Chapter 1999: Lu Wu's Request

Chapter 1999: Lu Wu's Request

Lu Wu nodded, "Indeed, they were not originally settled girls. They were... " He paused for a moment, "Girls who initially wanted to return to their hometown. They thought they would be welcomed back home, but they were abandoned instead."

Shu Yu instantly understood. Earlier, when they entered the black market, many people had been abducted.

Some of them came from relatively good backgrounds, and some had loving families. Therefore, after leaving the black market, these girls still wanted to return home. However, they didn't expect to be rejected by their families due to their tarnished reputation.

Shu Yu wasn't very clear about these matters, but Lu Wu told her that out of all those girls, only two were allowed to stay with their families. The others were either forced to become nuns or pressured into ending their own lives to preserve their family's reputation. What they once thought of as favor and affection from their families now seemed like a dream.

Now that their dream had been shattered, these girls had given up hope.

The girls who had struggled in the black market had fought their way out and survived. How could they possibly go back to their old lives and die like that again?

So, these girls had reunited and left their hometown together. They had chosen the southwest because it was far from their homes, and the region was a place of exile where people of various backgrounds and experiences resided. In the southwest, they wouldn't stand out as much.

The people who had originally arranged for them to return home were arranged by Xia Yian. Xia Yian probably anticipated this situation and instructed that if these girls wanted to leave, they could be helped to settle elsewhere.

These girls had special circumstances, and with the special permission from the court, the local authorities wouldn't pose a problem.

Lu Wu explained, "Among these girls, two of them have a good relationship with our family's Qiao Rou. They wrote a letter a few days ago, explaining the situation. Qiao Rou knew that County Princess had spent some time in the southwest and thought that you might know some people there. If possible, they would like you to look out for them."

They had no background in the southwest, and although these girls had settled with household registrations, it might not be easy for them to make a living.

Shu Yu understood. She nodded and asked, "Which city or county in the southwest did those girls go to, and what are their names?"

Lu Wu replied, "They went to Qingxuan County, which is under the jurisdiction of Linzhang Prefecture. As for their names, I only know two: one is named He Fang, and the other is Kang Shuxian."

Qingxuan County?
Shu Yu knew that place. It was right next to Heichang County, where she had been exiled. To be precise, Zhengdao Village was even closer to Qingxuan County.

Both places were relatively impoverished counties. These girls had traveled quite a distance.

But as Lu Wu had mentioned, the southwest was a place with a mixed population due to its status as an exile destination. While it had its advantages, the punishments for crimes were also harsh.

These girls had their reasons for choosing that place.

Shu Yu agreed, "Alright, I've noted down the names. I'll write a letter to have someone check on them in Qingxuan County."

Lu Wu sighed in relief. "Thank you, County Princess. I'll go back and share this good news with my wife."

While they were talking, Meng Yunzheng had returned. Shu Yu nodded to Lu Wu, and the two of them got into the carriage, slowly heading towards the city gate.