Rebirth: Making a Fortune in Ancient Times

Since Xia Yu had decided to go to the capital with Grand Tutor Li and the others, he packed his bags that very day and prepared to depart that very night. Xia Yu left Shijiu with Liu Shi and, before leaving, also left Liu Shi ten fruits from his spatial storage in case of emergency.

It was completely dark when they set off. Just as Xia Yu and the others were about to board the boat at their own dock, they noticed several small boats rapidly approaching them on the river.

For a moment, everyone became wary. Xia Yu held Shen Luo's hand tightly, ready to take Shen Luo into the space if things really came to a head.

She had already tested whether people could enter the space this afternoon in her room. To be on the safe side, she first tested it with her rabbit, dog, and chicken, and after all the tests were successful, she blindfolded Da Niu and led her inside. However, to avoid arousing Da Niu's suspicion, they only stayed inside for two or three minutes.

"Miss, why does your room smell like sweet fruit?"

At that moment, Da Niu sniffed hard and asked this question, which startled Xia Yu, who quickly brought her out. Although it was only a few minutes, it was enough to confirm that everyone else in the space was safe.

As the small boat slowly approached on the river, people on the shore could see that everyone standing on the boat was dressed in black. Moreover, despite the hot weather, they were wearing hooded black cloaks, the large hoods covering their entire faces, with only their chins barely visible.

Upon seeing the other person's attire, Xia Yu cursed inwardly, 'Is she wearing all that to prevent heat rash?'

As the two sides drew closer, the atmosphere grew increasingly tense. Xia Yu could even hear her own heartbeat, 'thump, thump, thump,' vibrating in her eardrums like a drumbeat.

"Brother Zhang, how have you been?" The person at the very front of the group suddenly spoke. A familiar voice, a familiar tone.

"So it was you?" Zhang Youtie recognized the person at this moment, and his heart finally settled down.

The tense atmosphere instantly dissipated after the two sides started talking.

After the man came up, he took off his hat, revealing a familiar face. It was Ding Chengxin, who had been an acquaintance of the Zhang family for a long time.

“Grand Tutor, Lord, and Lady of the Township, I am here on the orders of my lord to protect the Zhang family until the matter in the capital is resolved,” Ding Chengxin said to the group.

"Captain Ding, your arrival has truly relieved our worries. With you and your men staying here, Xiaxia and I feel much more at ease going out." Upon hearing Captain Ding's words, Li Taifu felt a weight lifted from his heart. In fact, not only him, but Xia Yu also felt much more relaxed.

"Xiaxia, now that Captain Ding is here, you can take Nineteen with you. You'll need people quite often when you're out and about," Zhang Youtie said to his daughter.

Xia Yu hesitated for a moment, then looked up at the group of people behind Captain Ding. Ding Chengxin noticed Xia Yu's hesitation and said to her...

"Don't worry, Lord Xiang, these brothers are just as skilled as Nineteen. Brother Zhang is right, it's best to have more men with you on your journey to the capital. Let Miss Nineteen stay by your side to protect you!"

"Alright, let's do as Captain Ding says." Xia Yu nodded and then bowed deeply to him.

"Uncle Ding, I entrust the safety of my family to you. I am deeply grateful."

"Your Excellency, there's no need for such politeness. This is all I should do," Ding Chengxin said, avoiding Xia Yu's formality.

Since the people who came were there to protect the Zhang family, Xia Yu and the others did not delay any longer. They boarded the boat, waved goodbye to their families, and headed towards the dangerous and thorny road in the capital.

The men who escorted them to the capital, not counting Nineteen and Daniu, consisted of thirty skilled men, all sent by Shen Jingheng.

Nineteen exchanged a glance with one of them; both recognized each other, and neither had expected that the other was working for the adults. However, now that they were on the same boat, they were family, so Nineteen didn't say much, only nodding as a greeting.

At this time, the capital was under martial law since the death of the eldest prince. Many more guards had been deployed at the city gates, and everyone entering or leaving had to undergo thorough checks before being allowed passage. The curfew had been moved up an hour earlier, even though it was the height of summer. Before nightfall, the streets were deserted, and all the shops were closed.

Inside the emperor's palace, several of his trusted ministers knelt outside the door, not daring to leave for a moment. Since the death of the eldest prince, the emperor had vomited blood twice, and was now on the verge of death, his life hanging by a thread. He had kept these ministers in the palace, as he had instructions to give them at any time.

"Li Dequan, let Minister Shen in." The emperor, who was in a deep sleep, suddenly opened his eyes and instructed the eunuch serving him.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Li Dequan suppressed his grief and went out to summon someone.

Shen Jingheng was kneeling outside the door. Upon hearing the emperor's summons, he quickly got up and followed Li Dequan into the inner hall.

"Your Majesty, may you be well. Your humble servant is here."

"Minister Shen, was what you said before true?" The Emperor asked this seemingly nonsensical question weakly, but Shen Jingheng knew what he meant.

"Your Majesty, everything I have said is true. If there is even one lie, may my family be wiped out and my clan exterminated, and may I die a horrible death," Shen Jingheng swore, kowtowing.

"Minister Shen, you don't need to be like this. I have seen that child, and I know what's going on in my mind," the Emperor said, turning his head to look at him with some difficulty.

"He looks a lot like me, I want to meet him..."

"Your Majesty, I have already sent people to bring him to the capital. Your Majesty will be able to see him in five days at most."

"Five days? I don't know if I can wait until then." The Emperor's eyes dimmed, and then he fell silent. Just when those in the hall thought the Emperor had fallen asleep again, they heard him speak again, giving his orders.

"Li Dequan, summon all the ministers outside the hall. I am about to issue an edict."

Those outside the palace felt a chill in their hearts upon hearing Li Dequan relay the emperor's edict. It seemed that a will was to be made, but there were currently no princes in the palace. They wondered which member of the imperial clan the emperor had chosen to be adopted into his lineage to inherit the throne.