According to his understanding, Zhan Qin wouldn't come in since the master wasn't there; he had no feelings for this family at all.
The servant watched the two walking hand in hand into the courtyard cautiously, and suddenly felt a chill run down his spine. He wondered if bringing Chu Jinjin along meant they were going to cause trouble.
He only breathed a long sigh of relief when Zhan Qin suddenly turned right.
On the right is where Zhan Qin lived as a child.
It was a small but very clean courtyard, with not a single weed on the ground, but it was deserted and seemed to have been uninhabited for many years, devoid of any human presence.
In the center of the yard stands a crooked persimmon tree, quite old, its branches laden with green fruit.
"This was planted by my mother. My maternal grandfather's family also had one. The persimmon cakes she made were delicious." Zhan Qin gently stroked the trunk of the persimmon tree. He had grown up long ago and could hide some of his emotions, but now, he was not alone. He had brought his wife with him.
Those memories quickly grew and sprouted in the familiar and warm space.
A son born out of wedlock is sometimes worse off than a servant. He knew his status and his mother's hardships from a very young age.
He couldn't bear to see his mother's tears when she was being bullied.
So he rarely went out. This persimmon tree, like a large and small umbrella, protected and accompanied him.
At night, he and his mother would watch the stars. In summer, there was lush greenery; in autumn, there was abundant fruit; and in winter, the persimmons left unpicked at the top of the tree were bright red, like little lanterns.
Chu Jinjin listened quietly.
The shadows of childhood are like a drizzling rain that spreads throughout one's entire life, but now, she's here for me.
Seemingly upon hearing this, Zhan Qin's gaze softened: "Jinjin, with you by my side, Mother can finally rest easy."
When he was little, the persimmon tree was an umbrella. His mother used her life to hold up an even bigger umbrella for him, leaving Yuan Tianyou to live in guilt.
But an umbrella alone is not enough.
Life needs sunshine even more.
"Mother, I will take good care of Zhan Qin from now on, I promise." Chu Jinjin may not be good at anything else, but she's definitely shameless. After speaking seriously to the persimmon tree, she suddenly remembered something, "By the way, how is so-and-so?"
She took the wicked first wife to Xiao Huai for judgment, but the final decision was still given to Yuan Tianyou.
It seems that Yuan Tianyou did not divorce his wife.
“Don’t worry about her. According to the current laws, she doesn’t deserve to die,” Zhan Qin said with a smile. “However, she is living a life worse than death right now.”
The fact that a noblewoman of high rank was dragged to the palace, along with the events of that year, had already spread among the powerful and wealthy.
The prime minister's wife is now too ashamed to face anyone; she won't even leave her courtyard, let alone go out.
Zhan Qin took Chu Jinjin's hand: "Let me show you around."
Out of guilt, the yard has remained exactly as it was for many years: the wooden bed, the dressing table, and a small rocking horse.
Chu Jinjin was very interested in the rocking horse and touched it several times.
“My maternal grandfather was a part-time carpenter. He made it by hand for the baby’s 100-day celebration. The cloth cover was embroidered by my mother.” Zhan Qin squatted down and said with a smile, “Jinjin seems to like it very much?”
Chu Jinjin nodded: "Can we take it with us?"
Perhaps it was because of the wish she made upon seeing a shooting star last night, or perhaps this rocking horse held some special significance; Chu Jinjin had a feeling she couldn't quite put her finger on.
Zhan Qin hesitated for a moment: "Won't it take up space?"
Chu Jinjin made a decisive decision: "How much space does it take up? If it's really too much, you can carry it on your back."
Zhan Qin finally realized something was wrong, his gaze fixed on her: "Jinjin, you, you're thinking of giving this to our future child?"
Chu Jinjin blushed immediately and gave a soft "hmm" in the softest voice.
Actually, I originally wanted to spit, but since we only have a few days left before we part ways, I'll just consider it a consolation.
Zhan Qin's eyes lit up for a moment, and he hugged her tightly, lowering his head to kiss her.
We didn't get to kiss.
Chu Jinjin pushed him away and looked outside the courtyard. Someone had arrived.
Yuan Tianyou didn't even change out of his court robes; he was in a hurry.
Chu Jinjin bowed and said calmly, "Greetings, Lord Yuan."
She won't change her attitude just because she needs to ask for help right away.
“Miss Jin Jin, there’s no need for such formalities.” Yuan Tianyou gestured with his hands to help her up. He glanced at the two of them, then at the rocking horse that had changed position, and suddenly smiled with satisfaction. After smiling, he sighed.
What he most wanted to see for the rest of his life was that Zhan Qin could be happy and safe.
But even if he risked his life, he couldn't save this happiness.
Chu Jinjin must stay!
Zhan Qin, with a calm expression, went straight to the point: "Lord Yuan, I want to order saltpeter."
Yuan Tianyou nodded without hesitation: "Okay, how much do you want?"
Zhan Qin glanced at Chu Jinjin: "Take as many as you can, the more the better."
Yuan Tianyou: "...What are you going to do?"
"Let me explain." Chu Jinjin couldn't stand the way the father and son were talking, so she listened to her surroundings first to make sure no one was around before explaining her plans. Of course, she didn't mention sending her parents away.
Yuan Tianyou's mouth widened and widened, then remained open: "You mean, what kind of bomb can be made from saltpeter?"
“Zombies are not scary. As long as no one is in command, they will be eliminated sooner or later,” Chu Jinjin said seriously. “But the Northern Desert Army, together with zombies, and the outsiders and Mu Wei who can be controlled, when the two are combined, one charging in front and the other cooperating from behind, no one in the world can stand against them. Lord Yuan, I may not have made myself clear just now. This bomb is to be delivered to Black Eagle Mountain Stronghold.”
During her time dealing with the imperial court, Chu Jinjin had come to understand Yuan Tianyou to some extent, and she could not deny his abilities and that he was a loyal subject.
Even if Jiedu guarantees that the saltpeter will not be used to attack the imperial court, the court will not allow such a knife to be held to its throat if the saltpeter is sent to Black Eagle Mountain Stronghold.
But it's not okay not to say it outright.
Chu Jinjin's plan was to first observe Yuan Tianyou's reaction, and only resort to force if necessary.
"Let's put that aside for now." Yuan Tianyou waved his hand and took a few steps. "Miss Jinjin, how long does it take to make a bomb?"
Chu Jinjin thought for a moment: "One day is enough."
It's actually very simple.
The bomb is 70 percent saltpeter, and the other components are common. As for the outer casing and fuse, have the blacksmith make them immediately; they won't be ready in half a day.
Yuan Tianyou nodded repeatedly: "Okay, please have Miss Jinjin draw up a blueprint, and I'll have someone make it right away."
Chu Jinjin was too embarrassed to ask directly, but Zhan Qin didn't care: "Lord Yuan, do you want to offer it to the imperial court?"
“Zhan Qin, I am not a good father, but even tigers don’t eat their cubs. Besides, the fate of the world rests entirely on Miss Jinjin’s shoulders. How could I do such a betrayal?” Zhan Qin shook his head with a bitter smile. “I just want to see if this bomb is really worth the risk.”
Before Zhan Qin could say anything more, Chu Jinjin stopped him, saying, "Yes, Lord Yuan, may I borrow your paper and pen?"
She didn't completely trust Yuan Tianyou. Making bombs wasn't that simple; with a little tampering, they'd be useless.
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