This day, Du Ruhui was handling official business in the government office when someone suddenly burst in. After looking up and seeing it was Pei Qiancheng, he buried his head back in his work, saying, “There are many matters to handle today, and tonight is mother-in-law’s birthday, so I must go home for dinner. I have no time to drink with you. Tomorrow then.” Every time Pei Qiancheng came to find him, it was to drink, and this time would surely be no exception.

Pei Qiancheng stepped forward and snatched the brush from his hand, saying anxiously, “The situation is urgent, what birthday celebration are you thinking about?”

Du Ruhui said in surprise, “What urgent situation? What’s happened?”

After Pei Qiancheng tightly closed the door, he said, “Today I saw Sima Dekan come to see my elder brother.”

Du Ruhui frowned, “As far as I know, Master Sima and Master Pei are close friends. What’s strange about them meeting? What’s wrong with you today? You’re acting completely odd.”

Pei Qiancheng ignored his words and only said, “You must go home immediately to pack your things, then take your wife, uncle and aunt, and the Wang family and leave Jiangdu as quickly as possible!”

“Why leave Jiangdu for no reason? Stop fooling around.” Seeing Du Ruhui didn’t believe him, Pei Qiancheng said urgently, “Who’s fooling around? Don’t you know that Jiangdu is about to change hands?”

Du Ruhui was startled and stared at him, “What’s happened?”

Pei Qiancheng hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said, “I overheard big brother talking with Sima Dekan. They… they want to return to Guanzhong. They’ve already gained support from many people, and the Cui family… is also among them.”

Du Ruhui frowned tightly, “You mean they want to escape?”

Pei Qiancheng smiled bitterly, “If it were only that, it would be fine, but…” He sighed, “Since they want to flee but fear His Majesty will send people to capture them, they’ve decided to go all the way…” He lowered his voice and spoke four shocking words: “Kill His Majesty!”

Du Ruhui was completely stunned. After being dazed for a while, he came to his senses, “You’re saying… they want to commit regicide?”

Pei Qiancheng nodded, “Not only that, I heard Sima Dekan say that the Cui family has already agreed to support him, but they also made a requirement, which is…” He pointed at Du Ruhui and said gravely, “You!”

Du Ruhui was startled, then understood, “They want to avenge the past?”

“You caused Cuiji to lose the chance to become a prince consort back then. All these years, if not for the Wang family’s protection, how could they have allowed you to live until now? Now that they’re conspiring with big brother, once His Majesty is dead, they definitely won’t spare you.” Saying this, Pei Qiancheng hurriedly pushed Du Ruhui outside, “Quickly do as I said, go pack your valuables. While it’s still light, hurry and prepare to depart. I don’t know when they’ll act—perhaps in a few days, perhaps tomorrow. In any case, the sooner you leave, the safer you’ll be. Find some place where no one knows you and live in hiding.”

Seeing Pei Qiancheng disregard his own safety to urgently notify him, Du Ruhui said gratefully, “Thank you, Brother Pei.”

Pei Qiancheng waved his hand, “Enough, enough, don’t say such things anymore. Hurry and go. Oh, remember to leave separately, and it’s best to disguise yourselves to avoid being discovered by them.”

Du Ruhui was about to agree when he suddenly remembered something and stopped, “Did they say what they would do to others after killing His Majesty?”

“How would I know that? I suppose they would eliminate all threats.” Pei Qiancheng replied casually and urged, “Stop talking and hurry up.”

Seeing Du Ruhui standing motionless, he became anxious and was about to urge him again when his heart suddenly stirred, “You’re not thinking of telling Princess Jinyang about this, are you?”

Du Ruhui said, “The Princess and I have some friendship. How could I bear to watch her be harmed?”

Hearing this, Pei Qiancheng immediately said, “No, you can’t tell the Princess. Once His Majesty knows that my big brother and the others plan to assassinate him, he’ll definitely strike first. Then my big brother will be doomed.”

“I would only tell the Princess, not His Majesty.” Before Du Ruhui finished speaking, Pei Qiancheng said, “They’re father and daughter. What difference does it make which one you tell? Du Ruhui, I consider you a brother, which is why I risked telling you all this. You mustn’t harm my elder brother.”

“The Princess and His Majesty have long been at odds. She wouldn’t…” Before he could finish, Pei Qiancheng said frantically, “No matter how at odds they are, they’re still father and daughter. The Princess will definitely tell His Majesty. In any case, you’re not allowed to enter the palace or speak to the Princess.” Seeing Du Ruhui didn’t respond, he grabbed the latter’s collar and said sternly, “I’m talking to you. Did you hear?”

“I heard.” Du Ruhui’s words made Pei Qiancheng sigh with relief, “Go quickly then. I’ll wait for you at the city gate. Remember, don’t tell anyone else what I told you. Just leave as soon as possible.”

After parting at the government office, Du Ruhui hurried back to the Du residence. He didn’t explain in detail to Mother Du, only saying that Jiangdu faced great disaster and they must quickly pack their belongings. Although Mother Du was reluctant to leave everything in Jiangdu, seeing Du Ruhui speak so seriously, she didn’t dare delay and quickly went with Father Du to pack. After them, Du Ruhui went to see Wang Xianyue, telling him to immediately return to the Wang residence to persuade his father-in-law and the others to leave.

Wang Xianyue exclaimed, “You’re saying someone wants to rebel?”

“That’s right. The situation is very critical now. I’ve already had horses and carriages prepared. You must quickly return to the Wang residence. After Mother and Father are ready here, I’ll go to the Wang residence to meet you.”

Wang Xianyue tried to calm herself down, “Since you know someone wants to rebel, you should tell His Majesty and have him send troops to eliminate those plotting rebellion. Why flee?”

Du Ruhui shook his head, “His Majesty has always been proud and stubborn. I’m afraid even if we told him, he might not listen.”

“But this concerns his life. How could he not listen?” Seeing Du Ruhui remain silent, she urged again, “Husband, tell me who the rebels are and how you learned of this?”

“Don’t ask too many questions. Just do as I say.” Facing his words, Wang Xianyue shook her head, “If you don’t explain clearly, how can I convince my parents and brothers to leave? They’re not common peddlers who would abandon such a large estate based on a few words.”

Du Ruhui was silent for a moment, then said, “You go with Mother and Father. I’ll persuade father-in-law myself. We’ll meet at the city gate.” Before Wang Xianyue could agree, he had already hurried away, leaving her helpless.

Wang Xianyue packed valuables with Mother Du and the others and came near the city gate. After waiting a while without seeing Du Ruhui arrive, Mother Du worried, “Ruhui won’t have trouble, will he?”

Father Du quickly said, “Don’t scare yourself. Ruhui should arrive soon.”

Mother Du helplessly nodded, lifting the curtain to look out while saying to Wang Xianyue, “Did Ruhui tell you why we must leave Jiangdu? With this departure, what about his official position?”