The Rebirth of Han Yuxi

When Lu Xiu heard that Qiu Shi wanted her to leave the capital, she was more than willing to do so. ”Mom, my own mother will definitely help me leave the capital.” Lu Xiu had wanted to leave the capital for a long time, but things had kept being delayed until now. Now that there was finally an opportunity, she couldnʼt wait to leave immediately.

Qiu Shi nodded. ”If the rebel army breaks in, it will be too late to escape. So this matter should be done sooner rather than later.”

Lu Xiu raised no objections. ”Mom, Iʼll go back to my natal home later.”

She had been returning to her parentsʼ home every few days during this period. The recent calm of the Han household was also thanks to the discreet assistance of her Lu family. Otherwise, how could a household of orphans and widows possibly have lived so peacefully?

Qiu Shi said, ”You should go there tomorrow, then.” It would take Han Gao at least four or five days to deliver the letter to Wang County and then travel to Gushu Manor to gather the others, so they still had time to prepare.

The next day, Lu Xiu went to the Lu household and told Second Madam Lu about the matter. ”Mom, my husband is in Yu City, and Si Gunainai is in that state. If my children and I stay in the capital, we definitely wonʼt survive. Mom, I plan to leave the capital and go to the Northwest.”

Hearing this, Second Madam Lu asked, ”Have all the arrangements been properly made?” Seeing Lu Xiu nod, she continued, ”Are you worried you wonʼt be able to leave the capital?”

Lu Xiu nodded. ”Mom, as you know, the Dukeʼs household is in a difficult situation. With children in tow, I definitely wouldnʼt be able to leave.”

Second Madam Lu thought for a moment, then said, ”When are you planning to leave? Iʼll escort you out of the capital then.” She only had this one daughter, and she would defy her husbandʼs wishes if necessary to ensure her daughterʼs safe exit from the city.

Lu Xiu took Second Madam Luʼs hand and stated, ”Mom, I heard from my mother-in-law that the Imperial Army canʼt hold back the rebels. In less than half a month, theyʼll reach the capital. Mom, our family must also make early preparations.” Lu Xiu felt that her natal family was in even greater danger than the Dukeʼs household. They were currently trusted confidants of the Emperor, but if Yan Wushuang were to break into the capital, disaster would befall the Lu family.

Second Madam Lu stroked Lu Xiuʼs head and assured her, ”You donʼt need to worry about our family. With your Grandfather and Dad here, nothing will happen.”

Hearing this, Lu Xiu felt overwhelmingly distressed. ”Mom, then I wonʼt leave. Iʼll bring the children back to live here. If we must die, then weʼll die together.”

Second Madam Lu laughed helplessly. ”What foolish things are you saying? Youʼre still young, and you have two children—how can you speak so lightly of death?” Seeing Lu Xiu with tears brimming in her eyes, Second Madam Lu was saddened too, yet she still smiled. ”Why are you crying? Shaanxi is close to Sichuan. Once you reach Shaanxi, you can even go see your eldest and third brothers.” Lu Lin had been transferred to Sichuan in the middle of last year, so the timing was truly perfect. Had it been any later, he would have been dragged onto the pirate ship of rebellion by Yun Qing.

That evening, Second Master Lu returned home. He had been so busy recently that he had barely had time to come back. This time, he went back because he knew his daughter was home. ”What did Xiu-er say to you when she came back today?” Han Gao had returned to the capital yesterday, and Xiu-er had come home today—there must have been something that the two women had discussed.

Second Madam Luʼs expression stiffened slightly as she replied, ”What could she have said? Just a few intimate words between mother and daughter.” In truth, Second Madam Lu had always wanted Lu Xiu to go to the Northwest, but her husband had refused, citing the chaos outside. Without her husbandʼs support and with the Dukeʼs household in such a shambles, how could she possibly dare to let her daughter and grandsons flee the capital? With the outside world rife with warfare and banditry, everything had to be carefully arranged for Xiu-er to leave the capital with her two children if they were to survive.