The Wang clan was very pleased with the Tang clan's attitude. Considering Li Nuan's current status, her demeanor became even more amiable. "Let's not dwell on the past. From now on, you and I must work together to assist the master and manage the household well, so the master has no worries."
Madam Wang had truly come to understand. If she continued to act as before, Li Su would only like her less and less. If she didn't live well, she would also implicate Yu Ge'er. The gain would not be worth the loss. Thinking from another perspective, Li Su was, overall, a good man. His household had only one wife and one concubine, openly acknowledged. It was better than... Madam Wang glanced up at Madam Bai. It was better than being kept in the dark and not knowing.
Madam Bai did not understand the meaning behind Madam Wang's meaningful gaze. She simply thought Madam Wang was putting on a show for her own dignity.
Not to mention the capital, at the border, Qi Zhenzhen arrived at her destination, met the Qian family, and then went to the army to find Yan Dalang.
Yan Dalang knew that Gu Sinian was engaged, but he hadn't expected Qi Zhenzhen to travel such a long distance to find him. He couldn't help but feel happy for his friend. This girl truly cared for him. Otherwise, why would a delicate woman endure such hardship?
"This is a topographical map of the Qilian Mountains, but it's incomplete. The areas marked with an 'x' are dangerous regions. According to local hunters, there are ferocious beasts in these places, and they cannot be dealt with by just three to five people. Additionally, the areas circled are unexplored. It's not that people haven't found them, but rather that these places are considered ominous, and no one dares to go," Yan Dalang explained, pointing to the locations on the map.
Qi Zhenzhen listened attentively and asked a few questions. "Thank you, General Yan."
Yan Dalang waved his hand. "I have known A Nian for many years, and I naturally wish for his safety. Sister-in-law, there are some things I must say. A Nian has been missing for quite some time, and the conditions in the mountains are harsh. I fear..."
That he was likely dead.
"Whether he is alive or dead, I must confirm it myself," Qi Zhenzhen said calmly. "Although the mountain environment is harsh, A Nian is not someone who has never experienced storms. Perhaps they are just trapped somewhere and cannot get out? Not finding him is not the worst outcome."
Yan Dalang was stunned by Qi Zhenzhen's composure. While he didn't want his friend to be in trouble, after such a long disappearance, his own thoughts had shifted. Looking at Qi Zhenzhen now, he couldn't help but agree with her. Perhaps they were just trapped somewhere?
"If I didn't still have to guard the army, I would definitely go into the mountains with you to search for him," Yan Dalang said. "Now, A Nian is in your hands."
"General Yan, please rest assured. He is the man I am going to marry. No matter how difficult it is, I will do my best."
After leaving the army, Qi Zhenzhen led her people directly to the Qilian Mountains, entering from where Gu Sinian had entered.
The snow in the mountains was knee-deep. If Qi Zhenzhen hadn't prepared in advance, they would have been unable to move an inch.
Er Xi and the others had never seen these peculiar 'shoes' before. They tried to tie the things to their feet like Qi Zhenzhen, but found they couldn't walk. After Qi Zhenzhen threw them her walking sticks and demonstrated again, the group was finally able to move through the forest.
"Miss, did you come up with this?" Er Xi asked after mastering it.
"In the countryside, I often saw people dragging things on the snow with boards in winter. I often went into the mountains, so I figured this out," Qi Zhenzhen explained. Of course, in reality, these were simple snow walking equipment, making it easier to walk on the snow, and she had merely copied it.
The two from the Qian family looked at Qi Zhenzhen with a hint of admiration. Before coming, they had merely followed their master's orders, knowing that this woman was the future wife of the Heir. Now, they saw that this seemingly frail young lady was not what they had imagined. In fact, the high-intensity journey from the capital was something that not everyone could endure. The fact that she hadn't held them back along the way had already earned their respect.