I have suffered enough in my previous life, my cousin will never marry me

Chapter 181 Is He Really Going to Rebel?
Under the hazy moonlight, Tian Fu drove his carriage at high speed along the mountain road when suddenly the faint sound of horses' hooves came from behind him.

"Sister, has Second Brother changed his mind and sent people to chase us back?"

Gu Tingji realized something was wrong and quickly asked Gu Qingmian.

Gu Qingmian hesitated for a moment, then hurriedly instructed Tian Fu, "Uncle Tian, ​​hurry up."

Just as Tian Fu cracked his whip to speed up, a large black horse suddenly appeared on the mountain road ahead, blocking his way.

Startled, Tian Fu quickly reined in his horse, drew his sword from his waist, and pointed it at the person blocking his way: "Who dares to be so bold?"

"Uncle Tian, ​​it's me." Gu Tingzhou quickly jumped off his horse and hurriedly ordered, "Take Qingmian and Tingji, ride my horse, and take the side path to Yuezhou."

Upon recognizing the voice of the eldest son, Tian Fu relaxed his guard.

Hearing the approaching hoofbeats, Gu Tingzhou didn't have time to explain further. He simply climbed into the carriage and pulled Gu Qingmian and Gu Tingji out.

Looking at the two siblings with indifferent expressions, he gently instructed them, "You don't need to ask any more questions. When you arrive in Yuezhou, there will be someone who will treat you better than your eldest and second eldest brothers. Just wait in Yuezhou with peace of mind. Your eldest brother will bring your cousin to meet you."

Before the siblings could react, Gu Tingzhou hurriedly lifted them onto his horse and said to Tian Fu, "Take good care of the Third Miss and the Fourth Young Master."

Tian Fu didn't dare to delay and rode his horse to escort the siblings along another path.

After watching the group disappear into the night, Gu Tingzhou boarded the carriage and continued his journey up the mountain.

In the Yongning Prince's Palace in Yuezhou
Fu Mingchi was depressed for a month. With the Mid-Autumn Festival approaching and his son's condition getting worse, Consort Zhang had no choice but to take Fu Yunni to the temple to pray for blessings every day.

On this day, Consort Zhang and Fu Yunni had just returned to the Prince's Mansion from the temple when they saw Zhu Wencai leading a team of spies to stop in front of the mansion gate.

Pulling Fu Yunni down from the carriage, she anxiously asked, "How is it? Have you found out anything about the situation in Lin'an?"

"Your Highness, the imperial court has issued an edict ordering Lady Dingyuan to lead the Mu family army to retreat to Xiling Pass for land reclamation." Zhu Wencai handed a letter to Lady Zhang: "This is a letter that Lady Dingyuan entrusted someone to bring back."

Consort Zhang nodded with satisfaction: "Quickly take the letter to Qingqing and tell her this good news."

These days, the brother and sister are both preoccupied with their lover and their mother, respectively, and are depressed all day long, which has exhausted them both.

Just as Zhu Wencai was about to enter the mansion, Consort Zhang suddenly stopped him again: "How is Wanwan? Have you found out any news about her?"

Zhu Wencai's gaze lingered for a moment before he clasped his hands and said, "I heard that the imperial court has conferred the title of Princess Jinghe upon Miss Ye and is preparing to send her to the northern border for a marriage alliance."

"Marriage?"

Consort Zhang immediately understood that the girl had left Yuezhou so cruelly in order to rescue the Mu family army.

Thinking about Gu An's withdrawal of troops, all her previous doubts were now resolved.

It wasn't that Gu An was intimidated by his son; it was clearly that the girl who traded her freedom for the court's withdrawal of troops.

Seeing the Dowager Consort's thoughtful expression, Zhu Wencai hesitated and asked, "Dowager Consort, should we keep this matter from His Highness for the time being?"

"What are you hiding?" Consort Zhang said discontentedly. "If he can't even protect his own woman, what kind of king is he?"

After saying that, he snatched back the letter, excitedly hugged his daughter, and went inside.

"Mother, is my elder brother's soul about to return?" Fu Yunni asked her mother happily.

"If his soul doesn't return soon, your sister-in-law will never come back," Consort Zhang joked with a smile.

The mother and daughter arrived at Fu Mingchi's courtyard and saw Yu Bai and Yan Jin guarding the entrance to the corridor. Fu Yunni asked excitedly, "Where is my older brother?"

The two exchanged a glance, and Yan Jin replied with a bitter face, "Reporting to the Dowager Consort and the Princess, His Highness has locked himself in his room for half a month and will not allow anyone to see him." Dowager Consort Zhang's heart tightened. She put down her daughter, strode to the door, and kicked it open. The entire room was filled with geomantic maps.

"Mingchi, what are you doing?" Consort Zhang asked in astonishment.

Fu Mingchi turned around unhurriedly and replied calmly, "The route of advance."

"You...you don't really intend to rebel, do you?" Consort Zhang asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Please forgive me, Mother."

Fu Mingchi took a deep breath and slowly knelt down: "Wan'er has suffered since childhood. Gu Tingchen would rather force Wan'er to jump off a building than let her go. If the Gu family really uses her aunt and cousins ​​as threats to force her to return to Lin'an, her life will probably be even more difficult than before. Your son cannot stand by and watch her suffer back in Lin'an."

Consort Zhang nodded with satisfaction: "You haven't let that girl down."

Fu Yunni smiled and handed over the letter in her hand: "Brother, you will understand everything after you read the letter that Aunt brought back. Sister-in-law has never wronged you, much less our Yongning Prince's Mansion."

Fu Mingchi quickly took the letter, opened it, and read it carefully. The gloom on his face immediately disappeared.

"So it turns out that my Wan'er wasn't after that scholar; she's been plotting for me all along."

Thinking of how cruelly they treated her on the walls of Huizhou, Fu Mingchi felt as if his heart was being torn apart: "I was too foolish. I should have realized that she was willing to go through life and death with me in Qizhou, so how could she abandon me just because the imperial army was pressing in?"

"Go, Mingchi, do what you want to do." Looking at the geomantic maps filling the room, Consort Zhang had no intention of stopping you and sincerely encouraged you, "Even if it means our Yongning Prince's Mansion will be branded with the infamy of treason for all eternity, Wan'er, it's worth it for you to take this risk."

"Thank you, concubine."

Just as Fu Mingchi stood up, he suddenly saw Steward Zhao leading a group of people in.

Fu Mingchi looked closely and saw that apart from the two young children, the rest of the people were all familiar faces.

Tingfeng bowed respectfully, but did not immediately mention the imperial edict. He pointed to the two children and said, "Your Highness, these two are the third daughter and the fourth son of the Rongguo Duke's Mansion."

Tian Fu, looking embarrassed, clasped his hands in greeting: "This old servant was entrusted by my young lady and madam to bring the Third Young Lady and the Fourth Young Master to Yuezhou. Upon learning that all the families of Taowu had been settled in the Prince's Mansion by the Dowager Consort, this old servant had no choice but to bring the Third Young Lady and the Fourth Young Master here."

Fu Mingchi carefully examined Gu Qingmian and Gu Tingji: "How is your cousin doing now?"

Seeing so many unfamiliar faces for the first time, the siblings felt inexplicably flustered and stared blankly at Fu Mingchi, unsure of how to respond.

“You are the people my sister-in-law would risk her own safety to go back and protect.”

Noticing the embarrassment on the siblings' faces, Fu Yunni glanced at Fu Mingchi and immediately stepped forward to comfort them, saying, "Don't be afraid. My older brother is your cousin's lawfully wedded husband. Now that you're in Yuezhou, my older brother will protect you."

"A brother-in-law who was married through proper channels?" The siblings were immediately amused by the little guy in front of them.

Along the way, the siblings listened to Tian Fu talk a lot about Yuezhou and learned that their cousin had found someone in Yuezhou who truly cared for and protected her.

"Qingmian greets brother-in-law." Gu Qingmian bowed respectfully. Thinking of her cousin's current predicament, she could not hide her worry and answered truthfully, "My cousin is imprisoned in Cuiweitang by my second brother. She is not doing well now."

Fu Mingchi frowned slightly upon hearing this.

Wan'er sent her younger cousins ​​away from Lin'an, and I'm afraid their current situation is not good.

He secretly sized up Tingfeng. This man was Ji Yuan's most trusted confidant, and his purpose for this trip must not be simple.

"Ani, you and Steward Zhao go and settle Wan'er's cousins ​​in." Fu Mingchi patted Gu Tingji's head and gently instructed, "You can stay in the Prince's Mansion with peace of mind. I will bring your cousin back as soon as possible."

The siblings nodded in unison and obediently followed Fu Yunni and Butler Zhao away.

After the children had left, Tingfeng spoke again: "I am here on my master's orders to escort His Majesty's secret edict."