Chapter 423: Chapter 403: All Eyes on You, From Dawn to Dusk
Lin Qiao instinctively thought that someone was trying to kill them, her heart tightened, but Song Tingfan held her hand, signaling that it was okay.
The court officials were not entirely foolish; if anything happened to him, the Emperor would be compelled to investigate thoroughly.
He then looked out the window towards the rear, where there were three or four carriages, and he couldn’t make out who they were.
He pursed his lips, "Stop and let them pass first."
The coachman immediately reined in the horse.
The carriages behind quickly caught up but did not proceed ahead; instead, they stopped a bit behind them.
Something seemed amiss.
Song Tingfan frowned slightly, "I’ll go down and take a look; stay here."
"Don’t go check, let’s wait a bit more. If they don’t leave, we’ll turn back."
Lin Qiao held him back, now that they were on the official road, these people probably wouldn’t dare make a move here.
"It’s fine."
Song Tingfan got off the carriage, approached the carriages behind one step at a time, and spoke directly: "Why are you following us?"
His tone was somber, and the coachman was frightened, "Song... Song..."
Song Tingfan’s gaze grew colder, and he finally lifted his hand to uncover the carriage curtain, his gaze stopping as he saw people of all ages and genders.
They were the people from the General Mansion’s gate earlier today.
He pursed his lips, softened his tone a bit, "Why are you following us?"
One of the older men spoke uncomfortably, "General Song, we mean no harm, it’s just that we have nowhere to go and thought we might follow you."
He paused for a moment and continued, "If you’re uneasy, we’re not trying to impose, we just want a place to stay."
These people were all homeless, even though they had some silver, they didn’t know where to go.
Upon hearing this, Song Tingfan was silent for a moment, "Hmm."
He said no more and left the curtain open.
Returning to the carriage, Lin Qiao asked, "Who are they?"
"Those from the mansion gate, looking to follow for a place to settle."
"Ah? That’s fine, the village has fewer people anyway."
"Hmm."
...
The carriages moved at a slow pace, taking half a month to finally reach the village.
Seven or eight carriages entered the village, and every household came out to join the excitement, "Whose family are they? So many carriages?"
"No idea, they must be very wealthy."
"Could it be the Song Family returning?"
"No, they came back on horseback previously."
...
Song Ling, listening to the voices outside, curiously poked his head out, watching the birds flying in the sky with brightly lit eyes, "Mother, I like it here."
Lin Qiao knew his thoughts, it was just about seeing the birds, "Pull your head back, be careful of the dust," she said, stretching her hand to pull him back.
She thought to herself that later people’s expressions when they see her might give her a headache, her return would probably become the village’s "hot topic".
Soon they reached the Song Family’s door, and as soon as Song Ling saw they stopped, he eagerly jumped down from the carriage, almost stumbling.
Fortunately, Song Tingfan was quick enough to catch him, with a serious face, "Slow down."
Song Ling, realizing his mistake, hunched his neck and obediently nodded, earnestly promising, "Daddy, it won’t happen next time."
Song Tingfan acknowledged with a "Hmm," then helped Song Qin out.
Old Mrs. Wang, who was watching the commotion next door, gleefully greeted, "Sister Song, you’re back."
Song Qin, who had always stayed in the village with the Lin Family’s help in looking after her, smiled and nodded.
At this moment, suddenly a woman’s voice grew louder, "Ah, the Lin family’s girl is back!"
"Indeed."
"Haven’t seen her in years, she looks so haggard, must not have had a good life outside."
"Seems like it, the Song Family is really sucker."
Familiar gossip, Lin Qiao: "..."
How was she haggard? Clearly, she had become more charming; when she walked the streets, even if not ten men turned to look at her, at least eight did.
Song Tingfan seemed a bit displeased, quickly held Lin Qiao’s hand, and Lin Qiao glanced at him, couldn’t help but smile.
She said, "Go tell the village head, and ask if we can find some houses for a temporary rest, tomorrow I’ll send someone to build some houses."
"Hmm." Song Tingfan nodded.
The courtyard unseen for five years was still the same, but it looked like it had been recently renovated.
Song Ling saw the swing, ran towards it joyfully, "Mother, push me, push me!"
Before Lin Qiao could say anything, the previous maid Liuzhu responded, "Young master, I’ll push you," and then ran over.
"Liuzhu, don’t bother with him, have a seat and rest," Lin Qiao instructed, then invited those people inside to rest their feet.
Those people were probably afraid to disturb them, insisting they wouldn’t come in, keeping far away from the door.
