Chapter 1 The Xiao Family Was Raided
Qingshi Lane is bustling with activity. The once-powerful Xiao Shangshu family embezzled 800,000 yuan in disaster relief funds and was sentenced to have their property confiscated and exiled!
"Jia'en, my Jia'en is not even ten years old yet, you can't take him away." Aunt Xiao hugged her son tightly, crying.
The leader of the imperial guards held the list and said, "Xiao Jiaen, you are ten years and one month old. Take him away." As soon as the leader said this, the two guards next to him rushed over and took the crying Xiao Jiaen away.
"Jia'en." Second Aunt Xiao cried and stepped forward, but the cold spear was placed on her neck, and she trembled and dared not speak.
The leader of the Imperial Guards glanced at them coldly and shouted, "Everyone, keep an eye on me. If anyone dares to let anyone on the list escape, beware of losing their heads."
"yes."
The guards responded and arrested all males over the age of ten. They sealed the valuables and moved things away. They ignored the boxes of silver, precious antiques, calligraphy and paintings, and jewelry, as well as the crying of the women.
"Mother, Jiaen was captured. He's barely ten years old. How could he endure the hardships of exile?"
Second Aunt Xiao crawled into the Lanyue Courtyard, crying and complaining about the money that had been confiscated: "Mother, all the valuables in our yard have been moved away, even the gold hairpin in my hair is gone. How are we going to live in the future?"
"Mom, we won't die, will we?"
"Mother, where should we go after we leave Shengjing?"
“…”
"Search the warehouse for any hidden rooms. Take all the property!"
Outside, one could hear the sound of the Imperial Guards ransacking the house and moving things around. The valuable items were taken away, and the worthless tables and chairs were kicked over to the ground with clanging noises. The room was filled with panicked faces and the sound of crying.
Madam Xiao slammed the table hard, her skinny hands twirling the Buddhist beads quickly, and said, "Shut up." A sweet feeling rose in her throat, and she covered her mouth with a handkerchief and angrily scolded, "Look at you, you're so flustered over such a small matter."
"Mother, this is a confiscation of our property. Every male over ten years old will be exiled, and we can't even live in Shengjing. This is a terrible thing." Second Aunt Xiao cried the loudest, "I heard we're being exiled to a desolate land, where only one in ten will survive. And my Jia'en hasn't even gotten married yet. What should I do?"
The noisy sound was like a bee, ringing in her ears. Xiao Jiuyue opened her eyes while lying on the bed: Has she traveled through time?
The complicated memories played in her mind like a movie, as if she was experiencing the original owner's once smooth life.
Xiao Jiuyue, who has the same name and surname, is different from her who grew up as an orphan. Her grandfather was a veteran of two dynasties, and her father was the youngest Minister of Revenue.
Xiao Jiuyue is the daughter of the Shangshu Mansion. She was truly born with a silver spoon in her mouth. If it weren't for today's devastating disaster, she would have married the prince of the Yongchang Marquis Mansion at the end of the year and become the prince's consort, living a life of wealth and carefreeness.
When the house was searched, the guards acted like bandits. In order to protect her young brother, she blocked an arrow and died. Then she came.
"Mother, it was the first wife who embezzled the disaster relief funds. What does it have to do with our second wife? What right do they have to take Jiaen away!" Second Aunt Xiao's mind was full of her son who had just turned ten.
"No, Jia'en must not be exiled." Second Aunt Xiao suddenly rushed to the front of the eldest wife, Su, grabbed her hand and said, "This is all the eldest wife's fault. Otherwise, how could Jia'en be captured? I don't care, Jia'en must be rescued."
"Second brother's wife, I, I have no choice." Su's eyes were red. Ever since the incident at home, her eyes were swollen from crying.
"Jia'en is your nephew, he just turned ten years old. You can't just watch him die without helping him." Second Aunt Xiao grabbed Su tightly and looked at her crying, feeling disgusted in her heart. If she was the wife of a minister, she would definitely not be able to cry like her.
Second Aunt Xiao's eyes rolled, and she said, "You can ask the Yongchang Marquis' Mansion for help. Jiuyue is going to marry there soon, and the Marquis' Mansion will definitely be able to find a way!"
"Second sister-in-law, I know you're worried, but..." Su choked up, covering her face with her handkerchief and weeping, "After the incident, the Marquis' Mansion privately sent a message, wanting to cancel the engagement."
"No, if this engagement is called off, won't there be even less hope?" Second Aunt Xiao said excitedly, "The prince likes Jiuyue so much. Even if she can't be his wife, she can still be his concubine."
"You, you, you..." Su was so angry that she was shaking all over. She said in a trembling voice, "How can Yue'er be a concubine?"
"Why can't I be the wife anymore? Today's disaster was caused by the eldest wife. It's only natural that a daughter should pay for her father's debt!" Second Aunt Xiao said sarcastically.
"No, Yue'er will never be my concubine." Su's choked sobs revealed her determination. Her shaky body was suddenly grabbed by Second Aunt Xiao. Second Aunt Xiao looked at her and said excitedly: "If you can't bear to give up Jiuyue, then go and ask the Yongchang Marquis. I remember that the Yongchang Marquis is your childhood sweetheart, right?"
"Shut up!" Su used all her strength to break free from Second Aunt Xiao's hand. She staggered and fell to the ground. She was trembling with anger and looked at Second Aunt Xiao with red eyes.
Madam Xiao could no longer hold back the blood and energy churning in her throat and spurted out.
"Mother."
"grandmother."
Panicked voices rang out, and everyone rushed forward.
"Why are you panicking? I'm not going to die." Old Madam Xiao panted heavily and handed over a handkerchief embroidered with green bamboo and pink peach blossoms: "Grandma."
"Yu'er, are you awake?" Old Madam Xiao looked at Xiao Jiuyue who had woken up with surprise.
"My granddaughter is unfilial and has caused you, Grandmother, to worry." Xiao Jiuyue wiped the corners of Madam Xiao's lips bit by bit. The original owner's memories were gradually sorted out. She looked at Madam Xiao who was holding on and said, "Grandmother, you are tired. It's time to rest."
"I'm glad Yue'er is okay." Old Madam Xiao's eyes were red. Ever since the imperial edict of confiscating her property and exiling her was issued, everyone was asking her what to do. She was panicked and didn't know what to do. Only her granddaughter was worried that she was tired.
"Grandma, have a drink of water and take a rest." Xiao Jiuyue held the backrest for Old Madam Xiao to lean on, and handed her a cup of hot tea. She turned around and looked at the sobbing Second Aunt Xiao, saying, "Second Aunt, when my father was the Shangshu, didn't the Second Branch benefit from it?"
Second Aunt Xiao was speechless.
Xiao Jiuyue helped Su up. She was as weak as a willow in the wind. No wonder she had been cared for by the original owner's father for so many years.
She glanced coldly at Second Aunt Xiao: "If you enjoy wealth and glory, you must bear the consequences. Now that my father is in trouble, Second Aunt is so aggressive and disregards family affection. Are you trying to force my mother to death?"
Second Aunt Xiao looked up at Xiao Jiuyue. She didn't know why, but although her face was still bright and beautiful, she felt like she was facing her father today. She swallowed and said awkwardly, "I, I just want you to go to the Yongchang Marquis' Mansion and ask them to rescue Jiaen."
"In order to plead for Jia'en, we, mother and daughter, have to bow down and lower our status to become concubines, and sell our bodies and dignity? Are you worthy?" Xiao Jiuyue's lips curled up with a hint of sarcasm. When the Xiao family was prosperous, this second aunt always called her sister-in-law. When something happened, she would tell everyone everything. Did she want to force the beautiful mother to death?
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