Uncle Zeng the Second knew that Shi Ning'an was concerned about the affairs of the Rong family. He sent someone on a fast horse to deliver a letter to the capital. The day after the letter was sent, the Zeng family received a letter from Uncle Zeng the Fourth.
Uncle Zeng the Second held the letter with a solemn look on his face and handed it to Shi Ning'an.
The letter clearly stated the crimes of the Rong family: Rong Jian had acted autocratically, Rong Feichi had embezzled wealth, and Rong Feiche had formed cliques for selfish ends. However, considering the Rong family's meritorious service in defending the country, only their titles were stripped and their official ranks were demoted. Rong Feiche was demoted from a first - rank general to a fourth - rank valiant general, and Rong Heng was removed from his position as a fourth - rank valiant general and was reduced to the lowest rank.
Shi Ning'an's eyes widened in shock, as if struck by lightning. In her previous life, six years later, when the emperor was seriously ill, the battle for the throne between the eldest prince and the crown prince came to a conclusion. The faction of the eldest prince completely declined, and the crown prince was also severely weakened. Moreover, the affairs of the Rong family were involved.
At that time, the emperor issued such an imperial edict, stripping the Rong family of their titles and removing their official positions in the Rong Mansion.
She thought that after being reborn, everything would change and develop in a better direction. But why, in a blink of an eye, did everything return to the way it was in her previous life? Even six years earlier?
Tears welled up in Shi Ning'an's eyes instantly. Hadn't all her plans and efforts failed? Then why did God let her be reborn?
Zeng Ruoyun quickly comforted her: "Ning'an, don't worry. It's okay. It's just the stripping of titles and demotion. Those are just empty names. Everyone is still alive and well."
Everyone is still alive and well?
In her previous life, the emperor did spare the lives of the entire Rong family. But at that time, the Rong family was already on the verge of decline. The crown prince had lost power, and the third prince was on the rise. Without the support of titles and official positions and the backing of the royal family, even a proud person like Rong Jian understood that it was too late.
That's why her grandfather had come to her and knelt down, begging her to leave a bloodline for the Rong family.
Uncle Zeng the Second just gritted his teeth and shook his head: "I'm afraid it's too late."
Shi Ning'an stopped crying and looked at Uncle Zeng the Second in confusion.
Uncle Zeng the Second walked over and held Shi Ning'an's hand: "Ning'an, you've grown up in the Zeng family since childhood. You're a strong - minded person. There are some things I don't want to hide from you. Only when you know can you make the best plans for the future. The Rong family may be in trouble."
Zeng Ruoyun asked repeatedly: "How could this be? It's impossible! The Rong family has just had their titles stripped and positions removed. How could they be in trouble? The emperor is still alive. The emperor didn't completely wipe them out. The grand - mistress of the Rong family is Princess Zhaoming, the niece of the empress dowager."
Uncle Zeng the Second shook his head: "Look at this letter. It was sent by your Uncle the Fourth twenty - four days ago. An ordinary letter would usually arrive in fifteen days. It shows that your Uncle the Fourth also had some difficulties in sending this letter. Also, the letter from Wuyun was sent by carrier pigeon."
A letter sent by carrier pigeon from Wuyun to Nanling only took three days. Calculating the dates, the events in Wuyun happened after those in the capital.
Shi Ning'an felt a chill run through her body. She looked at Uncle Zeng the Second in disbelief: "Uncle, do you mean that the Rong family... the Rong family..."
Uncle Zeng the Second held Shi Ning'an firmly to prevent her from getting too excited: "We don't know what's going on in the capital for the time being. But Rong Feiche formed cliques for selfish ends first and then colluded with the enemy and betrayed the country. I'm afraid..."
Shi Ning'an spat out a mouthful of blood.
Uncle Zeng the Second quickly hugged her: "Ning'an, Ning'an, calm down. This is not the time to be sad, Ning'an..."
Tears streamed down Shi Ning'an's face: "The Rong family... my grandfather..."
Uncle Zeng the Second looked at her firmly: "Your grandfather will be fine. He has to hold on."
Shi Ning'an's long eyelashes trembled slightly. Yes, her grandfather had to hold on, and the entire Rong family had to hold on. In her previous life, until the news of the crown prince's serious illness and the emperor's critical condition spread, the Rong family was still alive, always alive. It was not until the emperor passed away and the third prince ascended the throne that the Rong family was given the death penalty and their mansion was raided.
Now, at least the emperor was still alive.
Shi Ning'an frowned and thought carefully. No wonder, no wonder. Returning to Nanling was indeed for their wedding, but it wasn't a necessary move. She thought that Rong Sui was so reluctant to let her go but still firmly sent her away because he knew she missed her great - aunt.
It turned out that Rong Sui had already made a plan, and the faction of the crown prince also intended to take a chance. The battle for the throne was inevitable. Besides the Northern Qi, what else did the third prince have as his backing? The crown prince didn't know. Rong Sui was afraid that if she stayed in the capital, she would be plotted against by the faction of the third prince again, so he simply sent her far away.
Now she knew that the Xia family, the maternal family of Rong Sui and Rong Heng, was actually on the side of the third prince!
However, at this moment, she should have been with the Rong family and with Rong Sui.
Shi Ning'an slumped into a chair. The current development was already out of control. But the emperor was still alive. The emperor didn't really want the lives of the entire Rong family. At least from her previous life, it could be seen that the emperor not only had the relationship of sovereign and subject with Rong Jian but also respected him like an elder.
She always thought that the root cause of the decline of the Rong Mansion in her previous life was the Rong family itself, being so arrogant that they didn't even pay attention to the royal family. Now she knew that all the talk about a meritorious official overshadowing the sovereign was false. The third prince had ulterior motives!
Seeing that Shi Ning'an had calmed down, Uncle Zeng the Second breathed a sigh of relief. But when he turned around, he saw Zeng Ruoyun sitting stupidly in a chair, looking completely dejected.
"Ruoyun, what's wrong with you?"
Zeng Ruoyun's eyes were full of panic and uneasiness: "Uncle... General Rong is in trouble... Rong Heng..."
Uncle Zeng the Second was stunned for a moment. He frowned and looked at her, then just sighed and walked out.
It was the grand - mistress of the Zeng family who walked over, patted her daughter's shoulder, and tried to embrace Shi Ning'an. She whispered: "Ning'an, if you're willing, stay in the Zeng family."
Shi Ning'an looked up: "Aunt..."
The grand - mistress of the Zeng family helped her tidy up her sideburns: "Your great - aunt once said that she wanted Haomiao to marry you. It was because you had a better destination. The Rong family treated you well, so your great - aunt was at ease. Now... Since things have come to this, you've been like my daughter for so many years. Now, be my daughter - in - law, okay?"
Shi Ning'an buried her head in her chest and cried loudly.
But the future of the Rong family was uncertain. How could she think about other things? Moreover, she had Rong Sui. Whether alive or dead, she was already with Rong Sui.
At night, Shi Ning'an packed her luggage and called Nanny Liang and Yingtao over.
Nanny Liang was extremely anxious: "Miss, what's the use of you going back to the capital? You're just a weak woman. It's better to stay here and wait for the news quietly. Maybe things aren't that urgent."
Shi Ning'an just instructed: "Tonight, I'll leave with Yingtao. Nanny Liang, I'll leave everything here to you... Especially Lu'er. You were all selected by the princess to serve me from the Rong family. The Zeng family won't do anything to you. But Lu'er was given to me by the Zeng family. If I'm gone, Uncle the Second and the others will surely blame Lu'er. You have to help me tell Uncle the Second that it's my own decision. When I come back, Lu'er still has to serve me."
Nanny Liang was on the verge of tears: "Miss, miss, the servants were selected by the princess to ensure your safety, miss. If something really happens to the Rong Mansion, it won't help if you go back. If the Rong Mansion is safe, sending you out was to protect you. You..."
Shi Ning'an waved her hand: "Nanny Liang, I understand all the reasons. But now I just want to go back. I won't feel at ease until I see them. Don't try to persuade me."
Yingtao had already packed the things. She looked up and said: "Miss, we can go."
Nanny Liang was extremely angry. It was okay that she couldn't persuade the miss. But this girl, Yingtao, was usually so careless. At this time, instead of helping to persuade the miss, she even actively wanted to take the miss away?
It was just two girls on this journey. Even if Yingtao knew kung fu, it was still inappropriate.
Just as Nanny Liang was in a hurry, she heard Lu'er's voice at the door: "Miss, Young Master the First is looking for you."
Shi Ning'an hesitated for a moment. She asked Yingtao to hide the luggage inside, motioned Nanny Liang to serve tea, and then invited Zeng Haomiao in.
Zeng Haomiao didn't say a word. He walked in, sat down on a chair, and drank tea.
Shi Ning'an whispered: "Cousin, I... I'm fine."
Zeng Haomiao looked up at her seriously. After a long time, he said: "Rong Sui once wrote me a letter."
Shi Ning'an's eyes widened: "He wrote you a letter?"
Zeng Haomiao nodded: "It was not long after you came back. The letter was not very detailed. It only said that the situation in the capital was not optimistic. But - he said that no matter what happened, they had countermeasures and told you not to worry."
Shi Ning'an's face darkened: "So, he anticipated the current situation from the very beginning."
Zeng Haomiao didn't confirm or deny it: "Maybe so, Ning'an. He was afraid that if you knew, you would go back to the capital without hesitation, so he didn't let me tell you in advance."
Shi Ning'an looked up, her eyes firm: "Does he think I won't go back now?"
Zeng Haomiao stood up and said anxiously: "Ning'an, he wanted to protect you, so he sent you to Nanling. You..."
"Can't I let down his good intentions, right?" Shi Ning'an asked. "When I was in trouble, the Rong family always stood behind me. When they're in trouble, should I just hide far away and ignore them? Cousin, I can't do it."
Zeng Haomiao frowned slightly, but he didn't say a word. He just looked at her quietly.
Shi Ning'an gave him a faint smile: "You've also been prepared for a long time, haven't you?"
Zeng Haomiao also smiled: "Yes, Rong Sui told me that if they failed, the Zeng family could at least protect your safety. But the Zeng family is also a subject of the Great Zhou. I know the loyalty of the Rong family, and I've seen those unscrupulous people. If such people seize power, the Great Zhou will only be doomed. I have no intention of entering the officialdom in this life, and I'm not capable of joining the army. I only have medical skills, which may be able to help the ruler a little."
Shi Ning'an's face blushed slightly: "Thinking like this, you all have your own ambitions. Only I..."
Zeng Haomiao reached out his hand. He subconsciously wanted to withdraw it, but finally he seriously patted Shi Ning'an on the shoulder: "Ning'an, we're a family. Our ambitions are the same."
Fight for the future of the Great Zhou.
Nanny Liang's eyes were about to pop out. She thought that when the young master came, he would persuade the miss not to do something stupid. But unexpectedly, he even joined the miss's plan?
Zeng Haomiao had already packed his luggage.
Shi Ning'an was even more curious: "You've been prepared for this for a long time?"
Zeng Haomiao nodded seriously: "Yes. When I received Rong Sui's letter, I anticipated this day. No matter where there is a struggle, there will be casualties. I can do little. I just want to do a little more for the common people and for my beliefs."