Bai Qingyan gazed toward the direction of the imperial palace, where battle cries shook the heavens, remaining silent.

The city defense general dared to be angry but not speak, clenching his fists tightly as he stood beside Bai Qingyan.

The direction of the imperial palace in the capital had never been so lively—battle cries, screams of agony, the clash of weapons, and the heart-stopping dull thuds of battering rams all mixed together.

This capital city, usually bustling with activity, seemed to have suddenly lost its voice. Except for Wude Gate of the imperial palace, all around was silent, with no trace of birds or insects.

Half an hour later, the sounds of battle from the direction of the imperial palace suddenly intensified again. The city defense general could no longer contain himself and knelt before Bai Qingyan: “Princess Zhenghuo, if we delay any longer, His Majesty and His Highness will be in mortal danger!”

The Bai family guards hiding near Wude Gate rode swiftly back to the East Gate to report: “Eldest Miss, Prince Xian and Prince Liang are leading troops claiming… that Prince Xin is rebelling, and they’re leading soldiers into the palace to rescue His Majesty and the Crown Prince!”

What a grand and dignified excuse.

She could only hope that Imperial Teacher Old Tan and Old Fang beside the Crown Prince would understand… if Prince Xian had no treasonous intentions, where would he get troops to enter the palace for rescue? They should tell the patrol battalion to be careful and not truly believe… Prince Xian’s claim of rescue.

“Prince Xian and Prince Liang… are entering the palace to rescue the emperor! Excellent! Prince Xian was once a meritorious minister who saved the emperor, and this time he will surely rescue His Majesty and His Highness!” The city defense general was overjoyed, finally no longer having to place the safety of the Crown Prince and His Majesty solely on Bai Qingyan alone.

Bai Qingyan turned and loudly instructed the Bai family guards: “Go to the Court of Judicial Review and tell Minister Lu that I’m requesting the generals of Anping Great Camp to come to the East Gate of the capital. Fire three signal flares to summon the soldiers of Anping Great Camp…”

The city defense general looked coldly at Bai Qingyan. Now she knew to urgently summon the soldiers of Anping Great Camp! When he had knelt and pleaded earlier… Bai Qingyan remained unmoved. Now, hearing that Prince Xian and Prince Liang had gone to rescue the emperor, she was probably afraid of having her achievements stolen… that’s why she was anxious now!

After this matter was settled, he would report this to the Crown Prince, asking him to properly reward Prince Xian and Prince Liang, and never encourage Bai Qingyan’s attitude of… only caring about her merit while disregarding the lives of the Crown Prince and His Majesty!

Seeing dust rising from the direction of Anping Great Camp’s encampment, Bai Qingyan knew that Fu Ruoxi was bringing back the generals and soldiers of Anping Great Camp.

She turned back to see the city defense general looking at her with a cold smile. She could guess what he was thinking and didn’t wish to pay him much attention.

However, the deputy general beside the city defense general said, “General, don’t tell me you truly believe that Prince Xian and Prince Liang went to rescue the emperor?!”

The city defense general was stunned by Bai Qingyan’s question, suddenly coming to his senses. He hurriedly slapped his forehead and caught up with Bai Qingyan.

He had been so anxious that he was confused, actually thinking that Prince Xian and Prince Liang were truly going to rescue the emperor! Prince Xian had hidden the Nandu Army in the capital in advance… This was not the behavior of someone who would rescue the emperor.

“Forgive me, Princess Zhenguo, this lowly general had petty thoughts!”

Fu Ruoxi led twenty thousand Anping Army soldiers galloping swiftly. From afar, she could see Bai Qingyan alone on horseback, standing outside the wide-open main gate of the capital, waiting for her.

Fu Ruoxi gripped the reins with one hand, spurred her horse’s flanks, and galloped swiftly toward Bai Qingyan.

The city defense general on the city tower saw that the one leading the charge from a distance was Fu Ruoxi, who had lost an arm. He was shocked and cried out loudly: “Princess Zhenguo! Quickly return to the city! It’s Fu Ruoxi! It’s the rebel Fu Ruoxi!”

The city defense general’s nerves were taut as he shouted: “Archers, prepare!”

Bai Qingyan raised her hand, signaling the city defense general not to panic.

But the city defense general’s heart was beating extremely fast, his hands gripping the city wall tightly: “Princess Zhenguo!”

It wasn’t until he saw Fu Ruoxi alone ride to Bai Qingyan’s front, dismount, kneel on one knee with her hand supporting her knee, and bow to Bai Qingyan, that the city defense general’s heart rate still didn’t slow down.

Bai Qingyan dismounted and helped Fu Ruoxi up: “General Fu, you’ve worked hard!”

“Princess Zhenguo gave my Fu family a way to survive. How could Fu Ruoxi not know this? Twenty thousand soldiers of Anping Great Camp respectfully await Princess Zhenguo’s orders!”

It was already the hour of Chen, but the capital had not yet fully brightened. Above, rolling black clouds seemed to coil and writhe like dragons, with fierce winds blowing, showing signs of an impending downpour.

Yue Shi, who had been holding his sword and crouching on the roof ridge of Duke Zhenguo’s mansion main gate like a hawk, remained vigilant in all directions.

He suddenly saw troops marching in formation, seemingly heading toward Duke Zhenguo’s mansion. He quietly shifted his position, hiding behind the roof ridge, took a rough look, then turned and called out loudly to Xiao Rongyan: “Soldiers are heading toward Duke Zhenguo’s mansion, approximately five hundred men!”

Inside Duke Zhenguo’s mansion, the sheepskin lanterns hanging from the high upturned eaves swayed in all directions. Xiao Rongyan, tall and straight, stood under the corridor, his eyes profound, standing there with calm composure.

Originally, Xiao Rongyan had suspected that Prince Xian and Prince Liang might try to capture the Bai family women to threaten Bai Qingyan. He hadn’t expected they would send people.

Lu Ping still remembered Bai Qingyan’s instructions when she left—if anything happened to Duke Zhenguo’s mansion, they must send someone to notify her. He hurriedly turned his head to give orders: “Go inform Eldest Miss!”

The wind howled through the halls like weeping, carrying an ominous chill.

Only Xiao Rongyan’s steady voice was heard, calling out to stop them: “Stop!”

The Bai family guard, who was about to leave, paused, turning with Lu Ping to look at Xiao Rongyan with his cold, angular features.

They saw Xiao Rongyan draw his flexible sword from his waist, standing with sword in hand, his killing intent fierce and intimidating.

With a stern expression, his voice rang out clear and resonant: “Your Eldest Miss is risking danger at the front to accomplish great things. If you want to help her, don’t disturb her resolve! Guard the Bai family for her, protect the Bai family members, and don’t hold her back!”

Lu Ping had always followed Bai Qingyan’s orders. Apart from their Prince Zhenguo, Duke Zhenguo, and Eldest Miss, this was the first time Lu Ping had seen someone with such overwhelming presence and extraordinary dignity.

Soon, the sound of orderly footsteps drew near.

Lu Ping clenched his fists, having to admit that Xiao Rongyan’s words made sense. He turned to nod at the Bai family guards, drew his sword from his waist, and shouted: “We… were all once soldiers of the Bai family army. More or less because we suffered severe injuries, Prince Zhenguo and Duke Zhenguo took pity on us and let us return to the Bai mansion as guard soldiers! Today… someone wants to attack our Bai family! Everyone… we must swear to defend the Bai family to the death!”

“Bring wine up the ladders and hide quietly. Don’t make a sound. When those rebels get close, smash those sons of bitches with wine jars!” A guard unit leader shouted.

Each Bai family guard grabbed a wine jar and climbed up ladders leaning against the walls, hiding and gritting their teeth, waiting for those rebels who wanted to attack the Bai family. As soon as the rebels entered this alley, they would douse them thoroughly with strong liquor, then use fire arrows.

Fortunately, because the Bai family men had not been at home before, and later due to mourning, there was a great deal of wine stored in the wine cellar. Moreover, the courtyard walls were high enough to provide defense for a while.

“Archers, prepare!” Lu Ping shouted.