Chapter 376: Earthquake in Dongqing (VIII)

Jiang Pengji sneered. “I refuse to leave––even if the Emperor decides to move the capital city.”

Huang Song wore a complex expression. He felt like Jiang Pengji was an entirely new person. When she removed her lazy and laid-back facade and revealed her true persona, he felt enlightened. She earned his admiration, but her choice was regretful.

Huang Song lowered his voice to counsel Jiang Pengji. He sincerely had her best interest at heart. “Whether you are willing to leave or not, I’m afraid the decision is not yours to make. If you make the Emperor angry, blood will flow. This isn’t a joke. If you don’t leave now, there’s a good chance he’ll hold you hostage in the future.”

The Emperor had thought of many ways to indirectly hold the aristocratic family hostage. Since the earthquake in Shangjing, nothing had been going in favor of the Emperor. More than ever, he refused to release his hostages. If the aristocratic families decided to revolt against him, there would be bloodshed.

The earthquake happened recently, thus the Emperor had to fend for himself. If Jiang Pengji packed up and escaped during the night, she would be safe once she entered Chongzhou. Even if the Emperor pursued the incident later, Chongzhou magistrate Liu She would defend her.

The scenario in Dongqing was already dire, but then it was coupled with the sudden earthquake. If the Emperor wanted to hold power for long, he could not afford to make the wrong move.

But if Jiang Pengji did not leave, then after the capital city moved, she would be held hostage and ultimately lose her freedom.

“Don’t worry. I have it planned out.” Jiang Pengji set her sights afar. The sky was full of smoke; she could only see ruins. The air even was difficult to breathe in. “I know what you are worried about. I’m risking my safety by staying. I have full assurance.”

If the Emperor really wanted to move the capital city, she would not shy away from taking everyone in Shangjing with her when she left.

Her initial plan was to slow down her advancement, strategize secretly, and proceed one step at a time. However, the other party’s foolishness forced her to move forward. The Emperor was courting death.

Only, she was facing a serious dilemma: Silver and rations were secondary. She had insufficient manpower.

Prior to Huang Song’s arrival, she wanted to ask for his opinion and to lend a helping hand. The head of the patrol guards was a small official post, but he commanded many people. Looking at the situation now, however, it was impossible to count on him.

It was not that Huang Song was impure in heart; he was just conducting himself professionally. He could only use his limited resources and energy to help the officials and nobles, which fulfilled the duties assigned by those above him in rank. If a descendant of a eunuch wished to be successful in court, it was exceedingly difficult.

He had a heart for the homeless and destitute people. It was a pity the situation was so devastating. His spirit was willing, but his strength was weak.

If only she had the troops to look after, then she wouldn’t have a lack of manpower.

Huang Song saw that Jiang Pengji had made up her mind. He heaved a long sigh, aware that he couldn’t convince her.

“You came here looking for Huaijie and Huaiyu? They are inside.” Jiang Pengji guessed at Huang Song’s motive for coming. He came to tell them to flee Shangjing quickly and return home to ensure their safety. Huang Song had good intentions, but the Feng brothers were not average people; they each had their own opinions.

Huang Song was embarrassed. He sensed Jiang Pengji was not in a good mood. He bowed respectfully, said thanks, and evaded talking about the Feng brothers.

Upon seeing that Huang Song was gone, Xu Ke said, “I will go back to strategize.”

“En, please ride White back. It is quick-witted. If you encounter a mob of people along the way, it will ensure your safety.”

Xu Ke held White’s reins in his hands and got on the horse steadily. “Thank you!”

Jiang Pengji gave him permission directly, so Xu Ke was not thrown off its back. The horse was proud and temperamental. If they had not been searching for Jiang Pengji, it wouldn’t have even allowed Xu Ke to ride it in the first place.

Jiang Pengji remained where she was for a while. She then saw Huang Song, who was expressionless, walking by. Both nodded as they walked past each other, then went about their own business. As the patrol officer in Shangjing, Huang Song was responsible for rescuing the officials and noblemen and ensuring their safety.

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The tent that Jiang Pengji built was very sturdy. It could accommodate three grown people, and they did not feel claustrophobic.

Wei Jingxian slept in the tent after she drank the tonic soup, while Changsheng drank breastmilk and slept comfortably.

Feng Jin’s heart was full of pride and fear. He had run around everywhere, then finally decided on three milk nannies for his child. They were healthy, had enough milk volume, and were civilized and cultured.

After the earthquake, however, one of the three died, and the other two were injured. They were all incapable of breastfeeding the child.

Nevertheless, they couldn’t allow the child to go hungry just because they no longer had a milk nanny.

The husband and wife looked upon their daughter with adoration. Wei Jingxian hesitantly asked whether she could feed the baby with her own breastmilk.

The baby was a newborn and cried in short waves that sounded like a weak kitten. Wei Jingxian’s heart was in excruciating pain when she heard its cries.

Feng Jin’s face was solemn. It was not because of Wei Jingxian’s suggestion, but because his heart truly ached for his wife and child.

In an aristocratic family, who was responsible for breastfeeding the child?

Wei Jingxian wasn’t a noblewoman. Nonetheless, she was the legal wife of the second son in the Feng family.

It was a grievance to find an honorable woman to nanny and breastfeed a child.

Nevertheless, Jiang Pengji did tell him that breastmilk was good for the baby, and it was sustainable. His facial expression became mildly calmer.

Only, just as his mood improved, Huang Song approached them.

The Emperor intended to abandon Shangjing and move the capital city elsewhere!

Huang Song did not stay and wait for the Feng brothers to reply. Time was life; even procrastinating for one moment was not allowed. He desperately wished he could duplicate himself. It was a miracle he could even find time to convey the news, which evidenced that he regarded Feng Jue as a close friend.

“Lanting? Why did you return?” Feng Jin lifted his head when he heard some movement. He saw Jiang Pengji walking towards him.

“I met Bogao on the way. The Emperor intends to abandon Shangjing and move the capital city…”

Feng Jin’s bit his lip. Jiang Pengji’s thoughts were the same as his, even without prior discussion.

There were two paths set before him: The first was to stay put and wait for the Emperor to apprehend him. He would be held hostage for the Feng family. However, Feng Jin was not an average man. He saw how many dangers awaited them. It wasn’t imprisonment, but it was similar. When they moved to the next capital, he might become an actual prisoner.

The second option was to seize the opportunity, pack up his wife and child, and get them away from Shangjing.

If Jingxian hadn’t given birth or was early on in her pregnancy, they would surely pursue the second option.

Unfortunately, heaven liked to toy with man. The baby was a newborn. She could not withstand the arduous journey, let alone the unknown dangers that may arise. There were homeless robbers in the jungle and riotous mobs that formed from extreme hunger. He could not afford to gamble with their lives.

After weighing both options, it seemed like the first option was safer.

Feng Jin was a true gentleman and a saint. For the sake of his wife and daughter, he’d rather temporarily sacrifice his freedom to protect his family.

Then, Jiang Pengji gave him a third option.