ROHYX Chapter 702 : Lu Xiu Departed From The Capital

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 definite...

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 couldn't 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, I'll go back to my natal home later."

She had been returning to her parents' 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 widows¹ 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 Gushu² 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 Gunainai³ is in that state. If my children and I stay in the capital, we definitely won't 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 won't be able to leave the capital?"

Lu Xiu nodded. "Mom, as you know, the Duke's household is in a difficult situation. With children in tow, I definitely wouldn't be able to leave."

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

Lu Xiu took Second Madam Lu's hand and stated, "Mom, I heard from my mother-in-law that the Imperial Army can't hold back the rebels. In less than half a month, they'll 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 Duke's 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 Xiu's head and assured her, "You don't 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 won't leave. I'll bring the children back to live here. If we must die, then we'll die together."

Second Madam Lu laughed helplessly. "What foolish things are you saying? You're 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 Lu's 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 husband's support and with the Duke's 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.

Second Master Lu did not get angry when he heard her answer. He took off his outer robe and handed it to a maid. "I've already received news—Han Jianming's old injuries have flared up again, and he's currently recuperating in Wang County, unable to return." After saying this, he sat down and continued, "Go on—what exactly did Xiu-er come to see you about?"

Second Madam Lu knew she could no longer hide the matter from Second Master Lu. She confessed, "Master, you already know Xiu'er's current situation. Her husband is stationed in the Northwest, leaving her in the capital with their two children. How could she possibly manage to live well like that? Although Xiu-er is a married daughter, she is still the flesh that fell from my body⁴. Master, please let Xiu-er leave the capital and go to the Northwest to find her husband. Keeping her here is the same as sentencing her to death."

At this point, Second Madam Lu the Second's tears streamed down uncontrollably. "Master, I'm already a person with half of my body buried in the ground⁵. I've enjoyed enough blessings in this lifetime—if I were to die today, I'd have no complaints. But Xiu-er is still young, and our two grandchildren are so little. They must be given a way to live."

Second Master Lu sighed helplessly. "I never said I wouldn't send Xiu-er away from the capital. I disagreed before because the timing wasn't right."

Upon hearing this, Second Madam Lu even forgot to cry and asked,

"What timing?"

By this point, Second Master Lu was no longer hiding the truth. "You're well aware of the Han family's situation. If Lu Xiu had left the capital with the children earlier, would that person above have let it go so easily? Before they could have made it out of the capital gates, the entire Han family would have been thrown into prison. Even if we had wanted to help, we wouldn't have been able to do anything then. But now it's different—the rebel army is about to attack. His Majesty will be too preoccupied to care about a group of old, weak women and children at the Duke's residence."

Second Madam Lu wiped her tears and remarked, "You could have told me earlier." She had even blamed her husband for being cold-hearted, for not caring about their daughter and grandchildren.

Second Master Lu said, "Don't overthink it. I'll make proper arrangements." After that, he went out to look for the Old Master.

Although Old Master Lu was nearly seventy years old, his body was still robust. In the Lu household, he was like the divine needle that stabilises the sea⁶.

Second Master Lu stated, "Dad, I want Han-er to go with Xiu to the Northwest!" Lu Han was Second Master Lu's second di⁷ grandson, who was twelve years old this year. He had practised martial arts since childhood, a good seedling⁸.

Before Old Master Lu could speak, Second Master Lu explained, "I want Han-er to find Jianye and stay with him in Yu City, without getting involved in external affairs." Staying in Yu City would be relatively simpler and safer.

Old Master Lu asked grimly, "You don't trust that your elder brother can hold Sichuan?" If his second son truly trusted his eldest son, he wouldn't be sending his great-grandson to the Northwest—he would send him to Sichuan instead.

Second Master Lu replied, "Dad, you know Dage⁹'s temperament better than anyone. Sichuan is now riddled with rebellions. Just the internal chaos alone is more than he can handle, and if there are external enemies as well, it will be very hard for him to hold onto Sichuan." Lu Boda was formidable in warfare and had crushed every rebellion. However, the people had been exploited so harshly that they could no longer survive. Unless this problem was resolved, no amount of killing would stop the uprisings. Since he had killed so many, Lu Boda's reputation among the common people was poor.

Old Master Lu asked, "Do you really think that highly of Yun Qing and Han Shi?"

Second Master Lu fell silent for a moment before answering, "Dad, I've already received word that Yun Qing is now in charge of military affairs in the Northwest, while Han Shi is in charge of governance. The first thing she intends to do after taking charge is to develop water infrastructure. Everyone knows the Northwest lacks water. In order to change this, dams and canals must be built, but no one has ever attempted it before. Han Shi is the first to try. If they succeed, the Northwest will surely become prosperous."

Old Master Lu asked, "Have you considered what would happen if Han Shi and Yun Qing used Han-er to threaten Gang-er?" Using a son to threaten his father would be a very effective tactic.

Second Master Lu replied, "The one who controls Sichuan is Dage⁹, Lu Boda, not Lu Gang. Using Han-er as leverage won't threaten Dage⁹. Han Shi is intelligent; she wouldn't do something so foolish."

Old Master Lu said sharply, his gaze piercing, "Are you that certain Han Shi will let Lu Han stay in Yu City?" After hearing Second Master Lu say that Yuxi owed him a personal favour, Old Master Lu finally realised that his son intended to gamble the future of their family on Han-er.

Second Master Lu nodded. "Yes, I'm gambling. If it succeeds, the Lu family may still have hope of revival." As for what would happen if it failed, he did not say. In truth, Second Master Lu was deeply frustrated. When he had originally sent Lu Lin to the Northwest, it was to leave himself another escape route. Unexpectedly, his Dage⁹ was displeased and submitted a memorial citing manpower shortages, requesting that Lu Lin be transferred to Sichuan instead. Otherwise, they would not be struggling so desperately now.

Old Master Lu said, "Yan Wushuang is violent by nature and extremely unpredictable. He harbours deep hatred towards the Emperor and the Song family. If he captures the capital, there will likely be a massacre. Make proper arrangements for all the children." The Lu family had been loyal to the Emperor for generations and would certainly not be tolerated by Yan Wushuang.

Seeing that his father did not object, Second Master Lu felt relieved. "Dad, I plan to have Luo Shuigui escort Xiu-er to the northwest."

After a moment's thought, Old Master Lu said, "Have Old Mai drive the carriage. He's an old hand at this—there'll be less jostling on the road." This Old Mai was not actually a coachman, but rather Old Master Lu's personal bodyguard. He was highly skilled in martial arts and usually accompanied Old Master Lu wherever he went.

Second Master Lu hesitated. "Dad, isn't this inappropriate? You can't do without Uncle Mai by your side!" This Uncle Mai was much younger than Old Master Lu, being only fifty-seven this year.

Old Master Lu stated, "It's settled."

Three days later, Lu Xiu departed in the Lu family's carriage. Because everything had been arranged in advance, they left the city smoothly without encountering any obstruction.

Rather than going to Lingshan Temple, the group went straight to Qiu Shi's dowry estate, Gushu² Manor. It was only after meeting the people sent by Han Jianming to receive them that Second Madam Lu finally spoke plainly.

Lu Xiu was utterly astonished. "Mom, Dad wants me to take Han-er to Yucheng? Why?" She was going to the Northwest because her husband was in Yu City, but why should her nephew be going there too? If he were to go anywhere, it should be to Sichuan.

Second Madam Lu replied, "Since your Dad wants Han-er to accompany you to Yu City, he must have his reasons. Xiu, I'm entrusting Han-er to you—you must take good care of him." Although she did not understand her husband's intentions, she was still pleased that her grandson could leave the capital. Staying in the capital could very well mean losing one's life. Those with connections were trying every possible way to leave, while those who remained were either unable or unwilling to do so.

Lu Xiu nodded. "Mom, don't worry. I will take good care of Han-er."

Han Gao urged, "Second Lady, let's keep this brief. It's getting late, and we still need to travel." Once night fell, they could no longer be on the road. Despite having many guards, they were still travelling with children.

Footnotes Full List

1. not literally orphans and widows, but more towards the husbands and fathers who were not around to protect their wives and children.
2. 古 gǔ: ancient/old, 树 shù: tree
3. 四 sì: fourth, 姑奶奶 gūnǎinai: (respectful form of address for a married woman used by members of her parents' family) married daughter
4. "我身上掉下来的肉 (wǒ shēn shàng diào xià lái de ròu)" Literally "flesh that fell from my body." A common Chinese metaphor meaning one's own child, emphasising blood ties and deep maternal affection.
5. "半截身子埋土里的人 (bàn jié shēn zi mái tǔ lǐ de rén)" Literally "a person with half their body buried in the earth." An idiom meaning very old, close to death.
6. "定海神针 (Dìnghǎi Shénzhēn)"Literally "the divine needle that stabilises the sea". This term originates from the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West (《西游记》). In the story, the "定海神针" was a magical iron pillar used by the Great Yu (禹) to measure the depth of the seas and calm the primordial floods. It later became the weapon of Sun Wukong (the Monkey King), who could command it to change size at will. It was then renamed to "如意金箍棒" (Ruyi Jingu Bang), or "As-You-Will Gold-Banded Staff." It figuratively refers to a person who provides stability and reassurance.
7. 嫡 dí: born of or by the formal wife/legitimate
8. "好苗子 (hǎo miáozi)"Literally "a good seedling." Metaphor for someone with strong potential or talent.
9. 大哥 (dàgē): eldest brother

きつね's Heartfelt Apology

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