There was not a hint of light on the horizon yet, but Shang Luoshu had already led 50,000 imperial troops onto the official road to Yangxian. This departure hardly alerted any ordinary citizens.
Among the accompanying officials, besides Lin Zihan appointed by the emperor, there was also a vice - minister temporarily promoted from the Ministry of Revenue. Needless to say, he was a follower of Shang Mozheng.
Under the pretext of being responsible for logistics.
"Your Highness, we are going to suppress a rebellion. Why do we have to set out so secretly?"
Sitting awkwardly on his horse, Yan Wuxin, the vice - minister of the Ministry of Revenue, was obviously dissatisfied with Shang Luoshu's departure in the middle of the night. Of course, no one would be happy if they were dragged out of bed in the middle of the night to go to work.
"Hasn't Lord Yan heard the principle that speed is of the essence in war?"
Shang Luoshu casually glanced over, and the vice - minister of the Ministry of Revenue immediately shut his mouth, recalling the order from the Regent.
"Before reaching Yangxian, I want you to keep a close eye on Shang Luoshu. Don't let him out of your sight for a moment."
He thought this would be an easy task, but he didn't expect that just one look from the Prince of Jing could be so intimidating! Yan Wuxin was already doubting whether he could reach Yangxian alive.
It was an obvious fact that he was on the Regent's side. What if these rough warriors suddenly went crazy and attacked him on the way?
Looking at the capital city gradually disappearing into the night, Yan Wuxin suddenly had the urge to turn back.
Lu Prime Minister's Mansion
Before the Chen hour, Su Qi from Luoxia Courtyard went to wake up the Fourth Miss.
Normally, these tasks were handled by Hongmei, but for some reason, neither Hongmei nor Hongrui had woken up today, so the task fell to her.
"Fourth Miss, are you awake? Do you need this maid to serve you in washing and dressing?"
...
"Fourth Miss, it's almost Chen hour. In a while, the madam will be having breakfast."
...
The continuous silence made Su Qi feel uneasy. A bad premonition suddenly arose in her heart.
Could the Fourth Miss have fainted again due to her old illness?
Gritting her teeth, she knocked on the door again and shouted, "Fourth Miss, if you don't answer, this maid will come in."
There was still no response.
Su Qi was completely panicked this time. Putting down the things in her hand, she pushed the door open forcefully and rushed into the inner room.
The scene in front of her was even scarier than the Fourth Miss getting sick.
The quiet room, the neatly made bed, and the envelope on the table all indicated one thing.
The Fourth Miss, Lu Yinxi, had run away from home!
"Hongmei, you still need to practice your horse - riding skills," Lu Yinxi, dressed in men's clothes, patted Hongmei on the shoulder on the small road out of the capital. "Otherwise, we won't be able to catch up with Shang Luoshu's army."
"That would be great!"
Hongrui handed the water bag to Lu Yinxi with a reluctant look on her face. "The prince is going to Yangxian to suppress the rebellion. What are you going for, miss?"
"To help him!"
The young girl answered confidently.
Actually, at first, she had no intention of going to Yangxian with Shang Luoshu. She also wanted to be like the women of this era, embroider a sachet for her future husband, get a talisman for his safety, and then wait for his triumphant return in peace.
But after returning home, she sat in silence for a long time and suddenly figured something out.
She was Lu Yinxi, the Lu Yinxi who had survived in the apocalypse for many years. Waiting was clearly the stupidest and most time - wasting thing for her. What she had to do was take the initiative.
Even if she couldn't do anything, she wanted to face all kinds of difficulties with him instead of waiting for death here!
Sure enough, after staying in this peaceful world for too long, her mind had become numb and dull. After realizing this, she packed her things and prepared to run away from home.
This naturally couldn't be hidden from Hongrui. So she woke up Hongmei, and the three of them stole horses from the mansion and galloped away just as the city gate was about to open.
They also got the news from the city - guarding soldiers that the Prince of Jing had already led his army away.
"Miss, even if we catch up with the prince, his Highness will surely send us back."
Hongmei tried to persuade the Fourth Miss to go back.
On the way to Yangxian, not to mention what might happen to the three of them as women, even if they saw the prince smoothly, she and Hongrui would be in big trouble.
Putting away the water bag, Lu Yinxi's face darkened a bit because of their words, but her eyes were still firm.
"Hongrui, Hongmei, I know you're doing this for my good, but my mind is made up. I want to be by his side."
After saying that, she had already mounted her horse and rode away in a cloud of dust.
Actually, Lu Yinxi had made assumptions about the problems raised by Hongrui and Hongmei in advance and had also prepared countermeasures.
On this trip to Yangxian, Shang Luoshu was taking the official road, which would surely be slower than her taking the small path. What she had to do was to get ahead of the man. By then, when they were far away from the capital, he probably wouldn't feel at ease sending her back.
Seeing Lu Yinxi galloping away, Hongrui quickly whipped her horse to catch up. Failing to stop the Fourth Miss was already a big mistake. If she lost sight of her, she might as well just die to atone for her sin.
On the secluded small path, only Hongmei was left. She sighed softly, packed up the food and water, and then resignedly followed.
"Father, Mother, when you see this letter, your daughter should already be on the way to Yangxian.
Please forgive your daughter for being unfilial and informing you in this way, but please rest assured that this decision was made after careful consideration.
Your daughter has grown up and can be responsible for her own actions. Please don't worry about me."
"Madam, just now the steward confirmed with the city - guarding soldiers that the miss did leave the city this morning with Hongmei and Hongrui," Liusu said carefully, stealing glances at the madam's face, afraid that she would get angry.
Strangely enough, the madam was surprisingly calm. She even had the mind to ask someone to prepare breakfast, as if she didn't care about the news of her daughter running away at all.
However, not long after, Liusu realized she was wrong.
"Liusu, tell the steward to seal off the Fourth Miss's Luoxia Courtyard. Check all the maids and servants in it carefully to make sure they won't spread the news about Xi'er. Also, take care of those city - guarding soldiers."
Although Madam Lu had cleaned up the servants in the mansion when she took charge again, for the sake of safety, she had to do it again.
"Also, from today on, the Prime Minister's Mansion will stop receiving guests. Don't accept any visiting cards. Xi'er will be said to be ill."
"Moreover,"
At this point, Madam Lu's voice choked a bit. "I'll write a letter later. You give it to Lu Hu and tell him to prepare to leave."
This series of orders, especially the last one, left Liusu completely confused. But she didn't ask any questions. As a servant, sometimes the more you know, the faster you die.
After confirming Madam Lu's orders several times, Liusu took her leave. Only then did Madam Lu heave a heavy sigh of relief.
It's good that she's gone!
Once she's gone, she doesn't have to come back to this capital full of troubles!
It's good that she's gone!
However, even though Madam Lu was quick to block the news, the Regent, who had many spies, still learned that Lu Yinxi had left the capital.
This seemed to be a great opportunity!
Shang Mozheng thought so.