Chapter 314: It Seems I’ve Gotten Myself Into Trouble

Chapter 314: It Seems I’ve Gotten Myself Into Trouble

Qin Xiaoyao glanced at Liu Hong and smiled even more broadly.

"So, it seems I've gotten myself into trouble?" she asked, her tone carefree, showing no sign of worry or fear.

Liu Hong chuckled again.

"Indeed, you have," he said, feeling increasingly charmed by her personality the more they interacted.

"Do you think Xiao Yuan will come after me himself?" Qin Xiaoyao asked with a smile.

"I doubt it," Liu Hong replied.

"After all, the Second Prince is personally guarding Tong Pass, so Xiao Yuan shouldn’t be able to get in," Liu Hong also responded with a smile.

"Is it possible that upon hearing his grandson is dead, he'll lose control and attack?"

"Does Xiao Yuan have any other grandsons besides this one?" Qin Xiaoyao asked again.

This time, Liu Hong's expression finally turned solemn.

"It seems he only has this one grandson," he said with a grave expression.

"Moreover, Xiao Yuan is the father-in-law of the Liao Kingdom’s Empress, who is his legitimate daughter."

Xiao Tu, if we’re talking about him, would have to call the Liao Emperor his uncle.

Now that the first grandson and the only male heir of the Xiao family had been killed, if Xiao Yuan were to lose control and attack, would the Liao Kingdom intervene?

If the Liao Kingdom didn’t intervene, could the Second Prince hold him back?

"Hmm, so he has quite the powerful connections?" Qin Xiaoyao curled her lips and said casually, her tone still light.

By now, Liu Hong had already furrowed his brows.

The situation seemed more serious than he had anticipated.

If something were to happen on Xiao Yuan's side, the war between the Liao and Jin Kingdoms might not cease and could even escalate further. Unless...

He couldn’t help but glance at Qin Xiaoyao.

When Qin Xiaoyao noticed Liu Hong's gaze, a bad premonition rose in her heart.

"If it really comes to that, the Great Jin... wouldn't hand me over to appease Xiao Yuan's anger, would they?" she said half-jokingly.

Liu Hong, however, did not respond.

At that moment, Qin Xiaoyao’s smile faded.

Seeing this, Liu Hong immediately bowed to Qin Xiaoyao.

"Commander Qin, rest assured. With the second prince here, the situation you're concerned about will definitely not occur," he said solemnly.

Qin Xiaoyao's eyes flickered slightly.

"Hmm," she responded softly.

After asking Liu Hong a few more questions, she finally let him go.

Once Liu Hong was gone, Qin Xiaoyao leaned upon the desk and began to ponder.

"It looks like I've really gotten myself into trouble this time."

Still, it shouldn't be too bad.

If things turn sour, I'll just run. Besides, if I decide to run, no one can stop me.

And if anyone dares to threaten me using my family, I'll take them down one by one.

With these thoughts, she felt a bit lighter.

She got up, ready to take a stroll around the town.

That night, Huanghua Town was particularly peaceful.

Apart from the patrolling soldiers, the townsfolk were mostly indoors.

The soldiers who saw her greeted her, and she waved in response.

As she walked, Qin Xiaoyao eventually reached the South Gate.

Chu Jin arrived after hearing the news.

"Sir, what brings you here? Were you looking for me?" Chu Jin asked Qin Xiaoyao with a smile.

"No, I just woke up and decided to take a walk."

"Are you free, Captain?" Qin Xiaoyao suddenly asked.

Chu Jin was taken aback.

"I’ll always make time when you invite me," he replied promptly.

A smile spread across Qin Xiaoyao's face.

"If you’re free, let’s have a drink," she invited.

Chu Jin's eyes showed a hint of hesitation.

He glanced toward the gate, then nodded at her.

"Alright!"

Seeing this, Qin Xiaoyao pretended not to notice and turned to leave.

Chu Jin quickly followed.

At a small tavern by the street, Qin Xiaoyao drank several cups of wine in a row, which made Chu Jin frown.

"Mister, is something bothering you?" Seeing Qin Xiaoyao drinking gloomily, Chu Jin asked.

Qin Xiaoyao looked up at Chu Jin.

"Hmm," she responded.

"Could you tell me? Maybe I can offer some advice."

Qin Xiaoyao once again looked at Chu Jin.

After a moment’s thought, he spoke.

"I’m worried about my husband."

Chu Jin’s face froze.

"Ahem—once we get to Tong Pass, the Second Prince will certainly agree to help you find Master Song," he said with some awkwardness.

Mr. Qin really doesn’t shy away from discussing personal matters...

Qin Xiaoyao glanced at Chu Jin.

"I fear that not only will the Second Prince refuse to help, but he might also harm my husband," he said.

Chu Jin was instantly stunned.

"Why do you believe that, sir?!" he asked immediately.

Qin Xiaoyao smiled bitterly.

"Before, perhaps not. But I killed Xiao Tu," he said.

"Can the Second Prince still protect me?"

Chu Jin frowned and didn’t answer right away.

Qin Xiaoyao smiled and didn’t wait for an answer.

Instead, he continued, "Actually, I’m not concerned about betrayal."

"As long as I don’t allow it, no one can trap me."

"But my concern is for my husband."

"If anything happens to him, I might lose my mind—"

"I might truly turn into a murderous fiend, killing anyone I see." After finishing, Qin Xiaoyao poured another cup of wine for himself.

Chu Jin listened and watched, feeling a chill down his spine.

He knew that what Qin Xiaoyao said was true.

"The person I value most in this world is my husband."

"Just now in the tent, Liu Hong told me about Xiao Tu's identity. At first, I wasn’t concerned."

"I thought, if something happens, I can just run away. If someone uses my family to threaten me, I’ll hide, and afterwards, I’ll kill all of them to avenge my family."

"But now I’m afraid—"

"I’m afraid they might do harm to my husband. I can’t even imagine what I’d do if something happened to him."

Chu Jin was shocked and didn’t say a word.

Sir, his love for Master Song runs that deep...

"This damned world, I once thought everything about it was fine. But now, I find it utterly terrible!"

"Without power or influence, you are bullied and unable to fight back."

"My husband, such a good man, was praised by everyone in Lingquan Town. He was highly praised, yet he was conscripted and sent to the battlefield."

"I want to bring him back, but I haven't found anyone who can help me locate him."

"I am used to being self-reliant and rarely ask for help. But I have no other choice..."

"On my own, I can't find my husband..." Qin Xiaoyao's voice was already tinged with tears.

"And the refugees I've encountered along the way."

"They are also innocent."

"Because they lack power or influence, when danger looms, they are the last to know and can only flee with their families."

Those with power and influence received early warnings and evacuated.

Even if they didn’t evacuate, their servants and bodyguards ensured their safety during the journey.

Power and influence, she hadn't valued them so much before.

She thought that earning more money for the family and living a modestly comfortable life would suffice.

But she forgot that this is an ancient time.

And a feudal dynasty embroiled in war.

The more you are at the bottom, the more oppression you suffer, and the more unable you are to control your own fate.

Chu Jin listened, deeply shaken.