Divorced woman with child travels through time

“That’s right. The other day, he got rid of the illegitimate son of the Duke of Gao’s mansion. His property was confiscated, and some were exiled. These were all people from the Duke’s mansion, and he didn’t show them any respect at all.” Cao Chengben wanted to take advantage of the situation to get up, but neither of the two brothers had any intention of helping him up, so he had no choice but to kneel down and say it.

"Listen to this! What kind of things are these! We, the older generation, are still alive! And they're already making such sweeping changes. Where do they put our dignity?" Zhao Shuo became more and more agitated as he spoke, and his body began to sway again.

Zhao Qi pulled again, feeling annoyed.

"Oh dear, Father, the mountains are high and the emperor is far away, these things have nothing to do with us. Look at yourself, you can't even take care of yourself. If you're so capable, take care of your health first and walk to the Wende Hall yourself! No one will stop you!" Zhao Qi became more and more impatient with his brother's appearance. Knowing that his brother would definitely not speak up, he tried to provoke him.

"You! You unfilial son, fine!" Zhao Shuo was embarrassed by his beloved son and secretly resolved to stand up. He was in good health and usually just pretended to be tough on Zhao Lue.

He pointed at Cao Cheng with trembling hands, "I'll recover soon! Cheng-ge, you go back first. I'll go to court in a few days and plead for you. Don't worry!"

"Thank you, Your Highness. I thank you on behalf of my mother!" Cao Cheng knelt on the ground to express his gratitude, then used his hands to support himself as he struggled to his feet. He stood there shakily, holding onto a chair, for a long time before slowly walking away.

Once everyone left, Zhao Qi began to explain, "Dad, you know I didn't mean to upset you. Do you know how much money Brother Cheng embezzled?"

"Oh? How much?" Zhao Shuo listened intently, his earlier anger completely gone.

Zhao Shuo liked this about Zhao Qi; he spoke his mind openly, unlike the other guy who was clearly furious but kept it all bottled up.

“This number!” Zhao Qi spread out his long, slender fingers and held up five.

"Fifty thousand taels isn't much," Zhao Shuo said dismissively.

Zhao Lue secretly rolled his eyes. They've really spoiled them rotten. Fifty thousand taels of silver is enough to get them beheaded, okay?

Zhao Qi shook his head. "Not only that, Dad, I advise you not to get involved. Otherwise, neither my brother nor I can protect you."

"Hmph, do you really think I'm old? I don't need your protection. Even if he embezzled 500,000, his mother is a princess. It's not up to Zhao Jian, that brat, to deal with her." Zhao Shuo propped himself up on the chair, shifted his legs, and tried to slowly stand up.

Zhao Qi and Zhao Lue subconsciously reached out to help.

"It's none of your business!" Zhao Shuo retorted angrily, his eyebrows furrowed.

The two withdrew their hands, and the next moment, with a "thud!", Zhao Shuo sat down on the ground.

Zhao Lue felt a pang of pity and got up to help him.

Only Zhao Qi said coolly, "Get up, get up yourself. You can't even get up, and you're always thinking about meddling in other people's business."

Zhao Shuo was furious, his face flushed red, and he didn't say a word.

Zhao Lue silently helped him up and sat him back in his chair, then pulled up Cao Ruyu, who was gloating and trying to suppress a laugh.

"Father, Yu'er needs to rest now, we'll head back first." He couldn't be bothered with all this nonsense.

Zhao Shuo didn't speak, but silently waved his hand, as if standing just now had taken all his strength. After all, this was his grandson who was about to be born, and he valued him.

After the two left, Liang Rubing also withdrew.

Zhao Shuo said coldly, "Qi'er, no matter what, you must help me protect Cao Cheng."

"Dad! It's impossible, he can't be saved!" Zhao Qi couldn't understand it at all. What was the point of protecting someone like that?

Zhao Shuo closed his eyes. "Because he represents my reputation. These old ministers have always looked up to me. If I don't take care of them, who will respect our Prince De's Mansion in the future? That old fellow Zhao Changrong has disappeared without a trace. Who will be next? Shouldn't it be me?"

“Our emperor has grown powerful now, and we old guys are afraid that none of us will be able to escape. So we must resist. Only by uniting can we succeed. So you must help me. If the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold. Do you understand?”

"Then why me? Isn't my older brother good enough?" Zhao Qi looked at the fan in his hand, its bamboo shadows heavy and unfathomable. He actually thought Zhao Changrong was killed by the officials? What a joke!

“He won’t do. He’s a pro-emperor, and the Emperor likes him very much. You know that, right?” Zhao Shuo opened his eyes, lowered his head, and his voice became much softer. “If we fail, he’ll still be in this mansion…”

Zhao Qi gave a self-deprecating smile; so this was what his father liked.

"Then Father will have to figure it out himself. You can't put all your eggs in one basket. How do you know that I don't have any factions to align with?" Zhao Qi smiled slightly and calmly refused him.

"You!" Zhao Shuo's eyes flashed with a sharp light. "So that's how it is. I underestimated you."

“Father has never truly seen through us two brothers.” Zhao Qi stood up, looking down at him, and snapped open his folding fan. “I’m tired, I’ll take my leave now. Father, please rest early!”

Without waiting for his response, she left.

"Sigh~" Zhao Shuo sighed, tapped the table lightly, and several guards stepped forward, lifted him onto a wheelchair, and pushed him back into his courtyard.

Inside the Pacification Commissioner's residence.

Yu Long packed a few things and waited for his mother to finish preparing so he could go out. Wang Feng and his friends had already hitched up the carriage and were waiting for him.

"Mother, that's enough. You're putting on such a show. If you do, Madam Chen will be unhappy."

"What nonsense are you talking about? These were all specially sent by Madam. She said that the journey is long and you will probably not be able to reach the capital for a month or two, so she specially asked me to pack more." Madam Yu grumbled as she put the items into the box, "You should eat the ones on top first, otherwise it will be a pity to throw them away when it gets hot there."

"I know, I can't eat that much anyway. I can buy more if I give them money," Yu Long muttered.

"Hey, you little rascal, come here!" Ah Yue, with her pregnant belly and a piece of fruit in her mouth, stood outside the yard and shouted at him.

"What is it, Miss Yue?" Yu Long walked over quickly and asked gently.

"Here you go! There are six packets in total. Keep one for yourself, and give the rest to Wang Feng and the others. One packet each. Make sure to keep them with you and never let them out of your sight. You all have to do what Madam Chen said." After saying this quickly, A-Yue turned and left.

"Oh..." Yu Long was about to ask what it was when A Yue had already disappeared.

He picked up the paper package, opened it, and saw a series of small porcelain bottles with carefully written labels on them, such as "Detoxification Pills," "Jade Skin Ointment," and "Wound Medicine."

Yu Long was even more moved. Although these two people did not come to see him off, they did just as much for him.

After Yu's mother packed the things, Yu's father carried the bundle, and Wang Feng and the others came in to help carry the boxes out.

Ren Mu went to the camp to take up his post. Everyone was busy and no one came to see him off. Yu Long got into the carriage and looked at the Anfu Envoy's Mansion getting further and further away from her, feeling more and more reluctant to leave.

"Wait for me. After I graduate from high school, I will definitely come back to protect you."