A moment later, Er Longzi rushed in. Seeing that Xiao Jinfeng was safe and sound, he finally breathed a sigh of relief...
"Your Highness, I've been looking for you all night. Are you injured?" Er Longzi asked, leaning closer.
Xiao Jinfeng shook his head. "It's nothing. How is Shen Ducai?" Kuai Shu Ge
Er Longzi recounted Gu Zhenshan's visit to Dashui Village to see relatives, his face full of admiration. "General Gu is truly worthy of his reputation. Shen Ducai was more obedient than a puppy in front of him! He was so thoroughly subdued that he didn't dare to utter a single word!"
Xiao Jinfeng: "..."
So, it was General Gu who saved them, not the reinforcements from the palace?
In fact, the secret guards sent by Emperor Cheng had arrived in Dashui Village last night. Seeing that Gu Zhenshan had already quelled the conflict, the secret guards hid themselves and protected the Prince of Ming from the shadows...
These imperial guards rarely revealed themselves.
"Your Highness, your hands and ears have developed sores from the cold. Shall I have the doctor apply some ointment for you?" Er Longzi asked with concern.
Alas, the Prince of Ming had never suffered such hardship since childhood, yet now he had frozen his ears for a girl. It truly showed the great power of love...
"I'm fine. Go and get a brazier and bring it into the carriage. I want to take Huaihua back to Dashui Village!" Xiao Jinfeng ordered.
Since Jin Huaihua had been rescued, his next step was to settle the score with Shen Ducai...
Er Longzi said "Oh" and ran off happily.
At the same time, outside the Chu Mansion in the capital, three carriages arrived.
Chu Jiangtun jumped down first and went to the second carriage. He lifted the curtain. "Father, Mother, Sister, we're home!"
Xiao Xitian heard the commotion and slowly opened her big eyes, glancing outside the window...
All the way here, she had been like a hibernating worm, sleeping soundly except for meals and trips to the privy.
Old Man Yun tucked his pipe into his waistband and jumped off the carriage, stretching his sore old back. "Oh, I was so bored. We've finally arrived. Jiangtun, is this your house?"
A plaque hung above the tall doorframe, with four square, red-lacquered characters spelling out 'Chu Mansion'. Several sweeping servants had already come out to help their young master move luggage into the courtyard...
Chu Jiangtun smiled and said, "Yes, Father. It's a bit late today. You and Mother can stay here for the night, and I'll take you to the new residence tomorrow!"
Old Man Yun grunted, "Alright. The capital is your territory. Here, I'll listen to you..."
Madam Gu alighted from the carriage with Xiao Xitian. The mother and daughter, each carrying a bundle on their backs, looked around at the sides of the street.
It had to be said that Chu Jiangtun's mansion was very well-located. The entrance was lined with dense willow trees and several flower beds. When summer arrived, one could see the shade of the willows and butterflies fluttering.
Moreover, the street was sparsely populated and very quiet. The neighbors were also grand mansions, with guards even stationed at their entrances...
Xiao Jinheng and Xiao Xinling also alighted from the carriage, the siblings stretching their limbs.
"Brother Jiangtun!" Xiao Jinheng walked up to Chu Jiangtun and cupped his hands. "Before I can handle some matters, I will have to trouble you to let me stay here for a while..."
Upon hearing this, Chu Jiangtun chuckled heartily. "Young Master Xiao can stay as long as you like. But you don't need to trouble me, because my parents will be moving to the new residence tomorrow. Young Master Xiao can go and stay at their place. That residence is huge, even more luxurious than mine, haha!"
Xiao Jinheng: "..."
You're truly extravagant. Buying a high-end mansion in the capital must cost eight or nine thousand taels of silver, or even ten thousand!
Xiao Xinling heard this and pulled Xiao Jinheng aside, whispering, "Hey, little crybaby, aren't you going back to the palace?"
"Not for now!" Xiao Jinheng said indifferently, glancing in the direction of the palace. "If I appear in the palace, Consort Xian will surely become suspicious. So, before I can bring her down, I need to communicate with my father in secret..."
After speaking, Xiao Jinheng beckoned to Kong Xingzhuo. When he ran over, Xiao Jinheng whispered a few words to him, instructing, "Be careful and don't let anyone else find out!"
"Understood, Your Highness!" Kong Xingzhuo replied, pushing Han Chijiao to Xiao Ying and Xiao Jun. "You two keep an eye on her. If she dares to run, tie her up with a rope!"
Han Chijiao: "..."
She had truly suffered misfortune for eight lifetimes. She was a princess of the barbarians, yet she was forced to be caught up in the palace struggles of Daliang.
How innocent she was.
"Mother, your complexion doesn't look very good. Are you tired?" Xiao Xitian held Madam Gu's hand and asked, tilting her small head.
Madam Gu smiled slightly. "Mother is fine..."
She was just very worried about whether anything had happened at home.
It had been more than half a month on the road. Those so-called assassins should have already arrived in Dashui Village.
Had they gone to the county town to trouble Daman and Erman? Would Huaihua be implicated if she stayed at home? Was the cow being taken care of well? These questions filled Madam Gu's heart with worry...
Xiao Xitian patted Madam Gu's hand and smiled sweetly. "Don't worry, Mother. Nothing will happen at home. Later, Xitian will make you a bowl of calming soup. You'll feel better after drinking it!"
Even if Mother didn't say it, Xiao Xitian knew what she was worried about...
"You truly are Mother's thoughtful little cotton-padded jacket!" Madam Gu bent down and kissed her daughter.
Chu Jiangtun arranged rooms for his family as quickly as possible and then ordered the kitchen to slaughter chickens and sheep to prepare dinner.
As dusk approached, everyone gathered in the main hall and took their seats at the dining table.
Braised Carp, Hand-pulled Mutton, Four Happiness Meatballs, Di San Xian (eggplant, potato, green pepper), Stewed Chicken with Mushrooms, Stir-fried Meat Slices, Braised Pork Bones, and so on...
The richness of the feast was no less than imperial cuisine.
"Jingde, Xiaolou, you should start eating too!" Chu Jiangtun held a wine jar and smiled at the children. "This is your first time at Uncle's house, don't be shy. There's plenty of food. Later, I'll have the maids get you some orange juice. That stuff is sweet and sour, and it's delicious, haha..."
Chu Jiangtun had perfectly inherited Old Man Yun's hospitable genes. He was honest and polite, so everyone liked him very much.
The group had not eaten much during their travels these past few days. Upon seeing the table full of delicacies, their appetites were greatly whetted, and they began to devour the food.
Xiao Xinling and Han Chijiao almost got into a fight over a chicken drumstick...
After eating their fill, everyone returned to their rooms to rest.
At the same time, in the Hall of Mental Cultivation in the imperial palace.
Emperor Cheng stood by the window, his face filled with indignation.