Houses scattered like stars in the sea of flowers gave the two fleeing officials an illusion of entering a paradise on earth for a moment.
Soon, villagers either working in the flower fields or busy in their yards curiously glanced over.
Zhao Douan drove the carriage and stopped outside a courtyard at the village entrance, got off the carriage, and heard the barking of dogs and the voice of a child calling for their mother from inside the gate.
Moments later, the gate opened, and a woman of about thirty years old curiously looked outside. Behind her was a six or seven-year-old little girl, hair styled in a child's bun, hiding behind the woman's legs, curiously peering with big eyes.
"Who are you looking for?" the woman asked in confusion.
