Like ants carrying food, all those who wanted to leave gradually gathered together.
As expected, the rest of Zhengjiazhuang were unwilling to go south, only letting Shuiling and Shuiyun bring more than twenty children and two young couples.
Jiayin offered a few words of comfort, then went to see the thirty guards sent by the chief steward of the Marquis's mansion.
These thirty guards were all fierce and highly skilled.
With them heading south together, everyone could feel a bit more at ease.
Jiayin felt a pang of sadness. Needless to say, these people were specially arranged by her adoptive father before he went to war.
I just don't know what he was feeling at the time.
They must have foreseen this day, but they didn't want it to actually come...
The grove wasn't large, but it was quite crowded with over two hundred people and vehicles.
But no one made a sound, and even the horses' mouths were fitted with bridles.
If someone happened to pass by and saw this scene, they would probably be terrified.
Tao Hongying held her daughter's hand the whole time, whispering one thing after another in her ear, as if she wanted to give her daughter all the advice she had for the rest of her life.
Jiayin couldn't help but hug her mother tightly, unwilling to let go.
Tao Hongying's tears quickly soaked her daughter's shoulder...
Until two large ships appeared at the small dock.
After Zheng He went to confirm, he gave the signal to take action.
Tao Hongying quickly wiped away her tears and began to give efficient instructions.
The children boarded the boat first, then the women, and finally the adults.
Cat Brother, Zhimin, Xiujie, and Wenhao walked up to Jiayin, wanting to say something, but in the end, they all gave each other a tight hug, including Zhimin, Xiujie, and Wenhao.
In that instant, they suddenly felt a pang of regret.
If they had studied harder, even just a little more martial arts, or passed the imperial examinations earlier, wouldn't they have been spared such a humiliating retreat today?
On the contrary, the younger sister was able to stay in Xindu and weather the storms with the family...
Jiayin guessed what they were thinking and gently comforted them, "Don't overthink it, there's plenty of time, there will be other opportunities in the future."
The group nodded emphatically, turned around, and strode onto the boat.
Jia Huan patted Mu Xu on the shoulder, and Mu Xu thought he was going to tell him to take good care of the princess.
Unexpectedly, Jia Huan said, "Be careful, don't take risks just because you're good at martial arts. You're a member of the Li family now. If anything happens to you, not only my sister, but we will all be heartbroken."
Mu Xu paused for a moment, then burst into laughter.
"Don't worry, Second Brother, I will take good care of myself and, more importantly, the Princess."
Jia Huan nodded, hugged her sister again, and boarded the boat.
Jiayin did some mental calculations and looked into the distance again.
"Is there anyone else who hasn't arrived yet?" Mu Xu asked, puzzled.
Just as Jiayin was about to speak, a figure quickly approached.
Dongmei finally appeared, carrying the unconscious Granny Wu on her back.
She took several deep breaths before saying, "Princess, am I not late?"
Jiayin breathed a sigh of relief and quickly said, "No."
Previously, the village chief wanted to send his wife to the south as well, but Aunt Wu disagreed and refused to leave no matter what.
Left with no other option, the village chief secretly asked Jiayin to come up with this solution.
Taking advantage of the fact that the carriages and horses had all left, Wu Da Niang was off guard. She was drugged and then sent over by Dong Mei alone.
"Thank you for your trouble, Aunt Mei. Please see Aunt Wu onto the boat and leave her in my mother's care."
Dongmei responded and jumped onto the deck in a few quick movements.
Tao Hongying had already heard about it and was waiting for it. Now that she had picked up the person, she didn't forget to wave to her daughter a few times.
Jiayin waved her arms vigorously, and even though her mother couldn't see her, she tried her best to smile brightly...
Two large ships parted the river and, just as they had arrived, quietly departed once more.
The crowd watched silently until no trace of it could be seen anymore.
Jiayin took a deep breath and instructed the veterans, "Go back to the village. Be careful on the road. From now on, follow the village chief's orders and report any problems immediately."
The veterans saluted and left with their carriages and horses.
Zheng Sanjiang, determined to remain in hiding, bowed and left with Zheng He and Zheng Feng.
Mu Xu and Jia Yin left behind to take Shui Ling and Shui Yun back to the city, and Dong Mei followed them.
“Princess, there’s nothing going on in the village, but you and the old lady are going to the palace. Let me accompany you and serve you for a while!”
Just as Jiayin was about to speak, Mu Xu advised, "I have to go now. I feel at ease with Aunt Mei by your side."
Jiayin could only nod, and the group rode their horses to the outskirts of the city, where Mu Xu took the horses with him.
Jiayin, clinging to Aunt Mei's back, secretly entered the city again with Shuiling and Shuiyun.
Inside the Earl's mansion, Old Madam Li, Second Old Li, Mr. Wen, and others were still awake.
Upon seeing Jiayin return, they quickly surrounded her.
"So, did they all evacuate safely?"
Jiayin nodded and carefully read out the list of those who were to leave, including those who remained.
Grandma Li sighed, "I knew most of the villagers wouldn't leave."
Jiayin didn't want her grandmother to worry, so she said, "Grandma, don't worry. Even if things really get to the point of no return, I will hand over the land deeds, shops, and manpower of Suijintan directly to the Third Princess or the Crown Prince. They will definitely be able to ensure everyone's safety."
"Firstly, the villagers haven't committed any serious crimes. Secondly, Broken Gold Beach and all the businesses there are treasure troves, so nobody wants to break them, right?"
Grandma Li paused for a moment, then smiled wryly and patted her granddaughter.
"These are all your treasure troves, how can you bear to part with them..."
"Grandma, money is just an external thing. As long as our family is doing well, I can start dozens more profitable businesses anytime, anywhere, and buy a bigger and better manor." Jiayin hugged her grandmother's arm with a smile and quickly changed the subject.
“It’s almost dawn, and we still have to go to the palace to pay our respects. You should get some sleep while we wait, and I’ll have Shuiyun prepare some things. No matter where we are, we should eat and drink well, and avoid suffering if we can.”
After staying up all night, Old Lady Li was indeed exhausted and was helped into the house for a nap, where she was naturally attended to by Granny Chang and others.
Jiayin gave Shuiyun a few instructions, and then reviewed the situation with her second uncle and Mr. Wen. Only after confirming that nothing had been overlooked could she feel completely at ease.
No matter how long the night was, the sky gradually brightened.
Leaving aside the fact that everyone was busy changing clothes to enter the palace, in the princess's residence, a delicate hand parted the bed curtains and called out, "Caiyun, come in and serve me."
The door to the inner chamber was immediately pushed open, and Caiyun entered with a basin of water. She quickly helped her master dress and wash, not daring to glance at the mess on the bed.
Only after the Third Princess changed into white mourning clothes did the person on the bed become anxious, weakly cursing, "Princess, you can't humiliate me like this! I am the heir of a royal family, not your pet, and I also have to go to the palace to keep vigil!"
The Third Princess didn't even turn her head. She slowly straightened her sleeves and replied indifferently, "How have I humiliated my husband? I'm just being considerate of you, as you're still recovering from a serious illness, and I'm letting you stay in the manor to recuperate."
Besides, didn't you offer incense to the Empress Dowager when you returned to your parents' home?
"Don't worry, I will explain to Father and my elder brother, the Crown Prince, in a moment. They will certainly not punish me."
Two updates today!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com