Chapter 3: The Guo Family Orphans

The Future Prince

This is Guo Wei's son

These days can be considered peaceful, this morning, it was reported that the matriarch of the Ye family has arrived, and Madam Chai was very pleased

If it is true, then that would be called a rare commodity worth possessing

Tan cursed loudly, "Perhaps? If we report this to the governor, and the higher-ups are enraged, will you take the blame or will I?"

Moreover, everyone has a common enemy, which makes cooperation just right

Xiuyun saw the Ye family, although they had only met once, now that the entire Guo family had been captured, the Ye family was considered her only remaining relative. After hesitating for a moment, Xiuyun suddenly knelt down on the ground

Grandson! You are playing tricks on me!

Fart!

He stamped his feet in anger, hurriedly sought out boats, and worked alongside the constables and soldiers to fish for her. They toiled for most of the night, only recovering Xiuyun's corpse and an empty swaddling cloth. Where the child had gone, no one knew

After waiting for a while, a steward arrived, and his demeanor changed completely, becoming fierce and menacing, driving the two of them, a grandparent and grandchild, out. Now, upon reflection, it seems likely that it was all a misunderstanding

In other words, Guo Wei had an even younger child who did not have time to leave a name before meeting with disaster. Could it be that the little one before us is that child!

The leading beggar boy said: "In the past two years, Sister Xiuyun has always sent us clothes and food. Without her, we would have all perished"

She was about to go to greet them when suddenly someone rushed in with urgent news, stating that a meeting was taking place in the palace, and His Majesty had decided to take down the Guo family. Furthermore, he had dispatched the royal uncle Li Ye to lead the operation, and they would be arriving shortly.

The leading beggar appeared to be around fourteen or fifteen years old, quite robust. He smiled at Ye Hua and then said in a deep voice, "I saw it on the wall, Sister Xiuyun gave the child to you, you are good people"

Xiu Yun, in a state of panic and sweating, steeled her heart and handed the child over to Ye Shi. She picked up some miscellaneous items from the ground and stuffed them into the swaddling, making it appear as though there was a child inside. After preparing everything, she took out a silk pouch and, along with the child, presented it to Ye Shi, urging her to keep it safe. Then, she bowed deeply to Ye Shi and resolutely ran out.

Ye Hua glanced at the land temple behind him and pulled Ye Shi into the temple

Even the child still in the cradle did not escape

Ye Hua exclaimed, "Do you know Miss Xiu Yun?"

This time, it truly frightened Brother Xiuyun, leaving him only to lament, not daring to be negligent underfoot, with his rear end raised, searching for someone everywhere

Ye hurriedly reached out to assist, and Xiu Yun was quite clever, succinctly explaining the events of today... It turned out that not long ago, three high-ranking officials had met a tragic end, and many watchers had appeared around the Guo family, with every move of the household under the scrutiny of others

As they spoke, footsteps could indeed be heard, drawing closer from a distance. Xiuyun was filled with anxiety and fear, tears streaming down her face once more. Ye looked on with an inexplicable sense of heartache, glancing at the child who was truly pitiable, and could not help but say: "Miss Xiuyun, if you can trust me, please give the child to me. No matter what, I, I will find a way to protect him"

Ye Hua was calculating about hetushucomcom, while Xiu Yun wept inconsolably, gritting her teeth and saying: "I, a mere servant, was blind to my brother's wolfish heart and dog-like nature. He actually reported to the authorities in secret, hoping to exchange the young master for his own advancement. I had no choice but to flee with the young master, with the pursuers right behind us. What am I to do?"

"You wretched servant, you have ruined my career. Do you have a grudge against me and my brother?"

He was unaware that the young master Guo he was looking for was quite content, with a bowl of rice porridge, his little belly round and full, having eaten to his heart's content and now asleep, with small bubbles still hanging at the corners of his mouth, completely oblivious to what had happened

Once she calmed down, she felt troubled. Should it be like the legendary Zhao orphans, raising the child and then seeking revenge on the Guo family? The old lady was lost in her thoughts, but Ye Hua was well aware of the situation.

Do not be deceived by his status as a small beggar; he is grateful and has great ambition

As long as they endure these few days, after Boss Guo enters the city, they will send the child, and immediately achieve a remarkable feat.

... ...

Xiu Yun's eyes lit up; when faced with a dire situation, one must try every possible means. Apart from the Ye family, there is no one else to trust

After preparing the small dish, Ye turned around, grabbed a handful of jujubes, a few pieces of mushrooms, and some dried vegetables, all of which she had brought with her. She tossed them all into the pot in one go

Having preserved the bloodline of the Guo family and accomplished the most pressing matter, Lady Chai recalled the Ye family's ancestors and descendants, who were innocent and remained in the Guo family, unjustly implicated.

A few days are not difficult to endure; one can simply find a place to hide.

If the historical records are correct, it will not be long before Guo Wei enters the city

However, Ye Hua did not expect that there was also a master in this temple

You carried him to find the coachman Wang Dan, and when someone inquired, you simply said he was your child. Lady Chai further instructed: This method can only deceive for a moment; Li Ye is a venomous snake, and he will scrutinize it carefully. You must quickly take the young master and escape.

The trouble is that the elder brother is about to lead his men in pursuit, and the Ye family, consisting of the elderly, women, and children, are in a precarious situation. How can they evade the ferocious officials?

He immediately proposed: "As long as you allow us to stay here and keep our presence a secret, we will have enough to eat. Are you willing to do that?"

"Old lady, help!"

Around, there are six or seven pairs of eyes, all staring intently, with drool flowing down.

Miss, why are you in such a hurry? Is there something going on with this child?

The leading beggar snorted, "What are you crying for! The yamen's hounds are chasing after Sister Xiuyun, they all deserve to die! One day, we will kill them to avenge Sister Xiuyun!"

Brother Xiuyun quickly waved his hand, "I dare not, I dare not! Guo Wei's young son is indeed in the hands of this wretched maid, perhaps, perhaps he has already drowned!"

Both of the deceased's sons had names and surnames, and they were not too young. However, according to the "New History of the Five Dynasties," it is recorded that this brutal extermination was such that "no infants or young children were spared"

Upon first entering the Guo family, it was Xiuyun who received them. She was courteous in her demeanor, spoke appropriately, personally accepted the gifts from the Ye family, and went to report to Madam Chai, leaving a very good impression on the Ye family

Immediately afterward, the noise grew increasingly chaotic, and Xiuyun, left with no other options, ultimately jumped into the lake.

Ye gently placed the child down, removed her coat, and covered the little one warmly, her eyes filled with kindness

Last night, Xiuyun led the pursuers away, and the Ye family suddenly fell into distress. They still did not know where to find shelter, let alone how to take care of a child. What was even more critical was that the city gates were tightly shut, and soldiers and officials were everywhere, potentially coming to search at any moment. The child in their arms was like a hot potato. Misunderstanding the Guo family, feeling guilty, and spurred by Xiuyun's bravery and determination, the old lady, in a moment of impulsiveness, rashly accepted the situation.

Ye Hua almost cried out. Upon learning that Guo Wei had raised an army, Emperor Han Yin immediately executed Guo Wei's entire family, resulting in the deaths of his two sons. It was only after losing his own flesh and blood that he passed the throne to Chai Rong

Ye stirred the bottom of the pot, and the rice grains floated up, releasing a fragrant aroma of cooked rice

The court intends to arrest people, and there will be no good outcome. They cannot escape, but the Guo family must not be cut off! Lady Chai's mind was racing as she hurried to the courtyard, picked up a baby, and handed it to Xiuyun

After a short while, someone shouted, "Over here! Hurry, come quickly!"

Xiuyun's brother watched as his sister jumped in, gritting his teeth in anger, stamping his feet and beating his chest

Ye Hua wishes to protect Guo Wei's son, but the greatest challenge is the unfamiliarity of the surroundings, akin to being blind and deaf. If he could collaborate with the little beggars, it would be a perfect match

It can't be that melodramatic, can it

Although they have not been in touch for many years, the Chai family still remembers that Old Master Ye saved Guo Wei's life back in the day. Moreover, this old lady can be considered Guo Wei's maternal aunt, so how could they neglect a relative

The remaining little beggars nodded vigorously; upon thinking of the generous Guo family being raided and the kind Sister Xiuyun having passed away, they began to cry, continuously rubbing their red eyes with the backs of their dirty hands

Xiu Yun's brother Nuo Nuo was speechless, and Tan Tou said fiercely: "Alive, I want to see the person; dead, I want to see the corpse! If within three days, you cannot find the whereabouts of Guo Wei's young son, I will take your head to account!"

Listening to Xiuyun's introduction, Ye Hua's eyes widened in astonishment

Madam Chai instinctively sensed that something was amiss, but with Guo Wei not at home, what could a woman do! She pondered, believing that the court was wary of provoking the Guo family due to Guo Wei's power, and might not dare to act against them.

Madam Chai was quite frightened by this, but she was not an ordinary woman, and soon regained her composure

The elderly lady felt increasingly guilty, which made her more amiable

Apart from Ye Hua, the rest are all beggars in the land temple

Several beggars suddenly appeared before them, and Ye Hua immediately became alert, staring intently at the beggar across from him

The sky was about to brighten, and the constable Tan Tou from Kaifeng grabbed hold of Xiuyun's brother.

Madam, this child is the illegitimate son of Lord Guo, just a few months old, and has not yet been entered into the family register, so outsiders are unaware. The minister's residence was raided, and it was entrusted to me by the lady. We narrowly escaped a disaster, exiting through the drainage of the minister's residence and fleeing to my brother's home

Xiuyun nodded vigorously, having memorized everything

Madam Chai instructed Xiuyun to discreetly send out some money and valuables. She feared that if they were given openly, they might be caught, so it was necessary to drive them away in order to deceive the outside watchers