Chapter 39 Assassination
Xiao Yu bit her lip and pondered for a moment. For now, she could only entrust the young lady to her adoptive mother for the time being, as there was no one else she could trust. Besides, hadn't Liang Chengqiu just said that he could help her notify her family?
Xiao Yu considered for a moment and said carefully, "Officer Liang, could I borrow some paper and pen? I want to write a letter home."
Liang Chengqiu looked at her expressionlessly, exuding a cold aura. Xiao Yu's heart pounded. After waiting for a long time without receiving a response, Xiao Yu was unsure and anxious, afraid that she might change her mind again.
"Officer Liang..."
After a long silence, Liang Chengqiu's cold voice finally rang out: "Someone, bring paper and ink."
Xiao Yu finally breathed a sigh of relief.
A moment later, a constable came over with paper and ink. Xiao Yu took the brush, silently wrote a few lines on the paper, handed it to Liang Chengqiu, and said with expectant eyes, "I'm entrusting this to Constable Liang."
Liang Chengqiu nodded, glanced at Xiao Yu with an ambiguous look, and then left the cell.
Meanwhile, in the front hall of the Xiao family, the three people looked solemn. The little maid carefully lowered her head to pour tea for her master, hiding behind Jiang Wanrou and pricking up her ears.
Xiao Yu's sudden arrest undoubtedly cast a shadow over this family.
Chen Yu twisted her hands together, glancing at Jiang Wanrou and then at Song Luoning out of the corner of her eye. After waiting a while and receiving no further response, she couldn't help but ask, "Aunt, what should we do now? My cousin is...?"
Although she had some issues with Xiao Yu these past two years, it didn't mean she wanted to watch him die, especially since Xiao Yu was improving and the family was living in harmony.
Furthermore, if it weren't for her own situation, Xiao Yu wouldn't have clashed with Chen Ziyi, and she wouldn't have been wrongly accused of murder.
Thinking about it, Chen Yu's eyes suddenly reddened.
"Why are you crying?" Jiang Wanrou glanced at her. "It's an opportunity that A-Yu has been transferred to the Dali Temple. If she had stayed in Linyang County, she would probably have been sentenced to death by now." She sighed and turned to Song Luoning, asking, "Luoning, do you have any ideas?"
The reason for asking Song Luoning is that her father is the prime minister. With just one word, would she be afraid that her subordinates would not investigate properly?
I wonder what this daughter-in-law is thinking? Right now, we can only pin our hopes on Song Luoning.
Song Luoning pursed her lips: "First, we need to find the real culprit to clear my husband's name. Right now, we have no ability to find the culprit. In my opinion, we should go to the capital. Father has a good relationship with the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. We can ask him to put in a good word for us and have the Court of Judicial Review reinvestigate the case. This way, we can clear my husband's name as soon as possible."
That makes sense, and besides, no one else could think of a better way. Jiang Wanrou no longer hesitated, nodded, stood up, took Song Luoning's hand, and patted it: "Good child." She took a breath and continued: "Let's do as Luoning said. Everyone go and pack your things. In three days, we'll go to the capital with the county government's escorts. That way, we can look out for each other on the way." Then she said to Chen Yu: "Take these two days to collect the rent you owed. Collect as much as you can. When you get to the capital, you still need to make some arrangements."
Chen Yu nodded in agreement.
After discussing the matter, Song Luoning stood up to leave, but Jiang Wanrou called her back: "Let Xiaoyu come over and keep you company tonight. It's not safe for you to stay alone without Ayu. It'll be better if Xiaoyu is there to look after you."
Song Luoning originally didn't want to trouble them, since apart from her relationship with Xiao Yu, she didn't really have much to say to them. But then she thought that it was indeed unsafe for her to be alone without Xiao Yu, and it would be better for two people to be together than one person. So she nodded in agreement.
The four of them sat together for dinner in a somewhat silent atmosphere. Even the usually most lively girl kept her head down and didn't dare to utter a sound.
After dinner, it was getting late, so Chen Yu followed Song Luoning directly back to Xiao Yu's new home.
There wasn't much to take. Song Luoning took out the purse that Xiao Yu had given her to keep safe from under her pillow. After some time, the purse was already bulging. Looking at the purse, Song Luoning's expression softened a bit. After a while, she sighed and put the purse into her bundle, then took out a few more sets of clothes.
Having been here for over two months, Song Luoning felt a pang of melancholy. She had arrived in the warm spring of March, but now it was already summer.
"Sister-in-law, will you blame me?" Chen Yu stood in front of the round table, looking somewhat at a loss, and carefully observed her expression out of the corner of her eye.
Song Luo Ning came to her senses, smiled reassuringly, and shook her head: "This kind of thing is not about who is right and who is wrong. You are your husband's sister. If your husband doesn't stand up for you when something happens, how can you be considered family? Now is not the time to pursue responsibility. The most important thing is to find a way to clear your husband's name as soon as possible."
"Mmm." Chen Yu's eyes were filled with tears as she nodded vigorously. "I understand, sister-in-law. Thank you. I was just being immature before, and I followed others in saying those things about her."
Song Luoning smiled and placed the packed bundle on the bedside table: "Get some rest, you have to get up early tomorrow."
Chen Yu pursed her lips and nodded vigorously.
The next day.
Chen Yu went to collect rent early in the morning. A man in black came to the house. Song Luo Ning looked down at the two letters on the table. One was from the county government, with a few crooked lines of writing, every sentence of which was full of concern for her. The other was from the capital, with the earnest instructions of her father and brother between the lines.
Song Luoning put away the letter and glanced at the messenger: "What is the situation in the capital?"
The messenger bowed respectfully and said, "The situation in the court is becoming increasingly tense, but Miss, there is no need to worry. The Prime Minister has taken control of the situation. The only concern is that those people may be detrimental to the new emperor. I hope that Miss will return to the capital as soon as possible."
Song Luoning lowered her eyes and pondered for a moment: "I understand, you can go now."
After the messenger left, Song Luoning took out a tinderbox and lit the letter.
Three days passed in the blink of an eye. Song Luoning and Chen Yu were in one carriage, and Jiang Wanrou and the little maid were in another. The four of them arrived at the county government office early and waited. After some time, the government office opened, and Xiao Yu was escorted out by two yamen runners, one on each side. Both yamen runners carried bundles on their backs, with Liang Chengqiu carrying the bundle at the back.
Although Xiao Yu was convicted by the county magistrate, the officials below had no authority to try relatives of the emperor, so there was no need for a prison cart to escort them on the road, and the group traveled light.
As soon as Xiao Yu stepped out of the county government gate, he saw Song Luoning's carriage. He was tempted, but the yamen runners pulled him back. He stared longingly at the carriage.
Song Luoning pushed open the carriage door and looked at her. She lowered her eyes and composed herself, pursing her lips. This lecherous man seemed a little haggard. Had he not slept well these past two days?
He raised his eyes again, his gaze returning to calm as he looked at Xiao Yu.
"My lady." The two looked at each other, and Xiao Yu's eyes suddenly reddened. Just as he was about to step forward, he was pushed by the yamen runner. Xiao Yu felt wronged and wanted to hug her.
For now, all he could do was think about it. Seeing the slight grievance in Song Luoning's eyes, he changed his words and said, "Wife, I'm fine. Why did you all come?" Seeing his family warmed his heart, he continued to Jiang Wanrou, "Mother, please take care of my wife for me while I return."
Song Luoning appeared calm, lowering her eyes.
Jiang Wanrou was taken aback and couldn't help but rub her forehead. What kind of time is this? Does he only have his wife in his heart? The old saying is really true: once you have a wife, you forget your mother.
Jiang Wanrou looked at her daughter with mixed feelings, chuckled twice, and said, "Who would wrong your wife? We'll go to the capital with you, so you'll have to take care of yourself on the way." As she spoke, she glanced at Song Luoning, feeling a mix of emotions, and then rubbed her forehead and sat back down in the carriage.
Seeing those two makes me feel heartbroken.
"What?" Xiao Yu stared at Song Luoning in disbelief. Song Luoning nodded at her. Xiao Yu couldn't hide her excitement, but it was quickly replaced by worry: "Wife, your health..."
Song Luoning looked up at her, smiled slightly, and got back into the carriage at the urging of the yamen runners.
The government officials escorted the prisoners on foot, with two carriages following behind. When they stopped to rest, Xiao Yu, with Liang Chengqiu's tacit permission, eagerly boarded one of the carriages.
"Husband, you..." Song Luoning pursed her lips, her ten fingers clenched tightly under her wide sleeves, and turned her face away, not daring to meet her burning gaze. This lecher, there are other people around, how could he do this?
Xiao Yu was tempted and wanted to hug him immediately, but glancing at the other person in the carriage, she hesitated, rubbed her fingers together, rested them on her knees, and leaned forward, unable to hide her concern: "If you feel unwell, you must tell me, don't make me worry, and don't worry about me either. I'm not tired from walking. I heard that the case at Dali Temple is going to be retried. I didn't kill anyone, so we can't all be like that muddle-headed county magistrate who convicted me without evidence."
“Yes, I believe in my husband.” Song Luoning’s brow twitched, and she leaned back against the carriage wall. A strange emotion arose in her heart, and her cheeks flushed slightly. She whispered, “I’m fine, my husband, you don’t need to worry. Xiaoyu is in the carriage.”
"Hmm, has my wife prepared any food?" Xiao Yu asked.
“My mother-in-law has prepared some dry food for the journey,” Song Luoning replied.
They prepared dry rations, but not snacks for the young lady. It would take half a month to travel from Linyang County to the capital by carriage, and for people like them who travel on foot, it would take forever. It took them most of the day to leave the county town.
With no entertainment along the way, wouldn't the young lady be very bored?
Xiao Yu was silent for a moment, then turned to look at Chen Yu: "When we get to the next county, you..." Before she could finish speaking, the sound of fighting came from outside.
"An assassin!"
The carriage swayed slightly, and Xiao Yu quickly helped Song Luoning up, saying, "Wife, don't move, I'll go out and take a look." After reassuring her, Xiao Yu jumped off the carriage, and the moment he did, several men in black turned around and slashed at her.
"......" No, why are they all attacking her?
Xiao Yu hurriedly crouched down, and the man in black's knife struck the carriage shaft, startling the horse into a neigh. Xiao Yu seized the opportunity to jump onto the carriage and started driving it at breakneck speed.
The horse was somewhat startled, and after an unknown amount of time, the carriage finally stopped at the edge of the cliff. Looking at the precipice in front of her, Xiao Yu felt a wave of fear. Fortunately, the horse valued its life, otherwise they would have lost their lives here.
They managed to escape, but given the current situation, they have likely strayed from the original official road, though she doesn't know exactly where they are.
Xiao Yu pushed open the carriage door and asked worriedly, "Wife, are you alright?"
Song Luo Ning clutched her chest, shook her head, and calmed down. Since taking the pills Xiao Yu gave her, she hadn't experienced any discomfort for a long time. She had only been a little frightened just now, and she was feeling much better now.
"It's good that you're alright." Xiao Yu glanced around. "We need to find Mother and the others as soon as possible."
Going back the way we came is definitely not an option; we might not find the person and then run into the men in black, which would be disastrous.
"My lady, why don't we find the main road first and wait for them ahead?"
Song Luoning thought for a moment and said, "My husband is right." She knew that their trip to the capital would be fraught with danger. She hadn't expected that the enemy would start making moves as soon as they left the city. The most important thing now was to find the people her father had sent to protect them.
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