Jiayin had no intention of ordering or forcing anyone; after all, it's hard to leave one's homeland, and no one wants to go far away unless absolutely necessary.
Even without mentioning Zhengjiazhuang, just thinking about the old and young people of Suijintan gives Jiayin a headache.
Persuading them to leave will definitely be an incredibly difficult task...
With everyone pooling their wisdom and efforts, everything was quickly arranged and then promptly distributed.
On nights like these, the city gates are closed, making it difficult to leave the city.
Fortunately, the servants in the house were all quite capable, and there were more than a dozen veterans, so delivering the letter safely wasn't too difficult.
Mu Xu had eaten and drunk his fill, and although he couldn't rest, his complexion had improved considerably.
He washed his face and offered to go back to Suijintan to deliver the message.
Jiayin stopped him and asked, "Is there a way to take me there? I'm afraid I can't persuade Grandpa Village Chief by myself alone."
Everyone looked over, and they all clearly agreed that Jiayin was right.
Mu Xu smiled roguishly and replied, "Of course I have a way. Don't worry, I can definitely get you out of here easily."
Jiayin glared at him, went back to her room to change into a neat set of clothes, put on a veil to conceal herself completely, and then set off with Mu Xu.
Of course, Shui Ling and Shui Yun went along with them.
They carried Jiayin's letter, retrieved horses from Suijintan, and prepared for the two of them to switch horses and rush back to Zhengjiazhuang...
Inside and outside the new capital, everyone was in a state of turmoil due to the Empress's passing.
Brightly colored items in the house should be replaced, and plain clothes should be prepared.
Families with upcoming weddings are facing an even bigger headache, because they can't hold celebratory banquets or drink alcohol within a month, so the date will definitely have to be postponed...
In this way, several figures slipped out of the Earl's mansion and dispersed in all directions, like small drops of water merging into the ocean, without making a sound.
Inside the Liu family mansion, Madam Liu had received advance notice and made some preparations.
Therefore, when they suddenly heard the bell, the crowd did not panic.
The servants in the front yard and the old women and maids in the back yard each performed their duties, quickly changing items, hanging funeral banners, and preparing vegetarian food and mourning clothes.
After arranging everything, Madam Liu still felt uneasy, so she went to the front study.
Sure enough, neither Old Master Liu nor Liu Zhiheng were asleep; they were drinking tea and chatting.
Madam Liu said, "Father, you're going to the palace first thing tomorrow morning, right? Where did you put the water pouch the princess gave you last time? I'll have someone fill it with some frozen plum juice. Also, please prepare some snacks and don't forget to bring them."
Grandpa Liu was very pleased with his daughter-in-law's filial piety and thoughtfulness, and nodded with a smile, "Okay, I'll have someone bring you the water bag in a bit."
Liu Zhiheng quickly interjected, "Madam, what about me? Please prepare plenty for me, otherwise it would be embarrassing if I fainted from the heat and had to be carried out."
Grandpa Liu glared at his son and scolded him, "You need to lose that fat on you. You're just a nuisance and you're of no use at all!"
Liu Zhiheng wasn't angry. He joked, "Don't worry, Dad. I'm all fat. It might be a bit hot in the summer, but it'll keep me warm in the winter too."
Both Mr. Liu and Mrs. Liu laughed upon hearing this.
This is the advantage of getting advance notice; no matter how big the situation, being prepared prevents panic.
At this moment, Liu Zhiheng's personal attendant suddenly entered and whispered, "Master, Master and Madam, Lord Li has sent Zheng He to deliver a message."
Zheng He?
The Liu family of three were all surprised. Zheng He was Li Lao Er's most trusted man, and for him to come to their door in the dead of night, it must mean something big was going on.
"Please come in quickly!" Old Master Liu nodded.
Liu Zhiheng waited by the door and greeted Zheng He, asking, "Why are you so late? What happened?"
Zheng He bowed respectfully and glanced back at the doorway.
Liu Zhiheng immediately instructed his servants to guard the door. For a moment, only his own people were in the room, so Zheng He lowered his voice and explained what had happened.
The Liu family of three were visibly shaken upon hearing this and remained silent for a moment.
Zheng He urged, "Grandpa, what our Lord and Mr. Wen mean is that the other man probably hasn't made up his mind to break off relations yet, which is why he sent someone to assassinate him instead of issuing a decree to recall the Marquis."
"But it's hard to say how things will develop in the future. If it gets worse, we should always be prepared."
I must hurry to the academy to inform the Third Master and the villagers. Also, the Seventh Young Master must board the ship tonight to help the Fourth Madam, taking the villagers, young and old, to Quanzhou.
This means Cat Bro is going to Quanzhou!
Old Master Liu immediately instructed his daughter-in-law, "Go pack your things and take Zhimin and Xiujie with you on the ship south. If anyone asks, the family will say you're visiting relatives."
Madam Liu objected immediately, "No, Father, quite a few people saw me go out today. If I leave suddenly, it will easily arouse suspicion. It would be bad if the Li family's arrangements were discovered."
"Besides, the Empress is a woman in the palace, so even if I don't have to mourn, my family and friends still need me."
"Let Zhimin and Xiujie take a boat south. With the Li family making arrangements, they will surely be fine."
Old Master Liu looked at his son and saw that Liu Zhiheng also nodded.
He sighed and said, "Alright, I'll write to Zhimin and Xiujie and tell them to prepare more gold and silver."
Madam Liu immediately rushed to the backyard, and Liu Zhiheng, worried, followed her.
Fifteen minutes later, Zheng He carried a small package on his back, left the Liu family's house, and headed straight out of the city.
Similarly, in the Xing family courtyard, Mr. and Mrs. Xing were also stunned by what they heard.
After a brief discussion, the two quickly packed their son Xing Ning's luggage.
The eldest daughter in the family is the wife of the eldest grandson of the Li family, and they visit each other frequently. If something happens to the Li family, the Xing family will definitely not escape being punished along with them.
Sending away Xing Ning, their only son, is sending away the Xing family's hope.
The remaining elderly couple were no longer afraid of going to jail or being beheaded.
Besides, once her son is in the south, he still has his older sister Wan'er there, so there's no need to worry about him.
Xing Ning burst into tears, unwilling to leave.
“Mother, I’m not leaving. I’m all grown up now, and I have an official title. If anything happens, I can help Father.”
"Silly child!" Madam Xing held back her tears and pulled her son aside to earnestly persuade him.
"Before the imperial power, let alone your academic achievements, even your father's official position is useless. Even the Li family and the Marquis, don't they still have to avoid the limelight?"
"Besides, the situation isn't serious yet. Sending you to Quanzhou is just a way to prepare in advance. Maybe nothing will happen. You can treat it as a trip to the south to broaden your horizons and study for a while. Once things have calmed down in Xindu, you can come back. Your mother is still waiting for you to pass the imperial examination."
Xing Ning was about to speak when Madam Xing started coughing, clutching her chest. Not wanting to upset her mother, Xing Ning could only shut up.
“Good son, your mother only has you and your sister as her children. Your going there will also help your mother take care of your sister and nephew. To put your mother’s mind at ease, please work hard.”
Xing Ning immediately said, "Mother, don't worry, I will definitely take good care of my sister and nephew."
Master Xing stepped forward and patted his son on the shoulder, "Fortunately, your marriage hasn't been settled yet, otherwise it would have delayed the girl's marriage."
"Once we get to the south, if... you should listen to your sister. Your marriage doesn't have to be between equals. As long as you like her and your sister agrees, that's fine, understand?"
Xing Ning choked up and knelt down to kowtow to her parents.
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