Chapter 230

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On the third day of the ambush, darkness fell.

Nightfall brought some relief, as the cover of darkness provided the best protection. However, the night also brought cold, and with it, a natural decline in morale and energy.

They had scouts positioned ahead.

To avoid alerting their targets, they only had a few lookouts stationed at key points, not daring to send out full reconnaissance. This was because Jiang Er was said to be extremely perceptive.

Jiang Er was also accompanied by the Meng Young General, a son from a military family, who was surely no ordinary person.

They proceeded with extreme caution, only relaying messages back through a few key points. Once they had selected the ambush location, they remained still.

This was the only route to the capital city. With elderly, women, children, and even a pregnant woman in their group, the targets would certainly not choose to take a detour. They had to pass through this stretch of road.

They couldn't let their guard down even at night. There was always the possibility that their targets, sensing danger, might attempt to travel under the cover of darkness.

However, the prolonged waiting and surveillance had reached a point of fatigue.

By the third day, they were utterly exhausted.

They persevered only because their goal seemed within reach. That morning, they had spotted people approaching.

It would be soon now.

If they could endure this night, they would see real action.

After eating their dry rations, they took turns addressing their bodily needs.

Dealing with bodily functions was challenging.

Generally, they would dig a hole, relieve themselves, then bury it and cover it with decaying leaves.

The mountains in this grassland area were somewhat barren, unlike dense forests.

There were mountains and trees, but not tall ones. They were more like shrubs. The ambush relied on rocks, angles, and these shrubs for cover. They couldn't stand up, making everything quite difficult. The nights risked hypothermia, so they had to stay warm.

As darkness fell, Death Soldier A opened his mouth wide in a yawn, then gently closed it.

If he bit down too hard and accidentally punctured the poison sac in his tooth, he'd die a rather pointless death.

Just as everyone was growing weary from their vigil, feeling drowsy, cold, and shivering, they suddenly felt a bit warmer.

A fragrant scent seemed to waft towards them.

Someone even sniffed the air hard.

Then, out of nowhere, someone shouted that there was a fire.

Looking down, they saw that flames had already started at the foot of the mountain, rapidly climbing upwards along the dry grass and rotting wood.

Aided by the wind, the flames leapt quickly, billowing thick smoke.

Some realized something was wrong and ran down the mountain, only to find that the smoke seemed odd. After inhaling it, their heads became dizzy and heavy. Before they could reach the bottom of the mountain, they passed out.

Those who had inhaled less covered their noses and struggled to run down with all their might. But at the foot of the mountain, they found a group of people wearing layered masks that obscured their faces. As soon as they came down, they were captured.

Jiang Yu gently patted her sister's hand.

Her elder brother and brother-in-law weren't present, but judging by her parents' relaxed state, everything must be fine.

Tea was brewing over the campfire, and sweet potatoes were buried in the embers. When dug out and peeled, they were ready to eat, smelling delicious.

Throughout this journey, perhaps due to eating fewer vegetables, Jiang Mianmian felt somewhat nutritionally imbalanced, even having some difficulty with bowel movements.

It could also be a common problem for beautiful young ladies, who were said to be universally constipated.

So, smelling the aroma, she hesitated, unsure whether to eat.

If only she had some effervescent tablets, she thought. Drop one in water, drink it, and have the illusion of taking vitamins, skipping the vegetable-eating step altogether.

Mianmian was a bit picky with food.

In the end, though, she couldn't resist the temptation.

Mianmian ate sweet potatoes with her elder sister, had some roasted meat, and drank some tea.

When Jiang Yu wanted to eat more, she saw her mother's hand, as big as a dinner plate, fanning the air, and silently withdrew her own hand.

Mianmian was also full. At worst, she could drink some Spirit Spring water later. She was probably the only one who used Spirit Spring water as a laxative.

However, she'd wait until she found a proper place to relieve herself before drinking it. Whether in the carriage or hiding somewhere, it didn't feel comfortable to do her business here.

Her inability to defecate might simply be psychological.

After the late-night snack, she felt psychologically satisfied and much happier.

She also felt sleepy.

Eating always made her want to sleep.

Jiang Mianmian let out a dainty yawn, went to brush her teeth again, and then returned to sleep.

Jiang Changtian and Qin Luoxia: ...

They were both a bit silent regarding their little daughter who brushed her teeth after eating at night.

She really loved cleanliness and beauty.

The other one, their grown daughter, about to become a mother herself, didn't even bother to wipe the oil from her face. Fortunately, she was already married.

Jiang Mianmian completed her routine of brushing teeth, washing face, and relieving herself, then climbed back into the sleeping carriage, full of drowsiness, ready to fall asleep as soon as she lay down.

She thought about how there should still be frost in the morning, allowing her to see once more the feeling of ice stretching for a thousand miles. The vast wild grass, hanging with icicles, would sparkle like countless jewels hidden in the grass when the sunlight hit it. It would be beautiful.

Being able to see it once more would be wonderful.

Jiang Mianmian fell asleep contentedly.

Tomorrow they should set out on their journey. There would be even better scenery along the way, and most importantly, she would be with her family.

It was perfect.

She clutched her well-worn Little Tree Jiang, her breathing even, truly asleep.

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