with family members coming over. Just one bite of this sweet and savory braised pork, and everyone's attention would shift completely."Wow! Sister-in-law, this meat, this meat, why is your braised po...Chapter 1189: You Only Burden Your Mother

Not long after returning from Jinshu Mountain Villa, Fang Jinxiu received an imperial decree from the palace. Fu Shangyuan couldn't wait any longer. News from the border reported that the Xixia army had begun to appear at the border, restless and poised for action.

In the Wu Ding Hou Mansion, Fang Jinshi stood alone. She only needed her space, and she would have everything.

Mu Shi and Yu Lian Zong Bai stood together by the side, reluctant to part.

"Sister-in-law, be careful on your journey and always prioritize your safety."

Mu Shi didn't want to cry, but when the day her daughter-in-law was leaving arrived, she couldn't help but shed tears.

"Mother, please don't cry. Come, have a few more words with your sister-in-law."

But Mu turned his head away unexpectedly.

"I won't say anything. Your sister-in-law will definitely return safely. I'll wait until she comes back before I speak."

Fang Jinshi smiled, even she herself was surprised that she could still smile at this time.

"Mom is right, I'm not gone forever. You can all wait and tell me everything when I get back."

"Zongbei, Yulian, take good care of Mother."

Today, Zong Yu was summoned to the palace and therefore missed the message Fu Shangyuan had sent. Fang Jinxiu couldn't bear to leave without a word. Before leaving, she wrote a letter and placed it on the table in her room.

If one were to go back, they would be able to see it.

Asheng and Zhao Xingzhou, one sitting in front of the carriage and the other inside.

Asheng, the prince of Xixia, has been exposed. His clan no longer considers him one of their own.

"Sister Jinxiu, it's getting late."

When out and about, Fang Jinshu allowed A Sheng to address her siblings directly. Zhao Xingzhou, as her companion, could simply call her by name.

Let's skip the formalities.

As Asheng urged, Fang Jinshi waved her hand to the crowd at Zong's family and finally stopped in front of Zong Bai, giving him the last word.

"Your wife and I probably can't help much with that. You can use any seeds in Jinxiu Mountain Villa at will. I’ve spoken to Changhe, so while I'm away you can make all the decisions about Jinxiu Mountain Villa."

"Also, I've left some hibiscus for you."

Zong Bai understood his sister-in-law's intentions in leaving the hibiscus for him, and he was both shocked and moved.

"No! The road to Xixia is fraught with danger. Mujin's disguise skills would be incredibly useful, Sister-in-law. It's best to bring her along."

"I'll figure out what to do about me and Dana."

Fang Jinshi shook her head. This foolish boy, what could he possibly come up with

On one side was the comfort of her own mother and sister's lives, on the other, her beloved. Knowing Chen Zongbai as she did, he would probably not fight for his happiness.

That's why she was even more determined to keep Hibiscus.

"Didn't I overcome every danger that came my way before I had hibiscuses around me"

"Well, my mind is made up, you don't need to say any more. Mu Jin stays, there's no room for discussion on this."

Before Zong Bai could speak again, Fang Jinshu turned and headed for the carriage.

She bid farewell to the Zong family, and Zhao Xingzhou drove the carriage slowly away from the front gate of Wudinghou's mansion.

As the figures of her loved ones receded into the distance, Fang Jinshu's carefree expression vanished, replaced by a heavy one.

Seeing the situation, Asheng felt he should say something.

"Sister Jinxiu, don't be afraid. When we reach Xizhou, we'll wait for the right opportunity and act. If it's too difficult, then forget it."

He wasn't necessarily determined to be emperor.

He had been quite angry and resentful before, but after Hellie's death, much of the anger in his heart dissipated. His father was notorious for his cruelty and ferocity. The idea of going back to Xi Xia to vie for the throne, something he wouldn't have dared to dream about before, now seemed more attainable.

"No, this time going to Xixia, we can only succeed, there is no room for failure."

If this fails, the entire Zong family will be doomed.

Only after the carriage had disappeared in the distance did Yuánbǎo run out of the mansion gate, crying and sobbing. Behind him followed Xiǎoyuè, her face etched with worry.

"Mother! Mother, don't leave, Waaaah, Mother."

"Don't throw away the treasure."

Even the most intelligent child wouldn't have predicted this at such a young age. Yuanbao had never imagined that his beloved mother would one day leave him and stay away from home forever.

He wasn't even given a reason.

It was precisely because Yuán Bǎo was more mature than children his age that Fāng Jǐnxiù's act of concealment hurt him even more.

As Yuan Bao ran to the door, he tripped and fell to the ground. Tears blurred his vision as he watched his mother's carriage slowly disappear down the street.

The Zong family members immediately ran to Yuanbao's side upon seeing this. Seeing their grandson crying like this, Mu Shi felt her heart break.

All the other women of the clan felt the same way as Mu shi.

The jade treasure was something they had nurtured bit by bit, and ever since the child turned one and a half, they hadn't seen him cry so heartbroken over anything.

Yuan Bao cried less often than other children his age.

At first glance, the baby's eyes were red from crying, which worried Mu Shi and a few other women. They surrounded Yuanbao, comforting him one by one, calling him "baby."

"Little Yuanbao, your mother only went on a short trip to take care of some things. She didn't abandon you, Yuanbao."

"Once things are done, your mother will be back."

Others nodded, hoping Yuanbao would accept this explanation and stop crying.

Ke Yuanbao was no ordinary child, so that wouldn't fool him at all.

"Grandma, Uncle, you both aren't fooling me."

"I know Mom went out this time to do something very dangerous. Is it very likely that she won't come back"

Seeing her mother's tears welling up, Yu Lian quickly chimed in.

"Of course not! Yuán Bǎo doesn't believe in your mother's abilities, does he"

"How could she not come back Your mother just went out for a while, she'll be back after finishing her business. She won't disappear, Yuanbao, just wait patiently at home."

Yuán Bǎo sobbed, looking at Yù Lián.

"Since Mother will be back soon, why are your eyes wet, little sister Grandma is too, you both have been crying."

"Don't lie to me, I don't believe you! I'm going to find my mother!"

Yuan Bao took advantage of everyone's inattention and broke through their encirclement, slipping onto the main road. The small figure struggled to chase after Fang Jinshu's carriage.

The Mus family and others were taken aback.

"Quickly, bring the gold ingots back!"

"Yuanbao, don't chase! There are horse-drawn carriages on the road, it's dangerous. Come back quickly!"

Regardless of how many people called for Yuan Bao to turn back, he refused. Though small in stature, he was incredibly nimble and, having trained in the army for some time, soon left all the Zong family members behind him.

As Zong Yu rode out of the palace and headed home, he saw this scene. He quickly rode his horse over, reaching out with a long arm to pull Yuan Bao onto his horse.

Zong Bai, however, saw Yuan Bao being caught by his eldest brother and immediately let out a breath of relief. He also stopped Mu Shi and the others.

"Mother, let's not chase him anymore. Big brother is back and he has caught Yuanbao."

Zong Yu held his son across the horse's back, his other hand gripping the reins and urging it towards the city gate.

It must have been Jinxiu who set things in motion to cause Yuan Bao to act so erratically.

Yuan Bao didn't know where his father was taking him, and he thought they were going to bring him back home so he couldn't see his mother. So he struggled desperately on horseback.

"Let me go, I'm going to find my mother, none of you can stop me!"

Zongyu silenced him with a single sentence.

"With your current abilities, you're useless by Jinxiu's side. You'll only drag down your mother."

"If you want to see her again, just shut your mouth. Otherwise, I'll throw you off this horse and make you roll back home yourself."

Zong Yu's voice was so cold that Yuan Bao froze all over, instantly becoming silent.This is pre-made meat broth frozen into small cubes. It’s convenient for when you're on the go and can't cook or hunt."She crumbled some meat into it, and finally sprinkled on some freeze-dried choppe...