The group did not stop, running under the scorching sun for almost two hours until noon when they reached the city gate of Shiqiao County.
The previously established tea stall selling herbal drinks was now deserted. Fortunately, a large thatched shed remained, providing shelter for everyone from the sun.
Su Minghui and others wanted to enter the city to have a look, but they were driven away by the soldiers guarding the gate. They said there was an order from above, and no one who was not from Shiqiao County was allowed to enter.
He slipped more than a dozen copper coins and asked where the water source was, as he wanted to buy some water. The reply was that the water source in the entire Shiqiao County was only supplied to its own residents. The reason outsiders were not allowed in was to prevent them from抢水 (qiǎng shuǐ - snatching water).
Su Minghui returned unsuccessful and very dejected. The water they had found earlier was now only about half a缸 (gāng - a large jar or vat), and he wasn't sure if it would be enough for so many people to eat lunch.
…
"Where are we?" Su Muqing had slept so soundly that she had lost track of time.
She had planned to sleep after buying things that morning. Who knew that she would accidentally discover something fun? There was actually a decoration space within the dimension.
It was similar to the "My Garden" or "My Farm" games she used to play, where she could design and decorate sections within a limited area.
She made a few small changes to the interior of the dimension. Then she went to the mall and bought a bed, table, chairs, sofa, and other items. After arranging the living area, she discovered that she could even place mountains and rivers freely.
She had to exclaim again! This dimension was truly powerful. So why wait? She should start decorating it!
And so, the living area, planting area, leisure area, office area, and storage room were all modified and changed multiple times. She spent a long time tinkering until she was slightly satisfied.
Su Muqing topped up with two gold ingots and spent a fortune to buy a large river, placing it next to the planting and living areas. The river water was still flowing. Because the dimension had not yet been expanded to its maximum, she couldn't see the source of the large river or its end.
It was a pity that while the river water could be filled into containers and brought out of the dimension, the entire river could not. Otherwise, she could have just chosen a suitable spot and thrown a river out. With ample water sources, everyone could farm and raise livestock, live stable lives, and would not have to go through such arduous journeys.
By the time she finished decorating the dimension, her consciousness was already very tired. She had only managed to sleep for a little over half an hour afterward. When she woke up, she felt even more exhausted than before she slept.
"Sister Mumu, you're awake?" Lin Rongrong, holding the little milk bun, came over a few times before Su Muqing finally woke up.
"Where did you go? Didn't we reach Shiqiao County?" Su Muqing sat up, re-tying her messy hair into a ponytail.
"We've reached Shiqiao County. Uncle Village Chief just wanted to go into the city to buy some water. But those soldiers wouldn't let him in, and he's still there. The previous water has run out, and I guess we won't be able to cook today."
"I know. I'll go find him. You just take Xuan Ge'er and wait in the carriage. The sun is so big outside, children can't be exposed to it like this." Su Muqing said, tearing off a cooling patch and sticking it on the little milk bun's forehead. She then tore off a few more and stuck them on Lin Rongrong's face, neck, and forehead.
She herself wished she could stick them all over her body. Anyway, these things were cheap. 89 a box with 2000 pieces, she had stocked 99 boxes, so she could use them generously without feeling the pinch.
Su Muqing got off the ox cart and indeed saw Su Minghui bowing and scraping from afar.
Under the intense sun, the soldier guarding the gate leaned in the shade, acting like a lord, still saying something. Su Minghui could only stand obediently under the scorching sun and listen humbly.
As Su Muqing got closer, she heard the soldier say haughtily, "In short, that's how it is! If you want to enter the city to buy water, the entrance fee is ten taels of silver. After entering, the price of water is whatever our county magistrate decides!"
Su Muqing: "Uncle, Auntie asked you to go back. She has something to tell you."
Su Minghui waved at Su Muqing, telling her to leave quickly. "Go back quickly! It's so sunny and hot. Why did you come over? I'll be there soon, you go back quickly!"
Unexpectedly, the soldier saw Su Muqing and called her to stop. "Hey, hey, hey… wait, wait! May I know who this young lady is?"
Seeing the soldier smiling at Su Muqing with ill intentions, Su Minghui quickly walked over, pulling her back while blocking the view of the guarding soldier. With a fawning smile, he said, "Officer, this is my daughter, she's still young!" After that, Su Minghui pulled Su Muqing to go back.
"Did I say you could leave?" The soldier directly drew his saber and blocked their way.
Su Minghui still had a fawning smile. "Officer, what do you mean by this?"
The official, while speaking, sheathed his saber. "You say you have such a beautiful daughter, and you didn't say so directly! My county magistrate likes pretty young ladies the most. As long as you present her to the county magistrate, and she becomes the county magistrate's mother-in-law, let alone letting you have water, I'm afraid prosperity and wealth would be yours to enjoy! What do you say? Shall I introduce you?"
Su Minghui's expression changed, and he replied unhappily, "No need." Then he tried to pull Su Muqing away.
"It's probably too late to leave now." The man beckoned over the other guarding soldiers and surrounded the two of them.
Su Muqing didn't expect that by just coming to find Su Minghui to go back, the situation would turn into this.
Seeing their hostile intent, Su Minghui quickly begged for mercy. "Officers, sirs, we are just ordinary people. Let's talk properly… talk properly…"
"Get away… Stop being a nuisance here. If you continue to be clueless, don't blame me for not showing mercy!" Several officers pushed Su Minghui to the ground.
"Uncle, Uncle…" Su Muqing pretended to be very scared, ran to Su Minghui's side, and helped him up. Then she quietly said in his ear, "Uncle, you go back first, take everyone and continue on the road. I have a way to get away."
Su Minghui: "Girl, no…"
Su Muqing: "Do as I say, or none of us will be able to leave! Continue south, I will catch up with you."
"Alright! Alright! You little lady, why are you crying so sadly? When you become the county magistrate's eleventh concubine, you'll know this is a great thing! As for you, since you're so bad at reading the room, just go back where you came from! Don't bother our lord and make him upset!"
"Girl, girl…" Su Minghui shouted from behind.
After the few officers finished speaking, they ignored Su Minghui, who was still shouting, and took Su Muqing into the city.
Su Minghui had no other choice. He quickly returned to the group and recounted the entire process to Xu Fu and the others, hoping they could help rescue her.