Chapter 46 Mother, he is my father, he is...
Yunzhu spoke quickly, and as soon as she finished speaking, she immediately packed two bundles, filled them with clothes and valuables, and then pulled Ze Ayan and Mu Zhaozhi outside.
Ayan was still unaware of what had happened, but since Yunzhu was leaving, she went to lead her horse and went with her, taking Mu Zhaozhi with her.
The three mounted their horses, with Yunzhu leading the way, planning their journey to the city.
But no one expected that just as they rode their horses out of the courtyard and reached the alleyway outside the back gate, several people suddenly jumped out from a corner and blocked their way.
All three were startled. Yunzhu tightened the reins and listened as the leader spoke respectfully yet authoritatively, "We are following the Crown Prince's orders to guard the Crown Princess here. It is late, so please return to your room!"
Yunzhu's eyes widened as she gripped the reins tightly. She hadn't expected Xiao Mingzhang to be so fast, having already sent men to surround their house.
However, she also knew deep down that this was exactly Xiao Mingzhang's style. He meticulously arranged everything within his sight, leaving no detail overlooked.
Yunzhu used to be very proud of Xiao Mingzhang's abilities, but now they have become sharp swords aimed at her.
Since this person directly addressed Mu Zhaozhi as the Crown Princess, Yunzhu no longer cared whether she had revealed this to her daughter.
She said sternly, "Since you know I am the Crown Prince's consort, what business is it of yours where I go? If you know what's good for you, get out of my way!"
"Please, Your Highness, return home!"
But those guards obviously wouldn't listen to her. With Xiao Mingzhang above them, they absolutely wouldn't let Yunzhu go tonight.
Yunzhu gripped the reins so tightly they almost snapped, her eyes blazing with fury like firewood crackling under a winter brazier, just a hair's breadth away from ignition.
She and Ayan confronted the soldiers in the evening breeze for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. Finally, after the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, they took Mu Zhaozhi home first.
Back home, without Yunzhu needing to say anything more, Ayan basically understood what had happened.
Xiao Mingzhang has found them. They were discussing yesterday whether Xiao Mingzhang would have a chance to find them, and today he has already come to their door.
It seems he doesn't want to wait even a day longer and just wants to see Yunzhu.
But what was the purpose of meeting Yunzhu? Was it to welcome Yunzhu back, or to continue trying to kill her, or...?
Ayan dared not imagine that, like Yunzhu, she cherished Mu Zhaozhi as a treasure; the princess's daughter was also her princess.
Without further thought, she said to Yunzhu, "If the princess insists on taking the child with her, I will fight my way out for you!"
"What nonsense are you talking about?"
Yunzhu would never give up her daughter in this life, but she would also never give up Ayan. She and Ayan had lived together for so many years, relying on each other for survival, and were no different from sisters.
If Ayan has to die for Mu Zhaozhi's sake, Yunzhu would rather not take this path.
The little girl, Mu Zhaozhi, stood at her mother's feet, looking up at her mother and Aunt Yan as they talked.
Her little head was racing, and ever since that man appeared in the alley at night, she seemed to have never understood what was going on.
She didn't know who that man was, why her mother wanted to run away with her, or what the so-called prince and princess were. Was her mother a princess? Which country's princess was her mother from?
Mu Zhaozhi's little head was full of questions as she watched Aunt Yan and her mother talk in the flickering candlelight. Suddenly, they started arguing and shouting, but in the end, they made up.
They all lowered their heads and said to her gently, "Ah Zhi, are you hungry? Go eat first. It's already too late today. After you finish eating, go to sleep."
"Mother, but I haven't done my homework for today," Mu Zhaozhi said sincerely.
Yunzhu paused for a moment, then leaned down slightly to ask her daughter, "Does Azhi still want to do her homework tonight? I'm sorry to have delayed your studies tonight. If you want to rest for the night, you can skip your homework for now."
"No." Mu Zhaozhi shook her head firmly, "Mother, I need to do my homework. Won't you check it in class tomorrow?"
Yunzhu was taken aback for a moment, and in a daze, she seemed to understand something from her daughter.
She gritted her teeth, then stroked her daughter's head, a smile spreading across her face, and said, "Okay, then you should have some dinner first, and after dinner you can do your homework. Mother will sleep with you tonight."
"Okay!" Mu Zhaozhi agreed readily.
Seeing this, Ayan volunteered to take the little girl to have dinner first.
She had prepared dinner long ago, but Yunzhu and the children came home late, so she had to reheat the dishes.
Yunzhu watched the two figures disappear into the distance, the two bundles she had packed when she was about to escape still slung over her shoulders.
Seeing that Ayan had led Mu Zhaozhi into the kitchen, she stopped in her tracks and did not follow.
She turned her head and put the package back into the bedroom.
—
The next day, Yunzhu took little Mu Zhaozhi to school as usual.
Actually, Yunzhu had planned to skip school for the next few days. Xiao Mingzhang's appearance left her feeling somewhat lost. She didn't know what kind of things awaited her every time she went out, nor did she know how to resist them.
However, Mu Zhaozhi's statement that she wanted to go to school made Yunzhu hesitate for a very long time before she finally agreed to take her out.
Mu Zhaozhi, a young girl, has a natural love for learning. She was born and raised in this small town, and like Yunzhu, she is used to the pace and rhythm of this town. Since they are now under Xiao Mingzhang's control and can't do anything, it's better to let her daughter live the same life as before. At least that way, she will be happy.
At first, Yunzhu was filled with trepidation when she took Mu Zhaozhi's little hand and walked out of the house, but after a while, she gradually relaxed.
Because daytime is different from nighttime, they only walked a few steps before encountering the old man next door who had been letting his sheep graze in the mountains and was now resting at home. After leaving the alley, she met two other children from the school, a brother and sister, each carrying a schoolbag and also heading towards the school.
Upon seeing them, the siblings greeted them warmly and then walked forward together.
Yunzhu liked this feeling. Even though she knew that these people might not be able to help her at all when disaster really struck, this vibrant atmosphere of life and everything about it made her feel at ease and that she was living a good life in this world.
Upon arriving at the school, Yunzhu followed the same routine as the previous days, explaining the lessons to the children for the entire day.
The children's lunches at the school were prepared by a cook, who was the old scholar's wife. On weekdays, while the old scholar taught the children, she would be busy in the kitchen, preparing food for everyone in the school, adults and children alike.
These past few days, the old scholar has been absent, so Yunzhu has been attending school in his place and also having lunch in the classroom on his behalf.
"I heard that a big shot from Liangzhou came to town yesterday to buy horses." During the meal, the scholar's wife sat down next to Yunzhu and chatted with her.
Yunzhu looked up at her, and the lady continued, "I don't know if it's true or not, but it's said that the person who came is the heir of the Prince of Huan. If it's true, then he's a really important person!"
"..." Yunzhu smiled, but there was little sincerity in her smile. She said, "Is that so? The Crown Prince of Huan is indeed quite remarkable."
"It's a pity that the man only came for a day. I heard he returned to Liangzhou last night. I don't know why he had to come and see the horses in person. Does he not trust the horses here? I guess there will be many more battles to fight with the Western Regions in the future." The scholarly lady spoke eloquently, but Yunzhu only noticed her first sentence.
"You went back last night?"
“Yes,” said the scholarly lady. “How could such an important person stay in our small place for long? It is already a great event that he came to visit in person.”
Yunzhu then tugged at the corners of her mouth again, this time with a smile that seemed more genuine than before.
It turns out that Xiao Mingzhang had already returned to Liangzhou.
Although we don't know his exact purpose, it's estimated that he won't be coming back for the time being. Although Hanze and Liangzhou are close, it's not suitable for him to travel back and forth every day. He has important matters to attend to, so he is destined to be unable to take care of her and their daughter.
Regardless, she and her daughter deserve a period of good times.
She picked up the tea in front of her and drank it all in one gulp. She was more energetic in class all afternoon than in the morning.
School ended as usual today, and by mid-afternoon, the school was almost empty.
Yunzhu and her daughter have always been the last to leave since the classes started.
"Mother, I asked Auntie today who the Crown Prince and Crown Princess are." Just as Yunzhu took her daughter's small hand, little Mu Zhaozhi looked up and suddenly asked Yunzhu.
Yunzhu paused, then heard Mu Zhaozhi continue, "The Crown Prince is the Prince's son, and the Crown Princess is the Crown Prince's wife. Mother, last night that person was the Crown Prince, and you are the Crown Princess, so he is actually my father, right? Mmm—"
Before Mu Zhaozhi could finish her last word, Yunzhu quickly covered her mouth.
This was the first time Yunzhu had looked at her daughter with such a terrified and stern expression.
She glanced around, as if afraid someone would overhear her, then glared at her daughter sternly and said, "No! He's not your father! He can't be your father! He absolutely can't be your father, do you understand?"
"Mmm—" Mu Zhaozhi blinked her eyes. She had never seen her mother like this before. She didn't know what she had said wrong, but she knew subconsciously that her mother was angry, very angry.
She wanted to comfort her mother, but suddenly heard clear footsteps outside the quiet school gate.
She and her mother looked out the door at the same time, and saw the same figure that had appeared at her house a few evenings ago, now appearing again under the shade of the trees at her school.
He approached step by step, unlike the rugged men commonly seen on the frontier. A few days ago, Mu Zhaozhi couldn't see this man's figure clearly under the moonlight, but today, she could see him perfectly. This man was like a pine tree, a cypress, a bamboo, and a jade. His face was the most outstanding she had ever seen. The gentle breeze emanating from him had not been washed by the northern grasslands, but was like a moist autumn water from the south.
He was very tall and handsome.
She and her mother watched him approach. Her mother spoke sharply and immediately released her to stop him.
The man stopped when his mother stopped him.
But Mu Zhaozhi heard him ask with her own ears, "Why don't you tell her? Why won't you let her know that I am her father?"
With a snap—
When Mu Zhaozhi saw this, her mother slapped the man.
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Author's Note: Happy Qixi Festival! Consider this slap our Yunzhu's Qixi gift to the Crown Prince~ [Let me see]
P.S.: I might still be a bit busy these next couple of days, so tonight's update might be delayed, but I estimate I can manage to update regularly on Saturday and Sunday this weekend! Love you all~
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