I am the champion of palace intrigue, and even the proud prince bows his head in submission.

Chapter 253 She...can't escape.

She followed Xie Zhongzhi from the border to the capital.

In this vast mansion, her sister-in-law was the only one who treated her well.

She's leaving today.

The mountains are high and the roads are long; today's parting may be forever.

The thought that she might never see her sister-in-law again made her very sad.

I'm so sad I want to cry.

The sadness in Xu Liuer's eyes grew deeper and deeper.

Qin Jiuwei naturally noticed as well. She frowned and asked with some concern, "Liu'er, what's wrong?"

Xu Liuer immediately lowered her eyes, her fingers unconsciously stroking the wood grain on the edge of the table.

After a moment, she raised her head and tried to keep a relaxed tone, saying, "It's nothing, I just feel a little guilty that I couldn't help you much during this epidemic."

Qin Jiuwei was skeptical and focused her gaze on Xu Liuer's face, observing her closely.

Suddenly, she noticed the reluctance and sadness in her eyes.

Reluctant?

How could Xu Liuer be reluctant to part with him?

Suddenly, she realized something, and her heart skipped a beat.

Could it be that Xu Liuer is preparing to leave?

She pursed her lips tightly, her feelings suddenly becoming complicated.

Xu Liuer was reluctant to leave.

Besides feeling reluctant to part, there was also worry.

I worry about how she, a frail woman, can survive peacefully in this world.

Besides that, there's also a sense of relief.

Thankfully, she was finally able to leave that father and son.

Xie Zhongzhi is not a good match, and Xie Siyuan is even worse.

Xu Liuer must have made ample preparations to come see her today.

All she could do was offer her blessings and help.

Qin Jiuwei took a small silver plaque from the wooden box on the table and handed it to Xu Liuer.

"This is the token of the Xie Family Business, which belongs to the young master. I am currently in charge of it. With this token, you can seek help from any Xie Family store."

She gently squeezed Xu Liuer's hand, her gaze tender yet firm: "If you need anything, just go to them."

Xu Liuer's eyes reddened, and her voice choked as she said, "Sister-in-law..."

She didn't say anything, but her sister-in-law understood everything.

And you're still helping her like this...

Qin Jiu smiled gently, "Please accept it; it's a token of my appreciation."

Xu Liuer felt the silver medal in her hand was very heavy.

She looked up at Qin Jiuwei, opened her mouth, but said nothing.

Qin Jiuwei patted her hand, her tone still gentle: "Have a safe journey."

Xu Liuer nodded vigorously, got up and left.

Watching her retreating figure, Qin Jiuwei's gaze sharpened.

Go on, go far away. May you find your direction and a life in this difficult world.

In the afternoon, at Zhiyuan Hospital.

Xu Liuer didn't have much luggage to take with her; most of her money had already been converted into silver notes.

The bundle contained only a few pieces of men's clothing, some loose silver, and some dry rations for the journey.

"Second Young Madam," the maid bowed and called out, "the carriage to the temple is ready."

Xu Liuer nodded slightly, her heart pounding, but she tried her best to calm herself down and said, "I'm going to Wanfo Temple to pray for blessings. I won't be back until evening, so my husband doesn't need to worry."

The maid nodded. "Yes, I understand."

Xu Liuer breathed a sigh of relief.

However, as soon as she stepped out of the courtyard gate, the wind in her ears suddenly stopped.

"Liu'er, where are you going?"

The voice rose low, cold as mist rising from a deep well, and coiled tightly around the back of her neck.

Xu Liuer's heart skipped a beat.

She slowly turned around and saw a tall figure.

Xie Zhongzhi stood there, half of his face hidden in the shadows, while the other half wore a stiff smile.

"Liu'er, why aren't you saying anything?" Xie Zhongzhi looked at her with a half-smile, his voice chilling.

Xu Liuer forced a smile. "Husband, when did you get back? I was just about to go to Wanshou Temple to pray for blessings."

Her voice was soft, with a slight tremor.

Xie Zhongzhi didn't speak, but slowly approached her, his eyes coldly shining on her face.

A crow cawed softly from somewhere in the courtyard, and Xu Liuer felt a chill run down her spine.

"Go to pray for blessings?" Xie Zhongzhi smiled, but the smile was colder than the cold wind.

Xu Liuer nodded with a forced smile.

Before she could speak, a sneer suddenly came from behind her.

"Really, Mother? Then... what is this?"

Xu Liuer suddenly turned her head and met a pair of dark, cold eyes.

Xie Siyuan took a step forward and slowly took something out of his sleeve.

Under the bright sunlight, he clutched a document tightly in his hand.

This is her travel guide!

Xu Liuer turned deathly pale, her chest tightened suddenly, and she even forgot to breathe.

Seeing her expression, Xie Siyuan smiled with satisfaction.

"I knew you weren't honest, Mother," Xie Siyuan said slowly, his tone revealing a strange excitement.

"I saw everything you had people do!"

He noticed something was wrong with Xu Liuer on the day of the jewelry incident.

After that, he secretly followed her and listened to her conversations with her maid.

Upon discovering that she was trying to escape, they immediately went to tell their father!

Xie Siyuan's lips curled slightly, revealing a cold and eerie smile.

"Mother, you'll never leave us in this lifetime..."

A chill ran down Xu Liuer's spine, and she felt as if she had fallen into an ice cellar.

She turned around suddenly and tried to escape.

However, Xie Zhongzhi's figure had already firmly blocked the only exit.

She...can't escape.

The next day.

Qin Jiuwei got up early in the morning and sat down at her desk to work.

The situation in the capital has improved considerably, but there are still many issues that need to be addressed.

Xie Yanli also gave her a lot of power, allowing her to arrange her own manpower.

Qin Jiuwei first ordered people to investigate the patients' recovery, and screen out those who, although their fever had subsided, were still weak. She then ordered people to send them medicinal meals and soups to enhance their nutrition, in order to prevent their condition from recurring due to physical weakness.

At the same time, more Qingqi Fuzheng tea was made and distributed to the disaster-stricken areas.

Artemisia and Atractylodes were also burned daily in the disaster-stricken areas.

Now that it's cold, it's even more important to ensure that rice porridge and steamed buns are properly distributed and that they are kept hot.

After finishing these matters, Qin Jiu turned her gaze and saw Xiao He lifting the curtain and entering.

She immediately asked, "How is it? Is there any movement from the second wife's side?"

Xiaohe shook her head: "No, there was no sound at all."

"Nothing at all?" Qin Jiuwei's brows furrowed immediately, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes.

impossible……

If Xu Liuer had escaped, the second branch of the family would have made a fuss about it...

Qin Jiu's long eyelashes drooped, and a sense of unease welled up in her heart.