After everyone had finally settled down, Zuo Ye, Bai Sheng, Prince Yu, and Consort Mei took turns supplementing each other, detailing what had happened in the palace that day as thoroughly as possible.
Everyone was quite shocked by the immense turmoil that had shaken the imperial court within a single day: the sudden deaths of the Emperor and Empress, the enthronement of a new Emperor, and the escape of the Black-faced Fox with the Crown Prince...
Zuo Ye said solemnly, "The Empress and the Black-faced Fox were lovers. My wife bravely killed the Empress. The Black-faced Fox will definitely not let this go, so until he is caught, all business activities will be suspended, and everyone should try to stay home and not go out."
"Big Brother, I'll have the Street Gang help search for the Black-faced Fox's whereabouts," Zuo Yun immediately offered.
Zuo Ye nodded, "You can, but be sure to tell the gang disciples to only look for clues, not to alert the snake by beating the grass, and definitely not to engage in direct confrontation. Once you find him, report it to me immediately."
"Don't worry, Big Brother, I understand," Zuo Yun said with a confident smile.
Prince Yu stated, "Although I am no longer Prince Yu, my personal guards are all my people. Lu— Zuo Ye, I will join you in dealing with the Black-faced Fox."
"Good," Zuo Ye nodded. This pretentious Prince Yu was now his cousin, and he didn't seem as detestable now.
Bai Sheng looked at everyone and reminded them, "After we deal with the Black-faced Fox, we don't know how the Eldest Princess and the new Emperor will treat us. For now, they aren't killing us because we still have value to them, but we must never trust them. The Eldest Princess and that Concubine Meng are by no means trustworthy individuals. Therefore, everyone needs to think about our family's future path."
"Xiao Sheng is right," Consort Mei agreed. "Those mother and daughter could endure humiliation for over twenty years; their minds and methods are certainly not ordinary. They will definitely eliminate anyone and anything that threatens Xia Hongqian, and we know too much."
Zuo Siming said gravely, "It seems we need to be prepared to run at any time. But under the heavens, all land belongs to the king; where can we flee?"
"Indeed, with such a vast world, where can we find peace?" Uncle Ding also sighed deeply.
"Moreover, Xiao Sheng's foundation in the capital will be completely destroyed. It's such a waste of her hard work," his third uncle felt very sorry for his niece-in-law.
Bai Sheng smiled, "Third Uncle, those things are nothing. I'll go find a real estate agent tomorrow and sell Hundred Flower Manor and Pink Lady first. As long as we have enough money in hand and don't give up easily, we can quickly resettle anywhere. However, I think if we are to find a new place, it should be somewhere we can settle down permanently. Our large family will work together to earn money and live a good, harmonious life."
She had given back to the space bestowed upon her by the Heavenly Dao, and Taisha County would undoubtedly become an oasis. From now on, she only wanted to focus on earning money, raising the children, and then traveling with her husband.
"Xiao Sheng is right. As long as we are willing to work hard, all difficulties are surmountable. Our entire family, united, will strive together," Zuo Siming clenched his fist.
"Yes, well said! Our family will work together!" his third uncle also declared resolutely.
Everyone unanimously agreed, their spirits instantly lifting. The children were even more enthusiastic, eager to showcase their talents.
Bai Sheng looked at everyone, "Then, let's all think about where it would be best to flee if we have to run away in the future."
Everyone fell into thought. Granny Wu surveyed the group and asked tentatively, "How about we flee to Qinghuang Country? The Qinghuang Army has already recovered nearly a third of their territory, and their leader has a good relationship with me."
"Master, you know people in Qinghuang Country?" Bai Sheng asked joyfully.
Granny Wu smiled and nodded, "When I traveled the lands in the past, I saved one of their people. They promised me that as long as their Qinghuang Country still existed, they would warmly welcome me at any time."
"But, Mother, if only you go, they might accept you, but our entire family, there are over a hundred people!" Consort Mei frowned.
Granny Wu chuckled, "The more people who go, the better. Qinghuang Country was attacked and invaded by Bei Qiang and Da Xia together, and half of its people were killed. Later, due to prolonged skirmishes with both countries, many more were lost. Currently, there are less than ten thousand people estimated within Qinghuang Country. In fact, they are in great need of citizens."
"However, if we go there, will they betray us like the Eldest Princess and the new Emperor?" Prince Yu considered the matter more long-term.
"Yes, to them, we are foreigners. Will they treat us equally?" Zuo Siming also worried.
Granny Wu looked at Bai Sheng, a flicker of an unusual emotion in her eyes, and made a decision in her heart. "If you have read about the history of Qinghuang Country, you should know that in its more than two thousand years of existence, Qinghuang Country has never proactively attacked or plundered other ethnic groups or nations. The people of Qinghuang Country are kind and peace-loving. Moreover, its prosperity is due to the virtuous conduct and diligent governance of each generation of its monarchs. If it weren't for Bei Qiang and Da Xia arranging spies and deliberately inciting dissent for over a decade, opening the doors for the invaders from within, Qinghuang Country would still be the most prosperous and stable nation in Yunzhou. Qinghuang Country failed precisely because it valued virtue too highly and was not ruthless enough when facing unvirtuous nations and insidious individuals."
Everyone quietly watched Granny Wu. Although what she said was factual, everyone found it strange that as she spoke of Qinghuang Country, her eyes involuntarily overflowed with affection, and her voice carried an unconscious weight of sorrow, as if that country was deeply connected to her.
Granny Wu looked at everyone and smiled gently, "Yes, that's right. I am from Qinghuang Country."
Consort Mei exclaimed, "Mother, does that mean I am also half Qinghuang Country person?"
"No, you are a Qinghuang Country person, because your father was also from Qinghuang Country," Granny Wu playfully winked at Consort Mei.
Consort Mei immediately burst into laughter, "Then we can go to Qinghuang Country!"
Prince Yu took a deep breath. Ever since returning to the capital, shocking event after shocking event had occurred. "Mother— Mother, Grandma, then I am half Qinghuang Country person!"
His third uncle chuckled, "My son and Qing'er are both Qinghuang Country people, so I am also half Qinghuang Country person. Da Xia Country has treated our Baili family too poorly, exterminating my nine generations of relatives, hundreds of lives. It doesn't deserve to have good people like us as its citizens!"
Bai Sheng lightly pounded the table and laughed heartily, "Then we'll go to Qinghuang Country."
Zuo Ye looked at Bai Sheng with burning eyes, "Where my wife goes, I go."
Zuo Yun, Yu, and the other children also said, "Where sister-in-law (Madam, Auntie) goes, we go."
Hearing that Qinghuang Country had beautiful mountains and clear waters, fertile land, not an inch of desert, and was very livable, they also longed to see such a beautiful place.
"Alright, then we will go to Qinghuang Country!" Zuo Siming pursed his lips and nodded heavily. "However, I am a bit worried. Qinghuang Country currently only has one-third of its territory, and more than half of its people were killed, leaving less than ten thousand. It will be difficult for them to fight against both Da Xia and Bei Qiang simultaneously. If they are destroyed in the future, wouldn't we be willingly walking to our deaths?"
His third uncle also frowned, "This is indeed a problem."