Joyful Motherhood in a Rural Family-Chapter 897 - : A Way
Chapter 897: Chapter 897: A Way
Everyone else chimed in agreement.
But Liu Sisi didn’t go back to her room to rest; instead, she stayed with everyone, waiting for news.
At noon, there was still no news. The group boiled three big pots of millet rice porridge and added some potatoes, finally managing to fill everyone’s stomachs. Seeing that the food supply could only last until tonight at most, Liu Sisi felt increasingly distressed.
Without a good solution, Liu Sisi once again discussed with Zhang Peng and Qi Yuanzheng.
“It’s no use sitting around passively waiting for news. How about this! Since those Post-house Ministers won’t let us leave, we don’t have to go out through the main entrance. Let’s all go out and look for an alternative route.”
These words immediately earned unanimous approval from everyone. “Send more brothers out, in pairs of two, to scout for routes. If they can get out of the hostel, they can then go to the city and find some food.”
“We can also carry extra bags, useful for both food and necessities, and also firewood…”
Everyone voiced their opinions, offering various ideas.
Zhang Peng stood up, delighted, “Good! In that case, I’ll head towards the main entrance later to distract the Post-house Minister’s attention while the rest of you take the opportunity to slip out.”
Naturally, Liu Sisi agreed with everyone’s viewpoint, and her heart was also filled with extra sighs, wondering how Ye Lei was faring by now?
As Zhang Peng did not want to leave Liu Sisi alone, he straightened his clothes and led her towards the hostel’s main entrance.
Sure enough, they hadn’t reached the front yard when the Post-house Minister hurried over, accompanied by several fully armed soldiers.
The expression on the Post-house Minister’s face was foul, as he glared at the group, clearly grinding his teeth, obviously due to the repercussions of forcibly seizing grain earlier.
“What now? Do you all still plan to go against the Prefecture Governor’s wishes and want to leave? Don’t say I didn’t warn you—the curfew is being enforced outside. Anyone who dares to walk the streets will be arrested and executed summarily for treason and colluding with the enemy! Think carefully!”
Zhang Peng instinctively shielded Liu Sisi behind him, doing his best to keep her out of sight.
“Post-house Minister, you are but a humble Rank 8 official, and yet you dare to be so brazen? Once I see the Prefecture Governor later, I shall have to ask about the nature of such rules!”
Zhang Peng said hatefully, his eyes firmly fixed on the other party.
Fire seemed to dance in the opponent’s eyes as well as he sneered coldly, “These are the rules of my Master. As the saying goes, ‘An army commander on the field does not follow all orders!’ If my Master has commanded it, I dare not neglect my duties. If you gentlemen wish to leave, you might first weigh your own capabilities, lest you die a wrongful death here in the wilds!”
This was an outright threat!
Zhang Peng glanced at Liu Sisi instinctively, and she gave a subtle look towards the nearby small courtyard. Zhang Peng immediately nodded slightly in understanding.
“Military orders? If these are indeed the orders of the Prefecture Governor, then please, Lord Post-house Minister, present the Order Letter. Otherwise… hmph!”
“Who are you to want to see the Order Letter of the Prefecture Governor?”
The Post-house Minister scoffed repeatedly, subconsciously touching the wound on his arm, which had been inflicted by the man before him. How could he swallow his pride over this?
“Stay if you wish to stay, leave if you wish to leave! However, should you step outside the hostel door today, don’t blame my subordinates for executing orders!”
He even gestured to someone beside him while speaking.
The people standing behind him quickly dispersed, and soon they had completely surrounded the group.
“You, you…?”
Zhang Peng pointed at the Post-house Minister, too angry to utter a word.
“Humph! Since you won’t let us out, there should be no harm in us going to visit friends, right? Let’s go!”
Zhang Peng waved his hand and led several people towards the other small courtyard in a fury. Liu Sisi and others hurriedly followed.
“Oh, and one more thing.”
Zhang Peng walked a few steps, then turned back, “Lord Post-house Minister, we would like to see the Prefecture Governor. Please report our request on our behalf, and do not delay any urgent military news.”
“Hmph!” The Post-house Minister lifted his head, showing no regard for everyone’s words.
Zhang Peng didn’t mind and continued to walk away.
The left behind minister and his subordinates had a mysterious change in expression, staring at the direction in which the group disappeared without turning their heads for quite a while.
“Acting so high and mighty! I see you all as grasshoppers after autumn, not able to hop around for much longer. Go! Report everything that happened here to the Prefecture Governor.”
Waiting until the soldier had run off quickly, the Post-house Minister still wore a mocking smile.
It was only after turning a corner that Zhang Peng’s expression relaxed a bit, and he exchanged a glance with Liu Sisi, “Should be enough time now, right? How are things progressing on their end? It’s a pity this person is truly intractable, not allowing me to say a few more words. I…”
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“Don’t look back, we might still be followed.”
Liu Sisi could see clearly and was not the least bit panicked, “Later, when we enter the small courtyard, take whatever we can eat, use, or carry. Saving our lives is the top priority.”
So many lives rested on her shoulders; she could not afford to be willful or proud.
“Did everyone understand?”
“Yes, we understand.”
Soon they arrived at the courtyard gate, and bursts of laughter could be heard from inside. Zhang Peng nodded his head, and a trusted soldier beside him stepped forward to knock on the yard door.
“Who’s there?” A voice came from the courtyard.
“It’s me! Open the door quickly.”
Zhang Peng didn’t care how the people inside responded and answered immediately.
Liu Sisi chuckled to herself, suspecting that the people inside must be feeling dismayed. Such a response came out, truly too clever!
It seemed there were murmurs of conversation inside, and after a moment, the courtyard door was opened, revealing a little maid about fifteen or sixteen years old.
“Who are you…?” The little maid looked around curiously.
Understanding the saying ‘one does not strike a smiling face,’ Zhang Peng quickly put on a smile and gave a fist greeting, “Is your master in? We are neighbors living next door, and we came here today especially to visit.”
“My master has said that he sees no visitors. Please leave.”
After speaking, the little maid promptly shut the courtyard door.
“Wait a moment! Young wife, don’t be hasty.”
Zhang Peng quickly stopped her from closing the door and took the opportunity to squeeze inside, “We indeed have come sincerely to pay a visit. It isn’t proper to refuse us entry like this, right?”
The little maid’s face turned stern as she glared angrily at everyone, “My master said he sees no visitors! Leave, leave now, do not delay any further here.”
During the talk, she tried to push the group back outside the yard door.
Could it be that the owner of this small courtyard had something to hide?
A thought suddenly flashed through Liu Sisi’s mind, but she did not stop the group from forcefully entering the courtyard.
The little maid was extremely anxious and couldn’t help but look back; then, with a stomp of her foot,
“Ay, why don’t you all understand? This isn’t the place for you. Leave quickly! Or else, if it gets later, you won’t be able to leave even if you want to.”
