“What? Don’t say that, Sir Mu. How would I be afraid about you eavesdropping? I’m just worried about exhausting you. Oh well, since this is the case, please remain in the shadows. Listen to my covert commands if anything happens.”
“Alright.” Mu Jinghu inclined his head with a smile. “Then you guys go on ahead.”
Qin Yining knew that the gentleman had his ways of keeping up. She followed the winding path down Mt. Eternal Spring, holding Bingtang and Jiyun’s hands while they held lanterns in the other.
After reaching the foot of the mountain, they glimpsed a carriage parked not too far away. Inextinguishable lanterns hung on the carriage swung to and fro in the night wind. The smell of wet grass after the rain permeated the air, instantly providing a jolt of good mood.
The three girls walked quickly to the carriage, alerting the person in front of it to welcome them. When Qin Yining took a close look, she saw that it wasn’t Qin Huaiyuan.
* * *
Chapter 276: A Devious Plot (II)
Chapter 276: A Devious Plot (II)
“Greetings to the fourth miss.” It was Qitai walking out of the darkness, lantern in hand.
Qin Yining smiled. “Is my father in the carriage? Quick, take me there.”
The servant smiled back. “In response to the miss, milord hadn’t yet left the palace when I departed. Milord wants you to wait in the residence just outside the city gates — the one that the emperor bestowed. Milord should be just about there when we reach it as well. He’s prepared some dry rations for you — the mixed grain flat cakes that they have in the army. He said for you to bring them back to the old dowager and the others.”
The girl hesitated, but nodded in the end. “Alright then, let’s hurry on our way.”
Qitai had been by her father’s side for more than two decades. He was a trustworthy individual. She also had Jiyun and Bingtang by her side, and Mu Jinghu tailing her from the shadows, so she wasn’t afraid of anything cropping up.
The three girls took their seats in the carriage, Qitai sitting outside with the groom. The inextinguishable lanterns swaying in the night wind, the carriage turned from a dilapidated small road to wide and smooth avenues.
Things were a mess in the city nowadays. The curfew existed in name only as there were no patrols on the streets. Guards were only present at the inner city gates, and they respectfully let the carriage pass when Qin Huaiyuan’s medallion was shown.
The roads in the outer city were much harder to travel. A lot of refugees had been given temporary lodgings there, resulting in masses of starving commoners curled up in tents with wooden expressions, mosquitoes and bugs biting them everywhere. They looked vacantly at the carriage traveling past them.
Heartache assailed Qin Yining as she looked at the view outside her window. She even prayed that the emperor would surrender faster. The more quickly he went about things, the earlier the people’s suffering would end.
The carriage arrived at a residence after a while. Qin Yining alighted with the help of Jiyun and Bingtang, entering through a black-lacquer main door.
It was a residence that was one row of houses deep. The east and west wings were dark, lights on only in the main house. Footsteps sounded as a skinny, older woman came out to welcome them.
Qitai smiled. “This is Wife Zhang. She’s been in charge of cooking for milord, the duke, and the defenders during this time.”
Qin Yining nodded with a smile to express her thanks to the woman.
Wife Zhang hastily made a grand gesture of greeting, kneeling to the ground. She spoke reservedly after rising, “The noodles you ordered to be prepared are ready.”
“Then bring them up for the fourth miss. Cook some more when milord returns.” It was grand to be able to feast on watery porridge these days, so a bowl of noodles was definitely a luxury.
A faint smile crossed Qin Yining’s face. Father most likely called me out so he could share some of what he has with me, so I can get a decent meal.
Wife Zhang dismissed herself after the group entered the main house. The fourth miss sized up the clean and simple small room, taking a seat on a bench next to a square table. “Is this where my father’s lived these days? How come he’s not in the army camp?”
Qitai smiled. “He’s at the camp sometimes too, but ever since the Duke of An fell for an enemy plot and lost twenty thousand men, and almost his own life, the duke’s refused to meet the enemy in battle. We used to have troops stationed outside the city gates, to prevent the enemy from directly attacking the city. However, the duke’s disallowed that and dismantled the military camp. The city gates are closed anyways, so milord doesn’t need to live in the camp.”
“I see. Father’s really suffered a lot.” There were so many bugs in the heat of summer and it was quite muggy to boot. It would definitely be uncomfortable in a tent. Hearing that her father was staying in a house put her much more at ease.
Wife Zhang came back in with a large, square tray. There were three bowls of steaming noodles on it, chopped onions scattered on top and egg drop floating within. It was the perfect fare for a post-rain, slightly chilly mock-autumn night.
Clouds of steam and tempting fragrance wafted from the bowls, but they made Qin Yining’s stomach spasm painfully. Long period of hunger and eating various wild vegetables was tough on the stomach. Though the noodles looked very tantalizing, her stomach’s first reaction was to rebel.
Qitai placed the bowl in front of Qin Yining with a respectful smile. “Please help yourself, miss. Milord gave special orders for you to get some food in you. It wasn’t easy getting ahold of these ingredients.” He then turned to Bingtang and Jiyun. “Milord also said that the two of you have done well in serving the fourth miss. Have a bowl each.”
Smiling, the maids expressed their thanks and took their bowls to another table. Naturally they couldn’t share the same one with their mistress.
Qin Yining picked up bamboo chopsticks and had just picked up a mouthful of noodles when Bingtang suddenly pinched her arm. She looked over, perplexed.
Bingtang was looking at the bowl of noodles and shaking her head. Her clear gaze fixed on Qitai, who standing off to the side with his hands down. She smiled mockingly. “Is this bowl of noodles really from the marquis, specially for the miss?”
Qitai started, his expression a bit unnatural. “Yes. I wouldn’t have been able to get my hands on all this if not for milord.”
“Then the cook wasn’t paying attention when they dumped knockout drugs into the food. If our miss takes even one bite of this, she’ll be out cold for three days!”
Jiyun roared furiously, “What are you trying to do?!”
Hidden in one of the side rooms, Mu Jinghu almost burst in in a blaze of fury.
How utterly wasteful! In times of famine! It was already good enough to have a mouthful of flat cake. A bowl of steaming noodles was such a rare sight, so how dare someone fritter away heaven’s gift like this?? Knockout drugs?! What a waste of good food, such a waste!
Qin Yining remained sitting on the bench and waved a hand behind her back in Mu Jinghu’s direction. Don’t make a move yet.
The gentleman had to grit his teeth and refrain from leaping into action.
She asked solemnly. “Qitai, was it really my father who sent for me today, or are you acting alone?”
The servant pursed his lips, a sardonic smile suddenly blossoming on his face. “Fourth Miss, I can’t face milord or you in this matter, but for the stability of this country, you’ll have to make some small sacrifices!”
An irate Jiyun burst into a flying kick when she heard this and connected with Qitai’s gut. The man cried out with pain and stumbled to the ground, clutching his stomach and breathing hard from pain.
Jiyun grabbed Qin Yining and Bingtang’s hand. “We go!”
Qin Yining knew that time was of the essence and charged out with her guard without another thought.
But when they reached the yard, the main door flew open wit
h a kick, admitting a crowd of masked men. The fourth miss’ steps stilled. She looked at them gravely. “Who are you?!”
Mu Jinghu was now in the shadows between the side room and side wings. She didn’t know his exact position, only kept her hand behind her back and again told him to stand down.
The leader of the crowd sneered. “Cut the blather. Brother, get that chit!” Five men charged after he spoke.
* * *
Chapter 277: A Devious Plot (III)
Chapter 277: A Devious Plot (III)
Qin Yining didn’t understand why an old servant of more than two decades would suddenly turn traitor. His earlier words of “for the stability of this country” came back to the fore.
She really wanted to know what Qitai was cooking up.
“Hurry miss, let’s go!” Jiyun led Qin Yining with one hand and dragged Bingtang out with the other, speeding to the rear yard. The poor maid was stunned with fright.
The masked men were both surprised and angry to see that Qin Yining’s maid knew martial arts. Fists waved as they came in hot pursuit, spewing malicious threats in their wake.
If Qin Yining had never experienced such things, she might really be scared senseless. But thanks to the rich experience of her youth and participating in negotiations, being chased by killers, and almost eaten by the empress, she’d trained the ability to be calmer the more danger she was in.
The men weren’t armed and were all dressed like commoners. Though they were masked, it didn’t hide their southern accents. So it would seem that people from Great Yan wanted to kidnap her this time.
She was more worried for her father than her own safety. She had an expert by her side for protection, so her life wouldn’t be in danger. As for father… hopefully Cao Yuqing would be able to do what needed to be done.
A multitude of thoughts flitted through Qin Yining’s brain in the span of a breath. The three girls rounded the corner to see no one guarding the bamboo fence of the rear yard.
Jiyun kicked the yard door open with a smooth motion, Qin Yining and Bingtang scrambling to follow her. The three ran into a quiet alley off to the side.
The dozen men were hot on the chase.
Fortunately, there were many twists and turns in the alley. The many nooks and crannies ended up being convenient hiding spots for the three girls.
Mu Jinghu caught up to them when there was no one around. “Why didn’t you let me make a move just now?”
“Something’s really off about this, Sir Mu. Just follow us in private. Don’t come out if my life’s not in danger.”
Mu Jinghu gazed into Qin Yining’s eyes, exceedingly bright in the night light. He was inadvertently reminded of a wild beast on the hunt, his hairs rising at the association. She’s the same kind of person as Sly Fox Pang alright!
“Alright, as you say.” He turned and vanished into the shadows.
A thundering cacophony of boots marching in lockstep and horse’s hooves abruptly sounded outside the alley. There was also the jangling of armor intermixed between the sounds.
Qin Yining’s pulse raced, exchanging an incredulous glance with her maids.
“It’s the army! Only our army can possibly appear here!”
Bingtang was flabbergasted. “Has the world gone mad?! Why does our army want to capture us??”
“Maybe they’re here to capture those bandits…?” Jiyun pushed Qin Yining and Bingtang behind her, sidling to an intersection to sneak a peek out.
The sight that greeted her eyes was a jolt to her heart.
The men who’d been chasing them earlier seemed to be making a report to the officer that’d surrounded the alley. They plainly knew each other!
“Miss, this is bad! They’re in cahoots with each other!”
“What should we do?” Bingtang’s voice trembled.
Qin Yining compressed her lips and thought furiously. “I have a plan, but it’ll put Bingtang through some suffering.”
The maid swallowed hard and nodded with hesitation. “Go ahead miss, I’ll do as you say.”
“Jiyun, take my token and find a way to see your master.” Qin Yining took off the strand of red beans on her wrist. There was a red rope knot on it now, the one that had been on Riceball’s neck before.
Jiyun took the bracelet in a rather confused state. “Do you want the prince to come rescue you, miss?”
“No, you don’t need to say anything like that, just describe the strange events from today. I think things aren’t simple and they’re not just aimed at me. Otherwise, why wouldn’t have these people killed us already? This also has to do with troop movements — there’s no way my father doesn’t know. He’s probably been held up by something.
“Instead of trying to bring a message to my father, it’d be easier to see Pang Zhixi. Qitai is my father’s confidante, so he should have a deep understanding of my affairs. He knows better than anyone that apart from my family, Pang Zhixi has the most to do with me! So apart from threatening my father, they either want to also threaten my family or Pang Zhixi by kidnapping me. No matter what, go tell the prince to be prepared first.”
“I don’t understand…”
“We don’t have time for detailed explanations. Hurry and leave with this. He’ll trust you wholeheartedly. Tell him not to worry about me, I have Sir Mu protecting me in the dark. There’s no danger to my life. I’m here because I want to find out what’s going on. Tell Pang Zhixi to just pay attention to my father and family’s safety.”
“Alright, I’ll do as you say, miss.” Jiyun knew that Mu Jinghu wasn’t far away. It appeared that Qin Yining had a complete plan, so the guard carefully put the bracelet away and sped off in another direction.
Qin Yining took Bingtang’s hand. “I’m sorry, you’ll have to suffer through this with me. If I’d known what was going to happen today, I wouldn’t have brought you out with me.”
Bingtang shook her head. Though she was very nervous, she tugged back on her mistress’ hand. “This is nothing.”
The Qin fourth miss led Bingtang into hide and seek with their pursuers.
There were five hundred Great Yan soldiers scouring the alleyway, gradually decreasing the search radius.
The two girls spent a full forty-five minutes behind a thatched wall. Just as they craned forward to look outside, a heavy object suddenly hit their necks, bringing darkness along with great pain. Unconsciousness descended.
……
Qin Yining seemed to have returned to when she was seven, when her foster mother was gravely ill. Her foster mother’s illness wasn’t taking a turn for the better with the random herbs the little girl picked in the woods. She chopped firewood all day, but the copper coins she earned wasn’t enough to keep two people alive.
She tried opening a tab at the apothecary, but the shopkeeper wouldn’t let her. A teenage associate picked her up by the collar and threw her out onto the streets. She fell down harshly with her wicker basket, the firewood and wild vegetables within scattered all over the ground.
After picking them up, she used her remaining copper coins to buy two meat buns.
The buns smelled so nice!
She carried them reverently back home, sticking her nose onto the round, white buns to take in a few deep breaths.
The white flour had a unique savory fragrance intermixed with the smell of spring onions. Her mouth watered copiously. The juices and oil from the fillings soaked through the buns in two areas. She carefully pinched off a bit of skin the size of her pinky nail, placing it on her tongue. It was so good! The smell pierced deep into her brain.
Her body shook slightly. …where are the buns?
Qin Yining’s consciousness floated out of a haze and she heard the sound of carriage wheels turning. She fully came back to herself, remembering what had just happened and realizing that she was on a horse carriage.
She didn’t immediately open her eyes, because she heard two aged, male voices speaking next to her.
* * *
Chap
ter 278: A Devious Plot (IV)
Chapter 278: A Devious Plot (IV)
“…the duke is very quick-witted. We defuse Qin’s nasty plot this way!”
“That’s right. It was my idea first to defect, but who would’ve thought that Qin Meng would beat us to the punch! Not only did he take the declaration and tattle to the emperor, but he also wants to achieve a great deed in the eyes of Great Zhou. Look at him trying to please both sides, are all good things supposed to be his?
“His plan was good, but I got wind of it first. The Great Zhou secret envoy mentioned several times to take out that demon Pang Zhixi. It looks like Pang isn’t doing too well in Great Zhou either, hmph!”
“Your Grace is wise. Pang is simply too arrogant. He doesn’t know to keep his head down and maintain a low profile when his merits eclipse his master. He’s completely brought this down on himself! Your Grace really abounds with wit and resourcefulness. We are truly in awe!”
“This was just a parlor trick. We’ll use the wench to lure Pang over, then frame Qin Huaiyuan after offing Pang. This way, Qin Huaiyuan will be guilty of murdering the Faithful Prince of the First Rank if we really surrender. He won’t be able to talk his way out of it even if he has a hundred mouths! We kill two birds with one stone and avoid having to suffer beneath these people when we get to Great Zhou. This also clears away this bitch for the empress!”
……
Qin Yining heard everything clearly behind closed eyes. Shock rocked her world. To think that the Duke of An, Li Mian, would be such a treacherous, petty little villain!
And, who was the Great Zhou secret envoy that he was talking about? Who wanted to consign Pang Xiao to death?
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