Chen Zhaoci was unwilling to go. She and Madam Wu had never gotten along. This nominal stepmother had always disliked her, and she consciously avoided making trouble for her stepmother. Most importantly, she did not want to leave the capital or the Yongning Marquis's residence. Xu Rao was still there, and the old lady was still there. If something happened to these two people, her own family member with superb medical skills would be gone, which would be her lifelong regret.

The people of the Yongning Marquis's mansion, escorted by the fourth and fifth masters who did not hold official positions and the second master Xu Hua who was waiting for the results of the imperial examination, went to the manor on the outskirts of the capital in a grand procession. Only a few men remained at home. The Marquis invited his younger brother, son, and nephew to the study in the front courtyard and repeatedly instructed them not to go out unless necessary in the next few days, and even if they did go out, they must bring a full complement of guards.

The prince was somewhat alarmed, but seeing Xu Rao's calm demeanor, he did not show any fear. Xu Pu held a position in the Ministry of Works, which was not an important one. The most conspicuous people at the moment were Xu Rao and Marquis Yongping.

Xu Rao returned to his courtyard, and Chen Zhaoci quickly helped him wash up. The couple sat on the kang (a heated brick bed), and Chen Zhaoci asked in a low voice, "Old Xu, is it really time for a direct confrontation this time?"

Xu Rao shook his head and said, "I don't know. I've read Xu Di's letter to the Marquis. He now suspects that the advisor surnamed Su who accompanied the Fifth Prince of the Northern Barbarians is the current military advisor to the Marshal of the Great Yan. Moreover, Xu Di said that Lin Zhen told him that Lin Zhen had seen this person at Shili Post Station on the outskirts of the capital, but at that time he was accompanied by a servant of the Third Prince. This time, the Third Prince should not be able to escape."

Upon hearing this, Chen Zhaoci bit her lip and asked Xu Rao, "Did the Marquis order his family to evacuate outside the city because he was afraid the Third Prince would act rashly?"

Xu Rao nodded and said, "That should be the case. The situation in the court is not very stable right now. His Majesty's health has not been very good since the beginning of spring. I'm afraid the Third Prince will take the opportunity to cause trouble."

After a long pause, Chen Zhaoci said, "Luckily, Xu Di and the others aren't here."

After spending the New Year in the capital, Xu Bai was taken away by Wu Muyue. This time, they were going to Liaodong, and it was said that they planned to stay in Liaodong until after the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Xu Rao shook his head and said, "His Majesty has already sent people to bring Xu Di to the capital. This whole affair was discovered by Xu Di himself. His Majesty must bring Xu Di back and get to the bottom of this."

Chen Zhaoci sat up straight immediately and said anxiously, "Why is he doing this? Everyone else is rushing to the capital and out of the city right now, but he insists on making our child come back from outside. Isn't he making our child jump into a fire pit?"

Xu Rao smiled and said reassuringly, "What hell? Aren't we still here? I think I understand now. Our son has never let go of this matter all these years. Don't you know what's on his mind? When we first came here, he made a vow to ensure that all the people in the world could grow good crops and have enough to eat. He truly wants to protect these people. Now that someone is trying to cause trouble and drag these innocent people into the torrent of war, do you think he would agree to that?"

Chen Zhaoci sighed as she recalled the efforts Xu Di had made when they first arrived in Hexi. She said, "That kid is just stubborn. He's been like that since he was little. If he wants to do something, he'll do it no matter what."

Xu Rao sighed softly and said, "That's right. It's because of this stubbornness and his tendency to take things seriously that this child has achieved so much. But what he has done really makes me, as his father, very proud."

Chen Zhaoci was very pleased that his child could make contributions to the country and the people, but thinking about the current situation in the capital, and the fact that he had to come back at this time, he felt a little more worried.

Xu Rao looked at the glass lampshade on the kang table, patted Chen Zhaoci's hand, and said, "You don't need to worry. Children and grandchildren have their own blessings. Our child won't easily try something unless he's absolutely sure. Alright, it's getting late, let's go to sleep. We don't know what we'll have to deal with tomorrow."

After having breakfast, Chen Zhaoci went to the old lady's courtyard. The old lady was still eating breakfast. When she saw Chen Zhaoci coming, she asked her head maid to add more bowls and chopsticks for her. Chen Zhaoci quickly stopped her and said, "Grandmother, I have already eaten. Please don't bother."

The old lady finished her bowl of rice porridge, put down her chopsticks, wiped her mouth, and said, "You came so early in the morning, is there something you need?"

Chen Zhaoci glanced at the maids who were still clearing away the dishes. The old lady waved her hand, and the maids quickly cleared away the dishes on the kang table and then closed the door to the room.

Chen Zhaoci picked up the purple clay teapot in the corner, poured in hot water, brewed a large pot of herbal tea, poured a bowl for the old lady, and poured one for herself. Then she sat on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed) and said, "Grandmother, I came here to ask you some questions about the late Crown Prince."

Upon hearing this, the old lady paused slightly, then, as if remembering something, nodded and asked, "Is Xu Di coming back?"

Chen Zhaoci nodded and said, "Yes, my son is really going to cause a huge mess."

The old lady gently shook her head and said, "That's because our children are capable. Some people want to make a hole in the sky but don't have the ability. I heard from the Marquis yesterday that, to be honest, our Marquis's mansion was already deeply involved. It's just that you and Xu Rao were lucky and didn't fall into their trap, thus escaping with your lives. Back then, those people were after your lives."

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