The horse convoy arrived at the entrance of the Liu Mansion. Zheng Ke was the first to dismount and hurried to the gate, reaching out to tear off the seal. However, he was stopped by Liu Kai, the head steward. "Zheng Ke, don't act rashly. Inquire first and find out what's going on," Liu Kai said.
With that, Liu Kai waved his hand, and the people around him immediately dispersed.
It wasn't long before someone returned.
"The head steward has inquired. Around noon, golden-armored warriors came and took the master away, and then they took everyone from the mansion."
"The Marquis has been taken to the imperial prison, and the heir and others have been locked up in the Law Department's prison."
Hearing this, Liu Kai couldn't help but frown.
"It's strange, how could the Marquis be arrested without any warning?"
At this moment, Zheng Ke spoke up, "Head steward, I overheard them saying that there are rumors in the capital now that the young lady is secretly gathering people."
"Yes, and some people are saying the Marquis is in league with Zhu Meng, and that he is secretly supporting Zhu Meng."
After hearing these words, Liu Kai sighed deeply. "As expected, rumors are more terrifying than tigers. I didn't expect we couldn't avoid it in the end."
"Head steward, we should leave quickly. If we are seen returning, it might cause trouble," Zheng Ke reminded him in a low voice.
"Alright, let's break up and scatter. Everyone go their separate ways and gather by Mirror Lake."
Mirror Lake was within Liu Xiangnan's fiefdom, so gathering there would be relatively safer.
After everyone had gathered, they began to discuss in hushed tones. "Head steward, we should go directly to the Emperor and ask him to release them." Su Dan Novel Network
Liu Kai glared. "Such disrespectful words, never speak them again."
Zheng Ke cupped his fists and said, "Head steward, I think we should inform the young lady as soon as possible. After all, she is by the Crown Prince's side."
Hearing this, Liu Kai nodded. "Send a carrier pigeon to the young lady, inform her of the situation here, and have her report this matter to the Crown Prince as soon as possible."
After speaking, he turned and looked into the distance. In the twilight, a few low houses were already blurred.
This was where the laborers temporarily rested during the busy farming season.
"We will stay here for a few days until we receive news from the young lady."
The next day, as dawn broke, River Head Village buzzed with activity.
Chen Xiaobei had returned, and he had returned with Cui Hongyu.
The village defense team members excitedly surrounded them, asking questions.
The Old Ancestor also hurried over, leaning on his cane, to the foot of the great locust tree.
"Xiaobei, have you found out what happened?"
Chen Xiaobei pointed to a few horses in the distance behind him.
Chen Sanqiu and the others on the horses were already feeling nauseous from the bumpy ride, their insides churning.
The Old Ancestor looked closely and couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, "Isn't that Sanqiu?"
"Yes, it was him who led people to kidnap Hongyu. And that Liu Xiaobao, he's also a scoundrel from the county town."
Hearing this, the Old Ancestor's cane hit the ground. "Scoundrels! They truly shame our Old Chen family."
"According to our clan rules, such people should be drowned in the river."
Upon hearing the Old Ancestor's words, the crowd became indignant, shouting in unison.
"Drown him!"
"Drown him!"
Seeing their flushed faces, Chen Xiaobei waved his hand.
"Everyone, don't rush. Listen to me. Since we have clan rules, we will act according to them."
He then turned to Chen Dayong, a member of the village defense team.
Chen Dayong understood immediately and loudly announced, "I'll go and get people to prepare a wooden cage."
The crowd's clamor gradually subsided, and then Cui Hua, wiping tears, rushed to Cui Hongyu.
"Sister Hongyu, hurry and come to my house to see!"
Cui Hongyu suddenly came to her senses. "Sister-in-law, how is Brother Dachun? Can he get out of bed yet?"
Cui Hua shook her head. "Alas, it's still the same. He's been lying in bed saying his legs have no feeling."
Chen Xiaobei overheard their conversation and turned. "What happened to Brother Dachun?"
Cui Hongyu then briefly explained how Chen Dachun had been injured in a fall.
After hearing this, Chen Xiaobei also felt a sense of foreboding. He had been injured for so many days, and his lower body still had no sensation. This was likely a permanent paralysis.
Of course, he couldn't say such things now, as it would likely make Cui Hua even more heartbroken.
So, he could only comfort Cui Hua a few words and asked Cui Hongyu to go and help.
After all these matters were settled, Chen Xiaobei saw Liu Ce and Liu Tie standing side by side in the distance, looking at him with smiles.
Chen Xiaobei walked over and greeted them. "Steward Liu, thank you for sending people to help. We're back."
Liu Ce nodded. "It's good that Brother Xiaobei is back. By the way, the supplies on the mountain will need a few more days to be transported. I'll arrange that, you can rest."
Just as Chen Xiaobei was about to speak, he heard a commotion in the distance and saw a group of people laughing and talking as they walked towards the south of the village.
Chen Xiaobei then remembered that the warehouse was still being built on the four mu of land.
After bidding farewell to Liu Ce, Chen Xiaobei hurried to Chen Dachun's house.
As soon as he entered the courtyard, he smelled a strong medicinal scent.
Entering the room, his second aunt, Xiu Mei, was also tearfully standing nearby. Anyone would be upset if the pillar of the family was in such a state.
Seeing Chen Xiaobei arrive, Dachun also looked dejected and beckoned him over.
Chen Xiaobei sat down. "Brother Dachun, I believe Hongyu will cure you."
Hearing this, a glimmer of light flashed in Chen Dachun's eyes. "Yes, please trouble you and Hongyu with everything."
"Brother, you just rest at home. I'll take care of the warehouse on the four mu of land. By the way, you were injured while building the warehouse. Your daily wages will not be reduced, and the medical expenses will also be covered by the village."
At this moment, Chen Qiao'er's clear voice rang out from outside. "Brother, Sister-in-law, you're back."
Because she missed her brother and sister-in-law, Chen Qiao'er slept very late that night. She hadn't caught up with the excitement in the village earlier. Hearing that her brother and sister-in-law were back, she hurried over.
Chen Xiaobei came into the yard and saw Chen Qiao'er shouting at them from atop the wall.
Chen Xiaobei waved. "Qiao'er, get down quickly, I'll be home soon."
Chen Qiao'er, being obedient, immediately slid down the wall.
At this time, Cui Hongyu also came out, and the two of them walked home in tacit understanding.
After leaving Dachun's yard and bidding farewell to Cui Hua, Chen Xiaobei looked at Cui Hongyu.
Cui Hongyu shook her head. "It's been so many days, and she still has no sensation in her lower body. I think it's probably hopeless."
Chen Xiaobei also sighed slightly. "Alas, what kind of fate does Brother Dachun have? Just as life was looking up, this happened."
Hearing this, Cui Hongyu also felt helpless. "What can we do about it? It's all fate!"
As they were talking, footsteps approached. Chen Qiao'er eagerly ran out and threw herself into Cui Hongyu's arms.
"Sister-in-law, you're back! Qiao'er missed you."
Her words made Cui Hongyu's eyes well up with tears.
She affectionately touched Chen Qiao'er's forehead. "Sister-in-law is fine. You should go to school."