Chapter 115

Tang Xia did not believe Zui Linglong’s result of prophecy, but she was also afraid that Zui Linglong was right. If it came true finally, she would become an eternal sinner, wouldn’t she?

However, what she heard might be false. So Tang Xia decided to go out of the palace to observe the people. Of course, in order to avoid accidents, she also told Lyuyou specifically to bring more money before going out. Although Lyuyou was full of doubts, she still could not stop Tang Xia.

Lyuyou had already felt surprised when Tang Xia suddenly said that she would go out of the palace. But fortunately, Tang Xia would take her this time, which made Lyuyou quiet successfully.

After the color of the sky became completely dark, Tang Xia secretly went out with Lyuyou. Since they had changed their clothes in advance, no one recognized their identities. Fortunately, Lyuyou prepared men’s clothes, which made Tang Xia more convenient to do business.

“Your Grace, where are we going?”

The capital at night was livelier than in the day. Tang Xia and Lyuyou brushed against many passers-by. However, Lyuyou was hesitant while walking, so she asked.

“Her Grace is pregnant now, how should she explain if someone in such a crowd hurts Her Grace?” Lyuyou blamed herself. She should not allow Tang Xia to go out at first.

“What did you call me? Your Grace?” Tang Xia coughed discontentedly and corrected it. “Lyuyou, don’t forget that we are all in man’s clothes now. You should call me ‘childe’.”

Who would call a man “Your Grace”? Was Lyuyou too eager to let others know their true identities?

Tang Xia was very depressed. Now the ministers impeached her, and the one last thing was to force her to accept the title of an enchantress who brought calamity to the country and the people.

She just wanted to inspect the city quietly. Why would Lyuyou add troubles to her?

“Okay, my childe.”

Lyuyou was really helpless. She also knew that they were outside the palace now, but she couldn’t adjust herself at once.

“Your… childe, where are we going?” Lyuyou almost blurted out the words “Your Grace”. Fortunately, Tang Xia turned around and corrected her in time.

“I have already told you that we go out for observation.” Tang Xia was speechless. What had she done? Why did they do this to her?

It would be fine to be a time traveler or a streamer. But why they framed her with a reputation for bringing calamity to the country and the people? Sorry, she would not do it!

“Okay.” Lyuyou nodded and looked around. “But master, isn’t it lively outside? Can we finish the inspection now? Shall we go back?”

Oh, she regretted. She should never agree with Tang Xia to go out.

“What do you know? This is just the beginning.” Tang Xia looked calm on the surface, but she had already begun to reconsider it. “The interior of the capital was clearly a scene of peace, but why did Zui Linglong say those words?”

Tang Xia would rather be deceived by Zui Linglong, but Zui Linglong should be disdainful of lying to her with this. Tang Xia felt that she seemed to have forgotten a very important point. What was it…

She stopped to think carefully, and Lyuyou hit her back accidentally. Fortunately, Tang Xia stood firm so that she did not fell. Tang Xia did not feel anything, but Lyuyou panicked. “Are you okay, childe?”

Lyuyou complained in her heart, “Why did Her Grace stop suddenly?”

Tang Xia didn’t answer her and still thought about her own question.

Now Tang Xia finally thought of what she had missed. It was safe inside the city, but what about the situation outside?

“Perhaps the peace inside the capital was just made by those officials deliberately for Chu Tiankuo and her to cover their sights!”

“I got it!”

As soon as she figured out this key point, Tang Xia was very excited, as if she found something amazing.

Fortunately, her voice was not loud, and they were in downtown. Her voice was concealed by other voices around, and no one noticed her gaffe. So naturally, only Lyuyou behind her had heard what Tang Xia said.

“Childe, what are you talking about?” Lyuyou felt confused. What did Her Grace think of when she said “got it” suddenly?

Tang Xia did not answer Lyuyou’s question. She said to Lyuyou, “Just follow me.” Then she moved first. Lyuyou stood there, unable to figure out what Tang Xia was going to do. When Tang Xia had been five steps ahead, she quickly caught up with Tang Xia.

Tang Xia wanted to go out of the city, but the gate had been closed. So she couldn’t go out now even if she wanted to.

She looked resentful and unreconciled, but she was not able to persuade the soldiers who guarded the gates. So she had to walk around the capital with Lyuyou.

“Childe, what are you doing here at night?”

“It’s not safe at night. Why didn’t she stay at the palace? Why did she come to the suburbs?” Lyuyou didn’t know what Tang Xia wanted to do. She only knew that she had to follow Tang Xia to see what Tang Xia would do since she couldn’t stop Tang Xia’s decision.

“It’s the best place to inspect. Lyuyou, look!” Saying this, Tang Xia pointed at a group of people who were sitting around on the ground and warming themselves by the fire.

Hearing this, Lyuyou also turned her head. She thought they were just a group of people who warmed themselves around the fire. There was nothing special.

“So what?” Why did she want to observe people here? Such a desolate place…

Lyuyou was afraid that something dangerous would come out of the darkness to hurt Tang Xia’s life, so she quickly guarded Tang Xia by the side and said, “It’s so late. Let’s go back to the palace.”

“How can we go back to the palace? Let’s go!”

After saying so, Tang Xia walked toward that group of people who were heating themselves regardless of Lyuyou. Lyuyou had no choice but keep up with Tang Xia.

As they walked closer, they saw that those people, who were sitting around the fire, all looked worried, and their clothes were also worn out. They all looked at these two people silently when they saw Tang Xia and Lyuyou coming.

Tang Xia couldn’t help but feel scared when so many people were watching her. She laughed awkwardly and told them about her purpose to come here, which she had summarized in the heart.

“Everyone, we are seeking refuge with our relatives from the outside of the city. Now it is late. Can we borrow a fire here for one night?”

Those people looked at each other, but no one answered. Only a few people who sat close to Tang Xia moved and vacated two seats for them.

Tang Xia was stunned. After she responded, she thanked everyone and pulled Lyuyou to sit down. Lyuyou’s eyes were full of unwillingness, but she had no choice.

The simplicity of these people was deeply touched Tang Xia. Although these people did not speak, she still felt warm.

“Hello, may I ask what are you doing here?” Tang Xia asked the woman sitting on her left and wanted to learn something.

The sound of Tang Xia was not loud, but it was enough for these people to hear.

The woman glanced at her and looked at the fire without expression. Just when Tang Xia thought she would not say anything and turned to ask another person, the woman spoke, “We are all fleeing from the calamity because of the battle between the emperor and the Country of Nanmen.” They were farmers who had been working in the fields every day. When there was a war, they became victims.

Tang Xia remembered that the quiet and peaceful scene she had seen in the city before. She felt unreal, so she asked again,

“Since you came to the capital, why didn’t you go downtown and ask for help?” Tang Xia believed that if there were more refugees in the city, Chu Tiankuo would find this situation.

“Do you think we don’t want to?” The women began to sob, “We have been there before, but those officials didn’t let us in. We had a conflict with the soldiers but it was useless, and several people died and got injured.”

Saying this, there was not only the woman but also most people sitting around the fire began to wipe their tears.

Hearing this, Lyuyou was shocked. Now she understood why Tang Xia suddenly went out of the palace to inspect. It seemed that she really shouldn’t stop Tang Xia, because these people were too poor.

Tang Xia’s eyes were very complicated after listening to this. She scanned around deeply, and it seemed that she wanted to remember all their faces here. She took a deep breath and asked, “Is there anyone else?”

“Yes.”

“Where are they?” Tang Xia took a glance at them hurriedly. There were not too many people here, so she thought that there must be some more.

“They went to sleep, and we keep watch at night.” They also didn’t dare to sleep too deeply during the special times, so they decided to choose one person from each household and constituted a group to take turns at night.

“How many people are there?”

“Lots of people.” They were just farmers who didn’t have the money to study at school. They didn’t know the exact number.

“So… ” Tang Xia thought and took out all her money. Then she gestured Lyuyou to take out her money as well. “We only have so much money on us. You can share it. Life is more important than anything!”

Tang Xia and Lyuyou didn’t take too much money, but it should be enough for these poor people to maintain a few days. Tang Xia really wanted to help them, but she was powerless.

The poor were attracted by the money that Tang Xia placed on the ground, and they thanked Tang Xia and Lyuyou’s kindness.

It was the first time for Tang Xia to see this scene, which gave her a lot of feelings. She determined to report to her fans about this matter after returning to the palace.

Tang Xia also had nothing to do, so she and Lyuyou just watched the night and talked of daily trifles with the poor. She didn’t get up and go back to the palace with Lyuyou before dawn.

She didn’t know if she had bad luck or something else. They met the guards as soon as they entered the palace.