Yu Chun thought about the question for a long time, but in the end, she still couldn’t find an answer.
Nor did she have the mind to keep thinking—Cao Jie had returned.
Along with the bowl he brought back, there was also a small cloth bag. Cao Jie did not scold her; of course, his tone was still dry, though it carried a trace more warmth than usual.
“We came back at the right time. This is a letter Father-in-law and Mother-in-law sent through the courier station. They’ll arrive tomorrow. I heard that the city has been in chaos these past few days—fighting broke out in the north this morning. The city gates are strictly checking travelers now, and they may seal the city. We’ll talk about the private school after this passes. No matter what, Chang’an is always safe.”
Admitting fault? That was out of the question. He would never be wrong in this lifetime.
“Oh.” Yu Chun’s mind was blank. There was war? What war? Wasn’t this Chang’an?
In an instant, her mind buzzed as fragments connected—Li Bai in his prime, Chang’an, the An Lushan Rebellion.
If that were the case, escape would be impossible. People would flee toward Sichuan—why would anyone run to Chang’an? Wouldn’t that be the first place to be hit?
And on top of that, why had they even summoned her parents?
Wasn’t this just digging their own grave?
No!
“Are there people fleeing south? Are there any houses or land for sale?”
Throughout history, during civil wars, although the capital had high walls, abundant troops, and ample provisions, it was also a prime target. It faced conscription of soldiers and grain. For major aristocratic families, one never put all eggs in one basket.
The most common choice was to head south, toward Jianghuai.
As great aristocrats of the Jiangnan region, which major city in the country did they not own property or land in?
Preparation for war meant assets would inevitably be sold off.
“As we expected, there are. I’ve already had A Jin handle the transfer. Our two families bought a pond on the eastern bank of Yong’an Canal in Da’an Ward, near Zhang Village, which formed naturally. There are also thirty mu of land beside it. For Father-in-law and Mother-in-law, we secured a courtyard in this ward, the same size as this one. A foreign liquor seller was eager to sell—it’s already paid with a deposit. Because of the war, it only cost eighty strings of cash. Grain prices have soared, but fortunately we stored plenty, so it’s not a problem.”
Cao Jie spoke gently, almost as if explaining himself. Yu Chun listened quietly, but inside she felt like collapsing. Even the escape route was now in Cao Jie’s hands. Was she stupid? Was her whole family stupid?
“Fengjie: I don’t know about others, but you’re absolutely dense! If you can’t figure it out, don’t waste time—leave it to us.”
“My head hurts!” Yu Chun covered her head tactfully. Cao Jie carried Cao Rong and left the room.
“Baoyu: In such chaotic times, how can we sit and wait for death? Sisters, what are your plans?”
“Hengwu Jun: Since we share the same body, we must make some plans.”
“Zhenxia Old Friend: This world is truly fresh and interesting. Women can work and do business, and there’s Li Bai and Du Fu. If we could sit at the same table and drink with them, that would be a great joy in life!”
“—”
The group suddenly fell silent.
Of course, only for a moment.
“Pinpin: Sister Feng is right. Chun-jie, you overlooked what he said. This was a decision made by the previous Yu Chun and her husband together. If it was also her choice, then buying land and property in the south of the city and bringing her family here must mean she had some reliance. If this turmoil passes safely, moving from Luoyang to Chang’an and establishing property—just this small courtyard in the Western Market is like a golden hen that lays eggs. After the An Lushan Rebellion, the Tang Dynasty will still have over a hundred years of rule!”
“Fengjie: Exactly. If you’re not afraid of risking everything, why not pull the emperor down from his throne? You’re just a commoner with nothing—yet you have a dangerous man by your side. Are you really afraid of distant frontier troops coming to smash things?”
“Hengwu Jun: Though Feng’s words are rough, the logic is sound. For someone with nothing, crisis is opportunity. The key now is the land transaction documents. Though they’re brothers, with such a huge quarrel and no reaction, they’re likely the type to squeeze others dry.”
“Jiaoxia Ke: Indeed. Not one of your words is without reason. The economic base determines the superstructure. If it were me, I would take advantage of the situation to secure some land for the two children—that’s the foundation for survival. As for your idea of fleeing, even in your own era, it would be easier said than done!”
“Daoxiang Old Farmer: Since things have come to this, we must plan carefully. Do you have a dowry that can support you?”
That struck straight to the heart. Even Yu Chun couldn’t bear it.
“Thank you all for worrying about me. Please give me a moment.”
“Miaoyu: Delay invites change.”
“System shutting down.”
After disconnecting, Yu Chun began to think on her own. Everything the voices in her mind had said was correct.
Why had Yu Chun made these choices?
Why had she chosen this path?
Only by meeting Yu Chun’s parents could those questions be answered. But from the state of the courtyard, Yu Chun was clearly no ordinary village woman. She had knowledge—she recognized medicinal herbs, had a quick mind, knew to feed chickens with earthworms, and was literate. She had even educated little Cao Rong well.
So why had she died?
And this Cao Jin—Yu Chun had merely said a few words of criticism, yet her husband, who shared her bed, had crushed her to death. Clearly, he was just as formidable as Fengjie.
If she could handle such matters, then why, a thousand years later, after graduating from university, had she had to start as a maternity matron, constantly cautious and on guard?
Who wouldn’t want a stable life—passing civil service exams, obtaining an official post, even becoming a village officer? For her in the future, that would have been a foundation for independence.
She worked as a maternity matron for the high salary—to buy a house and take control of her own fate.
Of course, the voices in her mind had not been without help. They filled in the details she had overlooked, analyzed the current situation clearly, provided higher-level planning, and gave her psychological support.
She wasn’t the problem.
The problem was Cao Jie.
In Yu Chun’s view, Cao Jie was a typical narcissistic manipulator, skilled at controlling others.
What had been a joint decision between two people became, in his words, his own achievement. He wanted to extract information from her while subtly threatening her—her parents depended on him. Even though he was the one at fault—having beaten the original host to death—his words still carried faint accusations that she had failed to see the bigger picture.
On her own, she might have been deceived.
But now, she had the voices in her mind.
It had to be Lin Daiyu—kind-hearted and sincere. Her reminder was right. This world could not be equated with the prosperous Tang of history. If this crisis could be overcome, then moving from Tianjin to Beijing—what an opportunity that would be.
What was the greatest difference between the prosperous Tang and the present?
What was its brightest jewel?
When people thought of this, the first names that came to mind were Yang Guifei, Li Bai, Du Fu—
Though there was no Yang Guifei here, there was Empress Lin. And likewise, Li Bai and Du Fu had been summoned.
Everything pointed to one person—
The female prime minister, Li Hong.
She had decided—the first thing she would do after her face healed was to inquire about Li Hong.