An invitation was delivered separately to Zhan Tianye and Yun Shu.
At this time, Yun Changfeng was no longer a great general, but a commoner.
The household was busy packing.
Preparing for Yun Changfeng's imminent departure from the capital.
He would leave the capital tomorrow.
The invitation was sent by Prince Ning, who wished to host a banquet. Nobles from all over the capital, including the Emperor, would attend.
The date was set for tomorrow evening.
The location was a hot spring villa on the outskirts of the capital.
This villa was the property of Prince Ning's mother in her prime. It had been deserted for years, but no one dared to seize it, as it belonged to a favored concubine of the late Emperor. Although Prince Ning was not in the capital, he was still alive, and a few people would visit the villa from time to time to maintain it.
This was the only place in the capital with hot springs.
After many years, it was reopened.
Yun Shu looked at the invitation in her hand and chuckled softly. After careful consideration, she felt it was a banquet of deception.
Upon seeing the invitation, Yun Changfeng snorted, "Sima Zhao's intentions are obvious to all. Prince Ning wants to use this opportunity to let everyone know that he has no intention of leaving the capital. If he hadn't returned to the capital so suddenly, the people of the capital would never have guessed that the one who revealed himself last would be Prince Ning. Shu'er, you must be careful."
"Yes, I will be careful. Father, please don't worry." Yun Shu casually put away the invitation.
She got up and looked at the courtyard.
Not much was packed.
Yun Changfeng knew that they had to travel incognito. Once they reached their planned destination, they would discard unnecessary items, hence the small amount of luggage.
"Is everything packed?" Yun Shu asked.
Yun Changfeng nodded, "It's almost done. We are packing Xiao Li and the others' things now. They are reluctant to part with you, and they kept asking me today when Father and Mother would come to find them."
"We mother and son were reunited for only a short time, and now we have to separate again. Don't say they are reluctant, I am too. Father, please be careful on your journey." Yun Shu said softly.
Seeing Yun Shu's composed demeanor, Yun Changfeng felt a genuine pang of reluctance. "Don't worry, I will take care of myself and those three. When we are reunited, you will surely see the three of them grown tall and strong! I will gradually teach them all my skills."
Thinking of what he had to do next, Yun Changfeng suddenly felt that at his age, having something to look forward to was a great blessing from heaven.
Yun Shu smiled, "Father, please take good care."
"Why should my father and daughter be so formal? Besides, those three are also my flesh and blood. I value them more than anything. You two focus on resolving the matters in the capital, and then our family reunion will be the real priority," Yun Changfeng said sternly.
"Father is right," Yun Shu smiled.
Not far away, three little ones were playing joyfully, creating a picture of peaceful times.
The next day.
After breakfast, Zhan Tianye arrived from the Prince Ye's mansion, and together with Yun Shu, they escorted Yun Changfeng and his group to the outskirts of the city.
Outside the deserted city.
Yun Shu held the three little ones, Xiao Li, in her arms.
She gently instructed, "After leaving with your maternal grandfather, you must obey him on your journey. You three are grown now and have your own skills. When you can protect your maternal grandfather, do so. Also, protect yourselves well, okay?"
"Mother, don't worry. I am the eldest. I will definitely protect my brothers and maternal grandfather, and then wait for Mother and Father to find us." Zhan Xiao Li, like a little adult, made a manly promise.
Zhan Xiaofeng nodded vigorously, "Mother and Father, don't worry! We can protect ourselves, and we will obey our maternal grandfather well. However, we will miss Mother and Father very, very much. Mother and Father, please be careful in the capital and come find us soon!"
"Oh, don't make it sound like a farewell to life and death. Anyone who messes with Mother and Father will surely be scared!" Yun Xiaojing pretended to be indifferent to the parting, but his eyes were red.
He was not stupid; he clearly understood the reason why his maternal grandfather was taking them away from the capital. It was because the capital was more dangerous now. If they stayed, it would distract his mother and father, and they wouldn't be able to focus.
Therefore, they had to leave with their maternal grandfather.
Yun Shu stroked their heads.
Zhan Tianye also patted them, saying gently, "Your mother is right. As men, you must stand tall and keep your promises. Protect yourselves well."
"Yes!"
The three little ones nodded in unison.
Yun Changfeng embraced them and said to Yun Shu and Zhan Tianye, "Don't worry. I've protected the country for many years. If I can protect the nation on the battlefield, protecting these three now will be no problem. You two rest assured in the capital."
"Thank you, General Yun..." Zhan Tianye almost blurted out "General Yun" but stopped abruptly.
Yun Changfeng laughed heartily, "Hahaha, Prince Ye, you should call me Father-in-law. If it weren't for the matter of destiny, you two would already be married. It's not too late to call me Father-in-law now."
"Okay, Father-in-law." Zhan Tianye said it quickly and naturally.
Hearing the words "Father-in-law," Yun Changfeng's laughter grew louder, but he was still reluctant. He reminded Zhan Tianye, "Take good care of Shu'er."
"Rest assured," Zhan Tianye promised solemnly, "If there is danger, I will die and she will live."
Yun Changfeng was startled for a moment, then laughed again, "No, no, don't say such things. You both must come to see us well!"
"Okay, don't worry, Father. When we meet again, I'll spar with you. Father, you mustn't slack off on your martial arts just because you're not leading troops into battle," Yun Shu teased with a smile.
"Hahaha."
Laughter echoed outside the city.
After a while.
Several carriages disappeared onto the official road.
A moment later.
Several carriages entered the forest, their movements becoming secretive.
Someone followed them in the shadows.
Chasing after them, they found only empty carriages. The people they were tracking had vanished without a trace.
At the same time, Yun Shu and Zhan Tianye returned to the capital.
The former General's mansion had become the Yun Residence.
Yun Shu and Zhan Tianye returned to their respective residences, preparing to head to Prince Ning's hot spring villa later that evening.
Without Yun Changfeng and the three little ones, the Yun Residence became extremely quiet.
Yu Le had left with the three children.
Acha had stayed behind.
Upon seeing Yun Shu return, Acha brought some freshly washed fruit.
"Jing Heng just returned and said that the Emperor, along with Jiang Luoxi and Jiao Meiren, have gone to the hot spring villa. He feels that the hot spring villa is rather unusual tonight and warns Miss and Prince Ye to be extremely careful. Furthermore, he has already disguised himself and infiltrated the hot spring villa."