As the two-horse carriage left the mansion, Xie Zhaozhao went to the old lady's Ci'en Courtyard to report: "Mother, my second sister-in-law said she was going to Ouyang for a funeral, and I bought some gifts for our family to take with her."

The old lady was overjoyed to hear that she was going to buy gifts.

Although they were considered low-class in the capital, in Ouyang, the title of Earl was still an unattainable position for all of them. Moreover, with the son of a Grand Secretary supporting the family, they certainly couldn't be stingy with their spending.

When Xie Zhaozhao goes to buy gifts, she will definitely spend her own money. She is not short of money and will definitely buy relatively high-end gifts, which will make the old lady very proud.

Xie Zhaozhao left the mansion and headed straight for Moon Lake Garden.

We didn't go to the island in the middle of the lake; we just waited in the courtyard at the entrance of the garden.

Dong Qin arrived first, sat down respectfully, and said with a smile, "The place that Miss has chosen is the best garden in the entire capital. There is no garden more beautiful than Moon Lake Garden, and even the Imperial Garden cannot compare."

Xie Zhaozhao knew from his words that Dong Qin had also been to the Imperial Garden, but she didn't point it out because time was tight and she didn't have much time for idle chatter.

"Dongqin, I've checked the accounts. Take them back. Also, how many people have you trained in Baiyue City?"

“Fifteen hundred men, Yunhe is leading them.”

"The Xuanyi Guards, Yunyao and Yunyi, will depart from the capital today. They will take over the command. You should hand over the people to them."

Dong Qin was taken aback for a moment, then immediately replied respectfully, "Yes!"

"Go tell Hongying and Hongshu to come see me immediately."

"good."

Xie Zhaozhao spoke a few polite words to him, then told him to go back first: "I'm going to the countryside for a funeral tomorrow, Yuanyuan will see you off later."

Before leaving, Dong Qin earnestly reported: "Before and after the New Year, the Imperial Concubine summoned me three times. Once she asked what the eldest young lady was doing; once she asked me if the eldest young lady had really died at the hands of the assassins; and the last time she asked me to buy the eldest young lady's guards and punish the Earl's Mansion."

"I did not know the answer to the first two questions; as for the third question, I did as Her Highness requested and have reported back."

Xie Zhaozhao smiled faintly: "I understand."

Dongqin told her this to show her that he had not been unfaithful to her.

Of all the people she employed, none were as shrewd and astute as Dong Qin. Just the fact that she asked him to hand over control of the Baiyue City military to Yun Yao and Yun Yi made him realize that Xie Zhaozhao was wary of him.

Dong Qin took the account book with him and left Moon Lake Garden. The person beside him asked him, "Should we inform the Imperial Concubine before we leave?"

Looking up at the blinding sunlight, Dongqin said, "Remember, you don't need to contact the Imperial Concubine anymore."

"But Miss Liuli is still waiting in the courtyard."

"We're not going back to that courtyard. We're leaving the capital directly. She'll leave on her own if she can't wait for us."

Not long after Dong Qin left, Yun Yang arrived.

"Young Miss, is there something you urgently need me for?"

"Yunyang, I'm going to Ouyang's old house for a funeral tomorrow. The old house is in a town at the foot of Nanshan Mountain. There's a gang of bandits in the mountains who rob and plunder. If we go there, we'll attract too much attention and might arouse their suspicion."

Upon hearing this, Yunyang immediately said, "How about I lead the guards to escort you?"

"No need. Yunyang, you, Yunyuan, and Yunxiao, select skilled and powerful soldiers from the garrison, disguise them, and set off today to ambush at the foot of Nanshan Mountain, waiting for Yuanyuan's signal."

Yunhe has been procuring supplies for overseas shipping routes in the south and has not returned. Only Yunyang, Yunyuan, and Yunxiao are on standby at the manor in the capital.

After discussing it, Yunyang left.

Soon after, Hongying and Hongshu arrived.

Upon seeing Xie Zhaozhao, the two were so excited that tears welled up in their eyes: "Miss, you're finally back."

Xie Zhaozhao said with a smile, "You've suffered."

The two were unwilling to accept Xie Zhaozhao's praise and both expressed their loyalty.

Xie Zhaozhao said to Hongying and Hongshu, "Tomorrow I'm going to Ouyang for a funeral. You two, take the female soldiers, disguise yourselves, and stay in Pinghai Town, Nanshan..."

Upon hearing the plan, Hongying and Hongshu's eyes widened in fury: "Young Miss, they dare?"

"Yes, they dare! So you need to get things ready as soon as possible. Whether I survive or not depends on you."

Hongying and Hongshu accepted the order and left.

Yuanyuan hadn't known why Xie Zhaozhao had called Dongqin, Yunyang, and Hongying over, but now she seemed to understand.

"Miss, are you saying that there is danger in attending the funeral at the Ouyang Old House?"

“Yes, there’s a band of bandits there who want to take our money and lives!” Xie Zhaozhao said coldly. “Of course I’ll offer them a generous gift.”

"But what you're doing is too risky."

"I believe they can protect me."

In my past life, I was also going to the old house for a funeral.

She went to the old house in Ouyang with the old lady and Madam Tu.

According to local custom, after the deceased is buried, people will stay at the grave for several days, a practice called "watching the forest." This continues for several days from the first day of burial, sometimes three days, sometimes five days, sometimes seven days, or even longer.

Because it was springtime, the old lady took the opportunity of guarding the forest to stay at the estate on the mountain for six or seven days.

There was a band of bandits in Nanshan, some distance from Ouyang Town, but they came after hearing that they had settled in the mountains.

Everyone thought the bandits were there to dig up the Second Grandmother's grave, but unexpectedly, they were actually after the Earl's family.

Later, the bandits proposed to negotiate with Xie Zhaozhao. In order to protect Gu Jiaojiao, the old lady actually forced Xie Zhaozhao to go to the bandits' den for talks.

Those bandits weren't there to negotiate; they were there to ruin Xie Zhaozhao's reputation. In the end, Xie Zhaozhao had no choice but to jump off the cliff. Fortunately, an elderly couple at the foot of the mountain saved her.

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