Fortunately, the attention of two men was not on her, they didn’t find anything unusual in her.

Bai Zhi continued to ask: “Uncle, I used to come here to drink tea and listen to the stories. I heard the gentleman on that stage say that Prince Xiao and Prince Jin are the most beloved sons of the emperor, but the seat of the crown prince is still empty. In the past, everyone thought that Prince Xiao will become the crown prince, but now that Prince Jin is back, will it change again?”

When the two men heard her words, their faces changed in color. They busily said: “Little girl, this kind of words can’t be discussed casually. Fortunately, we’re in the northwest, far away from the emperor. If you make such a statement in the capital, I’m afraid you won’t be able to walk around the next day.”

Bai Zhi dryly smiled: I’m curious, why can’t I talk about it?”

The man shook his head. “You don’t know, Prince Xiao is eccentric, and all his men are arrogant and rude. With the support of Prince Xiao, they don’t even bat an eye to do evil things in the capital. If you let them hear this, do you think they will not deal with you?”

Zhou Xiaofeng blurted out: “Such a person is qualified to be a crown prince?”

Bai Zhi sighed and said: “This is not a question of qualification or not. Once a person is born as a son of the emperor. Since birth, he has been qualified to be the crown prince. We, ordinary people, are not qualified to question his qualification.”

When the two men said one sentence after another, Bai Zhi couldn’t help but ask: “What kind of person is Prince Jin?”

Both men shook their heads: “I don’t know. The rumors about Prince Jin are mostly about how brave he was and how he won the victory. I’ve never heard of anything else.”

Bai Zhi remembered that Hu Feng said that he lived far away from the capital, most of his life. So it’s only normal that people in the capital don’t know much about him.

*

On the way back to the village, their carriage ran very slowly. The road was covered with snow just like when they came earlier, except there were already traces of wheels of their carriage.

In this kind of weather, people in the village hardly go out. They spend their days under the blankets at home until the cold weather warms up.

Back at home, Hu Changlin hurriedly handed over a bowl of soup to the three women that he prepared in advance. The three hugged each other, and slowly warmed their frozen bodies.

“How is it? Is there any letter?” Hu Changlin asked.

Bai Zhi shook her head: “None.” Seeing Hu Changlin’s face was disappointed, she busily said: “Although there is no letter, we have heard some news. Hu Feng is fine, Awu should have been with Hu Feng by now. Hu Feng is fine, so Awu must be fine. Everything is well.”

Hu Changlin was relieved, and so a smile appeared immediately on his face: “If they alright, then it’s fine.”

At this time, knocks came from outside the gate. Zhou Xiaofeng hurriedly to open the door. He saw it was Mrs. Zhang and Bai Erzhu: “Do you need something?” Zhou Xiaofeng asked.

Mrs. Zhang’s smiled awkwardly and nodded: “We have something to ask Zhi’er. Is she here?”

Zhou Xiaofeng looked back at Bai Zhi in the house. Only when he saw her nodded her head he let the two come in.

Zhou Xiaofeng really hates people like the Bai family. Although Mrs. Zhang and Bai Erzhu were a little different, they will always be the Bai family, and so he still hates them.

“What’s the matter?” Bai Zhi pointed her finger to the empty seat beside the charcoal stove and motioned them to sit down and warm themselves.

The two were cold, so when they saw a fire, they quickly reached out their hands to warm themselves.

Mrs. Zhang then said to Bai Zhi: “Zhi’er, we came to buy some grains from you.”

Bai Zhi raised an eyebrow: “Didn’t you just bought a few days ago? How come you finish them all too soon?” Last time, when they bought grains, it was enough for the four of them to spend it the whole winter.