Gu Zhensan, who had been away from the capital for many years, was not very familiar with the matters in Jingzhao Prefecture...
Even so, he still knew scoundrels like Shen Ducai.
"Hmph, this man is cunning and sly, smarter than a fox. He has done many wicked deeds following Consort Xian all these years. Now he has come to Heyang County. What exactly does he want?" Gu Zhensan muttered to himself.
Steward Cao lowered his voice, "Young General, shall I send someone to gather information? We can go to Dashui Village after we figure things out..."
He knew that the young general was very ambitious. If it weren't for his search for the eldest young lady all these years, with the young general's intelligence and mind, he would have already become the Minister of War or a Grand Minister of the Secretariat. Why would he have to go to the northern border to fight barbarians...
Therefore, without understanding Shen Ducai's intentions, the young general would not be at ease in Dashui Village.
Gu Zhensan grunted and ordered, "Send two sharp subordinates to gather information secretly. Go and return quickly!"
"Understood, Young General!" Steward Cao responded and quickly called two soldiers, instructing them to follow that group secretly.
Gu Zhensan then led the remaining soldiers to the county town to stay temporarily...
On the way to Dashui Village, Shen Ducai tightened the reins, bringing his horse to a halt.
He took off his dog-fur hat, brushed off the snowflakes, and looked back, "Where did these soldiers come from? They don't look like officials from the yamen!"
A subordinate came forward and said, "Lord Shen, I heard that there are bandits in the Heyang County area recently. Perhaps the imperial court has sent soldiers to suppress them, so you don't need to worry..."
Just as Steward Cao had guessed, these people were yamen runners from Jingzhao Prefecture. Because the Prefect of Jingzhao, Lord Gao, had a close relationship with Consort Xian and received many benefits in secret, these yamen runners were well-rewarded and willing to serve Consort Xian...
Among them were several imperial guards and skilled martial artists. Shen Ducai himself was a practitioner of martial arts, and more than a dozen ordinary people could not get close to him.
"When we arrive at Dashui Village, be sharp and act according to my signals, understand?" Shen Ducai shouted.
Everyone responded in unison, "Everything will be according to Lord Shen's arrangements!"
After a simple rest, they continued on their way. As dusk approached, they finally arrived at the entrance of Dashui Village...
Before even entering the village, Shen Ducai faintly sensed several powerful forces hidden in the dark corners.
They were like hungry wolves, ready to pounce out and tear them to shreds at any moment.
Shen Ducai sneered, "It seems they were prepared. Very good. If we killed the Crown Prince so easily, wouldn't that be too boring? Heh heh..."
"Guards!"
"Lord Shen!"
"Go and eliminate all the hidden guards around the village, and then we'll meet at the Old Yun family's house!"
"Yes, sir!"
Everyone nodded and dispersed...
A moment later, the sound of clashing swords and spears echoed from the village entrance, and the village dogs began to bark wildly. The villagers, who had just finished dinner, came out of their homes, craning their necks to look towards the east end of the village.
"Oh dear, what's happening at this hour of the night?"
"It sounds like a fight. I saw a group of people riding horses lingering around the village entrance this evening..."
"Then, then should we inform the village chief? It would be bad if someone got killed!"
"Who's to say? The village already had a death after the New Year. It's unlucky if it gets out!"
"......"
As the villagers were discussing animatedly, the village chief, along with Fu Daqiang and Du Laosan, hurried over.
"Ah, I'm exhausted!" The village chief ran, panting, and took a long time to catch his breath. "What are you all babbling about here? Those people went to the Old Yun family's house. Their house is now surrounded so tightly that anyone who dares to intrude will be killed..."
"What?"
The villagers were collectively stunned.
Who had the Old Yun family offended?
How could they have incurred such great animosity?
"No wonder they all ran away without a word that day. It turns out they knew someone was coming to kill them..." Du Laosan muttered.
"Hey!" The village chief heard this, kicked Du Laosan's backside, and pointed in the direction of the county town. "What time is it now? You're still saying this. Quickly, hitch your mule cart and go to the county town to tell Damman and Erman to hide well. Tell them their enemies have come knocking. Also, go and inform the county magistrate to send constables to help break the siege..."
Although he knew that doing so was like trying to stop a flood with a single cup, and the constables would surely not be able to stop those assassins, at least the county yamen should know that something had happened to the Old Yun family.
Du Laosan was stunned for a moment before reacting, "Oh, okay, okay, I'll go now!"
Seeing this, Fu Daqiang grabbed him, "The mule cart is too slow. Ride my big green horse to the county town. Go through Beigou. The village entrance is blocked now..."
"Okay, I got it!" Du Laosan nodded and hurried towards Fu Daqiang's house.
Meanwhile, the two scouts sent by Gu Zhensan had secretly crouched on the roof of the Yun family's main hall, monitoring the situation inside the house.
They saw Xiao Jinfeng and Jin Huaihua sitting at the dining table, enjoying their donkey meat steamed dumplings with relish...
A few days ago, a family in Xinwang Village accidentally lost their donkey. Donkey meat was on sale, so Xiao Jinfeng asked Er Longzi to buy ten jin.
Donkey meat and fennel dumplings were the most delicious, but unfortunately, the Old Yun family didn't have fennel. Fortunately, Huaihua had planted some celery in pots in her room. Chopped finely and mixed with donkey meat to make dumplings, the taste was absolutely superb.
The two scouts on the roof were so hungry they were drooling...
"Huaihua, eat more. You've become so thin lately!" Xiao Jinfeng said, placing a dumpling for Jin Huaihua.
At the brink of life and death, being able to have a beloved woman by his side made Xiao Jinfeng feel that dying would be worth it.
Jin Huaihua smiled sweetly, got up, and poured Xiao Jinfeng a cup of wine. "I'm full, Young Master Xiao. Please eat slowly..."
Unexpectedly, as soon as she finished speaking, the door was suddenly pushed open. A gust of cold wind blew in, making Xiao Jinfeng and Jin Huaihua shiver simultaneously.
Shen Ducai, followed by several subordinates, walked in. Upon seeing Xiao Jinfeng, Shen Ducai cupped his hands in a salute, "Your subordinate pays respects to His Highness Prince Ming..."
Hearing this title, Jin Huaihua was no longer surprised.
This was because ever since her family went to the capital to seek refuge, Xiao Jinfeng had told her everything.
To fight against Consort Xian and against an unfair fate, Huaihua felt that Young Master Xiao was a very brave and responsible person.
At least he wouldn't just resign himself to fate under his mother's oppression...
"Lord Shen, long time no see!"
Xiao Jinfeng put down his chopsticks, slowly stood up, and walked slowly towards Shen Ducai...