The Marquis and Xu Rao returned quickly. Seeing that Zhang Zhaoci and Xu Di were both there, the Marquis sat down opposite the old lady, picked up the teapot on the kang table, poured three cups of tea and drank them down before finally letting out a sigh of relief.

After the Marquis finished his tea, the old lady said, "I just told Zhaoci that we should start packing as soon as it gets light, and head to the city early the day after tomorrow."

The Marquis nodded and said, "Mother's arrangement is quite good. There are still many things to do in the manor after we return, so it's best to go back as soon as possible."

The old lady nodded and said, "The Emperor's intention is that no one else should know about Consort Zhu's matter. It's enough that only we in our family know. After we go back, we should give Consort Zhu a proper send-off. She was a pitiful person."

The Marquis nodded, and the old lady looked at Xu Rao and Zhang Zhaoci standing in front of her and said, "Rao'er, the one I feel most sorry for in this matter is you. From now on, you will still be known as the illegitimate son of our Xu family."

Xu Rao smiled and said, "Grandmother, it's nothing. I think it's fine this way."

The old lady sighed and didn't continue the conversation. She said to Zhang Zhaoci, "Zhaoci, after you go back, send the Zhang family's children to the old Zhang family residence. People have already been arranged there to teach the children to read and practice martial arts. Also, your parents will be able to return to the capital soon, and the Zhang family will stay in the capital and live a good life there."

Zhang Zhaoci was overjoyed to hear this. This was a great gift from the Emperor to the Zhang family. You must know that the Zhang family had offended no ordinary people back then. The fact that the old lady said she was coming back meant that the matter had been settled.

Zhang Zhaoci was delighted and bowed to the old lady. The old lady smiled and said, "Go back and rest quickly. Get up early tomorrow morning to pack your things, and we'll head back first thing the day after tomorrow."

Zhang Zhaoci returned with a smile, but Xu Di frowned. Zhang Zhaoci said, "This is great news! Your uncle and the others have worked so hard for so many years, just to protect themselves and return to the capital. Now that wish has come true, why do you have such an expression?"

Xu Di said, "My great-grandfather offended no ordinary person back then, and as far as I know, that person is still a high-ranking prince. Are you going to let my grandfather's family off so easily?"

Zhang Zhaoci said, "What can they do if we don't let them go? The Emperor has been on the throne for so many years. This country, while not exactly peaceful and prosperous, is at least relatively peaceful and prosperous. Even if those people have some ideas, what can they really do to your grandfather and the others? What they valued back then was your great-grandfather's medical skills, nothing else. Now that your great-grandfather is gone, everyone knows that our Zhang family's medical skills have been lost. Even if they are resentful, what can they do?"

Xu Di said, "What I fear most is that it's easy to dodge a spear in the open but hard to guard against an arrow in the dark."

Zhang Zhaoci said, "Since the top leader has spoken, what do you have to worry about? Go and tell your younger brothers that they can practice martial arts and calligraphy in the backyard of the Zhang family from now on. Since they dared to let us go back, it means that everything has been settled. What are you afraid of?"

Xu Di said, "Alright, I'll tell my brothers right away. This arrangement is the best. It's really inconvenient for my brothers to stay here when they come back to the Marquis's residence with us."

After Zhang Zhaoci left with Xu Di, the old lady said to Xu Rao, "What I mean is, you and your father should go back first when it's light. Go to Aunt Zhu's courtyard and see her. The Emperor's intention is very clear: he wants Aunt Zhu dead. Aunt Zhu has been causing trouble for so many years. It's already not easy that she was able to keep Shao'er safe."

The Marquis said, "Mother, I'm going with Rao'er. Should we tell Madam Wu about this?"

The old lady said, "What are you going to tell her? Wei'er and her husband don't want them to know, so what's the point of letting Wu Shi know? All these years, can't she see that Rao'er and her brother, the third-ranked scholar, look exactly alike? Since she's confused, let her stay confused."

The Marquis seemed to want to say something, but after thinking for a moment, he didn't speak. He simply led Xu Rao to bow to the old lady before quietly retreating.

The old lady finally relaxed, but she looked much less energetic. Granny Shen quickly went to get her some medicine, but the old lady waved her hand and said, "No need, I'm just too tired. I'll be fine after a good night's sleep. There are still many things to do in our family. I can't afford to collapse now. I still have to protect the children from the wind and rain."

Granny Shen quickly helped the old lady to bed, lit some sweet incense to help her sleep, and drew the curtain in front of the kang (a heated brick bed) before leaving the old lady's bedroom.

Xu Rao returned to Zhang Zhaoci's courtyard, where Zhang Zhaoci had already prepared her sleeping area. Xu Rao said, "I'll take a nap first. As soon as it's light, I'll go back to the mansion with my father. I reckon I'll have to deal with Aunt Zhu as soon as I get back."

Zhang Zhaoci sighed and said, "There's always a reason why someone is pitiful. This Aunt Zhu is venting her resentment on innocent people."

Xu Rao said, "These things can't be said to be right or wrong. They were just insignificant little things in the long river of history, but when they happen to a person, they become a disaster."

Zhang Zhaoci nodded and said, "A grain of sand in the era becomes a mountain on a person's head. I enjoy my life now, and I hope nothing else will happen."

Xu Rao said, "I have been working hard, and I hope that more people who share your wish can realize this seemingly simple wish."

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!