Chapter 31: Escaping The Imperial Capital City
At the residence of the wealthiest merchant in the imperial capital city, He Xuanren, the patriarch of the He Clan, sat at the round dining table and looked at his wife and children.
After a whole night of thinking, he had made his decision and said, "Madam, please make the preparations. We are leaving the capital today."
Hearing this, his wife asked with a hint of anxiety in her soft voice, "But husband, there is drought and disaster everywhere. Where can we go if we leave the capital?"
He Xuanren fell into silence for a few seconds and asked, "Madam, have you heard what happened last night in the imperial palace?"
Madam He nodded and sighed, "I have. Is this decision because of the imperial chef’s execution last night?"
He Xuanren nodded and explained, "We had lost our status as imperial merchants last month to Madam Wen’s cousin. If we want to survive, we must distance ourselves from the imperial court and the imperial family. Now is the best time to leave and avoid the spotlight."
Listening to her husband’s explanation, Madam He understood what he meant. With their wealth that could rival the Yu Empire’s treasury, it was only a matter of time before Empress Dowager Wen and Prime Minister Wen set their sights on the He Clan’s wealth.
Clutching her handkerchief, Madam He said, "Husband, you are right. I will order the servants to pack at once. But have you decided where we are going after leaving the capital?"
He Xuanren looked at the bright sky beyond the open door and said with determination, "We will go to Xiqiang City."