บท 19: Don’t Speak Nonsense

Realizing what he was thinking, he finished his breakfast in a daze. While the Xiao family and Xu Xiang were having breakfast on the way, the other prisoners were forced to walk on an empty stomach. Since they are at the end of the group, not many people see them eating. However, that doesn't mean no one can see their food.

After walking for more than three hours, the sun has risen very high and the heat is unbearable. Calculating the time, it should be around seven o'clock in the morning, but it feels like it's noon. Not long after, many prisoners couldn't hold on anymore and fell to the ground. The officers saw the prisoners moving slower than usual and began to whip them.

"Hurry up and move!"

With the officers being harsher than usual, the group at last moved forward at their usual pace. But things didn't get better as the weather got hotter by seconds. More and more prisoners fainted due to lack of food and water, and heatstroke. Seeing that the situation was not good, the other officers went to report to the middle-aged officer.

"Sir, what should we do?"

The middle-aged officer looked at the prisoners and said, "Give them some water, then let's continue."

The officer looked concerned when he said. "This subordinate doesn't think they can keep going in this condition."

"Whether they can or not, they must continue." The middle-aged officer spoke in a low voice.

After working with him for many years, this was the first time the officer had seen him force prisoners like this. Although these people are criminals, they cannot be allowed to die on the road, otherwise the officers will not escape punishment.

The officer lowered his voice and asked the middle-aged officer curiously. "Sir, excuse me for asking too much. But, do you have any reason to ask them to keep going in this situation?"

The middle-aged officer glanced at him and said, "I will tell you, but you must keep it for yourself."

"Naturally." The officer nodded quickly, and moved closer to the middle-aged officer, ready to listen to what he had to say.

Looking around, the middle-aged officer covered his lips and said, "I heard from the Magistrate of the Bei Qiang City that the Emperor is about to start another war to conquer the world."

Hearing what the middle-aged officer said just now, the officer was also taken aback. He widened his eyes and asked in surprise. "Is the Emperor crazy?!"

"Lower your voice! Do you want to die?!" The middle-aged officer lowered his voice and scolded him.

The officer quickly covered his mouth and looked around. After making sure no one heard his words, he lowered his voice and whispered: "What is the Emperor thinking? Right now, natural and man-made disasters keep coming, and wars are raging non-stop. Why does he still want to conquer the world? Besides…"

He glanced at the Xiao family, and continued: "That one is here. Is there another person who has the ability to conquer the world besides him?"

The middle-aged officer also took a look at the Xiao family and said, "It's none of our business. Our priority now is to complete the task as soon as possible, and report back before the war begins. Now, go give them water and let them rest for ten minutes, then we'll continue."

"Yes, sir."

With the middle-aged officer's order, the other officers quickly distributed water to the prisoners before forcing them to continue on their way after ten minutes rest. Xu Xiang sat in her mule cart and saw the middle-aged officer whispering to the other officer. She rested her chin on her hand and calmly looked at the other several officers' tense expressions. She raised her eyebrows for a moment and continued their journey.

After a short rest, the group did not stop until sunset. Since they could not walk in the dark, the officers let them rest after arriving at a grassland. Xu Xiang parked her mule cart next to Xiao family's sleigh, and came down from the driver's seat.

She walked to the cart and took out an iron pot, a bag of rice noodles, six eggs, salt, six bowls, six pairs of chopsticks, and a pot of water. Putting everything on the iron pot, she went to the Xiao family's bonfire.

Seeing that she brought a heavy iron pot, Xiao Han hurried over to help her. Although he looks thin and weak, he is actually very strong. Since he started practicing martial arts at the age of three, Xiao Han's martial arts has reached the level of a master right now. Carrying this heavy iron pot is nothing to him.

"Elder Sister Xu, let me help you."

Seeing his smiling face, she let him take over the iron pot and said, "Thank you."

"Mhm."

When Xiao Han put the heavy iron pot on the ground, he saw his elder brother still staring at Xu Xiang. He coughed a few times to remind him, but Xiao Shao just glanced at him for a second, then stared at Xu Xiang again, as if he was trying to look into her soul. After trying a few more times and failing, he whispered to Xiao Shao helplessly.

"Elder Brother, don't stare at her. Have you forgotten what our mother said this morning? Do you really want to marry Elder Sister Xu?"

Xiao Shao glanced lightly at him and said, "Don't speak nonsense."

"Then why are you still staring at her, as if you were going to eat her?" He asked again curiously.

Xiao Shao looked at him like he was an idiot, and asked, "Who wants to eat her? Didn't you notice that when she was holding that iron pot, her expression didn't even change?"

Xiao Han touched his nose and asked in confusion. "Isn't everyone able to lift something as light as that?"

Hearing what he said, Xiao Shao couldn't help doubting his younger brother's intelligence. Rubbing his eyebrow, he looked at Xiao Han helplessly.