The Beloved Concubine of the Eastern Palace (book 2)

Chapter 242 - Soldiers' Search

Unable to devise a plan with King Dun, Liu Qin had to return before the city gates closed, promising to meet again. King Dun assured him that he would send someone to check on the Liu family and try to coordinate a safe passage into the city, informing Chancellor Lu.

After bidding farewell, Liu Qin used the silver from King Dun to buy some simple food and two sets of commoner clothing before hurrying back.

Approaching home, he spotted a group of soldiers heading in that direction, immediately raising his suspicion.

If they were Chancellor Lu or Commander Hu's men, it would be fine. But if they were King Ming's men, it spelled danger.

Not daring to delay, Liu Qin raced home and immediately alerted his parents.

"Quick, hide Master Wen and his wife. I fear the soldiers coming this way mean harm; it might be instigated by their uncle's family!"

He then hurried into Pei Yao and Fang Yun's room.

Pei Yao, resting with his eyes closed, quickly rose upon hearing the commotion.

"Dear, you know all the hiding spots. We'll handle the soldiers outside. Hide Master Wen and his wife," Liu Jin said, tense but composed.

Chen Shi nodded and swiftly led Pei Yao and Fang Yun to a hiding spot. Liu Jin and Liu Qin went outside while the youngest, Liu Bo, sensing the urgency, obediently went to his room.

Soon, there was a loud banging on the door.

"Is anyone there? Come out immediately, by order of the authorities!"

Seeing Pei Yao and Fang Yun's clothes still in the room, Liu Qin panicked, quickly gathering them and handing them to his father.

"Burn these clothes completely. Leave no trace!"

"Got it!" Liu Jin, beginning to suspect the importance of their guests, complied without hesitation, rushing to the kitchen.

"Why aren't you coming out yet!" the soldiers outside shouted impatiently.

Liu Qin smoothed his clothes and hurried out.

"Coming, coming! What's the matter, officer?" he said obsequiously, opening the gate.

The lead guard, looking hostile, pushed past Liu Qin and entered the courtyard.

"Search the place!"

Liu Qin frowned but quickly composed himself, following the soldiers.

"We live out here in the wilderness. What could you be searching for? There's no one here but us. What's happened outside?"

The guard sneered, "Stop asking questions. I saw you returning on horseback with packages. What were you doing? Do you have guests?"

"No," Liu Qin replied, waving his hand dismissively. "Just brought some gifts for my parents from the city, food and clothes. You can check. But what's the issue? The city gates were heavily guarded today."

"Chasing thieves, a man and a woman," the guard snorted, marching into the house.

Hearing this, Liu Qin knew these were not good men. If they were rescuers, they wouldn't speak this way.

The lead guard signaled for seven or eight soldiers to spread out, searching every corner of the small courtyard.

Liu Jin, shoved out of the kitchen by soldiers, stumbled, his face showing anger.

Liu Qin hurriedly steadied his father, signaling him to stay calm.

Unexpectedly, a soldier soon came running, holding a sword found among the firewood.

"Boss, I found this!"

Seeing the sword, Liu Jin's face changed instantly.

It was the sword Fang Yun had tied to her waist when Liu Jin rescued her and Pei Yao. He noticed it was well-made and kept it near the woodpile, but had forgotten about it.

Recognizing it as a King Ming's guard's sword, the leader of the soldiers immediately turned hostile, ordering his men to surround Liu Jin and Liu Qin.

"Speak! Where did this come from? Are you hiding criminals? If you lie, your whole family will be executed!"

"This was found by chance. I went to the woods to chop wood and found it. I had no idea it was linked to criminals!" Liu Jin denied quickly.

Liu Qin stepped in front of his father, "Officer, my father did find the sword. We're simple woodcutters, not involved in such things."

Unconvinced, the soldier held his sword to Liu Qin's throat and ordered the others to continue searching the house.

Their search was more of a ransack, overturning everything crudely and aggressively.

The house had three rooms. The soldiers quickly inspected Pei Yao and Fang Yun's room, finding nothing suspicious, then moved to Liu Jin and Chen Shi's room.

As Chen Shi emerged hastily, they pushed her aside and searched, finding two large, cloth-covered chests behind the bed.

The chests, big enough to hide adults, had signs of being opened recently.

The two soldiers exchanged glances and cautiously approached the chests.

Liu Jin, Liu Qin, and Chen Shi, all brought into the room, felt their hearts sink.

The soldiers ripped the cloth off one chest and flung it open.

Seeing someone inside, the lead soldier shouted, "Grab him!"

"Big brother, you found me!" came the voice of Liu Jin's youngest son, Liu Bo, standing up from the chest.

The soldiers were stunned to see a child hiding inside the chest.

Liu Qin quickly apologized, laughing nervously, "Sorry, officers. This is my little brother. He loves to play hide and seek. I was playing with him when you arrived."

The lead soldier glared at him and ordered the other soldiers to open the second chest.

It contained only the family's winter clothing and blankets.

Having found nothing suspicious, the lead soldier questioned the origin of the sword, then took it and left.

Once the soldiers were gone, the Liu family quickly pulled Liu Bo out of the chest. They then moved the two large chests, revealing thick wooden planks underneath.

Removing the planks, they uncovered a tiny cellar where Pei Yao and Fang Yun were cramped, crouching with their knees to their chests, barely fitting inside.