After returning to the capital, the eldest daughter saved her entire clan with her medical skills.

"Then...this..."

"Master Xiao, there's no need to panic. We'll erase these suitable hiding places, turn right here, cross the river and head north, pass through a grassland, climb over the mountain and then go down the river. The terrain is a bit treacherous, but it's not without its advantages. It's hundreds of miles shorter than the original route."

Xue Ruanruan used a vermilion pen to circle a line on the brownish-yellow map.

"Wonderful! Miss Xue's insight is indeed extraordinary. This change will save nearly ten days of time, and the escorts will have enough time to rest. They won't have to rush and can arrive a few days ahead of schedule. It's perfect."

Over the years, Xiao Yi has traveled all over the mountains and rivers of the Chu and Qin kingdoms. Although he is not an expert on the terrain of each place, he still keeps the important routes in mind.

Why hadn't he thought of this route before? Perhaps it involved crossing a high mountain, which made him subconsciously believe it wouldn't work.

"I hope you will keep the things I said to Master Xiao today a secret. As for the traitor, we should investigate and kill him as soon as we leave the pass, otherwise there will be endless troubles."

"Miss Xue truly lives up to her reputation as the legitimate daughter of the Great General Who Protects the Nation. Her conduct is quite chivalrous. Please rest assured, I will not mention this matter to anyone. I will report to you when we return to the capital."

Xiao Yi glanced at the bright moon hanging in the sky and knew that if he didn't set off soon, he wouldn't be able to leave the capital's territory before dawn.

"Master Xiao is kind and generous. I've also prepared some homemade fruit wine for the bodyguards. It's on the donkey cart, and we'll load it together later."

"Thank you, Miss Xue. I will report back to you when I return to the capital."

Xiao Yi initially didn't take the fruit wine Xue Ruanruan mentioned to heart. Men preferred to drink baijiu and strong liquor, while fruit wine, which was sweet and sour and had a milder flavor, was for women.

Unbeknownst to him, an accident occurred on the journey in the near future, resulting in several bodyguards being seriously injured. After they were given fruit wine, their wounds healed rapidly at a speed visible to the naked eye, and only then did they realize the preciousness of the fruit wine.

On a snowy winter night, Xue Ruanruan, draped in a cloak, stood by the roadside for a long time, watching the convoy gradually disappear into the distance.

"Ruanruan, you're finally back! Did you manage to transport all the supplies?"

Neither the old lady nor Princess Lingjun went back to their rooms to rest; they insisted on staying in the main hall to wait for Xue Ruanruan to return to the mansion.

Upon seeing her appear in the courtyard, he immediately went to greet her.

“Grandmother, Mother, please rest assured. Master Xiao personally escorted them and they departed at 9 PM. Ruan Ruan personally saw them off.”

"That's good, that's good. I hope Zheng'er can hold out until the grain supplies reach the border, and I also hope that my husband and Heng'er will return soon."

Princess Lingjun could not find peace of mind for a single day without news of her husband and eldest son.

"My dear granddaughter, you've worked so hard these past few days. Go home and rest as soon as possible."

The old lady finally breathed a sigh of relief. Her tense nerves suddenly relaxed, and she felt exhausted. She yawned and sent her daughter-in-law and granddaughter back to their room to rest.

The next day, early morning

Xue Ruanruan had a rare good night's sleep. When she woke up, the sun was already high in the sky. She quickly got up and, hearing faint laughter coming from the front yard, guessed that guests had arrived at the mansion.

"Young Miss, are you up? Let me help you change your clothes."

Luo Xue was originally a maid who served closely in the old lady's courtyard. After Xue Ruanruan returned to the mansion, she was assigned to Yunyao Courtyard, where she lived.

Xue Ruanruan usually did not allow her maids and servants to enter her boudoir. The maids would wait outside the door, waiting for their mistress to summon them.

Luo Xue was quick-witted. Hearing the noise inside the room, she guessed that the young lady had gotten up and quickly asked.

"No need. Why would there be laughter and chatter coming from the front yard?"

"Reporting to Miss, the women of the Xue family have come to visit you at the manor with the permission of the old patriarch."