When Qin Ruo’s uncles and his mother, Lady Qin, were called out, they were trembling with anxiety, quite worried.
Lady Qin whispered to Qin Ruo’s second uncle, Qin Zhen: "I don’t know who it is, but I’m a bit worried about Ruo."
Qin Zhen looked at Lady Qin and then off to the distant warm shed, "Sister, don’t worry yet, we will find out soon. Don’t be afraid, the person who just called for Ruo seemed to be friendly towards him."
Having thought about it, Lady Qin felt slightly relieved.
Everyone had waited for more than half an hour before Qin Ruo returned, accompanied by a young man and one of the royal official’s trusted advisors.
The Qin family rarely had the opportunity to meet the noble official, who was the highest-ranking official in the area and had subordinates to conduct business on his behalf. He wouldn’t normally come to the stone quarry. However, it didn’t prevent Qin Zhen from recognizing the trusted advisor from the noble official’s side.
When they were first exiled to Nanhuai City, it was this trusted advisor who discreetly approached Qin Ruo, indicating that Lord Thursday had secretly asked the noble official for their protection. Naturally, the noble official would respect Lord Thursday, but he would not treat them like nobility. After all, Lord Thursday was thousands of miles away, isolated from the center of power. The Eastern Palace and Duke Residence had been suppressed for years, and his influence was limited.
That the noble official could assign a trusted advisor to arrange slightly more manageable tasks for them was already a significant concession for Lord Thursday. They couldn’t ask for more.
But this little bit of clout was enough to ensure their safety.
Many people died during exile, and many more couldn’t withstand the labour in the harsh winter and died from illness. Deaths were frequent.
There were deaths every day in the quarry. The fact that their entire family, dozens of people, were all alive, was hugely due to Zhou Gu’s behind-the-scenes machinations to arrange their protection.
Qin Zhen had some resentment towards Qin Yuan. His older brother had not only ruined the entire family but also let down his own son, who was an otherwise exceptional and talented individual, whose life was ruined by his father.
Seeing Qin Ruo return with company, Qin Zhen immediately stepped forward, "Ruo, what happened?"
Qin Ruo looked at his mother and second uncle, as well as the Qin family members nearby. He calmly said, "Second uncle, mother, I’m leaving."
Qin Zhen was shocked, "Where are you going?"
Lady Qin paled and moved closer, "Ruo, did... did something bad happen?"
Qin Ruo shook his head, "The person who came to see me is Lady Su Qi, Su Rong. You have heard about her in the past six months. She asked the Crown Prince for a favor on my behalf, inviting me to serve her and follow her to Nanchu. I have accepted."
Qin Zhen was stunned, "To Nanchu?"
He was of course familiar with Su Rong. Over the past six months, even in Nanhuai City, they had heard a great deal about Su Rong from the soldiers. They spoke about how she helped the Crown Prince solve problems, how proficient she was in identifying and dealing with Concubine Zhen’s malicious activities in the court. The most common topic was her breaking off her engagement with Zhou Gu and getting engaged to the second son of the Ye Xiang Residence in Nanchu. The speculation was rife, and the authenticity of the stories was mixed.
A few days ago, the latest news was that she and Zhou Gu had jointly defeated the Jibei Army led by Zhang Ping in their rebellion, securing Nanping City. Zhou Gu’s double-handed sword became world-famous. Also, she managed to command the allegiance of 300,000 Jibei soldiers without shedding any blood.
Youth has always been associated with brilliance.
Su Rong and her identity as a Nanchu Princess were widely admired and discussed.
"Ruo, do you... Have you agreed to go to Nanchu?" Lady Qin looked at him, "The Nanchu that is thousands of miles away?"
Qin Ruo nodded, "Yes, the Nanchu that is thousands of miles away. Lady Su Qi is going to Nanchu to claim the throne, and she is willing to help me before she departs because she recognizes my talent. I am willing to leave Nanhuai City and travel thousands of miles to serve and be loyal to her."
Upon hearing this, Qin Zhen kept quiet and looked at Lady Qin, "I heard that the Nangong Family in Nanchu is very ambitious, it might not be easy for her to take the throne."
Qin Ruo responded, "Life and death are predestined, and fortune depends on heaven. I am willing to give it a try."
Qin Zhen nodded, "In that case, you will be far away from your homeland. How could the Crown Prince agree?"
By now, Lady Qin had regained her composure, and said, "What difference does it make if we’re far from our homeland? It is not crucial to remain as citizens of Daliang. Second uncle, are you suggesting that Ruo stay here for the rest of his life? How many people in Nanhuai City manage to leave after entering? They spend their entire lives here."
She seemed to be sobbing as she spoke, "Your father was a fool and stubborn. He may have died in peace, but he ruined Ruo’s future prospects. Ruo, you did the right thing in accepting the offer, and I approve. You just go, and don’t worry about us."
In her thought, as a mother she must be strong. To Lady Qin, if one person can leave this hellhole, it is considered a victory. If her son can leave and secure a good future, she wouldn’t mind dying here. Even if she never sees her son again, it doesn’t matter.
Looking at Lady Qin, Qin Ruo gave her a hug, "Mother, you must take care of yourself. Once I’m settled in Nanchu, I’ll figure out a way to get you out."
Crying, Lady Qin nodded her head.
Qin Ruo hugged her for a while, let her go, wiped away her tears, and turned to Qin Zhen to say, "Second Uncle, Lady Su Qi has secured the noble official’s promise to take special care of you after I leave. You won’t need to continue with your current work. Just take care of your health, endure for a few years and when the Crown Prince ascends the throne, the innocence of the Qin Family will be restored."
Qin Zhen nodded, his eyes welling up with tears, "Alright, you just go and don’t worry. We will take care of your mother."
Qin Ruo nodded.
After an emotional farewell with his family members, Ning Ze went with Qin Ruo to the Qin family’s residence. Seeing the run-down, barely inhabitable place without even a heater, his heart sank. He thought that if he were thrown into this kind of place, he would probably freeze to death within three days.
The trusted advisor immediately said, "Lord Ning, you can rest assured. My Lord will choose another place for the Qin family to live in, take good care of them and won’t force them to do heavy labor anymore. At most, they will be assigned light duties like keeping accounts or watchkeeping."
Ning Ze nodded, then said, "Let’s do it now. After all, we have half a day before Lady Su Qi leaves. In this half day, we can settle them in a new place so that Brother Qin can rest assured before he leaves with us."
The trusted advisor had no choice but to agree, "Alright, fine, I will arrange it now."
As a trusted advisor of the noble official, he had authority. So, he immediately chose a decent, clean, and presentable courtyard for the Qin family to live in, and arranged some easy tasks for Qin Zhen and others. For Lady Qin, he didn’t make any arrangements, stating that she wouldn’t have to work during the winter, and during spring and summer, she could do minor jobs like pest control and gathering herbs.
When Ning Ze saw that the housing and work arrangements had been made, he ordered his servants to unload blankets, clothes, medicine, and other necessary items from the carriage. He then left 500 tael of silver for the Qin family.
Greatly moved, Lady Qin cried and said to Qin Ruo, "Lady Su Qi is such a kind person. Ruo, you must serve Lady Su Qi faithfully, and don’t worry about me."
Qin Ruo nodded and said quietly, "Mother, don’t worry, I understand."
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