Transmigrated into a seven-year-old child, my fate is in my own hands, not in the heavens.

Qiao Feng mounted his horse and galloped towards the outskirts, but after traveling 10 miles, he still couldn't find Tong Lian anywhere.

Qiao Feng stopped abruptly, thinking to himself, "Where did this girl go? This road is correct, and she hasn't gone very far. Logically, I should be able to catch up, but she's nowhere to be seen. Could it be that she didn't go back?"

Qiao Feng immediately lost his composure. Then he remembered that there was a fork in the road two miles ahead. Could it be that the girl had gone around that road?

Although that road would also lead back to his master's house, it was five or six miles further away. After thinking for a moment, Qiao Feng quickly turned around.

……

In a small grove of trees on the outskirts of the city, on a crooked tree, sat five men in tattered clothes with shifty eyes. They looked to be in their early twenties, and their heads hung drooped, looking listless and weak.

These men were habitual thieves who had wandered from other places to this area. Due to the drought, they had been committing crimes all over the place and eventually came to the capital.

The group had been in the capital for several days, but had been unable to make any moves because the capital was heavily guarded and patrolled by officials everywhere.

Having been in the capital for several days, I had no idea where to steal anything, and I was out of money, but I still needed to eat.

They could only squat at the entrance of the restaurant and, if they saw someone hadn't finished eating, they would run in and grab a bite before the waiter came to clear the dishes.

A tiger fallen into the plains is bullied by dogs. In the past, they often dined and dashed in small towns, but now that they have come to the capital, they can only tuck their tails between their legs, afraid of being caught by the officials.

Sometimes, if you encounter an easy-going waiter, they might be allowed to eat a few bites. But if you encounter a difficult waiter, they won't be given any face and will be kicked out directly.

That day they changed their minds again, thinking of going to the outskirts to see if there were any lone people, and then rob a few.

But perhaps because they chose a route that few people take, they hadn't seen anyone all day.

A few old women passed by. These old women didn't have much money. They had only managed to steal a few coins that morning, not even enough to buy two steamed buns.

Among these five people, the leader is called Lai Bao. He is known for his dishonesty and never returns borrowed items. He has been idle since childhood and always likes to do petty theft. His nickname is Lai Huo.

After his parents died when he was 16, Lai Huo wandered around and later met several people with similar backgrounds. Together they committed crimes.

"Brother, this can't go on. I'm starving. I haven't had a proper meal in days," a thin man said weakly.

Lai Huo rolled his eyes: "Nonsense, you're hungry, but I'm hungry too. You still have the nerve to say that? You guys better hurry up and go get some food to offer me."

Hearing him curse like that, the man shrank back: "Brother, I didn't expect there to be so many people patrolling in the capital. It's not easy to make a move here."

Another man chimed in, "That's right! Yesterday I saw an old man with his money bag hanging from his waist. I was about to go and steal it when two constables walked right up to me. I was almost scared to death!"

Thinking about this still makes him feel uneasy. There are just too many officials in the capital. If he's not careful, he could get caught.

He thought that if he couldn't steal money, he could at least take a few steamed buns, but he didn't expect to see several government officials at the place where he was eating steamed buns. He was so frightened that he didn't dare to stand there for long.

This capital city is no small place. I've heard that even the prisons are different, with all sorts of tortures in them!

Lai Huo cursed angrily, "Damn it, this can't go on. Winter is coming soon, and we'll either starve or freeze to death."

The others immediately fell silent. If they had no other choice, speaking up at this point would only invite criticism, and they weren't that stupid.

Just then, a sharp-eyed man spotted Tong Lian a few hundred meters away and his eyes lit up: "Brother, someone's here. Maybe she's a little lamb."

Everyone followed his gaze and saw Tong Lian in a green dress coming from around the corner. The men, who had been listless, became excited.

"Brother, that looks like a young girl. She's dressed so smartly, she must be rich."

A man with pockmarked face, his eyes gleaming, said, "I wonder what this girl looks like? Today, we brothers will not only rob her of her money, but also of her virtue."

The man next to him, missing a front tooth, glared at him: "Doubao, stop with your petty schemes. Even if someone were to commit sexual assault, it would be the boss who would do it, not you."

Doubao felt a little guilty: "What are you talking about! Of course I'm doing this for our big brother."

Lai Huo smiled smugly, seemingly pleased with what his underlings had said, and immediately put on a generous face: "Don't worry, we brothers will share the good times and the bad. I'll enjoy it first, and then you guys can have it."

"Thank you, brother!"

Lai Huo put on a stern face: "Stop just talking nonsense, let's hurry up and get ready." After saying that, he called the others over, gave them a few instructions, and the group quickly climbed down from the tree.

……

Tong Lian looked back repeatedly but didn't see anyone coming, and she immediately felt disheartened.

Now that she was both thirsty and hungry, Tong Lian couldn't help but berate herself for being so stupid! She should have eaten her fill before leaving.

Now, in order to show off, and being both thirsty and hungry, he thought that Qiao Feng might see him leave and feel like he'd gotten rid of a burden, and was probably sitting at home happily eating steamed buns and secretly enjoying himself!

Seeing a grove of trees ahead, Tong Lian quickened her pace, intending to rest there for a while.

As she approached, two shifty-looking men emerged from either side of the tree and blocked her path: "Little girl, why are you alone? Where are you going? Why don't we brothers keep you company!"

Pooh!

Tong Lian was furious and had nowhere to vent her anger. Seeing these men being so ungrateful, she glared at them and shouted, "A good dog doesn't block the way, what kind of beasts are you? Get out of my way right now, or don't blame me for being impolite!"

Lai Huo stepped out from behind Tong Lian, squinting his eyes: "Hey, you little brat, you've got quite the nerve!"

Tong Lian turned around and saw several more men appear behind her, and frowned.

"I think you guys are courting death. You don't know who I am, do you? Let me tell you, the Admiral is my senior brother."

Surprisingly, these people weren't afraid at all and even burst into laughter.

"Hahaha... The current emperor is still my brother! If you know what's good for you, take out the silver from your pocket and spend a few more days playing with us brothers, and we'll consider letting you live. Otherwise, hmph!"

"Oh, I'm so scared!" Tong Lian patted her chest, pretending to be frightened.

Lai Huo said smugly, "Scared now? If you're scared, hurry up and hand over your silver."

Tong Lian said calmly, "I'm not afraid to tell you, I don't have a single penny. Are you all here? If you're all here, let's get started."

I thought the girl would be scared and obediently hand over the silver, but I didn't expect her to be completely unafraid.