"Seeing you like this reminds me of the day you saved me. Anyone who can be your friend is extremely lucky. Fine, I'll go to Xizhou with you. If this matter succeeds, consider it a favor you owe me."
Song He'er didn't want to owe anyone a favor out of thin air. Besides, she already had the information. Ruan Wenxiao was just a scholar, powerless and incapable of fighting. It was impossible for him to go into battle. She might as well go herself and enjoy some peace and quiet.
"No need. I am already very grateful that you got the information from Xizhou for me. How can I trouble you any further? I can't stay here any longer. I have to go back and explain this to my mother. Farewell, Young Master Ruan."
"Wait a moment......"
Before Song He'er could turn around, she was called back by the voice behind her, "Is there anything else?"
"I heard that you opened a silkworm breeding workshop in Jiangning."
"...How did you know?"
To avoid gossip, Song He'er and Jiang Huaifu did not register the workshop under their own names, but instead entrusted it to Zhao Ru for management. Apart from the employees inside, almost no one knew about this.
“My aunt had inquired beforehand and said that it was bought by an outsider. She also met the manager inside. Although she said that the property was her own, my aunt could tell at a glance that she was just doing things for someone else. I thought about it and wondered which outsider could have such ability and keep such a secret. Until I met you that day and saw how generous you were, I guessed it.”
"Yes, you are right, but my foundation is not yet stable, so please keep this a secret for me, young master."
Ruan Wenxiao smiled and nodded. "I'll help you with things in Jiangning when I have time. Not for any other reason than that we've met. Alright, you go ahead and do your own thing. Until we meet again."
Ruan Wenxiao seemed determined to find something to do to get involved with her. Seeing that he couldn't help Song He'er with her trip to Xizhou, he started looking elsewhere.
"Enough," Song He'er thought, unable to think of anything else now. She needed to get to the palace as quickly as possible to rescue the people. Without another word, she nodded and left...
After returning to Xiaoyang Village, Song He'er briefly explained the whole story to Qin Xiaoniang, but in order not to worry them, she only lied and said that she was going to Jiangning to take care of some business matters and would not be back for a few days. She did not mention that she was going to the Xizhou Royal Palace.
After obtaining everyone's consent, Song He'er and A Lu headed towards the border of Xizhou.
To avoid being seen, Song He'er changed into a dark outfit. The dark clothes were not very conspicuous at night, so even if someone saw her, she could easily hide.
“Miss, after much thought, I realize this isn’t a solution. When the young master left, he repeatedly instructed us to ensure your safety. Now, not only have I failed to do so, but I’ve also dragged you into danger. How am I supposed to explain this to the young master…?”
"It's too late to talk about this now. Do you think I can just worry about it myself? They can't get out, and I can't get in. This stalemate is bound to cause trouble sooner or later. It's better to be upfront and talk things out! Rather than saying that the people of Xizhou want to see me, it's more like that queen wants to give me a hard time. Her son's resolute departure from the palace has displeased her, and she wants to find a scapegoat. Now, I am that scapegoat..."
Ah Lu sighed and lowered her head. "Back then, I also advised the young master not to be at odds with the queen like this, but he insisted on bringing people to Nanzhao. Now he has returned to Xizhou for your sake. Don't you think he's just offering himself up?"
A-Lu realized her mistake halfway through her sentence and quickly explained, "Miss, that's not what I meant... I was just worried about the young master, so..."
"It's alright, what you said is true. Ah Lu, the guards at the palace gates should know you, right?"
“I am our young master’s personal bodyguard. I have been by his side since I was a child, so naturally we know each other.”
"Alright, when you take me in, don't reveal my true identity. Just say that Your Highness sent you to the palace by letter. The guards probably won't question someone close to a prince, so they will definitely let us in."
At this point, Song He'er had changed her way of addressing Jiang Huaifu from "Young Master" to "Your Highness".
"Even so, the Queen may not be fooled. In short... I'm afraid I won't be able to protect you once you leave."
"I don't need you to protect me, you just need to do as I say."
A-Lu was also unsure. In his eyes, Song He'er was just a pretty and extremely intelligent girl with little ability to fight against others.
Moreover, the palace is full of traps; if one is not careful, one will fall into the enemy's trap.
The two rode on horseback for a day and a night before finally reaching the border of the Western Continent.
Song He'er and A Lu found a place to rest, and only when the streets were quiet did they travel in the dark dressed in black.
"This Western Continent is still the same as always, even the fragrance of vines in the air has never changed."
“Girl, I think I should go in first.”
"Do as I say before. Once your prince is rescued, I guarantee you will be rewarded without any blame."
Ah Lu was in a very difficult position, so she had no choice but to step forward...
The guards at the gate saw someone approaching and quickly came out to ask, "Who goes there!"
“It’s me!” A-Lu took off her hat.
"Are you someone who works for the prince?"
"Exactly."
"The Queen has issued a decree to strictly screen everyone entering and leaving the palace. You are a trusted confidant of the Prince, and I am in a real predicament. I dare not fail to report this!"
“You know our prince’s temperament. He came all the way back from Nanzhao. Even though he was trapped in the palace, he is still the queen’s son. Once the mother and son put aside their differences, who do you think will be blamed for sowing discord?”
"this......"
"The best thing right now is to not offend anyone. There's no need to listen to anyone. Protecting yourself is the most important thing."
The soldier was quick-witted; he understood in just a few words.
"Alright then, Lord Alu, please come in. If you see His Highness, please put in a good word for us brothers."
"That's natural."
After saying that, A-Lu winked at Song He'er, who was standing not far away, signaling her to quickly follow him inside.
The soldier glanced at the slender woman disguised as a man, his eyes filled with suspicion, but he said nothing and let the two of them enter the palace without any fuss.
......
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