"This is the second young lady of the Su family."
The two had been bound together for a long time. Although this woman was sharp-tongued, her heart was not entirely bad. Perhaps it was because they had developed a bond while tied up, but his face actually turned red.
Cai Xia and Meng Xiangxiang did not notice his expression. Upon hearing that it was the second young lady Su, they decided to rescue her as well.
The guards outside had finished their shift change. Cai Xia went out to scout ahead and then released a sleeping smoke to incapacitate the guards.
Duan Xifeng had been bound for too long and was a bit unsteady. With Cai Xia leading the way, he followed behind to provide protection.
Things went smoothly here. After all, they had been imprisoned for so long, and the guards who rotated in and out were always the same few. Naturally, they had become somewhat lax.
The four of them successfully walked out of the courtyard and escaped the palace.
Su Zirong had been quiet until then. She naturally wished to be rescued, but upon seeing them preparing to take her out of the palace, a sudden impulse made her cry out.
"Where are you going?"
Her words almost alerted the guards stationed outside the city. Cai Xia frowned, signaling her to stop speaking carelessly.
"If you want to be saved, just shut up."
She did not want to speak to this woman, but Su Zirong inexplicably felt a surge of hostility.
"How presumptuous! You are merely a servant, yet you dare to speak to me like this."
At such a critical moment, this woman was throwing a tantrum like a young lady.
Cai Xia pouted, "So troublesome."
With that, she turned and struck the shoulder of the person behind her.
Before Su Zirong could retaliate, she was knocked unconscious.
Duan Xifeng quickly stepped forward to catch her, a flash of concern in his eyes.
Without her incessant chatter, the group successfully escaped the imperial palace. In the alley house they had arranged, Gu Qianying also managed to rescue Xiao Yihao.
The group finally reunited. Upon seeing Duan Xifeng, Xiao Yihao rushed towards him.
"Uncle, you're finally back."
Compared to the few days he had been imprisoned, Duan Xifeng had truly been gone for a long time.
Seeing that his sister and Xiao Yihao were both safe, Duan Xifeng scratched his head.
"Of course, I'd come back. Are you alright, you little brat?"
Gu Qianying's martial arts were not weak, and seeing her standing there safely, he was immediately reassured. As for this child, he had to endure such hardships at such a young age.
"I'm fine. Mother told me that I'm a big boy now and won't cry or be scared when things happen."
He still put on a brave front.
With everyone rescued from the palace, the next target was the imperial prison.
Gu Qianying walked over to Cai Xia.
"I'll leave this to you. For safety's sake, leave tonight and take them back to the Yi Jing Pavilion."
Cai Xia glanced at the room, noticing no one else was there.
It seemed her mistress intended to go to the imperial prison.
Cai Xia quickly crouched down.
"Mistress, please let me accompany you."
Her duty was to protect Gu Qianying's safety. How could she abandon her and venture out alone at a time like this?
But Gu Qianying helped her up.
"You are in more danger here than I am. I am entrusting everyone to you. If you cannot safely return them to the Yi Jing Pavilion, I will hold you accountable."
With her mistress's command, Cai Xia, though worried, agreed.
"Yes, Mistress. Please rest assured, I will safely escort them back."
Time was of the essence. After a hurried farewell, Gu Qianying set off for the imperial prison.
Although the terrain here was complex, there were not many guards on duty.
Gu Qianying felt a faint unease, sensing that such quietness was not simple.
However, thinking that the others were already safely out, if Su Cheng were left alone here, the Empress would surely sentence him to death.
Gu Qianying absolutely would not abandon Su Cheng. Thus, using the terrain map provided by Cai Xia, she successfully entered the imperial prison.
There were still some soldiers guarding the inside. Gu Qianying drugged the guards nearby and easily found Su Cheng.
"Miss Gu, how did you get here?"
Su Cheng had not slept. He was still worried about Gu Qianying.
Little did he know that his thoughts would actually come true.
Without time for explanations, Gu Qianying retrieved the keys and led Su Cheng out.
"My people are here to meet us. I will take you away now."
Her simple statement caused Su Cheng's heart to leap.
It turned out his efforts were all worthwhile; Gu Qianying had truly come to save him.
From entering the prison to leaving, everything seemed remarkably smooth. However, the smoother it was, the more uneasy Gu Qianying felt.
Just as the two of them walked out of the prison, a bright light suddenly illuminated from all around.
"Gu Qianying, you truly are ungrateful. You refuse the path to heaven and barge into hell."
Gu Qianying recognized the speaker as a guard by Su Ye's side.
She knew it. The imperial prison was a royal stronghold; how could it be so easy to let her take someone away alone?
Gu Qianying pulled Su Cheng behind her and drew her soft sword from her waist.
"Grand Tutor Su is truly despicable. Is he planning to imprison me as well?"
She should have realized earlier that Su Ye and the Empress had committed acts so contrary to national ethics. To protect themselves and prevent the matter from being exposed, they would naturally seek scapegoats.
However, she had not expected that those two would set their sights on her.
Hearing this woman audaciously speak of the Grand Tutor bringing people, the guards raised their swords and looked at Gu Qianying.
"You are truly courting death. With your life about to be lost, you still insult the Grand Tutor. Dark guards, receive my command: capture her and that man together, dead or alive."
How cruel! Su Ye was even willing to abandon his own life.
Gu Qianying turned to look at Su Cheng.
"No matter what, do not get separated from me. Stay close behind me, understand?"
The dark guards were increasing in number. Su Cheng's abilities were no match for them. All he could do was obey.
Seeing him nod, Gu Qianying raised her soft sword and charged towards the people in front of her.
Tonight, she was determined to get him out.
A fierce battle ensued, with the dark guards naturally no match for Gu Qianying. However, Grand Tutor Su had found some experts from somewhere.
With these people present, she found herself in a difficult situation.
While protecting Su Cheng and engaging in duels with the experts, Gu Qianying gradually felt her strength waning. A long sword took the opportunity to stab towards her.
"Miss Gu."
Su Cheng quickly stepped forward to help her up.
Although they had left the prison and were fleeing towards the city gate, three experts pursued them relentlessly like a persistent stain.
Gu Qianying knew clearly that the sword strike she took earlier was not light. Although it did not hit a vital spot, she had lost a significant amount of blood.
At this moment, she could only stand with Su Cheng's support.
"You will be alright. Leave me here, and you can escape on your own."
Su Cheng was heartbroken. He could not bear to see Gu Qianying continue to risk her life.
"Shut up. I will definitely take you with me."
Gu Qianying's attitude was unyielding.
But at this moment, the three pursuers had caught up.
"You are at the end of your rope. Put down your sword obediently and come with us."
As the words of the three left their mouths, a sword shadow struck, and a figure in red appeared before everyone.