During my escape from famine, I survived by eavesdropping on the whispers of food.

Qin Shuangshuang was overjoyed upon hearing this, "Is this really true?"

Jin Danian nodded and said to her, "You've really been a great help these past few days. If it weren't for the two of you, I don't think we could have made it through."

Our illness and this cold were all thanks to you and your young friend.

We will definitely thank you properly when we have time in the future.

Qin Shuangshuang smiled faintly and said, "You are protecting us on the front lines, so it's only right that we help you. Please take me back as soon as possible."

My mother and my younger brother are probably longing for me.

Jin Danian then instructed his brothers to escort her back.

Qin Shuangshuang got into the carriage. Although the horses in the carriage were thin and weak, they were still quite strong.

The carriage traveled forward through the cold wind and heavy snow.

Qin Shuangshuang lifted the curtain and looked out. In such cold weather, she wondered how her younger brother and mother were doing.

After all, he entrusted so many people to them before leaving, and it's uncertain whether Uncle Li can manage to control them all.

After all, those people are so gossipy; I've been traveling for so many days, I have no idea how they managed to get food.

After the carriage arrived in the city, Qin Shuangshuang looked at the government office in front of her, excitedly got off the carriage, and went forward.

However, he was puzzled by the two attendants standing at the door who looked like guards.

Qin Shuangshuang asked curiously, "Who are you two? I've never seen you before. Who are you?"

At this moment, one of the attendants cursed and said to him, "Who are you? How dare you loiter in front of my master's mansion?"

Qin Shuangshuang narrowed her eyes and asked cautiously, "Where are the people inside?"

Qin Shuangshuang suddenly felt a sense of unease and shortness of breath. At that moment, the attendant in front of her, without hesitation, wanted to hit and scold her, saying, "Get out of here! This is not a place for an ugly girl like you!"

"Now my master is planning to use this place as his bridal chamber with his new concubine. Fine, call me 'Master' a few times and let me hear it. That way, when there's swill in the future, I can throw it on the ground less hard, so you won't be able to grab any."

Then the two attendants burst into laughter.

Qin Shuangshuang clenched her fists, too lazy to pay him any attention.

Seeing that no one was moving inside, Qin Shuangshuang was about to force her way in.

Two attendants stopped him and said, "We told you to get lost, didn't you hear us?"

Qin Shuangshuang looked around inside, but couldn't see any other familiar faces.

At that moment, she quickly spotted a familiar figure.

Isn't that the eldest son's wife?

The eldest wife was walking there arm in arm with a fat man, swaying from side to side as if she were being affectionate.

At this moment, the eldest daughter-in-law looked out and saw that the person outside was Qin Shuangshuang. She quickly tugged at her newly changed green dress and came over, saying to Qin Shuangshuang, "Oh, oh, oh, who is this? I thought you had been eaten alive."

"I can't believe you're still alive! You little liar, how are you still alive?"

Qin Shuangshuang sneered, "You're not dead yet, how could I be?"

Upon hearing this, the fat rich man said to Qin Shuangshuang with annoyance, "You little brat, you have no sense of propriety! Slap her!"

At this moment, two soldiers who were following Qin Shuangshuang jumped off the carriage and said to them, "How dare you harm our lord's benefactor! Do you have a death wish?"

The eldest daughter-in-law hadn't noticed any other people on the carriage, probably because the curtains were partially obstructing her view when the wind blew.

Now, those two officials are standing behind Qin Shuangshuang, protecting her.

She remembered that Qin Shuangshuang had previously cured the sick adult and had also done good deeds in the army.

Seeing the panicked expression on the face of the woman in front of her, Qin Shuangshuang wondered if her mother and brother had been harmed by her.

Qin Shuangshuang hurriedly stepped forward and asked, "Where are my mother and my brother? Hand them over right now, or you'll regret it!"

Just then, an elderly man came out from behind the eldest son's house.

Old Mrs. Qin gave Qin Shuangshuang a good scolding, "You little brat, I thought you were dead, but I didn't expect you to be alive!"

"It's good that you're alive. I've already arranged a marriage for you. You'd better dress up nicely so that the gentleman takes a liking to you. It would be best if he does, so that your grandma and grandpa, and the two of us, can have a better life. You little rascal, you never thought someone would take a liking to you. You're truly blessed."

Upon hearing this, Qin Shuangshuang couldn't help but spit at her and said, "Look at you, shameless! All you do is arrange marriages for others. Why don't you arrange one for yourself?"

Let me tell you, Granny Qin, I have absolutely nothing to do with your family anymore. Stop trying to embellish your reputation. No matter what, I'm a meritorious soldier now. Try touching me and I'll ask you one more time: where are my mother and my brother?

If you don't tell me the truth now, I might just twist your heads off.

Upon hearing this, the eldest son remembered that Qin Shuangshuang had military merits and now had two officials following her. He dared not offend the officials.

At this moment, the eldest wife twisted her body, patted her husband in front of her, and said to him, "Husband, what do you think we should do about this?"

"Wasn't your brother once a high-ranking official who rendered meritorious service in the court? Why not use something to properly suppress him? I don't want my niece to act like a tyrant over me; that would be a slap in your face too!"

The eldest son spoke with flattery, and the fat rich man, probably completely charmed by his new concubine, quickly coughed a few times and said earnestly, "Little girl, I see you've also rendered meritorious service in the army, and my brothers also have connections with the imperial court."

We're all in the same boat, so let these two officials go first, and we'll continue discussing the rest. We'll bring you and your mother over. Please let these two officials go first, okay? Don't disturb them while they're on their business."

Upon hearing their tone, Qin Shuangshuang realized that it was as if her mother and younger brother had already passed away.

Qin Shuangshuang stepped forward anxiously and asked, "Where did you send them? It's snowing so heavily outside. If anything happens to them, I will never let you off the hook!"

Upon hearing this, the eldest son's face became even more uncontrollable. He said to Qin Shuangshuang, "Look at what you're saying. I am your aunt after all. Your mother wanted to leave on her own. What does it have to do with me?"

Which mass grave are you going to around here? Take a good look, it should be in there. If you can't find it, just stick some incense sticks on the ground. If you ask me, this is it!

"Just light a few incense sticks, that's enough. You'll come with us from behind. Your grandma has already arranged your marriage. Just wait until you're married and start living a good life. See? Isn't what your grandma and I arranged perfect for you?"

Upon hearing that the words were like spitting out filth, Qin Shuangshuang slapped the eldest son's wife across the face and raised her voice even louder, saying, "I'll ask you one more time, where did my mother and my brother go?"

The eldest son never expected that this young girl would stand up to him so defiantly in front of everyone, which shocked everyone present. Old Mrs. Qin was so shocked that she coughed repeatedly.

Even the fat rich man couldn't help but swallow hard.

That little girl's hand was so heavy; she slapped the man's face, leaving a deep handprint.