Chapter 405 Ajiu Arrives in Xijing
Things unfolded exactly as Min Qiaoshi and Wei Jia had predicted.
A few days later, news came from the border that the 200,000-strong army of Dayan had arrived at the border and was preparing to launch a major attack on Da'e.
Just then, news arrived that Princess Xihe was still alive, forcing Dayan to halt its attack on Dahe.
However, the army did not withdraw and remained stationed at the border.
When the news reached Xijing, the envoys sent by Daxi were still at the border negotiating with the envoys of Dayan, representing the fifth prince, King Chu.
The specific topics discussed were nothing more than the attack on the marriage procession, the investigation of the perpetrators, compensation for the losses suffered by Dayan, and whether the marriage should continue or be cancelled... and so on.
The ultimate goal, of course, was to quell the anger of Dayan and end the war.
Of course, these are all superficial purposes.
However, these were not things that Min Qiao was concerned about at the moment.
What she cares about now is how to rescue Li Sanqi from the Crown Prince's clutches.
Li Sanqi has been in Xijing with the Crown Prince's entourage for several days, but Min Qiaoshi still hasn't found out where Li Sanqi is being held.
As Princess Xihe, Min Pan'er lived openly in the embassy built by Dahe specifically for foreign envoys.
However, Li Sanqi and Wen Xiu, who were maids, did not move into the embassy with Min Pan'er.
The Crown Prince's residence and the Marquis of Pingyan's residence also sent people to keep watch, but they still couldn't find any trace of Li Sanqi and Wen Xiu.
Just as Madam Min was filled with worry, an unexpected person suddenly came to her door.
“A-Jiu?” Madam Min looked at the person in front of her, somewhat incredulous.
It has only been a month since the marriage procession was attacked and separated.
But Ah Jiu had lost a lot of weight, her face was sallow, her eyes were sunken, there were dark circles under her eyes, and her eyes were bloodshot.
"What happened to you? Why do you look like this?"
"Madam!" Ajiu knelt down with a thud. "I'm sorry, I'm useless. I failed to fulfill your instructions, I failed to protect Princess Xihe, and I failed to protect Miss Jiang!"
Ah Jiu was filled with remorse.
The day Min Pan'er entered the city, Min Qiaoshi knew that Ajiu had failed in her duty.
But what could she blame Ajiu for when something like that happened?
Wenxiu was only responsible for protecting Li Sanqi, but she failed to do so.
Moreover, Ajiu is also responsible for protecting Min Pan'er and Jiang Hongling.
"It's alright, I know everything. Please get up and talk to me first."
Madam Min helped the person up and then instructed Wei Jia, "Have someone prepare hot water, clothes, and food. Let A Jiu take a bath and have something to eat first."
"Yes." Wei Jia quickly went out to make the arrangements.
Soon, everything was arranged, and Wei Jia personally led A Jiu downstairs to bathe and change clothes, and then set out the food in the west wing.
Ah Jiu was anxious about what was going on, so she hurriedly ate two bowls of rice and four dishes of vegetables, and rushed to see Min Qiao Shi.
"Sit down and let's talk."
"This servant dares not sit!" Ajiu knelt before Madam Min Qiao once again.
Madam Min didn't press the matter, and instead asked, "How did you find your way to Xijing? Are you alone? Where is Jiang Hongling?"
"Weren't you guarding Min Pan'er and Jiang Hongling back then? How did Min Pan'er end up in the Crown Prince's hands?"
"What exactly happened in between?"
Ah Jiu quickly recounted their experiences along the way, then blamed herself, saying, "That day, we were chased by men in black, and Miss Jiang was seriously injured and on the verge of death."
"I thought that since the man in black was injured and had retreated, we were safe for the time being. So I left Princess Xihe to wait where she was, while I took Miss Jiang to save her life."
"But who knew that after I settled Miss Jiang and went back to look for Princess Xihe, she had disappeared without a trace."
"I only heard the news from Xijing a couple of days ago that Princess Xihe had arrived in Xijing. That's why I traveled day and night to find her."
Madam Min sighed and asked, "Where is Miss Jiang now? How are her injuries?"
Ah Jiu said dejectedly, "Miss Jiang was seriously injured that day, damaging her internal organs. I'm afraid she will be left with a weak constitution and poor health in the future."
"Her injuries have not yet fully healed, and she is unable to travel. I left her at a farmhouse 300 miles away from Xijing to recuperate."
Madam Min sighed, "It's good that people are alive!"
"Madam, Ajiu is incompetent. Ajiu lost Princess Xihe and almost caused Miss Jiang's death."
Ah Jiu insisted, "Punish me!"
"Get up, this is not your fault," Madam Min Qiao called out again.
Before Ajiu could say anything more, Weijia quickly helped her up, saying, "The old lady told you to get up, why are you still kneeling?"
Wei Jia gave A Jiu a wink.
Madam Min has been troubled by many things these days, and she doesn't want Ajiu to upset Madam Min again over such trivial matters.
Ajiu received Weijia's reminder and obediently stood up with Weijia's help.
Min Qiao didn't pay attention to their little interaction. She looked at Ajiu with concern and said, "How long has it been since you had a good night's sleep? Look how tired you are. Go and rest."
"Madam..."
Madam Min waved her hand and instructed Wei Jia, "Take her down to rest, and find out Jiang Hongling's exact location as soon as possible, and send a few trustworthy people to bring her back."
"Yes. I'll arrange it right away."
Wei Jia led A Jiu away.
Once only Madam Min Qiao and Zhen Huan remained in the room, Zhen Huan finally spoke up, "Madam, don't you find this strange?"
Madam Min Qiao looked at Zhen Huan and asked, "You mean the man in black who was chasing Min Pan'er?"
He nodded in agreement. "We didn't encounter any pursuers along the way, and the Seventh Princess and Wenxiu weren't injured when they entered the city."
"But according to Ah Jiu, the men in black have been chasing them ever since the night the main force was attacked."
"Their intentions, especially towards Min Pan'er, are very clear; they are obviously aiming to take Min Pan'er's life."
Madam Min laughed, "You're getting more and more perceptive."
Hearing the praise, he actually curled the corners of his mouth almost imperceptibly.
Wei Jia is too smart. Even people who usually only like to use their hands have felt a sense of crisis and have learned to use their brains.
"Da Xi wants to use Min Pan'er, so Min Ji will not let Min Pan'er die."
"But from Da Yan's perspective, Min Pan'er absolutely cannot live."
"As the messenger of orders, or even the executor, Qiao Jingyuan seems to be standing on the opposite side of Min Ji."
Upon hearing this, Zhen Huan's eyes lit up slightly. "So, Qiao Jingyuan didn't actually betray Dayan?"
Madam Min smiled but did not answer. "Go and call Old Woodcutter here."
She hadn't seen the old woodcutter for quite some time.
He actually went to find someone and returned with them shortly afterward.
"Madam, you wanted to see me?" The old woodcutter bowed.
Min Qiao looked at the old woodcutter with a probing gaze, "Qiao Jingyuan betrayed Dayan, did you know that?"
The old woodcutter lowered his eyes and, after a long silence, finally said, "I don't know."
Min Qiao said meaningfully, "Treason is an unforgivable crime that punishes nine generations of one's family! Aren't you going to say a few words in defense of your elder brother?"
The old woodcutter lowered his head, clenching his fists tightly, but still didn't say anything more.
Madam Min sighed, "I know your elder brother didn't betray Dayan. But why did he make me think he did? It makes absolutely no sense!"
Can you tell me why he did that?
The old woodcutter, who had been silent all along, finally reacted after hearing these words.
He knelt down with a thud, raised his head, looked at Madam Min Qiao with bloodshot eyes, and pleaded in a hoarse voice, "Aunt, please save my elder brother!"
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