With such chaos in the city, while some fearless people came out to watch the excitement, naturally more people feared being implicated and quickly shut their doors, gathering their whole families together in trepidation, afraid even more chaotic events might occur in the city.
Qin Yining, protected by Mu Jinghu and Ji Yun, watched coldly as those assassins were beaten randomly by the common people, their heads bloodied as they fell to the ground and were mercilessly trampled.
Qin Yu and Qin Han swung their clubs in full circles, beating the people on the ground to death. Just thinking of their brutally murdered family members gave them endless strength. Even when their robes were soaked with sweat, they refused to stop, wishing they could pound those assassins into pulp.
Seeing there was nothing more to worry about here, Qin Yining said: “There’s nothing more for us here. Come, we must quickly go to Shopkeeper Zhong’s place.”
“Yes.” Ji Yun didn’t ask questions, helping Qin Yining into the carriage and sitting beside her.
Mu Jinghu sat on the carriage shaft outside. As the driver drove, he curiously observed the city’s scenes.
After all, something as momentous as “purging the emperor’s side” wasn’t something everyone could witness in their lifetime.
The driver chose quiet roads, taking a longer route before reaching the Zhong residence.
Shopkeeper Zhong was very surprised to see Qin Yining come personally.
“Master, didn’t you go up the mountain today?” Leading Qin Yining inside, he ordered tea served and added: “Your complexion still doesn’t look good. Is your health better?”
“I’m mostly fine now. What remains is just recuperation. Something happened on the mountain today, but fortunately it’s been resolved. Did Shopkeeper Zhong see the chaos that erupted in the city?”
Shopkeeper Zhong still seemed shaken: “Don’t even mention it. When I saw Prince Ning leading troops into the city, the atmosphere felt wrong, so I quickly closed all our shops. I just got home myself.”
After servants brought tea, Shopkeeper Zhong personally served it to Qin Yining, then dismissed everyone to stay far away and not move about outside.
Qin Yining accepted the tea with a smile of thanks, drank a few sips to moisten her dry throat, then concisely recounted the day’s events on Cuiyun Mountain.
Shopkeeper Zhong listened in amazement, murmuring: “Master, you actually caught all those assassins?”
“All of them. When we entered the city just now, the people learned that group were assassins from Great Zhou and excitedly surrounded them—they’re probably beating them to death. My father was ordered by imperial decree not to kill the assassins. Seeing the people acting this way with no other solution, then hearing that Prince Ning led troops to surround the palace, he became so anxious, angry, and frightened that he suddenly fainted. My second and third uncles rushed to take him home, so I had time to come here.”
Though she said this, how could someone as clever as Shopkeeper Zhong not hear the underlying meaning? If Qin Huaiyuan were truly in trouble, how could Qin Yining have the leisure to come here?
Shopkeeper Zhong smiled knowingly, secretly praising Qin Yining and Qin Huaiyuan’s scheme several times in his heart while despising the emperor who forbade the Qin family from killing the assassins for revenge. But his words were very “righteous.”
“No wonder the marquis fainted from anxiety. Not just the marquis—even common people like me would be scared out of our wits learning that Prince Ning led troops to break in. Prince Ning has always acted without proper method. If something happens to His Majesty… alas! What would we do?”
He even shook his head worriedly as he spoke.
Qin Yining smiled—Shopkeeper Zhong was truly an amusing person.
“What happens to His Majesty isn’t something we can worry about. Though I have the heart to rescue the emperor, I lack the ability and can only pray in my heart that His Majesty’s blessings are profound.” As Qin Yining spoke, she pressed her palms together and bowed toward the sky.
Seeing this, Shopkeeper Zhong also smiled and imitated her.
But looking at each other, both couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
In recent days, this was Qin Yining’s most satisfying day.
After thinking, she whispered in Shopkeeper Zhong’s ear: “There’s one more matter. With Prince Ning leading troops to purge the emperor’s side, the Cao family probably won’t fare well and might flee with their people. My grandmother and the others are certainly not in the city now and probably don’t know about these events yet. Find a way to send them word.” Qin Yining lowered her voice further: “Tell them we’ve finally created this opportunity—please seize the moment.”
Shopkeeper Zhong had actually long known that the Azure Sky Alliance leader was Duke Dingguo’s wife, but since the Azure Sky Alliance were rebels after all, if he carelessly spoke of this, it would be greatly disadvantageous to Qin Yining and might even bring deadly disaster, so he had never dared publicize it.
When Azure Sky Alliance members broke into Marquis Anping’s mansion to rescue people that day, it was essentially Duke Dingguo’s wife’s arrangement. These days, because such a great disaster had befallen Marquis Anping’s mansion, Duke Dingguo’s wife was worried and had remained in the outer suburban areas without leaving. Shopkeeper Zhong also knew where they were.
“Good, there’s no time to lose. I’ll personally go deliver the message immediately.” As Shopkeeper Zhong spoke, he seemed somewhat eager, with an expectation that the world might soon change.
Qin Yining further instructed: “You must be careful. Prince Ning leading troops to purge the emperor’s side is no small matter. The city is too chaotic today, so watch your household security closely too. There will always be those who take advantage of disasters to act recklessly in the chaos. In these troubled times, we must be on guard.”
Hearing this, Shopkeeper Zhong became alert and quickly nodded: “Thank you for the reminder, Master. In my excitement, I forgot about household security. I’ll arrange it shortly.”
“That’s good. When you see my grandmother, tell her to pay close attention to exits near the Cao residence. I suspect a family like the Caos, to guard against contingencies, must have prepared some escape tunnels. Any such tunnels would have exits in places that wouldn’t arouse suspicion but also wouldn’t be too far away. However, my grandmother is resourceful and wise—she’d think of this even without my reminder. Also, Shopkeeper Zhong must tell my grandmother: after taking revenge, retreat quickly and don’t let guard down just because great vengeance has been achieved.”
“Yes, Master, rest assured. I’ll certainly convey everything.”
After arranging what needed to be done and thinking of no omissions, Qin Yining rose to take her leave.
Leaving the Zhong residence, Mu Jinghu asked: “Shall we go watch the excitement?”
“Watch the excitement?” Qin Yining smiled: “My status is special. Though I’d like to watch the excitement, I must avoid such occasions.”
Mu Jinghu frowned regretfully: “What a pity. I’ve never seen such a rare spectacle as purging the emperor’s side.”
Qin Yining was amused by his childish words, finding it hard to imagine that someone with Pang Xiao’s temperament could have such a simple-minded and somewhat naive friend.
Since he had to protect Qin Yining, Mu Jinghu naturally couldn’t go watch the excitement alone, so he escorted her back to the marquis’s mansion.
At this time in the imperial palace, the Empress sat trembling in the Emperor’s arms, her tears having soaked the Emperor’s shoulder.
“Your Majesty, this consort will stay here—you must go quickly! Prince Ning’s actions clearly show ill intent and covetousness toward the throne. This consort will stay to deal with him—you must quickly find a way to hide!”
“What are you saying? How could I abandon you and leave first?” The Emperor held the Empress, their cheeks touching.
Just then, the sounds of fighting outside the hall grew closer, and Prince Ning’s rough voice roared: “Imperial Brother, hand over that wench, and your younger brother absolutely won’t touch you! Your younger brother must give the world an explanation today!”
PS: Dear ones, I’m very sorry for delaying the update due to family matters. There will be two more chapters tonight. Stupid Moon is going to assassinate the demon empress—kisses to everyone!