Originally, it was thought that Liu Yingying had died in Taoyuan Village, but unexpectedly she was still alive.
They even ran all the way to the capital, right under his nose!
"Lord Zhu, do you recognize the Lady of Ning'an County?"
The man sitting opposite him, dressed in black, smiled at him with a hint of ill intent.
Zhu Ziqian's eyes widened slightly, but he quickly regained his composure and asked warily, "You've been investigating me in secret. Who exactly are you?"
The man's smile held a hint of mockery. "Who I am is unimportant. What's important is that my master sent me to remind you, Lord Zhu, so that you can be mentally prepared in advance, right?"
His words were veiled, but Zhu Ziqian naturally understood his meaning.
"I understand. Please thank your master for the reminder. If you don't mind, I will definitely pay you a visit another day!"
"My master doesn't like to see people. I've delivered the message. What to do next is entirely up to you, Lord Zhu!"
After the man finished speaking, he got off the carriage, and Zhu Ziqian was completely stunned...
The events of a year ago are replaying in my mind once again…
That's right, he is Zhu Xiucai from Taoyuan Village, and Zhu Jianqiang, Liu Yingying's husband!
A year ago, on his way to the capital for the imperial examination, he was attacked by bandits. Not only were all his belongings stolen, but he was also beaten half to death.
It took him more than half a month to recover from his injury, and he was able to continue his journey with great difficulty.
However, the rope broke at a thin point, and after walking for only two days, he encountered a mudslide and was almost buried alive.
If he hadn't been rescued by Lady Yong'an, the wife of the Marquis, and her daughter who were returning to their hometown to pay respects to their ancestors, he would probably have died on his way to the imperial examination!
The eldest daughter of the Marquis's family was beautiful and kind-hearted, of noble birth, and the temperament she inadvertently exuded was remarkably similar to that of his childhood sweetheart, his first wife...
So, during their brief time together, he and Miss Lin naturally developed feelings for each other.
But he was just a down-on-his-luck poor scholar, and he already had a wife and children, so how could he dare to covet the legitimate daughter of the Marquis's family?
Zhu Jianqiang didn't want to be a Chen Shimei (a notorious figure in Chinese folklore known for abandoning his wife), but Miss Lin was also deeply in love with him, so how could he bear to betray her?
Moreover, after arriving in the capital, he gained the favor of a nobleman, and thus took advantage of the connections of the Marquis's family to change his identity.
Now he is no longer the poor scholar Zhu Jianqiang, but the newly appointed Jinshi and the virtuous son-in-law of the Marquis of Yong'an!
He is now thirty years old. He was once married, but his first wife passed away early, leaving behind three children. It's a pity...
Unfortunately, none of them survived!
As for Liu Yingying, she was nothing more than one of his concubines, yes, that's all!
He has finally risen to prominence with the help of the Prime Minister's mansion, and his future looks bright. He absolutely cannot let those ruined past events and people drag him back to the bottom of hell!
Zhu Ziqian suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze filled with gloom.
If only Liu Yingying and those three children could all... disappear from this world.
The Prime Minister's residence will never discover their existence!
only…
Zhu Ziqian raised his hand again to lift the curtain, his gaze fixed on the spot where Liu Yingying and Young Master Huo had just stood, and he fell into deep thought and hesitation once more…
He didn't know who the man who had led him here and shown him that scene was, nor did he know who his master was...
But there is one thing Zhu Ziqian is certain of.
His master was definitely not after him; the other party's target was probably the Liu family or... Young Master Huo.
Someone like Zhu Ziqian, who had climbed his way up from the bottom, was incredibly astute. He naturally knew that the mysterious person wanted to use him as a pawn.
But he couldn't refuse!
The carriage had been parked by the roadside for a long time when the servant outside reminded him, "Young master, it's getting late. Shouldn't we go back? Otherwise, the young lady will worry."
"Okay, let's go!" Zhu Ziqian calmed himself down and put down the curtain in his hand.
Another night passed, and the snow in the capital city accumulated even thicker, turning the whole world into a magnificent, silver-clad wonderland.
However, on the day Liu Yingying and the other two left Beijing, the weather finally cleared up.
Under the not-so-strong sunlight, the snow melted a little.
Snow water dripped from the eaves, and the road, though full of potholes, was also covered with puddles and half-melted snow, but it rarely affected people's travel.
Liu Yingying bought a carriage and brought back many specialties from the capital for her children, returning home with a full load.
Zhang Hui, Wan Niangzi, and the others wiped away their tears as they reluctantly saw them off at the city gate, not forgetting to give them their final words of advice.
"The journey is long, Xiao Ye, you must take good care of your aunt. She's a very good person, we can't let anything happen to her on the way..."
Xue Ye nodded; "I will, and you all take care of yourselves too!"
These words made Liu Yingying glance at him sideways.
This is unbelievable! This doesn't sound like something a simpleton like him would say...
"Alright, Huiniang, you don't need to see us off anymore. It's freezing cold, so you should go home early!"
"Remember, if you encounter any difficulties, be sure to write to me!"
Liu Yingying held Zhang Hui's hand tightly.
Zhang Hui nodded, her eyes red-rimmed; "Don't worry, I'll take good care of myself and the children."
After saying goodbye to Zhang Hui and the others, Liu Yingying and Xiaoxue boarded the carriage.
Xiaoxue was also homeless, and she was willing to go back with Liu Yingying.
Xue Ye was responsible for driving the carriage outside, and the two-horse carriage carrying the three of them slowly drove away from the capital...
After traveling for about two hours, the carriage suddenly stopped.
Liu Yingying lifted the curtain and asked, "What's wrong?"
Xue Ye frowned slightly and said, "The carriage in front is blocking the way."
Upon hearing this, Liu Yingying poked half her head out to peek.
Two carriages were parked not far ahead, one of which was half-stuck in a crooked crevice between rocks and could not move.
Several people dressed as maids and servants stood outside the carriage, and the faint sound of crying could be heard coming from inside the carriage...
"Sister Liu, I'll go take a look!"
Xiaoxue volunteered to get off the bus, but Liu Yingying stopped her, saying, "I reckon the person in the bus on the other side must have suddenly fallen ill on the way. I happen to know a little about medicine, so I'll go and take a look!"
"Then I'll go with you!"
At this moment, the luxuriously decorated carriage in front was in complete chaos.
The owners inside the carriage were none other than Princess Lin'an and her daughter, Princess Zhenxi, Jiang Yuyan.
The mother and daughter were on their way to Jixiang Temple outside the city to offer incense and pray for the unborn child in Jiang Yuyan's womb, but the carriage broke down halfway there, causing Jiang Yuyan to faint from fright.
Although she brought a doctor with her today, Jiang Yuyan's health had been damaged since giving birth to her eldest son, and she had not been able to conceive again.
This second pregnancy was hard-won, and now this has happened. Princess Lin'an is truly heartbroken.
"How are Yan'er and her unborn child?"
As soon as the doctor withdrew his hand from taking her pulse, Princess Lin'an immediately asked anxiously.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
