After receiving the letter, Granny Lu began packing her things.
First, find out what Zhang Zhaoci will need for childbirth. Zhang Zhaoci has already packed everything she needs for childbirth into a large bundle, including what she will need, what the newborn will need, and some medicines and instruments for childbirth. Granny Lu took out the large bundle and said to Li Yanxia, who was standing to the side, "Miss Li, these are the things our lady will need for childbirth. They are very important, so I'm entrusting them to you for safekeeping."
Li Yanxia took it and immediately carried it on her back, saying, "Granny, don't worry about leaving it to me. I will definitely take good care of this bundle."
Granny Lu said, "Who would have thought that the Northern Di people would come so fiercely this time? The New Year is almost here, and we don't even know where we'll be spending it."
Li Yanxia said with a smile, "Granny, once we drive the Northern Di people away, we'll celebrate the New Year every day."
Upon hearing this, Granny Lu burst out laughing and said, "You really know how to talk. Alright, alright, take a look at your things and pack them up. If you really can't come back, you won't be able to buy them anywhere when the time comes."
Li Yanxia agreed and went back to her room to pack her things.
Zhang Zhaoci hurriedly returned with Qingmiao and Qingsui, pulled Granny Lu into the inner room, and took out all the things she had collected, saying, "Granny, what do you think about me hiding these things in the secret room in the next courtyard? This courtyard is not safe, and it's even more unsafe to bring them here."
Granny Lu said, “My lady, once we leave, this place will no longer be ours. You shouldn’t hide these things in this city. Pack them up in a few bundles and I’ll have someone send them to Yanmen Pass. Just now, Prince Wei sent someone over to say that he wants you to go to the West Gate later. He has someone waiting for you there.”
Zhang Zhaoci nodded and said, "That's true. Even the tunnel in our courtyard could probably be found by those Northern Di people. In that case, we'll do as you say and have someone send the things to Yanmen Pass."
Granny Lu said, "Don't use any boxes or anything like that. Just use a plain cloth. Once it's wrapped up, I'll have someone deliver it to you."
Although Granny Lu returned on her own this time, several people secretly accompanied her. After her return, she told Xu Rao, Zhang Zhaoci, and Xu Di that Chen Wufu, the chief eunuch of Emperor Liang Cheng, had sent them to protect her. These people now live in the backyard of the Xu family, rarely venturing out. They are all highly skilled in martial arts and could be lifesavers in an emergency.
Granny Lu gave several bundles to a very ordinary-looking person and asked them to quickly deliver them to Yanmen Pass. In order to accommodate the people who had evacuated from Hexi, Wei Lang set up many tents near Yanmen Pass.
After receiving the order, the man left the Xu family's house with his bundle and headed towards Yanmen Pass inconspicuously.
Having taken care of everything, Zhang Zhaoci felt relieved and turned to look at Xu Zhi.
The two young ladies from the Li family had already been sent back to their home. After receiving the evacuation notice, Xu Zhi returned to her room and gathered her belongings, including clothes and banknotes. She picked out the inconspicuous clothes and threw the silk ones into the wardrobe. As for jewelry, she found some silver-plated and gold-plated pieces and threw them on the dressing table, while storing the solid pieces away. Naturally, she kept the banknotes close to her body.
Seeing the rather ornate jewelry on the dressing table, Zhang Zhaoci asked her, "Why don't you put these away?"
Xu Zhi said embarrassedly, "I heard my brother say that we did this to lure the Northern Di people in. Since we're going to pretend that the city has fallen and we're fleeing, we have to make it look like we're fleeing. Who can pack everything up neatly when they're fleeing? Leaving these things here will make them think we ran away in a hurry. Mother, these things aren't very valuable. I've put away the valuable things."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhaoci said, "Oh, you're so thoughtful! How come I didn't think of that? Xiao Jiu, hurry up and get ready, and Mother will go and make the arrangements."
Zhang Zhaoci, heavily pregnant, hurriedly went to the main room. Granny Lu was still arranging the transport of things. Zhang Zhaoci pulled Granny Lu aside and told her about Xu Zhi's idea. Granny Lu said, "I've thought of everything. Don't worry, I guarantee that when those Northern Di people come in, they will think we're fleeing in a hurry, not leaving like this, okay?"
Zhang Zhaoci said with a smile, "I always said that with you, Granny Lu, this family has a pillar of support."
Granny Lu smiled and said, "You go to the side quickly, I still need to check what else I need to take with me."
Xu Di came in from outside looking disheveled. He saw Zhang Zhaoci standing at the door holding her pregnant belly and said, "Mom, how's the preparation going? If it's ready, go to the west gate. We're about to open the west gate."
Zhang Zhaoci said, "Granny Lu is still packing. Xu Di, do you think the Northern Di people will listen to us and just come into the city like this?" She asked the last part in a low voice.
Xu Di leaned close to Zhang Zhaoci and whispered, "They'll attack the city again this afternoon or tonight. When that happens, those of us on the city walls should run away as soon as possible, and they'll think we can't hold them off."
Zhang Zhaoci said, "I just told your dad that no matter what happens, you must protect your lives. As long as you're alive, there's hope. Mom doesn't want you to be heroes. Mom just wants you to live and live with me. Do you hear me?" Zhang Zhaoci said the last sentence with tears in her eyes.
Xu Di nodded and said, "Mom, we've planned everything. There won't be any problems. Please take good care of yourself and my brother."
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