Farmhouse Green Plum

Chapter 135 Negotiation

Song Ying immediately stopped a schoolboy from Wutong Village to ask, and learned that Yuan Qing had rushed to the new academy in the county town two days ago after the rain subsided.

She was very disappointed. Yuan Qing had gone to the academy and would not be back for a long time, and they couldn't wait!

After three days of picking wheat ears with patience and anxiety, Song Ying finally resumed his life of picking firewood in the afternoon.

As soon as she arrived at the mountain that day, all the girls gathered around her and asked, "Are those three really murderers? Could you be mistaken?"

"As you know, I have been learning to read with my younger brother recently. The portraits of the three of them are posted on the board with the wanted poster, and I know all the key words. They are indeed the three criminals!"

"What should I do?" Zhao Xiaocui was extremely panicked. God knows how she got through the past three days. She had nightmares all night long and was nervous when working during the day, fearing that the three men would appear out of nowhere and stab her to death.

Although the other girls were not as anxious as Zhao Xiaocui, they were also terrified. Three demons who dared to kill the entire family of imperial officials were in Qingshui County. How could they dare to enter the city? What if they were unlucky enough to be targeted?

"The only way to solve this problem once and for all is to report it to the authorities and have them all arrested." Song Ying said what he was thinking, "I plan to go to the county town and ask Yuan Qing if I can meet with Wu Tixue. If I can report it to him, I'm sure we can catch these three murderers!"

"Are we going today? Aren't you afraid?" Xiaoxiang swallowed and asked uncertainly.

Song Ying nodded: "Yes, we can sleep peacefully only if we solve it sooner. I can't sleep at all when I think that the three of them are probably still in Qingshui County."

The girls all had this feeling, but it was also very dangerous to go into the city now, as there was a possibility of running into those three people.

Seeing their retreat, Song Ying said, "As long as this matter is not resolved, it will be dangerous for us to go to the county town. Moreover, what if they want to visit the village one day? In short, as long as they are still in Qingshui County, it will be terrible."

Luo Yanxing gritted his teeth and said, "I'll go with you."

Song Ying wanted to agree. She would be less scared if she had a companion. But after thinking about it, she shook her head and said, "I'd better go by myself. If we really run into those three people, we will lose another life if you go."

"No, I said we should share the good and the bad, I can't be disloyal!"

Seeing that she was so persistent, Song Ying agreed. She was really scared to go alone!

Zhao Xiaocui closed her eyes and risked her life: "I'm with you. They targeted the three of us that day. We can't just let the two of you take the risk."

Song Ying and Luo Yanxing naturally disagreed, but Zhao Xiaocui said, "There are three of them, and there are three of us too. If we really meet them, we can run separately. Each of us only needs to hide from one person, and maybe we can really get away with it."

Song and Luo thought about it and felt that it made sense. It was common for children in their village to chase and fight each other. As long as the speed difference between the two sides was not too big, usually, one would not be able to catch up with the other.

But if there are two or more people chasing you, and one person chases you from behind while another goes around from the side to attack you, you will most likely be caught up.

At this time, Xiaoxiang trembled and said, "Cousin, don't go. I will go with them."

Zhao Xiaocui looked at her hands that were shaking uncontrollably and said unhappily, "You're shaking like this, what are you going to do?"

Xiaoxiang swallowed her saliva, trying to make herself less scared: "Listen to me, they have seen the three of you, but I am different, they have never seen me.

If we really bump into them, we can turn around and avoid them by pretending to have sprained our ankle or got blinded by sand, just like Song Ying did before. Then I can see if they have gone far away."

"That makes some sense, but if you're so scared, you'll be so scared when you see them. Will you dare to watch them walk away?" Zhao Xiaocui expressed her doubt, and others echoed her.

"I'm scared now, but I won't be so scared later."

Song Ying felt that this method was feasible, but the candidates could be changed. Erni and the others were not seen by those three people, and they were braver than Xiaoxiang.

She was about to speak, but Xiaoxiang winked at her. She was a little confused, so she stopped and did not suggest choosing another candidate. Instead, she said, "I think it's okay, let Xiaoxiang go with us."

Since Song Ying had spoken, the other girls were happy that they didn't have to take the risk of going to the county.

Following the girls' numerous instructions and warnings, the three of them set off towards the county town.

After walking away, Song Ying asked Xiaoxiang, "What did you mean by winking at me just now?"

Xiaoxiang said, "You are going to look for Yuan Qing. If other people see that you two are very close, and find out that you and Yuan Qing have a private relationship, they will think you are not decent."

Song Ying was very touched and also admired Xiaoxiang's thoughtfulness. Even in such a frightening situation, she was still able to consider these things.

"It doesn't matter actually. I just need to be careful and I won't be discovered."

Xiaoxiang shook her head: "This concerns your reputation, you can't be careless."

For Song Ying and Luo Yanxing, the road into the city was easy to find even with their eyes closed. After less than half an hour, they arrived at the city gate.

When they got here, Song Ying and Luo Yanxing were led by Xiaoxiang on the left and right. They both lowered their heads, wishing they could bury their faces in the ground.

When we arrived in the city, another question arose: where was the new academy where Yuan Qing was?

Song Ying said: "Ask someone."

In the past, matters such as asking for directions and bargaining were always done by Song Ying or Luo Yanxing, and Xiaoxiang would only occasionally interject a word or two.

But today, the two did not dare to show up, so Xiaoxiang had to bite the bullet and ask someone for directions.

She glanced around, found a kind-looking lady, walked over and asked timidly, "Auntie, do you know how to get to the new academy in the city?"

"Girl, what did you say?" The lady selling hairbands came closer. "Little girl, please speak louder. I can't hear you."

Xiaoxiang's face suddenly felt hot. She thought her voice was quite loud. Why was it that every time she spoke to strangers, they thought her voice was too soft?

She calmed herself down and tried to ask loudly, "Do you know how to get to the new academy?"

"What? I still didn't hear clearly."

Song Ying wanted to cover her face. Xiaoxiang's voice was like a mosquito, and the street was so noisy with people coming and going.

She sighed softly, turned her back to the street, and raised her head: "Auntie, is she asking you how to get to the new academy in the city?"

"Academy?" The old lady waved her hands. "Oh, I'm just a vendor, how can I know about the affairs of scholars?"

Song Ying was a little disappointed, and then he saw the old lady pointing to the opposite side: "There is a tofu seller in front, Ms. Miao. You can go ask her. Her father-in-law is a scholar. Maybe she knows the new academy you are looking for."

Song Ying's eyes lit up and she said with a smile, "Thank you, Auntie!"