Just as they had imagined, Qinzhou City was now in turmoil.
Most of the city's residents knew that the death of Lord Fang was related to the current defending general, Huo Wuchang.
According to Han Erge, even before Lord Fang's incident, Huo Wuchang's defending army had become different from usual.
They were always busy during that time, and they had also established armories and granaries in secluded corners of the city.
Lord Fang seemed to be unaware of these matters.
On the day of the incident, Huo Wuchang personally went to see Lord Fang, which was rare. Shortly after he returned, the news of Lord Fang's death spread from the City Guard's mansion.
Although Huo Wuchang wanted to suppress the news of Lord Fang's death, it still spread throughout Qinzhou City.
At the same time, Huo Wuchang ordered all the city gates of Qinzhou to be guarded, preventing anyone from entering or leaving, and his actions became increasingly suspicious. wΑp.kanshu伍.net
Speaking of this, Song Chaoyu also had a question: "If that's the case, why are the people of Qinzhou so obedient? Not a single piece of news has gotten out?"
"Alas—"
Mu Changxi sighed, "Qinzhou is different from other places. Most of the residents are from the former Xiao Qin Kingdom. Their thoughts are probably different from ours. Moreover, the common people do not truly know what has happened, so they naturally dare not say much. Now I fear that Huo Wuchang has wolfish ambitions and intends to use the entire Qinzhou to confront our Great Yue Dynasty."
If this were the case, the most innocent people would be the residents of Qinzhou.
Once Qinzhou was defined as "rebellious," these residents trapped in the city might become Huo Wuchang's bargaining chips against the Great Yue Dynasty.
As for the people of the former Xiao Qin Kingdom, the Great Yue Dynasty's actions would likely be "exterminate them all."
Song Chaoyu frowned, "Then what can we do now?"
Mu Changxi whispered, "Break the current balance. Let outsiders in, or let insiders out. As long as the news circulates, Huo Wuchang's conspiracy will naturally fail."
Song Chaoyu nodded, "Indeed. Moreover, there is still Cong Fei waiting for us outside, and the people in the city have to eat. We need to prevent the city from remaining sealed. How do you plan to do it?"
Mu Changxi actually had no ideas before, but at this moment...
He suddenly looked in Yang Shi's direction, "Do you think Yang Shi will really help us conceal our whereabouts?"
Song Chaoyu immediately understood Mu Changxi's meaning, "You want to approach Huo Wuchang?"
Mu Changxi smiled slightly, "Although it's very dangerous, the best way to catch a thief is to catch the leader first. Only by approaching Huo Wuchang can we have a chance of winning. A'yu, let me go. You stay outside, and I have other things to entrust to you."
Approaching Huo Wuchang sounds easy, but it is actually an extremely dangerous matter.
However, whether from the perspective of the court or their personal perspective, this matter could not be delayed any longer.
Song Chaoyu sighed, "Why do we always have to do such dangerous things?"
Mu Changxi was stunned for a moment, then looked at Song Chaoyu apologetically, "I've made you worry."
"No."
In Song Chaoyu's heart, a wave of tenderness surged, "If it were anyone else, I would rather it be me by your side."
This sentence alone expressed Song Chaoyu's feelings and made Mu Changxi's eyes no longer fear anything.
With their hearts set, they no longer needed to care about anything else.
—
The next morning, Song Chaoyu got up early and opened the window.
Seeing Yang Shi already sweeping outside, Song Chaoyu also nodded and smiled at her.
After yesterday's events, Yang Shi dared not be rude to Song Chaoyu.
She smiled warmly, "Are you all up? Breakfast will be ready soon, please wait a moment!"
Song Chaoyu understood and then turned to Mu Changxi, "Alas, now we are also trapped here. I don't know what the situation is in the capital. We are likely in great danger here!"
Mu Changxi chuckled, "What danger is there at Han Erge's house? It's fine, they are all our people. They won't hand us over to the authorities for money anyway, so just stay at ease!"
As he spoke, Song Chaoyu also looked outside.
Although Yang Shi was lowering her head and pretending to sweep, her sweeping action had long stopped, clearly listening to their conversation.
As expected, shortly after, Yang Shi quietly walked towards the back door.
Seeing her sneaky back, Mu Changxi's brows furrowed, and he slipped a signal flare into Song Chaoyu's hand, "You go first. Go to Yueyang Wine House, there are people from the Crown Prince there. Be sure not to be discovered by anyone. Don't worry about me, I will be fine."
Although Song Chaoyu knew that Mu Changxi must have his own way, it was false to say she wasn't worried.
She stepped forward and finally gently hugged Mu Changxi, "For me, for our little monkey, you must not have any accidents, you cannot have any accidents, consider it my plea, okay?"
In fact, Song Chaoyu would not usually act so coquettishly, nor would she utter the word "plea."
Mu Changxi also understood how scared she was at this moment.
"It's okay, A'yu, it's okay."
He reached out, gently stroking Song Chaoyu's hair, and imprinted a kiss on her forehead, "When all this is over, I will take you and the child away from the court. We will live our own lives, alright?"
Even if such a life was like before, on the estate, not wealthy, but peaceful, Song Chaoyu would be content!
—
A moment later, it was time for breakfast.
Only Mu Changxi and Xiao Ruizhi went to the front to eat, while Song Chaoyu hid with another hidden guard.
Yang Shi, not seeing Song Chaoyu anywhere, naturally asked Mu Changxi, "Hmm? Where is Sister-in-law A'yu?"
Mu Changxi said, "I sent her out."
Yang Shi's brows furrowed, and she suddenly exclaimed loudly, "Oh, why did you send her out at this time? It's so dangerous outside!"
Her voice made Han Erge notice something was wrong with Yang Shi, and he pulled Yang Shi, "What are you shouting about? What's wrong today? Why are you talking so much during breakfast?"
"Knock knock knock—"
However, before Yang Shi could speak, the outer courtyard gate was knocked by people from the patrol team, "Is anyone there? Hurry up and open the door, we are the patrol team!"
"This is bad!"
Han Erge suddenly stood up, looking at the door nervously.
"Coming!"
Yang Shi, however, happily ran forward and opened the outer courtyard gate, "Coming, coming!"
The patrol team of ten people entered. The captain's hand was still on his sword sheath as he looked at Yang Shi, "You were the one who said that people from outside the city had entered your house, right?"
These words made Han Erge's face change, and he angrily rebuked Yang Shi, "What nonsense are you talking about?!"