Upon hearing Zhu Yuan's answer, everyone present was agitated.
They were just ordinary people who knew nothing but how to forage for food in the fields.
These princes were people I'd never even heard of before.
Having suffered two years of famine in Xinyang Prefecture, he made up his mind to leave his hometown and flee the famine, but on the way he still had to guard against the army of the Prince of Yang.
After crossing mountains and valleys, they encountered bandits, escaped refugees, and with the help of Zhen's family along the way, finally arrived in Anqing Prefecture.
They were suddenly told that this place was also dangerous, and that it was even being watched by two powerful princes.
All peaceful days vanished, and the constant threat of war would make anyone anxious.
"Waaaaah... Why is life so miserable for us ordinary people!"
"They really don't care if we're treated like human beings! They're willing to debase themselves for that so-called throne!"
A group of aunts and sisters-in-law hugged each other and cried, and even the usually carefree men had tears in their eyes.
No wonder those soldiers tried so hard to take them away a few days ago!
So it was all to force them to go to the battlefield and die!
If it were to resist the Northern Hu people, that would be one thing; dying would be sacrificing for one's country. But...
But it was all for their own selfish desires, wanting to use the common people as stepping stones for them!
Feng He himself rose from humble beginnings, so he naturally understood how difficult life was for ordinary people.
Otherwise, he wouldn't be so kind-hearted, and the villagers would always rush to his rescue whenever the sea was in danger.
He despised these princes the most!
He lightly traced his fingers across Zhu Yuan's face, a thought flashing through his mind, but he dared not grasp it.
The welcome-home banquet ended in a dull atmosphere.
Zhu Yuan and Feng He strolled under the moonlight, neither of them speaking first.
As Zhu Yuan was about to reach his residence, Feng He couldn't hold back any longer and took two steps forward to kneel down in front of Zhu Yuan.
"Master! The situation is critical. When do you plan to...?"
Zhu Yuan raised his hand to stop him, saying, "No rush! Everything as usual, just remember not to reveal Zhou'er's whereabouts!"
Feng He frowned, utterly perplexed by Zhu Yuan's actions, and said with obvious anxiety, "But..."
"Lord Feng! No need for further words! Let's put this matter aside for now." Zhu Yuan walked slowly towards the courtyard, his back to the moonlight.
"You should set off back home tomorrow to check on your family!"
"Yes." Feng He silently watched Zhu Yuan walk away, and couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
The next day the sky was clear and cloudless.
The temperature is neither too hot nor too cold, making it the perfect time to sit in the yard, eat sunflower seeds, and bask in the sun.
Zhen Wanwan lay on the rocking chair, watching Granny Zhang busily airing out the little clothes for the two babies.
Rou'er stayed by the side to watch over Guaibao and Tianbao, preventing them from falling off the bed.
Xiao Tao and Xiao Hua massaged her legs and back, which was very relaxing and pleasant.
As Zhen Wanwan acted like the master of the house, a figure flashed by in a corner.
"Xiao Tao, when did you arrive at this residence?"
Xiao Tao curtsied to Zhen Wanwan and whispered, "Reporting to Madam, Xiao Hua and I arrived three months ago."
Such a short time? Aren't the maids in these wealthy families all trained from a young age?
Perhaps noticing Zhen Wanwan's confusion, Xiao Tao explained again: "Actually, I was once a maidservant trained from childhood in an official's family. Unfortunately, that family offended a noble person and was punished."
"I was sold off at that time, and it just so happened that Steward Zhang wanted to buy a maid, so he bought me back."
Xiao Hua was clearly much more cheerful than Xiao Tao. With a smile, she lowered her legs for Zhen Wanwan and replied, "This servant was sold by my stepmother. I happened to see Steward Zhang looking for people, so I recommended myself."
Seemingly recalling something unpleasant, Xiaohua said with a mixture of relief and lingering fear, "If it weren't for Steward Zhang's timely arrival, I'm afraid I would have been sold to a filthy place!"
Zhen Wanwan nodded and gently comforted her, "The strategist seems to have a very good temper, so you can all live peacefully here from now on."
Upon hearing this, both maids fell silent and involuntarily trembled.
No one could agree with what Zhen Niangzi said.
Looking at the expressions of the two people, Zhen Wanwan felt very strange. How could they be so similar to the maid she encountered when she entered the room last night?
However, this was their family matter, and she didn't want to pry.
When Zhu Yuan arrived, this was the heartwarming scene he witnessed.
This scene had never appeared before him before: Zhen Wanwan was basking in the sun with her eyes closed, while two maids massaged her legs and back.
On the other side, two chubby babies lay on the tatami mat, sleeping soundly and comfortably with their milk bottles in their arms.
His heart was touched, and he felt a surge of tenderness towards both Zhen Wanwan and the two little bundles of joy.
"Zhen Niangzi!"
Zhen Wanwan was sleeping soundly when she was suddenly awakened by a familiar voice. Realizing it was her, she was instantly wide awake.
Sure enough, Zhu Yuan stood quietly outside the courtyard gate.
"My strategist?"
She quickly jumped up and greeted him with a smile: "Please come in, strategist! Xiao Tao, go and make a cup of tea."
Zhu Yuan didn't stand on ceremony and slowly strode into the courtyard, but he didn't follow her into the main room.
Instead, she walked to the bedside of the two little ones and quietly looked at the well-behaved and adorable twins.
Zhen Wanwan's heart clenched instantly; the visitor was clearly up to no good!
Are you suggesting they try to take the child from her?
Zhu Yuan was unaware of her thoughts. His gaze swept past Guai Bao and fell upon Tian Bao, who resembled him so much.
"Xiaotao and Xiaohua, you two can go down first!"
Seeing this, Xiaotao and Xiaohua glanced at Zhen Wanwan, then curtsied and withdrew.
Currently, besides the sleeping baby and sweet baby, there are only the two of them in the yard.
Zhen Wanwan became unusually nervous and looked at Zhu Yuan with a puzzled expression, asking, "My lord, did you come to see me for something?"
Zhu Yuan withdrew his gaze, turned to Zhen Wanwan, and got up to sit next to her.
"I've come to you because I need your help."
Zhen Wanwan was stunned; she hadn't expected that something really had happened!
"I wonder how I can help you?"
After a two-second silence, Zhu Yuan slowly said, "Do you remember promising me something back in Leling Prefecture?"
Zhen Wanwan nodded: "That's right!"
"I want you to help me raise Zhou'er for a few years!"
"What!" Zhen Wanwan was shocked, wanting to see if Zhu Yuan was joking!
This is clearly true!
She practically blurted out, "Are you kidding me? You want me to raise your own son?!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Zhen Wanwan froze on the spot and couldn't help but slap herself twice.
Why did she blurt out what was on her mind?!
Zhu Yuan was stunned, not expecting such a strong reaction from her, but when he heard the reason, his vision went black.
"Zhou'er is not my child!"
"Ah!" Zhen Wanwan was surprised again. It turned out that it was all a misunderstanding!
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