At the main street intersection closest to the Zhong mansion, inside a restaurant, two men dressed as scholars sat by an upstairs window. They appeared to be of advanced age.
The two sat facing each other, raising their cups to drink. Suddenly they heard the sound of carriages and horses rushing past on the street outside.
The two looked out the window and saw the duke’s carriage turn swiftly and head straight towards the Zhong mansion.
One of them immediately said, He is not going to the west city but coming directly to the Zhong mansion instead. This old fellow reacts quite fast.
The other made a sound of agreement and said, What use is reacting fast? One step slow and every step after is slow.
The two looked at each other and smiled, then clinked their cups together.
Outside the Zhong mansion, Ying Xiaotang got out of the carriage and strode straight in, followed by a group of people.
On the way he had already received a report from those who arrived first and returned. They said the Zhong mansion claimed that A Shihuang had not returned.
Yet Ying Xiaotang acted as if convinced and still came in person.
The duke and the imperial censor coming to the door in person was an honour the Zhong mansion had never had before. This lineup left everyone in the Zhong mansion trembling in fear.
Upon hearing the news, Zhong Su practically ran over to greet them. He led his family members along with Du Fei and housekeeper Li to pay their respects on the spot.
There was no talk of going inside to sit. There was no time. Ying Xiaotang waved his large hand and his guards quickly cleared the area, driving away the surrounding servants.
This scene made Wen Jianhui’s heart pound with fear. Wen Ruowei was also so scared that she behaved obediently.
Zhong Ruochen, shrinking at the very back, kept a blank face, performed the greeting, and lowered his head without speaking.
Ying Xiaotang’s reddish sideburns looked somewhat frightening, especially that pair of tiger eyes. They swept over the people before him with an imposing air even without anger, and just that presence alone made several of them barely dare to breathe.
Ying Xiaotang did not waste words. He said in a deep voice, I will not beat about the bush now. I may as well explain the situation directly. A Shihuang’s father, A Jiezhan, was once my trusted subordinate. Back then someone took advantage of my absence from the capital to act against him. I have regretted it bitterly ever since. Now someone is scheming against his son again. How can I sit by and watch?
A Shihuang’s current situation is extremely dangerous. You must honestly tell me whether A Shihuang has returned.
Tell the truth and I will not pursue past matters. If afterwards I find out there was even one false word, I will immediately have the Zhong mansion raided. None of you will survive.
Wen Jianhui and Wen Ruowei knew nothing about this and could not understand what was being said at all, but they were still frightened.
The corner of Zhong Su’s mouth twitched. He realised things were exactly as he had thought. Once the two sides started fighting, he could not afford to offend either one.
In truth quite a few people had seen Yu Qing return. He could not guarantee that word would not leak out. Ying Xiaotang was essentially holding a knife to his neck.
Du Fei and housekeeper Li instead looked at each other. Seeing Ying Xiaotang appear in person gave them some credibility.
Housekeeper Li immediately reminded Zhong Su, Squire, you may as well speak directly.
Zhong Su nodded slightly, took a deep breath, and said, In reply to the duke, A Shihuang did indeed return, but then left again. He told them about Gao Zeyu coming to take the person away.
After hearing all this, Pei Qingcheng’s face turned green. What do they want to do?
Ying Xiaotang said in a deep voice, What else could they want? We underestimated how ruthless that group is. This time they are not giving any chance to live at all. They are afraid we will intervene to stop them, so they never planned to let A Shihuang be captured. They want to strike at him directly.
Wen Jianhui and Wen Ruowei were somewhat dazed and could not figure out what was suddenly happening.
Du Fei and housekeeper Li had shocked expressions. The Zhong mansion frowned.
Ying Xiaotang had already turned and shouted to his subordinates, Split into four groups. Immediately rush at full speed to the four city gates. Be sure to find A Shihuang and protect him well.
Yes. A group of armoured soldiers received the order and left.
Ying Xiaotang also strode away, but after only a few steps he suddenly paused. The followers stopped urgently as well.
Under everyone’s gaze, Ying Xiaotang suddenly turned back, walked to Zhong Su again, and stared straight at Zhong Su’s eyes with a fierce look.
Zhong Su felt his scalp go numb from the stare. His gaze dodged and he cupped his hands while bowing.
Ying Xiaotang reached out to hold his chin and lifted his upper body straight. He said indifferently, What are you afraid of?
Zhong Su quickly said in embarrassment, The duke’s mighty presence leaves this humble one terrified.
Ying Xiaotang released his hand and patted his shoulder. I said they want to strike directly at A Shihuang, yet you seem not surprised at all. I thought you were a steady minded person. Why are you so flustered instead?
At these words, Du Fei and housekeeper Li only glanced at Zhong Su. They knew the situation at the time and felt Ying Xiaotang might be overthinking.
Zhong Ruochen at the very back suddenly raised his head. His somewhat swollen red eyes showed an unusual expression as he stared fixedly at his father.
Zhong Su’s heartstrings trembled. He hurriedly explained, The duke’s words pierce the heart. This humble one is extremely terrified. With that he was about to kneel.
Yet Ying Xiaotang gripped his shoulder tightly and did not let him kneel. The grip made Zhong Su grit his teeth in pain. It really hurt.
It is fine if there is nothing. Let us hope you are not just trimming your sails to the wind.
Ying Xiaotang released him, patted his shoulder again, then turned indifferently and left. The group quickly followed and departed.
Zhong Su’s legs went weak from fear, but he still dared not be rude. He forced himself to pull together and led the whole family to obediently follow and see them off.
Only after Ying Xiaotang’s group had completely disappeared did the family at the door feel relieved.
Only then did Wen Jianhui grab her husband’s arm and say in panic, What is going on? Why are they talking about life and death matters? What happened to Shihuang?
Wen Ruowei also had a face full of wanting to know.
Zhong Su flung off his wife’s arm. As he turned back, he unintentionally met his eldest daughter’s gaze.
From his eldest daughter’s eyes he saw a certain scrutinising meaning. His gaze flashed and avoided hers. He said angrily, Is it not chaotic enough? All of you go back. Stay obediently in the inner residence. Du Fei, have people watch them. Without my word, do not let them leave the rear courtyard. He went up the steps first and entered the main gate.
After going around the screen wall and returning to the main courtyard, he suddenly saw a red line rise into the air in the distance. The red line gradually dispersed into a red powder mist. Zhong Su’s gaze moved slightly and he let out a light breath from his mouth.
Old Li, old Du, what is going on? What exactly happened to Shihuang?
Wen Jianhui behind them缠ed onto Du Fei and housekeeper Li again, begging and asking.
The two also found it difficult. Letting this kind of housewife get involved in such matters might not be a good thing.
Inside the swaying carriage, Gao Zeyu had already changed into a light crimson fifth rank official robe.
The carriage was stopped again. After some questions and answers, the guarding soldiers at the checkpoint demanded to inspect inside the carriage.
The accompanying people outside blocked them. How dare you? Do you not see this is the carriage of the Ministry of Justice’s department vice director? How can you inspect it casually?
A dispute arose outside. Gao Zeyu said indifferently, Since it is military duty, do not obstruct. Let them check.
Since he had spoken, there was nothing more to say. The curtain was lifted and soldiers on left and right poked their heads in to look.
The surrounding soldiers also checked under the carriage and knocked on the body to listen to the sound.
After confirming nothing was hidden, they let the group pass.
After passing another checkpoint, the corner of Gao Zeyu’s mouth inside the carriage curved into a smile. He realised the superiors had foresight after all. They had anticipated that the other side might act desperately and directly send people to set up checkpoints around the capital to intercept, so they had him escort in person.
This was already the second checkpoint he had passed since the checkpoints started being set up.
Behind the carriage were twelve accompanying yamen runners. Yu Qing, who had already put on a yamen runner uniform, was among them and had done simple disguise.
Being checked twice in a row made him unable to help feeling nervous.
Fortunately the checkpoints did not make things difficult for court officials. Seeing they were all government people, they just looked them over casually from front to back and let them pass. The重点检查 was instead on the carriage Gao Zeyu sat in.
Not long after passing this checkpoint, they saw the city gate. The road led straight outside the city.
The group did not exit the city directly but turned into a warehouse near the city gate and by the city wall.
Once the people entered, they were allowed to rest. Gao Zeyu inside the carriage parted the curtain and waved to indicate to Yu Qing.
Yu Qing immediately came over and got into the carriage.
Gao Zeyu said, We have people at the city gate. After I go to communicate and confirm there is no problem, watch for my hand signal before you exit the city.
Yu Qing immediately cupped his hands. Thank you, high official Gao.
Alas. Gao Zeyu sighed. Wait in the courtyard. Watch for my hand signal on the city wall. When I signal you to exit the city, leave immediately. Once out of the city, flee far away immediately. Wait until the situation calms down before doing anything else.
Yes. Yu Qing answered obediently.
Gao Zeyu stood up, patted his shoulder, and left first.
He got off the carriage, went straight out of the warehouse, and without stopping went straight out of the warehouse courtyard gate. Taking only one trusted clerk, he headed directly to the city gate.
Yu Qing, who came out afterwards, wandered in the courtyard. Before long he saw Gao Zeyu’s figure turning up the stairs by the city gate to the tower. He saw him meet with a black faced defending general waiting on the tower.
Dismissing his trusted subordinate, Gao Zeyu and that defending general stood before the battlements and asked, Has the court’s arrest warrant been issued?
The defending general said, It has been issued and has arrived. They are now strictly checking people exiting the city.
Good. Gao Zeyu smiled, lifted his chin towards Yu Qing in the courtyard below, and said in a low voice, That one there. The person has arrived. You must arrange it properly later.
The defending general said, Rest assured. I have specially changed the ones on duty to my trusted brothers. We can smoothly let him out of the city.
Gao Zeyu grabbed his wrist. Good. As soon as he steps out of the city gate, strike immediately. Do not miss.
Yu Qing in the courtyard watching him was startled. His expression gradually stiffened and his gaze fixed tightly on the movement of the two men’s lips.
The defending general gave a cold laugh. Rest assured. As soon as he takes one step out of the city gate, it is fleeing in fear of punishment. I will shout loudly from the wall to catch the escapee. That is the signal to act. The prepared archers will immediately appear and shoot to kill. He can be shot into a porcupine on the spot. Outside I have also arranged a team lying in wait on the road just in case. He cannot run. He will surely die.
Gao Zeyu stroked his beard and said in a low voice, As long as it succeeds, it is a merit. Once he is dead, the crime of fleeing is confirmed. The Zhong family’s crime of assisting a fugitive cannot be escaped. The meaning from above is that afterwards they will let you and me go to the Zhong mansion to oversee the raid.
The defending general grinned crookedly, understood. There would be big benefits for them.
He immediately waved to the side, summoned a person, pointed at Yu Qing in the warehouse, whispered a few words to him. The latter nodded repeatedly and then went down the tower.
After a short wait, that person came out from the city gate again and nodded to the defending general on the tower.
The defending general immediately said to Gao Zeyu, It is done. We can proceed.