thought of Peifeng's starving people in the fields and the groups of wandering lunatics, he felt his heart pounding.
"Where were those people before you?" Zhi Changle asked, "Didn't you and them leave well? Why did you stay with us?"
Xia Zhaoyi smiled, continued to walk forward, and said, "No, I just met them by chance."
In fact, the most important thing is that they will eventually part ways when they arrive in Tangzhou. When she continues to go north, she will still be interrogated and blocked at all levels, and a little girl will definitely be targeted again.
As for the two deserters beside me, they were tall and strong, and with them around, those coveting eyes would be at least a little wary.
Moreover... by passing through Peifeng, she doesn't have to take a detour to the south of the Yangtze River, and can save at least forty days of journey.
She was eager to return home, and the anxiety in her heart was about to tear her apart.
Watching her walk away, Lao Tong and Zhi Changle glanced at each other and then at each other's dirty clothes.
"Follow me," the girl in front said without looking back, "at least I can make sure you have enough to eat."
Lao Tong looked at her, feeling indescribably complicated.
When they were confused last night, the girl said, "If there is really danger, there will be me."
With such an understatement and a calm and peaceful tone, it was like a reassurance, and by some strange combination of circumstances, they actually went through the camp.
Now, she still has the same tone, saying that she can make them eat well.
In these troubled times, is there anything more important than having enough to eat?
However, such a small girl...
"Forget it!" Zhi Changle said suddenly, "Let's go!"
His straightforwardness made Lao Tong uncomfortable: "Huh?"
"She saved us, didn't she?"
Lao Tong had a meal.
"Let's go." Zhi Changle said impatiently, "We have no choice, and I don't want to stay in this ghost place for another moment!"
No matter how big the road ahead is, whether it is life or death, the road is always made by people.