Qiao Zhao first went to find Xie Shengxiao.

Upon hearing they would return to Jia Feng, Xie Shengxiao immediately refused: “Since I’ve come out, I never planned to go back now. Previously, I lacked experience and carelessly fell into villains’ hands, but that won’t happen again.”

“What are Miss Xie’s plans then?”

Although Xie Shengxiao was skilled in martial arts, this coastal area was full of wolves and tigers. Wandering alone would be far too dangerous.

“I originally wanted to kill more Japanese pirates, but after meeting those girls, I learned that the rampant Japanese pirates along the coast couldn’t exist without those corrupt officials’ contributions. Miss Li, I want to go to Fudong with you all and contribute what little I can.”

Seeing Qiao Zhao’s hesitant expression, Xie Shengxiao smiled freely: “Of course, if you find it inconvenient, I won’t go. I’ll continue staying here to kill Japanese pirates. But making me return to Jia Feng is impossible.”

Qiao Zhao thought for a moment: “Let me ask the other girls’ intentions first, then we’ll go ask General Shao together.”

Compared to Xie Shengxiao killing Japanese pirates alone here, she’d rather Xie Shengxiao accompany them to Fudong. But the Fudong mission was of great importance. Shao Mingyuan had been a commander for many years and had a far superior strategic vision than hers, so she naturally needed to seek his opinion.

“Come on, I’ll accompany you to see them.” Xie Shengxiao volunteered.

“That would be best. They’re closer to Miss Xie.”

People who had suffered together would naturally be closer.

The two first went to where several women were housed.

Upon hearing Qiao Zhao explain their intentions, the women couldn’t help but look at each other.

Xie Shengxiao comforted them: “Don’t be afraid. Say whatever you’re thinking, and Miss Li and the others will try their best to arrange things for us.”

Seeing everyone still reluctant to speak, Xie Shengxiao said to one woman: “Wu Niang, isn’t your home not far from here? Do you want us to send you home?”

The woman called “Wu Niang” immediately changed expression and shook her head in terror: “I don’t want to go back!”

After her intense refusal, she timidly glanced at Qiao Zhao and tearfully explained: “My family originally ran a cloth shop in the county, and our circumstances were decent. But then Japanese pirates came again and again, each time completely looting the cloth shop. Finally, the shop couldn’t continue operating, so our whole family moved back to town. We thought that even if life was harder, as long as people were safe, that would be good, but who knew—”

The woman raised her sleeve to wipe her tears: “Who knew the officials would force townspeople to regularly hand over young women, and finally it was our family’s turn. I’m a concubine’s daughter, so my father handed me over without hesitation. Miss Li, please don’t send me back. If you send me back, you’d just be sending me to the Japanese pirates’ den a second time.”

After speaking, she suddenly knelt and kowtowed to Qiao Zhao: “Please don’t send me back, I beg you—”

Although Qiao Zhao found it hard that these women knelt at every turn, she could understand their feelings.

Ordinary weak women who had escaped death after falling into Japanese pirates’ hands had become frightened birds. Their former pride and self-importance had completely disappeared. Grasping at a lifeline, they would do anything.

Qiao Zhao helped the woman up and said calmly, “I came here to ask everyone’s opinions. I’m not saying we must send you home.”

The women breathed sighs of relief. Someone carefully asked: “Miss Li, may I follow you? I know cooking, needlework, watering flowers, and sweeping—I can do anything.”

“Follow me?” Qiao Zhao was somewhat surprised.

The woman quickly nodded: “Yes, I hope you can take me in as a maid. As long as I have a place to stay, I’ll do whatever you ask.”

“You’re all daughters of good families—”

The woman smiled bitterly: “In these times, what does it matter if we’re daughters of good families? As long as we can live like human beings, being slaves or maids is a hundred times better than being good family daughters given to Japanese pirates.”

“Yes, Miss Li, please take us in. We truly have nowhere to go.” The women all pleaded.

Qiao Zhao pondered for a while: “If you’re willing to follow me, then you’ll have to go to the capital. The capital is very far from here. Once you go there, you probably won’t have a chance to return in this lifetime.”

The women were slightly stunned but quickly reacted: “We’re willing to go to the capital.”

The capital—that was a place without Japanese pirates.

“In that case, settle down here peacefully. We’ll be leaving soon.”

The Li family couldn’t support so many people, but the General’s residence was large and could certainly afford a few maids.

Thinking this, Qiao Zhao looked at a woman who hadn’t spoken: “Does this young lady have different thoughts?”

“I, I still want to go home.” The woman hesitated before speaking: “My family had no choice—they were forced by those people to drag me away. My mother cried until her eyes went blind. I’m worried about them and don’t know how they’re doing—”

By the end, the woman was sobbing uncontrollably.

“Where does the young lady live?”

“My home is in White Fish Town.”

Qiao Zhao thought briefly: “Very well. When the ship reaches Haimen Ferry, I’ll find two people to escort you home.”

With arrangements made for the women’s destinations, Qiao Zhao went to see the Zhen Niang sisters.

Xie Shengxiao stood at the door: “They can’t see men’s clothing, so I won’t go in. I’ll go ask the Marquis Guanjun for his opinion first.”

Qiao Zhao nodded and gently knocked: “Sister Zhen Niang, may I come in?”

After a moment, the door opened. Zhen Niang stood there looking frail: “Come in.”

Qiao Zhao got straight to the point: “I’ve already told them about your honored father’s situation. We’ve decided to send part of our group to secretly infiltrate Fudong and rescue your honored father.”

“Really?” Zhen Niang was overjoyed and grasped Qiao Zhao’s hand: “Then I’ll go with you!”

“Sister Zhen Niang should follow our other people to a safe place first and wait patiently.”

“How can that work? I must go with you. You haven’t seen my parents and family, nor have you been to Fudong. Going there like this, you’ll be completely in the dark.” Zhen Niang said urgently.

Qiao Zhao smiled: “You just need to describe your honored father and others’ appearances, as well as the place where your honored father is under house arrest.”

“But—”

“Xing Wuyang covers the sky with one hand in Fudong. We don’t plan to confront him directly. This infiltration to rescue people emphasizes quick, decisive action, preferably getting your honored father out of Fudong before he can react. So the fewer people, the better.”

Zhen Niang listened in a daze and stopped speaking.

Qiao Zhao sighed: “Moreover, there’s something I must tell you, because the longer this matter drags on, the more troublesome it becomes.”

“What is it?”

“Jing Niang is with child.”

“What?” Zhen Niang’s face changed dramatically.

Qiao Zhao said steadily, “I discovered it when taking her pulse earlier. Given her physical condition, whether she wants to keep this child or not, it cannot be kept.”

“Of course it can’t be kept!” Zhen Niang harshly interrupted Qiao Zhao.

Qiao Zhao gently patted Zhen Niang’s arm: “Her condition could lead to miscarriage at any time, which would more easily cause hemorrhaging. I’ll prepare a gentle medicinal soup for her shortly. With careful nursing afterward, there won’t be any problems. Sister Zhen Niang should stay and take good care of Jing Niang.”

“Alright, I’ll listen to you.”

After arranging these matters, Qiao Zhao hurried to Divine Physician Li’s place.

Upon hearing they planned to secretly infiltrate Fudong, Divine Physician Li’s expression grew serious: “There might be a problem with this.”