Chapter 299 Breakthrough

Shen Qingci smiled, her expression gentle and harmless: "Yes, we just moved in this morning."

The older woman's gaze lingered on the girl's protruding belly, and noticing her distinctive accent, she couldn't help but ask curiously, "Judging from your accent, young lady, you don't seem to be from around here?"

Shen Qingci nodded with a smile: "Auntie, you have good hearing. I'm from Beishuo City. My family runs a small business, and this time I came to the capital with a merchant caravan to buy some local specialties to take back to Beishuo to sell."

"Oh dear!" the old woman exclaimed, her eyes full of concern. "Beishuo? That's the border region, thousands of miles away! You're pregnant, you must have suffered terribly traveling all that way!"

Shen Qingci gently stroked her belly, a helpless yet tender smile on her lips: "That's right. I didn't realize it when we set off, but I found out I was two months pregnant halfway through the journey. We were supposed to arrive half a month ago, but the caravan slowed down to take care of my health, and we've only just arrived in the capital."

She paused, her tone revealing a hint of caution from a new mother: "I originally planned to stay at an inn, but I thought it would be inconvenient with so many people around. That's why I rented this small courtyard. If shopping takes up too much time, and given my health, I might as well give birth in the capital and then go back."

The old woman nodded repeatedly: "That's right, that's right! The first three months are the most crucial; later in the pregnancy, it's even more difficult to handle. Giving birth in Beijing is the safest option!"

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Shen Qingci entered the courtyard.

The spies from the Shen family's secret service were already waiting inside. Upon seeing her enter, they immediately knelt on one knee and reported, "Master, I have placed spies throughout the city, and we are especially vigilant around Huo Yunting's general's mansion. However..."

"Just what?"

"After receiving the news about the military tally, Huo Yunting made no move whatsoever."

Shen Qingci's gaze darkened slightly, and he sneered, "No movement at all? He's waiting."

But sooner or later, he will definitely take action. He will not wait until Qingming has truly gathered all his troops.

Shen Qingci paced back and forth in the room, his brows furrowed.

"Go, get someone to make contact with Zhuque." She made a decisive decision. "Zhuque's intelligence network covers the entire capital, and there are spies in the residences of all the major officials. With your cooperation, you'll definitely achieve twice the result with half the effort!"

"yes!"

After the secret agents withdrew, Shen Qingci turned to the guard who had been standing by her side and asked in a deep voice, "How is the matter with Huo Yunting regarding the palace blueprints?"

The guard shook his head: "It hasn't been handed over yet. Huo Yunting claimed that the palace's secret passages are intricate and complex, and it would take some time to draw them."

"Heh, it will take time?" Shen Qingci scoffed, his eyes full of mockery. "He's using delaying tactics. Once he succeeds in his uprising and gets rid of me and Chu Jichen, there'll be no need to draw these plans anymore."

Those secret passages were the last life-saving measures for emperors throughout history. How could Huo Yunting, as the commander of the secret guards, easily hand them over?

Shen Qingci lowered her eyes in deep thought. Suddenly, a thought flashed through her mind like lightning, causing her body to tremble violently.

etc!

Those secret passages were used for escape, and as the commander of the secret guards, Huo Yunting naturally knew them inside and out. However, he couldn't usually stay in the palace, so how could he get there immediately if something happened?

unless……

Some of those secret passages lead directly outside the palace! They might even lead directly outside the city!

Otherwise, how would Emperor Yongming have escaped if the capital were besieged?

Since Huo Yunting knew about these secret passages, why would he need to use the main gate to contact the outside world or even enter and leave the palace?

Shen Qingci suddenly stood up, walked quickly around the room, and her thoughts raced.

The Huo family!

Huo Yunting has concealed his identity for many years, so the Huo family must have a secret passage connected to him!

If he wanted to enter and leave the Huo residence without anyone noticing, or even contact the palace, the secret passage was the best way!

If there is a secret passage in the Huo mansion, its most likely location is...

A sudden thought flashed through Shen Qingci's mind, reminding him of an old story.

After the old Marquis passed away, Huo Yunting did not move into the main courtyard. Instead, he stayed in the seemingly remote courtyard, citing his familiarity with the old residence.

At the time, I thought he was just nostalgic, but now that I think about it...

"That secret passage is most likely in his courtyard!"

Shen Qingci's eyes suddenly lit up, as if the clouds had parted to reveal the sun. He immediately ordered, "Pass down the order! Contact the people Zhuque has planted in the Huo family, especially the spies in Huo Yunting's courtyard! Find out the current situation in that courtyard, and send a few skilled people to infiltrate and keep a close eye on their every move!"

In order to keep an eye on Liu Ruolan, she had previously planted some spies in the courtyard where Huo Yunting used to live.

Now, it's just right to use.

"The Huo family?" The secret service member was slightly surprised, but seeing Shen Qingci's resolute expression, he dared not ask any more questions and immediately accepted the order and left.

Shen Qingci closed her eyes and prayed silently in her heart.

It must be at the Huo family's!

If her guess is correct, this will be the key to their comeback!

Otherwise, they would be far too passive in the face of Huo Yunting, whose whereabouts are elusive and whose true intentions are unknown.

The night was deep and all was quiet.

Shen Qingci lay down fully clothed, but did not sleep soundly.

In the middle of the night, a rapid knocking on the door startled her awake.

"Your Majesty! There's news!"

Shen Qingci instantly snapped out of it, sat up abruptly, and said, "Speak!"

The secret agent quickly stepped inside and said in a low voice, "We have news from Zhuque that Old Madam Huo has recently... moved into the courtyard where Huo Yunting lives! Her excuse is that she misses her eldest son."

Shen Qingci's pupils shrank sharply: "Old Madam Huo moved in?"

"Yes!" The secret service officer's expression was solemn. "Moreover, the first thing Old Madam Huo did after moving in was to replace all the servants in the courtyard, citing her discomfort with being served by strangers, and to clean the place inside and out!"

Shen Qingci suddenly gripped the corner of the blanket, a cold glint flashing in her eyes.

Clearing out the servants? This is clearing out the place!

With Old Madam Huo making such a fuss, who would believe there wasn't a ghost in that courtyard?

It seems her guess was correct.

The entrance to that secret passage is in Huo Yunting's courtyard!

Old Madam Huo was clearly aware of the situation, and might even be using that secret passage to do something shady!

Shen Qingci immediately asked urgently, "Where are our people?"

"Our people were only sweeping the outer courtyard before, so they weren't cleared out. But even though they weren't cleared out, we still couldn't sneak in to gather information."

Shen Qingci narrowed her eyes. That won't do; she had to think of a way.

Shen Qingci's eyes were dark and brooding: "After our people infiltrate the Huo residence in his place, could we find a way to replace the person who serves Old Madam Huo and infiltrate the inner courtyard first?"

"If you could sneak into the inner courtyard, with your martial arts skills, it should be... a piece of cake for you to silently hide in Madam Huo's room and gather information, right?"

The officer nodded: "I'll arrange for two quick-witted people to handle this."