"Princess Han, do you think you can escape?" Guan Zhongbo asked, a look of helplessness on his face as he pointed outside the door. "Ever since I arrived at the Old Yun family's place, I knew the entire village was surrounded. The Yun family has experts hidden everywhere, front and back, east and west. Even if you had wings, you couldn't fly out..."
Hearing this, Han Chijiao frowned. "Teacher, if you say so, does that mean this princess will be trapped here forever and can never go home?"
This wouldn't do at all. With Abu's temper, wouldn't he fall gravely ill from anger?
Guan Zhongbo shrugged indifferently. "I say, Princess Han, there's a saying in the Central Plains: 'Accept what you cannot change.' Besides, those two esteemed guests don't intend to harm you, do they? Since that's the case, why don't you enjoy the farm life? Slowly, you'll come to love it here..."
He was the best example himself.
He had promised Young Master Xiao that once Fang'er's madness was cured, he would return to the Northern Frontier for the New Year.
But after staying at the Old Yun family's for a while, he actually didn't want to leave...
Han Chijiao: "???"
Has he lost his mind? This princess would like this place?
What a joke!
As it turned out, not long after, a certain princess truly found herself enjoying the Old Yun family's place...
"Teacher, don't say useless things. Are you coming with me to escape or not?" Han Chijiao asked again.
Guan Zhongbo shook his head helplessly, his answer firm. "No, I'm not leaving. Even if I wanted to, I'd have to wait until after the New Year. I advise you to be obedient. If you anger those two esteemed guests, you'll face dire consequences!"
The two esteemed guests referred to Gu Mingyan and Xiao Jinheng...
Through some observation, Guan Zhongbo had a rough understanding of their identities.
He had also figured out the general situation of Xiao Jinfeng, who always contradicted him.
Han Chijiao rolled her eyes. "Hmph, if you don't want to go, fine. I can't stand staying here for another day. Help me keep watch tonight, and I'll climb over the back wall!"
Guan Zhongbo: "..."
Wouldn't that make me an accomplice?
Never mind, since the princess has spoken, how could he dare not listen.
Everything could wait until tonight!
After Guan Zhongbo left, Qinglan entered with a letter and collapsed in front of Han Chijiao. "Write a letter to your Abu!"
Han Chijiao: "???"
What did that useless marquis mean? Was he telling Abu that the hostage was safe?
"I don't want to write..." Han Chijiao said sullenly.
Hearing this, Qinglan grabbed Han Chijiao's wrist and narrowed his eyes. "Princess Han, you are currently Marquis Gu's prisoner. If you don't obey, the Marquis can kill you at any time. Do you understand?"
Han Chijiao's lips pouted almost to the sky. She glared at Qinglan for a moment before reluctantly picking up the brush. Chewing on the tip, she pondered how to write...
After a long while, just as Qinglan was about to fall asleep, Han Chijiao finally dipped the brush in ink and wrote the first line.
My dearest Abu, your child is safe now. Please do not worry about me.
Qinglan rubbed his eyes and looked closely, his face filled with a complex expression. "Princess Han, you've been to school, haven't you?"
Her handwriting was truly wild and unrestrained, more chaotic than the footprints left by a chicken's claws...
It wasn't cursive, nor was it regular script. Even if Sage Cangjie were invited, he wouldn't recognize what was written on the paper.
As the Marquis had said, outsiders simply couldn't imitate Princess Han's handwriting. How could it be described as merely difficult?
"What do you mean? Are you mocking this princess?" Han Chijiao retorted indignantly.
Qinglan twitched his lips. "How would this humble servant dare to mock the princess? It's just that your handwriting is a bit... unconventional..."
A moment later, Qinglan delivered the letter to Gu Mingyan.
"Marquis, forgive my lack of talent, but I truly cannot read the contents of this letter!" Qinglan said helplessly.
Gu Mingyan held the letter in one hand and rubbed his forehead with the other, feeling as if a swarm of ants were fighting in front of his eyes...
After careful analysis, he managed to 'decipher' the entire letter. As long as the letter didn't mention Dashui Village, it would be fine. Otherwise, that old rascal Han Chier would surely send troops to rescue his daughter.
"Have someone send these two letters by express horse!" Gu Mingyan ordered.
He himself had also written a letter, primarily to pressure Han Chier to withdraw his troops, threatening that his beloved daughter would lose her head if he didn't comply...
"Understood, Marquis!" Qinglan responded, taking the two letters and leaving.
Meanwhile, in Chu Jiangtun's room.
Lao Ma and Er Ma were helping their young master unpack his usual change of clothes, and various daily necessities were laid out on the table...
It seemed their young master intended to stay at the Old Yun family's for a period of time, and Lao Ma had already bought everything they might need.
Chu Jiangtun leaned against the quilt pile, engrossed in a book.
"Young Master, how long do you plan to stay here?" Lao Ma suddenly asked.
Although his businesses in the capital were being managed, their young master was still the owner and couldn't be a hands-off manager for too long...
Chu Jiangtun turned a page and said faintly, "I'll return to the capital after the New Year. At that time, I'll bring my parents with me!"
"But... but they don't seem willing to go back with you..." Er Ma chimed in.
Hearing this, Chu Jiangtun put down his book and rubbed his round belly. "I am Daddy's eldest son, and Mother treats me very well. As long as I persuade them a few more times, they will definitely come with me!"
With that, Chu Jiangtun instructed Lao Ma, "Lao Ma, after we return to the capital this time, you will immediately go and buy a house. It needs to have plenty of rooms, a good environment, and be quiet. Preferably, it should be near Chang'an Street, for convenience in handling affairs. Oh, and the house must have a backyard with pavilions, rockeries, and ponds. Make sure to arrange all of that, do you understand?"
Lao Ma: "..."
Young Master, why don't you just move the imperial palace into your home.
Besides, you know the housing prices in the capital.
A house with a good environment, a quiet location, close to the city center, with a backyard, and spacious – such a house wouldn't be bought for less than four to five thousand taels of silver...
You are truly willing to spend money on your parents.
"Lao Ma, why aren't you saying anything? Didn't you hear me?" Chu Jiangtun glared.
Lao Ma snapped back to attention and quickly cupped his hands. "Understood, Young Master. Your subordinate will arrange this matter immediately upon returning!"
It was truly frustrating. What if the young master bought a grand house, and then the elders refused to live in it? Wouldn't it be a waste of money?
As the night deepened, the Yun family members retired to their rooms after dinner.
However, beneath the garden wall, two shadowy figures could be faintly seen...