Eavesdropping on Fu Bao's inner thoughts, emptying the stored grain and fleeing the famine

"Third Sister is right. Don't forget, besides family matters, we also have important things to do."

Lian Jinghuai was loyal to the emperor and loved his country; when faced with the choice between family and nation, national affairs naturally took precedence.

Although she felt sorry for her daughter, she thought that Sanya was right and that it was not too late to deal with the family matters when she returned.

Thus, under Lian Rongrong's strong persuasion, everyone decided to leave the city that very day and head to the Lian family's mountain villa.

In order to avoid endangering innocent lives, Lian Rongrong found a reason to give all the servants and maids in the outer courtyard of the Lian family a holiday to go home.

The guards and maids responsible for the inner courtyard were all taken along on the journey.

However, since the purpose of this trip was to celebrate the old lady's birthday, it would be difficult to arouse suspicion if too many people were brought along.

Therefore, in the end, besides his family, he only brought four head maids from the General's Mansion, the steward Uncle Liu, and five guards.

The mountain villa is located about 30 miles north of Kyoto, a distance that is neither too far nor too close.

Since there were many female relatives, it was only natural for Lian Rongrong to suggest that they bring some food and medicine along on the journey.

Lian Rongrong had already thought of this when she was moving the warehouse supplies, so she left enough things behind during the move.

In order to prevent others from noticing anything amiss, Lian Rongrong specifically instructed Chun Tao to prepare food and medicine.

Chun Tao was Lian Rongrong's most trusted maid, so no one suspected anything. Therefore, Chun Tao was put in charge of preparing food and medicine.

Following Lian Rongrong's instructions, Chun Tao moved all the remaining food and medicine in the warehouse onto the car.

Watching the boxes being loaded onto the car, Lian Yicheng couldn't help but tease Chuntao.

"You little rascal, are we not coming back or what? Are we going to empty the warehouse?"

Although Chun Tao was worried that Lian Yicheng would discover something was amiss, she still braced herself and answered:

"Second Young Master, Miss has just given birth. It's always good to prepare more things just in case, isn't it?"

Upon hearing this, Lian Yicheng immediately nodded in agreement, "Chuntao has really grown up. You're right, it's always good to prepare more."

After everything was ready, the group arrived at the back gate of the general's mansion.

It was Lian Rongrong who suggested leaving through the back door, because it was closer to her bedroom and she was too weak to travel far during childbirth.

Lian Jinghuai and the two sons of the Lian family have always doted on Lian Rong, so naturally they wouldn't refute it.

Lian Rongrong carried Fu Bao to the back door, where the carriage was already prepared.

Although Lian Jinghuai was a great general, he was frugal, and there were only four carriages in his huge general's mansion.

The old lady's carriage is currently at the mountain villa, and the second young mistress, Wenhui, used one yesterday when she went to her parents' home. Therefore, there are only two carriages left in the manor.

The remaining two carriages were naturally reserved for the women of the family, with the wife, eldest daughter-in-law Lin Chuyue, and granddaughter Ru'er sharing one.

Lian Rongrong took Fu Bao in another carriage. Of the four head maids in the mansion, two followed Madam Lian and two followed Lian Rongrong.

The carriage that Lian Rongrong was riding in had obviously been carefully decorated, with five brocade quilts laid out inside.

Not only that, the carriage was also lined with several layers of thick brocade cloth. In addition, there were at least twenty hot water bottles inside the carriage.

Although it was winter, it was surprisingly warm inside as soon as I lifted the car curtain.

Lian Rongrong was deeply moved. She turned to look at her father, Lian Jinghuai, but he only smiled calmly and said:

"These were all done by your older brother and sister-in-law."

"Father-in-law, don't be shy. Weren't those brocade quilts all laid out by you and Mother yourselves?"

Lin Chuyue walked to Lian Rongrong's side, reached out to support Lian Rongrong's left arm, and said as she helped her into the car:

"You're the Lian family's darling, and now you've given birth to a little baby, so we can't neglect you. It's windy outside, so hurry up and get in the car."

Lian Rongrong's nose tingled, and she almost burst into tears. Seeing this, Lin Chuyue smiled and said:

"Once a woman becomes a mother, she becomes easily sentimental. Alright, go inside now."

Lian Rongrong was half-helped and half-pushed into the carriage by Lin Chuyue, and the others also got into their own carriages and horses, heading towards the outskirts of the city.

When they arrived at the city gate for the routine inspection, Lian Rongrong's heart began to feel inexplicably tense.

Perhaps her emotions affected Fu Bao, because the little guy, who had been fast asleep, suddenly woke up.

Why is Mom frowning?

Lian Rongrong looked down at Fu Bao, then looked up at Chun Tao and Qiu Ju. With Chun Tao and Qiu Ju there, it was inconvenient for Lian Rongrong to speak.

But Fu Bao, that little guy, was very clever. He tilted his head and looked at Lian Rongrong.

Are you worried that things won't go smoothly when you leave the city, Mom?

Lian Rongrong nodded, surprised that the little guy was so smart.

"Mother, don't worry. His Majesty gave Grandfather and the others a secret decree. Li Yuanyi's ambition has grown increasingly larger in recent years."

His Majesty's secret decree will not be immediately known to Li Yuanyi. Although this matter will eventually be exposed, Li Yuanyi will need time to react.

We'll use this time difference to leave Kyoto.

"How do you know so much?" Lian Rongrong blurted out subconsciously.

Chun Tao immediately turned around, looking at Lian Rongrong with a surprised expression, and asked, "What are you saying, Miss? Who knows so much?"

"It's alright, I'm thirsty, please pour me a cup of tea."

Chun Tao responded and turned to pour Lian Rongrong a cup of hot tea.

Lian Rongrong pretended to drink tea to cover up her embarrassment, and only looked at Fu Bao again after seeing that Chun Tao was no longer dwelling on what had just happened.

Mother, although I know some of the general events, Fu Bao doesn't remember many of them.

For example, how did I die? Whose son was I? And why do I know so many important events of the Great Sheng Dynasty?

I can't remember any of these!

Fu Bao's words immediately drew Lian Rongrong's attention to one piece of information: "Whose son is he?"

Judging from Fu Bao's tone and knowledge, Lian Rongrong couldn't help but suspect that the child might not actually be Qi Wangsheng's.

In Lian Rong's memory, apart from her wedding night, she had never shared a room with anyone. So if the child wasn't Qi Wangsheng's, whose could it be?

Or perhaps the man who consummated his marriage with her on their wedding day wasn't Qi Wangsheng at all?

Lian Rongrong became increasingly confused as she thought about it, but after what had just happened, she became much more cautious and did not show her suspicions.

But Fu Bao understood Lian Rongrong's thoughts without needing to say much.

Mother, don't think so much. No matter what, it's not your fault or Fu Bao's fault.

Our most important task right now is to get out of the city and escape.

It was rather funny to hear such words coming from the mouth of a soft and cute baby. Even though it was a matter of life and death, Lian Rongrong couldn't help but gently pinch Fu Bao's little face.

"Mommy, be gentle, it hurts."

"So it's the General! I was mistaken. Please, General." A guard's obsequious voice came from outside the carriage.

Then the carriage started moving again.

As the carriage left the capital, Lian Rongrong lifted the curtain and glanced outside, the words "Holy Capital" on the city gate growing ever more distant.

Lian Rongrong's heart gradually calmed down. Little did she know, however, that the road ahead was long and fraught with danger!