is the pastry shop's profit so high"The Emperor pushed the ledger over, smiling and saying, "It's only been a little over a month, and there are already over a thousand taels!"Even Yi Zuo couldn't he...Li Lao'er let out a slight breath of relief. For now, it seemed the Emperor wasn't paying much attention to anything else, and he treated their family as usual.

Mr. Wen received his wife's letter yesterday and was very satisfied with the current situation of his family, so he didn't worry about it.

Instead, he was more concerned about something else.

"How has your uncle been lately Have you finished all the things we talked about before"

Jia'an quickly said, "Sir, please rest assured, me and Xige have been helping Uncle prepare all along, Third Brother and Liu Yangge are also involved."

"The safe haven is ready, the personnel are reliable, and even traces of sea vessels have been erased. I used my cover as an official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to do so, ensuring no one suspects anything. After all, there are frequent storms at sea, and losing a few ships in Quanzhou is common practice."

Everyone let out a sigh of relief.

A fallback, like an old woman's heirloom jewelry, isn't always worn, but it's essential to have.

"Old Second, is it already so dangerous in Xin Du I heard some gossip today from them, it doesn't seem like much has changed," Li Lao Tai hesitated for a moment before asking.

Li Lao Er didn't want to scare his mother, but if he didn't explain clearly, what if something happened The old woman wouldn't know the truth and might make things worse.

So, he carefully spoke for a long while, emphasizing the severity of the situation and its potential impact on his family and future.

Li Laotai and Tao Hongying's faces turned worse and worse as they listened.

Especially Old Mrs. Li, she was even happy when her granddaughter told her about it before.

The prince actually grew up in Suijin Beach. This loyalty would be enough to guarantee the safety of his family during a change of throne.

But at this moment, she suddenly realized that perhaps she wouldn't be able to wait for the prince's ascension to the throne. The Li family and Suijin Beach were about to face a catastrophe.

She couldn't help but whisper, "It shouldn't be like that, the Emperor and the Marquis are childhood friends. It's just military merit, there's no need to fight over it, the Marquis wouldn't care, would he Besides, the Marquis has said many times that after the Northern Campaign ends, he wants to retire from the army and travel the world…"

By the end, the old woman's voice was almost inaudible.

It's unclear whether he was trying to persuade others or himself.

Tao Hongying patted her grandmother's hand and comforted her, but her eyes held a hint of coldness.

"Mother, ordinary folks like us just care about having enough to eat and wear. But that person, in that position, having been suppressed by the Empress Dowager for half their life, must value face more and hope to be remembered in history.

How could he possibly give up the glory of recovering his lost territory and be called a worthless trash for hundreds of years

It's a pity for the Marquis, devoted his whole heart to Tianwu's peace and unification of the land. He fought for ten years, and in the end, he met such a tragic fate.

Li Laotai was flustered and unwilling to believe it. She looked at her granddaughter, hoping for some support.

"Funiu'er, what do you think..."

Jia Yin sighed, her heart feeling heavy.

She also wanted to deceive grandma, wanting grandma to feel at ease, but the fact is that it's not something you can cover up by just pretending. No one can guarantee that there won't be a day when she gets caught.

"Milk, if I'm not mistaken. That person doesn't necessarily want my godfather dead, he just wants to delay the northern campaign. With the barbarians about to be driven out of the border, that person wants to stall until he has everything in the new capital sorted out, then find a way to get my godfather temporarily off the battlefield.

"

"Thus, no matter which general commanded the final battle, history would record them as brilliant and valiant. Although forced to relocate their capital during their reign, they would ultimately reclaim lost territory, uniting the land under their rule."

"But the man had good intentions, but times change rapidly, I'm afraid..."

Before she could finish speaking, there was a sudden movement outside the yard, but it quickly disappeared.

As people looked over, a figure climbed in from outside the courtyard wall.

Before anyone else could recognize him, Jia Yin had already shouted, "Mu Gege, what's wrong with you"

Having said that, she rushed over.

Mu Xu was covered in dust and grime, his hair and face disheveled, his lips cracked. He looked as wretched as a beggar fleeing famine.

He nodded to reassure Jia Yin, then croaked out a single word, "Water..."

At this time, Jia'an also rushed over, and the siblings helped Mu Xu to the eaves of the corridor together.

Mu Xu's legs were shaking, a clear sign of someone who had been riding day and night.

Li La Er quickly poured sour plum soup for Mu Xu, and chased after him, “Did something happen in Jiangbei”

Mu Xu nodded and shook his head, then directly picked up the white porcelain pot filled with sour plum soup and drank it all in one go.

Everyone's face changed, they couldn't help but stand up, their hearts filled with anxiety.

Li Lao Tai and Tao Hongying gripped each other's hands tightly, afraid to hear news of Li Laosi's injuries.

Mu Xu put down the porcelain pot and said, "The Marquis was assassinated, but he's fine. The Northern Expeditionary Army has camped for three days and will temporarily postpone the decisive battle! The Marquis sent a messenger to tell us to migrate south quickly."

Assassination

Migration!

Everyone's face changed instantly, though they had guessed it, when this day finally arrived, they were still at a loss.

"How was the Marquis assassinated, and where was he wounded"

"Where's Lao Si How is Lao Si"

"What's going on"

Jia Yin's heart was trembling uncontrollably. Thinking of her adoptive father and biological father in danger, she wished she could fly straight to Jiangbei.

She tried her best to calm herself, then took out several warm steamed buns from her handbag and shoved them into Mu Xu's hands.

At this point, no one had the time to wonder how she had managed to fit buns into her handbag.

Mu Xu gave her a grateful glance, then they both choked down a bun before he quickly said, "I didn't see the Lord. It was Old Man Shan who sent me a message. The fifth prince of the barbarians led an attack at night, and Fourth Master was injured in his arm and couldn't fight."

The Marquis led General Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian to meet the enemy. The barbarian prince was no match for them, and the Marquis was about to press his advantage when a dagger flew from behind. Thankfully, Wei Wuxian reacted quickly and saved the day. The dagger struck the Marquis' shoulder.

The dagger was coated with a live blood poison. The Fourth Master used a life-saving pill, barely saving the Marquis from death. The Marquis drew the dagger and, for now, was out of danger. He personally ordered a three-day encampment before resuming the campaign, driving the barbarians back beyond the border in one fell swoop.

Everyone's heart was racing like a roller coaster.

Still, Jia Yin caught the key point and asked, "Was it a dagger attack from behind Was it an assassination by one of our own"

Mu Xu swallowed another bun and nodded in agreement, "It's not just that. The poison on the dagger was identified by the army doctor. The army doctor had served in the Imperial Medical Bureau before. That potent blood poison came from..."

Mu Xu pointed in the direction of the palace, said nothing more, but everyone understood.

The courtyard was deathly silent, the air thick with stillness.

Even the warm wind, when it reached the corner of the wall, would skillfully find a way to detour.

“Smash!” Li Lao Er grabbed the teacup on the table and smashed it to pieces.

"He's still overrated! The imperial family is truly heartless! What use are childhood bonds and loyalty, what good are kindness and righteousness when compared to fame and reputation

"The Marquis has been fighting on the battlefield for ten years, his life and death are at stake. In order to recover his lost territory, he actually stabbed him in the back at this time! Simply an animal! Worse than pigs and dogs!"

Mr. Wen's face was also ashen. Although he knew that expecting a king to have a conscience was like expecting a cat not to eat fish, over the past ten years, the Emperor had indeed treated the Marquis well, even extending his care to those close to the Marquis.

To one's surprise, the change of face happened in a flash!al, she patted her on the back and scolded, “Don't give me that pitiful look! You're just looking at how well we're doing now, feeling lively and prosperous, which is why you're envious…" 。But you hav...