Confiscating property? A stunningly beautiful substitute bride empties the national treasury and is

"What's wrong? Why are you so downcast?"

Song Qingqian patted her shoulder lightly and asked in a low voice.

Xuan Yuanxue hesitated for a moment before explaining, "Sister Qian, could you please inquire about my elder brother's whereabouts while you're out? I don't know if he's caught up with us yet, and I'm a little worried about him."

Song Qingqian nodded reassuringly, "Okay, I'll keep an eye on it. Your brother is a lucky man, he'll be safe and sound, so don't worry."

"Mmm, thank you, Sister Qian!"

As soon as Xuan Yuanxue finished speaking, she saw Bei Chu return from outside the post station, hunched over and carrying two large bags.

"Sister Qian, he's one of Brother Lu's men, but he seems to be injured."

Song Qingqian glanced back and frowned. She was fine last night. Could it be that she was assassinated again?

"Young Madam, I bought some smoked chicken and some cooked food from a well-known brand in the city. They're still warm, so you can have a taste."

After Bei Chu finished speaking in a flattering manner, she lowered her head in shame.

Song Qingqian smiled and nodded: "Alright, take it to the old lady's room. It's just right that everyone ate something light for breakfast, so let's try this unique flavor."

"Bei Chu, how did you get hurt? Are you alright? I have some excellent wound medicine here. If you need it, I can go to your room and get you a bottle."

"No need, I'm fine, thank you for your concern, Madam!"

Bei Chu took a step back, hurriedly explaining that he truly deserved the thirty lashes. He hated his foul mouth that had caused so much trouble; even his master didn't give him a kind look now…

"Are you really alright?"

Song Qingqian pressed further, "Bei Chu's kung fu is so good, if he could be injured, his opponent must be incredibly skilled. It seems I need to warn everyone to be extra careful."

"It's alright!"

Song Qingqian nodded, not pressing the matter further, and asked with a faint smile, "Where is your master? I haven't seen him since I woke up this morning."

Bei Chu glanced around warily, then lowered her voice and replied, "Young Madam, Master left last night. Things are a bit tricky. He'll probably be back after noon."

"Alright, you can take the things to the old lady's room first!"

After giving her instructions, Song Qingqian returned to her room. When Bei Chu left, she handed him a small porcelain bottle. Bei Chu looked at her embarrassedly. If he used the young mistress's medicine, would his master be angry? Should he take it? While he was struggling with his thoughts, Song Qingqian forcefully stuffed it into his hand.

"You're not even actively seeking treatment? Are you really planning to tough it out? Are you stupid? Here you go!"

After saying that, Song Qingqian pushed open the door and went into the room.

Looking at the wound medicine in his hand, Bei Chu was filled with mixed emotions...

After noon, the task of organizing the exiles to go out and make purchases fell to Hu Dou. He first set some rules for the exiles before starting to count the number of people.

Seeing that the two brothers from the second branch of the Lu family were about to leave, Hu Dou's face darkened, and he scolded them:

"Either one of you brothers goes out, or neither of you goes out. What are you planning to do if you both go out? Did you discuss how to escape?"

Lu Haize muttered resentfully, "Why didn't you stop Song Qingqian and Lu Xieyue from the third branch of the Lu family from going out? Why can't we two brothers?"

Hu Dou snorted coldly and said, "You want to negotiate? Then none of you are going to leave."

"No, sir, that's not what we meant. One is fine, I'll get out!"

Lu Haize quickly explained.

Hu Dou didn't even glance at him, and directly addressed the exiled people behind him: "You are the only ones, right? You go first. None of the second branch of the Lu family will leave."

"No, sir, you can't do this! Can't we just send one of us out?"

Lu Haize wanted to go up and argue, but was stopped by the soldiers. Looking at the whip in the soldiers' hands, Lu Haofeng stomped his feet in anger and really wanted to curse.

Those corrupt officials only know how to bully the weak. When they see the second branch of the Lu family, Hu Dou is all respectful and doesn't dare to utter a single word. They really know how to treat people differently based on their status. Bah!

Lu Xieyue was also curious, so she leaned closer to Song Qingqian and whispered, "Why are only the two of us allowed to leave, while the others are all blocked? What does Hu Dou mean by this?"

Song Qingqian glanced at the exiles behind her who were still trying to argue, and whispered an explanation to Lu Xieyue:

"Is that even a question? Of course, he's afraid of us! How many officers have been in charge of these soldiers? Anyone who opposes us has met a bad end. He wants to be the smart one."

"So there's no need to worry about him making things difficult for us. He cherishes this opportunity so much, he certainly wouldn't dare."

Lu Xieyue nodded and smiled: "That's not bad, at least we're living a more comfortable life."

Half an incense stick's time later, the exiles entered the city under Hu Dou's leadership. In order not to cause panic, he ordered the soldiers to separate the exiles into groups of three or five.

When it was Song Qingqian's turn, Hu Dou said with a smile, "Miss Lu, if you two are willing, you can go with the exiles. If you want to wander around on your own, I'll leave a soldier with you. What do you think?"

Song Qingqian smiled brightly: "Then I'll trouble you, sir, to assign someone to us. I'd like to visit a nearby pharmacy, but I guess I won't be going the same way as everyone else!"

"That works!"

Hu Dou chuckled and called Da Hu over, instructing him, "Young Lady Lu is used to using you, so you can come along. Remember not to make any mistakes."

Da Hu quickly nodded: "Okay!"

Song Qingqian couldn't help but chuckle as she looked at Da Hu, who had come over to pull her carriage. This Hu Dou was quite shrewd.

Da Hu smiled and said, "Miss Lu, are you looking to buy medicinal herbs? I know there are several pharmacies lined up along this street, all of which are among the best in Jiangcheng. They can have any kind of medicinal herb you want."

"No need, just go into any two rooms and take a look!"

After Song Qingqian finished speaking, she glanced at Lu Xieyue, who seemed curious about everything, and smiled at Da Hu:

"I'll just check out these few pharmacies nearby. Why don't you take the carriage and show Xieyue around? We'll meet up at that Ruyi Pastry Shop later."

"Alright then, Miss Lu, please be careful!"

Seeing that Da Hu readily agreed, Song Qingqian gave Lu Xieyue twenty taels of silver and muttered to herself:

"Buy whatever you like. There are many women in the family, so you know what they need. Don't worry about the money!"

"Third Sister-in-law, aren't you coming with me?"

"I have other things to do. You go ahead and explore. It's safe with Da Hu around!"

Lu Xieyue beamed with joy and nodded, "Then I'll go, thank you, Third Sister-in-law!"

After watching the two leave, Song Qingqian went to the nearest pharmacy. After visiting several pharmacies, she finally saw Madam Hu, who had come for a consultation, at Chunshan Hall.

As expected, Lu Jingchuan's information was correct. Song Qingqian glanced at the group, then went to a nearby teahouse to enjoy her tea and wait quietly.

When Madam Hu came out of Chunshan Hall, her face was deathly pale, and her sorrow was clearly visible. If it weren't for the maid supporting her, she would probably have already swayed and collapsed.

Just as she stepped down the stairs, a child bumped into her. Seeing that the child was about to fall, Madam Hu quickly caught him, and the two of them fell to the side.

"How are you? Did you hurt yourself?"