Chapter 293 - 82: Acting First (2)

Chapter 293: Chapter 82: Acting First (2)

When the Black Armored Guards entered, they didn’t kill anyone. They just scattered and began to search, overturning chests and emptying cabinets. However, they paid no mind to the money and jewels scattered across the floor. They quickly returned to the official standing at the door, shook their heads, and reported, "Nothing."

Mrs. Qi held Qi Leyun, while Mr. Qi repeatedly told the official, "There’s really nothing. Although we live here, we’ve never had any contact with them. We truly don’t know anything."

’What on earth are they looking for?’ Qi Leyun was both frightened and confused.

"You saw Chu Tang today?" the official asked, looking at Qi Leyun. "Did she say where she was going?"

’Chu Tang? They’re looking for Chu Tang?’ Qi Leyun was stunned. Mrs. Qi urged her anxiously, "Speak up! Don’t hide anything. Something terrible has happened."

"Yes, I saw her. We went out to have fun, then came back together. She just went home. I even watched her go inside her house with my own eyes," Qi Leyun said, then couldn’t help but ask, "What happened to her?"

The official didn’t answer her. Probably realizing he couldn’t get any more information, he turned and left. The Black Armor Guards also departed in a great rush.

Qi Leyun looked at the mess on the floor and her terrified family, asking urgently, "What in the world happened? Has the Capital City been conquered?"

’Are these people here to arrest the Empress’s family?’

Mr. Qi’s expression was complicated. He said, "The Capital City hasn’t been conquered, but Chu Tang’s entire family has disappeared."

’Disappeared?’ Qi Leyun was surprised and confused. "What do you mean, disappeared?"

Mrs. Qi pinched her arm. "Silly girl, it means the whole family has run away!"

...

...

"None of the neighbors noticed anything. Chu Lan and her husband never left the house, claiming to be recuperating from illness. And Chu Tang even went out to play with the other girls today," an official reported to Deng Yi.

There was nothing out of the ordinary.

Deng Yi stood inside the great hall as the night began to fade. In the dim light, he couldn’t help but smile.

"’You may be an early bird, but there’s always someone who’s earlier,’ he said. ’The moment we had the idea, the Chu Family had already run.’"

The official was a little annoyed. "My lord, they must be hiding with one of the Aristocratic Families. They wouldn’t dare run outside at a time like this."

A war is about to break out. As members of the Empress Clan, wouldn’t running away be suicide?

Deng Yi nodded. "Go. Search every single household, and don’t be discreet about it. Tell everyone that the Chu Family has a guilty conscience and has fled to escape punishment. Anyone who harbors them will be charged as an accomplice."

They can run, but their crimes can’t.

The official acknowledged the order and strode away.

Deng Yi stood silently in the hall. ’How did Chu Lan’s family manage to escape so quickly? Ever since Chu Zhao left, Chu Lan’s family has been cut off from the court. Where did they get their information?’

’Are they really that good at reading the situation? There’s no one like that in Chu Lan’s family.’

’Could it be that Chu Zhao told them?’

The thought occurred to Deng Yi.

’But first the King of Zhongshan cut off all communication, and then the court deliberately concealed the news. How could she have known? And how could she have gotten a message in?’

Regardless, Third Young Master Xie’s plans had been thrown into disarray in an instant. Deng Yi smiled and summoned someone.

"Go. Tell Third Young Master Xie the good news."

...

...

Xie Yanfang already knew, even without Deng Yi telling him.

"How could they have just run off?" Du Qi said, surprised and angry. "Is it because they have a guilty conscience?"

Xie Yanfang was neither surprised nor angry. He simply smiled and said, "Chu Lan’s family has indeed always had a guilty conscience."

In truth, Xie Yanfang wasn’t surprised that they had fled.

"What’s strange is that someone was willing to help them escape, willing to take them in and hide them."

Uncle Cai came in, holding a piece of paper. "Yesterday, five families left the city. Some claimed to be going to their ancestral homes in the countryside, others said they were going on an excursion. They had carriages and horses. This is the list."

Xie Yanfang took the list and looked at it. "And they are all prominent, prestigious families. Logically, these families wouldn’t even give Chu Lan’s family the time of day."

"It’s because Chu Zhao is the Empress," Du Qi said.

Xie Yanfang shook his head. "It’s not just because she holds the title of Empress."

There have been many empresses throughout history, and their Empress Clans have all had their own moments of glory. But for the great Aristocratic Families, it’s not always necessary to curry favor or fear them.

What’s more, the Chu Family’s standing is weak.

They were willing to lend a hand because of Chu Zhao herself.

This girl first seized the title of Empress, and now she has captured the hearts of the people.

Xie Yanfang lowered his gaze.

"Find out which family it is. I will pay them a visit myself."

...

...

The carriage swayed endlessly. Through the cracks in the wooden planks, darkness slowly turned to light. After rocking for what felt like an eternity, the carriage finally came to a stop.

The wooden planks were removed one by one, and a young girl’s face appeared before them.

She knocked on the side of the carriage, looking at the family of three lying inside.

"Ah Tang, you can come out now."

Chu Tang was the first to get up and climb out. It was a large transport carriage, and the furniture and other items that had been placed on top of the hidden compartment had all been unloaded.

"Ah Jiang, thank you," Chu Tang said, giving a bow.

Zhou Jiang said, "Don’t be so formal. And you don’t need to thank me. If my grandfather hadn’t agreed, I wouldn’t have been able to help you."