For several days in a row, Shen Yanzhi hadn’t set foot in the courtyard where Qin Zheng and Lin Zhao lived.

Instead, he sent people to deliver items daily, not vulgar things like jewelry or accessories, but travel journals and rare books.

Some of the books seemed to have been read by Shen Yanzhi, who had even made annotations in small characters.

Qin Zheng just glanced at them and then had her maid return them untouched.

The practice of reading and discussing books over tea was a refined pastime that Shen Yanzhi used to share with the Crown Princess.

He hoped to return to those days through this gesture, but he didn’t realize that everything had changed.

Qin Zheng was not the Crown Princess, so she wasn’t moved by these travel journals and rare books.

She showed no interest, and eventually, Shen Yanzhi stopped sending books. Instead, he found a white Persian cat with blue eyes to amuse her.

Lin Zhao was extremely vigilant against Shen Yanzhi, afraid that Qin Zheng might soften her heart.

Whenever the opportunity arose, she would speak ill of Shen Yanzhi.

The Persian cat, which had been sent to entertain Qin Zheng, ended up being held and played with by Lin Zhao, only allowing Qin Zheng to pet it occasionally, which made her both amused and helpless.

Although Qin Zheng didn’t want to deal with Shen Yanzhi, she keenly sensed that something must have happened outside since he had not been around for so long.

One day, while Hongye was adding tea, Qin Zheng asked, “Your master hasn’t been around much recently, has he?”

Hongye was the maid who Shen Yanzhi had almost executed, but Qin Zheng had saved her.

Grateful, Hongye always shared whatever she knew with Qin Zheng.

“There have been serious bandit troubles in Qingzhou, so the master has been busy dealing with them,” Hongye said, her round face looking quite endearing.

Hearing that Shen Yanzhi was dealing with bandits, Qin Zheng couldn’t help but worry.

If he directed his anger at the bandits, the well-equipped government forces could easily overpower the simple villagers of Qiyun Village.

She asked seemingly casually, “How is the fight against the bandits going?”

Hongye, thinking that Qin Zheng was finally softening towards Shen Yanzhi, replied happily, “The master has taken several mountain strongholds. The people of Qingzhou highly praise him. In a few days, when he’s less busy, he should come to see you.”

Qin Zheng frowned, silently pondering.

Taken several mountain strongholds?

Although she knew Qiyun Village had natural defenses, Lin Zhao was also trapped here.

If the villagers, in desperation, confronted the government forces head-on, they might be defeated.

Seeing no joy on Qin Zheng’s face but rather a slight worry, Hongye misunderstood her impatience and offered, “If you wish to see the master, I can send someone to inform him…”

“Don’t go!” Qin Zheng interrupted, her gaze cold and authoritative, “Don’t act on your own.”

Hongye quickly agreed.

Qin Zheng softened her tone a bit and asked, “Do you know which mountain strongholds were taken?”

Hongye shook her head, “I don’t know. I only heard about the master’s bandit-fighting from the servants in the front courtyard.”

Not wanting to arouse suspicion, Qin Zheng changed the topic, “Does your master usually come back for lunch when he goes to the government office?”

Hongye, thinking Qin Zheng was showing interest in Shen Yanzhi’s habits, replied with a smile, “The master is very busy and rarely comes back for lunch. But since you arrived, unless he’s out fighting bandits, he comes back for meals.”

Although Shen Yanzhi no longer visited Qin Zheng in person, his servants reported her daily activities to him.

Qin Zheng, uninterested in Hongye’s attempts to speak well of Shen Yanzhi, only remarked, “It seems this courtyard is far from the government office. I’ve never heard any vendors outside, is there not even a marketplace nearby?”

Another maid who was arranging the meal, hid a flash of disdain and answered respectfully, “This is the He Shun District, only high-ranking officials and nobles live here. Vendors would be chased away, so you wouldn’t hear the noise.”

She was the maid who had previously spoken rudely and was punished for failing to persuade Qin Zheng to go to the waterside pavilion.

She had been severely beaten and had only recently returned to her duties.

Possibly having learned her lesson, she now behaved submissively in front of Qin Zheng.

Qin Zheng, noticing her scheming nature, mostly ignored it.

Since Qin Zheng was only staying temporarily, she saw no need to involve herself in disciplining the servants.

Today, She scheming unexpectedly helped Qin Zheng.

Previously, Qin Zheng had asked Hongye about the exact location of the courtyard, but Hongye had avoided the question, likely on Shen Yanzhi’s orders.

So today, Qin Zheng had indirectly tried to find out if there was a market nearby to infer the location of the courtyard. Unexpectedly, Luluo had revealed it outright.

After Lüluo spoke, Hongye glared at her, restrained by Qin Zheng’s presence, unable to show her displeasure too obviously, but her fear was evident.

The only one who could scare her like that was probably Shen Yanzhi.

Qin Zheng pretended not to notice and didn’t react much to Lüluo’s words, asking them to call Lin Zhao over for the meal.

While eating, Hongye discreetly observed Qin Zheng.

Seeing her calm expression, as if she had just asked casually, Hongye felt relieved.

After the meal, Hongye and Lüluo cleaned up and left.

Qin Zheng didn’t stay idle.

Having deduced the location of the courtyard, she began to plan an escape route.

Qin Zheng wasn’t familiar with Qingzhou City, but Lin Zhao knew every district and market well.

In the construction industry, Lin Zhao had a natural sense of spatial awareness and direction.

With her descriptions, Qin Zheng was able to draw a rough map of Qingzhou City.

Lin Zhao was once again amazed by Qin Zheng’s skills.

She pointed to the city gate and said, “Leaving through the East Gate and taking the water route back to Qiyun Village would take just half a day.”

Qin Zheng furrowed her brows slightly, “The He Shun District is home to Qingzhou’s elites, heavily guarded. The courtyard is also heavily patrolled.

Without scouting the route and assessing the enemy’s strength, attempting to escape would easily result in being caught.”

If that happened, Shen Yanzhi would only tighten their security.

Lin Zhao said, “I’ll sneak out at night to scout the guards’ distribution around the courtyard and figure out the route.”

Qin Zheng hesitated, “Your injury…”

Lin Zhao patted her chest in assurance, “I’m not fighting anyone, just familiarizing myself with the escape route. If I’m discovered, I’ll say I’m out for a walk to get some air.”

Currently, they couldn’t think of a better plan. Qin Zheng cautioned her, “Be careful.”

---

After leaving the courtyard, Hongye’s demeanor turned cold as she scolded Lüluo, “Loose lips bring trouble. You’ve just been punished; haven’t you learned your lesson?”

They were bought into the household as maids together and had a bond.

Hongye was meticulous and dutiful, while Lüluo had high ambitions.

With her standout looks among the maids, being sent by the Qingzhou prefect to serve Shen Yanzhi hinted at ulterior motives.

Lüluo dropped her pretense in front of Hongye, retorting sharply, “With our looks, if we hadn’t been sent to serve the young lord, we’d be concubines in someone else’s house, not doing this menial work.

You’re born to be a servant and can endure it; I can’t! Look at her, so ignorant, asking why she can’t hear vendors outside.

Probably some impoverished wench from a lowly place who’s never set foot on the paved streets of He Shun District before…”

Hongye quickly covered Lüluo’s mouth.

“Watch your mouth! That lady seems cold but is kind-hearted. Why do you speak ill of her?” Hongye shook her head, “Serving the young lord is a pipe dream. With his status, we can’t aspire to that. Just do your duties properly.”

Lüluo scoffed, “It’s easy for you to say. You get to report to the young lord and have his favor, so you tell me to stay in my place.

Back at the Zhou household, if I hadn’t bribed the head steward, you wouldn’t have risen from a rough maid so quickly.

I took the risks, and you shared the benefits. Don’t talk to me about criticizing that woman.

You flatter her with sweet words and then report every detail to the young lord. Don’t you feel ashamed?”

Hongye felt conflicted, “I am grateful to that lady, but our master is the young lord. How many lives do I have to defy him? I see you as a sister and advise you, but if you insist on thinking of me that way, there’s nothing more to say.”

Lüluo sneered, “You speak so grandly, but weren’t you just using her to get close to the heir?

Now that you’re gaining favor in the front courtyard, have you ever promoted me? Don’t tell me you considered me a sister. I was blind to have helped you before!”

Lüluo grabbed the food box and strode away.

Hongye called her several times, but she never looked back.

Finally, Hongye sighed and returned to her small courtyard.

As Lüluo walked through a moon gate, she bumped into a young servant from the front courtyard.

The young servant had a sneaky look, but he spoke sweetly, calling her “Sister Lüluo” repeatedly and asked, “I think I heard Sister Lüluo arguing with Sister Hongye just now?”

Lüluo glared at him without speaking.

The young servant handed her some rouge he had bought. “Sister Lüluo has been staying in a lot lately. It’s been hard to see you. I had to wait several days to find a chance to give this to you.”

Lüluo glanced at the rouge in her hand.

It was from Yunxiangju, and she would have to save two months of her salary to afford it.

Although she still didn’t speak to the young servant, her expression softened.

The young servant, always good at reading people, quickly asked, “I heard Sister Lüluo is serving an important guest?”

He nodded towards the small courtyard. “Is the heir hiding a beauty there?”

Lüluo’s anger flared up again and she scorned, “A woman from a pirate den, used to being spoiled, very difficult to serve!”

Lüluo vented her frustrations, but the young servant only responded perfunctorily, his eyes gleaming.

As soon as he parted ways with Lüluo, he quickly headed out of the mansion.

The governor of Qingzhou had been restless these days.

Although Shen Yanzhi’s campaign against the bandits seemed to be going well, the bandits appeared to have been tipped off.

They took over the mountain without a fight, but it was already empty. Not a single grain of rice was left.

Clearly, the bandits were hiding.

The government claimed to have cleared several mountain strongholds, but internally they knew they had gained nothing.

Catching the bandits was pointless if they escaped.

Shen Yanzhi was furious, making life difficult for his subordinates.

The Qingzhou governor, once involved with the water bandits, was now a prime suspect.

He knew Shen Yanzhi hadn’t acted against him yet because he was still useful.

But once Shen Yanzhi lost patience, killing him would be as easy as saying a word.

His only way out was to bring down Shen Yanzhi.

His people had been watching Shen Yanzhi’s place for several days but had found nothing.

Fortunately, Shen Yanzhi was traveling to Qingzhou with only some guards and no maids.

He sent a few beautiful maids over, hoping to win Shen Yanzhi over, but found out that Shen Yanzhi really treated them like regular servants.

His people couldn’t get into the inner courtyard and couldn’t find out any information.

The other estate was heavily guarded like a fortress. The original servants were sent to do hard labor and couldn’t get close to Shen Yanzhi.

The governor of Qingzhou tried to find a way. He had the servants in the estate contact the maids he sent.

Finally, today, there was news.

“Is the woman hiding in the estate really from Panlong Valley?” The governor of Qingzhou held back his joy, almost seeing himself being promoted back to the capital.

His advisor was also excited, “Sir, it’s true! The servant from the estate reported it himself!”

The governor quickly rolled up his sleeves, “Hurry! Grind the ink! The court’s order to mobilize troops has just arrived.

I need to write a letter to the imperial commissioner, accusing Shen Yanzhi of harboring a criminal from the former dynasty!”

With Minzhou in urgent need of help, emergency reports were being sent to the capital one after another.

Shen Yanzhi saw that the court was about to mobilize troops, so he became more aggressive in fighting the bandits.

It seemed like he was seeking revenge for the former crown prince rather than just eliminating the bandits.

The governor knew that once Shen Yanzhi started to settle accounts, he would not escape death, so he was anxious and couldn’t sleep.

Fortunately, there was a way out.

When the commissioner arrived, he would accuse Shen Yanzhi first.

If Shen Yanzhi was investigated, he could destroy the evidence of his own collusion with the water bandits in advance.

Then, he would be promoted.

After writing the letter, the governor handed it to his advisor and ordered it to be sent out quickly.

The governor had just sat down and hadn’t finished a cup of hot tea when a servant came running in, “Master, it’s bad! Shen Yanzhi is leading troops to raid our house!”

The governor was so scared he couldn’t hold his tea cup, thinking that his secret had been exposed so quickly.

Even though he tried to stay calm, his voice was shaking, “What… what right does he have to raid my house?”

The governor left his study and saw Shen Yanzhi in a bright red official robe walking from the main gate, followed by soldiers in armor with swords.

ZZHis concubines and servants were kneeling in the courtyard, most of them confused and not knowing what was happening.

In the blazing sun, Shen Yanzhi’s eyes were cold, “Governor Zhou, as the governor of Qingzhou, you have ignored the law, colluded with bandits, and oppressed the people. You deserve to have your property confiscated and be executed!”

Even though the governor knew Shen Yanzhi would find these things out, he had been in officialdom for over ten years and was good at acting.

He immediately started crying, “Shen Yanzhi, you can’t wrong me like this! I’ve been in Qingzhou for more than seven years. Even if I have no great achievements, I’ve worked hard. You can ask the people in the city how I treated them. They know in their hearts.”

Shen Yanzhi didn’t have time to watch his performance, “Governor Zhou, go defend yourself in prison. Chen Qing, take people to search the study.”

After days of unsuccessful bandit suppression and with the bandits in Qiyun stronghold holding a strategic position, Shen Yanzhi was angry.

The court’s order to mobilize troops was about to arrive in Qingzhou.

Originally, he planned to clean up the corrupt officials in Qingzhou after dealing with the bandits.

Now, he couldn’t wait to find a few scapegoats.

Several soldiers grabbed the Qingzhou governor to tie him up.

The governor hadn’t had time to hide the evidence of his crimes.

Seeing Chen Qing enter his study, he was furious and threatened, “Shen, don’t think I don’t know you have the former crown princess hiding in your estate? I’ve written a letter accusing you. If you touch me today, that letter will reach the imperial commissioner tomorrow!”

Shen Yanzhi smiled even more, “I underestimated you.”

He extended his hand, and a guard immediately handed him a broadsword. Shen Yanzhi walked closer, lifting the governor’s chin with the cold blade, his voice gentle, “Governor Zhou, you may not have heard how King Yi died, right?”

The governor was forced to kneel on the ground by two soldiers, trembling all over.

Shen Yanzhi’s notorious killing of King Yi in the Eastern Palace was widely known.

The governor, sweating profusely, couldn’t utter a single word, feeling the cold blade against his chin.

Shen Yanzhi’s smile grew warmer, “I thought everyone who dared to threaten me was dead. I didn’t expect to meet another one today.”

Under the terrified gaze of the governor, Shen Yanzhi raised the broadsword and swung it fiercely, nearly severing the governor’s neck.

The head tilted to one side, blood splattering all over Shen Yanzhi.

The women in the courtyard, held down by soldiers, screamed in horror.

Chen Qing asked, “Master, if he really sent someone to report, what about the people in the estate?”

Shen Yanzhi’s eyes were cold, “Move them to another place.”

He handed the blood-stained sword to a guard, his pale face looking cold in the sunlight, “Send people to intercept and kill any couriers at key points. Also, thoroughly investigate anyone who left the governor’s residence today. Kill them all.”

Chen Qing bowed in acknowledgment.

---

As dusk fell, a man on horseback raced down the official road, pursued by a group of soldiers who occasionally shot arrows at him.

Lin Yao, chewing on a blade of grass, squatted in the bushes, watching the messenger being chased by soldiers.

He asked Chu Chengji beside him, “Judging by the uniform, he’s from the postal station. Why are the soldiers chasing one of their own?”

The Qingzhou troops hadn’t left yet.

They planned to enter the city that night to make arrangements, not expecting to witness the officials fighting among themselves.

Chu Chengji, looking thoughtful, said, “Save him.”

Shen Yanzhi had received the message but was still delaying his move to Minzhou, waiting for the imperial decree.

This hesitation suggested a struggle between the Shen family and the court.

The court was looking for leverage against the Shen family, and now Qingzhou was under Shen Yanzhi’s control.

The postal station staff were risking their lives to send out a letter, which obviously contained something that could threaten Shen Yanzhi.

The Qiyun stronghold members hiding on the slope launched a volley of arrows at the pursuing soldiers.

The soldiers, caught off guard, were all knocked off their horses.

The courier, who had been riding frantically, heard the screams behind him and looked back, seeing the soldiers being killed.

He was stunned and, fearing more trouble, tried to speed up and leave.

However, a group of riders came down from the steep slope ahead, surrounding him.

His horse reared up, neighing loudly as its reins were pulled tight.

The leader of the riders calmly patted his warhorse. The agitated horse stomped its hooves a couple of times before calming down.

Among the rough-looking bandits, the leader wore a black robe, exuding an air of nobility.

His upper face was covered by a mask, and his sharp gaze was intimidating.

Lin Yao, seeing how easily Chu Chengji calmed the warhorse, whispered to Wang Biao, “I remember that horse being very wild. How come it seems so tame today?”

He had tried to ride it before and had dislocated his hand.

Wang Biao nodded in agreement, “I tried riding it once and broke my leg when I was thrown off.”

Both of them looked at Chu Chengji as if he were a marvel.

The courier, seeing two of them whispering and looking strange, grew even more nervous.

He swallowed and shouted, “Do you dare to block an urgent government message?”

Chu Chengji didn’t respond, but the Qiyun stronghold members behind him laughed.

Wang Biao sneered, “We’ve already killed so many soldiers; we don’t mind killing one more.”

The courier turned pale.

Lin Yao saw that Chu Chengji wanted the message from the courier and said directly, “Biaozi, take the letter from him.”

Wang Biao rushed forward and quickly overpowered the courier, taking the letter from his pocket.

Chu Chengji took the letter and used a knife to carefully open the wax seal without damaging it.

After reading the letter, his eyes turned cold, and he said, “We move tonight.”