On the day the Yang family of the Duke of Chengen came to propose marriage, the area in front of the Duke's mansion was so crowded that it was impossible to pass. In particular, Zhou Shi was so happy for several days that she couldn't help but jump up.

Xu Yunyao and Xu Lingqing are already engaged, and now they are just waiting for the wedding day. This period of time has kept Li Shiyue quite busy.

The marriage took place only two months apart. Xu Yunyao and Zhang Shi got along well, but after Xu Lingqing got married, Zhou Shi's smiles became much less frequent.

So he simply came to Shousong Hall every day to do something with Old Madam Xu or to the flower hall with Madam Yang, so that he wouldn't be idle and would not disturb Xu Yunyao and Madam Zhang.

These days, invitations from Pixiang Palace have been coming in more and more frequently, but I've declined them all. Something's definitely amiss. Putting aside whether Consort Fu and Prince Zhao are in cahoots, the Rongguo Duke's Mansion has never been close to Pixiang Palace.

As the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, the days are getting shorter, and we've shed our light winter clothes as the weather gradually cools down.

This Mid-Autumn Festival, the Duke's Mansion was missing Xu Lingzi and Xu Lingqing, but had gained a new guest, Zhang Shi. She was newly married and had a lovely, rosy complexion.

The Mid-Autumn Festival is usually a banquet held in the palace, but this year the Emperor seems to be unwell, so the palace banquet has been changed to a family banquet.

To avoid the invitations sent by the Pixiang Palace, Li Shiyue had been feigning illness. Xu Yunci returned early today, but his complexion was not good. Before Li Shiyue could ask, he pulled her aside.

"Keep the doors of the mansion closed tonight, and light all the lanterns throughout the mansion. Make sure there are no dark, inaccessible places. Also, no matter who comes, do not open the door unless it is Chang'an."

His serious expression seemed genuine, and although Li Shiyue was puzzled, she quickly nodded: "What's wrong? Is something big about to happen?"

Xu Yunci looked at Li Shiyue for a long time without speaking, and finally said softly, "The King of Zhao and the Earl of Changping are stationing troops, and there are quite a few of them."

"To station troops?"

Li Shiyue covered her mouth, unable to contain her shock. Where did these numerous soldiers come from? How did they enter the city and evade inspection? And where did their weapons come from?

Seeing Li Shiyue's confusion, Xu Yunci pulled her to sit down: "During the previous epidemic, many people were allowed to enter the city, many of whom were strong young men. They were not refugees, but Zhao Wang's private soldiers who took the opportunity to infiltrate the capital."

"Do you remember that you mentioned there were many more blacksmith shops on the street? His Highness and I secretly investigated and found that some of them were privately forging weapons under the name of the Earl of Changping."

"Therefore, Prince Zhao and the Marquis of Changping want to start a rebellion. With Consort Fu in the palace, it is very likely that Prince Zhao will cooperate from the inside. There was commotion all over the city just now, so tonight may not be peaceful."

"Tonight, on the Mid-Autumn Festival, I will create the illusion that I am at home. I will secretly enter the palace through the back door. Tonight's Mid-Autumn Festival banquet may be the day that King Zhao prepares to launch his rebellion."

After Xu Yunci finished speaking, he looked at Li Shiyue and didn't say anything more, which must have had a significant impact on her.

"What do you need me to do?"

Although Li Shiyue was shocked, she quickly calmed down and tried her best to steady the trembling in her mind.

Xu Yunci looked surprised, tightened his grip on her hand, and met her gaze: "Si Lang and I will both enter the palace to help the Emperor and His Highness, and San Lang will bring General Cheng back. I need you to help me create the illusion that Si Lang and I are both in the mansion, so that Prince Zhao won't notice."

"I understand. You can go ahead and do it. I'll take care of things at home."

Li Shiyue smiled sweetly, but refused to let go of him, unable to suppress her worry: "I'll wait for you to come back. Please be very careful."

Of all the words I could say, it seems like this is the only one I can actually say.

"Do my maternal grandmother and mother know?"

Xu Yunci shook his head: "Father and Mother have already spoken, but Grandmother probably hasn't."

As night fell, after dinner, Duke Rongguo led several young men and Master Xu to the front courtyard to continue drinking.

"Tell the kitchen to warm the wine before sending it over. The men drank quite a bit together. Also, prepare some hangover soup and send it over later."

After Li Shiyue finished giving her instructions from under the eaves, Zhang Shi came out of the house.

"Your sister-in-law has made all the arrangements. Your grandmother is looking for you."

Li Shiyue turned around and looked at Zhang Shi, then walked up to her with a smile, and the two went into the house together.

Originally, Yang and Zhou were accompanying Madam Xu to play cards with Zhang. Now, Yang was sitting to the side, her face even more rosy than before.

"Come quickly, my sister-in-law has lost too much and specifically asked you to help her."

When Zhou saw Li Shiyue come in, she got up and pulled her to sit down, gently pointing her finger at the leaf cards on the table.

Li Shiyue glanced at Zhang Shi, who understood and sat down to the side, raising her voice a little: "I haven't played with my sister-in-law yet. She was being protected so much just now, but now I have a chance."

Madam Xu smiled and pointed at her: "Are you referring to yourself as the one who is protecting Yan Yan, or are you referring to Erlang protecting Yan Yan?"

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone in the room couldn't help but laugh.

Xu Yunci's deep respect and love for his new wife is evident to all; he is practically a second Duke Rongguo.

Xu Yunyao and Zhang had only been married for a short time, which made this even more so.

"They've gone drinking in the front yard again. I've prepared some hangover soup. It's getting cold, so I'll have the kitchen warm up the drinks. Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival, so I guess they'll be drinking non-stop."

Yang said with a smile, looking at Li Shiyue, the deep meaning in her eyes only understood by Li Shiyue and Zhang.

The gates of the Duke's mansion were quiet that night, and no one knocked.

As the night deepened, so too did Li Shiyue's heart sink.

Back at Tongxintang, Li Shiyue showed no signs of sleepiness. She had Chunling close the door and sat on the wooden couch, lost in thought.

"Miss, why don't you go to bed? There are people waiting at the back door. The young master and the fourth young master will surely return safely."

Chunling brought over a basin of water, intending to help Li Shiyue to bed, but Li Shiyue shook her head and did not move.

The copper basin filled with water was placed down, and Chunling stood to one side, replacing the nearly burnt-out candle with a new one.

As midnight approached, footsteps could be heard under the eaves.

"Knock knock"

Chunling walked over and stood on either side of the door with Liandong: "Who is it?"

He remained vigilant, wondering at this hour whether it was Chang An or Chang Shun.

"Chunling, it's me."

It is Chang Shun.

When the door opened, it was indeed him. Chunling looked around and quickly let him in. Changshun didn't dare to delay any longer and went in, saying, "Chang'an left again after returning to the manor. The palace is in chaos tonight. The young master and the fourth prince have been kept in the palace by the Emperor."

"Concerned about the manor, Chang'an left after reporting that she was safe. The young master also told his wife to rest early, as he and the fourth young master could return to the manor tomorrow."

Li Shiyue finally breathed a sigh of relief. She wanted to ask about what happened tonight, but after thinking about it, she didn't say anything.

"I haven't told my mother and Fourth Prince about it."