The Chu family had generally developed immunity. Starting from Black Eagle Mountain Village, their lives became magical. Even the Imperial Concubine was taken in as a maid by Chu Jinjin, and she even got involved with the Emperor.
Even so, I was still shocked as if in a dream.
"Wait, Jinjin, are you saying that another prince from the Northern Desert has popped up wanting to marry you?" As her birth mother, Madam Liu knew quite a bit, including Zhan Qin's identity and the emperor's thoughts. Her eyes were glazed over. "You, you're not just destined to have many romantic encounters, you're cursed by a peach blossom demon!"
That's terrifying.
Even Chu Jingde, who had weathered many storms in his life, couldn't accept it, muttering, "The living dead, the emperor, the prince of the Northern Desert..."
His old brain simply couldn't keep up, so he could only recite them one by one.
Once they got used to it, everyone went crazy.
"Our house is surrounded now?"
"He's afraid we'll run away. What a heartless emperor! He repays kindness with enmity!"
"Why should Jinjin go? A dignified emperor, a man, should sacrifice a woman? Bah!"
"Girl, is Muwei handsome? How old is he?"
"........"
Chu Jinjin decisively shouted, "Stop! We'll talk about that later. Tonight's topic is—how to escape."
The crowd's anger subsided instantly, and they looked at each other in bewilderment, a sense of panic creeping in.
There couldn't be anything bigger than this in the world; compared to it, the Imperial Concubine's predicament seems insignificant.
Chu Jingde made a quick decision: "Zhan Qin, you and Jinjin first..."
His old eyes were resolute. He quickly issued orders in his capacity as the patriarch. There were experts watching outside, and it was impossible for the whole family to leave. As for himself, he didn't want to leave at all.
If anything were to happen, he only wanted to live and die with this house that held most of his life's legacy.
However, he couldn't finish his sentence. Unable to bear the gazes around him any longer, he turned around and said irritably, "You come along too."
Madam Liu nodded happily: "Your daughter-in-law thanks Father."
Anyone who didn't know better would think they were going on a picnic.
The somber atmosphere vanished instantly.
Madam Liu glanced cautiously at everyone, then coughed lightly, "No, I can't bear to part with Master. We'll go together."
Madam Wang said irritably, "Alright, just do what you're supposed to do. Go with Jinjin and leave first. The master can't walk in this condition."
"Everyone, stop talking and listen to me." Chu Jinjin slammed her hand on the table and said seriously, "First, during this period, no one is allowed to leave the house without my permission. Second, apart from us, do not let any servants know. Third, quietly pack up your valuables. Be very careful when you are packing so that no one can find out."
Most of the servants in the house can be trusted, but there are too many of them, so it's hard to say who has been bribed or threatened.
Everyone nodded solemnly.
Chu Jinjin was very satisfied and said softly, "One last thing, I won't leave on my own. I promise, we'll both be safe and sound."
Chu Jinjin already had a preliminary plan.
Given this situation, leaving is impossible. At the slightest sign of trouble, Xiao Huai might send troops to stop them, unless they can fly—and they really can fly.
As Jiedu mentioned last time, the hot air balloon project has been initially successful.
The family fell into a daze once again.
Hot air balloon?
Flying into the sky?
It's even more magical now.
But the current situation is how to notify Jiedu without alerting the undercover agents.
Chu Jinjin could not possibly leave; she could force her way out, and no one could stop her. But the problem was that people might think she was running away. As for the rest of her family, the situation was similar; as long as they left the capital, they would definitely be watched.
This matter was entrusted to Zhan Qin.
To be precise, it was handed over to Yuan Tianyou.
The next day, the Chu family seemed different from usual, but in reality, undercurrents were swirling.
Chu Yan went out to the shop as usual.
With chaos looming, they did what they could to salvage the situation, while the women stayed indoors, personally packing up their valuables.
Chu Jinjin certainly didn't have to do any work. Liu was busy running around, but she kept forgetting this and that.
Just as they were enjoying a rare moment of leisure, their eldest sister, Chu Lingling, arrived, seemingly wanting to say something but then stopping herself.
"Big sister, you've come at the right time. I was just about to look for you." Chu Jinjin patted the recliner, gesturing for her to sit down, and said, "Let's go pick up Chun'er today."
Chu Lingling's eyes immediately reddened: "Third sister, I... I've caused you trouble."
It was such a big family matter that she was embarrassed to bring it up, but as a mother, how could she let it go?
Originally, I thought I would take things slowly and wait for Xu Xun to figure things out, but now I have to leave the capital. I don't know if I will be able to come back, or what kind of terrifying zombies are there.
Chu Jinjin said gently, "We're family, there's no need for us to cause trouble."
Even though she was lying down, her mind was never idle; bringing her eldest nephew back was also part of her plan.
Xu Xun no longer stays at inns; he rents a small house and leaves his children with his mother.
The two sisters went after dinner, as Xu Xun was home at that time, given the importance of the matter.
The summer evening breeze was warm. Before they even arrived at their destination, Chu Lingling's eyes reddened, and she choked out, "Third Sister, what if he still won't release them?"
According to the law, the son belongs to the father; you can't just forcibly take him away.
Chu Jinjin snorted coldly: "Then I will go to the palace to request an imperial decree."
Chu Lingling: "......."
There's no need for that.
Chu Jinjin was not joking; no matter the situation, Xiao Huai would not refuse any of her requests.
What's wrong with bullying someone once?
The carriage left the main road, and the streets began to get crowded. It was a place that was like a slum, but it was in a good location and was popular with all sorts of people from all walks of life.
The ground was covered in sewage.
The coachman was heartbroken. Knowing that he was going to deal with his former son-in-law tonight, he had specially prepared his most beautiful white horse, which was now covered in mud.
One summer night, a middle-aged man came out upon hearing the sound of horses' hooves and asked casually, "Who are you looking for?"
In the dark, it was hard to find one's way around, so the coachman politely asked, "May I ask if Lord Xu Xun lives in the front?"
The man examined the carriage closely and exclaimed in shock, "You wouldn't happen to be from the Chu family, would you?"
Chu Jinjin was famous throughout the capital; almost everyone knew her. Naturally, her family affairs were thoroughly investigated, and when it was learned that one of her family members lived here, it immediately became a topic of private conversation.
"Who's in the carriage?" The middle-aged man peered into the carriage, afraid of being chased away, and coaxed, "Is he here to pick up Chun'er? I saw him this morning, going to the market with Granny Xu to buy groceries. Sigh, he came here all clean and tidy, but now he looks like a wild boy. It's the adults' fault, and the child suffers as a result."
Chu Lingling couldn't hold back any longer and yanked open the curtains: "You really saw Chun'er?"
The middle-aged man's eyes immediately lit up, and he said respectfully, "You must be Miss Chu. I often see Chun'er..."
Before he could finish speaking, a group of children came skipping and hopping from the other side of the alley. One of them shouted, "Xu Chun'er, if you run away again, I won't play with you anymore!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
