“Uh…”
Song Qingchao sat on the newly laid rush mat, looking somewhat blankly at Zhou Ri as he awkwardly carried a table towards her.
Song Qingchao pointed at his bruised and swollen face, asking what happened.
Zhou Ri just put down the table and ran, not hearing Song Qingchao’s words at all.
It was Xiao Liu, who came in with a teacup, who explained for him, “I hit him. He needs a good beating to listen.”
Song Qingchao felt like crying but also laughing, but she couldn’t say anything.
With more people, things moved faster.
The Zhou brothers were also meticulous, and soon the cave was cleaned to a habitable state.
Although the conditions were still very basic, it was only the first day.
After waiting for a while, Song Qingmu returned with Liu Zhe’er.
Upon seeing Song Qingchao, Liu Zhe’er ran towards her happily, “Sister Cha Chao!”
She took off her small basket and placed it on the table, a full basket of small chestnuts.
Song Qingmu also sat opposite Song Qingchao, pulling at the hem of his clothes, and then placed a piece of paper on the table.
“A map.”
Song Qingchao, with one arm around Liu Zhe’er and the other moving the lamp closer.
“There’s a water source here,” Song Qingmu said, his finger pointing to a spot.
Song Qingchao nodded.
“Sister Cha Chao, but the water source here has frozen into ice. It will take some effort to get water.”
Song Qingchao thought Liu Zhe’er had a point, but nothing was impossible. “It’s alright, we can melt the snow to drink.”
After she had studied it for a while.
Brothers Four, Five, and Six walked into the cave, each carrying a prepared chicken.
Zhou Si said, “It’s too late today, and the weather is cold, making it difficult to find prey.”
Zhou Wu said, “But this should be enough to eat.”
Zhou Liu said, “We still have some dry rations. We can make do for the night.”
Song Qingchao was very happy to have meat to eat at this time.
She didn’t stand on ceremony regarding master-servant distinctions.
They all sat around on the ground, roasting the food together.
Everyone’s expression was calm, except for the awkward Zhou Ri.
Song Qingchao watched the sparks “crackling” and leaping from the fire onto the food, and her heart warmed with them.
Looking at Song Qingmu’s warm face in the firelight, Song Qingchao felt very content.
They had been on the run for two months.
Although she had lived a relatively “good” life in Feng County,
now that she was settled, she felt a sense of home.
Even if this home was drafty.
Song Qingchao tidied her hair, which had been blown messy by the wind, and felt the need to install a windbreak door.
She ate meat while thinking about the house.
She felt that the structure of Qingfeng Village was very good. Although the terrain was different, it could still be replicated.
However, her staying here affected more than just herself.
The seven Zhou brothers exchanged glances.
They were all worried if Song Qingchao had heard what “Little Sun” had said.
Setting aside whether Song Qingchao had a good temper or not, anyone would have their subordinate sold off for speaking like that.
But as secret guards, one wrong move could cost them their lives.
Although Song Qingchao said she didn’t mind, no one knew her true thoughts.
The group finished their meal with their own thoughts and retired to their respective caves.
Zhou Ri did not eat much.
He was the first to leave the table.
So, in the middle of the night, he woke up hungry…
After getting up, he saw his brothers were still asleep. He fumbled to put on his clothes and intended to find some food.
But as soon as he made a sound, he was caught red-handed by his brother.
“Stubborn pride leads to suffering.”
Zhou Ri, startled, patted his chest and sighed, “Brother Zhou Yi, you scared me to death.”
“I truly wish I could have scared you to death.”
“What are you doing up at night?”
Zhou Yi said, “I think you’ve had too comfortable a life and forgotten what you are. As a secret guard, you must protect your master’s safety. You’ve gone too far.”
Zhou Ri took a bite of a flatbread, which was cold and hard, but he swallowed it for the sake of his stomach.
“I truly can’t understand why.”
“I think you won’t shed tears until you see the coffin.”
Zhou Ri pouted, “What danger could there be…”
“Do you understand prevention?”
Zhou Yi hit Zhou Ri hard on the head.
This Zhou Ri was always the most troublesome in Chang’an, a very lively person.
Logically, such a person was not suitable to be a secret guard, but for some reason, those in power were very tolerant of him. No matter how big a mistake he made, it was always resolved with a light touch.
So, this unit of theirs also managed to escape danger every time, thanks to him.
For a time, they even suspected Zhou Ri’s identity and investigated, but it all came to nothing.
Later, they didn’t think much of it, considering him a cute younger brother, a bit boisterous, but also a shield, a mascot.
If their master hadn’t decided to kill them that time, they wouldn’t be in such a sorry state now.
“In short, give up your thoughts as soon as possible,” Zhou Yi advised Zhou Xiao Tai Yang again.
He truly considered Zhou Xiao Tai Yang as his own brother.
If his own brother were still alive, he would be about the same age as Xiao Tai Yang.
Zhou Ri lazily nodded, stuffed the flatbread into his mouth, and waved his hand, returning to his mat.
From his posture, it was clear he hadn’t taken Zhou Yi’s words to heart.
Zhou Yi sighed helplessly.
Since words were not heeded, he could only resort to force.
The next morning.
Zhou Ri, still asleep, felt someone kicking his leg.
He grumbled, curled up his legs, and turned over, saying, “Stop fooling around.”
Song Qingchao, standing by his bed, was amused.
The Zhou brothers behind her felt that this kid was embarrassing them as well with his reaction.
“Hey, wake up.”
Song Qingchao, with a smile, kicked him again.
This kick made him throw off the rush mat and sit up, “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing much,” Song Qingchao replied lightly.
But Zhou Ri was genuinely startled by her voice. As soon as he opened his eyes, he stammered, “You… you… why are you here!”
He covered his chest with his hand and breathed a sigh of relief after realizing he was still clothed.
However, before he could fully react,
a bow landed on him.
“Let’s go hunting.”
“Hunting?” Zhou Ri was stunned for a moment.
He looked uncertainly at Song Qingchao’s attire.
Today, she wasn’t wearing a dress but a man’s round-necked robe, and her hair was simply tied up in a coronet.
“Are you serious?”
“Mm,” Song Qingchao nodded affirmatively. “Hurry up, we’re waiting for you.”
Zhou Ri thought for a moment and then got up to follow his brothers, but he found Song Qingchao also heading up the mountain.
“Why are you following?”
Song Qingchao looked at Zhou Ri as if he were an idiot, “To hunt.”