But Leng Ningyue retorted with a question, "What do you want me to say?"
Hearing this, Lin Qingge sighed, "Sister Ningyue, if you don't want to talk about it, I won't pry. However, Mo'er and I truly consider you family. Just as you dislike me venturing out alone, we don't want anything to happen to you."
Lin Qingge could tell that Leng Ningyue had deliberately sent Yan Tinghao and the guards away. Although she didn't know why, her sixth sense, honed from her previous life, told her that continuing to investigate would lead to an outcome she didn't want to see.
They sat in silence. Ultimately, Lin Qingge relented and returned to her room to rest.
However, the next morning, just as dawn broke, Lin Qingge was woken up by Yan Tinghao. Following the usual pattern, whenever this fool came to find her, it was never for good news. As expected, Yan Tinghao stood at the doorway, head bowed, and mumbled, "My lord, it is my fault; I was careless. I didn't expect that scoundrel, even in such a state, to still be able to move. In the time it took me to go to the privy, that scoundrel escaped!"
"No, it's not your fault. It's mine. I shouldn't have let you, this simpleton, guard that flower thief. Forget it; you've also been up all night. Go back and rest." *Letting a foolish deer watch a cunning weasel, it’s no wonder it couldn’t be guarded… Sigh— When will my yamen have a constable with an online IQ, no, just a reasonably normal one?*
...
Lin Qingge didn't know or care what Lin Moyuan and Xu Changling had discussed. However, when they left, Xu Changling's expression was exceptionally solemn.
Meanwhile, in a certain place in the capital, a thousand miles away, a middle-aged man slammed his teacup to the ground. "You can't even handle the simple task of kidnapping a child, what use do I have for you?"
"Your Highness, please calm your anger. According to spies, it was that Wei Laosan acting on his own accord who also kidnapped Xu Changling's daughter. Xu Changling was furious and sent men to locate Wei Laosan's hiding place and rescue her."
"Did you leave any traces?"
"Your Highness, rest assured. When I met Wei Laosan, I neither used my real name nor showed my face. Furthermore, according to the spies, due to infighting, when Xu Changling's men arrived, Wei Laosan and his subordinates were all already dead."
"Hmph, so that Lin Jingxing's son is lucky! A mere county magistrate without any background dares to harm my Xin'er. I will surely have his son's flesh cut into a thousand pieces to console Xin'er's departed spirit! Go, no matter the method, bring Lin Jingxing's son to me! I refuse to believe that Lin Jingxing's son, who has had such good luck once, can continue to escape by sheer luck every time?"
"Yes!" With that, the black-clad man in fitted attire vanished.
On the other side, Lin Qingge and her entourage returned to Changzhou County in a grand procession. Considering the arrangements for Xu Siyun and her maid Qiao'er, as well as Lin Zimo's long-delayed studies, Lin Qingge and Leng Ningyue decided to head directly to the academy.
Upon arriving at the academy, they found that the morning classes had just ended, and Murong Bai was walking out, surrounded by a group of young children. Seeing Lin Qingge's family of three, the corners of his lips curved slightly. Xu Siyun, who entered a step behind, let out a surprised exclamation upon seeing him, "Young Master Bai?"
Clearly, Xu Siyun also recognized Murong Bai. However, unlike Yongning, Murong Bai's attitude towards Xu Siyun was quite friendly. He nodded slightly, acknowledging her. Combining the earlier addresses of "Bai Er" and "Brother Bai" by Lin Moyuan and his sister, Lin Qingge was almost certain that Murong Bai was not his real name, and his surname was likely Bai. Not only had he left his hometown far behind, but he had even changed his name. There must be a story behind this. However, seeing that Lin Moyuan and the others remained tight-lipped, no matter how curious Lin Qingge was, she wouldn't pry into their privacy.
"Siyun, is it really you?" Yongning, who was a step behind, ran out from inside. Upon seeing Xu Siyun, her face showed disbelief. The next moment, she had already rushed over, clinging to Xu Siyun like an octopus, complaining non-stop, "Siyun, do you know how boring it's been for me since you left... went away? I haven't had anyone to talk to all day! Siyun, let me tell you, there are so many fun things in the countryside. I'll take you to catch rabbits and fish later, and we can also have cricket fights!"
At this moment, Zhou Zeli walked over and said expressionlessly, "Tsk, do you think everyone is as easily amazed as you, you crazy girl? Also, as a role model, you should pay more attention to your words and actions. Being so boisterous all the time is simply a disgrace to Lord Lin's Changzhou Academy!"
"Zhou Bapi, will you die if you say one less word? What I want to do is my business. Who do you think you are, nagging in my ear every day? Even an old nanny isn't as annoying as you!"
"Hmph, unreasonable." Murong Bai, who was accustomed to their bickering, walked over and pinched Lin Zimo's cheek. "You little fellow is indeed lucky to be alive."
"Teacher Murong, Mo'er is already a little man. Can you please stop pinching Mo'er's face!"
"No." Murong Bai said, then looked towards Lin Moyuan in the distance, and mischievously pinched Lin Zimo's cheek again. Finally, Leng Ningyue, unable to watch any longer, walked over and rescued Lin Zimo from those wicked hands.
After a simple rest, and having lunch at the academy, Lin Qingge gathered everyone to continue the refugee settlement plan. Zhou Zeli's efficiency was extremely high. In just two days, he had written Lin Qingge's ideas into a plan. With Elder Su's help in supplementing and refining it, it had now entered the implementation phase. As the county magistrate, Lin Qingge naturally had to be present.
In the afternoon, Lin Qingge led Yan Tinghao to a barren mountain near Changzhou County. The men were working fervently, while the women were busy at the temporarily erected tents. Even the young children were doing what they could. "My lord, the head of Jiugou Village, who is helping, said that the houses for the two new villages will be completed in another half a month, and then these refugees will have homes to shelter from the cold winter. As for food, besides the relief grain bought with donations, Elder Su also suggested that the refugees plant potatoes on the nearby barren land. Calculating the time, they should be able to harvest a batch before winter sets in."
Lin Qingge nodded and continued walking forward. Her gaze, however, fell upon a shaky man not far away. However, before she could walk over to inquire, the man collapsed with a 'thump' and lay still on the ground.