At this moment, Ren Yaoqi had no time to notice Commander Mu’s disheveled appearance. She only said to Imperial Concubine Yun: “I’m fine, Grandmother.” Then she urgently turned to ask Commander Mu, “How is the Princess Consort? Was she injured?”
Commander Mu lowered his head and replied: “The Princess Consort wasn’t injured. This subordinate has already sent her to a safe place. Once the situation at the Prince’s residence is under control, this subordinate will go fetch her back to the residence. The Princess Consort is also very concerned about Imperial Concubine and Young Madam.”
Ren Yaoqi finally breathed a sigh of relief. As long as everyone was unharmed, that was good.
Although Imperial Concubine Yun was the elder present and it wouldn’t be proper for Ren Yaoqi to ask too many questions beyond her, she didn’t avoid the situation either, instead sitting beside Imperial Concubine Yun.
Imperial Concubine Yun glanced at her and ultimately sighed without sending her away.
“What about the one in Shou’an Hall? Was she rescued?” Imperial Concubine Yun continued asking.
Commander Mu frowned: “The Old Princess Consort isn’t in the residence. She may have been abducted by Xiao Heng, but the Second Madam and her daughter are still in the residence.”
Xiao Heng had taken the Old Princess Consort but left his wife and daughter?
Imperial Concubine Yun sighed: “This shows he left in some haste. Have people watch Lady Su and her daughter, but be courteous to them—don’t make things difficult. The men caused trouble, but why should the women suffer? What fault do they have?”
Commander Mu acknowledged the order.
“How is the situation outside?” Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but speak up.
Commander Mu replied: “The city has been retaken, though there are still some of Xiao Heng’s people in the city. They can no longer cause trouble—this subordinate has already sent people to hunt them down.” After a pause, Commander Mu said hesitantly: “The most troublesome thing now isn’t Yunyang City, but outside Yunyang City.”
Imperial Concubine Yun furrowed her brow: “What happened outside the city?”
Commander Mu pressed his lips together. With only a few women left as masters in Yanbei Prince’s residence, Commander Mu didn’t deliberately hide anything: “Scouts sent out a report that traces of troop movements were discovered five li outside Xiyuan Town near Yunyang City. They should be court troops, and their numbers are considerable.”
Imperial Concubine Yun exclaimed in shock: “How did court troops reach Yanbei so silently? They’re already at our gates!”
Commander Mu said with a cold, stern face: “This question should probably be asked of Xiao Heng.”
The atmosphere in the room instantly became heavy.
Ren Yaoqi sighed: “How many troops can be mobilized near Yunyang City?”
Commander Mu said, “Roughly estimated at five thousand. But Imperial Concubine and Young Madam needn’t worry too much. Several cities are now under the Prince’s residence’s control, and there are sufficient provisions in the city. If we fight a defensive battle, we can hold out until reinforcements arrive without problem.”
If Xiao Heng had successfully taken Yanbei Prince’s residence today and controlled Yunyang City’s four gates, and then let the court’s troops into the city, the consequences would have been unthinkable. Everyone couldn’t help but think of that great catastrophe that befell Yanbei Prince’s residence decades ago. Yanbei Prince’s residence was destroyed by its people, then Liao troops swept south in great numbers, leaving all of Yanbei devastated.
Imperial Concubine Yun wearily pressed her temples: “You all go attend to proper business first. Send word if there are any developments outside.”
Commander Mu and the others acknowledged and withdrew. Xiao Jingyue and Yelu Sage were taken away by Commander Mu’s people—no one knew where they were imprisoned. Nanxing remained in Zhaoning Hall, along with the Yanyun Eighteen Guards.
Seeing that Ren Yaoqi wasn’t speaking, Imperial Concubine Yun sighed and patted her hand, speaking in a rarely seen gentle tone: “Don’t be afraid. In terms of military strategy and warfare, southerners couldn’t possibly defeat Yanbei troops—otherwise, there wouldn’t be our Yanbei Prince’s residence. Moreover, they’ve already lost the initiative this time. If… if it comes to troops besieging the city, I’ll have the guards escort you out of the city. You and the child will both be safe.”
Ren Yaoqi smiled back at Imperial Concubine Yun: “Grandmother, I’m not afraid.” If it came to that, how could she abandon her elders and flee alone?
Moreover, Ren Yaoqi believed in Xiao Jingxi. She didn’t believe he had any precautions in place. She was more willing to believe that Yanbei Prince’s residence’s current situation was a trap set by Xiao Jingxi.
But she didn’t know where Xiao Jingxi was now… Ren Yaoqi gently caressed her belly. She missed him. Missed him very, very much.
Before long, Tonghe came and reported: “Young Madam, we’ve found Leshan and Leshui.”
Upon hearing this, Ren Yaoqi immediately asked: “How are they?” Leshan and Leshui were still very young, and Ren Yaoqi didn’t want to see them perish at such a young age.
Tonghe lowered her head: “Leshan’s injuries are very serious, while Leshui’s injuries are somewhat lighter. When they were found, both had already lost consciousness and hadn’t awakened yet.”
“Have physicians treat them and do everything possible to save them. Ask for whatever medicinal materials are needed,” Ren Yaoqi quickly instructed.
Imperial Concubine Yun had also seen those twin maids before. Hearing this, she couldn’t help shaking her head: “What a sin.”
Then Xiangqin came running back. Seeing her sneaky appearance, Ren Yaoqi knew she had snuck over; otherwise, how could Xiao Shun allow her to wander around at this time? What if she encountered some of Xiao Heng’s remaining subordinates outside?
Unfortunately, Xiangqin didn’t think so and said indignantly: “This servant belongs to Miss! Wherever Miss is, this servant should be there! If Xiao Shun hadn’t locked this servant up earlier, how would this servant only be returning now? I heard that Liao Princess and that bastard Xiao Jingyue came here, and this servant wasn’t even by your side then! This is this servant’s dereliction of duty! But, Miss, you must stand up for this servant! Xiao Shun bullied this servant!”
Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but cover her forehead and sigh.
With Xiangqin there, Ren Yaoqi’s low spirits, caused by the two maids’ injuries, improved somewhat.
The sky gradually brightened. In about another hour it would be fully light. It was at this time that Commander Mu sent someone back to report: “Before dawn, Master Yun led over a hundred troops out of the city.”
Upon hearing this, Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but sit up straight, her expression becoming grave: “Which Master Yun?”
“Yun family’s Second Young Master Yun Wenfang. The Yun family’s Eldest Young Master hasn’t returned to Yunyang City yet.”
Ren Yaoqi took a deep breath: “What did Yun Wenfang take a troop out to do?” Although she had some vague guesses in her heart, she still couldn’t believe it.
The guard who came to report showed a flash of respect and longing in his eyes: “Master Yun went toward that army. We heard he wants to launch a surprise attack.”
Imperial Concubine Yun was also stunned: “A surprise attack? How many troops did Yun Wenfang bring again?”
“Master Yun led one hundred and forty men out of the city,” the guard reported.
“What about the enemy? How many troops does the enemy have?”
“At least three or four thousand… probably?” Sensing Imperial Concubine Yun’s tone was off, the guard said with difficulty.
Imperial Concubine Yun rubbed her forehead and leaned back against the pillow, murmuring: “This child, this troublemaker, this… he’s being too reckless.”
Ren Yaoqi also sighed and didn’t ask any more questions.
Yun Wenfang had indeed led about a hundred men out of the city. When he left, he hadn’t alerted the Yun family—the entire household was kept in the dark. Eldest Madam Yun was still considering how to persuade Yun Wenfang to go with her to the Meng family to invite Lady Meng back.
When Yun Wenfang found Commander Mu, he had expressed his desire to take some troops to meet the enemy in battle. Unfortunately, Commander Mu was thinking of defensive strategies. With Imperial Concubine, Princess Consort, and Young Madam all in Yunyang City, Commander Mu didn’t dare take risks and only sought the most secure approach. Yun Wenfang smiled mockingly at this but didn’t say anything, only stating: “In that case, I won’t ask you for troops, but you must let me take my people out of the city!”
Commander Mu frowned tightly: “What do you want to do?”
The smile on Yun Wenfang’s face was nonchalant yet somewhat cynical: “People have come looking for trouble. You can endure it, but I can’t. I’m taking people out of the city naturally to fight them.”
When Commander Mu learned how many men he had, he couldn’t help shaking his head and advising, “Master Yun, please don’t go to your death. If you’re willing, why not stay and help me defend the city?” Commander Mu used to address Yun Wenfang as Young Master Yun, but now he couldn’t help changing his form of address.
Yun Wenfang glanced at Commander Mu with a smile that wasn’t quite a smile: “I only know how to attack cities, not defend them.”
Commander Mu was somewhat helpless: “Master Yun, why put yourself through this?”
Upon hearing this, Yun Wenfang fell silent for a moment, then looked deeply in a certain direction and said casually: “I want to stop the enemy outside the city, not let them attack the city.”
Commander Mu was stunned and looked at Yun Wenfang with what seemed like surprise: “But how can your few troops stop them?”
Yun Wenfang smiled: “That’s my business. Maybe I’ll succeed in stopping them?”
Commander Mu tried to dissuade him for a long time, but Yun Wenfang still insisted on leaving the city. In the end, he didn’t stop him.
Because Yun Wenfang had said to Commander Mu, half-jokingly and half-seriously: “What if I have a reason I must leave the city? The person I care about isn’t feeling well and can’t be frightened, so I want to stop those people outside who want to attack the city, lest troops at the gates frighten her.”
Although when Yun Wenfang said this, neither his expression nor tone carried much sincerity, somehow, Commander Mu felt that what Yun Wenfang said might be true. In his moment of hesitation, Yun Wenfang led his men out of the city.
After leaving the city, the first group Yun Wenfang encountered was Xiao Heng’s men.
Xiao Heng hadn’t expected Yun Wenfang to appear outside Yunyang City with only over a hundred men.
While Xiao Heng was shocked, Yun Wenfang showed him a slightly mocking smile, then, without so much as a greeting, led the charge forward.
Xiao Heng’s men outnumbered Yun Wenfang’s by three times, but they were caught completely off guard from the start. Though Yun Wenfang had only over a hundred men, each was fearless of death. Xiao Heng, having barely escaped Commander Mu’s troops and fled the city, was quite exhausted, so he was at a disadvantage from the beginning.
Watching Yun Wenfang lead the charge as if his life didn’t matter, Xiao Heng quietly maneuvered his horse backward to hide behind his troops.
“Stop!” Xiao Heng shouted.
Originally, Yun Wenfang had no patience to pay attention, but when he saw the person Xiao Heng had brought forward as a hostage, his movements stopped.