This small wax ball was delivered to Ji Yuanhao as quickly as possible.

In the small warm room, all the palace servants and eunuchs were dismissed. Ji Yuanhao opened his dozing eyes and sat up suddenly. He spread out the small piece of paper with his hands, "... Su Shi will leave Yangdu secretly on the day of Guisi."

In the silent winter warm room of Shangyang Palace, Ji Yuanhao suddenly raised his eyes!

"Dark Liyangdu?"

Isn’t Su Ci pregnant? It is said that her pregnancy is not going well. She has been staying indoors to take care of the baby and has hardly even left the yard. Why would she leave Yangdu secretly?

What does she want to do?

Perhaps, what does Yang Yanzong want to do?

Almost without thinking, Ji Yuanhao's mind raced, and he immediately realized what Yang Yanzong was going to do!

He sat up straight suddenly and looked down at the paper again.

He could be said to have witnessed with his own eyes how much Yang Yanzong loved Su Ci. You know, when Yang Yanzong was planning to take action against Kun, he specially sent Su Ci to Changyi, for fear that she would be affected and suffer any loss.

Ji Yuanhao laughed, but the smile did not reach his eyes. After a moment, the smile faded and his expression became as stern as a knife.

Yang Yanzong is already planning his move, he is about to take action!

Ji Yuanhao is not a simple character either. It can be said that to some extent, he and Yang Yanzong are very similar people. From the other party's action of sending Su Ci out of Beijing, he immediately judged that Yang Yanzong had an intention, and that there should be an action plan that was already in preparation, or even might have been prepared quietly and silently.

In an instant, it was like thorns on his back, and he felt a chill in his spine. It was also like a tiger smelling the strong scent of danger on the territory, and he instantly arched his back.

Chen Yang held his breath, presented the wax ball for a moment, and then asked in a low voice: "Master, what should we do now?"

He was asking about the news on the paper. Ji Yuanhao was very close to him and did not avoid him. Chen Yang also saw it and his heart tightened. Tomorrow is the Guisi day, so what should Madam Yang do? Whether to collect or release, we have to take out the regulations and make arrangements immediately.

Is there any need to ask?

Ji Yuanhao sneered: "Of course we have to stop and capture him first!"

He narrowed his eyes and said, "Immediately arrange for someone to stop Su before he leaves the city and the capital. Invite him to the palace as a guest."

Ji Yuanhao frowned and thought, and arranged everything himself: "Be careful for me, there must be no mistakes!"

"yes!"

…

The next day was a sunny day.

As the old saying goes, don't go out if there is morning glow, but evening glow can travel thousands of miles. Yesterday, a large area of ​​brilliant red sunset even dyed the house red, which shows that tomorrow's weather will definitely be very good.

Good weather in the summer means it's super hot.

So in order to cool down a little, Su Ci set off very early.

After she became pregnant, she became more sleepy and would not get up until noon every day. Her life was very decadent, but Yang Yanzong did not quarrel with her. He held her in his arms, wiped her face and combed her hair, called someone to loosely tie her hair into a bun, dressed her and put on shoes for her. After taking care of everything, he wrapped her in a thin cloak and carried her directly into the outer study.

Akang, Azheng and a dozen personal soldiers selected by Yang Yanzong have changed into casual clothes and are standing solemnly in the outer study courtyard. In addition, dozens of personal soldiers selected by Yang Yanzong himself are waiting outside the secret passage. They are all good fighters. They will disguise themselves as a caravan and escort Su Ci all the way out of the capital to the west.

Su Ci also woke up and was going out today. The two were afraid that they would not see each other for several days, so she would definitely wake up.

Yang Yanzong caressed her cheek and her bulging belly reluctantly, and reminded her: "Don't be too anxious on the road, go slowly, if it's fast, it will take ten days and a half a month, or if it's slow, it will take one or two months, and we should be able to meet up."

He was really reluctant to let Su Ci go, but it was impossible for him to leave her in Yangdu. Not to mention the twists and turns that might come, even if everything went smoothly, the hassle of traveling all the way was more than she could bear now.

We had to separate temporarily.

Yang Yanzong also packed up several books in the room for her. Ever since he learned about the concept of prenatal education, he would try to take time out every day to read books and tell stories to his baby. Although his stories were dry and not very interesting, Su Ci still wanted to laugh when she listened to them.

She was happy and the baby was very active, which made Yang Yanzong even happier and more excited.

It was a pity that he couldn't accompany her and her mother for the time being. He kissed her, then kissed her belly, lowered his head and admonished: "Be good and listen to your mother. When you come out, your father will take you out to play. Did you hear me?"

The baby moved a little.

Yang Yanzong was very happy and quickly stroked the bulge, "Okay, Dad got it."

He looked up and they smiled at each other.

He looked happy and proud: "Our child is smart and a good child."

Whether it's like him or like her, it won't be bad!

Su Ci chuckled, what a coincidence, the baby was always active every morning. But she didn't want to pour cold water on him. She leaned her head on his shoulder and said "hmm~" in a drawn-out tone.

No matter how reluctant they were, they had to set off. Seeing that it was almost time, Yang Yanzong finally tidied up her hair. Akang and others carried her into a soft cloth bag, and he personally put her in it.

"Be careful, take good care of Madam, it's better to be slow than to be hasty, Madam's safety is the most important thing!"

"yes!"

"Go ahead."

Akang and the others all agreed in a low voice, clasped their fists, bowed their heads respectfully and left. Afterwards, Azheng and another young man carefully lifted the soft bag, and Akang led the others to protect it tightly on the left, right, front and back.

The secret passage in the study was opened, and a group of people passed through it silently.

Su Ci turned around and waved to Yang Yanzong.

Her face was rosy and her smile was brilliant. Her figure was quickly carried into the secret passage and disappeared from sight.

Yang Yanzong took a step forward, but finally stopped, took a long breath, and reached out to close the door of the small secret passage.

We have just separated and I already start to miss you.

The entire journey of sending Su Ci away from Yangdu was arranged by Yang Yanzong himself, from the soft-car sedan, the escort personnel, to the departure route, the disguise and the backup disguise, and so on.

We even prepared at least seven or eight different contingency plans.

I have to say it is extremely cautious and thorough.

Not many people knew that Su Ci had left Yangdu, and there was a carefully selected substitute who was six months pregnant in the main courtyard.

Logically speaking, everything should be going well.

Yang Yanzong was not too worried. He was more concerned about Su Ci's health at the moment. He was afraid that she would feel uncomfortable riding in the car while pregnant, or that the bumpy ride might affect the baby.

It was just unexpected that despite such thorough and concealed measures, an accident happened in the end!

…

It was the first time for Su Ci to walk through this small tunnel. The tunnel is small mainly in terms of its diameter. Compared with the large tunnel he had walked through before, it is indeed much narrower, but it is very, very long.

She could even smell the scent of mud and new stone at the end, obviously the whole thing had just been completed not long ago.

It is very long, perhaps seven or eight miles long, with four or five secret doors along the way, and several stairs leading upwards.

But they didn't stop and walked all the way to the end. Su Ci estimated that they were almost at the edge of the inner city.

When it came out, it was indeed true.

The fringe areas of the inner city are more bustling and more populated than the central areas. Many wealthy businessmen with good backgrounds have purchased their homes here, as well as down-and-out nobles and new riches from old families. The day has begun to dawn, and there are a lot of cars and people early in the morning, so it's already very lively outside.

The courtyard that Su Ci came out of was an inconspicuous courtyard of a branch of an old family. It did business for the master family and was not very prominent in the master's family, but it was not looked down upon by others.

The mule cart was ready, with a "master" in front and her lady behind. Today they were leading the caravan out of the city and returning home to visit their relatives.

Su Ci didn't care about all these things. She was very sleepy and her eyelids seemed to be glued shut. She fell asleep as soon as she got in the car.

The car looked ordinary on the outside, but the interior was extremely soft and comfortable, and the mules and horses swayed slightly as they moved. Not long after she left the hospital, she fell asleep.

Akang and his companions were all disguised, wearing half-worn bodyguard uniforms. They left the inner city in batches, picked up the goods from the store, and then escorted the goods, divided into several teams, and went to the east city gate one after another.

Akang and the others seemed relaxed on the surface, but they were actually very cautious and alert, constantly glancing around with their peripheral vision.

However, there was nothing wrong on the road. There were so many people queuing up to leave the city early in the morning every day. It was bustling with people, and the gate guards were shouting and yelling, still the same old thing.

When it was their turn, the gatekeeper looked at the goods, took the copper coins, waved his hand, and let them pass.

Everything happened so naturally and without any incident.

What Akang and the others didn't know was that there were many disguised masters sitting in the teahouses and taverns near the eight city gates today.

These people all had one thing in common: they had extremely sharp eyes. Right now, they were drinking tea and eating snacks while quietly and intently scanning the long queue in front of the city gate.

They have been here since yesterday.

They come in turns, eat and drink their fill, and then leave without revealing any flaws.

This morning, their nerves were stretched to the limit.

I have to say that they have all practiced martial arts for many years. It is okay if they are sitting and blocking, but once they stand up, walk, or ride on a mule, they will always reveal some clues.

There is a sense of rhythm and strength that is difficult to imitate, the eyes that look around, the bow steps, the Ding steps, the tucked waist, the sinking of the hips, and the calmness always carry a posture that is ready to defend and counterattack at any time.

This is muscle memory and an instinct ingrained into the bones. Even if one deliberately restrains and disguises himself, it is difficult to avoid any trace of it. People who are also good at martial arts will always notice something under such a close scrutiny.

His Majesty’s secret order: It is better to be unjust than to let off the hook, and no mistakes are allowed!

Since the city gates were opened early in the morning, 127 tracking personnel have been sent out, totaling 76 batches.

Of course, God will not let down those who work hard!

"Attention, there's a new caravan arriving at the end of the third line!"

After observing quietly for about a quarter of an hour, he soon identified these small caravans as key targets for observation!

Immediately, the first echelon of experts was dispatched to track and investigate.

"Hurry, be careful, notify the people outside the city, go!"

…

Akang realized something was wrong around noon.

Along the way, they walked along the road, mixed in with the bustling crowd coming and going from the south and the north, raising a huge crowd and raising dust.

The sun seemed to be able to melt people, but the main road leading to Yangdu was still as crowded as ever, with mules, ponies, large and small carts, stretching as far as the eye could see.

There is no problem in hiding in the city, but Akang and others have a very keen sense of smell. When they were wiping the sweat off their foreheads and wondering whether they should go to the car to touch up their makeup, they suddenly caught a glimpse of two large caravans coming towards them at the fork in the road ahead.

One on the left and one on the right, they came slowly, sweating profusely. The other party was clearly lifting his shirt to fan himself while talking with a complaining look on his face, just like the others around him, but for some reason, Akang's heart suddenly skipped a beat.

Just as the city gate was secretly spying on them, Akang, Azheng and others were concentrating on observing the front, back, left and right. There were two lines of people coming from afar, no, there were three lines. Akang was touched by Azheng and immediately turned back without making a sound, but immediately noticed that there was a similar caravan about a hundred feet behind him!

It immediately touched his sensitive nerves! !

Ah Kang's mind raced, and he immediately gave the order: "Go left slowly, turn to the left fork, and head towards Fengxiang!"

The corners of his lips moved slightly. He didn't know whether it was true or false, or whether it was an enemy or a friend, but based on his years of experience and intuition, Akang had a bad feeling!

His heart sank, then began beating wildly, but he reacted very quickly to the changes in the situation. He did not stop his horse, nor did he panic. He immediately ordered his horse to follow the flow of people and turn left onto a small path towards Fengxiang.

If we leave this place, we will probably be in a terrible situation where we will be attacked from three sides.

Their quick reaction obviously exceeded the other party's expectations. Akang's subordinates also had secret sentries. Not long after, the secret sentries sent back an urgent message, "Those three caravans are really coming for us!"

They also realized something was wrong, and immediately moved around and came here quickly.

"Hurry, hurry up!"

The two small caravans at the rear suddenly merged into one and stopped at the rear to cover their retreat. Ah Zheng whipped the whip hard, and the horses pulling the carts suddenly neighed loudly and immediately rushed forward.

Su Ci was woken up immediately.

She woke up too early this morning and fell asleep soon after getting on the bus. She woke up in the morning, but the carriage was very hot. She felt even hotter as she was pregnant. The window was not open much, and she could not show her face. She felt a little unbearable after being awake for a while, so she thought it was better to sleep, as she would not be hot when she fell asleep.

She wiped her sweaty face, chest and back with cold water, then reluctantly lay down. She had no idea how long she had slept. She felt a little hungry, and just as she was about to open her eyes, the carriage was suddenly thrown around and the speed immediately increased dramatically.

"What's up?!"

Su Ci was startled and immediately turned over and sat up, lifting the curtain of the car.

Outside the car, Akang, Azheng and others had solemn expressions on their faces. The horses under their crotches, whose hair had been specially dyed mixed, were no longer disguised. They whipped the horses repeatedly, with smoke and dust billowing, pushing the speed to the extreme!

——This horse is a cross between a southwestern horse and a Hequ horse. It looks shorter than a Hequ horse, but has amazing endurance and explosive power. It is very fast. It is a new breed bred in the horse farm. Yang Yanzong specially ordered people to transport it from the southwest and disguise it as a mixed-hair inferior horse.

But now, Akang and others can no longer care about it and tear off the disguise directly!

"Ma'am, please sit tight, we are being followed!"

Akang, Azheng and others looked solemn. They almost immediately thought of Ji Yuanhao. They didn't know whether it was a coincidence or the news had leaked. They were puzzled, but they couldn't care less now. They had to get out of this situation first!

But is it that easy to get away?

Ji Yuanhao personally arranged the deployment and gave a death order, which was almost a dragnet. He was determined to get the hostage Su Ci!

After running for about a quarter of an hour, the scout returned in a hurry: "Oh no! They came prepared, and there are a lot of them!"

So many people can't be stopped? !

A Kang and the others were all worried. Su Ci made a prompt decision. She held her stomach with one hand and knocked on the door with the other hand. She got out and jumped out: "Abandon the car, quickly!"

"Let's go into the mountains!"

Akang jumped up, hugged Su Ci horizontally, and under the protection of Azheng and dozens of other masters, he abandoned his horse and rushed away.

The few people who stayed behind immediately gathered the horses and vehicles and drove them in another direction.

Feng Township is located on the mountainside. About a mile away is a hilly area. Ten miles further ahead is Fengshan, which is a small branch of the Daxiling Mountains. They hope to break into the Daxiling Mountains.

However, the opposite happened!

After speeding for seven or eight miles, Akang's ears suddenly moved and his face changed drastically. Su Ci asked anxiously, "What's wrong?"

She soon found out what happened?

All that could be heard was the sound of horses' hooves like thunder and the ground shaking. It was the sound of an army marching. In the distance, flags fluttered, and suddenly a team of more than a thousand armored soldiers appeared in front.

The commander-in-chief of the army had already led his men, abandoning their horses and rushing over.

Attacked from front and back, from all directions.

The leading general was none other than Chen Yiqu, one of Ji Yuanhao's confidants.

Chen Yiqu stopped, clasped his hands, took out a golden order from his bosom, and said politely: "His Majesty has ordered that Madam Yang come with us."

There was silence for a moment.

Su Ci: "Since it is a public matter, and His Majesty has invited them, let them go back."

She held down Akang's bulging arms. Akang, Azheng and the others became anxious when they heard her say, "Madam!"

Su Ci shook her head. It was useless for Akang and the others to follow. They would be separated if they followed. They would not be able to protect her, and would instead cause Yang Yanzong to lose his confidants. She looked stern and glared at him: "Hurry up and go back to report to your master!"

"quick!"

She lowered her voice: "This is an order!"

Su Ci immediately looked at Chen Yiqu opposite her.

Chen Yiqu hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded: "Mrs. Yang is right."

His Majesty's original words were: "Please invite Madam Yang to the palace as a guest." At present, they and Yang Yanzong have not really torn their relations. He weighed the pros and cons for a moment, signaled to his left and right, and asked them to make way for Akang and others to leave.

Su Ci raised her voice: "Take all our people away!"

After a while of stalemate, many people with knives and blood all over their bodies came up one after another. Su Ci signaled to take everyone away.

A carriage came up from behind, and Chen Yiqu leaned forward slightly: "Madam Yang, please."

grass!

The baby in the belly probably felt the mother's emotions and moved violently. Su Ci gently comforted him with one hand, said nothing, pursed her lips and got on the carriage.

Chen Yiqu waved his hand and said, "Retreat!"

…

The two carriages entered the palace that same day.

Su Ci and Ji Yuanhao also met.

It had been a long time since she and Ji Yuanhao had seen each other. This man was as handsome and tall as ever, wearing a navy blue imperial casual attire embroidered with a golden dragon pattern. He walked out of the palace slowly with his hands behind his back and smiled, "Long time no see, Second Mother."

Su Ci stood at the bottom of the stairs. She had no rules about not looking directly at the emperor's face. She looked at the person on the stairs and said, "It's been a long time. Your Majesty is more elegant than before."

Ji Yuanhao smiled and turned the rosary in his hand. This rosary originally belonged to Ji Chengtan. Their mother gave it to Ji Chengtan when he was just born before she died. Ji Chengtan had been wearing it since he grew up. After Ji Chengtan and Ren passed away, he kept the rosary as a remembrance and had been wearing it on his wrist ever since.

I also developed the habit of turning the rosary beads.

Ji Yuanhao raised his eyebrows: "Second Mother's health is not bad, what are you going to do outside the city?"

Su Ci smiled and said, "My mother has asthma and has been recuperating in the village for the past two years. I am the only one at home with nothing to do, so my father asked me to go visit her."

"Oh, so that's how it is."

Ji Yuanhao nodded and said, "The queen has just been diagnosed with pregnancy. She is young and a little uneasy. I heard that Second Lady is good at medicine, so I asked me to invite you to the palace to accompany her for a few days."

"Someone come."

Ji Yuanhao ordered his attendants: "Send Madam Yang to Changqiu Palace."

The people around responded and came to Su Ci, "Madam Yang, please."

Watching Su Ci's voice fade away, the sun set and the afterglow filled the sky. Ji Yuanhao suppressed the smile on his lips, turned around and quickly walked into the hall.

Sitting upright, he lowered his eyes, then raised them after a moment: "Did you find out anything?"

Zhao Ying knelt on one knee and said shamefully, "No."

Ji Yuanhao frowned and thought for a long time, "Go, inform Chen Yiqu and others in Tang Xianzhou and keep a close eye on the military movements!"

As for the court and local governments, Ji Yuanhao issued another series of orders.

The setting sun shone on the tall white marble platform and reflected into the hall, which was a bit dazzling. Ji Yuanhao narrowed his eyes slightly.

Yang Yanzong, what exactly do you want to do?

He ordered: "Keep investigating, and make sure to find any traces as soon as possible!"

"Also, don't summon that person anymore." Let him lie dormant. Ji Yuanhao still has great use for this person.

"go."

"yes!"

…

At this time, Yang Yanzong had already received news that Su Ci had been captured.

Akang and his companions were in a terrible state, and they turned back quickly, arriving back in Yangdu in the afternoon.

Yang Yanzong was in the left council hall at the time. When he saw Akang being brought in, he was startled and stood up suddenly: "Why are you here?"

"Where's the Madam?!"

He shouted.

Ah Kang knelt down with tears streaming down his face, "Master, Master, I am so incompetent..."

He wiped his face twice and quickly recounted what had happened.

After learning that Su Ci was taken away by Chen Yiqu, Yang Yanzong's mind buzzed and he felt dizzy for a moment. His eyes were bloodshot: "What did you say?!"

He took two steps and grabbed Akang by the collar, lifting him up: "Say it to me again!!"

But even if you say it a hundred times, the result will still be the same.

Not long after, the palace issued an imperial decree that Empress Xu was pregnant, and Yang Yanzong's wife Su Ci was specially summoned to the palace to accompany her.

…

At dusk, the setting sun is as red as blood.

Some things don't need to be stated.

Today's sunset is particularly red, when the red sunset glow like residual blood covers the red walls and golden tiles of the imperial city and the white marble square.

Yang Yanzong came out from the left conference room.

The Left Council Hall is actually very close to Shangyang Palace. After all, when it was first established, the site was chosen under the left and right wings of Shangyang Palace, only about a hundred feet away.

That is about three hundred meters.

The empty square was like a blood-red setting sun. Ji Yuanhao had just returned to Shangyang Palace from the imperial study.

He stood on a white marble platform.

Feeling something in your heart, look up.

The two people couldn't see each other clearly, but at this moment, their eyes met invisibly in mid-air, and there was a stern look between their brows.

…

Duke Yang's Mansion.

This mansion had undergone rounds of expansion and now covered an extremely vast area. The walls and gates were so high that one could not see inside. The guards and personal soldiers were still patrolling with solemn expressions as always.

The outside looked no different from before, except that the atmosphere in the study courtyard was no longer as lively and cheerful as before, and became extremely depressing overnight.

Everyone was silent.

After a round of loud noises in the study, even the large nanmu desk was cut into two pieces by the furious Yang Yanzong's sword.

Achuan finally came back and brought back the latest news about Su Ci. Su Ci was sent to Changqiu Palace and placed in a small side hall. Empress Xu arranged two palace maids to serve her. Although she was heavily guarded around her, she was safe and sound.

Although she knew that Ji Yuanhao would not touch her, Yang Yanzong couldn't help but let out a long sigh of relief the moment she received the message.

Akang and the others had been dragged out and severely beaten with the cane thirty times.

He sat alone in the dark study for a long time, until A Zhao reported that Li Shengen had arrived, then he got up and left.

Yang Yanzong met Li Shengen in the side room. He said coldly: "Ji Yuanhao has noticed it. Inform everyone to keep the troops still and be alert."

"Don't reveal your flaws for the other party to detect!"

All preparations are ready. They don't need to move anymore. Just keep doing it and wait for orders!

Li Shengen's heart sank, and he immediately said, "Yes!"

He and Ah Chuan exchanged a glance, and then said anxiously, "Master, how did Ji Yuanhao find out?"

"We are verifying it."

Yang Yanzong glanced at a few people and said in a deep voice: "Don't worry, we need to be stable for now. Ji Yuanhao will never dare to act rashly. Before the investigation is confirmed, we will temporarily remain unchanged in the face of all changes."

"yes!"

Without further ado, Li Shengen and Achuan hurriedly left.

Yang Yanzong was the only one left in the room lit by a candle.

He sat down slowly, his brows and eyes looking stern.

Yes, he was worried about Su Ci's accident, but at this moment, there was something more important.

——Who leaked the news of Su Ci’s departure from the capital? !

I'm afraid there's a traitor in his core circle.

You know, the number of people who knew that he sent Su Ci away in advance was actually very, very few. Akang, Azhao and other personal soldiers were counted as they were the ones who directly handled and participated in it; in addition, there were Li Shengen and other ten or twenty trusted subordinates in the army who were responsible for deploying the operation, and they could guess what happened.

The only ones left were the people who served Su Ci, and a few people at home, including the Su family. It was such a small group.

That's all.

Of course, there could also be external reasons such as leaks from secret passages, leaks from business houses, or traces of vehicles and horses being left exposed.

Or maybe the other party just happened to be lucky enough to get something for free.

But Yang Yanzong didn't believe any of the last two items. They were impossible. He almost immediately concluded that someone must have leaked the news.

There's a traitor.

Everything seemed to be a sure thing, but Su Ci unexpectedly encountered an accident.

Yang Yanzong was anxious and angry, but he quickly suppressed all his emotions. The night was as cold as water, and his brows were as cold as ice.

——Who is this person?