As the sun slowly rose, its golden rays bathed the rolling mountains in a golden glow.
Just then, the gate of the princess's residence creaked open and slowly opened. Zhang Wan and Baozhu, one with a bamboo basket slung over her arm and the other with a bamboo basket on her back, walked out into the morning light, chatting and laughing. They were preparing to go to the early market to find some herbs that were not available in the nursery.
Suddenly, they heard the clattering of hooves approaching from afar. The two men stopped and looked out from under the vermilion and gilded gate, and saw an old man riding by in the distance.
They were strikingly handsome and extraordinary. The two of them stood there, stunned, exchanging bewildered glances.
"Madam, isn't that... isn't that Master?" Baozhu rubbed her eyes and asked incredulously.
"Of course," Zhang Wan recognized him at a glance.
She was also extremely surprised as she watched Zhao Shouzhen's departing figure, but she quickly regained her composure and thought to herself, "Shouzhen personally rode to the garrison camp; there must be something fishy about this."
She quickly came to her senses and instructed Baozhu, "Quickly, go and inform Lord Fenghong to strengthen the security in the manor. I'm afraid... Chaoyang County is about to be in turmoil."
Upon hearing this, Baozhu dared not delay for a moment and turned to hurry into the mansion.
Zhang Wan turned around and quickly ordered her servants to close the gates of the princess's residence and increase patrols to ensure that nothing went wrong.
Baozhu ran all the way through the hanging flower archway, but suddenly remembered something, so she turned back and ran back, slightly out of breath, and said, "Madam, the eldest, the young lady is about to give birth, what should we do?"
Zhang Wan frowned, pondered for a moment, and quickly made a decision: "There's Rou'er and Li Afu at home. Li Afu knows some martial arts, and there's also the midwife Bai Wei hired... Even if... even if the army comes, they won't do anything to a pregnant woman like her."
“But, Madam…” Baozhu hesitated. Seeing that Zhang Wan did not respond, she replied emphatically, “This servant will go and inform Aunt Fenghong right away.”
Upon receiving the news, Feng Hong frowned and immediately summoned his personal guards to deploy defenses.
Normally, she and Lanru take turns impersonating the princess, and she is also the princess's head bodyguard. Zhang Wan's reaction is definitely not just a case of being overly suspicious or seeing threats everywhere.
She must have sensed the impending crisis facing Chaoyang County.
At the same time, Zhao Shouzhen had approached the Chaoyang Garrison Camp and could hear the sounds of drills coming from the camp from afar. However, upon closer listening, he could hear some discordant sounds mixed in, as if there were noises and arguments.
He thought to himself, "As expected, there's something wrong with the garrison." The unease in his heart grew stronger, driving him to quicken his pace.
As Zhao Shouzhen arrived at the camp gate, he bumped into Commander Li Xiaotian, who was angrily riding a fat, sturdy gray horse, cursing and swearing, as he charged towards him. If Zhao Shouzhen hadn't dodged in time, he probably would have been hit.
Behind them came Shen Hanshan's furious roar: "Someone, stop him!"
Zhao Shouzhen tightened the reins, bringing his horse to a steady stop. He stared sharply at Li Xiaotian's face, which was contorted with rage, his heart churning with turmoil.
Li Xiaotian had fought alongside the young general Shen Hanshan on many battlefields before, and such a major conflict had never occurred before. What exactly happened today to cause these once close comrades to turn against each other like this?
He suppressed his doubts and shouted sternly, "Li Xiaotian, as the commander of the garrison, how dare you abandon your post and disrupt the order of the military camp! What is your crime?!" Although Zhao Shouzhen was old, his words immediately revealed the majesty of the former chief minister.
Two rows of soldiers emerged from behind the two men, armed with weapons, and the atmosphere became tense.
Li Xiaotian's chest heaved with anger as he said indignantly, "Lord Zhao, you've come at the right time! This garrison camp is no longer what it used to be!"
As he spoke, he suddenly pulled on the reins, making the horse spin in place, as if he wanted to vent all his resentment on the innocent horse.
Where does this saying come from?
“Shen Hanshan, he… he colluded with foreign enemies and had ulterior motives! I, Li Xiaotian, though a mere warrior, know the principles of loyalty to the emperor and love for the country. How can I allow him to act recklessly!” Li Xiaotian’s voice trembled as he spoke, as if he were experiencing a great struggle and pain in his heart.
Inside the tent, Shen Hanshan lifted a corner of the curtain and silently watched the scene unfold in the distance.
Xu Hui stood behind him and saw Zhao Shouzhen next to Li Xiaotian. He frowned slightly and said, "Why did my mentor follow us? I was afraid he would become suspicious, so I made up an excuse to fool him. I didn't expect that he would still see through my act and follow us."
Shen Hanshan lowered the curtain, his gaze returning to the large sand table in the center of the tent. He slowly said, "Your mentor was the former Grand Secretary of the current dynasty. If he didn't even have this much vigilance, how could he have risen to that position? And why did he choose to retire to the mountains at the height of his power?"
Xu Hui nodded in agreement.
The two then began studying the sand table. However, Xu Hui's attention was clearly drawn to the sounds of insults directed at Shen Hanshan outside.
"Lord Zhao, you must believe me. Although I, Li Xiaotian, am crude, I know what I'm doing. Shen Hanshan... he is no longer the Shen Hanshan of the past. He is secretly colluding with neighboring countries, attempting to..." Li Xiaotian lowered his voice, his words filled with anxiety and helplessness.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Shouzhen frowned, his gaze sweeping deep into the camp. Seeing the increasing number of eyes fixed on them, he knew this was no small matter; mishandling it could escalate into even greater unrest.
"General Li, please come with me. We need to discuss this further." Zhao Shouzhen said as he dismounted and gestured for Li Xiaotian to also get off and talk in detail.
Li Xiaotian shook his head in disappointment. "No, Lord Zhao, I advise you to leave this place immediately. Shen Hanshan... he previously broke off your daughter's engagement, and he... I'm afraid he won't show you any mercy. Lord Zhao, farewell!"
After saying that, Li Xiaotian suddenly pulled on the reins, and the horse's front hooves rose high. The soldiers beside him hurriedly retreated to the side. Taking advantage of this opening, Li Xiaotian cracked the whip and, amidst shouts of "Commander—", galloped away.
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