As soon as Doukou stepped out of the courtyard gate, Changping arrived.

Watching Changping being led inside, Doukou's eyes darted around. She hurried back to Luomei Courtyard and reported to Second Madam Jiang everything about her conversation with Jiang Segu, as well as the fact that Changping had come.

"...Second Madam, you are truly a brilliant strategist! Fortunately, I listened to you and told the truth to Sixth Miss. Otherwise, Changping's arrival would have certainly aroused Sixth Miss's suspicion towards us!"

"It's not a big deal! Besides, with someone as capable as Deputy Commander Gu by her side, the owner of Huishengtang will find out about it sooner or later."

Rather than waiting for Sixth Miss to find out herself, it's better to do her a favor and hopefully stop her from suspecting our second branch of the family!

After saying some more flattering things, Doukou asked with some concern, "Is Second Mistress's behavior acceptable...?"

"Of course, I have informed them!"

"Aren't you afraid that Sixth Miss might overthink things? What if..."

Grandma Jiang waved her hand dismissively, "This is none of our business. Besides, the affairs in Shunde have nothing to do with our second branch. Even if someone is anxious, it should be the first branch! Have you given Seventh Miss a warning?"

"This servant has reminded Seventh Miss, and I imagine she will seize the opportunity to strike!"

After a moment's thought, Granny Jiang said, "This Seventh Sister is really getting more and more opinionated as she gets older! You keep a close eye on that side for the next couple of days. If she continues to dawdle, hand over those two peasants' things to her and ask her if she still wants to see them!"

"Yes, I understand!"

Unaware of the conversation between the master and servant, Jiang Youhui paced back and forth in Jiang Segu's courtyard, glancing occasionally at the main hall where Jiang Segu was.

In the main hall.

Changping told Jiang Segu everything he had found out.

It's the same as what Doukou said, except that Changping's research was more detailed than Doukou's.

"...I discovered that the owner of Huishengtang is the Xia family, and the man surnamed Liu on Changqing Street is Liu Zhong, the younger brother of Aunt Liu."

I even made a special trip to Shunde to inquire about it, and learned that Liu Zhong and Second Grandma were cousins.

Furthermore, I also found out that Ding Weiming has been released from prison; I heard that the Xia family paid money to bail him out.

Jiang Segu knew that there was something going on between Xia Shi and Ding Weiming, so he wasn't surprised that Xia Shi redeemed Ding Weiming. However, he was suspicious about Ding Weichang's death.

Auntie said that Uncle sent someone to poison him, but why wasn't Changping, who was drinking the same pot of tea as Ding Weichang, poisoned to death?

Also, why did Ding Weiming suddenly come out and admit that he poisoned Ding Weichang?

Although this matter seemed to have nothing to do with him, Jiang Segu had a feeling that if he could find out the real cause of Ding Weichang's death, he might be able to follow the clues and find out the person behind the scenes that he had been trying to find.

"Changping..."

Just as Jiang Segu was about to instruct Changping to go to Shunde to investigate Ding Weichang's death in detail, a white dove flew in.

Qiaolian took the letter and handed it to Jiang Segu.

"The Tartars are attacking. His Majesty has ordered me to lead troops to Shuozhou. Wen Dong is to remain here and may be of use. Do not worry!"

Jiang Segu's hands trembled uncontrollably after reading the letter.

She knew the Tartars would invade, but she didn't expect it to happen so soon, nor did she know that the Emperor would send Gu Songhan.

In an instant, his mind was in turmoil, and he called out to Qingying repeatedly.

Qiaohe summoned Qingying, but upon seeing Qingying, Jiang Segu was at a loss for words. In his confusion, he simply ran out.

"Young lady, where are you going?"

Jiang Segu ran all the way out of the Marquis's mansion and arrived at the gate of the neighboring mansion.

This was her first time here.

Before she could even raise her hand, the tightly closed door was opened from the inside.

Wen Dong came out from inside.

"Where is Deputy Commander Gu?"

"The general should have already led the troops out..."

"They've left?"

So fast?

Qiaolian, who had run out after him, caught a glimpse of the bundle in Wendong's hand and asked, "What are you holding?"

"These are some of the general's clothes. After leaving the palace, the general went to the military camp in the eastern suburbs. I was ordered to pack his clothes and send them to him!"

Jiang Segu asked anxiously, "Didn't Deputy Commander Gu already lead his troops out? How can you catch up with him?"

"I'm riding a horse! Sixth Miss, I can't talk to you anymore, or I really won't be able to deliver the clothes to the General in time!"

"I'll go with you to see the general off!"

Thus, two fine horses galloped along the road heading east from the capital.

They hurried and chased for nearly twenty miles outside the east gate before finally spotting the army.

Overjoyed, Jiang Segu urged his horse onward with even greater effort.

"General Gu, look, there are two horses galloping towards our army from behind."

Gu Songhan didn't care much. He knew that Wen Dong had asked him to go back and pack his clothes.

The other horse must be the adoptive father.

Thinking that his adoptive father ultimately couldn't bring himself to send Yunniang away, Gu Songhan didn't know how to face him and didn't turn back.

"Go and meet them, collect my clothes, and then let them go back!"

"yes!"

The lieutenant accepted the order and rode away.

"The general has ordered that you give me the clothes and then you may return!"

Wen Dongle stopped his horse and handed the clothes to his deputy.

Jiang Segu showed no sign of stopping, his eyes fixed on the man on horseback standing at the forefront of the army.

The lieutenant couldn't help but chime in, "Whose young lady is this? She's riding that horse quite wildly!"

Wen Dong merely raised an eyebrow and glanced at him before spurring his horse to follow.

Hearing the sound of horses' hooves behind him, Gu Songhan frowned. His adoptive father was still as stubborn as ever!

Gu Songhan turned his horse around, wondering how he should say goodbye to his godfather.

However, the moment he turned around, his entire body stiffened as if it were a stone, and he didn't know how to control his body!

At the same time, the fiery red figure had already arrived in front of them.

The girl on horseback was tall and slender, with bright eyes and white teeth. She wore a fiery red silk dress, which made her look like a flame under the sunlight. She was hot and bright, and she was so beautiful and dashing that Gu Songhan was stunned for a while.

Jiang Segu's eyes were also fixed on Gu Songhan's face, as if she wanted to convey all her feelings to Gu Songhan through her eyes.

When Wen Dong, who had followed, saw the two of them staring at each other in silence, he reined in his horse and stopped. He was worried for them.

Are the General and Miss Jiang both mute?

Say something!

Perhaps hearing Wen Dong's thoughts, Gu Songhan said in a hoarse voice, "I have to go!"

Jiang Segu nodded and hummed in agreement.

Gu Songhan gave Jiang Segu a deep look, then urged his horse to turn around and continue heading north.

It was only after a long time that he dared to turn around.

Seeing that the red stain seemed to still be in the same spot, my heart tightened, and I gritted my teeth and continued forward...