Travel through troubled times and escape famine with the system

As the saying goes, "He who eats another's food is bound to him; he who takes another's money is bound to him."

With the return gift of three powerful pills, Su Muying's tone softened considerably, and the group chatted idly, creating a harmonious atmosphere.

Just when Lu You thought the meeting would end in such a harmonious atmosphere, she heard Su Muying suddenly change the subject.

"Actually, besides visiting Miss Lu, I also came here to see Yunfeng."

Following Su Muying's words, everyone looked in the direction of Zuo Yunfeng.

Zuo Yunfeng subconsciously picked up the teacup, but seeing that there was no medicine left inside, he could only awkwardly put the teacup down again.

"I'm... fine."

Zuo Yunfeng chuckled dryly, but his pleading gaze unconsciously drifted towards Lu You's direction.

Su Muying simply smiled upon seeing this.

“You have been away from Liangzhou for more than half a year, and in the last three months you have not sent any news home.”

"It was only when the Third Prince personally arrived with imperial rewards that Zuo Shibo learned that you had gone to Ningguan to fight against the Jin army and made outstanding contributions in the Battle of Qingzhou Prefecture."

"When Uncle Zuo learned that I had come to Wudu to check the accounts, he instructed me to give you a message, asking when you would be returning home."

Zuo Yunfeng straightened his body somewhat uncomfortably, then looked at Su Muying with a conflicted expression.

"Did my father say anything else?"

"Uncle Zuo said that you won the imperial court's reward for the Zuo family, bringing glory to the family and making our ancestors proud."

Su Muying said with a smile. Although her tone was calm and gentle, Zuo Yunfeng subconsciously gripped the armrest of his chair.

He understood that Su Muying had changed her wording because Duanmu Rong was present.

The Zuo family, a renowned martial arts family in the Jianghu, has always adhered to the rule of not getting involved in the imperial court since its founding.

His father brought up their ancestors, which meant he was genuinely angry.

“My departure without saying goodbye this time has indeed violated the ancestral family rules.”

“Go back and tell my father that I will stay in Wudu for a while longer, and when the time is right, I will go home to receive my punishment.”

Su Muying smiled and nodded upon hearing this: "That won't be necessary. Uncle Zuo specifically instructed that the world is in chaos now. Since you have already arrived in Wudu, just stay here and do not cause any more trouble."

Zuo Yunfeng is now tied to the Third Prince.

If they leave Wudu, they will inevitably be intercepted and killed by the Second Prince's forces, thus severing the connection between the Zuo family and the Third Prince.

The opportune moment that Zuo Yunfeng mentioned, and the "since we're here, let's make the best of it" advice given by his father, were all based on considerations of the current situation.

"understood."

Zuo Yunfeng's eyes were slightly red as he nodded to Su Muying.

The Zuo family has already been drawn into the vortex of the struggle for imperial power.

Although Zuo's father was furious that Zuo Yunfeng had implicated the Zuo family, he was still worried about Zuo's safety.

Hearing this, Zuo Yunfeng was filled with remorse.

Because he knew that the Zuo family was not theirs alone, and his father must be facing immense pressure from the division of the family into many branches.

"That's good."

Su Muying said with a smile.

"Since the message has been delivered, I won't stay any longer."

“Miss Lu, the Zuo family has always stayed away from the court’s disputes and has no foundation to protect itself in Wudu.”

"Yunfeng will be unable to leave Wudu in the short term, so I will have to trouble Miss Lu to take good care of him. Mu Ying thanks you in advance."

As she spoke, Su Muying stood up and bowed.

Seeing this, Lu You quickly stood up to help her up: "Miss Su, you're too kind. We're all family, it's just our duty, no need to thank me."

Everyone rose to see them off, and as they parted at the door, Su Muying once again called Zuo Yunfeng to the carriage.

"Is there anything else?"

Looking at Su Muying, Zuo Yunfeng asked somewhat guiltily.

Su Muying looked up at Lu You in the distance, then had her maid take out a long sword with a white handle and white sheath from the carriage.

"This is... the Snow Drinking Blade!"

Zuo Yunfeng took the long sword and drew it. In the sunlight, the precious sword gleamed with a cold light and was extremely sharp.

"You came to Wudu from Ningguan, fighting your way here for thousands of miles."

"Master Zuo knew that the Qingming Blade in your possession must be damaged, so when I left Liangzhou, he specially sent someone to deliver the Xueyin Blade to you, entrusting me to give it to you for protection."

"There are a few more things I can't say inside, but I need to tell you here."

Su Muying waved her hand gently, and Zuo Yunfeng also stepped forward with a serious expression, leaning close to listen.

"Zuo Shibo's original words were: Wudu is dangerous. Never act rashly in any situation. The word 'patience' should be the most important."

"If you are forced into a corner and have no other choice, then go all out. The knife I gave you is not just for decoration; do not tarnish the reputation of the Zuo family."

Zuo Yunfeng took a deep breath upon hearing this.

"That being said, in this martial capital, once this sword is drawn and blood is drawn, it will likely cause a huge storm and inevitably implicate the entire family."

“You don’t need to worry about that,” Su Muying said softly. “Uncle Zuo has one last instruction: if you cause a major disaster in Wudu, the Zuo family will expel you from the family register and sever all ties.”

"Hmm." Zuo Yunfeng nodded slightly as he looked at Xueyindao, then glared at Su Muying: "Are you sure these are my father's exact words?"

Su Muying smiled and looked at Zuo Yunfeng.

"I came here intending to take you away."

"After all, you and Lu You are men and women. If you live in the Guan residence for a long time, it is inevitable that people will gossip and spread rumors."

"But it seems that for you right now, this is the safest place in Wudu."

"At least in the current situation, the Third Prince will never let you take any risks, and that is enough."

"I will stay in Wudu for a few more days to make some connections, hoping to be of some help to you in the future."

"The rest is up to you. Take care of yourself."

After Su Muying finished speaking, she turned around and gave a graceful bow to Lu You and the others in the distance. Then, with the help of her maid, she got into the carriage.

Zuo Xuan'er made a face at Lu You before jumping into the car.

As the carriage departed, Zuo Yunfeng gripped the Snow Drinking Blade and watched it go.

At the entrance of the Guan residence, Duanmu Rong gently nudged Lu You's back with her elbow.

"Su Muying is no simple girl!"

"Now, she manages almost the entire silk business of the Su family. The business spans eighteen states, and even within Wudu, her connections are extensive. You've met your match."

Lu You turned to look at Duanmu Rong: "What opponent? I have no idea what you're talking about."

"At a time like this, stop pretending!" Duanmu Rong said with a smile. "Don't worry, I'm definitely on your side."

"Stand on my side?" Lu You chuckled and looked at Duanmu Rong. "If Wu Quanwen asked you to kill me, would you do it?"

[Negative emotions from Duanmu Rong +60, +60...]

Hearing the system notification in her mind, Lu You raised her head, turned around, and walked into the room.

Watching Lu You's retreating figure, Duanmu Rong scoffed, "Are you some kind of blind serpent with a hooked belly? Such a venomous tongue!"

In the distance, Zuo Yunfeng looked down at the Snow Drinking Blade in his hand.

"Expelling me from the family genealogy and severing ties... seems like the safest way out, doesn't it..."