Su Nan-yi’s action immediately startled Si Wu Liu.
Even Ying Zhong and Fang Yi in the carriage were startled.
But Song Qingchao was not worried at all.
“You all withdraw, I am fine.”
So she said, but how could Si Wu Liu just let the person go?
Even if they were willing, Ying Zhong would not agree.
Bai Youan had worked hard to send him in, with the purpose of protecting Song Qingchao. If Song Qingchao was lost, Ying Zhong’s head would be forfeit.
The most frightened was Fang Yi. It was she who had pulled Song Qingchao out. If anything happened, she would be in deep trouble.
Song Qingchao helplessly persuaded the few people that she was fine.
But these few people would not budge.
Su Nan-yi seemed to have noticed this. He glanced back slightly and then whispered to Song Qingchao, “Miss Song, do me a favor?”
As he walked closer step by step, Si Wu Liu became more and more cautious.
Song Qingchao, caught in the middle, felt truly uncomfortable.
She knew Su Nan-yi had no ill intentions, but Si Wu Liu and the others did not.
“Si Wu Liu, you go back. Su Nan-yi and I are friends.”
Si Wu Liu was a little suspicious, but they still nodded to each other.
Even if Song Qingchao was taken away, they would still find a way to rescue her. The people opposite were no match for them.
So Si Wu Liu relented.
But Ying Zhong was unaware. Crying, he climbed out of the carriage wanting to grab Song Qingchao, but was held back by Zhou Liu.
“Let me go! You can’t let Sister Chao go with him!”
Song Qingchao: “…”
She really didn’t know if this child was crying for real or not.
Su Nan-yi’s dagger, lightly placed on her neck, moved aside emptily. “How about we take him with us?”
Song Qingchao tilted her head and looked at him. “Can we?”
“I don’t think it’s much of a problem.”
Su Nan-yi suddenly turned fierce and pointed at the wailing Ying Zhong. “You, come here!”
Ying Zhong’s eyes immediately lit up. Disregarding Zhou Liu’s obstruction, he hopped over joyfully.
Song Qingchao really couldn’t bear to watch.
She had never seen anyone willingly walk into a trap.
The other three of Si Wu Liu had expressions as if they had eaten something foul.
They thought that Ying Zhong was probably not of sound mind.
After seeing Ying Zhong being pulled away, Fang Yi directly fainted.
Song Qingchao: “…”
This was not right. Fang Yi should know her strength. What was going on?
In the end, Song Qingchao, torn between laughter and tears, pulled Ying Zhong, who was wiping his nose, and followed Su Nan-yi.
She had a rough idea of what Su Nan-yi wanted to say.
But to go to such lengths to take her away meant there must be some insurmountable issue.
As she followed, she learned a lot.
Many of the people exiled with them were commoners, with a majority being villains and a smaller number of decent folk. As a result, many incidents occurred along the way, and the death toll was the highest.
Those who managed to survive were mostly those who were implicated. Among those who reached the end, many were in relatively good health, or were obedient women and children.
Song Qingchao was well aware of Thin Monkey’s methods. He never showed mercy to villains, and killed them along the way, preventing them from ever reaching Mobei.
After all, for villains to live on would be the greatest disrespect to the deceased.
But this only described their particular group.
For other groups, the escorting soldiers were not as “involved” as Thin Monkey.
They only cared about money.
Therefore, the only ones who survived were some arrogant and wealthy villains or some well-connected official families.
Very few ordinary poor commoners survived.
Even if they survived the journey, they would not live for long in Mobei.
Thus, exile was a cruel punishment, a path to death that exhausted both body and soul.
Song Qingchao and her group walked at the forefront, maintaining a certain distance from the procession behind them.
After apologizing, Su Nan-yi directly stated his purpose. “I have taken in some people who are unable to survive on their own, but now I cannot guarantee their food supply. Furthermore, we have attracted unwanted attention.”
“So, you brought me here to help those people?”
Su Nan-yi frankly admitted, “I believe only you can accomplish this, and I also guess that you would be very willing to help me.”
Song Qingchao raised her eyebrows in surprise. Had this kid seen through her ambition?
Although she was very willing to help, some benefits were still to be sought.
“If I help you, what can you give me?”
Su Nan-yi seemed to have anticipated Song Qingchao’s question. “The help of the Su family, I believe you will need it.”
“Money?” Song Qingchao shook her head. “Money is inert. I would prefer to receive a steady stream of income.”
“I can offer you very little now, but a discount of 10% on market prices is achievable. However, if I return to Chang’an and become the successor of the Su family, I, Su, am willing to split profits with Miss Song on a fifty-fifty basis.”
Song Qingchao smiled with a curl of her lips.
Her voice was gentle, all her sharpness submerged in the falling heavy snow.
“Fifty-fifty, Young Master Su is really making a big concession.”
Su Nan-yi did not seem to care. “It depends on whether Miss Song can achieve it.”
Song Qingchao sighed. “Man dies for wealth, and birds die for food. But isn’t what Young Master Su wants a bit too much?”
Su Nan-yi’s demeanor was equally strong. “Consider the endless stream of wealth, Miss Song. If, one day, Miss Song finds herself in debt, my wealth will be yours.”
He raised his head, his voice deep and resonant. “Money is worthless here, but who knows about the future?”
Song Qingchao looked at him and answered, “Alright.”
She admitted that she was tempted.
Setting aside other matters, she knew she would have a great need for money at various times, and the Su family’s connections would surely surprise her.
They were the wealthiest family, after all.
Who would not want to be friends with such a noble young master?
However, the condition of a fifty-fifty split was rather difficult to fulfill.
She would first have to accept these people, which was not a problem.
Secondly, when transferring the people, she would have to confront the group that was targeting them.
This problem was also not significant.
With Si Wu Liu following behind, and with Ying Zhong, the young physician, it would not be an issue.
The most difficult problem would be after they got out.
Of course, she herself would not be leaving, but she would have to find a way to help Su Nan-yi get out first, and then help him seize power.
Thinking about it, there was quite a lot to do.
But the benefits were also substantial.
However, since Su Nan-yi harbored such ambition, why had he remained so inactive within the group?
Now that an alliance had been formed, Song Qingchao did not hold back and voiced her doubts.
Su Nan-yi rubbed his fingers and then raised an eyebrow, retorting to Song Qingchao, “Would exposing my identity benefit me?”
A sneer played on his lips. “They would be delighted if I died on the way.”