The Huai Tree Alley where the Jin Long Wei resided was located at the eastern and western intersection of the capital. The official residences on the west side of the imperial palace were the homes of court officials, while the east side, connected to the Tonghui River, was crowded with merchants and exceptionally prosperous.
In its early years, Huai Tree Alley was inhabited by officials transferred from other regions to the capital. After all, the residences in the western part of the city, which often had four or five courtyards, were not only expensive but also in short supply.
These officials, who had finally managed to be transferred to the capital, considered themselves refined and naturally did not wish to buy residences in the eastern part of the city where merchants gathered. Therefore, Huai Tree Alley, located in the middle, became the best choice.
Unfortunately, since the establishment of the Jin Long Wei, not only officials but even ordinary people had moved away from this area. The emptiness during the day, coupled with the occasional smell of blood drifting in the wind, sent chills down the spine of anyone who mistakenly entered Huai Tree Alley.
"Is that the Prince Rui's carriage?" Zhan Feiyu poked her head out from the alley entrance, looking at the carriage parked on the other side. If not for Kuang Xu, the guard standing in front of the carriage, Zhan Feiyu would hardly have recognized this dazzlingly luxurious carriage as belonging to Prince Rui's mansion.
"Princess Rui's entire retinue is here," He Nuan said. On that day, Princess Rui probably did not want outsiders to know that she had deigned to visit Yufeng Tower, so she had traveled "lightly." The carriage was not as opulent as it was today.
Her brows furrowed. As the saying goes, a higher official can crush a subordinate. Even though Zhan Feiyu was incredibly bold, she dared not confront Princess Rui directly, as she would be the one to suffer.
"Is it alright for Lü Yi to be detained here?" Zhan Feiyu thought of Lü Yi, whom she had taken from the medical clinic. He was, after all, the deputy commander of the Five City Patrol and Military Affairs, albeit a seventh-rank martial officer. However, the Jin Long Wei could not detain him here without reason, as the Wuan Hou Mansion stood behind the Five City Patrol and Military Affairs.
"It is fine," He Sheng replied, his voice deep. He continued, "Even Prince Rui cannot trespass into the Jin Long Wei's territory."
Even if Prince Rui were to arrive, He Sheng was certain that the other party would not be able to locate the detained Lü Yi. Speaking of which, He Sheng glanced at Zhan Feiyu. What he did not say was that Lü Yi was likely already a corpse by now. Seventh Master would not allow anyone who threatened Miss to exist in this world.
Zhan Feiyu nodded, and then she heard the sound of hooves. She peeked out again and saw several fine horses galloping from a distance. The tall figure leading them was bathed in the warm winter sun, his black cloak fluttering in the wind. Even from afar, one could feel the natural aura of killing intent and coldness.
Inside the carriage, looking through the window at the group of people galloping forward without slowing down, Princess Rui's expression turned extremely grim. Her fingers, dyed with henna, clenched tightly. She said sternly, "Kuang Xu, stop them!"
"Yes!" Commander Kuang, who was obeying orders, felt his scalp tingle. This was Huai Tree Alley, the territory of the Jin Long Wei, and the person he was supposed to stop was the Commander of the Jin Long Wei.
Commander Kuang had no choice but to stand in the middle of the road. The galloping horses indeed did not slow down and arrived in the blink of an eye.
The horses were suddenly reined in. Despite the rapid pace, they still surged forward a few steps, their hooves kicking high, their bodies almost rearing up. Fortunately, they finally stopped.
Having narrowly avoided being trampled to death by the horses, Commander Kuang breathed a sigh of relief. The guards, maids, and servants surrounding the carriage not far away also relaxed their tense hearts. At that moment, they all thought Commander Kuang was about to be killed on the spot.
Unfortunately, everyone relaxed too soon. After the horses stopped, the person on horseback flicked his whip. The speed was so fast that Commander Kuang only felt a black shadow flash before his eyes, and he was sent flying.
Casually tossing the whip to a subordinate behind him, Yin Wuyan dismounted. His narrow, icy phoenix eyes swept towards the alley entrance. Upon seeing the little girl peeking out, his originally stern and killing aura softened instantly, but in the next moment, his eyes were filled with frost and snow again.
"My Lord!" In unison, several figures who had been hidden in the shadows appeared and knelt on one knee to salute Yin Wuyan.
Commander Kuang, who had been flung away by the whip, ignored the pain in his neck and looked in shock at the more than ten figures who had appeared. He had not detected a single one of them. The Jin Long Wei's stealth skills were truly remarkable. If they were to assassinate someone, it was likely that nine out of ten people would not be able to escape.
Yin Wuyan raised his hand, signaling everyone to rise, and his gaze fell coldly on the carriage stopped not far away.
"Your subordinate greets my Lord!" Almost simultaneously, the guards from Prince Rui's mansion also bowed. This was the Commander of the Jin Long Wei. Not to mention whipping Commander Kuang just now, even if he drew his sword and killed him, Prince Rui's mansion would not dare to object.
The maids and servants also knelt and bowed. The grandeur and authority of Prince Rui's mansion were insignificant before this Lord.
Inside the carriage, Princess Rui listened to the sounds of salutes and kneeling outside. Her exquisitely made-up face contorted with ferocity, her eyes filled not with disgust but with hatred. Her voice, when she spoke, was sharp and piercing.
"Well done, Commander! Must I, your own mother, Princess Rui, also kneel and bow to you? Without propriety and shame, you are an unfilial and disobedient beast, unfit to live in this world!"
Silence descended upon the surroundings. Compared to the terrified servants of Prince Rui's mansion, the Jin Long Wei standing nearby had undisguised killing intent in their eyes.
If it weren't for the fact that the person in the carriage was Princess Rui, the Commander's own mother, and that a subordinate should die if his lord is insulted, she would have lost her head by now!