Concubine Rui knew the disparity in strength between men and women. In the hands of these people, whether she could survive was even a question.
Qiao Meng exerted all her strength and finally managed to hold off six of them, while the other four chased after Concubine Rui relentlessly.
She was unable to attend to both sides, so she could only use the pre - prepared fireworks to inform the nearby guards.
Qiao Meng knew that such an action would surely allow the Zhao family to rescue the princess consort, but she had no other choice. For now, ensuring her own safety and that of Concubine Rui was the most crucial part of the plan.
If she and Concubine Rui couldn't survive, then this plan would be meaningless from the very beginning.
On the other hand, Zhao Jin had used great effort to force the gu worm out of the princess consort's body.
He looked at the dead worm on the ground with a sharp look in his eyes.
"Good! These two vicious women actually dared to use such an evil thing. When I get out, I will surely not spare them."
Hearing the approaching footsteps outside, Concubine Ning sighed helplessly.
"Let's leave here first. Since the gu worm has been forced out, there's no need to waste time here. Who knows how they'll torture us if they catch us later."
Zhao Jin nodded slightly and pulled the three women onto the roof.
He and the steward led the people and quickly disappeared into the night. By the time Concubine Rui and Qiao Meng arrived, the house was empty.
Furious, Concubine Rui kicked over a nearby table. The tea cups on it fell to the ground and shattered into pieces.
"It's all your fault. Didn't you say the plan was well - thought - out from the start? Why did such a big mistake happen? Now, they've disappeared without a trace. Even if we want to find them, we can't."
"Your Highness, please don't be angry. We can still find other ways. Besides, aren't those officials on our side now?"
"Humph! Those people are all weather - vanes. Those old geezers are so stingy. For so long, I've been the one dealing with all these matters. Now, it's all in vain. Without our last bargaining chip, it'll be difficult to make them continue to serve us."
"It's not that simple. Those people are actually not afraid of the Zhao family. It's just that the Zhao family has always been on top of them. Now that they finally have a chance to rebel, they definitely won't let it go."
Concubine Rui frowned. "Do you have some other tricks up your sleeve? Let me tell you, if your tricks don't work this time, I'll skin you alive. Don't forget, if you hadn't transferred all the guards at the door, Zhang Kang wouldn't have given them an unobstructed path."
Qiao Meng was never one to swallow her anger. Hearing this, she sneered. "Your Highness, you'd better talk to me nicely. Don't forget, if I hadn't called the guards just now, you'd have already died at the hands of those assassins."
Although this was the truth, how could Concubine Rui admit it?
"Stop making excuses. It's all your fault. You'd better find a way to bring the people back, or I won't spare you."
Qiao Meng gritted her teeth and finally voiced her idea.
"Bringing the people back now won't help. Your Highness, please trust me one last time. Let's advance the plan. While the Zhao family hasn't reacted yet, we'll take over the capital. Those old geezers will have to help us then, even if they don't want to."
Concubine Rui pursed her lips. Even so, the Zhao family was still a problem for them.
"Then tell me, how can we bring down the Zhao family?"
"It's very simple. The Zhao family attempted to assassinate Your Highness, kidnapped the princess consort, and damaged the royal reputation. They've committed treason and should be punished by exterminating nine generations of their family."
When she said the last sentence, Concubine Rui's brows relaxed.
"Sure enough, Miss Qiao knows me best. If that's the case, then we'll do as you say. Remember, don't make any more mistakes this time, or I won't give you another chance."
She haughtily flicked her sleeve and left, which made a flash of disgust and doubt cross Qiao Meng's eyes. Was what she did today right or wrong?
Should she continue to cooperate with Concubine Rui?
...
Zhao Jin carried his younger sister back to the Zhao Mansion. Not long after, the Zhao family's elders rushed over after hearing the news.
"My daughter! My poor daughter! You just went into the palace, but why have you become like this? Did someone secretly poison you?"
The Zhao family was also a descendant of the gu - poison technique, so everyone was very familiar with it. Almost without feeling the pulse, they could tell what kind of torture their daughter had endured.
Out of the corner of his eye, Zhao Jin saw the white hair on the elders' temples. He wanted to hide his younger sister's situation from them, but the elders were very shrewd.
Lord Zhao snorted and questioned his son.
"What on earth is going on? You'd better tell me the truth, or I'll take back your position as the head of the family."
"Father, I'm already an adult. Isn't it a bit inappropriate for you to threaten me with this every now and then?"
"I don't care. If you don't tell the truth today, you can give your position to your younger brother in the future."
Hearing this, Zhao Jin had no choice but to tell his father all the details honestly.
There was nothing he could do. His two younger brothers were so unreliable. For so many years, they had been traveling around, showing no interest in family affairs at all. Moreover, they had no talent in business.
After Lord Zhao heard what his son said, he slapped the table.
"I've always thought there's nothing good in the royal family. If it weren't for your sister's liking, why would I have let the royal family sit on the throne?"
"Now it's too late to say all this, Father. Can we take action against those in the palace next?"
Just then, the usually silent Lady Zhao spoke up.
"Since that woman is so vicious, she definitely won't let this opportunity go. She might even shift the blame onto our Zhao family. You'd better not act rashly, or you'll alert the enemy."
"Are we just going to let my sister suffer for nothing?"
Zhao Jin was really unwilling. His sister had been doted on by the whole family. After entering the palace, she had suffered a lot, and now she had gone through this disaster. He really didn't dare to think about what would have happened to his sister if he hadn't arrived in time.
Concubine Ning thought Lady Zhao was right.