"Why does Your Excellency say that? Is sending the elderly and children away because something is about to happen?"
Li Zhensheng was the first to speak, asking a couple of questions before finally frowning and saying, "I've bought a house and property in Quanzhou, which is fine for settling my family, but it's a long way, and it won't be easy for the elderly and children to travel."
Li Lao Er also said, "Logically speaking, with the Wu family gone, the Wang family should be like a turtle hiding its head and not dare to show its face again."
"And with those six officials under investigation serving as a warning, no one should dare to target our family again..."
The Marquis waved his hand, signaling them not to overthink it.
He raised his hand, took a sip of honey water, and said, "Jiaren and Funiu entrusted me to investigate Guli, but my men hadn't found anything before they were warned."
"Once you leave this door today, forget about it and pretend nothing happened."
"As long as we know that Guli is just a minor manager in our household, he won't harm our family, and we don't need to take extra care of him."
Guli?
Apart from Li Lao Er, the others were unfamiliar with this name and couldn't help but look puzzled.
Li Lao Er explained to them in a low voice, "Gu Li was originally Mr. Jiang's page at the school, and now he is the head steward of Baiyunjian."
Jiayin blinked her big eyes twice, very curious about Gu Li's identity.
But only his uncle could warn his adoptive father and stop him from investigating...
Having guessed a certain possibility, her heart leaped into her throat.
She quickly said, "Guli has been helping me manage Baiyunjian for a long time. He is a very reliable and hardworking man who doesn't talk much."
“You reap what you sow, so I have never shortchanged him in terms of money.”
The Marquis glanced at Jiayin, a hint of pride flashing in his eyes.
This girl is so clever. While others can understand what someone is saying, she can guess what they mean before they even open their mouth.
He couldn't help but add, "Fu Niu'er, remember to tell your older brother."
"Don't worry, Godfather, I know what's important." Jiayin quickly nodded in agreement.
Although Li Zhensheng and the others were full of questions, the Marquis looked serious, so they didn't ask any further.
The Marquis wouldn't harm his family. Since he said they don't need to worry about it and should just pretend they don't know, then they should just stay silent.
Even though Gu Li's background is somewhat strange, his family has never mistreated him and has taken him in for so many years. Even if he isn't grateful, surely he wouldn't hold a grudge?
Mr. Wen was a meticulous man. After a long silence, he asked softly, "Is the Marquis's decision to send the women away also related to this matter?"
The Marquis nodded, raised his hand and pointed to the sky, "Not only that! With the sun and moon vying for supremacy, the new capital will inevitably descend into chaos sooner or later."
"Moreover, judging from the current situation, it seems it's about to begin..."
“Our family has close ties with the Emperor and has dealt with many of his henchmen, so we've long been hated by him. Who knows, next time he might take action himself.”
"That one has been quite peaceful these past two years, but he should not be underestimated. He can do nothing about us in the court or the army, but it would be easy for him to cause trouble for the women."
"The best solution is to send the women away to avoid trouble. After the northern expedition ends next year and the country is unified, even if that person is unwilling, he will be powerless to resist the emperor!"
Everyone listened with bated breath, their expressions grave.
Previously, they only pursued the Wu family and let the Wang family off the hook because they didn't want to directly confront that person.
But as the Marquis said, there's no escaping this; a "battle" is inevitable sooner or later.
Li Lao Er sighed, "If we're going to send the old folks and children away, finding a wife for Jia Yi Xiang would indeed be a good excuse."
Li Laosi added, "Mother is getting old, and Xingxing and Yuanyuan are still young, so we should prepare more."
"In that case, we'll let the news out first. In ten days or half a month, when our eldest brother leads the fleet south, we'll add a passenger ship and bring more supplies. If we travel slowly, it shouldn't be a problem."
Li Zhensheng nodded, "You don't need to worry about these things. Just persuade our mother, and I'll take care of things on the way."
The mention of "the two old women" made everyone a little worried, and they subconsciously looked at Jiayin, hoping that she would act as a mediator.
Jiayin remained silent for so long; she had already made up her mind.
At this moment, she waved her hand and said, "Uncle, don't look at me. I'm not going to Quanzhou. I'm staying here to look after the house."
"No way!"
Everyone's expression changed, and they all voiced their opposition.
"Whoever doesn't leave, you have to leave too." Li Laosi pulled his daughter, rarely scolding her like this. "If that person in the palace wants to cause trouble for our family, you'll probably be the first one they target. You must go to Quanzhou!"
Li Zhensheng also said, "Yes, Fu Niu'er is obedient and went to Quanzhou with her uncle."
"Uncle will take you out to sea to fish, watch the sunrise, and go beachcombing, where you can pick up crabs and shrimp as much as you want!"
Even Li Laosan tried to persuade her, "Fu Niu'er, be good. Your uncle will take care of things at home. You're just a child, don't worry about it."
"Go south for a year, and don't forget to bring back some good things for your third uncle."
The three brothers used both soft and hard tactics, but they refused to let Jiayin stay no matter what.
Seeing that Jiayin remained silent, the Marquis said, "Fu Niu'er, tell me why you want to stay."
Jiayin immediately smiled and straightened her back. "First, my godfather and father have fought countless battles in the blood and fire for the Northern Expedition and to recover our lost territories. Next year will be the most crucial year."
“If I stay, I can brew more medicine for injuries, and I can also enter the palace at any time so that my uncle will not forget his adoptive father, forget the Northern Expeditionary Army, or be instigated by villains and drag the Northern Expeditionary Army down.”
"Secondly, I am Princess Kang Le, and Broken Gold Beach is my fiefdom. I cannot leave it casually!"
At first, Li Laosi tried to argue back, but he gave up in the end.
The laws of Tianwu do indeed stipulate that those who have been granted titles cannot leave their fiefdoms without cause; at the very least, they must submit a memorial to the emperor for approval.
Li Lao Er smiled wryly, "I forgot about that."
Jia Yin pressed her advantage, dropping one last bombshell reason.
"Previously, I burned down two of the Wu family's granaries and obtained a lot of grain, which I secretly stored away. This is the most reliable way out I prepared for my father and godfather."
"In case the imperial court is unable to act, the Northern Expeditionary Army will not be isolated and helpless; at the very least, we will have you!"
These words sounded somewhat arrogant, but when everyone recalled Jia Yin's amazing abilities, they all knew that this girl wasn't lying.
The Marquis felt a complex mix of emotions as he listened to the little girl's words, all for his sake and for the Northern Expeditionary Army.
He raised his hand and ruffled her soft hair, sighing, "Fu Niu'er has really grown up."
"Of course!" Jiayin smiled and took the opportunity to hug her godfather's arm, pleading, "Godfather, please don't worry about letting me stay."
"I have a way to protect myself. Even if I'm in dire straits, I won't be in danger of losing my life, nor will I suffer!"
"On the contrary, my grandmother and mother have to go to Quanzhou. If they stay behind, I can't protect them if something happens."
This statement was quite boastful, leaving everyone feeling both helpless and amused.
They discussed it for a long time.
Finally, everyone agreed.
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