Chapter 669: Meet the Challenge Head-On

ckly stepped forward, helping his elder brother persuade him, "Third Brother, Mother cried very hard yesterday and her body isn't doing well. We can't upset her anymore! If you have something to say,...Li Laotai frowned, thought for a moment and then comforted them, "You guys don't make a fuss first, all the people in our family are reliable and their backgrounds are clear."

The villagers fought alongside us to escape and make it here. Our family is well, and everyone else is doing okay too.

If something were to happen to our family, everyone would suffer the consequences, so it's not necessarily as you suspect.

"You know, the Hai Lan army has been in Xindu for several days now. Perhaps someone knows Jia Yi and is familiar with his affairs in the south, and accidentally let it slip."

This reminded Tao Hongying and Mrs. Wen, both of them let out a sigh of relief at the same time.

It has to be said, the old spice is still the most pungent.

The old woman was of advanced age and acted with prudence, considering everything carefully.

Then let's wait until Jia Yi comes back home tonight and we'll ask him about it.

Tao Hongying felt relieved and then remembered that she hadn't bought roasted chicken for her nephew. So, she called a servant to catch two ducks and roast them directly. They had roasted duck wraps for dinner that night, as a substitute for roasted chicken.

When the sky darkened, Jia Ren and Jia Yi, along with their brothers, returned home laughing. Smelling the fragrance in the courtyard, they quickened their pace.

Aunt Four, are we having roast duck for dinner tonight

Jia Yi smiled and asked, causing Tao Hongying to laughingly reply: "That's right, Grandma told me to buy you roast chicken to satisfy your cravings, I momentarily forgot, so I quickly roasted a duck."

"You'll have a taste today, and roast chicken tomorrow."

Jia Yi quickly waved his hand, "Fourth Aunt's roasted duck is ten times better than the grilled chicken outside. With roasted duck, who would eat grilled chicken!"

Tao Hongying was so pleased that she couldn't close her mouth from smiling. Her subordinates became even more efficient in their work.

In a short while, Li Zhensheng and the others also returned.

Only the Marquis and Li Lao Si went back to the dock military camp.

But a whole family together is still twenty people. Eating together, it's still lively and bustling.

Two roast ducks, Jia Yi wrapped one himself and ate it with satisfaction.

After the meal was cleared, everyone gathered together to chat.

Grandma Li inquired about the rumors circulating outside. Seeing Big Brother sipping tea and Third Brother gazing at the sky, Second Brother knew this arduous task had fallen to him.

He had no choice but to grit his teeth and say, “Mother, next year is a crucial year for the northern campaign. Those who oppose the Emperor or those who don’t want the campaign to succeed will likely target our family.”

We've discussed with the Marquis and decided to have you take your family to Quanzhou for a while. You can also keep an eye on things for Jiayi and help him settle his marriage.

"Here in Xindu, don't worry about the elderly and children back home. We fight alongside each other against the enemy, and we have nothing to fear."

Go to Quanzhou

Li Lao Tai and the others were stunned, then they thought about it again and felt that it was a good thing.

Li Zhensheng had set up courtyards and shops in Quanzhou, which were well-known to everyone.

And the boys didn't hold back on describing the beauty of the seaside, leaving everyone who listened longing to be there.

Especially as a woman, opportunities to leave home were scarce. If one could travel thousands of miles to see the world, it would be something truly boast-worthy for a lifetime.

But now heading south is akin to seeking refuge, not leisurely traveling for leisure.

So, Tao Hongying was the first to speak, "Mother, you take the family to go for a stroll in the south. I'll stay behind to watch over the house."

"No, Fourth Aunt, you should go south with Grandma. I should stay behind to look after the house." Wan'er quickly interjected.

Wenjuan also joined in the fun, “I’m not leaving either. Huan Ge definitely needs to stay behind to look after the tavern. I’ll keep him company and take care of things at home too.”

"No, you all go south. I'll stay here. The dining halls around Zuo You Academy are always crowded..." Zhao Yuru also waved her hand.

For a moment, the house was in an uproar.

In the end, Old Li coughed twice and said, “Everyone, stop arguing. This trip south isn’t for fun, but to ensure the preservation and continuation of our Li family.”

We have already discussed with the Marquis, and Jia Ren and Li Ge'er will stay behind to take the exam. Jia Huan will stay to manage the wine shop, Lao San will look after the book courtyard canteen, and the rest of the family, including the two younger sisters, niece-in-law, and children, will go south.

Mrs. Wen brought along Xingxing, while Huijiao came with the two children.

"It's best to ask Liu Biaotou and his family again tomorrow. Liu Yang is getting married, so they will probably be leaving together..."

Li Zhensheng and Li Laosan also nodded. Li Zhensheng echoed, "This is settled, no one else should say more, it can't be changed."

Tao Hongying was quick-tempered and immediately became upset, “Impossible! With such a large courtyard, it can't be left unguarded!”

"Besides, the Lunar New Year is just around the corner and we need to prepare gifts. Also, Jia Ren and Li Ge'er have exams coming up. Who will take care of their food, clothing, and daily necessities"

Li Lao'er and the others all turned to look at Jia Yin, who couldn't escape their gazes. She could only face the challenge head-on.

"Mother, that... I'm the county princess, I can't leave my territory without permission.

"So, I won't be going to Quanzhou with you this time. There are some things at home that need my attention, so please don't worry!"

Tao Hongying's eyes widened instantly, she was even more uneasy!

Li Laoer was afraid his sister-in-law would get angry, so he quickly made up an excuse that he had to write some documents and immediately left.

Before leaving, he didn't forget to add, "Keep this secret and be careful of people trying to sabotage us."

Li Zhensheng and Li Lao San also beat a hasty retreat, calling their sons and nephews to follow suit.

Leaving behind a roomful of young girls, their eyes met in anxious anger.

Tao Hongying pulled her daughter's hand, wanting to say something, but she knew she wouldn't be able to dissuade her. Worried and agitated, her eyes turned red.

Jia Yin was startled and quickly hugged her mother, smiling comfortingly, "Mother, others may not know, but you do, don't you"

"Your daughter is so clever. She outwitted the Wu family's schemes before, and they couldn't hurt me in any way. In the future, even if someone tries to scheme against me, they won't be able to harm me. You don't have to worry!"

"Darn it!" Tao Hongying, seeing her daughter's nonchalant attitude, was so angry that she blurted out a curse word and slapped her daughter twice on the back.

"Your mother hasn't been smoked out by the cooking fumes, has she You think I'm a child to be fooled!"

Who you're left facing, you know best in your heart. Is that someone a little sprout like you can handle

Your stepfather would walk out of his way to avoid seeing her!

"When your stepfather and your father are both away on campaigns, your second and third uncles are men. Once you are summoned to the palace, if they want to save you, they won't be able to!"

Tao Hongying's voice trembled with fear as she clutched her daughter's hand tightly, refusing to let go. She had made up her mind.

"No, you won't leave, and mother won't either.

"

"Where are you, where is mother!"

Old Li also had a splitting headache. Occasionally, when she couldn't sleep at night, she would also think about sending her granddaughter to Quanzhou for a while.

For every Wu family, there will be a second one.

You can beat one at home, but you might not be able to beat a second one!

It's still the safest to send all the children far away, where it's out of sight and mind. No need to face this web of intrigue.

But she was always reluctant to do so, and never brought it up with her sons.

Who would have thought, that now when it was truly time to head south, it would be her leaving, leaving her granddaughter to face the danger…

"No, absolutely not! This just can't be done!" Li Laotai waved her hand. "Hongying, Yuru, you take the children and leave. I'll stay here to handle things..."

"Milk, I won't go!"

"Yes, Mama, I'm going to stay."

"I'm not leaving either, the dining hall is too far away, I'd rather stay here and look after things!"

Zhao Yuru and Wan'er, Wenjuan also started fighting, needless to say, the house fell into a new round of arguments...ad, sobbing incessantly. She occasionally risked raising her head to search through the crowd, desperately trying to find a trace of her kin.It's a pity that after so many days in prison, no one came...