Madam Yang paid no mind to Han Sheng, instead shouting at the guards, "They came in through the back door last night, and this morning they were still plotting something. They said they were from the capital, and I tell you, they don't look right!"
"You've gone too far!"
Han Sheng stepped forward and grabbed Madam Yang, "Do you know what you're doing? Why are you acting like this?!"
Madam Yang flung his hand away, as if completely breaking down, "You look down on me, I know you do! Even my mother says I can't bear children, and you'll divorce me sooner or later. So now you're taking risks, following those people to your death, and I won't die with you! Han Sheng, I won't stop you from harboring anyone, but don't block my fortune!"
"Slap!"
Han Sheng was trembling with anger. He couldn't hold back any longer and stepped forward, delivering a heavy slap across Madam Yang's face, "You know my feelings! Yet you make me do this unrighteous deed. I've never blamed you for not having children, why do you think of me this way?!"
The couple, perhaps from this day forward, could no longer be as they were.
Since their marriage, Han Sheng had always treated Madam Yang very well.
At this moment, the slap brought tears to Madam Yang's eyes, "Are you really hitting me for those outsiders?"
"Outsiders?!"
Han Sheng pounded his chest in anguish, "They are not outsiders, they are the ones who saved my life! Without him, I wouldn't be here today. Without me, would you still be here? You've truly disappointed me!"
"Enough, enough!"
The captain of the investigating guards, annoyed by the couple's bickering, said, "You two handle your own affairs. I'm going in to deploy men for a search, everyone get out of the way!"
He roughly pulled Han Sheng aside, and Song Chaoyu hid in a corner of the courtyard.
"No need!"
But soon, Mu Changxi's voice came from inside the room.
Everyone looked towards the house and saw Mu Changxi walking out with Xiao Ruizhi.
His steps were light, seemingly unafraid of the guard captain, "If we were to harm Brother Han, it would be our fault. I'll come out now, we are the ones you are looking for from the capital."
"Oh?"
The guard captain stepped forward, sizing up Mu Changxi, "You came from the capital and sneaked into the city, what is your purpose?"
Mu Changxi walked to Han Sheng's side, helped him up, and then said to the man, "Someone in our family is ill, and the medicinal herbs needed are only available in Qinzhou City. That's why we ventured into the city. We hope the officer will spare us."
"Hmph!"
The guard captain was not easily fooled by Mu Changxi's words. He grabbed Mu Changxi, "Men, tie these two up! Take them to the General, and let them explain themselves!"
Naturally, someone stepped forward and tied up Mu Changxi and Xiao Ruizhi.
The guard captain personally stepped forward and tied the rope around Han Sheng's body.
His actions startled Madam Yang, "What are you doing?! Why are you tying up my husband?"
Han Sheng did not struggle, only glaring resentfully at Madam Yang.
The guard captain snorted, "He harbored fugitives, so naturally, he must be tied up!"
"No, that's not it!"
Madam Yang was truly anxious this time, "Didn't I tell you their information? That counts as atoning for my sins, right?"
"Get lost!"
Seeing Madam Yang's persistence, the guard captain impatiently shoved her away, "Atoning for sins? That proves you are still guilty. And I see this man is stubborn. Since he dared to harbor fugitives, he must have expected this outcome! If you hadn't come to report them, we would have taken you too! If you want to live well, back off!"
The guard captain pushed Madam Yang aside, ignoring her fall to the ground, and started to leave with his men.
"Wait!"
Han Sheng struggled slightly at this moment and looked at the guard captain, "I have one more thing to say to her."
The guard captain stopped, warning Han Sheng, "Don't cause trouble, don't say what you shouldn't."
Han Sheng's cold eyes fixed on Madam Yang, devoid of any emotion, "If this matter cannot be resolved, I will naturally die with A'xi. At that time, everything here will be yours. I have no other family, so take these things you've exchanged for your sins and live a peaceful life!"
"No, don't!"
Madam Yang's tears streamed down her face as she saw Han Sheng's ruthlessness.
Han Sheng continued, "If I manage to return alive, the day I return will be the day I divorce you. Prepare yourself, either leave, or let me divorce you and send you back to your family!"
After saying this, he turned his head away, unwilling to look at Madam Yang again.
No matter how much Madam Yang cried, she couldn't change the situation and could only watch as Han Sheng and Mu Changxi were taken away.
Song Chaoyu, who had been hiding in the courtyard, was not discovered due to Mu Changxi's "voluntary surrender."
After everyone outside had left, she emerged with the dark guards. She paid no attention to Madam Yang and flipped out from the back again—
Her only destination now was Yueyang Tower.
The initial hesitation to go there was twofold: firstly, Yueyang Tower was located on the most prosperous street in Qinzhou City, making the journey fraught with danger.
Secondly, it was likely that the Crown Princess's affairs had left a shadow in Mu Changxi's heart, making him reluctant for their whereabouts to be exposed to the Eastern Palace.
But now, Song Chaoyu had no choice but to trust the Eastern Palace, to trust the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess.
From here to Yueyang Tower, they had to pass through several alleys.
These alleys were patrolled by soldiers, making them appear quite dangerous.
Song Chaoyu and the dark guards stopped at a place two streets away from Yueyang Tower.
The road ahead was very open; if they tried to cross directly, they would surely be discovered.
However, if they took a detour, it would require circling two more streets, which might not be safe either.
"Charge! Kill these soldiers!"
Just as Song Chaoyu and the dark guards were at a loss, a shout suddenly rang out from behind them!
Startled, Song Chaoyu dodged to the side and saw a group of young beggars, who had appeared from nowhere, charging towards the soldiers ahead—
Among them, there was even a little girl who looked very young.
"Wait!"
As the little girl passed by Song Chaoyu, Song Chaoyu grabbed her.
The little girl looked no more than ten years old, covered in dirt.
Her face was so grimy that her appearance was hard to discern, but her eyes were bright.
She shook her head, unable to break free from Song Chaoyu's grip, and angrily turned to glare at Song Chaoyu, "Why are you grabbing me?!"