Shen Wei frowned slightly: "When did you find out?"

"Or is it that Father wants to sit in that position?" Shen Ci'an asked with a half-smile.

Shen Wei angrily retorted, "What nonsense are you talking about? I'm so annoyed with you right now!"

But the next second he felt really aggrieved and started cursing: "Chen Ce, you brat, don't let me catch him! Otherwise, even the law of the country can't protect him! He dares to leave me with such a huge mess, he's really going to make me furious!"

Shen Ci'an smiled but remained silent. After a moment, he continued, "I heard that my cousin went to see Consort Rong, and that Consort Rong is not dead."

Shen Wei was taken aback. Chasing after his wife?

Shen Ci'an continued, "If Father wants to teach my cousin a lesson, why don't we go find him ourselves? The capital is in such a mess and he's nowhere to be seen. It's uncertain whether he'll even return. We need to take the initiative!"

Upon hearing this, Shen Wei realized that there was indeed some truth to it.

"The State of Yan is so vast, where are we supposed to find him?"

"It's simple. Let's go find Uncle Ning. If we find Uncle Ning, we can find Consort Rong. Where Consort Rong is, my cousin is!"

Shen Wei slapped his thigh and immediately set off!

"Hey, by the way, where did they go?"

"Licheng".

Shen Ci'an smiled softly, lowered his head, and concealed all his thoughts.

...

After leaving the city that night, Ning Yao headed straight for the southwest.

This was the route she and Ning Wenyi had agreed upon, with their destination being Licheng, a thousand miles away.

According to Ning Wenyi, this was his last impression of the reclusive Ning family.

Meanwhile, things were not peaceful for Ning Wenyi and his group.

There were eight of them.

Ning Wenyi and his wife, Ning Jin and his wife, maids Zhilan, Zhimei, and Dongyue, and steward Ning Lang.

The other members of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion had been gradually dismissed half a year ago.

Ning Wenyi told them that he was going to resign and return to his hometown. He not only canceled their status as slaves, but also gave them a large severance package.

Being able to be freed from slavery was a tremendous good thing, and coupled with the high severance pay, many people readily agreed.

So much so that when it was time to leave the capital, only a few of them remained in the vast Zhenguo Duke's Mansion.

Zhilan is Ningyao's maid.

Zhi Mei was Madam Ning's maid.

Dongyue was Shen Cile's dowry maid.

Ning Lang is Ning Wenyi's housekeeper, whom he personally mentored.

These men were loyal and devoted, which is why they were given the opportunity to stay.

Of course, for safety's sake, Ning Wenyi still made them take the secret medicine.

Ning Wenyi had hidden the carriage outside the city beforehand, and to avoid attracting attention, he had also prepared some simple dry rations.

After Zhilan met up with them that day, the group left the capital city via a small path leading out of the city.

We traveled at a leisurely pace, stopping frequently, and it took us three days to reach the prefecture closest to the capital.

However, they couldn't get into the city; it was completely blocked by refugees.

Looking at those ragged, emaciated people, Ning Wenyi felt both heartache and lingering fear.

For the past three days, they have been taking only back roads and have avoided the main roads.

When they first left the capital, they tried to travel by official road, but the sight of people starving everywhere made them give up on the idea.

Shen Cile was so frightened by the sight of starving refugees grabbing and eating their dead compatriots that he couldn't eat for several days and became extremely haggard.

"Lele, have a couple more sips. It's not good for you to not be able to eat anything," Madam Ning said with a worried expression.

Shen Cile really couldn't eat. After forcing herself to drink two mouthfuls of thin porridge, she didn't want to eat anymore.

Ning Wenyi found a secluded spot in the mountains, stopped the carriage, and then used several dry branches to block the way before getting into the carriage.

They left the capital in winter, so they could hide in the carriage to avoid the cold wind.

"Come on over and squeeze in, Jin'er, make room for your father!"

Ning Jin moved over a bit, and Ning Wenyi plopped down next to him.

Madam Ning quickly handed him the hot porridge: "Drink this quickly to warm yourself up, it's too cold outside!"

After a few mouthfuls of hot porridge, Ning Wenyi immediately felt much warmer in his cold and stiff body.

"The situation is special right now, so we can't use any of our cloaks and coats. We can only tough it out like this. Luckily, Yao Yao made us practice martial arts for over a year, otherwise my old bones really wouldn't be able to take it! Only Lele is a little weaker. She should stay in the car with your mother and try not to get out and move around. Jin'er and I can drive!"

Madam Ning continued Ning Wenyi's words: "Your father is right. Things are different now. There are refugees everywhere. Seeing this chaotic world, I realize how good it was that we were born into wealth. I've lived most of my life, and this is the first time I've seen such a tragic scene!"

Hearing this, Shen Cile's eyes reddened, and she said worriedly, "I wonder how Father and Brother are doing. The capital has fallen, I hope they are safe and sound."

At this point, Ning Wenyi became somewhat angry: "I already told them to leave with us. The situation in the capital is not something he can handle alone, but he just wouldn't listen to advice. He's such a stubborn mule!"

Shen Ciyue remained silent. In her opinion, nothing was more important than the safety of her family, so her father-in-law was right.

Ning Jin gently pulled Shen Cile to lean on his shoulder and said, "His Majesty is missing, and my father-in-law is a prince. He can't just abandon the country. He's in a dilemma!"

The choice between the nation and the family has always been a difficult one throughout history.

Not to mention Prince Duan, who has royal blood.

Ning Wenyi grunted twice and then fell silent.

"Alright, you two should rest for a while. Let's leave this place as soon as possible," Madam Ning said.

Ning Wenyi and Ning Jin closed their eyes and began to rest.

In another carriage sat four people: Zhilan, Zhimei, Dongyue, and Ninglang.

The carriage was spacious and had many thick blankets laid out, so it wasn't cold.

Zhilan took out a small charcoal stove and placed it in the middle of everyone.

The other three looked on with curiosity.

Ning Wenyi had told them about the storage space as early as when they chose to take the secret medicine.

Besides broadening my horizons, I felt mostly envious.

Dongyue looked at Zhilan with longing eyes: "Sister Zhilan, the Third Miss is so good to you, she has given you such a treasure."

Zhilan knew she was referring to storage space, but she smiled and remained silent.

In the past, she would have praised him to the skies.

Zhi Mei patted Dong Yue on the shoulder: "As long as you perform well, the Third Miss said everyone will get a share!"

Dongyue nodded vigorously, then moved her hand closer to the charcoal stove.

Ning Lang listened quietly to their conversation from beginning to end without interrupting.

Zhilan looked at him and said, "Brother Ninglang, you should rest for a while. The journey ahead will be arduous, and we will need your help."

Ning Lang was suddenly called out and looked up at Zhi Lan.

The woman's earnest expression caught his eye.

"Yes! Don't worry, Miss Zhilan!"

Zhilan continued, "Starting tomorrow, you and I will take turns driving the carriage. I have spent more time with Miss and my skills are better than yours. Although it is cold today, it will not be a big problem for me."