Chapter 343: My Own Idea

Shen Yuexi escaped from the underground and met Feng Zhang and Yang Cong again. She was very happy at first, but Yang Cong's first words shocked her.

Emperor Ming of Qi died?

She turned to look at Mei Dai and found that she was no less surprised than she was at that moment.

Mei Dai asked Yang Cong, "Where did His Majesty die? What was the reason?"

"Does my husband know about this?" Shen Yuexi also grabbed Yang Cong's hand and asked.

Although she wasn't entirely clear on the power struggle, she knew the seriousness of the situation. With Emperor Ming of Qi's death, the struggle between Xiao Zhuo and Xiao Beiheng would inevitably come to light. Such an important matter needed to be communicated to Xiao Zhuo immediately.

Yang Cong was questioned by the two people and first answered Mei Dai, "He is at the Anzhou hunting ground. The reason is still unknown." Then Yang Cong turned to Shen Yuexi and said, "The master is in Anzhou now."

Shen Yuexi asked, "Why is he there? Isn't he in Shengjing?"

Yang Cong said, "Not long after you set out, the Emperor sent an envoy, ordering you and Xiao Beiheng to go to the Anzhou hunting grounds for the autumn hunt, but not to bring any troops. So you rode off alone."

Shen Yuexi was surprised and asked, "You didn't stop him and just let him go?"

"The Lord forbad us to follow," Yang Cong pursed his lips. "You know, as long as the Lord gives us a glare, who dares to disobey? But the military advisor sent General Qiu with five hundred crossbowmen to Anzhou to protect the Lord. She also instructed us to maintain constant communication between the two groups. We learned of His Majesty's passing this afternoon from the scouts General Qiu sent."

Shen Yuexi knew Xiao Zhuo's character, and she was the only one who could persuade him, so she couldn't blame Feng Zhang and his wife. Her sister, Shen Lan, was truly gifted as a military advisor, calmly dispatching troops in Shengjing, one to help Xiao Zhuo and another to help them, acting like a mastermind.

But why did the emperor call the two brothers over?

She was just looking down in thought when Mei Dai grabbed her shoulders and turned her halfway around so that they were facing each other. "Sister, I've figured it out. I'm afraid this is Xiao Beiheng's conspiracy."

"Conspiracy?" Shen Yuexi still didn't understand.

"Xiao Beiheng was eyeing the crown prince's position, and this was most likely orchestrated by him," Mei Dai explained. "His Majesty has always been in good health, so it's impossible for him to pass away suddenly. It must have been Xiao Beiheng who did it, and then he put the blame on Prince An."

Shen Yuexi still didn't quite believe it: "Brother...would Xiao Beiheng be such a person?"

She felt that Xiao Beiheng was very cruel, but he would not hurt his biological father. No matter what, people should have a conscience.

Mei Dai said, "Your Majesty happened to have an accident when Prince An was there. Is this a coincidence?"

Ji Yunyan said angrily beside her: "If it's true, then Xiao Beiheng is really worse than an animal."

"Oh no," Shen Yuexi jumped up and said, "My husband is in Anzhou now. Will they harm him? No, I have to go find him as soon as possible."

Previously, when Xiao Zhuo was fighting fiercely under Yongwei City, she was taken away by Mei Dai. After knowing that Xiao Zhuo was in danger, she rushed over and really helped Xiao Zhuo. This time, she had the same premonition, thinking that without her, Xiao Zhuo would definitely be in danger.

She was about to go to Madam Lin's house when she heard shouts and cries of killing in the distance. Nearly a hundred torches rushed towards this side in the darkness, and the raised swords and guns flashed coldly in the firelight.

These were the officials from Tongliao County. After coming out of the underground cave, Doctor You remembered that Shen Yuexi and the others had left their horses in Daliang Village and would definitely come back to retrieve them. So he and the county magistrate led the officials to Daliang Village.

Feng Zhang and Yang Cong brought fifty cavalrymen and immediately gathered to meet the enemy.

To be on the safe side, Chen Lan had everyone bring repeating crossbows, which came in handy here. A volley of crossbow arrows felled dozens of the opposing team.

The officials hadn't anticipated the presence of an army. Furthermore, since they weren't soldiers and lacked armor, they were completely defenseless against the crossbows. Seeing the situation was dire, the county magistrate and Doctor You fled on horseback. Seeing their masters flee, the other officials also scattered.

After dispersing the officials, Shen Yuexi and others rushed to Madam Lin's house. Mei Dai explained her husband's affairs to Madam Lin and gave her Mu Zhongren's letter and silver. Madam Lin then realized that she had wronged her husband.

Now that she knew the true identities of Shen Yuexi and the others, she asked Shen Yuexi to take her and the child away. She kept the horses for Shen Yuexi and the others, and if the officials came, they would definitely arrest her.

Shen Yuexi was willing to let her be settled in Shengjing, but she had to go to Anzhou to find Xiao Zhuo and couldn't take her with her.

Mei Dai said to Shen Yuexi, "Sister, I know your temper. If you want to go find Prince An, I'll have Yun Yan escort you. After you find Prince An, you must rush back to Shengjing. With His Majesty's death, Xiao Beiheng will have no scruples and will definitely lead a large army to attack."

Shen Yuexi nodded and said to Mei Dai, "What about you, Sister Mei?"

"I'm going back to Shengjing to prepare the army with Shen Lan. Shen Lan is the only one in Shengjing now, and she can't handle it alone. Madam Lin can come with me."

Seeing that Mei Dai had arranged everything, Shen Yuexi said to Feng Zhang, "You escort Sister Mei back to Shengjing. You don't have to follow me. Let General Qiu's scouts lead the way for us."

Feng Zhang scratched his head and said, "Master, the military advisor asked us to come find you. If you don't go back..."

Shen Yuexi smiled and said, "Don't worry, Sister Ji is following me."

She led Xiaobai out, climbed onto the horse, and called out to Ji Yunyan, "Sister Ji, get on the horse. We're going to Anzhou to find General Qiu."

Mei Dai held Ji Yunyan and said to Shen Yuexi, "Sister, wait a moment. I have some advice for Yunyan."

After greeting everyone, Mei Dai pulled Ji Yunyan to a secluded place and said to her, "Yunyan, I know you have a grudge against Xiao Beiheng. This time, you only need to escort Sister Yuexi along the way and ensure that she and Prince An return safely. Don't act rashly."

Ji Yunyan nodded and said, "Don't worry, Queen."

Although she agreed outwardly, she didn't really mean it. She had previously attempted to avenge her grandfather, but her assassination attempt on Xiao Beiheng had been unsuccessful. Later, she learned that Xiao Beiheng was Shen Yuexi's younger brother, and that Queen Mei Dai and Shen Yuexi were close. With these two relationships, she could no longer avenge her grandfather and could only endure it in secret.

Now that Xiao Beiheng and Xiao Zhuo were about to go to war, their brotherhood was clearly out of their minds. She could finally seek revenge on Xiao Beiheng openly.

Xiao Beiheng's Yanque Sword was too powerful, and this time she had to find a way to counter it. If she could kill Xiao Beiheng directly, not only would she avenge her grandfather, but she would also eliminate a powerful enemy for the Queen and Xiao Zhuo, averting a major war and saving countless lives. It was now, both morally and logically, for her to take action.

Mei Dai saw that her eyes were wandering and she seemed to be worried, so she asked, "Yun Yan, what are you thinking about?"

Ji Yunyan came back to her senses and said with a smile: "Nothing, I was just thinking about where to go in Anzhou to look for Prince An."

Mei Dai believed it and said, "Now that His Majesty has passed away, Xiao Beiheng will do his utmost to hunt down Prince An. Chen Lan has already sent General Qiu to protect Prince An. You and Sister Yuexi just need to go find General Qiu. Prince An must be with General Qiu."

Ji Yunyan agreed, walked to the street, mounted her warhorse, and bowed to Mei Dai, saying, "Queen, we're leaving now."

Mei Dai waved her hand and said, "You must be careful. I will wait for your safe return."

Shen Yuexi said to Mei Dai, "Don't worry, Sister Mei, I will rush back to Shengjing as soon as I meet up with my husband."

After saying that, Shen Yuexi turned around and rode his horse, followed by Ji Yunyan and the spy. The three war horses raised a cloud of dust and rushed into the darkness, the sound of hooves gradually fading away.

Mei Dai frowned, feeling vaguely uneasy, but unable to articulate why. After standing there for a while, she turned around, packed up her mounts with Feng Zhang and the others, and left Daliang Village with Madam Lin and her son.