freenovelworld Chapter 454: Zhen's Father is Critically Ill
Chapter 454: Zhen's Father is Critically Ill
As soon as Zhen Huan took the letter handed to her by A Jin, she couldn't wait to open it.
It read: "Huan'er, I'm glad to hear from you. It's like meeting you in person... The world may have its limits, but my longing for you is endless... My dear, please don't forget our parting promise!"
(Ancient poem from Yan Shu's "Spring Hate in Yulouchun")
As soon as Zhen Huan finished reading it, big tears fell on the letter paper, blurring the already dried words bit by bit.
A Jin and Bai Zhi had tactfully retreated outside the door as soon as Zhen Huan was in a bad mood.
After a long time, Zhen Huan asked in a hoarse voice.
"Ah Jin, the prince is traveling on the emperor's orders this time. Do you want to accompany him?"
"Madam Zhen, I will indeed serve the prince. As soon as my master entered the palace yesterday, the emperor used the dowager concubine as a hostage, forcing her to accept the difficult task of touring Yunnan and Tibet."
A Jin was clearly trying to please the emperor who was being resented by Zhen Huan.
"Because the guards sent by the Emperor were following me back to the palace, I only found the opportunity to run out to deliver the letter to you in the middle of the night. As soon as the city gates opened, I rode here at full speed."
"Madam Zhen, it's not that the prince doesn't want to see you. This incident really happened suddenly. The emperor didn't give you any time to recover. I heard that the emperor would send people to Ganlu Temple to take care of the concubine, so you dare not make any unusual moves."
"I understand. Baizhi, take the breakfast you prepared for me to Jin. He needs to hurry to reunite with the prince."
Zhen Huan, with red eyes, quickly gave orders.
She had not expected that the emperor would even doubt the carefree Yunli. Now she deeply regretted not agreeing to Prince Guo's plan to fake his death.
If I had agreed to the promise earlier, there probably wouldn't have been so many twists and turns.
Knowing that A Jin was about to catch up with the group leaving the capital, Zhen Huan hurried to the study to write a reply to Prince Guo.
But when she picked up the pen, she didn't know where to start.
After hesitating for a long time, Zhen Huan slowly wrote the word "Yun".
The two of them had long been in sync with each other, and Yunli was sure to understand what she meant.
"Ah Jin, this is my reply. Please pass it to the prince."
"I obey your orders. Madam Zhen, there's something the prince has been keeping from me. Your family was secretly protected on their way to Ningguta by people he sent. However, after they arrived, something unexpected happened, and I haven't been able to contact the group that went there before."
Ah Jin bowed and spoke well of his master.
"Later, we sent several groups of people over, but there was no news."
"At the beginning of the year, the prince sent another group of people over there. I was fortunate enough to receive news from there half a month ago. They said that Master Zhen, his wife, and the young lady were no longer in their original assigned places. They are looking for them and will report back as soon as they have any news."
"I am about to leave the capital with the prince. If there is any news later, someone will bring it up."
"Ajin, thank you for telling me."
Zhen Huan was so excited that she could only say this.
In fact, she had always felt uneasy. Prince Guo had promised to take her to Ningguta to visit her family, but the trip had never materialized.
This was also the first time she had heard about her family's situation in several years.
Zhen Huan firmly believed that as long as the prince's men found the family, they would make proper arrangements for them.
In the next few days, Zhen Huan slept very soundly at night. She even mentioned to Cui Jinxi that she saw her family in her dream.
The dream was so real, as if she had really returned to her family.
In the blink of an eye, it was the day for Baizhi to go down the mountain to collect supplies.
Before dawn that day, the candle in her room was already lit.
After Baizhi finished washing up, the sky was already turning pale. She skillfully walked down Lingyun Peak carrying a large backpack.
I don’t know how many corners I turned before I met a simple-minded young man carrying firewood down the mountain.
The two of them did not make any unnecessary movements, just walked one in front and one behind.
"Miss, a few days ago someone came to the village to check the information of those who went into the mountains to cut firewood. Fortunately, we made preparations early, so nothing went wrong."
Bai Zhi's heart trembled and she asked in a low voice.
"Has this matter been reported to the higher authorities?"
"Miss, this matter has already been reported. I received the news that they have retreated to the manor. The higher-ups asked me to tell you that if you continue to stay with that person, your life will be in danger. You should evacuate as soon as possible."
The honest young man persuaded anxiously.
"There are ferocious beasts in the mountains. As long as the young lady agrees, I will bring people to set up a trap. Don't worry, we have already chosen a place to escape. Even if someone comes to investigate, they won't..."
Bai Zhi quickly interrupted.
"Zhu Zi, if I remember correctly, you should be over 20 years old, right?"
Zhuzi blushed and scratched his head: "Girl, I'm only twenty years old. The Discipline Inspection Commission is really bigger these days."
He had come into contact with Bai Zhi many times in the past few years, and gradually he began to take this girl to heart.
I have the courage to come here to persuade you today in order to give myself an explanation.
Just as Zhuzi was feeling extremely panicked, he heard a voice coming from behind him.
"Zhu Zi, I may not be able to attend your wedding, so I'll give you the money in advance."
How could Baizhi not understand Zhuzi's thoughts? Although she didn't hate Zhuzi, she had important things to do.
Seeing that the person in front was silent, Bai Zhi spoke softly again.
"Please tell the higher-ups that I will try to stay alive as long as possible."
After Baizhi finished speaking, she turned onto another narrow path.
She nodded and bowed as she took away only half of the usual supplies from the abbot Jingbai. When she returned to the kitchen to pack up, she found that an unsigned envelope had been added to her backpack at some point.
Bai Zhi looked at the red paint mark on the seal and sent the letter to the east wing without hesitation.
"Master, a strange letter appeared in my basket. Please take a look."
The first thing Zhen Huan thought of was that the letter might contain news about her family. Before Cui Jinxi could say anything to stop her, she tore open the envelope.
After a few breaths, Zhen Huan shouted "Father" and then fell softly on the couch.
Cui Jinxi quickly supported the person, while Bai Zhi picked up the letter that fell on the ground.
"Aunt, the letter said that Master Zhen is unable to walk and is seriously ill."