At Aunt Mei Jiang's order, the Phoenix Plume Guards immediately rushed in front of Hua Yin. "Even if you are the Emperor's men, this is the Empress of the Northern Yan. How dare you act so recklessly!"
Hua Yin sneered, and the scar that ran from the corner of his eye to his cheekbone twitched ferociously.
"These men are quite skilled in martial arts, aren't they? They're just like people like me. Could it be that the noble Empresses of the Northern Yan have been secretly raising killers?"
Du Gu Luanyue stood in front of the phoenix sedan chair with a cold expression. She looked back and said, "Aunt, you go back to the yamen first and pack some important things for me. I'll go ahead with the Emperor's men."
After saying that, she gave Aunt Mei Jiang a deep look with her jade-like eyes, and then subtly glanced towards the south city gate.
Aunt Mei Jiang immediately understood and started crying. "This old servant will go right away, Your Highness. Please go slowly on the way. This old servant will surely catch up."
Without further delay, Du Gu Luanyue was taken away in the phoenix sedan chair sent by Murong Min.
Aunt Mei Jiang didn't even bother to pack anything. She led her men to the back door of the yamen and galloped towards the south city gate on horseback.
Aunt Mei Jiang dismounted and quickly pushed through the crowd. She said anxiously, "My Lord, something bad has happened. Her Highness has been taken away!"
Huo Wei was discussing the post - plague arrangements with his generals at that time. Hearing this, his black eyes fixed on her. "Who took her away?"
Aunt Mei Jiang said worriedly,
"It was the Emperor. He sent people here. They even used a phoenix sedan chair and took Her Highness away in a grand manner.
My Lord, the man who came to pick her up is called Hua Yin. He looks extremely fierce. This old servant doesn't think he's a good person. Will Her Highness be in danger?"
Huo Wei looked at all his lieutenants in the main hall and ordered,
"The follow - up matters have been discussed. From now on, Military Advisor Shen will be in charge of the aftermath." After saying that, he pulled Aunt Mei Jiang and walked outside.
Shen Guilan rushed out at this moment. "Huo Wei, aren't you afraid this is a test from the Emperor?"
Huo Wei said, "Are we just going to let Du Gu Luanyue be taken away by Hua Yin? Do you know what kind of person Hua Yin is under Murong Min's command?
Murong Min only sends out this kind of person when he comes up with a wicked plan. If Du Gu Luanyue is really taken away by Hua Yin like this, who knows what might happen on the way."
Aunt Mei Jiang became anxious. "Oh no, My Lord. Please think of a way!
Just now, this old servant wanted to go with Her Highness, but Her Highness hinted for me to stay and bring the news to you, My Lord. Now there's not a single one of her own confidants around Her Highness!
And... there's still a private matter Her Highness hasn't finished. She doesn't want to leave."
Huo Wei led over the fastest - running blood - sweating horse and mounted it. "Don't worry, Military Advisor. I have my own way to rescue her."
Huo Wei was well aware that Danyang City had been besieged for a long time and the city lockdown was only temporary.
However, once the news was blocked and Murong Min didn't get the information in time, he would surely send his capable men to sneak into Danyang City.
That's why he saw a group of people and horses sneaking into the city on the mountainside of Xianyun Mountain that day.
He had already arranged for Meng Tan and the others to investigate, but these people must have disguised themselves as commoners after entering Danyang City, so they couldn't be found.
According to what this old palace maid beside Du Gu Luanyue said today, Murong Min had already sent his number - one lackey, Hua Yin.
Hua Yin was not an ordinary person. After sneaking into the city for so long, he must have found out about how he had taken the initiative to relieve the plague in Danyang City. Moreover, the Empress was from the Southern Chu and was also in Danyang City.
Seeing that the plague in the city was getting better day by day, Murong Min must have sensed something was wrong and must have suspected Du Gu Luanyue.
Going back this time would be like living on the edge of a knife.
Aunt Mei Jiang rode closely behind Huo Wei and shouted,
"My Lord, the Phoenix Plume Guards under Her Highness intercepted some secret reports sent from Danyang City to the imperial capital. They're all on this old servant now. If you want to see them, you can at any time.
This is also Her Highness's intention. She wants to keep you informed of everything."
Huo Wei stopped his horse and pointed to the mountain. "You give me the secret reports. Then lead the people under Empress Du Gu to the mountain first to change their equipment. Then set off with me."
The wind howled. Huo Wei's thick and black sword - shaped eyebrows were furrowed. His fierce black eyes, like those of a wild beast, darkened. His patience with Murong Min was almost at its limit.
The secret report had written down everything he and Du Gu Luanyue had done in the city recently.
Once this secret letter reached the imperial capital, Murong Min would know that he and Du Gu Luanyue had a close relationship. However, they didn't regret it because they had saved the people of this city.
Du Gu Luanyue was sitting upright in the phoenix sedan chair, leaning against the bright - yellow phoenix - patterned cushion with her eyes gently closed.
Although her expression was calm, her heart was in turmoil. How could she dispel Murong Min's suspicion when she returned to the palace this time?
Previously, she didn't expect that the plague in Danyang City was not a pure natural disaster but a man - made disaster instigated by someone.
It seemed that Murong Min was the one who most wanted to obtain the territory of the Southern Chu without much effort.
The entourage of the phoenix sedan chair was speeding up. Suddenly, the sedan chair stopped abruptly.
Du Gu Luanyue almost rushed out of her seat. She asked, "What's going on up ahead?"
Before anyone could answer, she heard the sounds of swords clashing.
Hua Yin shouted from the front, "Which bandits are you? How dare you stop the phoenix sedan chair of the Empress! Are you tired of living?"
Meng Tan led the Black Tiger Cavalry under Huo Wei. They disguised themselves as bandits and blocked the front of the phoenix sedan chair.
Aunt Mei Jiang also disguised herself as a bandit and outflanked the entire imperial guard from the rear.
"What do we need our lives for if we're already bandits?" Meng Tan raised his eyebrows and said calmly.
Hua Yin saw that all the people in front of him were wearing masks and had tall and strong figures. He felt that these bandits were not ordinary.
"I don't have time to waste with you. You want money, right? I'll give it to you."
When he took out a stack of silver notes from his sleeve and ordered someone to hand them over, the other side accepted them properly.
Meng Tan said, "We want the money, and we also want the beauty in the sedan chair. Our boss hasn't gotten married yet. Men, go and kidnap the mistress of the mountain stronghold!"
Du Gu Luanyue rolled her eyes. Bandits? She quietly poked her head out of the sedan chair and took a look. She found that the horse the leading bandit was riding was extremely familiar.
After a moment's thought, her eyes lit up. Huo Wei was here! He had come!
She felt a little calmer. She deliberately got out of the sedan chair. Her bright red phoenix robe stood out in the crowd. Du Gu Luanyue cried and said,
"Oh my god, there are so many bandits. It's so scary! Lord Hua, I'm going to hold you accountable. Is this how you protect me?"
Hua Yin looked back. "Your Highness, please get back into the sedan chair quickly!"
Du Gu Luanyue said, "This is all your fault. When we get back to the palace, I'll surely impeach you in front of the Emperor!"
From the high place on the bamboo - lined path, a cold gaze swept over. A person was holding a bow and arrow, aiming at the people below constantly.