Xi Qingyue watched the middle-aged man and the others run toward the forest, but she did not follow. She did not trust that man; he didn’t look like a mere refugee.
Like her, quite a few people stayed behind. The woman beside her and her entire family chose not to go into the woods either.
The woman asked curiously, “Little girl, aren’t you afraid? He said the soldiers are arresting people up ahead.”
Xi Qingyue smiled and shook her head. “I’m not afraid. Even if they’re arresting people, they wouldn’t bother with a child like me. Auntie, aren’t you scared?”
The woman sighed. “Well, soldiers arresting people is possible, but following him might lead us straight into a bandit’s den. Either way, there’s risk. We have to gamble.”
The young man beside her nodded in agreement. “That’s right, Mother, you’re correct. If we fall into the hands of the authorities, there might still be a chance. But if we fall into the hands of bandits, it would be worse than death.”
Xi Qingyue did not respond. She thought to herself that it was hard to say which fate was worse—it all depended on who was in charge.
Instead of resting, she continued walking. There was something off about this stretch of the road. Whether it was soldiers or bandits, she would only trust what her own eyes saw.
Half an hour later, the sound of hooves came from ahead on the official road.
A cloud of dust rose as dozens of soldiers on horseback rode up ferociously before the crowd. The leading officer scanned the people with sharp eyes and shouted:
“By order of the Prefectural Governor! With our two kingdoms at war, we are short on both food and men. The people must unite against the enemy. Every civilian heading to Bozhou City must hand over their carts and grain for official redistribution. All able-bodied men will serve in the city’s defense. The elderly, women, and children will be housed elsewhere. But do not worry—the governor will not let anyone go hungry. Once inside the city, you will no longer have to wander and suffer.”
Xi Qingyue glanced down at her mule. So they’re seizing people’s property, and with such noble words.
But something didn’t add up. If this were really the case, wouldn’t it be more efficient to wait until everyone entered the city before making the announcement? That way, no one could flee.
She looked toward the woods on both sides. Many families were already running into the trees after hearing only half of the speech, yet the soldiers acted as if they saw nothing and made no attempt to pursue them.
The leading officer even smirked strangely in the direction of the fleeing people—a sight Xi Qingyue caught clearly.
Suddenly, she understood. That middle-aged man from earlier—was he working with these soldiers?
Many of the refugees had initially looked terrified. But seeing that runaways were neither blocked nor killed, some joined the exodus. Still, most stayed. They figured that following these soldiers to Bozhou City wasn’t a bad idea—no more wandering, just a stable place with food and drink.
Xi Qingyue followed the crowd toward Bozhou City. After all, Bozhou was close to Jingcheng. She had traveled over a hundred li this morning and was almost there now, only a dozen li remaining.
Everyone had to hand over their carts and grain, but since the soldiers had come on horseback and had no immediate use for them, the handover was postponed until they reached the city and registered their belongings.
Xi Qingyue still rode her mule. Tied to the saddle was a small bundle containing a few flatbreads and a water pouch.
The remaining dozen li took a long time. They even stopped to rest at noon.
With so many people around, Xi Qingyue did not dare enter her space. Instead, she sent a mental message to Xi Weilan, then sat beside Tafeng, eating two flatbreads and drinking some water.
By the time they reached the city, all she could hand over were two flatbreads and an empty water pouch.
As for Tafeng, her plan was to let him enter the city first and then secretly teleport him into her space. She wanted to see Bozhou City for herself—was it a den of wolves or a nest of tigers?
When the gates of Bozhou City came into view, the refugees felt a mix of hope and dread, fearful of their unknown fate.
The soldiers, however, were all smiles, happy to have returned.
“Everyone line up at the gate to register! After that, hand over your belongings and you can enter the city,” shouted the leading officer.
People were ordered to queue for registration, and Xi Qingyue managed to get near the front.
The registrar was an elderly man who showed little reaction at seeing a child.
“Show me your household registration,” he said.
Xi Qingyue put on a troubled expression. “I lost my papers somewhere along the road. My surname is Yue. My parents are gone, and I’m the only one left in my family. This is everything I own.”
She placed her bundle on the table and opened it.
The old man frowned at the sight of two flatbreads and an empty water pouch. What use was this?
Then Xi Qingyue pointed at Tafeng. “This is my mule.”
The old man’s expression softened slightly. He scribbled something down and waved his hand. “Go on in.”
Xi Qingyue walked toward the city gate, while Tafeng was led away by a young soldier—also heading inside the city walls.
She had a strong instinct that this place was yet another den of collusion between officials and bandits.
If people had truly been free to choose whether to enter the city, word would have spread long ago, and many would have changed their route.
But the soldiers had intercepted them on the road. And those who fled into the forest were being led away by the middle-aged man’s people. What was the soldiers’ real motive?
Xi Qingyue couldn’t figure it out yet. For now, her priority was to retrieve Tafeng.
Just as she entered the city, a soldier approached her. “Women and children, this way! Wait here until everyone’s gathered. The authorities have arranged housing for you.”
Hearing this, several women behind Xi Qingyue looked pleased. They would actually have a roof over their heads.
Xi Qingyue said nothing, observing quietly.
When the young soldier tried to tie Tafeng up with the other horses, Tafeng kicked him away and bolted.
Xi Qingyue immediately shouted to the soldiers nearby, “My mule’s run off! I have to help catch him! He’s really fierce and might hurt someone—better let me handle it before anyone gets injured!”
So saying, she dashed after Tafeng. The soldiers glanced at one another but didn’t stop her. A child chasing her own mule was a logical and harmless sight.
Three soldiers also gave chase, panting and cursing under their breath. “Damn it! How is that mule so fast?”
Xi Qingyue kept pace with them as they ran farther and farther, until they disappeared from view. Soon, they reached a deserted alley.
Tafeng charged headfirst into one soldier, knocking him unconscious.
Then, with a swift kick, he took down another. The third soldier stood frozen, stunned by the mule’s ferocity.
Before he could react, Tafeng rammed him with his chest, sending him crashing to the ground, also unconscious.
Xi Qingyue patted Tafeng on the head. “Tafeng, next time use your hooves instead of your head. Doesn’t it hurt?”
She then silently teleported Tafeng into her space—and followed him inside.
Back in the space, Xi Weilan was already awake, lounging on the sofa and playing with toys.
“Big Sister, why didn’t you call me out? It’s so boring in here all alone,” she said, pouting as she threw herself at Xi Qingyue.
Xi Qingyue picked her up and said with a smile, “Don’t worry, if there’s any fun to be had, your big sister will always take you along.”
