The little heroine investigates a mysterious case

At this time, the delegation was taking a temporary rest in the woods by the river.

Zhao Xiaoman and Gu Deming sat on a big rock by the river and chatted.

Zhao Xiaoman patiently coaxed them, "This is one of the branches of the Heng River, the Qi River. We will rest in Qi County tonight. The next stop is Fucheng, and the next is Fengcheng. These cities are all in the middle reaches of the Heng River, which is the most important grain-producing area of ​​our Xia Kingdom. The people are best at making wine from grain, and their brewing technology is superb. Various fine wines are famous in Qiankun Continent. Our Xia Kingdom is also mountainous. There are Tianlu Mountains and Wushan Mountains in the north, Tianling Mountains in the south, Luanshan in the east, Fengming Mountain in the west, and Jigong Mountain in the center. All of them are rich in various Chinese medicinal materials. However, there are many lakes in Yue Kingdom and there are many seafoods. However, there is not enough food for the large population. Every year, we must purchase a large amount of grain, fine wine, and medicinal materials from Xia Kingdom, but we rarely purchase luxury goods such as porcelain and silk from Yue Kingdom."

Gu Deming seemed to be thinking about it, and said, "So we always make money from them, but they rarely make money from us."

Zhao Xiaoman praised, "Your Highness is smart. This is why the Kingdom of Yue has repeatedly invaded our southern border. They want to occupy the important southern cities, mainly Fengcheng, to ensure that they have enough food supply."

Gu Deming quickly asked, "What about the State of Song?"

Zhao Xiaoman replied, "Song is surrounded by the sea on three sides, and its situation is similar. However, Song has a small territory and a small population. They mainly rely on fishing for their livelihood, enjoying their own happiness and always avoiding conflicts with Xia and Yue."

“It feels like a peacemaker.”

Zhao Xiaoman smiled and said, "Your Highness, this metaphor is quite appropriate."

At this moment, exclamations were heard from the direction of the delegation. Zhao Xiaoman and Gu Deming stood up and were about to walk towards the delegation when they saw a disheveled child running towards them, cheering and jumping.

Zhao Xiaoman was surprised: "Why is there a child?"

Gu Deming guessed: "Maybe a homeless child?"

At this time, the child had already run to Zhao Xiaoman, hugged her legs, and shouted excitedly: "Master! Master!"

Zhao Xiaoman was immediately terrified. She quickly squatted down, held the child's face and took a closer look. Who else could it be but Zhao Xuan?!

Then another disheveled child chased after him, crying and throwing himself at Gu Deming, shouting, "Crown Prince! Crown Prince!"

Gu Deming hugged the child, and it turned out to be Gu Zhanghua, who was wearing a red dress and looked like a clay monkey. He was stunned.

Zhao Xuan giggled with joy, but Zhao Xiaoman was furious.

"Zhao Xuan! You are so bold!"

Zhao Xiaoman reached out and slapped Zhao Xuan hard on the butt. Just as she was about to hit her again, she was stopped by Gu Deming.

"Aunt Zhao, please don't be angry first. Let me ask you what's going on first."

Zhao Xiaoman glared at Zhao Xuan: "You say!"

Zhao Xuan didn't cry even after being beaten. Instead, she looked at Zhao Xiaoman in confusion and asked, "Master, don't you miss me? I miss you so much! I haven't seen you in three days! Xiaowu and I managed to hide in a box and survive until now. We're out of steamed buns and water!"

Gu Zhanghua also choked up and said, "I miss the prince too...Brother Prince!"

Zhao Xiaoman could no longer fight with her raised hands, so she hugged Zhao Xuan, not knowing what to say, and not knowing whether she was more angry or happy.

Gu Deming looked at Zhao Xiaoman and asked, "Aunt Zhao, how about sending someone to send them back?"

Zhao Xuan stubbornly shouted, "I won't reply!"

Zhao Xiaoman scolded, "Tell me what you did. Why did you take Xiaowu with you when you could have just sneaked out? If Xiao Aiyue knew about this, she would definitely skin you alive!"

Gu Zhanghua said anxiously, "Yes, my mother doesn't know that Sister Xuan and I are hiding in the box! She must be terribly worried!"

Zhao Xiaoman rubbed her temples vigorously and said to Gu Deming, "Your Highness, it seems we have to take them with us. Xiaowu is still okay, but if Xuan'er is sent back like this, I'm afraid Concubine Shu will really skin her alive to get her revenge! If it were me, I would definitely not let this girl off easily! It's simply going to make a big fuss!"

Gu Deming smiled bitterly and said, "It's really possible!"

Zhao Xiaoman thought for a moment and said, "How about this? I'll send a pigeon to my father first. First, I'll quickly report the situation of these two little guys to His Majesty and the Concubine Shu, so that everyone in the palace won't be in turmoil. I'll also send a message to Qingfeng Courtyard. I guess Yulan must have been in a state of near-death pain by now. Secondly, I'll have Huang Shuo rush to meet us immediately and focus on protecting them. This way, we won't be distracted. After returning from Yue State, I'll personally apologize to His Majesty and the Concubine Shu!"

Gu Deming nodded: "Everything is up to Aunt Zhao! Then shall we set off now?"

Zhao Xiaoman nodded: "Okay!"

When Zhao Xuan heard that she could go to Yue Kingdom with her master, she immediately rubbed her stomach and said pitifully, "Master, I'm hungry..."

Gu Zhanghua followed suit, touching his stomach like Zhao Xuan: "I'm hungry too..."

Zhao Xiaoman suddenly remembered something, took the two children into the carriage, picked up a food box from the couch and opened it.

Various pastries were neatly arranged in two layers inside, and they looked quite exquisite. Zhao Xiaoman picked up a piece, took a bite, and found it tasted good, so she placed the food box in front of Zhao Xuan and Gu Zhanghua.

"Eat quickly!"

Zhao Xuan and Gu Zhanghua immediately reached out to take the pastries. Zhao Xiaoman hurriedly stopped them, found a handkerchief to help them wipe their hands, and then pushed the food box in front of them again.

Zhao Xuan and Gu Zhanghua ate the pastries in the food box and did not forget to comment on them.

"It's not as delicious as Auntie Lan's. Master, who made it?"

"It's not as good as my mother's! Aunt Zhao, you didn't make this yourself, did you?"

Zhao Xiaoman patted them on the head and said, "Eating can't shut you up? Why are you asking nonsense questions? Eat quickly!"

Zhao Xuan suddenly realized, "Ah! I know! When we were seeing each other off, I secretly opened the lid of the box and saw that there was an aunt holding a little girl next to Uncle Qin. That aunt gave Master a food box. This is the box of cakes, right?"

Zhao Xiaoman poked Zhao Xuan's forehead with her finger.

"You're just a smart guy!"

Zhao Xuan flatteringly passed a piece of cake she had just picked up to Zhao Xiaoman's mouth and said affectionately, "Master, please have a bite too. Come, try it!"

Zhao Xiaoman teased, "If you think it's not tasty, do you know to give it to Master? Do you keep the delicious ones for yourself?"

"No, I think Master works very hard and loves Xiaowu and me very much. Master is the best Master in the world!"

Zhao Xiaoman couldn't help laughing. She took the cake and started eating happily with the two children.

They arrived in Qi County soon. After settling in the designated inn, the owner immediately served everyone a sumptuous meal. Zhao Xuan and Gu Zhanghua had great appetites and continued to eat voraciously.

Zhao Xiaoman was surprised and said, "Are you the reincarnations of starving ghosts? You just ate so many cakes! Don't be so full!"

Gu Deming felt pity for them: "Look how hungry Xuan'er and Xiaowu are. They've suffered a lot on the way here, and they only ate a few steamed buns. How pitiful!"

Gu Deming said this, beckoning the waiter to come over and saying, "Go, have the kitchen prepare two more of their specialties. Aunt Zhao, let's take advantage of these two little ones and have a drink with you!"

Zhao Xiaoman laughed cheerfully: "Good! Your Highness is right! A little drink will soothe you!"