Han Chijiao and Guan Zhongbo moved like two large rats, tiptoeing to the base of the wall...
Earlier, Han Chijiao had slipped out through the back window while Kong Xingzhuo was dozing, stealing three taels of silver from him as she left.
"I say, Princess, why don't we just forget about it? Your master predicts you won't be able to escape!" Guan Zhongbo squatted down at the base of the wall, not moving.
Hearing this, Han Chijiao glared at him. "Master, what are you saying? I am the number one female war god of the barbarians. If I truly wanted to escape, who could stop me?"
Guan Zhongbo: "..."
If you're so capable, why were you captured and brought from the Northern Frontier?
I really don't want to bring up your past.
In fact, Han Chijiao's title of 'Number One Female War God' was merely flattery from the soldiers in the army...
As a daughter of the Khan, everyone scrambled to curry favor with her.
"Master, you just watch here. Your disciple is off!" Han Chijiao said righteously.
Guan Zhongbo: "..."
Han Chijiao faced the courtyard wall, took several steps back, and then suddenly exerted her strength, charging forward in a single stride.
"Hah!"
"Whoosh!"
Her slender figure flashed like a startled swan, leaving a perfect afterimage in mid-air...
Just as she was about to reach the top of the wall, two more dark figures, like a whirlwind, appeared before Han Chijiao in an instant.
Guan Zhongbo looked up and slapped his thigh. "See? What did I tell you? You can't escape at all!"
The arrivals were none other than Gu Mingyan and Qing Lan.
They had predicted that Han Chijiao would attempt to escape that night and were waiting nearby...
They hadn't expected this barbarian princess to be so bold as to try and climb over the wall under the cover of darkness. It was utterly outrageous.
"Ahhh! You, you let go of me! You're hurting me!" Han Chijiao was tightly held by Qing Lan, her limbs flailing, almost falling off the wall.
Gu Mingyan chuckled. "Princess Han, it seems I've been too lenient with you. I've provided you with good food and drink, and even found you a devoted male bodyguard (Kong Xingzhuo). If you were grateful, I wouldn't have held grudges. But you, you're trying to escape right under my nose. What, Princess Han, did you also like climbing walls at night when you were in the Northern Frontier?"
Han Chijiao: "..."
This princess has no such hobby.
"Um, um, Grandpa Monkey, could you have your subordinate let me go first? It's too tight, and I can barely breathe!" Han Chijiao said with a forced laugh.
Gu Mingyan: "..."
What did Princess Han just call him?
Grandpa Monkey?
What kind of upbringing does this princess have?
Guan Zhongbo shouted from the base of the wall, "Young Master Gu, please don't be angry. There are no titles like 'Marquis' in the barbarian tribes, so Princess Han didn't mean to call you Grandpa Monkey!"
Gu Mingyan: "..."
It's only getting worse the more he tries to explain.
"Qing Lan, escort Princess Han back to her room and guard her strictly. From now on, she is not allowed to leave the room. If she dares to attempt escape again, tie her up and throw her into the storehouse!" Gu Mingyan commanded sternly.
"Yes, Marquis!" Qing Lan responded, then grabbed Han Chijiao and flew down, pushing and shoving her back to the guest room.
"Gu Monkey, you, you'll die a horrible death! You're not a decent person..."
Han Chijiao's loud voice echoed throughout the Old Yun family's residence, disturbing everyone's sleep.
Meanwhile, in Xiao Xitian's room.
Two little buns sat around a table, simultaneously designing windmill blueprints...
Since Shangguan Fang'er and Murong Qing left, Xiao Xitian could enjoy her room alone again.
The warm kang was covered with wolfskin bedding, soft and smooth to the touch.
"Little Village Girl, should we add a wheel here?" Xiao Jinheng asked.
Although he appeared calm on the surface, his inner excitement and anticipation were undeniable...
After all, once these windmills were produced, they could save a lot of labor and be promoted nationwide.
Take the waterwheel that Little Village Girl designed earlier, for example. Now, rural areas across the Daliang Kingdom with streams had this irrigation tool installed. Its practicality and efficiency had truly brought about a revolution...
Xiao Xitian blinked her big eyes and stared at the blueprint for a moment. "We can't add a wheel here, otherwise the windmill will collapse!"
You brat, if you were to design windmills, nine out of ten would be defective.
"Little Village Girl, as long as the windmill can be built, I will ask my father, the Emperor, to reward you handsomely..." Xiao Jinheng said with a smile.
The former 'Yaomen Family' was outdated. This time, Xiao Jinheng would definitely apply for a township or county princess title for Little Village Girl.
As long as she was associated with the royal family, Little Village Girl would have a noble title and enjoy various benefits and treatments.
Xiao Xitian pursed her lips. "No need. I just thought it was too troublesome when grinding grains at home, so I thought of building waterwheels. Besides, this kind of tool isn't suitable everywhere; it needs to be adapted to local conditions and promoted selectively..."
Hearing this, Xiao Jinheng's eyes overflowed with pride and doting affection.
She was still the same Little Village Girl. Although she had changed a lot, her little head was filled with wisdom and ideas.
After Han Chijiao was locked in the guest room, she lay by the window, crying and wailing, her voice already tinged with tears. "Wuwu, I'm hungry! I want pickled cabbage stew with pork bones, and some blood sausage and frozen tofu!"
The courtyard was silent. No one came to make her stew. Only Xue Ling barked twice.
Xiao Jinheng sighed helplessly. "I hope Uncle's method works..."
Xiao Xitian giggled and said nothing.
How could someone as resourceful as Marquis Gu do something meaningless?
Just wait and see. She believed that it wouldn't be long before Han Chier made a move...
The next morning, on a main road leading to the State of Chen, a horse-drawn sled arrived.
Yun Siman cracked his whip, shouting loudly, "Hup, hup!"
Yun Sanman sat cross-legged on the sled, his hands tucked into his sleeves, carefully searching the sides of the road.
Since leaving Dashui Village, the brothers had been traveling non-stop, hoping to find Shangguan Fang'er as soon as possible...
"Third Brother, have you seen anything?" Yun Siman exhaled a puff of breath and asked, turning his head.
Yun Sanman shook his head. "The surroundings are all white with snow. Where are the people?"
Hearing this, Yun Siman comforted him. "Third Brother, don't worry. This is the only road to the State of Chen. As long as we chase hard, we will definitely find them..."
"I hope so!" Yun Sanman murmured.
As soon as he finished speaking, several figures suddenly appeared not far ahead.