at the same time.

Su Wanwan, dressed in Ming army armor, was riding a warhorse and mingling among the search party.

Looking at the strong and upright figure riding ahead, she felt a mix of emotions.

Slowly.

They moved away from the key search areas and quietly disappeared into the night.

The bird calls behind the thatched hut were the secret signal between Guard Xiao and her.

She never expected that the exiled guard Xiao would arrive in time and find her whereabouts first.

Taking advantage of Lu Youting's absence, he jumped down from the roof beam and quietly took her away.

Such skill and ability are truly admirable.

How could such loyalty not move people?

After walking along a rugged mountain path, the two arrived at a secluded house.

The man in front then dismounted and helped her down from the horse.

Xiao Bin said, "This is the imperial mausoleum area; patrols can't come here."

Su Wanwan could no longer suppress the soreness in her nose.

"How did you get here so quickly?"

Her voice had a nasal quality.

Every time she was in danger, it was Guard Xiao who saved her.

How could she ever repay such a debt of gratitude?

Before she set off, she did indeed secretly send someone to Weizhouwei to deliver a message to him.

But it would take at least two or three days to go back and forth.

Moreover, given his status as a conscript, he was not allowed to leave his place of conscription without permission.

Xiao Bin said gently, "I was recently ordered to enter the pass to purchase supplies, and I happened to hear that you had gone missing, so I came looking for you."

He tied the two horses to a tree to the right of the house and helped her walk towards the hut.

The house was covered in dust and cobwebs, and it must have been uninhabited for a long time.

Xiao Bin asked her to sit on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), saying, "We're going to stay here for a few days, let me tidy up first."

He found the rag and basin with practiced ease and went to the well in the yard to fetch water to clean.

Su Wanwan casually touched the kang (a heated brick bed) and found that the dust was about half an inch thick.

The ruins didn't seem to be a problem for Xiao Bin; he could simply put in the effort to resolve them.

Watching him bustling about in the darkness, she felt inexplicably at ease.

She also asked for a rag and wiped the dust off the kang (heated brick bed) near her.

Why would they send you in to make purchases?

Purchasing is always a lucrative job, and it's quite strange that he, an exiled prisoner who has been in office for less than three months, was able to get such a good job.

Xiao Bin, still wiping the table, looked at her:

"The money the young lady gave is enough. It's not a difficult matter; a little money will do the trick."

Su Wanwan smiled:

"I thought it was our Guard Xiao who was so capable and charming, but it turns out it's silver that's so charming."

In fact.

Several of the capable managers who handled her dowry were found by Xiao Bin.

She simply agreed on the profit-sharing rules and code of conduct with the managers.

In recent years, her dowry has increased dramatically, almost doubling in value, and Xiao Bin deserves a lot of credit for this.

"nature."

Xiao Bin lowered his eyes and continued cleaning, the tenderness in his eyes well concealed by the darkness.

She can even crack jokes now.

It is clear that they have recovered from the fear and terror they were feeling earlier.

It seems she has had a very difficult few months.

"Guard Xiao, how come you know this place so well?"

Su Wanwan found herself talking more than usual in front of Guard Xiao.

Perhaps because of sufficient trust, one becomes much more relaxed in speech and action.

“I used to live here. I bought the house from the villagers, so you can live here with peace of mind.”

Looking at the simple house, Su Wanwan felt as if something had touched her heart.

She had previously asked Xiao Bin about his family and background, and he only said that he was an orphan.

She never asked again after that.

Sitting in this room now feels like meeting him from before, the him she didn't know.

This feeling is hard to describe.

The two seemed to have grown closer.

...

The sky was just beginning to lighten.

Having not slept all night, Lu Xingjian frowned and gave the order:

"Expand the search scope."

After a day and a night of intensive searching, Su Wanwan was still nowhere to be found.

They did find cannons, swords, spears, flags, and other items related to rebellion and defiance.

Following the trail, they found a person in charge named Zhang Hua.

The accompanying officials and officers were all very excited.

Treason is a serious crime.

Whoever uncovers this line will be promoted and become wealthy.

Lu Xingjian's expression grew even colder:

"Did her maid, coachman, or guards give any instructions?"

Gu Fang, the head of the Northern Garrison of the Embroidered Uniform Guard responsible for investigating major cases, had a solemn expression:

"Only that maid named Yan Rong said she had contact with people around Prince Rong, but her contact has disappeared without a trace."

Lu Xingjian's calm demeanor was tinged with a hint of fierceness.

"Uncle Thirteen is always meticulous in his work."

Gu Fang shifted the topic to the treason case:

"That thatched hut that caught fire was not far from the estate of the Grand Princess of Chun'an."

Lu Xingjian's eyes sharpened. "Continue the investigation."

He paused, a sharp glint flashing in his dark eyes:

"Investigate the Rong Prince's Mansion and the Shouning Marquis's Mansion in detail."

Gu Fang's breath hitched.

These are the three most powerful imperial relatives in the capital.

If they investigate at the same time, the commotion will be considerable.

...

By the time dawn broke, the house was basically clean.

The bedding and blankets hadn't been used for a long time and smelled musty.

They took the blanket out of the closet and shook it open; a snake rolled out and flicked its tongue at them.

Su Wanwan was startled and quickly jumped behind Xiao Bin.

Xiao Bin hadn't expected this situation. He drew his knife, cut the snake in two, and threw it outside, saying helplessly:

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