Besides the rice, grain, chickens, ducks, fish, and meat that the Duke’s Residence and Lin Fu had, there were also quite a few cattle and sheep, and even some venison, bird’s nest, shark fin, bear paw, and various other delicacies from the mountains and seas.
These things were piled up like mountains, tossed carelessly into the food storage as if they cost nothing, much like the chickens, ducks, and geese of an ordinary household.
That dog emperor was indeed extravagant, eating only the rarest things. He really knew how to enjoy himself.
Not only was Lin Shutang stunned by the sight, even Duan Yanzhou let out a sigh of contempt. “They were in such a hurry to confiscate the Duan family’s property—it seems these weren’t enough to feed him.”
A trace of mockery appeared on his cold, handsome face.
“Then let’s take all of this away and leave him with nothing to eat.” Lin Shutang raised an eyebrow, closed her eyes to focus her mind, and in an instant, the storage room that had been full before them became completely empty.
Guards were patrolling all around, so she didn’t dare linger. She pulled Duan Yanzhou along and continued to the Imperial Medical Institute’s medicine storage.
She collected thousand-year-old ginseng, century-old lingzhi mushrooms, and all kinds of medicinal herbs into her space.
After visiting those two places, Duan Yanzhou seemed to have caught on, and he told her about several other places where treasures were hidden.
Wanbao Dian, where tribute items were stored in the imperial palace, held quite a number of dried fruits, candied preserves, silk, tea, perfume, sea pearls, and more that had been offered from various regions.
These were all fine things in ancient times. Lin Shutang’s shopping mall space wasn’t lacking them, but she didn’t want to let that dog emperor have them cheaply either.
After emptying Wanbao Dian, they went to Zhizao Si, where the jewelry, ornaments, and lavish robes of the imperial consorts were kept.
By the time they finished moving everything, the sky was already turning gray with the approach of dawn.
Lin Shutang hurried back to Chongguo Fu with Duan Yanzhou.
By then, Second Master Duan Feng and Madam Jiang had already packed everything. When their family arrived at the various rooms of the rear courtyard, they discovered that the entire Second Branch residence had been emptied.
The family of four stood in place, stunned and dumbfounded.
Fortunately, Duan Yanzhou was there to cover for Lin Shutang. He brought out a portion of the bedding, clothing, and food and loaded it all onto the carriages.
They had originally prepared two carriages, but they had three on hand.
“Father, Mother, Shutang and I have already transported all the family’s valuables out and hidden them in one place. Since we’re only being sent away to a post, not having our property confiscated, the Emperor certainly won’t hold it against us if we take these things.” Duan Yanzhou came over to explain. “Once we settle in Qinan, we can retrieve them. As for the rest of the clothing and food, Shutang and I have already loaded them onto the carriages.”
Duan Feng was very pleased with his second son’s performance. He stroked his beard and looked up toward his elder brother’s residence next door, letting out a long sigh. “The world is full of unpredictability. Elder Brother, don’t blame us…”
Madam Jiang stepped forward and brushed the snow off Duan Yanzhou’s clothes. “They brought this outcome upon themselves—it’s their own doing. Husband, we must not be soft-hearted, or we risk being bitten back.”
Duan Feng nodded. “I understand what you’re saying, my lady. For now, we can only look after ourselves.”
Although the two families shared blood ties, resentment had long been festering between them. The old Duke had never treated him as a true son. Since they had shown no kindness, they could hardly blame him for showing none in return.
After the family finished packing, Duan Feng carefully put away the travel permits and letter of appointment the Emperor had given him, waiting only for dawn to set off.
The household’s maidservants and servants had all dispersed.
Only A Dong, the servant who had served Duan Feng for many years, and Chunxiang, Madam Jiang’s personal maidservant, remained.
The two of them refused to leave no matter what, and Madam Jiang, soft-hearted as she was, allowed them to stay.
As for the others—the steward and the elderly nursemaids who had served her for years—they all had families of their own, so she returned their contracts and granted them their freedom.
By dawn, these loyal servants, each carrying a bundle on their backs, knelt in farewell to the master and mistress before departing.
Snow fell in swirling flurries, and even without a confiscation, the now-empty second branch’s courtyard seemed desolate.
As the morning light crept in, a large troop of soldiers surged into Chongguo Fu.
The eldest master, Duan Chong, and Madam Zhou were still in their slumber. When they woke, not only were their clothes gone, but a crowd of soldiers had also flooded in.
The same happened to Duan Qingyang and Lin Wanwan.
Madam Zhou and the eldest master at least had their undergarments on.
Lin Wanwan and Duan Qingyang had just been wed the previous night, and their bodies were completely bare.
“Qingyang-ge, where did our clothes go?” she stammered, hastily pulling on the only slip and undergarment she had.
Duan Qingyang stared at the empty room, stunned. “It’s not just the clothes! The whole room is empty?!”
Lin Wanwan looked up and saw that the exquisite antique vases that had once adorned the space were indeed all gone.
But the soldiers outside gave them no time to think. They strode into the room and, regardless of whether they were dressed, dragged them all to the front courtyard.
The two branches’ courtyards were separated only by a wall, with an arched gate in the middle.
As Lin Shutang and Duan Yanzhou were about to board their carriage to leave, they passed through the arch and saw the eldest branch’s people kneeling in the snow in their undergarments.
Among them, Lin Wanwan’s bright red slip was especially conspicuous.
The newly arrived young mistress, bare-armed before a group of strange men, made Madam Zhou and the eldest master’s faces turn black with rage. “Why haven’t you put on clothes?!”
Lin Wanwan, aggrieved, hugged herself, her lips trembling as she dared not lift her head. “Father, Mother, the soldiers came so suddenly, there was no time to dress.”
Madam Zhou shot her a glare. “What a disgraceful wretch!”
“Enough, stop your bickering! You’re all at death’s door, and you still squabble!” Lord Xu cut them off sharply.
Duan Qingyang hurriedly pulled Lin Wanwan into his arms and demanded angrily, “What are you doing?! Let us go at once!”
Lord Xu, who had come to confiscate the estate, stepped forward and dealt Duan Qingyang a heavy slap. “Young Lord, we are here on the emperor’s orders to confiscate Chongguo Fu.”
“Confiscate what? Our Chongguo Fu has been utterly loyal to His Majesty. Why would you confiscate our estate?” Duan Qingyang fumed, though his body trembled uncontrollably from the cold.
In his arms, Lin Wanwan, clad only in her slip, had long since turned blue at the fingertips from the cold, her ears flushed red.