When Chu Jinyao heard the news of the defeat, after the initial shock, she immediately thought of her dangerous situation.
Changhe Garden was originally sparsely populated, and once the people's hearts collapsed, the consequences would be unimaginable.
She couldn't help but put her hand on her lower abdomen. This was her weakness, but it was also her strength. It was said that when the sky fell, tall people would bear it, so now, Chu Jinyao must be the one who could bear the sky.
The palace servants were so frightened that they had no masters. A few timid palace maids had already covered their faces and cried. Chu Jinyao closed her eyes forcefully, and when she opened them again, her eyes were sharp, changing her past softness and rationality: "What are you crying for? The front line is defeated, the emperor has not been buried in the sky, and there is also a prince in the capital, you are crying now, do you want to curse the emperor or the prince?"
The palace staff were all frightened. They had never seen such a stern expression of the Crown Princess. The court's teachings for many years now prevailed again.
The palace people were trembling and trembling, and for a moment they seemed to be returning to the strictly hierarchical palace, but that was fine. Having a level meant order. The palace people seemed to have stepped on the ground suddenly in a daze, and their hearts would not be as lost as they were just now. .
Seeing that these people were restrained, Chu Jinyao immediately ordered them to do things, close the gate of the garden, check the doors and windows, and pay attention to fire prevention. There are too many things to do. Being ordered at this moment makes people feel at ease. The palace maids and eunuchs seem to have found the backbone at once, and they are busy with their own affairs. Linglong and Chu Jinxian felt that the world was shattered when they first heard the news, but seeing that Chu Jinyao was so calm, they couldn't help but follow Chu Jinyao's pace. After everyone else in the room took orders to leave, Linglong asked, "Prince Concubine, what should we do now?"
Chu Jinyao turned around and saw the maid who had been with her for many years looking at her eagerly, and Chu Jinxian was also holding Brother Lu, her eyes full of expectation and trust.
Chu Jinyao felt unspeakable pressure. In fact, she didn't know. It was the mother's instinct to order the servants to check the garden just now, but what should I do after that? Qin Yi will definitely not let her and her child stay in the dangerous western suburbs, but it is no secret that the pregnant princess prays for blessings and worships Buddha in Changhe Garden. How can Chu Jinyao guarantee that the first group of people will be Qin Yi
The army was defeated more than a hundred miles away from the capital, and even the emperor was captured alive by the enemy. This kind of thing is almost devastating for a country. This is almost a precursor to the country's subjugation in the history books. When the Jingkang disaster happened, what kind of life did the female family members of the royal family live? Chu Jinyao didn't dare to gamble. After the chaos, ambitions were most likely to appear. If there was a daring general who wanted to fight, then Chu Jinyao and the child in her womb would be the best targets.
Chu Jinyao gritted his teeth and said, "The goal of Changhe Garden is too big, so we can't stay here. Let's go outside for a while and wait for someone from the imperial court to come."
At this time, Chu Jinyao wondered if she could change into a palace maid's clothes, and maybe she could escape the catastrophe? But she immediately thought of her appearance and gave up.
It's too risky. First, she can be recognized even if she puts on a palace maid's clothes. Second, she can't be blocked in one place by people, so she becomes a turtle caught in a urn.
So, still have to go outside.
Chu Jinxian looked at her hard-won son in her arms, and without hesitation, she said: "Okay, I'll go with you."
"No." Chu Jinyao categorically refused, "Both you and Brother Lu can't stand the wind, so there's no need to accompany me on the adventure. You take the guards from the other direction. If anyone really comes, they will most likely chase me. If you hide in peace, you should be able to hold out for people to come to the capital."
"How can this be possible?" Chu Jinxian shook her head with a determined expression, "You don't have many guards by your side, and it's easy to take care of yourself if you separate your hands. It's better for us to act together.
Chu Jinyao also thought that there were not many people, and it might be dangerous for Chu Jinxian to go out by herself. If something went wrong with Chu Jinxian and Brother Lu, it would be her fault. Chu Jinyao hesitated for a moment, and seeing that Chu Jinxian was determined, she also made up her mind: "Okay, let's go together."
Linglong and the others all showed a look of relief. She quickly stepped forward and said, "Prince Concubine, this servant will go back and pack up."
Brother Lu was crying inexplicably today, so Chu Jinyao is now in Chu Jinxian's yard. Chu Jinyao stopped Linglong and said, "You don't need to pack up your luggage. Hurry up and find a few sets of inconspicuous clothes, preferably folk women's clothes, the sooner the better."
Linglong quickly understood that as long as the Crown Princess was okay, the treasures of Changhe Garden were nothing, and there was no need to pack up the luggage. The most important thing was to hide the people quickly. Now all those who stay in the house are confidants, Linglong took a few people to lead the order, and the remaining cloves and bellflowers quickly served Chu Jinyao to remove the hairpin. It can be said that Chu Jinyao is now exposed to everyone's eyes. If people recognize the identity of the Crown Princess, it will be unimaginable.
Chu Jinxian and Chu Jinyao quickly packed up, and at this time Linglong also brought back two sets of gray clothes. Chu Jinyao took the clothes and said, "I'll change it myself, and you all have to disguise yourself, so it looks like they came from the palace."
A few maids took off their precious jewelry with trembling hands, and Chu Jinyao pointed them out one by one where there were flaws.
The guards left by Qin Yi were already ready to go outside. The head guard also believed that the enemy was dark and we were clear at such a time, and the crown prince, a bright target, was really not suitable to stay in place. The female relatives endure hardships, so it is better to draw the sword as soon as possible and prepare for the decisive battle. But the surprise was that before the captain of the guards took the initiative to advise him, the princess sent someone to tell him to wait at the side door. Even more.
The crown princess actually changed into folk clothes, not only her, but also several maids around her in disguise. After all, if you are still wearing the clothes in the palace, it is no different from walking around at night, beating the gong and running away, but it is even more dangerous. The surprise in the head guard's heart was fleeting, he bowed his head respectfully, did not look directly at the Crown Princess and these palace dependents, and let them get on the bus vigilantly and responsibly.
The carriage was also deliberately modified. It was ordinary outside, but it was comfortable and warm to sit inside, but no matter how comfortable it was, it was not as comfortable as the original. .
At this moment, it was already dark, and the wind whistling outside blew through the bare treetops, making a whimper-like sound. This kind of voice was completely different from the one I heard sitting in the warm palace. Even the maid in the carriage was a pampered half-lady in the Houmen. I had never even seen coarse cloth, and I had never seen such a battle. Linglong's face was pale, and Chu Jinxian also had blue knuckles, hugging Brother Lu tightly in her arms. Chu Jinyao glanced at Brother Lu who was sleeping soundly, and sighed that it was a child who could fall asleep even at this time.
People were panicking, Chu Jinyao couldn't let this unease continue, she lowered her voice and said, "Sister, it's alright. We are walking to the capital now, and when we reach the vicinity of the capital and see people, everything will be fine. "
Usually, it only takes more than an hour to ride a horse from the capital to Changhe Garden. It is a little slower to ride a horse-drawn carriage, but it is only half a day. But the premise of these rushing times is a peaceful and prosperous age. Now that the emperor is captured, this is a national disaster and a national humiliation, which is tantamount to the shame of Jingkang back then. The world was in an uproar, people's hearts collapsed, and some people couldn't help but take risks and make up their minds.
Chu Jinyao suddenly heard a sound from behind, she opened the curtain by a narrow slit, and saw the scene she didn't want to see the most.
The Changhe Garden behind them was lit with fire, and looking at their direction, it was obvious that they were not from the capital.
Several other people in the carriage also panicked when they heard the sound. They didn't dare to open the curtain to look, but they could guess from Chu Jinyao's face alone that nothing good was happening outside.
Linglong asked fearfully, "Prince Concubine, what's going on outside?"
"Changhe Garden is surrounded by people."
This sentence alone is enough to scare away the remaining half of the souls of several female streamers. Linglong covered her thumping heart, and said with lingering fears: "Fortunately, the Crown Princess was alert and came out ahead of time, otherwise..." Linglong didn't dare to think about it, Chu Jinyao was still pregnant with the only child in the East Palace. It was not the imperial court's armed forces that surrounded Changhe Garden, what did they intend? Rescue or blackmail
Nobody knows.
After all, Chu Jinxian is a daughter of gold. Now that she hears that what she can only see in the history books is really happening around her, she has long been frightened, but she has been brought up to maintain her composure since she was a child. Chu Jinyao looked back for a while, lowered the curtain, and tapped the carriage lightly.
The voice of the guard immediately sounded outside the car: "Prince Concubine, what is the order?"
"They found out that I wasn't there, so they will chase after me soon. We can't stop on the road, so hurry up and find a place to hide."
There is only one direction to enter Beijing, and people who come here don’t have to think about it, they definitely know which direction they are fleeing. They have many female relatives in this line, and they don't have to expect to be faster than fast horses, so for now, they can only hide around while it's dark, and it's enough to hold out until Qin Yi's people come to pick them up.
The head guard also had the same idea. He said, "What the princess said is very true, but there are no forests in Gyeonggi. I'm afraid that the princess will be wronged to go to the farmhouse."
"No matter what will happen, it's important to save your life." Chu Jinyao really convinced the upright chief of guards, she frowned and said, "Also, don't call me Crown Princess, I'll be at my mother's house for five, and I'll change my words in a while. , call me five girls."
"Yes."
Chu Jinyao clearly felt that the carriage had changed direction, and several other people naturally noticed it, and now they are all silent. At such a time, Chu Jinyao didn't have the time to solve them, so she told them again: "Remember, you are not allowed to reveal your identity for a while, I am the fifth girl in the family, the daughter of an ordinary small official in the capital, and my father is a servant from the fifth grade. Bachelor, this time I'm here to accompany my sister to Zhuangzi to relax, understand?"
Linglong and the other two maids understood the benefits and hurriedly recited it a few times in their hearts before nodding and saying, "Understood."
The official of the fifth-grade bachelor is neither high nor low, not so high as to make people vigilant, but the imperial family is noble, and it is not the master who will be slaughtered by others. Chu Jinyao and the others have already changed into civilian clothes. It would be best if they can fool the past. If they are still unlucky enough to be noticed, then they have the identity of a rounder.
The Western Suburbs are mostly the private gardens of powerful families, and it is not surprising that a young lady from an official's family appears here. Chu Jinyao is extremely glad that her belly has not been pregnant yet, and she still has the opportunity to pretend to be a girl who has not left the cabinet.
The head guard is a mother-in-law and mother, but he does things swiftly. The carriage stopped in one place soon after, and after a while, the head guard came over to invite someone: "Miss, fifth lady, this family's surname is Zhuang, and there is hot water for two. Miss, please rest here for a while."
Chu Jinyao knew that it was the chief guard who was spreading the news, so Chu Jinyao gently supported Chu Jinxian's arm: "Sister, let's go out."
Chu Jinxian's face was pale, she nodded, and slowly walked out with the child in her arms.
Because they were the eldest and fifth young misses, Chu Jinyao could not be the first to come out. After Chu Jinxian stood up, several maids hurriedly came to help Chu Jinyao. Chu Jinyao shook her head secretly in her heart, there was still a flaw, how could a fifth young lady in the family be more ostentatious than the eldest young lady? Chu Jinyao can only hope that this family can't understand it, and even hopes that the chasing soldiers will not find it here.
This family has only two mother-in-law and daughter-in-law and a seven-year-old child. Mrs. Zhuang's husband has died, and her son has gone to another place. The family is only women and children. This is why the head guard chose this family. If it is inevitable and there is no male in the family, he will be able to control the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law immediately.
The Zhuang family's mother-in-law and daughter-in-law both stood in the yard, carefully watching the person coming. Today they heard that the front line was defeated, and they were so frightened that they closed the door early. But not long after the door was closed, they heard someone knocking on the door outside, and a man covered in air-conditioning gave them a small piece of silver and asked them to boil hot water for their young lady. Farmers don’t earn a few taels of silver all year round, so even if Mrs. Zhuang thinks that the person knocking on the door at this time is really weird, she still has the courage to accept it.
The Zhuang family's mother-in-law and daughter-in-law looked at the two carriages vigilantly and curiously. When they saw the people getting on and off the carriage, their eyes widened in shock. They have lived for so long, and they have never seen such a person, especially the one who got off the car at the back. Even though she was wearing ordinary clothes, she stood in the yard in the dark, as if her whole body was exuding a soft light. People unconsciously look in her direction.
Although the chief guard could not see any expression, he was always guarding Chu Jinyao's side, his eyes were vigilant, and his hand was even on the handle of the knife. The other guards had already been hiding around, and they were always paying attention to the movement around them. Chu Jinyao looked around, and whispered to the head guard, "Brother guard, it's too troublesome for the carriage to enter the yard. We won't be able to stay for long anyway, so let the carriage stop outside."
The captain of the guard immediately understood that the fence of the peasant household could not block the carriage at all, and what peasant household would have the money to raise a horse-drawn carriage, this was simply a bright target. The head guard immediately said, "Yes, fifth miss."
The chief guard turned his head and pulled the carriage out. Chu Jinyao knew that there would be no one around him, so he followed Zhuang's mother-in-law and daughter-in-law into the house with confidence. As soon as the Zhuang family's daughter-in-law came over with the water, she saw that the chief guard had returned, and the carriage in his hand had disappeared. Her eyelids twitched, and without saying a word, she bowed her head and entered the room.
The Zhuang family's daughter-in-law brought water to Chu Jinyao and Chu Jinxian, and when Linglong saw it, she immediately took it: "Thank you for your hard work, I'll come."
The daughter-in-law originally wanted to say that you have thin skin and tender meat, how could you do this, but then she gradually became silent when she saw Linglong's skilled movements.
Mrs. Zhuang felt more and more that these people were not ordinary people. They lived at the foot of the imperial city, and this area was mostly a private garden for the powerful. But no one is like the few in front of them. From words and deeds to appearance and conversation, Shengsheng and the people around him pull out an invisible wall.
Guang Linglong and the other two maids were the rare white people in the village, not to mention the sisters Chu Jinyao and Chu Jinxian. It was the first time that the Zhuang family's daughter-in-law knew that there were people in the world who were like gods. She was in the same room with such a person, and her daughter-in-law didn't even know what to do with her hands and feet.
The captain of the bodyguard stuck behind Chu Jinyao like a statue, and his sharp eyes almost turned into substance. Chu Jinyao saw that since they came, the original owner of the house had been driven to the corner, she sighed in her heart, she wanted to tell the chief guard not to be so scary, but she was afraid of saying too much, so she could only hold back. She rolled her eyes and saw a seven- or eight-year-old child hiding behind the cabinet in the corner. Chu Jinyao was pregnant and naturally loved the child. Seeing this, she couldn't help smiling and asked softly, "What's your name and why? hiding behind?"
The child was still timidly hiding in the corner of the house, not daring to come forward. Mrs. Zhuang said quickly, "This is the grandson of a civilian woman. I have never seen a stranger before, so I can't stand on the stage. Please don't make jokes, girl."
Before she knew it, Mrs. Zhuang used the title of "people's woman".
Chu Jinyao thought that the boy was afraid of the head guard, so he didn't dare to approach, but in fact, the boy was because the sister in front of him was so beautiful. He was afraid that the sister would be broken when he approached, so he only dared to hide from a distance. peep.
Chu Jinyao sat at the farmer's house. Although the surrounding furnishings were completely incomparable to those in the palace, it strangely gave her a sense of security. On the contrary, Chu Jinxian couldn't adapt to it, but at this time Brother Lu woke up and began to cry weakly. Chu Jinxian frowned, and there was anxiety in his eyes.
The village is quiet as soon as night falls, and it is not a good thing to hear the cry of children at this time. Chu Jinyao also stood up and looked at Brother Lu with concern, Madam Zhuang saw that the two young girls were in a hurry and couldn't help but said: "Two nobles, the child is probably hungry when crying like this. If you don't dislike it, I will give it to you. Boil some rice paste?"
The number of people that can be brought on the road is limited. Brother Lu’s nurse is naturally left in Changhe Garden. Chu Jinxian can’t do anything when the child is hungry. Mrs. Zhuang went to prepare food for the children.
Zhuang's daughter-in-law also went out to help, and the intermittent voice of the kitchen was full of life, which was inexplicably reassuring. Chu Jinyao gradually calmed down, and even the anxiety between Chu Jinxian's brows dissipated a lot, but Madam Zhuang had just brought in the hot rice paste, and the head of the guard, who had been silent, suddenly changed her face. The sound of hooves outside was also heard.
Linglong and Lilac almost subconsciously stood in front of Chu Jinyao, and another Chu Jinxian's maid also leaned on Chu Jinxian tremblingly.
"Is there anyone inside? Our official has something to ask."