The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Chapter 995: Chapter 972: Honor Amidst Chaos 40

Scholar Liu was encountered by Anning and his group as they were about to leave the disaster-stricken area.

At that time, Scholar Liu, his mother, and his wife were fleeing, but because his wife was beautiful, they were targeted by others, almost costing the family their lives.

Anning saw that Scholar Liu’s family was harmonious, and he did not blame his wife for causing trouble. Instead, he risked his life to protect her, which made Anning think well of him, and he decided to help them out.

After saving this family, Xiao Yuan had a conversation with Scholar Liu. He learned that Scholar Liu was a scholar and his family was initially well-off. He had always been kind to others, but when the disaster struck, his stockpiled grain attracted the attention of some troublemakers in the village. Those people, in collusion with some destitute refugees, broke into Scholar Liu’s home and stole his grain and money, leaving Scholar Liu’s family with no means of support. They decided to seek help from relatives, but ran into such trouble on the way.

Upon learning of these events, Xiao Yuan offered assistance to Scholar Liu and informed him about the place they were heading to.

Later, when they reached the Southern Yi area, Xiao Yuan maintained contact with Scholar Liu. It was through Xiao Yuan’s efforts that Scholar Liu secured a government position in Lai County.

When County Magistrate Xun was serving in Lai County, although he was close to Xiao Yuan, there were many things he found inconvenient to do.

However, with the new County Magistrate Liu, Xiao Yuan was able to act more freely.

Upon County Magistrate Liu’s appointment, Xiao Yuan made a special visit, and later, Anning took a few girls from the family to the county office to meet Mrs. Liu.

The two families thus began to have close interactions.

As the year-end approached, Xiao Yuan seemed particularly happy every day.

Anning only found out in the evening when he asked that Xiao Yuan had brought County Magistrate Liu on board.

As for the method Xiao Yuan used, Anning did not inquire.

Apart from the change of county magistrate in Lai County before the year-end, there was another incident: the Marquis Guangning’s Mansion was indeed raided, just like the Duke Ping Mansion before, and the whole family was exiled.

The location where the Marquis Guangning’s Mansion family was exiled to was the Southern Yi.

Upon learning of this, Xiao Yuan immediately called Xiao Jin and Xiao Ling over for drinks at home.

Xiao Jin and Xiao Ling came when the weather was extremely cold.

As the year-end approached, each day was colder than the last, and yesterday it even started snowing lightly, freezing to the point that many people dared not step out.

Xiao Jin and Xiao Ling wore cotton-padded clothes and thick cloaks as they entered.

As soon as they entered, they saw Xiao Song standing in the courtyard, smiling and greeting them: ”Greetings, Fourth Uncle, Sixth Uncle.”

Xiao Jin smiled: ”Brother Song has grown sturdier, where’s your father?”

Xiao Song led the way for them: ”My father is in the study, he asked me to first welcome the two uncles and to let you wait for him in the main hall.”

While talking, the three of them entered the main hall.

There was a large round table in the hall, with some dried fruits and some fruits from the south on it.

Several brazier stoves were placed in the room, making it feel particularly warm as soon as one entered.

Xiao Jin and Xiao Ling removed their cloaks, and Xiao Bai just happened to enter and hastily took them to hang on the side.

At this moment, Xiao Ying and Xiao Yuan joined the scene, with Xiao Yuan pointing to the chairs beside the table: ”Please, sit.”

Xiao Jin and Xiao Ling sat down.

As soon as they sat, Xiao Hui brought in the wine and dishes.

Xiao Ling asked Xiao Hui, ”Did Third Sister-in-law make these dishes?”

Xiao Hui laughed: ”Some were made by Mother, and some by Yun’er.”

As she spoke, she poured drinks for them.

Xiao Yuan then asked Xiao Song, Xiao Bai, and Xiao Ying to sit as well: ”You three sit down too and listen carefully.”

The three of them thanked and sat down.

Xiao Hui stood at the side with a smile, pouring tea and serving wine.

After they had a few drinks and ate nearly all the dishes, Xiao Yuan finally spoke: ”Did you hear about the Yuan Family being exiled to the Southern Yi?”

Xiao Jin put down his chopsticks: ”I heard about it. By now, they must have set off already, but the journey is not easy in this bitter cold weather.”

Xiao Ling frowned: ”The disaster isn’t over yet. The plague of locusts ruined so many places that not even one-tenth of the people survived. Now there are many refugees on the roads, and in this kind of weather, those refugees from the north can’t find food or warm clothes and have no place to sleep. The roads are likely even more chaotic now, and the Yuan Family is of scholarly background, unlike our family. I’m afraid...”

Xiao Ling was quite worried.

Although the Marquis Guangning’s Mansion and Duke Ping Mansion belonged to different factions, both families had a good relationship. Xiao Ling had quite a good friendship with the second son of the Marquis Guangning’s family, often going out for drinks together. Now knowing that his family was exiled, he felt both a sense of shared fate and concern for whether his friend could arrive safely.

Xiao Yuan lightly knocked on the table, pondering for a moment: ”I was thinking of having you go pick them up.”

”Ah?”

Xiao Jin was so surprised he opened his mouth wide.

Xiao Yuan said: ”I have to continue training the village soldiers and have many official duties; I can’t leave. I’ll have you take Brother Song and several others to greet them.”

”Third Brother, what are you planning to do?”

Xiao Ling was so shocked that he stood up.

Xiao Yuan smiled: ”Sit.”

Xiao Ling hastily sat down again and looked at Xiao Yuan with wide eyes, studying him: ”What exactly are you planning?”

Xiao Yuan smiled and said, ”Let me ask you, when we traveled from the north to the south, we encountered countless refugees. Did the court ever offer comfort? Many people have died from epidemics by the roadside, and did the court ever do anything about it?”

Xiao Ling shook his head: ”No.”

Xiao Yuan’s eyes slightly narrowed, as if illuminated by the light of the sky or as if considering something: ”Your Third Sister-in-law said that disasters and calamities are inevitable in the future. If this continues, with the people lacking food and clothing, rebellion is inevitable. When the time comes and rebels emerge everywhere, we’ll be affected in the Southern Yi as well. That’s why I’m intensifying the training of village soldiers and taking you to fight pirates - so that we have our own strength and can protect our family.”

Xiao Jin nodded in agreement: ”If what Third Sister-in-law said is true, the world will indeed become chaotic in the future.”

”If things really get chaotic, then we can take the opportunity to rise. With heroes contending for supremacy, I want to be the one who truly laughs last.”

This was the first time Xiao Yuan expressed his ambition in front of his two younger brothers.

Xiao Jin and Xiao Ling were both quite shocked.

Even Xiao Ying and Xiao Song, who were listening on the side, were so stunned that they almost dropped their chopsticks.

Xiao Hui, standing by the table with the wine pot, showed a calm expression, seeming not the least bit surprised.

Xiao Yuan glanced at Xiao Hui: ”What do you think, Huihui?”

Xiao Hui put down the wine pot and bowed slightly: ”I have no thoughts. I am merely Father’s daughter, receiving the love and care of Father and Mother. I have no way to repay them but to be obedient and filial. Whatever Father wants to do, I will give my all to assist.”

This girl indeed had a more resolute disposition compared to those boys.

Xiao Yuan laughed upon hearing this: ”Come to the study with Yin’er tonight. I need to give both of you some extra lessons.”

Xiao Jin glanced at Xiao Hui, seemingly having a realization, but he didn’t voice it.