Xiao Yao glared at Ye Qingying, a hint of resentment in her eyes.
How could someone be distracted while she was speaking, not even knowing what she had said?
However, she patiently repeated her question:
"Why don't the people here plant crops suitable for winter? I don't see anything in the fields."
Ye Qingying glanced outside and casually replied, "The insect infestation is severe; nothing can be grown."
"Insect infestation?" Xiao Yao frowned. "What kind of insects?"
"A type of... endlessly multiplying insect that suddenly appeared in recent years. It rages from early summer and can still be found in winter, eating whatever is planted in the fields. Nothing can grow."
"Why don't you find a way to deal with them?" Such a large area suitable for cultivation, yet the common people couldn't even afford plain rice. It was truly a waste of resources.
"It is said that the imperial court once sent soldiers to help, but these li jia insects are inexhaustible and not easily eradicated. Their reproduction is also rapid. The officials sent by the court were ultimately unsuccessful."
"Li jia insects?" The name sounded so strange, she had never heard of it.
Ye Qingying offered a brief explanation: "They have two sharp pincers."
"Like shrimp?" Or crabs?
"Not like shrimp." If they were like shrimp, how could they be inexhaustible? The common people could eat them directly.
Xiao Yao bit her lip, tilted her head, and pondered, "Then..."
"Xiao Yao, something's wrong!" Ye Qingying flung open the curtain.
"Master, don't come out." Xiao Yao reacted sharply, pulling the curtain back down, blocking Ye Qingying inside!
She had been so focused on thinking about these so-called li jia insects that she hadn't noticed the atmosphere around them becoming tense.
However, Ye Qingying was an assassin; his perception of danger was always sharper than ordinary people.
It was normal for Xiao Yao's alertness to be inferior to his.
After Ye Qingying's warning, Xiao Yao could only just sense a dangerous, unsettling factor drifting in the wind.
However, this feeling quickly intensified.
Xiao Yao suddenly pulled on the reins and commanded sternly, "Giddy up!"
The carriage quickly veered in another direction.
A peculiar glint flashed in Ye Qingying's eyes.
This girl was indeed very intelligent, with a sharp mind and an unusually fast reaction speed.
It was no wonder she had managed to climb to the position of Empress, step by step, from a discarded concubine.
If it weren't for her deep emotions and her haste to find Feng Yexuan, she wouldn't have fallen into Yu Linglong's trap.
Soon, the carriage arrived at a flat area, surrounded only by weeds and rocks, with no trees.
Xiao Yao leaped up, standing steadily on the roof of the carriage.
The assassins who had intended to hide in the woods were forced to reveal themselves, instantly exposed.
Ye Qingying's five slender, jade-like fingers rested on the hilt of his long sword.
On the carriage roof, Xiao Yao whispered, "Master, don't move rashly. This time, let me protect you."
His injuries had not yet healed, and using his true energy now could easily tear open the wound.
Before leaving, Xiao Yao had instructed him not to act unless absolutely necessary.
Although Ye Qingying knew his condition, how could he let Xiao Yao face this alone?
Xiao Yao continued to whisper, "In any case, listen to me, don't act rashly. I'll try."
Soon, the assassins surrounded the carriage.
The one leading them on horseback was a burly man.
With a beard covering his face, he looked extremely rough and terrifying.
He rode his horse to the front of the crowd, his voice as wild and frightening:
"Jian Wuying, you killed my elder brother. Today, I will use your head to pay homage to my deceased brother! Come out quickly!"