After our homes were confiscated and we were exiled, the women in my clan and I raised a million sol

Liu Yu returned home with a slightly heavy step.

He crossed the courtyard and went straight to the study.

In the study, there is a portrait of Duke Wu hanging on the wall. He looks heroic and his eyes are sharp, as if he can see into people's hearts.

Liu Yu stood quietly in front of the portrait, staring at it for a long time, with complex emotions flashing in his eyes.

He sighed softly and murmured to himself, "As expected, a tiger father has a dog son. I met the young master today, and he has the demeanor of you, Duke Wu! I think if the young master is here, he will definitely be able to avenge you!"

Just then, Liu Hu walked into the study with two cups of freshly brewed tea in his hands.

He put the teacup on the table, then turned to Liu Yu and said, "Dad, you've been back for so long, come and have a cup of tea!"

When Liu Yu heard his son's words, he slowly turned around, walked to the table and sat down.

He picked up the teacup, took a sip, and felt the aroma of tea lingering in his mouth.

After putting down the teacup, he looked up at Liu Hu, a sharp light flashing in his eyes: "I remember you said those people have been making moves recently, right?"

Liu Hu nodded, his expression becoming serious. "Yes, father. I don't know what those people have been doing lately. It feels like they are looking for someone."

After hearing Liu Hu's words, Liu Yu narrowed his eyes, as if thinking about something.

He whispered, "Looks like you're looking for someone?"

Seeing Liu Yu's pensive look, Liu Hu immediately became nervous and asked hurriedly: "Father, is there something wrong?"

Liu Yu raised his head, looked at Liu Hu, and said to him: "Send our people to investigate their every move. If there is anything wrong, tell me immediately!"

When Liu Hu heard his father's order, he didn't dare to hesitate at all. He nodded quickly and said, "Okay, father, I'll arrange it right away."

After saying this, he hurried out of the room to carry out his father's instructions.

Looking at Liu Hu's departing figure, Liu Yu closed his eyes and prayed silently in his heart: "I hope these people's affairs will not involve the young master."

His brows were furrowed, and his face was filled with worry.

At this time, after Zhang Liang settled down, he decided to take Zhong Tian and Zeng Guodong for a walk around Ninggu City to understand the general situation here.

Qin Youlan and the other girls looked very tired after traveling all day, so they chose to go back to their rooms to rest.

Zhang Liang took Zhong Tian and Zeng Guodong and walked slowly on the streets of Ninggu City. The footsteps of the three gradually became heavy.

The scene of the city was even more desolate than they had imagined. The streets were lined with pale and skinny refugees, their eyes filled with despair and helplessness.

Occasionally, you can hear the crying of children, which seems particularly harsh in this silent and depressing atmosphere.

"Here...how could it be like this?"

Zeng Guodong asked in a low voice, with disbelief in his voice.

Zhong Tian did not answer, but frowned tightly, his eyes swept over the people huddled in the corner, with mixed feelings in his heart.

Zhang Liang stopped, took a deep breath, and tried to calm his emotions.

Watching all this, Zhang Liang felt a surge of discomfort in his heart, and then he said, "Let's go back."

Zhong Tian and Zeng Guodong, who also had complicated expressions, nodded after hearing what he said.

They also felt the oppression and despair of the city and were filled with worries.

The three of them turned around silently and started their return journey.

After returning to the inn, Zhong Shu keenly noticed the abnormal expressions on the faces of Zhang Liang, Zhong Tian and Zeng Guodong.

She gently touched Zhao Ruoruo beside her and gave her a hint with her eyes.

Zhao Ruoruo understood and immediately stood up to pour a cup of hot tea for Zhang Liang, trying to lighten the mood. "Uncle, what's wrong with you? Why do you look so grim after coming back from outing?"

Zhang Liang took the teacup and felt the warmth in his hands, which made him feel a little warmer.

He looked up at the sisters-in-law in front of him, especially those pairs of eyes full of concern, which made him sigh involuntarily.

"We just walked around the street."

After a pause, Zhang Liang continued, "The situation in Ninggu City is much worse than I imagined. There are refugees everywhere, and many people don't even have enough food to eat..."

As Zhang Liang finished speaking, the whole room fell into a brief silence.

Qin Youlan and others exchanged glances, and read shock and sympathy in each other's eyes.

Although I was mentally prepared, I still felt heavy after hearing the actual situation.

Seeing this, Qin Youlan smiled gently and tried to ease the atmosphere with a relaxed tone: "Uncle, don't worry so much. I believe this problem can be solved soon. We all believe in you!" Her words were full of trust and support for Zhang Liang.

Hearing Qin Youlan's words, Zhang Liang forced a smile and nodded: "I know, sister-in-law, you don't have to worry." Although his voice was calm, his eyes still revealed some worry.

After resting for a while, Zhang Liang decided to ask the innkeeper to send up some food to replenish everyone's energy.

However, when he asked the innkeeper, he learned that the inn did not provide food.

After hearing the news, Zhang Liang frowned and became even more worried.

Seeing Zhang Liang's expression, Xia Zhong immediately walked over to him and said, "Master, how about I go out and see if there's anything to eat nearby?"

Zhang Liang nodded and said gratefully, "Okay, thank you for your help."

As he spoke, he took out some money from his pocket and handed it to Xia Zhong.

Xia Zhong took the money, smiled and waved his hand: "Thanks to the young master for taking my daughter and me in, we are able to survive. How can I thank you for such a great kindness?"

After saying that, he took the money and went out, while Zhang Liang and the others took a short rest in the inn.

After buying food, Xia Zhong set off on his journey home carrying the heavy bag.

However, just as he was about to arrive at the inn, he keenly noticed something unusual - a group of people were staring furtively at the inn they were renting.

The eyes of these people flickered, and they seemed to understand each other tacitly. Then they quickly gathered into a group and walked towards a narrow alley next to them.

Xia Zhong's heart was filled with alarm, and his intuition told him that these people were most likely coming for them.

Today, they were the only ones staying in the inn, so the appearance of these strangers seemed particularly suspicious.

In order to find out the truth, Xia Zhong decided to temporarily give up returning to the inn directly, and instead followed the group carefully.

He tried his best to hide his figure and moved quietly through the streets and alleys until he found a secluded corner to hide so that he could quietly eavesdrop on their conversation.

After entering the alley, one of them asked in a low voice: "Are you sure it's those people?" Hearing this question, the other men in black nodded with affirmative expressions on their faces.

"It's confirmed, they are definitely the people the adults are looking for!"

One person answered with a tone full of confidence. Others echoed him, saying that it was absolutely correct.

Xia Zhong was eavesdropping on all this carefully in the corner, and he couldn't help but feel confused.

When he heard the word "Sir", his brows furrowed slightly and he muttered softly: "Sir? Could it be that the officials here want to deal with the young master?"

The thought made him feel uneasy.

In order to find out the truth of the matter, Xia Zhong narrowed his eyes and decided to stay where he was and eavesdrop.

He knew that this information was crucial to protecting the young master and the others.

At this time, the leader nodded and continued, "Then keep a close eye on them. The adults told us to act tonight, and we absolutely cannot make any mistakes!"

When the others heard this, they quickly responded, “Yes!”

Then they began to disperse and prepare to carry out their respective tasks.

Seeing this scene, Xia Zhong realized that the situation was urgent and did not dare to stay any longer.

After those people came out of the alley, their eyes inadvertently swept across Xia Zhong who was not far away.

Xia Zhong felt their gazes and suddenly became nervous, but he tried to remain calm, pretending to be calm, and started chatting with the stall owner in front of him.

“How much do you sell these apples?”

Xia Zhong casually picked up an apple, trying to hide his uneasiness.

He tried to keep his voice steady, but his heart was beating like a drum.

The stall owner was a kind old man who smiled and replied, "Sir, you have good taste. These are fresh apples I picked this morning. Five cents each."

Xia Zhong nodded and pretended to carefully select apples, while observing the movements of the group of men in black with his peripheral vision.

His fingers gently stroked the apple. He seemed relaxed on the surface, but in fact his whole body was tense, ready to deal with any situation that might arise at any time.

The men in black just glanced at Xia Zhong quickly, seemingly not recognizing him, and then quickly left in another direction.

It was not until their figures completely disappeared from sight that Xia Zhong secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and a huge stone in his heart finally fell to the ground.

After confirming it was safe, Xia Zhong put down the apple in his hand and smiled apologetically at the stall owner: "Sorry, I suddenly had something urgent to do. I'll buy it next time."