The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Chapter 960: Chapter 937: Honor Amidst Chaos 5

Anning took a few steps over to pick up Xiao Yin and held Xiao Fu’s hand: ”Let’s go to Leshou Courtyard.”

As the six of them walked, Xiao Ying asked Anning, ”Mother, has something happened to our family?”

Anning shook her head: ”I don’t know, but I fear this time it won’t be good.”

After walking a few more steps, Anning said to Xiao Ying: ”Go inside, and wrap up the ancestral tablets I’ve placed under the bed and bring them along.”

Xiao Ying responded, and quickly ran inside the house, finding several tablets indeed under the bed.

He carefully wrapped the tablets in a green bean-colored cloth placed beside the bed, and carried them on his shoulder.

When he came out from the house, Anning had already brought the children outside the courtyard.

Xiao Ying jogged to catch up, and Anning whispered to him: ”No matter what happens later, make sure to carry these tablets. If the soldiers ask to see them, let them look. These wooden tablets aren’t of fine quality, and they wouldn’t dare to seize our ancestors’ tablets.”

Xiao Ying nodded: ”Mother, I understand.”

Anning then dragged the five children to the Leshou Courtyard.

On the way, they noticed soldiers searching through items in each courtyard.

Many courtyards were in disarray, with valuable items either moved aside or secretly taken by the soldiers, while torn blankets or worthless furniture were discarded outside.

”Don’t look, hurry up and go.”

Anning urged the children.

They walked quickly, and when they arrived at Leshou Courtyard, they found all the female relatives from the various rooms had already arrived; they were the last to come.

Old Madam looked anxious, her energy suddenly drained, slumping into a chair without speaking or moving.

Mrs. Zhao from the first branch paced around the room, while Mrs. Wei from the second branch stood behind Old Madam wiping her tears, and Mrs. Hui from the fourth branch held onto Xiao Keke tightly.

Ms. Jin from the fifth branch was huddled together with Xiao Kai.

The young girls below were even more panic-stricken.

Even the eldest, Xiao Hui, could only cry.

Anning looked around and said to Mrs. Zhao and the others: ”Elder sister-in-law, see if there are any small, easily-concealed pieces of jewelry, quickly hide a few while no one’s coming. If you wait until the raid comes, it will be too late to hide anything.”

Anning’s words served as a reminder to everyone.

Old Madam glanced at Anning, trembling slightly as she got up and took out a box from the dresser.

The box was full of various headpieces at the top, but underneath were some jades and gemstones.

Several gemstones were already polished, presumably for making headpieces, but had not yet been distributed.

Old Madam tugged at her hair, hiding a couple of particularly small gemstones in her hair, while discarding all the expensive headpieces she wore onto the table.

”See how much you can hide.”

Old Madam was now generous, pointing at the table full of headpieces to her daughters-in-law and granddaughters.

Anning first went over to pick two gemstones to hide, then picked up two golden hairpins and two gold earrings to hide.

Mrs. Zhao and Mrs. Wei gathered round, quickly hiding items as well.

People, in moments of life and death, truly find ways.

Old Madam hid items in her hair, while Mrs. Zhao hid two silver notes in her shoes, along with two gemstones.

Mrs. Wei tucked up her trouser legs, hiding some items within the binding.

The most unexpected was Ms. Jin, who hid items even in her crotch.

Apart from these daughters-in-law, the daughters in the family also hid some valuables, to various extents.

Just as everyone finished hiding, they heard footsteps approaching outside, and Old Madam hastily covered and stowed away the jewelry box.

Then, everyone in the room either sat or stood, some sobbing, some looking fretful, showing a diversity of emotions.

Soon, several robust women entered.

Upon entering, they began driving the women and children out: ”Quickly, out you go, don’t take anything from the house, leave quickly.”

As they spoke, they began body searching.

Seeing their thoroughness, Anning walked to the dresser and pretended to stumble: ”Oh my!”

She fell by the dresser, her hand reaching for support and accidentally knocking the jewelry box onto the floor, spilling gemstones, jades, and valuable headpieces everywhere.

Those women immediately focused on collecting the jewelry instead of searching everyone.

Anning seized the opportunity to grab her children and hurry out of the room.

The other ladies also rushed out with their children.

Once outside, soldiers were urging: ”Everyone get out, move out one by one.”

Perhaps the Duke pleaded for leniency, as the soldiers didn’t overly trouble the women and children from the rear courtyard. Though they appeared fierce, none laid a hand on them.

Anning led the five children swiftly out.

The children, although worried, were calm and obediently followed Anning without causing a fuss.

Fifth Xiao Kai, being young, cried out aloud in fear.

Ms. Jin held the child and cried as well, comforting him while crying.

Old Madam couldn’t help but frown: ”Fifth’s family, keep him quiet.”

Ms. Jin had to firmly cover the child’s mouth.

When Anning’s group was driven to the front yard, they saw Old Master with the Duke and the other men.

The women and children were left undisturbed, but the men in the front yard were bound. Several had torn clothes and bruises on their faces, clearly having been beaten.

Anning glanced at Xiao Yuan.

Xiao Yuan’s clothes were intact, his face unmarked, seemingly unscathed.

Indeed, Xiao Yuan had mastered energy introduction; if he didn’t want to draw attention, no one would notice him.

A tall and sturdy general in narrow-sleeved Hu attire approached.

He bowed to the Duke: ”Duty-bound, please understand.”

Old Duke Ping forced a smile: ”General, you’re too kind. May I ask where our people are being taken? Will we be imprisoned or...”

The general said loudly: ”By order, all members of Duke Ping Mansion are to be sent to the prison of the Ministry of Justice. Their fate will depend on the Emperor’s decision.”

This seemed to be the best outcome for now, as Old Duke Ping relaxed slightly upon hearing it.

It doesn’t matter whether they end up in prison or not, as long as they are alive, there is hope.

His greatest fear was being directly executed.

”Thank you, General, for informing us.”

Old Duke Ping also bowed: ”Then let’s not stall; let’s go.”

As prisoners, those from Duke Ping Mansion couldn’t ride to the Ministry of Justice; they had to walk.

Constables led the way ahead, soldiers pressed from behind, and no delays were allowed.

The men in front managed, but the female relatives behind truly suffered.

These ladies rarely stepped outside their courtyard gates, and now walking to the Ministry of Justice was beyond their endurance.

After a short distance, they were almost exhausted.

At this point, Anning’s robust strength was evident.

She carried Xiao Yin in her arms, occasionally supporting Xiao Fu, yet walked energetically, appearing not too tired.