Becoming the Villain's Discarded Wife
Chapter 451: Chaos

Chapter 451: Chapter 451: Chaos

With the He Family taking the lead, the other three families followed suit, one after another, afraid that if they lagged behind they would be locked inside the city.

Seeing the massive caravan leaving the city, the common folks who had just heard the rumour also frowned.

They all knew about the Rat Plague outside the city, yet the city was safe from it.

Logically, even if something major happened, these common folks who had barely more than tree bark to eat should still find the four big families with food, perhaps even white flour to spare.

So why were they in such a rush to leave Yan City?

Could it be that another major incident is about to occur?

"Brother Liu!"

The guard at the city gate saw the number of people heading out to watch the spectacle increasing. He couldn’t help feeling anxious. The city lord had strictly ordered not to open the gate and let people leave. Now, it was a full-scale departure. If the city lord should find out...

"Let them go."

Liu Jie’s gaze was cold and detached. What the General couldn’t do, he could.

The fewer the common people in the city, the longer they might survive.

Now that all the cities are closing their gates to outsiders, if these people leave today, it would be extremely difficult for them to find a place to settle down again.

"Yes."

The guard gritted his teeth and just nodded, standing aside and letting the cheerful people pour out of the city.

"Little girl, what’s... what’s going on out there?"

An elderly woman, seeing so many people heading out of the city, couldn’t help but feel curious and tugged at a young woman’s clothes to ask.

"They’re all running for their lives."

Hexiu watched the grand procession of carts and horses, and her hands hidden in her sleeves unconsciously tightened.

Yun Tian, where exactly are you?

She wanted to believe in her beloved man during the last incident, but since the city was closed half a month ago, and no messengers could come anymore, she had completely lost track of Shen Yuntian.

"Running for their lives?" The old woman was taken aback and then massaged her aching legs before shakily returning to her yard.

As old bones who had lived a lifetime, what haven’t they experienced?

Now that their mouths were sealed with yellow earth, let the disaster come. They couldn’t hide from it anyway.

"Old woman, come back and warm your hands." The old man Liao was anxious, watching his wife outside.

"Coming, coming, you old man, don’t be so flustered." The old woman Liao had a carefree expression as she slowly trudged inside.

"Second sister, what’s all that commotion outside? Why is it so noisy?"

"It’s quite a fuss, they say... they say people are fleeing."

Old Lady Liao pointed her mouth and barely managed to sit down. Looking at the warm stove in front of her, she couldn’t help but be moved.

"Are people coming into the city? Why does it sound so noisy?" A man sitting to the side squinted his eyes, somewhat surprised.

"They’re running out, seems like those big households from the city."

"With the way things are outside, they’re still running out?"

An old aunt nearby was somewhat curious, recalling the scene on Niutou Mountain she shrank her neck in fear.

"Who knows."

Old Lady Liao waved her hand dismissively, not saying another word, just looking at the stove in a trance.

They had been surviving on the rice and grain that their son sent. Niutou Mountain didn’t yield crops, and ever since their son passed away, they thought their time was near. They had even made preparations for their coffins. What they didn’t expect was, that young girl sent them food every month and even brought them into the city a month ago.

At the beginning, they held some hope, perhaps, just perhaps their son hadn’t been as wicked as they thought. However, after casually asking around, they found out about the evil deeds their unfilial son had done over the years.

They considered it their fault for not raising their son properly, but they never expected that they would still be cared for in their old age.

"I really don’t know if those people will be able to survive."

Old Master Liao sighed, a month ago the trees around the village died one after another, and the ground was giving off a foul smell.

What followed was the Rat Plague.

In such a year of natural disaster, instead of hiding in the city, those people were foolishly trying to escape.

Kyoto—

Looking at her own cheerful residence, Shen Miaomiao felt anxious inside.

The letter sent to Yan City by Adai ten days ago still had no response.

The palace was now newsblocked, and she could not find out what was going on.

She had sent people to prepare food, but so far, only a thousand jin were ready.

"Miaomiao, what’s wrong with you?"

Aunt Guihua came over with a bowl of hot soup and saw her daughter sitting there in a daze, which inevitably made her worry.

Although they, as a couple, were uneducated, they now understood some things.

The fate of the royal family was unknown, and the two princes had become like this, so those in the palace who wanted to seize power naturally had to fight for it.

It was like when the old Li Zheng in the village was about to retire, there would always be a struggle.

"Mother, I’m fine, I’m just a bit worried about Sister Nanzhi and the others."

Coming back to her senses and seeing her mother coming over, Shen Miaomiao could only force a smile.

She didn’t want her mother to worry.

A few days ago, when Twelve came back, he told her that the palace was in chaos now, and it was not only Yan City a thousand miles away, but even Kyoto would probably be in chaos.

"You, don’t worry too much. Sister Nanzhi and the others have their own good fortune. Didn’t you go to prepare food a few days ago?"

As Aunt Guihua spoke, she put the bowl of soup in front of her daughter.

"Drink some hot soup quickly, you didn’t eat much at noon. You must take care of your health, understand?"

These days, her son-in-law was always busy and not at home, and Miaomiao was worried about all these matters. Now she had lost some weight and Aunt Guihua felt heartbroken when she saw this.

"Thank you, mother."

"Silly child, there’s no need to thank." Aunt Guihua looked at her with a smile, suddenly thought of something, and asked softly.

"I haven’t seen Twelve in the last two days, is he busy?"

"The palace is busy too, he should not be able to come back for a while."

Shen Miaomiao took a couple of sips of the soup and then put the spoon down.

"Mother, it’s getting cold. You and father should stay inside as much as possible. If you feel bored and want to go out, take a warming pot with you, don’t catch a cold."

"I know, I know. Your father and I have been toiling in the field all our lives, we are healthy, don’t worry about us. But New Year’s is coming..."

"Mother..." Shen Miaomiao felt helpless. Ever since her mother arrived in Kyoto, she had been careful about everything. Her father-in-law was a military officer and was rarely at home.

The New Year was approaching, but the palace was still in chaos, and she could not ask about her father-in-law’s affairs.

"Alright, alright, I shouldn’t have asked so much." Aunt Guihua stopped her words, feeling a bit embarrassed.

She had only met her father-in-law a few times. Although they were now in-laws, it was still somewhat awkward for her and her husband to live here.

"Mother, you know that wasn’t what I meant." Shen Miaomiao was a bit helpless, but she could only reason with her kindly.

"You’re my mother, and it’s no big deal for you and father to live here. My father-in-law agreed to this too. Don’t overthink it, there are things going on in the palace and it’s busy now. Twelve and my father-in-law are staying in the palace. We just have to take care of our home."

"Ah, ah." Aunt Guihua nodded, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

But looking at her daughter now, she was also touched.

Although she gave birth to a useless son, she has a good daughter.