There truly wasn’t much that could be done for these women—nothing more than quietly arranging for someone to remind them that human traffickers had been active recently, that several women had already gone missing, and that these women and their families should be careful.

That scheming emperor wanted both substance and appearance, unwilling to provoke public anger. This being the case, the Jinlin Guard would surely not directly break down doors to seize people. As long as those women stayed hidden safely at home or fled to other regions for refuge, they might escape this calamity thanks to Grand Commander Luo’s deliberate leniency.

As for whether these women and their families would believe the warning, whether they could avoid disaster—that could only be left to heaven’s will.

Do one’s utmost and leave the rest to fate—that was all one could do.

When Lin Teng left Youjian Tavern, his mood was heavy.

This heaviness stemmed not only from these hundred-plus women in the prime of their youth, but also from the fury of helplessness.

Meanwhile, after Grand Commander Luo returned to the government office, he pondered for a long while before reaching a decision.

“Father wants me to leave the capital?” After receiving word and returning early to the Grand Commander’s residence, Luo Sheng listened to Grand Commander Luo’s words with surprise showing on her face.

“That’s right. Your uncle and cousins have been in the capital for quite some time now, so we’ll use the pretext that your grandmother misses them and you siblings to leave the capital first.” Grand Commander Luo laid out his calculated plan. “I’ve thought it over—in this matter, we must prepare for rainy days. If that demonic priest says anything else that endangers your safety, by then it will be too late to leave.”

Luo Sheng fell silent.

“Why isn’t Sheng’er saying anything?”

Luo Sheng raised her eyes, looking at Grand Commander Luo. “What about Elder Sister and the others?”

Grand Commander Luo paused, replying blandly, “They naturally have no reason to leave.”

“If I leave, and later the National Teacher truly incites His Majesty to take action against women born in the seventh hour of the seventh day of the seventh month of the Wuchen year, and my birth date and time become known, what will happen to Father?” Luo Sheng asked again.

Grand Commander Luo’s expression darkened slightly. “I can handle these matters myself. Just obediently listen and take Chen’er with your second uncle and the others to leave—that would ease my worries.”

Luo Sheng shook her head. “I won’t leave.”

“Sheng’er!”

Luo Sheng met Grand Commander Luo’s gaze and said earnestly, “You’ve served beside the Emperor for many years—you should know His Majesty is a suspicious and contemplative person. If I suddenly leave the capital at this time, even if he hadn’t harbored suspicions about Father, he would begin to. Father, I told you earlier that it might be my turn—that was just a hypothetical. I cannot place our entire household of several hundred people in danger because of a hypothesis.”

Fourteen years ago on that day, when she set out to marry, by the time she rushed back, her parents and family members had already fallen in pools of blood. Until death, she never managed to crawl through the family gates.

That was a nightmare she could never forget—she didn’t want it to happen a second time.

This was the Luo family’s home, and she was now Miss Luo.

“But this hypothesis might come true!”

Luo Sheng looked directly into Grand Commander Luo’s eyes, her tone resolute. “Even so, I won’t leave—unless our entire family can leave together.”

“Sheng’er—” Grand Commander Luo wanted to scold his daughter for being willful, but the words that followed wouldn’t leave his mouth.

Luo Sheng thought for a moment, then said, “Let younger brother leave. Just as Father suggested, use the pretext of visiting Grandmother. Younger brother grew up in Jinsha since childhood—this reason stands firm. Moreover, he’s a boy, so his leaving at this time won’t arouse suspicion.”

She wouldn’t leave for fear of bringing calamity upon the Luo household, whereas Luo Chen’s departure would cause no impact whatsoever.

“Have you thought this through?” Grand Commander Luo asked in a heavy voice.

He wanted to be forceful, wanted to be authoritarian, yet he understood better than anyone this girl’s stubbornness.

What made it even more troublesome was that this stubborn girl had grown up and begun learning how to use reason to persuade him.

He could only choose to respect her wishes.

Luo Sheng nodded firmly. “I’ve thought it through.”

Seeing Grand Commander Luo’s grave expression, Luo Sheng sighed inwardly.

If she took Luo Chen and left at this time, when the day came that His Majesty grew tired of Grand Commander Luo, Grand Commander Luo would likely submit obediently to slaughter. But if she insisted on staying, given Grand Commander Luo’s love for his daughter, he would consider an escape route.

“Very well then. Tomorrow I’ll have a talk with your second uncle.”

Luo Sheng broke into a smile. “Father should speak with Uncle soon.”

“You silly girl.” Grand Commander Luo smiled and shook his head, but in the next instant the smile vanished from his lips.

The next morning, Grand Commander Luo met with Second Uncle Sheng. After a round of secret discussions, Second Uncle Sheng summoned Sheng Dalang, Sheng Erlang, Sheng Sanlang, and Luo Chen to Youjian Tavern.

“What does Father want? Why did he call Big Brother and Second Brother here at this hour?” Sheng Sanlang looked utterly puzzled.

Big Brother and Second Brother should still be on duty, shouldn’t they?

Sheng Dalang and Sheng Erlang were equally confused.

Luo Chen frowned. “Second Uncle, could it be that a letter has arrived from the south?”

Second Uncle Sheng raised his sleeve to wipe the corners of his eyes, choking up. “Clever Chen’er figured it out… I just received a letter from home saying your grandmother has fallen ill—”

“What? Grandmother is ill?”

With Second Uncle Sheng’s words, everyone’s expressions changed.

Second Uncle Sheng’s tears flowed freely. “Yes, it’s so sudden—even now I can hardly accept it. Wuu wuu wuu…”

To the side, Grand Commander Luo watched, utterly dumbstruck.

Brother-in-law’s acting skills are truly superb!

Second Uncle Sheng’s peripheral vision quickly glanced at Grand Commander Luo, thinking to himself that his brother-in-law had worried he couldn’t fool these young men—how was that possible?

He only had to think about leaving his niece, leaving Youjian Tavern, and his heart shattered!

Second Uncle Sheng, a grown man, cried with such genuine emotion that the young people naturally believed him without doubt.

The now considerably rounder Sheng Sanlang said urgently, “Father, don’t cry! If Grandmother is ill, we should hurry and pack to return.”

Sheng Erlang wiped away tears, saying gravely, “We do need to return—that’s exactly why I urgently called you all here to discuss.”

Sheng Dalang spoke up. “Second Uncle, there’s nothing to discuss. Second Brother and I will return to the office right away to request leave from our superiors.”

Sheng Erlang agreed.

Seeing his two nephews with proper positions state their intentions, Sheng Erlang looked toward Luo Chen. “Chen’er, the letter says your grandmother misses you terribly—”

Luo Chen said without hesitation, “I’ll return to Jinsha with Uncle.”

“Brother-in-law, you see—”

Grand Commander Luo quickly said, “Brother-in-law, there’s nothing more to say. Chen’er has received the old lady’s care since childhood—at a time like this, he must return.”

“I’m grateful for brother-in-law’s understanding.”

“Brother-in-law, you’re being too formal.”

Watching the two exchange courtesies back and forth, Sheng Sanlang coughed. “Um… isn’t Cousin coming along?”

Grand Commander Luo and Second Uncle Sheng simultaneously looked toward Sheng Sanlang.

Sheng Sanlang didn’t know what he’d said wrong, but in that instant he distinctly felt murderous intent.

He shrank his neck, hurrying to explain. “Grandmother surely misses Cousin very much too. If Grandmother could eat food made by Cousin, she’d definitely recover quickly…”

The corner of Grand Commander Luo’s mouth twitched.

The reason Sanlang found—it left one unable to refute.

Second Uncle Sheng looked at Sheng Sanlang, with only one thought in his mind: For the sake of food, how could his son be this outstanding?

What had been going quite smoothly hit a snag because of his own son. Second Uncle Sheng suppressed the urge to grab a fire poker and teach his unfilial son a lesson, saying seriously, “Your cousin isn’t convenient to travel far at this time.”

“Why not?” Sheng Sanlang glanced at the quietly seated young woman and scratched his head.