The next day, Shi Buyu picked a time when Yan Shian was at home and once again arrived at the Yan residence, carrying those paintings on her back.

This time, there was no need for an announcement—she entered unhindered.

The two went over the plan for the following day one last time, then quietly awaited its arrival.

As the watchman’s call echoed through the night, Shi Buyu pushed open the window and looked up. The bright moon hung high—of course, today was the fifteenth of the fifth month. The other party was too desperate to wait for an autumn execution.

Leaning against the window frame, Shi Buyu mentally rehearsed the plan for the next day over and over, running through every possible scenario. As for herself—she would never place herself beneath a crumbling wall.

Early the next morning, just as the city gates opened, Shi Buyu left the city with the first batch of early risers, leaving behind A’gu, who knew her plan best, to keep watch within the city.

That morning, the capital was already unusually restless, with crowds gathering everywhere. From tea shops to taverns, curses filled the air. No matter the dynasty, traitors were always despised.

As the sun climbed higher, the streets grew louder. Many had come prepared with rotten eggs and spoiled vegetables.

“They’re coming!”

Someone shouted, and all heads turned to look down the road. A group of people shackled in stocks and chains slowly made their way forward. At once, rotten eggs and leaves flew through the air, and the curses grew more vicious.

“My grandfather would never betray the country!” braving the barrage, eleven-year-old Shi Huai shouted his unwavering belief in his grandfather: “He is the Marquis of Loyal Valor, personally honored by the founding emperor for his loyalty and courage—he would never commit treason!”

What he got in return was a more violent volley of rotten eggs.

His eyes brimming with tears, he glared angrily at the crowd on either side of the street, refusing to let a single tear fall. His grandfather had told him: the men of the Shi family only live standing tall—they do not die on their knees! He wasn’t afraid of death, but his grandfather had never said that one day, the men of the Shi family would lie face-down on the execution stage—neither standing nor kneeling, but dishonored for eternity!

Glaring at every twisted face in sight, Shi Huai clenched his fists tightly. The men of the Shi family would never crawl!

“Look! Smoke from Lingyu Alley! Which household caught fire?”

The crowd turned their heads. Such thick smoke—clearly, it was no small blaze!

Then another voice shouted, “There’s smoke in Yangliu Alley too!”

The people turned again, realizing both alleys were on either side of Shoutai Street, where they stood.

Those who reacted quickly sensed something was wrong and tried to push their way out, but the crowds were packed three layers deep—no one could squeeze through. The panic only worsened, and despite the imperial guards’ shouts, the scene spiraled further out of control.

Just then, a group of masked figures leapt from the crowd. In a flash, they broke the shackles and chains on the Shi men, freeing them. The liberated men seized weapons and grappling hooks and joined in rescuing their family members.

At the same time, masked figures appeared at other points nearby. Each one threw a rope forward and caught the ones tossed to them. Crouching low, they swept their ropes to the side, knocking down the guards who rushed in. Then, pulling up and down in tandem, they cleared a path through the chaotic crowd. Their ropes moved like whips in expert hands, subduing the guards before they could rise again.

With the time they bought, the Shi family finally escaped. The stronger men and household guards carried the elderly, women, and children, using the grappling hooks to scale rooftops and slip into alleys. Pursuing soldiers were struck down by archers lying in ambush above, causing hesitation in the ranks. By the time they moved forward again, the Shi family had vanished.

The masked rescuers exchanged glances, tossed aside their ropes, slipped back into the crowd, and reappeared with their faces uncovered—blending in like water among the panicked masses. By the time the guards got back on their feet, all that remained were broken chains and chaos.

“Whinny—!”

Suddenly, the sound of horses neighed from afar, growing louder by the second.

A surge of horses charged through the streets like madness, sending screams through the crowd. The already chaotic street had now completely lost control.

Alarm bells rang throughout the city. Those who understood the signal knew—it meant the city gates were about to be closed.

At the same time, more smoke arose from several parts of the capital. The biggest blaze was at the Marquis of Loyal Valor’s residence. The imperial guards abruptly received orders to abandon pursuit and rush to put out the fire there. They weren’t overly worried—since the founding of Dayou, no prison break had ever succeeded within the capital.

Precisely because it had never happened, there were no heavy defenses at the gates. But the rescuers were well-prepared.

However, in Shi Buyu and Yan Shian’s plan, charging the gates was never part of it.

Shi Yan led the ten best fighters up the city walls first with grappling hooks, disabling the archers who posed the greatest threat. They set up the ropes in optimal spots, allowing those carrying children to slide down first.

Waves of soldiers charged up, and the Shi family, though outnumbered, fought through with blood and grit.

Shi Yan tore an arrow from his arm and, panting, looked back. They had to hold out a little longer—the longer they held, the farther the others could get. As long as some of them escaped, the Shi family would live on!

Just then, more grappling hooks flew up. Realizing reinforcements had arrived, Shi Yan shouted, “Cover them!”

Seeing the familiar hooks, he knew these were allies. Morale soared. The Shi men fought on with renewed fury, clearing a path for the masked fighters to land safely.

The leader of the reinforcements said, “You go first!”

Shi Yan didn’t waste words. Leading the Shi family, he slid down the ropes. At that moment, he caught sight of the bridge’s crossbow formation—and was startled to see that the bows and shields they used were no worse than the military’s. Thanks to their cover, the group finally broke through the gates.

From that day on, the capital of Dayou had a new precedent: a successful prison break.

“Whoa!”

Yan Shian reined in his horse when he saw someone waiting ahead. He was in a great mood—his part of the bargain was fulfilled. Now it was time for the other side to honor their end.

Shi Buyu rode up. “Is everyone out? What are the casualties?”

“All out.” Shi Yan, his arm drenched in blood, rode over. “Seven guards died. Everyone else is wounded to some degree.”

It was already better than Shi Buyu had expected. Glancing at her mother among the group, she said, “Let’s go.”

They rode for over half a day. Other than letting the horses rest briefly, they didn’t stop. Everyone endured until they finally reached the foot of a mountain.

Without wasting words, Shi Buyu said, “There’s a bandit den up this mountain. None of them are innocent. Kill them all.”

The Shi family understood—this would become their new territory. Shi Yan rallied the troops and headed up. Bandit-clearing was never the duty of the Marquis’ household—but it didn’t mean they couldn’t do it.

Shi Buyu leaned close to A’gu and gave her a few whispered instructions.

Wan Xia nodded and rode off.

“The hoofprints can’t end here,” Shi Buyu turned to Yan Shian. “Have your men pose as Shi family members and ride the horses onward, passing through Xing’an County and Taoliu County—head to the dock.”

No tracks on water—it would waste the enemy’s time and energy. A clever strategy. Yan Shian gestured to his men. Soon, hoofbeats sounded once more.

Shi Xu approached. “Should we clean up the traces?”

Shi Buyu nodded. “I’ll take people up the mountain first. You handle the cleanup.”

It wasn’t a difficult task for the Shi men or their battle-hardened guards. They disguised the hoofprints to look as if no one had ever stopped there. Then they erased all other traces. By the time everyone had entered the mountain, it was as though no one had ever been there at all.