After I got into the drama, I led the plot astray

I knew why Zheng Xian let me out of the palace from the fact that I would encounter attacks from Xihe warriors while walking on the street. I guess he knew this would happen and let me out in order to change the course of events.

Just as he expected, Du Changfeng, who should have been defeated, quickly turned the situation around thanks to my intervention.

Zheng Xian is indeed a good planner. Every move he makes is under his control and he never makes a wrong move.

Although I hated Zheng for using me as a pawn, I had no choice but to submit to him. Because of him, I could live a life of luxury, and Zhao Jinping and Zhao Yiping could have a better future, instead of being wasted and dying because of Gui Lanting.

Since I knew that I was a pawn, my situation was naturally extremely dangerous. If Yiping continued to stay with me, she would definitely be implicated. This is why I always wanted to send her to the Du Mansion.

Yi Ping said with all her might, "Second sister, I don't care who you are. You are my second sister and you can't drive me away."

I secretly sighed and said, "My dear sister, I'm not chasing you away, I just feel sorry for you."

Yi Ping leaned in my arms and whispered, "Second sister, you have never let me down. You are the best sister in the world to me. You always leave the best for me and save enough money for me to have wealth and safety in the future. With a sister like you, what do I have to fear even if I die?"

Yiping is a smart child, but she seldom says sentimental words. Now her words brought tears to my eyes, and I felt that everything I had done for her was worth it.

I hugged Yiping tightly and said, "Okay, as long as you are not afraid, we will be together forever."

Yiping wiped his tears, smiled and nodded heavily.

As they were talking, Zhang San called out from outside: "Second Young Master, Third Young Miss, we have arrived at Changlu Academy."

I patted Yiping's shoulder and said, "Let's get off the carriage."

Yi Ping wiped the tears from his face and nodded.

After getting off the carriage, I threw Zhang San's cloak back to him.

Although Zhang San practiced martial arts, he was shivering from the cold and his lips turned black after driving the carriage for so long.

Zhang San took the cloak and put it on quickly, rubbing his hands vigorously.

I said to Zhang San, "You were shivering with cold all the way without making a sound, good job. When we go back and pass by a clothing store, I'll buy you a few more capes, any style you want."

Zhang San said happily, "Thank you, Second Young Master."

Li Si curled his lips and seemed to want it too, but he was used to being quiet and didn't know how to start.

I smiled and said, "Don't be unhappy, Li Si. You can't miss it."

Li Si was immediately happy when he heard this. Their positions were not high, and their salaries were not high. In a big city like Beijing where consumption is so high, it was a bit difficult to make ends meet. Not to mention buying a cloak, they were even reluctant to buy better clothes. The cloak he was wearing was custom-made by the army, and he had been wearing it for many years.

Li Si bowed deeply to me and said, "Thank you, Second Young Master."

I waved my hand and said, "Go knock on the door. It's getting late. If you go back, you'll have to check all the way. I don't think you'll be able to get back to the house before dark."

Zhang San hurried forward and knocked on the door. Soon the small hole on the door was opened, and a little boy lay on the hole and looked at us. He asked, "Excuse me, who are you looking for?"

Children forget things quickly. They didn’t recognize me the twice I came. I walked up to them and said, “I am Zhao Jinping’s second brother, and this is Zhao Jinping’s third sister. We are here to visit our eldest brother.”

When the little servant heard this, he immediately said loudly, "It turns out to be Senior Brother Jinping's sister-in-law. I will go find Senior Brother Zhao right away."

After the little servant boy finished speaking, he slammed the door shut, turned around and ran away. No one could stop him even if they shouted.

Soon, the door was opened, and Zhao Jinping supported Master Lu and led a group of little servants to come out.

Zhao Jinping was very happy to see us and shouted, "Why are you here?"

I saw Master Lu and hurried forward to pay my respects, saying, "Why are you out in such a cold weather?"

Lu Fu's face looked a little rosier, but he was still very thin and his back was hunched, but he looked in good spirits.

Master Lu smiled and said, "When I heard you were coming, I hurried to greet you. You are our great benefactor. If you hadn't informed us in advance to stock up on rice and vegetables, everyone in our courtyard would have starved to death. Now all the big rice shops in the capital are controlled by Grand Tutor Gui. Since the outbreak of the plague, the price of grain has increased several times, and it is also limited. Poor families can't even afford rice and can only eat bran. It's really pitiful."

Master Lu almost cried as he spoke.

I quickly asked Zhang San to bring down the cakes, and I said to Master Lu, "Master, you are too polite. This is what Ah Man should do. And you don't have to worry too much. Your Majesty will definitely think of a solution to the people's livelihood problems. When we passed by Yongfangzhai just now, we bought some cakes for you and the children to taste. It's almost the New Year. Is there anything missing in your courtyard?"

When Master Lu heard about the cakes from Yongfangzhai, his eyes lit up. The little servants also drooled when they saw the food boxes in Zhang San and Li Si's hands.

Master Lu waved his hand and said, "Mr. A'man, you are too polite. There is nothing missing in my academy. New clothes and food for the New Year are all ready. I just don't know why you came here today, Mr. A'man?"

I said, "Chinese New Year is coming soon, I want to take my eldest brother back home to celebrate the New Year."

As soon as I finished speaking, the little servants behind the teacher immediately looked at Zhao Jinping, their eyes full of envy.

Most of these little book boys were orphans and were longing for home. When they heard that Zhao Jinping was taken home to celebrate the New Year, they felt both envious and sad.

I looked at the group of little servants and said with a smile, "My house is in the suburbs of Beijing, not far from here. If any of you are willing to spend the New Year with us, I can take you there."

When the little servants heard this, they all raised their heads and looked at Master Lu, their eyes full of desire.

Master Lu said unhappily, "You bastards, do you despise me?"

I laughed and said, "If they go, the Master will naturally go with them. Only when we are together can we feel like a family."

After hearing what I said, Master Lu's eyes became moist. He had never married in his life and devoted all his energy to the academy. He adopted many orphans and taught countless students, but he never had a sense of home. Now after hearing what I said, he realized that he, like these little book boys, also longed for a home.

Master Lu was still hesitating, and Zhao Jinping said, "Teacher, although our house is not big, it has enough space for you and your fellow brothers and sisters to live in. Please come with us to celebrate the New Year in our house."

Senior Brother Su also wanted to go. He was also an orphan and had been adopted by Master Lu since he was a child. Although Master Lu was very good to them, he was just a teacher and they never dared to get too close to him. They had never felt at home, so he also wanted to experience what it was like to celebrate the New Year at home.