Reincarnation and Rebirth

Su Wan'er recalled that in her previous life, Xiao Yun Shen lost his life because there was a spy named Zi Yan by his side, and that person held a high official position. However, at that time, the original owner only cared about Zi Xing Chen's affairs and did not pay much attention to the Xiao family's affairs, so she forgot who the spy was.

I vaguely remember Xiao Yunting mentioning that the man informed Ziyan that after Ziyan Kingdom learned that the Thunder Army had run out of ammunition and food, they launched a fierce attack. Xiao Yunshen vowed to defend the city gates to the death and let the people evacuate, which is why he died a heroic death.

Since that person was able to learn about the Thunder Army's situation immediately, he must be someone Xiao Yun Shen trusts. Therefore, with so much grain suddenly appearing in the granary this time, that person must be planning something.

Thinking of this, Su Wan'er teleported to Xiao Yunshen's tent, where he was writing furiously at his desk.

As usual, Su Wan'er tossed out a note, and Xiao Yun Shen was shocked, "Who?"

The guard outside answered him, "General, what has happened?"

Xiao Yun frowned. The guard's reaction didn't seem like there were outsiders at all. He composed himself and said, "It's nothing, just a rat."

Su Wan'er was furious that someone would compare her to a rat.

As Xiao Yun Shen approached and picked up the note, the veins on his hand bulged. Indeed, Zi Yan always seemed to be the first to know about the Thunder Army, which he had suspected before and had even conducted a large-scale purge. Could there still be some who had slipped through the net?

Just as Xiao Yun Shen was about to give instructions to his subordinates, he suddenly pursed his lips and made a beckoning gesture. Immediately, a man in black appeared from the shadows.

"What are your orders, Master?"

"Shunlei, take Shunyi and keep an eye on things outside. If anyone makes contact with the Ziyan Army, come back and report immediately. Remember not to alert them."

"Master, no! I am your bodyguard, responsible for protecting your safety."

“Shunlei, the spies in the army have not yet been found. I suspect they are among us. I don’t trust anyone else to investigate.”

“But my lord, you only brought three guards with you on this campaign. If Shunyi and I leave, you will only have Shunqing by your side. I am worried about that.”

"This is an order."

Shun Lei gritted his teeth and said, "Yes, Your subordinate obeys."

After doing all this, Su Wan'er left. In this life, she had helped this much; surely Xiao Yun Shen wouldn't die young again?

Sunset City was becoming increasingly desolate. After Su Wan'er finished settling the accounts for the day's herbs, the shopkeeper said helplessly, "Miss Su, the situation in the city has become increasingly tense recently. It would be best if a young girl like you didn't come alone for the time being."

"Shopkeeper, what happened?"

The shopkeeper glanced around to make sure no one was there before saying softly, "Alas, bandits are rampant in the city, and the county government doesn't care. Before he left, the old master instructed me to protect you, Miss Su. It's best if you don't come to the city anytime soon."

"Yes, thank you, shopkeeper. I understand." Master was worried about me before he left. He left without saying goodbye, probably to protect me. I wonder how they are doing lately. Have they returned to the capital? Su Wan'er didn't believe it. The people there wanted Master's life. Master wouldn't go to his death without being absolutely certain.

Wherever they went, I hope they are safe and sound.

Su Wan'er wasn't sure if it was just her imagination, but there seemed to be fewer people in Sunset City today, and many more caravans leaving with their families and luggage.

Back in Suhe Village, the old lady, as usual, emptied the bank of all the silver. Just as Su Wan'er was about to return to her room, the old man suddenly spoke up, "Did you notice anything unusual when you went to town today?"

Su Wan'er blinked her big eyes, "What's wrong?"

Old Su's face darkened; he wasn't sure if the girl was pretending to be stupid.

Are the grain stores in town open? Are the streets crowded?

Su Wan'er suddenly realized and said, "It really is true. Today, many people on the street were heading towards the North Gate with their families. Grandpa, it's not even the New Year yet, why are they visiting relatives so early? As for the grain store, I don't buy anything there, so I didn't go there. Therefore, I don't know."

Old Mrs. Su sneered, "She's just a lowly girl, what could she possibly know?"

Old Su took a puff of his pipe, recalling the rumors he'd heard at Black Tiger Village, and felt uneasy.

Does this mean I really have to leave Suhe Village, where I've finally settled down? I still have so much land and this recipe at home; they represent my life's work.

Suddenly, as if he had thought of something, he called out to Su Wan'er, who had just stepped out of the main room, "Have you been going up the mountain with Doctor Lin to collect herbs lately?"

"No, I haven't seen Grandpa Lin in a long time."

Su Wan'er thought to herself that this old man Su was indeed different, with a more acute sense than the other villagers. If he really sensed something was wrong and planned to evacuate Suhe Village, it would be a good thing, as the villagers would evacuate in advance and suffer less loss.

Old Man Su pondered Su Wan'er's words repeatedly, and suddenly his expression changed drastically.

"Grandpa, it's nothing, I'll go back to my room now."

Old Man Su had no time to pay attention to her. He said to Old Lady Su, "Take your wives to the village this afternoon and buy as much grain as you can."

"What, old man, what's going on? We haven't finished the grain that Chen brought back last time."

"Just go when I tell you to. Buy as much as you can, and then pack up all the valuables in the house."

These words made the old woman even more panicked. "Old man, don't scare me. What's wrong?"

"Do as I say if you don't want to die."

Grandma Su was completely disoriented, and she quickly nodded in agreement to whatever Grandpa Su said.

In the afternoon, he took his son and daughter-in-law out to buy grain. Many people in the village knew about their situation; they had been robbed recently, and all their grain had been stolen. Most of the villagers were kind people, and they agreed to sell their surplus grain to them at the market price.

"What? Thirty coins a pound for noodles? Forty coins a pound for rice? You bastards, why don't you just rob us?"

"Grandma Su, we don't like hearing that. If we weren't neighbors, we wouldn't be selling. You can't buy a single grain of rice in the city these days. We've only managed to scrape together what we have. Besides, this was already the price in the city. If you don't want to buy, fine, but you don't have to curse us."

"Pah, you heartless, rotten bastards, I don't even want them. You can keep them for yourselves and see if you choke to death."

"You, Old Lady Su, even if you beg us to come to our door again, we will never sell you a single grain of rice again. Get out, get out..."

Grandma Su visited several households, complaining that either the grain they offered was bad or the price they charged was too high. Even when they offered her a fair price, she would always find a reason to complain, to the point that eventually the villagers stopped paying attention to her.

Grandma Su returned empty-handed, which angered Grandpa Su so much that he slapped her.

“Youlu, your wife has been lying down for so many days, she should be able to get up now. Tomorrow morning, have her go to the village to buy some things, and you go to the next village to buy some. As long as the price is not higher than the market price, buy some.”

"Old man, have you gone mad?" Old Mrs. Su was so angry that she jumped up and down. The family had finally managed to accumulate some money, and this old man was determined to spend it all.

"You shallow-minded thing, what will you do when there's no food? You'll be eating money instead?" Su Wan'er almost laughed out loud, but buying food wasn't exactly a good job, so she wanted to hear what her cheap father had to say.

"Dad, it's not impossible to let the child's mother go buy it, but everyone in the village knows that our family is short of food, so the price definitely won't come down. Or, how about having my sister-in-law and brother's wife accompany us?"

Hmm, not bad, this dad is actually quite smart.