The Zhou household was quiet during dinner that evening, even with Zhou Shuren and Zhulan resuming their usual expressions—the eldest couple, with their acute senses, were unusually silent.
After dinner, Zhulan and Zhou Shuren returned to their room, and Zhulan had some tea to aid digestion. "My thought is that it's best for Xue Mei to move to the capital."
Zhou Shuren agreed, "And the sooner, the better. I certainly do not want to wait until after the New Year."
Zhulan lowered her voice, "Are you afraid they might resort to violence again?"
Could it be they'd try force if soft tactics failed?
Zhou Shuren stroked his beard, "I've incurred too much hatred. To avoid a repeat of incidents like this one, it's best for their whole family to move to the capital."
Zhulan set down her teacup, "You're right; it's better to have them under our watchful eye."
Zhou Shuren said, "Let Shen Xing and others start their journey tomorrow. Take more people with them."
