The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Chapter 1024: Chapter 1001: Glory Amid Chaos 69

Ms. Jin felt the carriage had been traveling for quite a while, yet they should still be in the Prefecture City. The bustling sounds of the street market outside could be heard, indicating they were still in the downtown area.

After waiting a while longer, the carriage came to a stop.

Someone outside called, ”Madam, please get off.”

Ms. Jin then stepped down from the carriage, holding Xiao Kai.

Upon alighting, she found herself at the entrance of an alley, where stood a tall and robust old woman dressed in a blue cotton outfit, her demeanor simple and kind, with a smile that suggested sincerity.

She smiled at Ms. Jin and Xiao Kai, ”Madam, please follow me.”

Ms. Jin followed the old woman inside, striking up a conversation while walking, ”Where are you from, Auntie? Do you work at the Third Young Master’s Mansion? You don’t look very old, probably about the same age as I am...”

The old woman just smiled without speaking and led Ms. Jin to a small courtyard, where she unlocked the door, ”Madam, please come in.”

Ms. Jin entered with Xiao Kai.

The old woman took Ms. Jin on a tour around the courtyard.

This was a two-section courtyard, not large but exquisitely built, and very quiet. The property seemed quite nice.

The old woman invited Ms. Jin inside and said with a smile, ”This house is really good; many people want to buy it but can’t find the way. Our Madam kept it specially, not expecting it to be for you, Madam.”

Ms. Jin smiled, ”Please thank your Madam for me.”

The old woman replied, ”Living here is very reassuring, as it’s close to the government office, with officers patrolling day and night; riff-raff wouldn’t dare linger here. Madam and the young master can live here without worry. Our Madam said you wouldn’t be provided with servants. Buy some of your own. Choose whichever kind you like.”

”Thank you for your trouble.”

Ms. Jin listened to these words, her smile becoming more genuine.

The old woman also handed over identity documents to Ms. Jin.

Ms. Jin looked and found it was a household registration document for a female head. She was the head now, but she was no longer Ms. Jin; she had become Mrs. Wang. Xiao Kai, too, had changed names, taking on Wang as a surname, now called Wang Qi.

Seeing the document, Ms. Jin felt completely at ease.

She put the document away, ”What else did your Madam say?”

”Our Madam said you should feel free to live here, simply as strangers, no need for contact; it’s best to act like unfamiliar people if you meet.”

Ms. Jin nodded, ”That’s how it should be; tell your Madam she can rest assured.”

Only then did the old woman bow and say, ”Then I’ll take my leave.”

”Let me walk Auntie out.”

Ms. Jin quickly got up to send her off.

The old woman waved her hand, ”Please stay, I live not far from here, will be home in no time.”

Only then did Ms. Jin stop insisting on escorting her.

After the old woman left, Ms. Jin turned, embracing Xiao Kai, and cried tears of joy.

From then on, she and Xiao Kai would have a brand new life, no longer confined in West Street, no longer staring daggers at Xiao Fang, no longer being trapped and unable to leave.

Going forward, they would be free and unfettered.

Moreover, Xiao Kai was no longer Xiao but Wang, regardless of what happened to the Xiao Family in the future, it had no relation to Xiao Kai, and Xiao Kai was no longer the descendant of a criminal official, hence in the future, he could study and take official examinations.

”Qi’er, we are no longer afraid, no longer afraid.”

Ms. Jin, while crying and hugging Xiao Kai, said, ”Remember, you’re no longer called Xiao Kai, from now on you’re Wang Qi, I’m your mother, my surname is Wang, make sure to remember.”

Xiao Kai nodded, ”Mother, Qi’er will remember.”

Seeing Xiao Kai also crying, Ms. Jin quickly wiped his tears, ”Don’t cry, Mother will certainly be good from now on, we both will be good. Mother has money, I’ve brought all the money out, from now on we’ll live well and not fear others troubling us, after all... that’s your third uncle, even if they don’t recognize us, they won’t let others bully us, we’ll just live peacefully, Mother will also find a teacher for Qi’er, let you study well, and if in the future you really pass the scholar and Advanced Scholar exams, it’s our good fortune.”

Xiao Kai hugged Ms. Jin tightly, ”Mother, I won’t cry, Mother, you don’t cry either, I will study hard in the future, pass the Advanced Scholar exam, and get an imperial decree for you.”

Anning called the steward at midday to ask, ”Are Ms. Jin and Xiao Kai settled in?”

The steward smiled in reply, ”Madam, they are all settled in, quite honestly, she seems calm enough, hasn’t stepped out since entering the house, appears to be cooking on her own, as she later brought self-made items to visit the neighbors, maybe after a few days they’ll become familiar, they’ll start buying servants.”

Anning nodded, ”That’s good, instruct them not to bully her, as for the rest, leave it alone.”

The steward then left, and Xiao Yuan entered with a darkened face.

Anning asked, ”What’s wrong?”

Xiao Yuan handed Anning a letter, ”Take a look.”

Anning opened it and laughed, ”They can’t catch Xiao family members now, so they’re targeting the Liu family, can’t deal with you, so they’re threatening me?”

Xiao Yuan sat down and let out a cold sneer, ”Recently, the court’s envoy asked us to hand over the salt, and I dismissed them. This time, they want to use the Liu family to threaten you.”

It turns out the letter was written by Anning’s brother, Liu Cheng. In it, he advised Anning to recognize the situation, saying that the Da Qi Dynasty was suffering disasters all over, people everywhere were troubled by the lack of salt, urging Anning to convince Xiao Yuan to do good deeds. It was said that the Southern Yi had a lot of salt, and Anning and Xiao Yuan should donate it. Furthermore, he said if Anning understood the situation and practiced proper etiquette, persuading Xiao Yuan to donate salt, the court would reward Anning with a county title and pardon the Xiao family’s crimes, allowing the entire family to return to the Capital. If Xiao Yuan served the court, the Duke Ping title would also be reinstated.

At the end of the letter, Liu Cheng also mentioned that if Anning could recognize the opportunity, things would improve for the Liu family, and Liu Cheng himself would gain an official position. If Anning didn’t heed the advice, he might suffer as well, and pleaded with Anning for the sake of their deceased father to listen and not let him be implicated.

Anning slowly tore the letter into pieces and threw them in the trash, ”The court treats you and me like fools. With just empty promises, they want us to yield the three Southern Yi Prefectures and donate the hard-earned salt; in broad daylight, they are indulging in daydreams.”

Xiao Yuan grimly said, ”I fear they’ll slander you next, have Liu Cheng claim you’re unfilial to your parents and unkind to your siblings, demonize you completely.”

Anning smiled, ”What do I have to fear? Let them say what they want. I won’t lose any flesh. If they go too far, the notion of following my husband after marriage will shut their mouths completely.”

Xiao Yuan thought for a moment, ”Reply to Liu Cheng and say just that.”

Anning agreed.

Xiao Yuan then got up and went out.

Lin Lianshuang, who had just gone to Pingyang City, sent a message saying they agreed to lend the passage.

Xiao Yuan was eager to make arrangements for the men and boost morale.

This time, leading troops to Yuechuan Prefecture were Dong Da and Li Chenshu, and by the time Xiao Yuan arrived, they had already assembled their forces.

Of course, these people weren’t wearing military uniforms; rather, they were dressed like ordinary civilians, facilitating passage. Additionally, some were impersonating small merchants or travelers, infiltrating Yuechuan Prefecture to coordinate from within when the time comes to attack Yuechuan Prefecture.