Chapter 628 - 628 625 Zhou Quan_1

Chapter 628: Chapter 625: Zhou Quan_1 Chapter 628: Chapter 625: Zhou Quan_1 “King Xin has this possibility, but others are not exempt either. For example, the Princess of Nandu, Liu Ruofu, and the soldiers from Nandu. They have all come to Dadu City to celebrate the only Commandery Princess of Nandu’s wedding!” Bai Qingyan smiled faintly, “Moreover, Liu Ruofu is someone who bears grudges.”

“Is King Xian trying to… play the mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind?” Bai Jinse’s face immediately turned extremely grim.

Mrs. Liu didn’t understand but seeing the expression on Seventh Miss Bai Jinse, she knew something was wrong. Yet, she couldn’t understand the hidden conversation between the children, making her even more nervous. “What are you two talking about?”

“Second Aunt, Little Seven, you don’t need to worry. If someone comes to the Palace of the Princess of Zhen in a while, Little Seven, you take people to guard Second Aunt and hide in Grandmother’s Changshou Courtyard. No matter what happens, don’t come out! Understood?” Bai Qingyan said, then turned to instruct Chun Tao, “Have the kitchen send breakfast here, I’ll take it here with Second Aunt and Little Seven!”

“Yes!” Chun Tao responded, lifted the curtain, and stepped out to order the maid to bring breakfast.

After finishing breakfast, Bai Qingyan reassured Mrs. Liu and Bai Jinse. Just as she sent the two out of the gate of Qinghui Courtyard, Lu Ping returned to report.

“Miss, I have safely sent Fu Ruoxi to Anping Camp and agreed with him that three fireworks at the east gate of Dadu City would be the signal. He would then lead the troops straight into the east gate!”

No sooner had Lu Ping finished his words, than a Hidden Guard came to report, “Master, there is movement in King Xian’s Mansion. Someone is heading from King Xian’s Mansion to Liuhuai Alley in the west of the city, bringing at least three hundred soldiers to the Palace of the Princess of Zhen!”

Chun Tao’s heart leaped to her throat, clutching her handkerchief tightly.

Bai Qingyan calmly instructed, “Order the Hidden Guards to split into two groups. One group to protect outside Eldest Princess’s Changshou Courtyard, and the other to guard Second Miss at the Qin Mansion. Most of our Bai family guards are in Shuoyang. Divide the rest: deploy more to watch the outer gate of Bai Mansion, and guard the Changshou Courtyard with the remaining force! Chun Tao, quickly notify Second Aunt and Seventh Miss to go to the Changshou Courtyard to hide, secure the courtyard gate. They must not step out one bit without my return! I leave Second Aunt and Seventh Miss in your care!”

“Yes!” Chun Tao responded and jogged out of Qinghui Courtyard.

“Uncle Ping, stay in the mansion to guard Second Aunt and Seventh Miss, and take ten good hands with me out of the mansion…” Bai Qingyan said.

Bai Qingyan planned to exit before the Nandu soldiers reached the gate of Bai Mansion to divert them away.

After all, the target of Nandu troops was Bai Qingyan. They feared she might leave the city to lead twenty thousand Anping Camp soldiers to protect the Crown Prince and the Emperor. Thus, only by leading them away could her Second Aunt and Seventh Sister be safe.

“Miss intends to divert the Nandu soldiers?!” Lu Ping immediately understood Bai Qingyan’s intention. “Miss, you mustn’t! The Nandu soldiers have hidden plenty of men in Dadu City, openly and covertly. If you only leave with ten people, the mansion might be secure, but what about your safety? At least let me stay by your side!”

“Uncle Ping, rest assured. I’ll detour to the Crown Prince’s Mansion where the Patrol Camp will protect me! I’ll be fine! Go and make arrangements!”

Finishing her instructions, Bai Qingyan returned to the upper room of Qinghui Courtyard, untied the sandbags from her body, and changed into armor.

Not practicing with her gun the night before and this morning, although where she had slept soundly after receiving continuous reports throughout the night, she was now more energized.

When Bai Qingyan, donned in military attire, emerged from the main gate of Qinghui Courtyard, Lu Ping already stood with the ten selected guards, bearing torches upright before the gate.

Upon seeing Bai Qingyan approaching, Lu Ping stepped forward. “Miss, I have chosen the men. But please let me stay with you!”

“Uncle Ping, stay at the Bai Mansion. Only then can I be at ease about Second Aunt and Seventh Sister. Uncle Ping, please protect them!” Bai Qingyan replied while adjusting her armguard. “I have many tasks ahead. I won’t endanger myself. Rest assured.”

Lu Ping hesitated but could only nod, escorting Bai Qingyan to the door.

“Knock, knock, knock—”

As Bai Qingyan and her group reached the main hall, there was a knock at the main gate.

Lu Ping and the Bai family guards immediately drew their swords, shielding Bai Qingyan.

The gate guard glanced outside through the door screen. Outside, Yue Shi bowed deeply to the ground and said, “Xiao Rongyan, Mr. Xiao requests to see the Princess of Zhen!”

The Bai family guards recognized the guard and glanced further. Indeed, Mr. Xiao stood beneath the swaying lanterns of the Princess of Zhen’s mansion, his figure tall and dignified, exuding a resolute aura.

The gate guard rushed over, saluted, and reported, “Miss, it’s Mr. Xiao!”

Bai Qingyan was slightly surprised. Why did Xiao Rongyan come at this time?

“Invite him in!” Bai Qingyan ordered.

The gate guard opened half the door and invited Xiao Rongyan inside.

Xiao Rongyan nodded in thanks to the Bai family guards, his deep gaze fixing on Bai Qingyan in her military attire, his brows furrowing with evident worry.

With turmoil in Dadu today, Bai Qingyan would undoubtedly be the primary target.

Regardless of King Xin or King Liang, their first target would be Bai Qingyan, the God of Slaughter, who supported the Crown Prince and masterminded military strategies.

Xiao Rongyan knew Bai Qingyan’s nature well. The majority of the Bai family guards being in Shuoyang meant she had deployed the rest to protect her loved ones!

Indeed, Xiao Rongyan saw that besides Lu Ping, there was only a small group with Bai Qingyan, his face turning extremely concerned.

As the gate of the Princess of Zhen’s mansion closed again, Lu Ping and the guards sheathed their swords and stepped aside.

Xiao Rongyan lifted the hem of his robe and descended the steps, walking quickly to Bai Qingyan before bowing. “Miss Bai!”

“Mr. Xiao!” Lu Ping nodded.

“Mr. Xiao, why have you come at this time?” Bai Qingyan asked.

“Most of the Bai family guards have returned to Shuoyang. I thought the Bai Mansion in Dadu might be understaffed, so I brought people to help!” Xiao Rongyan indicated Yue Shi behind him. “Yue Shi is known to Miss Bai. He is my personal guard with exceptional skills! I also have a group of Hidden Guards, all highly skilled. They can move silently and are at your disposal.”

Lu Ping looked at Xiao Rongyan with deep gratitude, then turned to his own Miss, hoping she would not refuse.

Bai Qingyan understood that Xiao Rongyan was worried about her. She smiled slightly and nodded. “In that case, I… thank Mr. Xiao!”

“Dadu is in chaos right now. Mr. Xiao, please don’t wander around. Stay at Bai Mansion for now. Have your Hidden Guards protect both you and my Second Aunt and Seventh Sister! I’ll take Yue Shi with me!” Bai Qingyan said.

Xiao Rongyan’s brows tightened. “I will stay at the Bai Mansion to guard Second Aunt and Seventh Sister. Please take the Hidden Guards and Yue Shi with you. I can pledge my life that I will ensure the safety of Second Aunt and Seventh Sister!”

Seeing that Bai Qingyan wanted to speak, Xiao Rongyan turned to Lu Ping and bowed. “Lu Huwei, may I have a word with Miss Bai in private?”