What was happening in the Pei family was also taking place in the Qi and Ouyang families. Everyone was discussing whether they should leave.
If they stayed, they would have to face Prince Kang’s army of twenty thousand—or perhaps even more. Even if the army withdrew, they would still have to remain constantly on guard against Xi Qingyue striking from behind. Yet they were reluctant to leave, and for a time, everyone hesitated.
The Pei family ultimately decided to leave Xin’an City. Since Prince Kang had already rebelled, the other princes and imperial sons would not remain obedient either. The world was bound to descend into chaos.
The Qi family made the same decision as the Pei family. They too planned to leave Xin’an City, while only the Ouyang family chose to remain.
Ouyang Jin also made a decision. He allowed the members of his clan to choose for themselves. Those who chose to leave would be given some money to settle elsewhere, thereby leaving the Ouyang family a way out.
Standing before the Ouyang family ancestral hall, he spoke aloud, “No matter what you choose, you will still be members of the Ouyang family. But I must make one thing clear: once you leave Xin’an City, you will never have the chance to return. Even if I agree, the Commandery Princess will not. This is her fief, unlike any other city. As long as the Commandery Princess remains here, you will not be able to come back. At most, you may return for a visit.”
Ouyang Jin looked at the members of the Ouyang family with mixed emotions. Although he was the head of the family, he would not force them to stay with him. If something went wrong, the entire Ouyang family could be wiped out.
He believed Xi Qingyue could defend Xin’an City, but he was also afraid that his decision might be wrong. He would leave the choice to everyone and let them bear the consequences themselves.
When Xi Qingyue learned of this, she was slightly surprised. “Ouyang Jin is quite open-minded. Even if those people leave the Ouyang family and develop elsewhere, they’ll still bear the Ouyang name. In the future, they can still support one another—they’ll remain family.”
Mu Jin smiled beside her. “Commandery Princess, is he trying to have it both ways? Letting some leave while keeping others here, preserving the family fortune while leaving the clan a way out? Should we stop him?”
Xi Qingyue chuckled and shook her head. “No need. He’s choosing to stay while allowing the others to decide whether to leave. That only shows he has foresight. He doesn’t want to leave, but he won’t stop anyone else from doing so. Let him be.”
All she wanted was to eliminate some unstable factors. She had no interest in the others’ property. If they wanted to leave, they were welcome to go.
While the common people were still discussing whether the news was true, the noble families and wealthy households had already made their choices and begun to act.
One carriage after another, along with all kinds of wagons, carried loads of supplies out of the city. This time, the people were completely convinced that the news of Prince Kang attacking the city was true.
Some saw members of the noble families leaving and hurriedly packed their belongings to follow them out. Many others were unwilling to abandon the place where their families had lived for generations and chose to stay.
Xi Qingyue did not appear at all from beginning to end. She never said how they would resist the rebels’ attack, behaving as though nothing had happened and leaving everyone free to choose.
Those who wanted to leave could leave, and those willing to stay could stay. However, everyone departing had to register at the city gate. Once they left, they would no longer be residents of Xin’an City.
When Scholar Han and the others traveled day and night to reach Xin’an City, they found people streaming out of the city, carrying all their possessions with them.
The streets were filled with wagons loaded with grain, bolts of cloth, and other goods, all heading toward the city gate. Everyone in the city wore tense expressions, as though they were about to face death at any moment.
Scholar Han was utterly baffled. He stopped an elderly man and asked, “Uncle, what happened in the city? Why is everyone leaving?”
The old man knew at once that they were outsiders. He sighed. “Ah, you’ve just arrived. You must have come from the north, so you probably haven’t heard the news yet. Prince Kang has rebelled, and he’ll be attacking Xin’an City soon. The Commandery Princess gave everyone three days to decide whether to stay or leave. Today is the last day. The city gates will be closed tomorrow, and by then, anyone who wants to leave won’t be able to.”
Scholar Han’s eyes widened in shock. It was true that they had not heard this news on their way from the north, but something about the situation seemed wrong.
They knew Prince Kang was coming to attack, yet no one in the city seemed to be reinforcing the walls or training soldiers to prepare for the enemy. Instead, everyone was fleeing. The more he looked, the stranger it seemed.
He frowned deeply, and Liu Teng and the others were equally astonished.
Seeing their expressions, the old man advised them, “If you’re only passing through, you’d better leave at once. After tomorrow, you won’t be able to go. Once Prince Kang’s army arrives, no one knows who will live or die.”
Scholar Han turned to the old man again. “Uncle, how many soldiers does Prince Kang have? And when will they arrive?”
“They say he has an army of twenty thousand, and there may be more behind them. I estimate they’ll arrive within three days at most. I’m an old man and don’t want to move anymore, but you’re young. You should hurry and leave. If you go today, the Commandery Princess won’t stop you.”
Scholar Han asked the old man several more questions, and the old man answered each one. By then, Scholar Han had a general understanding of the situation.
He cupped his hands in thanks. “Thank you, Uncle. We still have matters to attend to, so we’ll be taking our leave.”
The old man assumed they were going to leave the city and waved them off. “Go on, go quickly.”
Afterward, Scholar Han led the group toward the county office.
As they walked, the villagers discussed the situation among themselves, filled with curiosity about Xin’an City.
Aunt Wang still looked puzzled. “What is Little Yue thinking? The enemy is already coming to her doorstep, yet she isn’t organizing anyone to defend the city. Prince Kang is a terrible man. If he breaks through the city, nothing good will come of it.”
Liu Teng stroked his beard and slowly said, “She’s just a young girl. What does she know about these things? Since we’ve come, we naturally have to help. Twenty thousand soldiers isn’t that many. If we gather the people in the city, we should be able to defend it. The only problem is that time is short.”
The others began voicing their opinions as well. The news had truly shocked them too much.
Scholar Han and Liu Teng walked side by side at the front, speaking in low voices. More than anything, they were curious.
Neither of them understood Xi Qingyue’s intentions, much less her true capabilities, and they were already discussing how they should defend the city.
When they arrived at the county office, a guard saw the large group and asked, “Have you come to the county office for something?”
Scholar Han got straight to the point. “We’re here to see Commandery Princess Cenyue and Commandery Princess Suwei. Are they inside?”
The guard was taken aback, then smiled and shook his head. “They don’t live here. Give me your names, and I’ll send someone to inform the Commandery Princess.”
Scholar Han shook his head. “There’s no need. We’ll go directly to their residence and find them ourselves.”
The guard was about to ask for more details when Mu Jin walked out from inside.
Seeing the large group, she initially assumed they had come to file another grievance, but they did not look like petitioners.
“Commander Mu, they’re here to see the Commandery Princess. They also say they want to go to her residence. What should we do?”
Mu Jin swept her gaze over Scholar Han and the others before asking calmly, “Are you from Willow Tree Village?”
Scholar Han froze for a moment. “That’s right. We’re from Willow Tree Village.”
Mu Jin gave him a faint smile. “Then follow me. I’ll take you to see the Commandery Princess.”
