This Guo gentleman was actually the middle-aged fat man beside Cui Jie. He didn't believe what Changsun Tai said about Cui Yi turning back halfway. Since the Wu King's wife was trapped in the palace, the Wu King would certainly risk entering the city to save her. So, he strengthened the city defenses and tirelessly patrolled between several gates. After several days of peace, he didn't slacken, firmly believing his guess was correct.
Zhai Rang recognized him and immediately broke into a sweat, unable to speak coherently. The Guo gentleman smiled warmly and descended the city gate steps, greeting him, "Master Zhai, where are you going so late at night?"
"I-I... commoner... have some... urgent matters..." Zhai Rang stuttered, unable to form a complete sentence. Inside the carriage, Cui Yi and Holding Ying held their breaths, fearing he might betray them again.
The Guo gentleman responded with a meaningful "Oh" and walked around the carriage, never taking his eyes off it. Inside, Cui Yi held Holding Ying with one hand and reached into his robe for hidden weapons. Holding Ying sensed this and firmly pressed his hand down, mouthing, "Don't kill him! If you kill him, we won't get out."
Sweat beads formed on Zhai Rang's forehead. He was clearly hesitating whether to confess. This scholar was indeed timid and indecisive, although understandable under the circumstances. Holding Ying was anxious!
"I wonder who stopped the carriage—it's Gentleman Guo."
At this critical moment, reinforcements arrived.
Sir Dai, clad in armor with a red cape fluttering behind him, marched forward with a group of men. In a gruff voice, he asked, "Do you want to search the carriage, Gentleman Guo?"
The Guo gentleman smiled and bowed. "Not at all. I just found it odd to see a carriage leaving the city late at night and decided to check. Turns out it's Brother Zhai, so we chatted a bit."
Sir Dai snorted in dissatisfaction. Pointing at the carriage, he said, "Inside are my daughter and son-in-law. Something urgent has come up at their in-laws' place, requiring them to return immediately. Is that not allowed?"
The Guo gentleman smiled again. "Of course, but these are extraordinary times. I am ordered by the Emperor to strictly inspect those entering and leaving. Please allow me to take a look inside. As long as they're not the ones the Emperor wants, they can leave immediately."
Sir Dai exploded in anger. "Guo Ziyan! What do you mean? Are you accusing me of harboring a fugitive and deceiving the Emperor?"
Inside the carriage, Holding Ying was shocked—Guo Ziyan! So it was him! No wonder she couldn't recall anyone fitting the description. He wasn't dead after all!
Guo Mao, styled Ziyan, was a strategist for the Fifth Prince Cui Hong. Disappointed by Cui Hong's lack of ambition, he intended to join Cui Yi but was preemptively killed by Cui Jie. In her previous life, this happened more than a year ago, explaining why she couldn't remember him.
Holding Ying remembered the significant impact Guo Mao's death had in court, causing considerable distress for Cui Jie.
Guo Mao was highly adept at interpersonal relations, using Cui Hong as a stepping stone to connect with various officials, making him a versatile figure. Unfortunately, his master was incompetent, eventually expelled from the capital.
Guo Mao chose such a master partly due to Cui Hong's maternal uncle's special background—the fourth woman in his family to marry into the imperial house. This advantage led Guo Mao to misjudge the situation, thinking Cui Hong, backed by strong relatives, could ascend the throne. Despite realizing his mistake later, he didn't immediately switch sides but used Cui Hong's advantages to build his network.
Initially considered a potential ally, Guo Mao unexpectedly became an enemy. From this lifetime's experience, the subsequent plots were likely orchestrated by him, showing confidence in strategy. He was undoubtedly a formidable adversary!
"Not at all. As a subject, sometimes we must act against our will. Sir Dai surely understands," Guo Mao spoke politely yet firmly, maintaining his stance. Both sides stood firm at the city gate.
Sir Dai had no immediate solution and could only glare at him. Zhai Rang alternately tightened and loosened his grip on the reins, uncertain.
At this moment, a man ran over from afar, shouting, "Gentleman Guo! A suspicious carriage was stopped at Dinghua Gate. A man and a woman inside refused to show themselves. The man seemed ready to fight. Please come and take a look!"
Guo Mao's small eyes lit up. "Who are they?"
The soldier replied, "A man and a woman. The man looks like a fighter, and the woman seems delicate. They refuse to get out or reveal their identities. The man seems prepared to fight. Please come and inspect."
Guo Mao's eyes flashed with doubt and looked back at Zhai Rang's carriage. Sir Dai angrily said, "You've caught the carriage you wanted to stop. Still holding my daughter and son-in-law? Or do you need to see my daughter's face?"
As he reached for the door, Guo Mao quickly apologized and hurried toward Dinghua Gate.
Inside the carriage, the two finally breathed a sigh of relief. Holding Ying whispered, "Father."
Sir Dai waved. "Go!" Zhai Rang whipped the horses, driving the carriage out of the city.
"Zhai Zigeng is indeed a fence-sitter. We almost got killed by him," Holding Ying whispered to Cui Yi. "Anyone can drive a carriage. Why did we choose him?"
Cui Yi whispered back, "He insisted on coming, saying he wanted to atone. For Cheng Lady's sake, we owe him. Consider it settled. Don't associate with him anymore."
Holding Ying nodded. Although Zhai Rang wrote well, he lacked integrity. Continuing contact would harm both parties. Better to part ways.
Due to unexpected delays, the carriage continued to Gong County, Zhai Rang's hometown. Cui Yi, physically strong, endured the cold. Only Holding Ying bathed at Bai Lianzan's parents' home. Bai Lianzan's fiancée, Xu Shi, provided clean clothes and food supplies. Under the cover of darkness, they set off again.
Before leaving, Holding Ying told the hesitant-looking Zhai Rang, "Brother Zhai, thanks to you, we escaped. We'll remember this forever. Goodbye, hoping to reunite someday. I'll spare no effort to rescue Sister Cheng and reunite your family."
Zhai Rang, ashamed, waved his hand and said softly, "Go."
Knowing he was still indecisive, Holding Ying left without further words.
Upon returning to Cheng Fu, Zhai Rang found the capital had changed. Emperor Qisheng confined the Empress Dowager to Yanshou Palace for plotting against the Queen's family. All servants in Yanshou Palace were replaced, and the Empress Dowager was ordered to reflect in isolation. The Rong family protested, gathering many to kneel before Wansheng Palace. Cui Jie claimed illness and didn't appear, leaving them kneeling in the cold wind all day.
Cheng Hu sat waiting in the hall. Zhai Rang, head down, dared not enter. "Father-in-law."
"You're back," Cheng Hu's face looked aged overnight.
Zhai Rang lowered his head. "Yes, Your Majesty... they've escaped safely. Son-in-law..."
With a thousand words unspoken, he swallowed them back.
Cheng Hu's voice rasped like a broken bellows, accompanied by coughing. "Good. Go, Zigeng."
"Son-in-law is here."
"Pack your things and leave with Shujin. Return to Gong County, your parents' side. Away from the capital, you're no longer a threat. The Emperor won't bother you."
Zhai Rang, overwhelmed with guilt, dropped to his knees. "Father-in-law!"
Cheng Hu's wrinkled face twitched, attempting a smile but failing. "You needn't worry. Guo Ziyan didn't see inside the carriage. Even if he suspects you, he lacks evidence. Take care."
Zhai Rang's guilt surged like a tidal wave. Kneeling outside the hall, he cried, "Father-in-law!"
Cheng Hu chuckled weakly, head drooping, black blood trickling from his mouth.
"Father-in-law—!"
On March 15th of the second year of Qisheng, Cheng Hu committed suicide by poisoning at home. Zhai Rang took his young daughter, Zhai Shujin, back to Gong County. Meanwhile, unaware of events, Cui Yi and Holding Ying rushed toward Jiangzhou.
Stopping by the roadside, Holding Ying woke up drowsily. Cui Yi opened the door, saying, "Wake up, eat something before sleeping."
Holding Ying yawned, reaching for the blue cloth bag, unwrapping the steamed bun wrapped in oil paper. Handing it to Cui Yi, he grabbed two buns and devoured them hungrily.
"How did you know the drainage grille in the Imperial Kitchen was wider?" Holding Ying split a bun, adding cured meat, and handed it back.
Cui Yi, choking on the buns, grabbed the water skin. "Slow down. No one's fighting you."
After swallowing, he answered, "When I was young, chasing a squirrel, I ended up stuck in the gap. Several guards pried the bars to free me. Father punished me by kneeling for two hours. Mother knelt outside Wansheng Palace for two hours to plead for mercy."
Mentioning Consort Duan, Cui Yi fell silent. Holding Ying pondered comforting him but heard him say, "Fortunately, Huaiyou wasn't caught. Finding him safe and sound and bringing him back to Yan Prefecture fulfills Mother's last wish."
"Huaiyou will be fine. Trust me, Your Majesty," Holding Ying reassured him, pleased to see his resilience.
After eating, they resumed their journey. Holding Ying, refreshed, learned to drive the carriage, allowing Cui Yi to rest inside.
Continuing southward without hindrance, Cui Yi left markers along the way. Two days later, Cao Qian brought two thousand troops to rendezvous with them near the border of Jingxi and Jiangzhou.
Zhong Family welcomed them in Maocounty.
"How did you persuade the Zhongs?" Holding Ying asked.
"Nothing much," Cui Yi replied, holding her hand. Behind them, Cao Qian followed closely.
Entering the courtyard, they saw an official in green robes and a civilian dressed man waiting. Surprisingly, the man looked young, leading her to assume a younger generation member handled negotiations. But as they approached, she realized he was at least forty, with jet-black hair, straight posture, and piercing eyes, exuding authority. This was Zhong Yuan Shan, the current patriarch of the Zhong family and Governor of Jiangzhou.
Though expecting a decision-maker, she hadn't anticipated Zhong Yuan Shan himself. Known for loyalty and military prowess, he had previously shown indifference toward Cui Yi.
Despite her initial shock, she noted his commanding presence. Entering the hall, the magistrate rose to greet them. "Your Majesty, Your Highness, welcome. Your journey must have been arduous."
Cui Yi acknowledged with a nod and approached Zhong Yuan Shan, bowing deeply. "Second Uncle."
Holding Ying was stunned. This was Zhong Yuan Shan, the Zhong family's leader!
Though aware a key figure would attend, she hadn't expected Zhong Yuan Shan personally. He commanded three states in the south and had a reputation for suppressing pirates and rebellions.
From a patriotic perspective, he was a role model, but personally, he seemed cold and indifferent. Even when Cui Yi died at Bailingang, he showed no emotion, continuing to serve Cui Jie faithfully.
However, perhaps...
Watching him closely, she sensed a possible change.
After assessing Cui Yi's expression, it seemed that with his former arrogance, he wouldn't rely on his uncle's family's power. Thus, everyone kept their distance, each living their own life.
"You are Changsun Chiyin?" Zhong Yuanshan slowly asked after Chiyin followed Cui Yi in a bow.