Qin Yining pressed her rosy lips tightly together and struggled with all her might. In others’ eyes, she appeared beautiful and delicate, and deceived by her appearance, few people knew that she actually possessed great strength.
Lu Heng grasped her wrist, originally afraid of hurting her, so he hadn’t used much force.
Taking advantage of his unguarded moment, Qin Yining suddenly exerted her strength and stomped hard on Lu Heng’s foot, breaking free from his restraint while he was in pain.
Jingzhe and the others, seeing that Lu Heng’s subordinates’ attention had been diverted, moved like lightning to subdue several guards at the gate. Qin Yining quickly darted back through the government office’s main gate.
“Close the gate! Quickly close the gate!” Liao Zhibing shouted loudly.
Lu Weigui also came to his senses and urgently roared for the gate to be closed.
The constables coordinated with Jingzhe and the others, driving back the people at the gate before quickly retreating inside and shutting the main gate.
Lu Heng’s foot hurt terribly from being stepped on. Even after Qin Yining had escaped back into the government office, he still found it unbelievable—the duck that had been at his lips had just flown away!
He had finally caught Qin Yining, only to let her escape back so easily!
“Attack! Break in! Bring Princess Consort Zhongshun out for me!” Lu Heng’s face was ashen, his voice trembling with rage.
Lu Heng’s subordinates, hearing the order, immediately charged toward the government office’s main gate.
Just then, Lu Wenru came galloping on a chestnut horse, dismounting breathlessly, so nervous he could barely speak clearly: “Family Head! This is bad—it’s Ji Zeyu! The one leading troops to attack the city is Prince Consort Ji!”
When Lu Heng’s subordinates heard that the person leading the army was Ji Zeyu, everyone’s expression became grave. Those with smaller courage were even so frightened they nearly wet themselves.
Lu Heng furrowed his brow, stunned for only an instant before laughing mockingly: “I should have expected as much. He’s always been generous with his own Imperial Mausoleum.”
Separated by a gate, Qin Yining was still breathing hard from tension. Vaguely hearing the conversation outside, learning that His Majesty had sent Ji Zeyu, her heart couldn’t help but relax slightly. Just moments ago, she had stood with her back straight and fearless, but now she seemed to lose her strength, swaying as she leaned against Ji Yun.
She hadn’t expected to successfully escape back through the gate at all.
If not for the timely attack on the city outside, which divided Lu Heng and his subordinates’ attention, she probably wouldn’t have had any chance at all!
Ji Yun smiled with joy, grasping Qin Yining’s hand and shaking it: “Princess Consort, we can be saved! Duke Dingguo has come!”
Given the friendship between the Prince and Duke Dingguo, they would certainly be protected!
Outside the gate, Lu Heng suddenly turned to look at the tightly closed government office gate, his expression grave as he wrestled with his thoughts.
This was his best opportunity to obtain Qin Yining—he had been too careless and let her escape! But if he didn’t seize this chance to attack the government office and abduct her, he probably wouldn’t have another opportunity.
The incompetent ruler’s actions were truly swift—why had Ji Zeyu arrived so quickly! Why didn’t he come earlier or later, but chose precisely this moment to attack the city! Was even Heaven conspiring against him!
Lu Wenru and the others looked anxiously at Lu Heng, waiting for his orders.
The court sending troops was no small matter. Lu Heng had brought many people, but they were facing Ji Zeyu, who was as renowned as Pang Xiao. In the current world, among those who could lead armies in battle and match Ji Zeyu’s strength, aside from Pang Xiao, only Khan Wutejin could do so.
Lu Heng desperately wanted to immediately break into the government office and seize her, but reason told him he had more important matters to attend to.
“Family Head?” Lu Wenru was extremely anxious, afraid that Lu Heng might act impulsively and disregard the bigger picture.
Lu Heng came to his senses and took a deep look at the government office before saying gravely: “Forget it. Perhaps this is Heaven’s will. Surround this place—don’t allow anyone to enter or exit.”
“Yes.” Lu Wenru nodded.
A subordinate eager to curry favor with Lu Heng whispered, “Family Head, should we use fire attacks? I don’t believe they won’t flee, and then we can catch them red-handed.”
Lu Heng glanced at the man and shook his head: “No need. Just follow my orders and guard this place strictly. Remember, fire attacks cannot be used, nor can you order anyone to force their way in.”
But the brothers had all gathered here, and they had waited so long for this opportunity—finally, they had their chance.
Lu Heng could see everyone’s thoughts and commanded sternly: “You need only follow my orders.”
Lu Wenru quickly led the others in acknowledgment.
Lu Wenru brought over a horse. Lu Heng mounted and looked back at the government office once more.
Separated by a gate, he naturally couldn’t see the people inside, but Lu Heng seemed to imagine Qin Yining pressed nervously against the door with furrowed brows.
This time, he had to prioritize the bigger picture, which meant abandoning this chance to obtain Qin Yining. He might regret it for the rest of his life, but for the sake of his foundation, he could only make this choice.
Heaven refused to help him. What immense regret!
Lu Heng led his men away on horseback.
The remaining people had no choice but to follow orders, still keeping the government office heavily surrounded, ensuring they knew of even a fly’s movement in or out.
Though they didn’t understand the purpose of Lu Heng’s arrangements.
Inside the gate, Qin Yining and the others listened as the sound of hoofbeats gradually faded and voices grew weaker, knowing that Lu Heng had left with some of his men. Their hearts relaxed.
Everyone, like Qin Yining, looked as if they had survived a disaster.
Lu Weigui awkwardly stepped forward to bow to Qin Yining, saying guiltily: “Princess Consort, please forgive me. This humble official was momentarily confused earlier and actually let you go out into danger. Fortunately, Duke Dingguo arrived in time and diverted Lu Heng’s attention, allowing you to return. Otherwise, wouldn’t we have troubled consciences for the rest of our lives?”
If Ji Zeyu hadn’t led the army, and Qin Yining had been captured by Lu Heng in exchange for their safety, even if they survived, these people would probably be trapped in shadows for life, knowing their lives were preserved by sacrificing a weak woman.
Qin Yining could understand Lu Weigui and couldn’t help but smile: “Governor Lu speaks too seriously. Nothing happened to me, did it?”
Although Qin Yining appeared magnanimous, from then on, the constables and bailiffs’ attitudes toward Qin Yining’s companions changed completely. The contempt that had existed before was now replaced by courtesy, clearly due to feelings of guilt.
Qin Yining didn’t care about these things and instructed Jingzhe, Liao Zhibing, Meng Qin, and the others: “Lu Heng probably won’t assault the government office today. Even if he wanted to act, he lacks the energy. Everyone take turns keeping watch while the rest get proper rest. Only by conserving our strength can we have the energy to face sudden developments.”
“Yes!” Everyone always obeyed Qin Yining’s instructions unconditionally.
However, once back in her room, Ji Yun still worried: “Princess Consort, will that man surnamed Lu really not send people to break in?”
“Of course not.” Qin Yining lay on the warm brick bed by the window, covered with a thin blue cotton quilt that made her skin appear as lustrous as snow in the dim lamplight.
“He already harbors ambitions to establish himself independently—otherwise, he wouldn’t have so brazenly summoned all the common people to the square. When he made an example by killing some, the dead were still a minority. Later, through the door, I heard he did many ‘robbing the rich to help the poor’ deeds outside. The city’s people didn’t see him killing innocents indiscriminately, and he even distributed silver and money to everyone. Tell me, in such circumstances, wouldn’t the people be very moved?”
Ji Yun thought about it: “They probably would be. Not to mention anything else, with so many common people who usually watch wealthy families eating delicacies and wearing gold and silver—how could they not be envious? Lu Heng has precisely seized upon this point. Giving these people some benefits, those who are alive and have no familial ties to the dead represent the majority of the county’s population.”
“Exactly. He wants a good reputation. Having improved his standing through ‘robbing the rich to help the poor’ with great difficulty, he wouldn’t ruin it over me, a small woman. If he really killed the people in the government office, it would certainly cause panic among the people, and his bad reputation probably couldn’t be washed clean no matter what.”
Ji Yun nodded: “So we’re still safest now.”
Qin Yining nodded and yawned behind her hand: “With events erupting in the city, I always feel there’s an invisible thread pulling everything together, step by step bringing you and me to this place. However, it’s comforting that your Prince didn’t experience such chaotic circumstances personally—otherwise, with such severe injuries, who knows how exhausted he would become.”
Qin Yining’s voice gradually weakened. Ji Yun lay on her side at the edge of the bed, and seeing Qin Yining sleep wearily, she also yawned and forced herself to close her eyes in light sleep.
During this time, anything could happen at any moment—they dared not let their guard down completely.
After a good night’s sleep, Qin Yining inquired about the city’s situation from Lu Weigui the next morning.
Lu Weigui said: “The city’s people are probably too frightened to leave their homes. Last night’s siege continued all night and only subsided at dawn.”
Speaking of this, Lu Weigui’s expression hesitated somewhat as he murmured: “It’s just that there’s one thing…”
“What?” Qin Yining raised an eyebrow.
Lu Weigui said: “Lu Heng proclaimed to the people that with the Imperial Mausoleum destroyed and everyone present, His Majesty would certainly kill all those who were there. That’s why Lu Heng had his forces resist the attacking troops. The people all believed Lu Heng’s words, and many voluntarily went to help. When Duke Dingguo attacked the city yesterday, artillery fire was indiscriminate and mistakenly killed many people who were helping. The city is probably in chaos now.”
Qin Yining immediately furrowed her brow tightly.
With just a little thought, one could know that Lu Heng was certainly using this incident to smear Li Qitian’s reputation.
If he wanted to defeat Li Qitian through his own abilities, Qin Yining would even feel admiration. But he absolutely should not—should never—use ordinary people’s lives as if sacrificing a common person or two was like killing an ant in Lu Heng’s eyes.
Was this Lu Heng, who disregarded human life to achieve his goals, still the Lu Heng she had known before?
“Princess Consort.” Jingzhe said quietly: “Why don’t we take advantage of the chaos outside to find a way to break out? We don’t know how Duke Dingguo’s progress is going. If he can’t pose a threat to Lu Heng and gives Lu Heng time to catch his breath, you’ll still be in danger.”
Jingzhe voiced everyone’s thoughts. Everyone feared Qin Yining would be captured, so they all nodded: “This makes sense—we should seize the opportunity to break out.”
Qin Yining pondered for a moment and looked inquiringly at Lu Weigui: “Governor Lu, you’re the local official. Give us your opinion—should we defend this place now, or should we find a way to break out?”