The enemy outnumbered them, and Lu Baichuan didn't want anything to happen to his brothers, so he didn't delay any longer and rushed into the crowd to start reaping kills.

Fortunately, there weren't many people chasing them down the mountain, only about a hundred, and the situation was resolved in no time. Their side only suffered minor injuries, and no one was seriously injured.

These people had also undergone closed training, so they were quite skilled and physically fit, but facing them head-on would still be a bit of a challenge.

The main reason was that Lu Baichuan and Qin Jian had exhausted them, making it easier for the guards to finish them off.

In addition, during the fight, Lu Baichuan and Qin Jian were able to react quickly and block fatal blows for them, which is why they have survived until now.

"Thank you, General, for saving my life."

As the group was about to kneel, Lu Baichuan stopped them, saying, "We're all brothers now, and we're in the same boat. There's no need to be so formal. Those who are injured should go and treat their wounds. I have some wound medicine here; if you need more, just come to me. Get some rest, and we'll see how things go tomorrow."

By this time, it was almost dawn, and the bandits could finally get moving. They needed to find a hiding place to rest and then wait until the next night to launch another attack.

He originally intended to offer amnesty to these bandits, but considering that they had all been trained in the army of the King of Xun, and had even deserted to become outlaws and killed so many people, they were all heinous criminals, so there was no need to keep them alive.

Even if you manage to recruit such people with great effort, they will either defect to the enemy or continue to desert on the battlefield. It's pointless. It's better to kill them all.

"yes!"

The group agreed, quickly bandaged their wounds on the spot, and then followed Lu Baichuan to a safe place to lie down and rest.

When it was fully light, Jiang Jiuniang received Lu Baichuan's letter. Upon reading its contents, she frowned. She hadn't expected them to be so unlucky, forced to take their acting too seriously.

Without delay, she quickly went to the palace to tell the emperor the news, and the emperor was equally shocked.

"I didn't expect there to be so many remaining followers of the King."

The emperor gripped the paper tightly in his hand. It contained a copy of something else made by Jiang Jiuniang, something Lu Baichuan had written on a small piece of paper with a carbon pen. He dared not take it out casually.

"Your Majesty, the situation in the capital is not good right now. This matter must not be known to anyone. Even if we send people to provide support, it must be done in secret. In addition, the local officials have ties to the government, and we must suppress and clean them up. We also need to send people to take up these posts. The matter is very complicated. Your Majesty can entrust it to trusted people so that you don't have to do it yourself."

Jiang Jiuniang expressed her thoughts: the emperor has been busy with court affairs lately, and also has to take care of the empress who is in confinement. His eyes are dark and he is obviously exhausted.

Since the emperor ascended the throne, he has never slacked off for a single day. He is a diligent and benevolent emperor, as well as a good husband and father. However, he has never taken care of himself. When Jiang Jiuniang took his pulse the other day, she was quite surprised. His body was deteriorating too quickly.

Not only did they quickly prescribe a bunch of tonics, but they also advised the emperor to rest more, lest he die at such a young age.

The emperor naturally understood this principle, but he had very few people in the court he could trust, and they were still being cultivated, so he had to do many things personally.

"Whom do you think would be most suitable to send, Madam?"

The emperor was indeed quite tired, not only physically but also mentally. Since ascending the throne, not a single day had been easy for him.

Women were not allowed to interfere in politics, but the emperor felt that Jiang Jiuniang was not an ordinary woman and could be an exception. He did not hide anything from her and even listened to her advice.

"Why don't we send Prince Mao instead?"

Prince Mao was the former crown prince. Although he lacked leadership skills and was not cut out to be emperor, he was still capable of carrying out orders.

"Prince Mao is weak by nature. This matter is dangerous. I'm afraid..."

The emperor hesitated. There would definitely be danger in negotiating with those officials this time. After all, Prince Mao was his father's most beloved son. If something happened to him, he would have a hard time explaining himself.

"Your Majesty, you worry about this and that, and you take on everything yourself. Your health really can't take it."

Jiang Jiuniang was somewhat helpless. Prince Mao was not a child. If he was rejected without even being allowed to try, what could he possibly accomplish?

The emperor was speechless for a moment, but he felt that what she said made sense, so he nodded in agreement.

"Bai Chuan and the others are in danger. I want to go and see them myself. Please keep this a secret, Your Majesty. If anyone asks, just say that I am taking care of the Empress in the palace."

Jiang Jiuniang was genuinely worried, since she hadn't brought much with her on this trip and her men were just ordinary guards who wouldn't last long.

Although Lu Baichuan could complete the mission without her help, the price he would have to pay would be too high.

Thinking back to when they first met, his body was covered in wounds and his face was full of wrinkles, she felt inexplicably irritated. She didn't want Lu Baichuan to get hurt again, not even a minor injury.

"Alright, then pack your things and go with Prince Mao..."

Jiang Jiuniang is reliable; if she goes, the chances of success will be much greater.

"I will not travel with Prince Mao. I will leave the palace soon and ride as fast as I can to meet up with Bai Chuan and Brother Qin."

The capital is not far from Xingchun Mountain. She can get there in a short time if she goes there. If she goes with Prince Mao, it will take at least two or three days. She can't wait that long.

The emperor suddenly remembered that Lu Baichuan had been seriously injured before, and that she had the ability to travel from Jingzhou to the capital overnight. She must have some skills, so she was unwilling to travel with others.

He instantly understood what Jiang Jiuniang meant, so he stopped insisting and agreed.

Jiang Jiuniang went to check on the Empress again to make sure she was alright, and then instructed her, "Your Majesty, I will be leaving for a few days. The imperial physicians in the palace can take good care of you. Please persuade the Emperor to rest and not to overwork himself."

Although Jiang Jiuniang didn't speak too clearly because the Empress was still in confinement, the Empress still understood her meaning and sighed, saying, "I know that His Majesty is just too eager for the country to get better and is overthinking things. I will try to persuade him more."

Jiang Jiuniang nodded, gave the imperial physician a few instructions, and then left the palace.

Upon returning to the General's Mansion, she went to Madam Sun to explain her departure. Madam Sun, being quite perceptive, asked, "Has something happened to the Third Prince?"

It is said that a mother worries when her son travels a thousand miles, and she has not been able to sleep well these past few days since her third son left.

She was already worried that something might happen, and now that even her third son's wife was going out, she was very anxious.

"It's nothing, just a little trouble. I'll go take a look and I'll be back in a few days, so don't worry. Also, don't let anyone know I'm not in the capital, not even my sister-in-law and children. Just say I'm in the palace taking care of the Empress during her postpartum period."

Hearing her say that, Mrs. Sun became even more nervous.

How can this be something that can't be shown to others?