The ink-colored robes were removed, revealing armor of the same color and style underneath.

The Grand Commander Luo glanced at the Luo residence’s people and said in a deep voice: “All of you quickly find suitable ones and change into them.”

The concubines exchanged glances with each other.

Luo Sheng was the first to walk over, accepting the armor removed by a soldier and silently putting it on.

A young woman’s figure was naturally different from a young man’s. Fortunately, it was nighttime. The overly long pant legs were tied up, the loose sleeves were fastened tight, and at first glance, one couldn’t see anything unusual at all.

With Luo Sheng taking the lead, the Luo sisters and the concubines all sprang into action.

Perhaps the long secret passage they had just walked through had tempered their will. Although they felt various kinds of awkwardness wearing unfamiliar men’s clothing, no one said anything.

The Grand Commander Luo nodded with satisfaction.

Though he commanded the five thousand men of the Jinlin Guard, he couldn’t possibly mobilize too many people right under His Majesty’s nose. Moreover, what he was doing now was tantamount to rebellion—not all of these men could possibly stand on his side.

These several hundred men had been sent out in batches quietly. Yun Dong was the first batch.

Yun Dong’s mission was to go to places outside the capital to find a group of embroiderers to rush-make the armor worn by Lei Ming’s subordinates, then secretly hide in the capital’s outskirts. On this day, he would infiltrate the city under the identity of Lei Ming’s subordinate, then bring the Luo residence’s people out of the city.

Being able to succeed without bloodshed would be best.

Of course, this required a bit of luck. If luck was poor and the defending general noticed something amiss when leaving the city, with these several hundred Jinlin Guards they would at least have the strength to fight. He could at least protect some people and kill their way out.

Looking at his daughter who had removed her gold hairpin and bound her long hair into a man’s topknot style, the Grand Commander Luo’s expression was resolute.

He must protect some people and kill their way out.

Seeing Luo Sheng bind her hair, the three Luo sisters followed suit, letting down their hair and rearranging it.

In less than two quarters of an hour, everyone from the Luo residence had changed their attire. At a glance, they were indistinguishable from those Jinlin Guards.

“Wait a bit more.” After the Grand Commander Luo spoke, he walked toward the courtyard entrance.

The Jinlin Guards left outside quietly stood pressed against the base of the wall, each dark shadow nearly merging with the wall itself.

In this deep night, those sleeping people would never imagine that on what seemed to them like an ordinary evening, outside there was nothing but iron clothing and ice-cold armor.

Time passed bit by bit, the atmosphere gradually growing anxious.

Luo Yue asked Luo Sheng in a low voice: “Third Sister, what do you think Father is waiting for?”

Luo Sheng looked at the tall figure standing at the courtyard entrance and said softly: “Waiting for a more suitable opportunity.”

Yun Dong had led people to deceive the city gate open by impersonating Grand Commander Lei’s subordinates. If they left the city too quickly, it would certainly arouse the suspicion of the gate-guarding soldiers.

This time interval must be long enough for them to possibly leave the city smoothly.

And those people left behind at the Grand Commander’s residence were fighting to gain this time.

At this moment, the Luo residence had already been surrounded layer upon layer by the soldiers Lei Ming had brought.

Without calling for the door to be opened, these people were using force to break it down.

The heavy bronze door emitted thunderous sounds with each impact, especially piercing in this silent night.

Not far away, dogs barked one after another, yet those extinguished lights did not relight. Who knew how many pairs of eyes hid in the darkness, quietly observing everything happening outside.

The residences neighboring the Grand Commander’s residence were all homes of the powerful and noble. Regarding such commotion in the deep night, they naturally had curiosity, but they understood even better not to invite disaster.

Some family’s residence was about to fall.

“Is it the Luo residence?” After hearing the report from servants sent out to investigate, the masters of these residences felt shock along with the sense that this day had truly arrived.

The Commander of the Jinlin Guard—as glorious as he usually was, so miserable would be his fall.

“Don’t investigate further. Secure the doors tightly.”

The sound of battering the door grew louder. Although heavy objects were blocking it from inside, after persisting for some time it was still broken through.

The people inside rushed out wielding swords and spears, engaging in chaotic combat with the people outside.

Some bled, some fell. Bodies gradually piled up at the entrance of the Grand Commander’s residence. The flowing blood stained red the usually majestic stone lions.

The Grand Commander Luo stood with closed eyes at the courtyard entrance, the sounds of slaughter seeming to echo in his ears.

He knew that this slaughter was ongoing, the battlefield right in the home where he had lived for many years.

There were loyal and brave servants, as well as faithful subordinates.

Most of them were very young and should have had long, peaceful lives, yet their lives would end this very night, never to see tomorrow’s sunrise.

To protect some people, one must inevitably sacrifice others. Having reached this step, wanting to preserve both sides was nothing but the fantasy of a fool.

Was it painful? Of course it was painful.

But this helpless and even somewhat desperate emotion he had experienced too many times. Having reached his current position, having reached this age, these emotions could already be properly contained. What remained was to grit his teeth and press forward.

The Grand Commander Luo’s eyes flew open abruptly, bright as stars in the night.

“Let’s depart.”

The courtyard gate was quietly pushed open. The people from the Luo residence mixed among the Jinlin Guards and headed toward the city gate.

The city gate gradually drew near. They could see the lights lit on the city wall and the patrolling guards.

Eighth Concubine, walking in the middle, had the smallest courage. Seeing the towering city gate right before her eyes, she couldn’t control her legs from trembling.

Hearing Eighth Concubine’s teeth chattering from fear, a warm hand grasped hers.

Eighth Concubine started and looked toward the person holding her hand.

It was Sixth Concubine.

She opened her mouth but didn’t dare call out the words “Sixth Sister.”

She feared that once she opened her mouth, she wouldn’t be able to control a scream.

Heaven knew that normally she would be scared to tears even seeing a caterpillar, yet now she had to wear ice-cold armor, grip a heavy blade, and disguise herself as a soldier to sneak out of the city gate in the deep night.

This was truly too difficult for her.

She was so clumsy—she could even trip over herself walking through the secret passage. What if something went wrong now?

“Eighth Sister, think of the master and the young ladies. You must hold steady.” Sixth Concubine gave an almost inaudible reminder.

Eighth Concubine’s heart trembled, and she nodded emphatically.

Right, no matter how afraid she was, she had to hold steady. She couldn’t harm so many people because of herself alone.

The patrolling guards had already discovered the approaching formation and called out loudly: “Who goes there?”

Yun Dong, walking at the very front, replied: “It’s still me. I’m leaving the city one step ahead to make arrangements on Grand Commander Lei’s orders.”

“Wait a moment.”

The guard hurried to report to the defending general.

The defending general, awakened once again, was already somewhat frantic: “What now?”

“Reporting to the general, it’s the subordinate of Grand Commander Lei who entered the city not long ago, saying he’s leaving the city on Grand Commander Lei’s orders to make arrangements—”

The defending general was drowsy and said impatiently: “Open the city gate and let them leave quickly. Is this ever going to end!”

“Yes.” The guard who received the command arranged for people to open the city gate.

Seeing the moat bridge lower, the Grand Commander Luo let out a fierce sigh of relief.

They had finally passed through danger without mishap and were smoothly leaving the city.

Everyone formed a long line and stepped onto the moat bridge one by one.

The moat bridge had limited weight-bearing capacity. Though they were crossing in a line, it was still inevitable for there to be some swaying. Eighth Concubine walked forward trembling with fear. Someone’s footsteps were a bit heavier, causing the bridge to shudder, and she instinctively cried out in alarm.

Although she quickly pressed her mouth shut tightly, a woman’s cry of alarm in this silent and tension-filled deep night was still very piercing.

Someone on the city wall shouted loudly: “Not good, there’s a problem!”