Chapter 292: Chapter 292: Entering the Capital, Part Three

In that case, they wouldn’t need to go to the Beijiang Kingdom. He was reluctant to leave his hometown at his age unless absolutely necessary.

Jiang Zhongcai left the study and went directly to Jiang Lile’s Red Cloud Residence.

His wife, Ms. Liu, was also there.

Seeing him arrive, Ms. Liu stood up to greet him. “What did the Old Master say?” she asked. “Does he agree to let our Lile enter the palace?”

Initially, Ms. Liu had been angry with Jiang Lile. Her daughter was too stubborn, utterly devoted to Xiao Yunjing.

What was so special about Xiao Yunjing? He was just a border general. He might spend his whole life guarding the frontier, just like Old General Xiao, who was only transferred back to the Capital City in his old age. Then, his son continued to guard the frontier. After Xiao Yunjing resigned, his whereabouts became unknown. Forget wealth and glory; they didn’t even have a stable life.

Ms. Li had strongly disagreed, believing any aristocrat in the Capital City would be a better choice for Lile than Xiao Yunjing.

However, when Ms. Liu learned that Xiao Yunjing had become the Emperor, she truly admired her daughter’s foresight. She began treating Jiang Lile with the best food and drink every day. Jiang Lile was so overjoyed she could barely sleep, dreaming daily of marrying Xiao Yunjing. Now that he’s the Emperor, he’ll definitely take imperial concubines, she thought. Even if I can’t be the Empress, becoming a concubine shouldn’t be a problem.

Jiang Zhongcai glanced at Jiang Lile’s bedroom before sitting down. “Where’s Lile?” he asked.

Ms. Liu gestured with her chin towards Jiang Lile’s bedroom.

It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to enter my daughter’s room, he thought. So, he said to Ms. Liu, “Tell Lile to remain calm and not cause any trouble during this period. The Old Master has agreed. Now, we’re just waiting for Gu Qingli to arrive in the Capital City.”

Ms. Liu frowned. “My lord,” she asked, “I heard from Lile that Xiao Yunjing cares a great deal for that Gu Qingli. Since Gu Qingli has some disputes with our Lile, will she try to cause trouble for Lile in the future? They must be on their way here now. Should we…?” Ms. Liu made a throat-slitting gesture.

Her idea was simple, Ms. Liu thought. As long as Gu Qingli is killed en route, who knows who will become the Empress? With our family’s connections, the position might even fall to us!

Jiang Zhongcai glared at her. “Did you just ignore what I said? I told you to be patient! I haven’t even left yet, and you’re already losing your composure.” He was almost driven to tears by his wife’s foolishness.

“We only have one daughter, Lile!” he continued, his voice stern. “Don’t ruin her prospects! I’m warning you, don’t try any of your schemes, or I won’t spare you. Don’t underestimate Gu Qingli just because she’s a peasant woman. She’s no ordinary peasant. Have you forgotten what Li’an warned us about her? Don’t risk a large loss for a small gain. If you stir up trouble, don’t blame me for not warning you. If it comes to that, and Father gets truly angry, even I won’t be able to protect you.”

Jiang Zhongcai repeated his admonitions earnestly.

Ms. Liu came from a family of military commanders, always ready for a fight. It was no wonder Lile had inherited such a headstrong temperament.

Ms. Liu pursed her lips. “Fine, fine,” she said impatiently. “Whatever you say. I won’t do anything, alright?”

She lowered her head to take a sip of water, a vicious gleam flashing in her eyes. I won’t make a move myself, she thought, but my family can, can’t they? These scholars are so timid, always hesitating and indecisive, unlike my family. If we don’t like something, we beat it into submission. If something’s in the way, we just get rid of it.

Gu Qingli and her party were about to leave the long mountain path and enter the domain of the Capital City. This was also the most dangerous stretch, and Yun No. 20 was certain an ambush awaited them. They didn’t proceed out of the valley mouth but stopped, waiting for Gu Qingli. Once Gu Qingli emerged and stored all the carriages in her Space, the sixty of them could fight unencumbered.

「At nightfall」

Gu Qingli emerged from the Space to find the team had halted. “Are you resting here, or shall we rest in the Space for a while?” she asked Yun No. 20.

Seeing her, Yun No. 20 shook his head. “My Lady, we’re about to enter the Capital City’s domain, but this stretch of road is the most perilous. I believe it would be best for you to move all three carriages into the Space. That way, my men will have no other concerns. What do you think?”

They had rested there all afternoon, and everyone had recovered their strength. The cover of night would be perfect for their next move.

Gu Qingli immediately understood Yun No. 20’s intention. “No problem,” she nodded. “Give me a moment.”

“Very well. Also, My Lady,” Yun No. 20 added, “it would be best if you only emerge around this time tomorrow afternoon.”

“Alright, I understand.”

Gu Qingli promptly stored the three carriages in her Space, leaving only Yun No. 20 and his sixty men.

Gu Qingli then quickly entered the Space and brought Wuqing and her three companions out to assist.

Yun No. 20 was overjoyed to see Wuqing and her team. With the help of these four, their operation would be foolproof.

With no carriages to protect, they could go all out. Yun No. 20 divided his forces into two groups: he led one, and Wuqing led the other.

Among their contingent of over sixty people, Yun No. 20 himself, Yun No. 18, Wuqing and her three companions, Yun No. 300, and Yun No. 301 possessed the highest martial skills. He distributed these top fighters evenly between the two groups to ensure their strengths were comparable.

Once the assignments were made, Yun No. 20 said, “Wuqing, we’ll each lead a team. We’ll outflank them and eliminate everyone in that ambush.”

How dare they try to ambush us by the roadside? Yun No. 20 thought. We’re not fools. This isn’t like that narrow valley path where we had no choice but to meet whatever came head-on. This place is different. Though the terrain is treacherous, there’s more than one way through. Why should we wait for them to attack us? We can launch a surprise attack from their rear and ensure none of them leave alive!

Wuqing had been spoiling for a fight. She’d long been itching to deal with these people who had antagonized them. Now that our mistress and the others are safe in the Space, we don’t need to hold back to protect them, she thought. In this battle, I’ll make those bastards taste my true strength!

So, Yun No. 20 and Wuqing each led thirty-one people. They scaled the mountain cliffs on either side of the ambushers and then attacked them from the rear.

The assassins in ambush never expected an attack from behind. By the time they reacted, they had already lost more than half their number.

Employing this pincer strategy, Yun No. 20 and Wuqing eliminated all the assassins lying in wait at the valley mouth, wiping them out completely—except for two they deliberately left alive for interrogation.

The battle had been fierce, but their own people suffered only minor injuries. After bandaging their wounds, they regrouped at the valley entrance.

「By then, it was already noon the next day.」

Everyone took out dry rations from their packs, ate, and then sat down to rest and catch their breath. The assassins in this engagement had been highly skilled, and it had taken considerable effort to annihilate them all.

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