They quickly found the old site of Yongquan Village.
Here, it was already overgrown with weeds and completely deserted.
The Xiu Luo Envoys skillfully took out two bamboo tubes, pulled out the stoppers, and threw them into the village.
Bai Zhi’er saw a faint smoke rising from the bamboo tubes.
"Brother Fu Ce, what’s that?" the little one asked curiously.
Feng Fuce replied indifferently, "It’s to repel snakes and insects. In such remote places, there are likely to be venomous snakes, rats, and ants. To avoid being bitten, wait a while before going in."
Bai Zhi’er, upon hearing there might be mice,
was so scared that her big, black eyes widened, and she hurriedly clung to Feng Fuce’s arm.
Her whole little body seemed to almost hang on him.
The little one nodded obediently, her voice soft, "I’ll listen to Brother Fu Ce."
Feng Fuce glanced at her.
The little rascal had become so obedient.
Guoguo snorted from the side, "So many things to do."
After the smoke dissipated, the Xiu Luo Envoys, holding long swords, walked ahead, clearing the weeds.
Feng Fuce took Bai Zhi’er by the hand, with Guoguo following beside them, and the three of them went in together.
Guoguo seemed to step on something and shouted, "There’s something!"
He jumped three feet high.
Bai Zhi’er was so startled that she clung closely to Feng Fuce.
"What’s that thing?" her small voice trembled with panic.
Feng Fuce protected Bai Zhi’er as a Xiu Luo Envoy went to check under Guoguo’s foot.
He picked up a soft green snake with his sword.
"Marquis, it’s a dead snake."
Bai Zhi’er let out a breath of relief.
Feng Fuce stared coldly at Guoguo, "Stop making a fuss and keep your mouth shut."
Guoguo was still shaken.
They wandered around the village for a bit.
Bai Zhi’er couldn’t help asking, "Brother Fu Ce, will the bears come to us if we just stroll around here?"
"Logically, they shouldn’t. Wild animals come for food," Feng Fuce explained calmly.
"But Yongquan Village moved away five years ago, so there’s no food left. Wild animals won’t gather here specifically."
Bai Zhi’er blinked her big eyes, "Then if we don’t see any bears today, won’t our trip be for nothing?"
Feng Fuce looked down at the little one.
Such a small child, always thinking about catching wild animals.
Truly naive and innocent—does she have no fear?
He said calmly, "Just consider today as a walk in the countryside. If you encounter one, catch it; if not, it’s fine."
Bai Zhi’er was a bit disappointed, "Oh~ I thought I could see some bears."
The little one walked with her tiny feet, pulling Feng Fuce, and curiously looked inside a few thatched cottages.
The villagers had taken everything with them.
Some wooden tables and chairs were long dilapidated, gnawed by mice.
And on some doorways, there were faded and yellowed Spring Festival couplets.
At this moment, Feng Fuce noticed that Bai Zhi’er’s little feet had stopped involuntarily.
She turned her head, staring blankly at something hanging on a family’s wall.
Feng Fuce looked up and was also stunned.
It was a string of dried tangerine peels.
Perhaps this household had hung it up to dry for later use but forgot to take it when they left.
Upon seeing it close up, the weathered tangerine peel was shriveled and blackened.
But the little one still recognized it.
Feng Fuce couldn’t help but lower his eyes, looking at Bai Zhi’er’s delicate profile.
Is she still thinking of Brother Juzi?
Just as Feng Fuce was about to ask,
the Xiu Luo Envoy beside them called out, "Stop right there!"
The two of them turned around to find that Guoguo had already darted into the forest and was running frantically forward.
In a flash, he disappeared into the woods.
"Ah! Guoguo! Don’t run around! The forest is too dense here!" Bai Zhi’er called out in surprise with her little voice.
However, the boy didn’t even turn his head.
Feng Fuce squinted slightly and instructed the Xiu Luo Envoys, "Chase him and break his leg."
Bai Zhi’er hurriedly waved her hands, "Don’t break it too much!"
Feng Fuce frowned and hesitated before saying, "Listen to the Princess."
Now it was the Xiu Luo Envoys who were confused.
Break his leg, but not too much—how should they do it?
They couldn’t afford to think, and saluted, "Yes!"
The Xiu Luo Envoys hurriedly scattered, rushing to catch him.