CHAPTER 2009: CHAPTER 2011: LELE RETURNS

Since the incident with Qian Xiaoqing, Yang Chuxia has been particularly attentive to children, fearing they might be kidnapped.

If they are taken and sold to families without children, they might have a chance at a good life, but if they are sold into those filthy places, their lives would be ruined.

"What you said is quite feasible," Ye Zi’an said with a smile, "Let’s go back first. Tomorrow morning, I will talk to my cousin."

Ye Zi’an and his group, with their horses and swords, passed through the city gates. The refugees didn’t dare to block them but tried to follow them into the city, only to be harshly kicked back by the guards.

"If you talk about it, the Prime Minister will hate you even more."

That day in the main hall, when the Prime Minister called Ye Zi’an a traitor, Yang Chuxia was somewhat aware. If Brother An intervenes in this matter again today, it might infuriate that old scoundrel.

"So what?" Ye Zi’an didn’t give a damn about the Prime Minister, "Even if he’s angry with me now, he’ll have to keep it to himself, fearing my cousin will settle accounts with him later."

"Let me tell you, that old scoundrel once accepted things from the Li Family. After Young Master Li’s suicide, when I seized the Li Family’s assets, Assistant Minister Li exposed the Prime Minister. The information was presented to my cousin, who temporarily suppressed it, waiting for the right moment to strike after the situation stabilizes."

Yang Chuxia understood this point: nearly every time there’s a change of dynasty, the court officials also change.

And this time, Prince Zhuang only targeted a few families closely related to Prince Le, leaving the rest untouched.

"When will Prince Zhuang ascend the throne?"

"Well, the old Emperor is meddling in this, isn’t he?"

Although he hadn’t attended court these past few days, he was not unaware of the happenings there. The old Emperor, seeing Prince Le dead, wanted to govern once more, unwilling to remain as the Grand Emperor.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have advised Prince Zhuang to feign illness and concurrently rendered the old Emperor incapacitated.

"Such old fools, fighting for the throne at their age? Ridiculous!"

Yang Chuxia couldn’t comprehend such people, "What’s so good about being an Emperor? Rising earlier than the chickens, sleeping later than the dogs, exhausting oneself with memorials. If you do well, it’s expected, and if not, you’re condemned by everyone. That old Emperor, at his age, doesn’t even know to enjoy some leisure, isn’t he foolish?"

"Just can’t let go!"

"Forget it, let’s not bother with them anymore."

They soon returned to Prince An’s Mansion. Ye Zi’an helped her off the horse, "My dear, you’ve been too fatigued these past few days. From tomorrow on, rest well at home. I’ll keep an eye on Yangyang; news won’t come so fast, and rushing won’t help us."

"I don’t really feel tired," Yang Chuxia sighed, "It’s you who have barely closed your eyes lately; your eyes are sunken. With Prince Zhuang ill these days, why don’t you take a few days off at home too?"

"I know my limits. No need to worry about me, my dear. Let’s go, let’s return to our room."

Ye Zi’an thought, this was certainly not the time for him to rest. Just returning from outside the city, the refugee issue was something that urgently needed addressing.

~~~

"Mommy, mommy..."

"Mommy, mommy..."

After running around outside the whole day yesterday, Yang Chuxia was a bit tired and slept heavily, not even noticing when Ye Zi’an left.

But now, in a daze, she heard someone calling her mommy. At first, she thought she was dreaming until someone vigorously pulled her arm and even pinched her nose, startling Yang Chuxia awake.

Upon opening her eyes, she met the bright gaze of her eldest son.