As the old lady reminisced about events from years past, she slowly spoke to Chen Zhaoci. Chen Zhaoci listened attentively, trying to glean from the old lady's words who this current strategist was, but after listening for a long time, she still couldn't grasp the point.

After chatting with the old lady for a morning, having lunch in her room, and helping her to bed, Chen Zhaoci returned to his own courtyard.

Taking advantage of the good weather, Chen Zhaoci, along with Bai Wei and Bai Mi, gathered up the medicinal herbs drying in the yard and began processing them. Chen Zhaoci felt quite heavy-hearted, unsure of what would happen next.

When Xu Rao returned in the evening, he looked unwell. He told Chen Zhaoci, "Today, His Majesty summoned the Third Prince to the palace and said that he had taken him into custody. The First Prince and the Second Prince were also ordered to stay in their residences and reflect on their actions."

Chen Zhaoci's heart skipped a beat, and he asked nervously, "Is His Majesty preparing to take action?"

Xu Rao shook his head and said, "It's hard to say. Today's events were too sudden. We were waiting for the Third Prince to make a move in secret, but who knew that His Majesty would arrest him so easily. This shows that His Majesty must have some kind of leverage over the Third Prince, but what exactly is it?"

Thinking of the Third Prince's maternal family, the Wan family, Chen Zhaoci asked, "What about the Wan family? What's their situation now?"

Xu Rao looked puzzled and said, "That's what's strange. Lord Wan attended court as usual today. He even submitted a memorial to the Emperor this morning, discussing some official matters of the Ministry of Personnel."

Chen Zhaoci was also completely baffled. The Wan family and the Third Prince were one entity. There was no reason why the Wan family could remain unscathed if the Third Prince arrested them.

Xu Rao shook his head and said, "It's really hard to guess what the emperor is thinking. Let's not speculate."

Chen Zhaoci recounted what happened at the old lady's place that morning. Xu Rao sighed slightly and said, "That was all decades ago. It's just the same people. Once Xu Di comes back, everything will be clear. Don't trouble your grandmother any further. At her age, it's not good for her to worry so much."

Upon hearing this, Chen Zhaoci scolded, "Are you a doctor and I am a doctor? Grandmother is getting old, so she should use her brain more often. It's good to use your brain more when you're young, and it's good to use your brain more when you get old. Alright, alright, I know what I'm doing. Let's count the days, Xu Di should be halfway there by now, right?"

Xu Rao calculated the distance and said, "If we ride at full speed, we should be halfway there by now. I wonder if Xu Di made arrangements for Yuexi and her two children before he left, as well as Granny Lu, the old and the young."

Chen Zhaoci said, "We still have Xu Zhi, so let's not think too much about it. Let's just hope Xu Di comes back soon."

In the middle of the night, Chen Zhaoci was awakened by shouts coming from afar. He sat up and found that Xu Rao had already gotten up and was getting dressed in the dark.

Chen Zhaoci asked him anxiously, "What happened?"

Xu Rao said softly, "I don't know either. I'll go to the front yard to take a look. You get up, get dressed, and go to the old lady's courtyard."

Upon hearing this, Chen Zhaoci quickly agreed. Outside, Bai Wei had already lit the lamps and came over with a pale face.

Chen Zhaoci quickly put on his clothes and said to Bai Wei, "You and Bai Mi take all the pills we made and go to the old lady's courtyard."

Bai Wei agreed and hurried outside. Xu Rao had already dressed. He walked to the door, thought for a moment, then turned back and took out a scabbard from a hidden compartment in the wardrobe. He pulled it out, looked at the gleaming blade, and stuffed it, scabbard and all, into his boot.

Chen Zhaoci looked at Xu Rao in fear. Xu Rao comforted her, saying, "Don't be afraid. I'm carrying this for self-defense. There are quite a few guards in our mansion. Ordinary thieves will definitely not return alive."

Chen Zhaoci said weakly, "I'm afraid it's not just any ordinary scoundrel coming. Alright, hurry up and go to the front yard. I'll take all the pills and external medicines I've made recently to Grandmother's place. If any of you need them, just go to the old lady's courtyard to find me."

We went to the old lady's courtyard because it was located behind the main courtyard, very close to the front courtyard, and also close to the stables. There was a gate at the stables where we could drive the carriage directly to the street.

Bai Wei and Bai Mi carried bundles, medicine boxes, and emergency bandage kits specially made for them by Chen Zhaoci. Chen Zhaoci took the things from the two of them, picked up a lantern, turned off the lights in the room, and then went to the old lady's courtyard.

The old lady was already dressed and sitting in the room. At this time, probably no one was in the mood to continue sleeping. Chen Zhaoci looked at the time and it was about four or five in the morning, which was the time when people were in the deepest sleep.

When the old lady saw Chen Zhaoci coming over, she beckoned him to sit down in front of her. Chen Zhaoci said, "I don't know what happened."

The old lady said nonchalantly, "It's just that little thing anyway. Zhaoci, are you hungry? I've already asked the kitchen to make chicken noodle soup. You can have a bowl with me later."

Chen Zhaoci wasn't hungry at first, but for some reason, after hearing what the old lady said, she suddenly felt an emptiness in her stomach. She nodded and said, "That would be perfect, Grandmother. I remember the cook in your small kitchen makes some really good pickled vegetables. Would you mind having her cut a few for me?"

The old lady smiled and said, "That's good, of course. Your sister-in-law will be here soon, let's wait for her to arrive and eat together."

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