newbobooks Chapter 128 Aunt Fang and her daughter ran away
Chapter 128 Aunt Fang and her daughter ran away
Chu Nanxin's eyes widened in shock. She never expected that there would be such a secret passage hidden in the temple.
Aunt Fang took her hand and led the way into the secret passage.
A damp smell permeated the dark passage, and the torches on the walls flickered faintly, illuminating their tense faces.
The group walked quickly along the secret passage, their footsteps echoing in the narrow space.
After walking for who knows how long, a glimmer of light finally appeared in front of me.
Stepping out of the secret passage, Chu Nanxin discovered that a lavishly decorated carriage was already parked outside.
Upon seeing them, the driver immediately came forward and respectfully opened the carriage door.
Aunt Fang and Chu Nanxin boarded the carriage, which then slowly started moving and swayed along the road towards the distance.
After an unknown amount of time, the carriage finally stopped.
Chu Nanxin got out of the car and saw a beautiful mansion in front of her, with a vermilion gate and imposing stone lions, which looked extraordinary.
Servants were waiting for them at the door, bowing and calling out in unison, "Madam, Miss."
Chu Nanxin was even more puzzled. Where exactly was this place?
Looking at the servants' respectful manner, could this mansion belong to her mother?
She was full of questions, but didn't know where to begin, so she could only follow Aunt Fang into the courtyard.
The layout is exquisite and elegant, with pavilions and towers arranged in a harmonious manner, and flowers, trees and shrubs trimmed neatly, exuding an air of wealth and nobility.
It's not much different from the Marquis of Anyang's residence.
Chu Nanxin could no longer suppress her doubts. She quickly walked up to Aunt Fang and stared intently into her eyes.
"Mother, where are we? Weren't we supposed to be praying at Ning'an Temple? How did we end up here? You have to give me an explanation!"
Aunt Fang turned around, a barely perceptible hesitation flashing in her eyes.
She sighed softly, raised her hand to stroke Chu Nanxin's hair, and said gently, "Nanxin, don't ask so many questions. Just settle down and relax. I'm doing this for your own good."
It's all for her own good. She's heard those words far too many times since she was a child!
Chu Nanxin's voice unconsciously rose a few decibels, "How can I feel at ease if you don't tell me anything?"
Aunt Fang avoided Chu Nanxin's gaze and remained silent for a moment before slowly speaking.
"Nanxin, there are some things you don't understand yet. When the time is right, your mother will tell you everything. For now, just trust your mother and be a good girl, okay?"
In a few days, the capital will be ruled by a new Chu family...
The lead constable raised his token and shouted, "By order of the Emperor, the Chu family is suspected of treason and harbors disloyal intentions. We have come today to confiscate their property and arrest them. All bystanders, please make way!"
This sudden turn of events threw everyone in the Chu household into chaos.
The servants panicked and fled in all directions; the women were terrified and huddled in a corner, trembling with fear.
Disloyalty—those four words carry immense weight!
Throughout history, those who plotted rebellion, whether princes or princesses, never met a good end.
Upon seeing this scene, Chu's father's face instantly turned ashen.
The situation was critical at the moment. In the past, when dealing with the government in the business world, he had used money to smooth things over.
He quickly gave a wink to the butler behind him, who understood immediately and hurriedly withdrew. A moment later, the butler returned quickly, carrying an exquisitely carved wooden box.
Father Chu took the wooden box, his hands trembling slightly as he opened it. Inside were stacks of neatly arranged silver notes.
With a forced smile, he cautiously approached the constable and said in a low voice, "Sir, do you think there's some misunderstanding? This is just a small token of our appreciation. We hope you'll be lenient."
“Our Chu family has been doing business for generations, and we are honest and upright. How could we possibly do something so treasonous? This must be a deliberate frame-up. We hope Your Excellency will investigate thoroughly.”
The constable glanced at the valuables in the wooden box, a fleeting glint of greed in his eyes, but he quickly regained his serious expression.
His face darkened abruptly, and he shouted sternly, "How dare you! You openly bribe an official of the imperial court! This is an even greater crime!"
As he spoke, the constable waved his hand, and the yamen runners behind him immediately rushed forward, knocking the wooden box in Chu's father's hand to the ground, scattering the silver notes all over the ground.
"Whether someone is guilty or not is not for you to decide! We'll only know after we search them!"
The lead constable snorted coldly, his eyes full of disdain, then waved his hand and ordered, "Search! Don't miss a single spot!"
These people, like bandits, rushed into every corner of the Chu mansion, ransacking it and smashing the valuables and utensils to pieces.
The Chu family could only watch helplessly as all of this happened.
When they searched the courtyard where Chu's mother lived, a bailiff found an exquisite wooden box in the corner of the wardrobe.
If he hadn't searched so thoroughly, lifting up all the clothes, he would never have discovered it...
He carefully opened the wooden box, and inside lay a large, round pearl with a soft luster.
"My lord, we've found it!"
The constable took the wooden box and examined the pearl inside. He turned to look at Chu's mother and said, "This pearl is a royal tribute. How could an ordinary family possess it? Now that the evidence is conclusive, what else does your Chu family have to say?"
Mother Chu's eyes widened, her face filled with disbelief. Her voice trembled as she said, "This...this is impossible! This isn't mine; someone must have framed me! Your Honor, you must investigate this thoroughly!"
No one would listen to her explanation; they were all just following orders.
This evidence was something Aunt Fang had left behind long ago...
The constable waved his hand and ordered, "Take everyone from the Chu family away!"
The constables rushed forward and bound all the members of the Chu family tightly.
Chu's father was forcibly pulled up and taken outside.
He struggled desperately, repeatedly shouting, "Injustice! Our Chu family is innocent!"
However, his shouts were quickly drowned out by a cacophony of noise.
Chu's father, Chu's mother, and the other members of the Chu family walked out of the Chu residence under the escort of the yamen runners.
A crowd gathered at the door, whispering amongst themselves. The once-powerful Chu family was doomed...
The news of the Chu family being imprisoned by imperial decree quickly reached Chu Ruohan.
Dongzhu?
Didn't she already tell Chu Ang to hand it over? How did it end up with Chu's mother?
She tried to calm herself down, and after a moment, she asked urgently, "Were Aunt Fang and Chu Nanxin also arrested?"
Yu Ling quickly shook her head, "No, Aunt Fang and the Third Miss went to Ning'an Temple to pray for blessings the day before yesterday, which is how they escaped this calamity."
now it's right!
"What about Chu Ang?"
"Fleet without a trace..."