In an ordinary inn in the county town.
Han Cheer paced back and forth in the guest room, hands behind his back, glancing out the window from time to time. He muttered, "Alas, why hasn't Ren Du La returned yet? Has he been caught? No, I must go and see for myself..."
Si Ya Ke Dun, however, appeared calm and unhurried.
Seeing Han Cheer as restless as a monkey, she reprimanded, "Sit down properly. You're making my eyes dizzy with all your pacing..."
This useless fellow couldn't stay still when faced with a little trouble. He would never achieve anything significant in the future.
"Si Ya, I'm worried about our daughter. Why were they brought to such a poor and remote place?" Han Cheer stamped his foot, his heart filled with grief.
The thought of Jiao Jiao and Yan Er eating coarse food and going hungry every day made Han Cheer's heart ache...
Although the ingredients in the Northern Frontier grasslands were not abundant, there was plenty of beef and mutton. Roast lamb leg, fried beef steak, boiled sheep head, stewed sheep trotters, beef tendon, and so on. They could eat their fill just on meat...
But in this remote corner, there was nothing but wild vegetables. What if his two daughters became thin from hunger?
Si Ya Ke Dun glanced at him indifferently upon hearing this, "That's why I say you're short-sighted and lack insight. Which eye of yours saw Da Shui Village as a poor mountain village?"
Han Cheer: "..."
Wasn't it?
The barren mountains, the nearly dried-up stream, a few crooked date trees, and the villagers' thatched huts—how could it not look like a poor place...
"Khan, we cannot define the essence and truth of a matter by its superficial appearance!" Si Ya Ke Dun stood up and slowly walked to the window. "In my opinion, Da Shui Village is full of spiritual energy, and the people live in peace and contentment, without worry about food or clothing. Compared to our grassland regions, the villagers here are incredibly fortunate..."
As she spoke, Si Ya Ke Dun pushed open the window to air out the room. "Although it is spring now, the villagers have started busy with farming and working. Groups of people gather together to chat about their families or matters outside. Those with ability go out to explore, while those without scratch a living from the soil. At least, no one starves to death. Such small villages are countless in Da Liang Kingdom!"
Han Cheer: "???"
So what was his wife trying to say?
Si Ya Ke Dun turned around and smiled at Han Cheer, "But the nomadic herders of the Northern Frontier grasslands have to live a nomadic life all year round. Wherever there is lush grass and abundant water, that is their home. They have no fixed abode and are constantly on the move, wandering on the grasslands at the horizon their entire lives. Although there is a boundary between agriculture and nomadism, the two civilizations will eventually merge. It might be in your generation, or the next..."
"Never!" Han Cheer's face darkened upon hearing this. "The people of the Central Plains will never accept us. If we are to merge, they must first submit to us, and then we can discuss terms!"
Si Ya Ke Dun: "..."
Good heavens, it seemed everything she said was in vain.
It was truly like playing the lute to a cow.
"If you dare to fight and kill again, I will drown you!" Si Ya Ke Dun narrowed her cold eyes and threatened.
Her powerful aura completely subdued Han Cheer...
He said unconvincingly, "Even if, even if I don't attack the Central Plains, Na Ri Song De's tribe will not let the Central Plains go!"
Na Ri Song De was a more powerful nomadic tribe north of the Northern Frontier, belonging to the Sui Zhi people, with their capital in Ha Lin La.
The Sui Zhi people were naturally martial, fond of fighting and aggression. Due to their strong and numerous troops, and the shrewdness of Khan Na Ri Song De, the Sui Zhi tribe had occupied most of the Northern Frontier in just a few years...
It was rumored that Na Ri Song De had already led his army to the outer territories.
As tribes living on the grasslands, Na Ri Song De could easily defeat the barbarians and unify the grassland territories.
However, the land and grasslands in the area of the barbarians were not as lush as those around Ha Lin La, so Na Ri Song De was too lazy to attack the barbarians...
"Hmph, the people of the Central Plains have a saying: 'If others do not offend me, I will not offend them. If others offend me, I will repay them a hundredfold!'"
Si Ya Ke Dun frowned, her expression cold. "Even if Na Ri Song De invades the Central Plains, the people of the Central Plains will not sit idly by. But before that, you are not allowed to occupy an inch more of Liang Kingdom's land. Let them resolve their own affairs..."
In fact, Si Ya Ke Dun also felt great pity for Da Liang Kingdom. Such a good place, yet it attracted all sorts of jackals and tigers. If they had the ability to defend their territory, it would be fine, but the Liang Kingdom's national strength was weak, and the people's livelihood was depleted, making it impossible to resist Na Ri Song De's iron cavalry...
Just then, there was a knock on the door.
Han Cheer's eyes lit up, and he quickly opened the door, "Quick, come in, come in!~"
The visitor was Ren Du La, who had gone to Old Yun's house to investigate the situation in the middle of the night...
After entering the guest room, he didn't have time to bow to Han Cheer and Si Ya Ke Dun before saying urgently, "Khan, Ke Dun, your subordinate feels something is not right!~"
"What's not right?" Si Ya Ke Dun raised her eyebrows.
Ren Du La couldn't quite articulate what was wrong, and muttered, "Your subordinate found Princess Jiao Jiao at the Yun family in Da Shui Village. She was not detained, nor was she living a hard life. Instead, she was having a great time with her family..."
"Wh-what?" Han Cheer's mouth twitched, thinking he had misheard. "Jiao Jiao was captured and brought to the Central Plains by the Han people. Logically, Jiao Jiao should have a deep hatred for them. Why is she playing with them?"
Had this foolish daughter been brainwashed?
"Your subordinate, your subordinate also doesn't know..." Ren Du La was completely bewildered.
Si Ya Ke Dun was slightly taken aback and asked, "Did you see Yan Er?"
"No, no!" Ren Du La shook his head, looking puzzled. "Your subordinate searched the Yun family for a long time but couldn't find Princess Yan Er. She might have been transferred elsewhere..."
"That's impossible!" Si Ya Ke Dun denied outright. "Yan Er came to the Central Plains to find her sister. Even if she was accidentally captured, Marquis Gu would have kept them together. Why would they be held separately?"
This logic clearly didn't make sense...
"Si, Si Ya!" Han Cheer rubbed his hands, his face full of worry. "Look, what should we do next?"
Alas, this Jiao Jiao, she was having too much fun outside and didn't even know she should come home.
Si Ya Ke Dun pondered for a moment, then looked up at the window. "Ren Du La, go and buy some gifts. We will go to Da Shui Village tomorrow..."