Chapter 22: The Way Out

Bang! In the midst of the chaos in the courtyard, Wang Keyue, standing at the head, brought her palm down on the already teetering four-legged stool beside her, smashing it to pieces.

“Ah!” This fierce, tiger-like action sent a shiver through the concubine-born girl who had just spoken, making her cower behind the others and tremble as she gazed at the eldest young mistress of the Wang family.

This girl, Wang Rourou, was the daughter of a concubine from the second branch, brought into the household less than two years ago. Two years of luxury had long since made her addicted to such a life. Now, with the Wang family stripped of power and wealth, she had long since wanted to escape, but Lady Jiang of the second branch was shrewd enough to leave her with no opportunity. Now, she too was a fugitive, unable to survive anywhere else and forced to eke out a living here.

Outwardly, Wang Rourou put on a pitiful, tearful face, feigning fright, but inwardly she cursed Wang Yue’er viciously—wishing her dead with every breath.

Wang Keyue had seen such looks far too many times during the apocalypse. She was utterly indifferent.

“We have already decided. This place will be our new Wang Family Village. The elderly and infirm will remain here. In a moment, Jin Yi, you will announce the list of people accompanying me to the northeastern frontier.” With these words, Wang Keyue ended her speech.

“Ding! Main quest progress: 5%. Establish a small village and name it New Wang Family Village. Quest reward: 50 sets of farming tools, 2 oxen, 2 mules, 2 horses, 100 gold coins. Current ranking: 888. Host, please keep up the good work!” The 9538 system’s voice sounded in her mind. Wang Keyue hadn’t expected the main quest to advance by five percent so easily. It was little, but at least she saw a glimmer of hope.

After careful selection, Wang Keyue chose seven members from the Red Team for the escort squad, three scouts from the Orange Team, and ten healthy women, all set to depart at dawn the next day.

Before leaving, Wang Keyue assigned Jin Yi, as well as ten guards remaining behind, to training and patrol duties.

Of course, those left behind were not idle. That very night, Wang Keyue took out a portion of the farming tools, oxen, and seeds. As for any explanations, she left that to the Old Madam Wang—her task was simply to assign work.

The oldest among them, a woman in her fifties everyone called Granny Miao, had originally tended the gardens at the estate. Now, she was entrusted with the fields.

Granny Miao, beaming with delight, led twenty or so women who’d once worked the land to collect the tools and seeds. When they saw that there were actually two yellow oxen, they were astonished.

They were about to ask where these things had come from, but before the words could leave their lips, Old Madam Wang’s gaze, as sharp as a blade, silenced them completely.

“That’s enough. These aren’t anything precious. Though our Wang family has fallen on hard times, a lean camel is still bigger than a horse. We can still afford such things.

“In short, do not underestimate the Wang family. As long as you work with dedication and don’t harbor unseemly thoughts, I guarantee this is the best place you could hope for!” Old Madam Wang’s voice was stern and commanding at the end.

The old lady, now advanced in years, had grown fond of this tranquil rural life. In just one day, she had come to love it here. She would remain, to create a small sanctuary for her granddaughter and the Wang family with her own hands. If, in the future, something happened to her granddaughter, this would be the perfect refuge.

With her words finished, Old Madam Wang closed her eyes and sipped her tea, at ease.

Hong Yi and her team meticulously prepared the supplies for the next day’s journey. To make things easier, Wang Keyue had decided to use the two mules to pull carts—mules, being stronger, more enduring, and faster than oxen. Three horses were also readied for riding.

According to Wang Keyue’s plan, she hoped to reach the northeastern frontier within ten days and then gather information about Changbai County and the Zhang family’s current situation.

If all went well, she could contact the Zhang family directly and send someone to escort Old Madam Wang and the others—by far the safest option.

However, if the Great Qin had already learned of their whereabouts and issued a nationwide warrant, things would become troublesome. Not only would they be walking into a trap, but they might also implicate the Zhang family.

In any case, with the Great Qin Empire beset by internal and external troubles and wars raging everywhere, Wang Keyue could only hope that the women, children, and elderly of the Wang family could remain hidden in obscurity for now, and that the foolish emperor of Qin would be too overwhelmed to deal with them in time.

She needed only two months—no, a single month! She was determined to turn the situation around, Wang Keyue vowed to herself.

Though she still felt uneasy about this decision, it was the best option available.

“9538, what can I buy from the system shop?” Wang Keyue asked in her heart.