"I've never had the taste of a noblewoman in my life."
"Raised in the boudoir all day, their figures and skin are so tender that you could squeeze water out of them."
As they spoke, two filthy hands excitedly reached out. Ye Zhinan warily took a step back. "We are all daughters of noble families. If we are insulted, aren't you afraid when my father resumes his official post in the future?"
In response, a stinky - sweating body pressed closer. The man roughly yanked open Ye Zhinan's collar with his big, calloused hand, showing his yellow teeth. "Sent to the northern border and still dreaming of returning to the capital? You're daydreaming!"
Another man grabbed her ankle and sneered sinisterly.
"Help!"
Seeing that the situation was out of control, Ye Zhinan quickly shouted at the top of her lungs.
But in this desolate wilderness, the cry for help was empty and faint.
The man felt a heavy weight on his shoulder. He turned around with a scowl and cursed, "Which bastard is ruining my good deed!"
The next second, two wails sounded in the corner. They covered their shoulders, their eyes wide - open. "Qin Yihuai, if you offend us, you won't be able to keep your job as a prison guard!"
"I'd rather lose it than let you defile an innocent woman."
Qin Yihuai's robe was neatly worn. The official guards of the exiled prisoners all wore the same official uniforms. While others looked rascally in them, he exuded an air of righteousness, elegance, and nobility.
Ye Zhinan covered the torn part in front of her. When she looked up, the man's well - defined side profile came into her sight, and her pupils flickered.
This face and bearing... so familiar...
The two official guards were thrown out by Qin Yihuai. A look of surprise flashed across Ye Zhinan's eyes. From their words, it seemed that this man took this job just for a living and was not a regular soldier.
"Aren't you afraid they'll make things difficult for you?" Ye Zhinan was a bit worried that she might implicate him.
Qin Yihuai threw his outer robe at her. "Not everyone is as muddle - headed as them. I'll wait for you outside."
The door closed again. Ye Zhinan held the still - warm outer robe and faintly heard an old woman's voice outside. Then the door opened a crack.
It was the person Qin Yihuai had found.
The old woman helped Ye Zhinan tidy up her things. As if sensing Ye Zhinan's doubts, she started talking on her own. "Ahuai is a good boy. He has a good relationship with the neighbors. Many noblewomen exiled here either died or got sick. It's not uncommon for such things to happen to them. Those who met Ahuai were all safe."
"By the way, girl, where are you from?"
Ye Zhinan came back to her senses and softly replied, "The Ye family from the capital."
"The Ye family? Is it Ye Shenyan, the Grand Tutor?"
Qin Yihuai was standing at the door somehow. Maybe he was getting impatient waiting.
Ye Zhinan nodded slightly. She keenly heard him sigh softly. "I was fortunate enough to read the Grand Tutor's draft before. I never thought... It's really a pity that such a bright jade is covered in dust."
He was just a rustic villager, but his speech was full of the elegance of a scholar. His rare and outstanding appearance was hard to look away from. She couldn't help but take notice of him.
To prevent those official guards from coming back and causing trouble, Qin Yihuai personally escorted her back to the thatched cottage. The mountain road was winding and rough. She thought she would hear some local strange stories from Qin Yihuai, but unexpectedly, it was silent all the way.
On the bumpy ox - cart, the man sat upright, carefully flipping through the pages of a book.
Ye Zhinan touched her nose. If she hadn't seen it with her own eyes, she would have thought the phrase "addicted to books" was an exaggeration.
"Although our family has fallen into decline since being exiled here, my father has always told me that we should repay a life - saving grace handsomely. You can tell me your wish."
"No need. I just act according to my conscience."
Qin Yihuai replied indifferently, with no desire in his eyes.
But Ye Zhinan was determined to give him a reward. She suggested, "Since you like books and my father brought a lot of them, come with me and have a look. If you take a fancy to any, just take it."
It was really speechless. When Ye Shenyan set off on the exile journey, he didn't bring any food or money, but dragged two big boxes of books instead, which made her and her mother very angry.
"Really?"
There was a glint of excitement in Qin Yihuai's eyes, which was very different from his previous indifference.
Ye Zhinan couldn't help but be shocked. It turned out that there was someone in the world who was even more addicted to books than her father.
When leaving the wood - shed, Ye Zhinan secretly took some food from their supplies, which could barely last her family for a while.
"Good for you, Ye Zhinan! You dare to steal and hide food! Your father always claims to be an honest official. It's all just for show!"
Wei Shiqi had just returned from the supply point. She knew how difficult those official guards were. She had returned empty - handed without getting any food.
When she saw Ye Zhinan coming back with something, her eyes were like two burning flames, staring straight at Ye Zhinan's hands.
If she went back empty - handed, those dozen or so concubines in the shabby house would tear her apart.
Wei Shiqi took a small step forward, thinking of snatching it. Suddenly, a tall figure blocked in front of Ye Zhinan. When Wei Shiqi looked up, her sharp eyes instantly softened.
This man was more imposing than any noble son she had seen in the capital!
Qin Yihuai said in a deep voice, "The rations for everyone are recorded. If the guards don't give them, go and reason with them."
After saying that, he protected Ye Zhinan into the thatched cottage.
Wei Shiqi's face turned ugly. She didn't dare to reason with those rascally official guards at all. One wrong move and she would be at their mercy.
No, she must think of a way to get the food.
Wei Shiqi stared at Qin Yihuai's back, her eyes full of hidden schemes.
Back in the thatched cottage, Ye Zhinan's worried parents finally calmed down. After hearing what had happened, Ye's mother was still in a state of shock.
"If it weren't for this brave man, our Nannan might not have escaped this disaster." Ye's mother's eyes were slightly red. She looked at Qin Yihuai excitedly. Then she glared at Ye Shenyan. "Hurry up and get your books to thank our life - saving benefactor!"
But Ye Shenyan didn't show the excitement of meeting a bosom friend. He sized Qin Yihuai up and down. "You can take the books, but you have to pass my test. If you're a dull - witted person, it's just a waste of the books."
"Please set the question, Grand Tutor."
Ye Shenyan cleared his throat. "The phrase 'frog in a well' is often used to mock those with limited knowledge, but I don't think so. What about you?"
Qin Yihuai paused for a moment, and his fingertips on his hand moved. "I agree with the Grand Tutor's view. These people can't see the whole picture because they are in the middle of it. If they step out, they will have a broad view; if they can't, they can only see the sky in a well."
"Not bad. You're a very insightful young man."
Ye Shenyan stroked his beard and looked at him appreciatively. He waved his hand generously, indicating that he could choose the books at will.
Ye Zhinan was also surprised and took a few more glances at him. One should never judge a book by its cover.
Qin Yihuai just took a few classic books and held them in his arms as if he had found a treasure. He thanked Ye Shenyan repeatedly.
"Wait." Ye Zhinan called out to his departing figure.