However, the soldiers who followed shouted to kill her, so coincidentally, all had the flavor of Nandu dialect and local speech.

At this time, the Nandu army disguised as Prince Xin’s subordinates heading to the East Gate would clash with the Crown Prince’s people… or even fight, or she would need to find a way to make them fight. It would be best to capture some alive – once the news reached Prince Liang, Prince Liang definitely wouldn’t be able to sit still.

In the distance, someone rode a fast horse approaching. Before the horse stopped, he leaped down and said: “Eldest Miss, fighting has broken out at the capital’s East Gate. That general who led troops to our mansion had people shoot and kill their men, apparently not wanting to leave any survivors. Later, they fled in disarray. This subordinate followed all the way and saw those soldiers return to Liuhuai Alley in the western part of the city.”

Bai Qingyan’s hands clasped behind her back tightened. It seemed she didn’t need to waste effort making them fight – they had done it themselves. Now, whoever was most concerned about the capital’s movements would definitely be Prince Liang and Prince Liang waiting to be the mantis stalking the cicada. With such a commotion at the East Gate, Prince Liang couldn’t possibly be unaware and would surely send people to investigate whether any survivors had been captured.

After thinking for a moment, she spoke: “Go watch Liuhuai Alley. If anyone comes out to gather information, find a way to deliver news that… Prince Xin’s people captured survivors at the East Gate. Say… those captured soldiers claimed they were Nandu army, following orders to impersonate Prince Xin’s people, planning rebellion to support son-in-law Prince Liang’s ascension to the throne. Once the message is delivered, immediately return to the East Gate.”

The guard who had just returned acknowledged and rode away on a fast horse.

Bai Qingyan looked at another Bai family guard: “You go watch Prince Liang’s mansion. The same… if anyone comes out to gather information, give them news that Prince Xin’s subordinates at the capital’s East Gate captured survivors claiming to be Nandu army, and that Prince Liang supports Prince Liang! Once the message is delivered, secretly monitor Prince Liang’s mansion. If there’s any movement, immediately return to the East Gate.”

“Yes!” The Bai family guard responded and rode away.

Bai Qingyan’s gaze fell on the remaining eight guards, speaking: “You eight divide into four teams and guard outside the palace’s four gates respectively. Wait quietly for Prince Liang to lead troops to storm the palace, then immediately come report!”

The Bai family guard soldiers looked at each other, and one stepped forward: “If we all leave, who will protect Eldest Miss’s safety? One person is enough to wait for movements outside the palace gates!”

“There are shadow guards brought by Master Xiao. You needn’t worry.”

“Eldest Miss, before we came out with you, Guard Lu repeatedly instructed that even if we die, we must protect Eldest Miss’s safety. How can this subordinate entrust Eldest Miss’s safety to others! This subordinate must stay by Eldest Miss’s side and never leave even a step!”

The Bai family guard soldiers knelt in unison, pleading for people to remain by Bai Qingyan’s side.

“Eldest Miss trusts us, and we were once the Bai family army, which is why Guard Lu chose us to guard by Eldest Miss’s side. We are all battle-hardened veterans. Even if we die… we will deliver news of palace gate movements to the East Gate! But Eldest Miss’s side absolutely cannot be left unguarded!”

Bai Qingyan knew that the Bai family army was loyal and brave, from life to death, it was always so!

She nodded and bent down to help the guards up: “Very well. Four of you go to the palace’s four gates, the remaining four follow me to the capital’s East Gate first.”

Four guards responded and mounted their horses, riding away quickly.

Bai Qingyan stood outside the now-empty Crown Prince’s mansion, looked back at the mansion, leaped onto her horse, and headed unhurriedly toward the East Gate.

Prince Liang wanted to be the mantis stalking the cicada – how could he let people know in advance that this mantis was waiting behind? As long as the news reached Prince Liang’s ears, for safety’s sake, wouldn’t Prince Liang first gather his army to avoid being trapped in Liuhuai Alley?

Once the army assembled, the target would be large.

Prince Liang wasn’t unaware that delay breeds change. He could only take risky moves – joining with Prince Liang to lead troops to surround the palace, under the pretext of rescuing the Crown Prince and His Majesty… first coordinating with the patrol camp from inside and outside to strangle the Imperial Guards, then turning the blade on the Crown Prince.

Regardless, as long as the message was delivered, it would force Prince Liang to act. Then the Anping Camp could enter the city and await orders, waiting to be the python after the mantis stalks the cicada.

Just as Bai Qingyan predicted, when Young General Wang returned injured to Prince Liang’s mansion in the capital, Prince Liang already knew about the East Gate incident and had received news… that Prince Xin’s gate guards stationed at the East Gate had captured surviving Nandu soldiers and learned of his plan to support son-in-law Prince Liang’s ascension to the throne.

Prince Liang stood beside Prince Liang, pretending to be weak and fearful: “Father-in-law… Brother Prince Xin already knows. How about… how about we just forget it!”

Prince Liang gritted his teeth and glared fiercely at Young General Wang, who was covering his arrow wound with a pale face. If not for this fool’s father being a fierce general by Prince Liang’s side… and with a great battle imminent, Prince Liang feared disrupting military morale, he would have him dragged out and beheaded!

“Although this was the Princess’s order, you… have ruined Prince Liang’s and this king’s great affair!” Prince Liang’s voice carried some viciousness. “If we can achieve a great victory this time, it’s fine. If not, you should wash your neck clean and die in atonement!”

“Yes!” Young General Wang quickly cupped his fists in response.

“But father-in-law! They… they all know now!” Prince Liang’s pupils trembled slightly, and his face went white.

Prince Liang looked at such a cowardly Prince Liang and felt quite comfortable in his heart. Only when such a Prince Liang ascended the throne… would he be easy to control.

Prince Liang patted Prince Liang’s shoulder: “Even if Prince Xin knows, it doesn’t matter. Prince Xin has to guard against the twenty thousand soldiers of Anping Camp outside the city and deal with the patrol camp that has already entered the palace with the Crown Prince. He can’t spare attention for us!”

Prince Liang grasped Prince Liang’s hand and turned to look at the various Nandu generals in the hall, shouting: “Since Prince Xin already knows! Then… let Prince Liang lead us to the palace… to execute the treasonous minister Prince Xin, and coordinate with the patrol camp from inside and outside to eliminate the already rebellious Imperial Guards!”

After speaking, Prince Liang squeezed Prince Liang’s hand forcefully again and turned to look at Prince Liang: “After destroying Prince Xin, we’ll strangle the unsuspecting patrol camp and kill the Crown Prince… naturally pushing all blame onto Prince Xin! Prince Liang… was simply too late in arriving to rescue the emperor!”

Prince Liang’s heart pounded, feeling that the throne was right before his eyes.

“I… I’ll listen to father-in-law in everything!” Prince Liang spoke timidly.

“Have the Nandu forces hidden throughout the capital assemble before Wude Gate!” Prince Liang gripped the sword at his waist and shouted, “We… enter the palace immediately! Protect the emperor!”

The Nandu soldiers standing in the main hall cupped their fists in unison, their momentum like a rainbow, as if victory was already in their grasp.

Before leaving, Prince Liang instructed the shadow guards to guard Prince Liang’s mansion well.

Prince Liang, standing beside Prince Liang, thought briefly before carefully stepping forward, speaking in a mosquito-like voice: “Father-in-law, do you think we should capture the Second Madam and Seventh Miss from Princess Zhenguo’s mansion? This Princess Zhenguo uses troops like a god. What if… what if she can grow wings and fly out of the four city gates guarded by Prince Xin’s people… and bring the twenty thousand soldiers of Anping Camp?”