"You..."
"Xi Jiu!" Chu Minghao's words were interrupted by Chu Qianli's cold voice.
"Your subordinate is here!" Xi Jiu immediately stepped forward.
"You lead the guards and secure the village."
"Yes!"
"What about those who escaped?" Chu Minghao was unwilling to give up.
Chu Qianli calmly replied, "This princess will personally lead people to pursue them."
"How can you chase them when you don't know how many have fled or from where they went?"
Chu Minghao wasn't sure if he could catch up, but he couldn't just watch this so-called princess, whether true or not, issue orders in front of him.
He had to do something, otherwise, how could he convince his brothers?
Just now, when that vixen spoke of his brutality and killing his own people, the guards of his manor seemed to have been swayed by her words.
How could this be!
Chu Qianli remained unhurried and expressionless, saying, "To the east is the moat, with no way out. To the south is Baijing Village, where bodies litter the ground, making it even more dire. They wouldn't dare go there."
"To the north is the road to the imperial city. Although the imperial city is prosperous, its defenses are strict, and entry requires household registration proof. They wouldn't dare go there."
Therefore, the only direction they could take was west.
She naturally knew where to pursue.
With Chu Qianli's explanation, the guards immediately understood.
It turned out the princess had thought everything through so clearly.
In comparison, everyone had only one thought: Prince Hao was far inferior to the princess.
This thought was not exclusive to the Royal Army guards.
Even the guards from Prince Yu's manor showed a hint of disappointment in their eyes.
Chu Minghao's face turned red with anger, but he could not refute her.
In fact, he... he could have thought of it just now, but he hadn't reacted in time, and this vixen had gotten there first!
"Xi Jiu, guard this place well! No matter which family's guards, if they dare to harm the common people, kill them without mercy!"
"Yes!"
Chu Qianli said no more, ordered a horse to be brought, and leaped onto it.
Following her onto the horse was Feng Yexuan.
Lord Xuan had not uttered a single word from beginning to end, but when the princess was about to leave, he stayed by her side.
The Prince truly cared for their Princess!
The guards felt some comfort in their hearts.
Then, everyone went about their tasks, with Chu Qianli taking the lead in the pursuit.
Feng Yexuan followed closely behind.
Leng Ji, with a troop of men, also pursued.
However, Chu Qianli did not allow them to get too close, fearing that their weapons would frighten the common people.
The villagers were all on foot, naturally slower than those on horseback.
Soon, Chu Qianli heard movement ahead and immediately reined in her horse.
But the horse's neighing still alerted the fleeing villagers.
"They're coming after us!"
"Run! Run! They're coming! Run!"
Everyone was in a panic, becoming disorganized.
Chu Qianli leaped off her horse, and Feng Yexuan followed, landing lightly behind her.
"This is bad, they're going to run into the forest. Once they scatter, many will be lost."
Chu Qianli turned to look at Feng Yexuan.
"Your Highness, I'll chase to the left, you go to the right... Don't lose your temper, don't be too cold. They are not enemies, they are just innocent villagers. You... try to persuade them."
Even though she knew it was difficult to get the proud Lord Xuan to persuade them.
But she couldn't let him resort to force, could she?
This fellow was too powerful and terrifying; if he acted, there would be countless casualties.
"Your Highness, I implore you!"
With these words, Chu Qianli immediately turned towards the left and pursued.