Chen Xiaobei looked at Liu Ce, then at everyone present.
"Everyone, things have come to this point. We must go to the capital. We'll have to put aside our village affairs for now."
After speaking, he looked at Cui Hongyu, then at Shen Ziyan and Huang Ying. "The children's schooling cannot stop. The three of you stay behind and take care of the village."
Huang Ying, however, waved her hand. "No, no, I must go with you to the capital. As for teaching, I'll make up for it after I return."
Cui Hongyu quickly chimed in, "Yes, husband, let Huang Ying accompany you. I can take over teaching the villagers to read first."
Chen Xiaobei hesitated a little. It was true that Cui Hongyu was sufficient to teach the villagers literacy.
However, taking Huang Ying everywhere might inevitably cause some whispers among the villagers, especially since she was an invited teacher.
Seeing his hesitation, Liu Ce smiled and said, "That's good. Huang Ying's martial arts are formidable, so it's reassuring to have her by your side."
Chen Xiaobei could naturally understand the unspoken meaning in Liu Ce's words: if anything were to happen to his Liu family, at least he would have a bodyguard.
Fine, since it had come to this, it could only be this way.
"Alright, if that's the case, let's pack up and depart."
Chen Xiaobei pushed his rice bowl away and went home to pack his clothes. Cui Hongyu followed him in.
Cui Hongyu hugged Chen Xiaobei from behind, resting her head on his shoulder, holding him silently.
Chen Xiaobei reached out and held Cui Hongyu's hands, patting them gently. "Don't worry, everything will be fine. I'll rescue Miss Liu and be back in a few days."
Cui Hongyu shook her head slightly, her expression solemn.
"I don't understand the affairs of those high officials in the capital of Wannian, but I know that if the Emperor has imprisoned someone in the heavenly prison, the next step is likely beheading."
"If you really can't save her, hurry back with Huang Ying."
Chen Xiaobei understood. Cui Hongyu was worried about his safety. It was true, if he couldn't save her, staying in the capital would be useless.
"Oh, and if possible, bring Miss Xiaoyue back too. Seeing what has happened, her father's injustice may have no chance of being redressed."
Chen Xiaobei nodded. "Don't worry, I will ensure Miss Xiaoyue's safety."
Only then did Cui Hongyu release his hands and take out a fur coat from the wardrobe.
The coat looked very new, likely unworn.
"This is wolf fur. I bought it from the county town at a high price."
"Take it with you. Winter will be here in a few days."
Chen Xiaobei almost teared up. He reached out and touched the wolf fur coat but shook his head slightly.
"I won't take it. You keep it to wear."
Cui Hongyu said solemnly, "No, you must take it. You don't know when you'll return."
Without further ado, she put it into Chen Xiaobei's bag.
Since things had come to this, Chen Xiaobei knew that insisting further was pointless. "Alright, Hongyu, when I'm gone, you must take good care of yourself at home. And you, take care of Qiao'er too."
As he was speaking, Huang Ying strode in. Hearing Chen Xiaobei's words, she couldn't help but complain, "Brother Xiaobei, you're such a careless person! You only think of Qiao'er, but don't you care more about Sister Hongyu?"
Caught off guard by Huang Ying's outburst, Chen Xiaobei was a bit bewildered. He looked at Huang Ying in surprise. "Did I say something wrong? I told Sister Hongyu to take good care of herself."
Huang Ying rolled her eyes again and walked up to Cui Hongyu, putting her hands on Cui Hongyu's shoulders and then gently stroking her belly.
Seeing Huang Ying's action, Chen Xiaobei suddenly understood. So that was the reason. He rushed to Cui Hongyu with surprise.
"Hongyu, is it true? Really?"
Cui Hongyu became a little shy at this moment.
She nodded slightly, her face blushing.
Receiving an affirmative answer, Chen Xiaobei was ecstatic. He swept Cui Hongyu up in his arms and happily spun around the room.
Seeing this, Huang Ying screamed in fright and hit Chen Xiaobei's shoulders.
"Brother Xiaobei, are you crazy? Hurry, hurry, put Sister Hongyu down!"
Hearing Cui Hongyu's cries, Chen Xiaobei came back to his senses. Yes, he had been too excited.
He carefully put Cui Hongyu down, his face full of apology. "Oh my, look at me, I was so excited I forgot."
Cui Hongyu glared at Chen Xiaobei and then looked at Huang Ying. "I'm not that delicate. Don't worry, I'm tough."
Just then, Chen Qiaoer's voice rang out from outside. "Aunt Ziyan, you're here."
Hearing that Shen Ziyan had arrived, everyone quickly walked out of the house to greet her.
Shen Ziyan carried a bundle and handed it to Huang Ying.
"This is one of my cotton coats. Take it with you. It gets cold early in Wannian City."
Huang Ying accepted it without ceremony and then stepped forward to give Shen Ziyan a big hug.
Chen Xiaobei went to Chen Qiaoer, squatted down, patted his shoulder, and said solemnly, "I'm going on a long trip. Take good care of your sister-in-law at home, understood?"
Chen Qiaoer nodded. "Brother, don't worry. After you leave, I'll be the pillar of the family."
Looking at Chen Qiaoer's childlike but serious demeanor, everyone burst into laughter again.
Chen Xiaobei walked out of the house and called Chen Dayong over, instructing him again.
The burning of charcoal and the construction of houses must not stop. The transport of supplies from the mountain would depend on the soldiers' initiative. As long as those who came down were guaranteed a hot soup and a hot meal, it would be enough.
After everything was arranged, Chen Xiaobei turned to leave, but then remembered something. He went to Cui Hongyu. "Brother Dachun has been bedridden for some time now. Why don't you think of another way?"
Cui Hongyu nodded. "Please rest assured about this. I'll go and call my father tomorrow to have him take another look."
With all matters settled, the group mounted their horses and left Hetou Village, heading straight for Wannian City.
Meanwhile, in Wannian City.
Feng Xiaoyue, Yang Zhi, Yang Chun, Lardou, and others sat around an oil lamp, looking dejected.
After a day of searching, there had been no progress. Moreover, it was evident that Liu Kai was keeping his distance from them, perhaps out of fear of implicating them, or perhaps because he felt they couldn't help much.
Yang Chun snorted, "Since they are unwilling to go along with us, I don't think we need to be overly enthusiastic about a cold shoulder."
Yang Zhi, however, shook his head.
"We are not doing this for Liu Kai, but to repay Miss Liu Ruomei's kindness."
Lardou chimed in, "Yes, I think the priority is still to find a way to clear Miss Xiaoyue's father's name."