FID – Chapter 721

Chapter 721: Escape

Liu Zhiqiu rolled up the imperial edict and looked at his family. “Elders, pack your things and go with Qian Wanjin. You all head to a safe place to hide. Uncle Lan and I will sneak into the capital and figure out a way to rescue them!”

“The soldiers are already coming to arrest us. How are you going to sneak into the capital? Your elder brother is already trapped in prison, and if something happens to you too, how are we supposed to live as a family?” Grandma Liu cried.

Grandpa Liu said solemnly, “In times like this, we must not act impulsively. Let’s leave first and think of a way together later.”

Both the palm and the back of the hand are flesh—at this moment, how could they not want to save Zhixia? But they were just ordinary people. How could they save him? 

Should they sacrifice another grandson? Even if they wanted to save him, they had to plan carefully and come up with a solution as a family!

“I agree with Dad’s words. Zhixia is currently imprisoned in the imperial prison. It won’t be easy to rescue him; it will require careful planning,” Liu Dalin and Chen Xiulan said, suppressing their pain.

“We can’t waste time. Let’s hurry and pack up. We need to leave immediately. Even if we’re going to rescue someone, we need to avoid the soldiers first!” Liu Erlin and Du Juan immediately went inside to pack.

After the elders entered the house to gather their things, Fu Yuzheng looked at Liu Zhiqiu and Liu Muqiu, lowering her voice, “Zhiqiu, Muqiu, I want to temporarily entrust Xiao Maodou to you. I need to go to the capital. I know more about the situation in the court than the both of you. If I go, there’s a better chance of success.”

Having been with the King for so long, she had finally gained some understanding of the forces around him. As long as she could safely sneak in, she would be able to find the person. Even if she couldn’t rescue them, she would fight to buy time, waiting for the prince’s return!

She absolutely could not lose Zhixia!

Before she could continue, Liu Zhiqiu interrupted her, “Sister-in-law, you’ve lived in the capital for many years, and most people there know you. If you go, you’ll be exposed immediately. I, on the other hand, have never been to the capital. As long as I make a slight disguise, no one will recognize me. General Shi is in the capital. Once we arrive, with Qian Wanjin leading the way, I’ll approach him. We will definitely come up with a solution. I won’t let my older brother be executed!”

If it comes to that, he’ll just hijack the execution ground!

Qian Wanjin could no longer listen, pushing everyone forward. “Enough! It’s too early to discuss anything right now! The most important thing is to leave first! My father and General Shi are doing everything they can in the capital. Things aren’t as bad as we thought. Hurry up, stop wasting time!”

After pushing everyone away, Qian Wanjin opened the main gate of the courtyard and whispered a few words to the villagers guarding the entrance. The villagers immediately dispersed and left.

Soon, Liu Jinfu and An Cai arrived. Qian Wanjin led them to the family’s cellar and brought out two large jars from inside. He handed one to each of them.

“This is the essential ingredient for brewing nourishing wine. It’s the wine base that Nannan personally made. When brewing a batch of wine, you just need to add one grain to enhance the taste and effectiveness. I’m entrusting this to you two. Before everyone returns to the Liu courtyard, you’ll temporarily be in charge of the winery.”

“Young master, what exactly is happening?” Liu Jinfu asked, his heart in a panic.

An Cai took the jar directly and interjected, “The Liu family has one foot already in the official world. It must be something that has happened to Zhixia that is implicating the family. This is not a matter we should ask too much about. When others come asking, we should say we don’t know—that will seem most natural. Take the things and leave.”

He then dragged Liu Jinfu outside, but after a few steps, he turned back, “Young Master, don’t worry. The winery will be well managed.”

Qian Wanjin nodded at them.

After the two villages reconciled, he had more interactions with An Cai while managing the division of the winery. An Cai’s schemes and ruthlessness were far beyond Liu Jinfu’s level, but his biggest strength was loyalty.

These two were both trustworthy.

For the time being, he probably wouldn’t be back for a long time, and the winery couldn’t be left to waste.

Prime Minister Zuo had only temporarily targeted the Liu family but didn’t implicate the Qian family because of their status as the imperial merchant and the richest merchant in the empire. 

Moreover, he wouldn’t allow the Qian family’s wealth to shrink because of any problems. He wanted to seize the entire Qian family for himself and use them.

Therefore, all the businesses managed by the Qians could continue to operate normally, including the winery.

That day, the peaceful and calm atmosphere of Xinghua Village was no more. The whole village was filled with a tense and oppressive atmosphere.

The villagers stood at the doors of their courtyards, watching the Liu family’s carriage pass by, leaving the village.

There was no conversation between them, no unnecessary chatter.

It wasn’t to avoid each other, but rather a mutual understanding.

Sometimes, saying nothing and asking nothing was the greatest form of protection.

The carriage sped toward the Yunzhou dock, purposely traveling at night to avoid drawing attention.

However, before they could enter the city, Wei Lan noticed something wrong, and the group immediately turned back.

Soldiers had been deployed heavily at the city gates!

Yunzhou had been calm recently, with no bandit groups to suppress or notorious criminals on the run. There was no reason for such a sudden increase in military presence at the checkpoints.

The soldiers had been sent under orders specifically targeting the Liu family!

Throughout their journey, Qian Wanjin had deliberately taken a detour off the official road, likely avoiding the soldiers heading to Xinghua Village to capture them. But now, the city gates were blocked, and the back roads to Xinghua Village were cut off. For a moment, they had no place to go.

Even Qian Wanjin couldn’t have anticipated the speed at which Prime Minister Zuo’s men would arrive. 

He originally thought they would have a few more days before the officers arrived at Cangwu Town.

“What should we do now?” With no escape route, the Liu family elders’ faces tightened.

They were old. Having lived long enough, even if they were captured, it wouldn’t matter to them. But there were still their younger generations, and their first great-grandson, Xiao Maodou, to consider.

“How about this, we split up,” Elder Jiu suggested. “I’m not a member of the Liu family, and I don’t think those people will target me specifically. I can take Xiao Maodou and escape. Xiao Lan knows where I live, and once things calm down, you can go and bring the little one back.”

He could only save one.

After all, his face had been seen by the officials, so even though he said it was safe, it wasn’t really safe at all. 

The most he could do was save one life.

Fu Yuzheng tightened her hold on the child in her arms, thought for a moment, and then shook her head. “This is not a good idea. The people in the capital know that you are staying with the Liu family. They’ll probably put up heavy surveillance on you, and you won’t be able to take anyone with you.”

This was the truth, and it was disheartening.

Angrily, Qian Wanjin spat toward the city gates, “Bastards!”

The atmosphere in the carriage grew heavier.

Liu Muqiu looked at his family and finally gritted his teeth. “I have a plan. If it works, we might be able to evade the soldiers and leave Yunzhou!”

“What solution?”

“Go ask the Li family for help!” After a pause, Liu Muqiu continued, “The Li family deals in high-end porcelain and has been transporting goods to various major cities for years. They already have a special passage. As long as Matriarch Li agrees to help, we might have a chance!”