Chapter 3: Inexplicable Good Intentions
Seeing the Seventh Prince leaving with a large group of people, everyone in the General's Mansion breathed a sigh of relief, but a moment later, everyone became worried again.
The courtyard of the general's mansion was heavily guarded, and countless pairs of eyes were staring at them in the dark.
The emperor tried to show his mercy by allowing them to set off again at dawn, but the decree required them not to delay on the way and to reach the border within half a year.
General Qin has already set out from the border garrison, and it is estimated that he can arrive earlier than them. The royal family can always figure out how to weigh the pros and cons.
Qin Xiangnuan gave Huang Li some ointment to apply on her injured face, and then comforted Liu to go to the next yard to sleep.
She returned to the side yard and her eyes fell on the osmanthus tree in the courtyard.
It was very quiet around, probably no one was around.
"Since the young master is willing to help, there is no need to hide. Why not come out and see me?" Qin Xiangnuan turned around, and the petals of a few withered flowers fell on her temples.
Under the moonlight, a young man in a silver robe appeared in front of her.
If his handsome and elegant appearance were to appear in the streets, countless women would be attracted to him. He tied his long black hair on top of his head, opened the paper fan in his hand and gently waved it. He looked at Qin Xiangnuan with a scrutinizing look, and said in a gentle voice with a hint of smile, "The third young lady is not like the rumors outside."
Shame! Blatant irony!
Qin Xiangnuan forced a fake smile, looking directly into his eyes without hesitation. She tilted her head and replied innocently, "If one can still be naive and trust others easily after such a tragedy in their family, it would be foolish. No matter what you may have heard in the past, from today on, the Third Young Lady of the General's Mansion is dead. The only one who survived is Qin Xiangnuan, who refused to admit defeat."
He obviously did not expect Qin Xiangnuan to say such vicious words, and his expression was stunned for a moment.
"Thank you for your help just now, sir."
Qin Xiangnuan bowed. While the Seventh Prince wouldn't dare take her life, in his rage, the sword would certainly inflict a flesh wound. The force and angle of the stone shot through the air were meticulously calculated, and only a martial artist with exceptional skill could have pulled it off.
She could feel that the man in front of her had been hiding in the tree and observing since the Seventh Prince entered the room, and he had no ill intentions.
The original owner couldn't find his identity in his memory, and whether he was a friend or foe was unclear. Qin Xiangnuan didn't want to get involved with him too much, so she hurriedly thanked him and said, "The General's Mansion is now the residence of a criminal. If others see that you are involved with me, it will probably affect you. It's better to leave quickly while no one is around. The mountains are high and the road is long tomorrow, and I need to rest quickly."
"Oh!"
As soon as Qin Xiangnuan finished speaking, the man in front of her chuckled, and there was a hint of amusement in his eyes when he looked at her.
"Is this how you repay me for saving your life?"
The man came close to Qin Xiangnuan and took off the petals on her shoulders. Such an intimate action made Qin Xiangnuan a little resistant.
She looked up at the other person warily, assessing the situation.
The man noticed her condition, took a half step back, and said in a clear voice, "I am grateful for the general's care. He once saved my life on the battlefield. I owe him a life-saving favor, so I should repay him. The general's mansion has been framed by traitors, and I am powerless to help. I can only protect you and ensure your safe arrival at the border. This is my repayment for the general's kindness. I'll give you this jade pendant for safekeeping."
"If you see any shops or inns with flame patterns on the road, you can stop and rest there."
"They won't dare stop you when they see the jade pendant, so take good care of it. When you get to the border, take the jade pendant to a local man named Xu Hu. He'll arrange everything for you..."
The man said, looked up at the gradually brightening sky, and smiled at Qin Xiangnuan, "Girl, you need to be gentle in your temper to be lovable."
His figure disappeared into the night at such a fast speed that Qin Xiangnuan looked down at the jade pendant in her hand.
Who is he?
Outside the General's Mansion, a man dressed in black was waiting. He said respectfully to the man in silver robe, "Prince."
Jiang Lin looked back at the bricks and tiles of the general's mansion, nodded, and whispered, "Let our people follow along the way. If anyone wants to attack along the way, don't spare any of them. Make sure the general's family is safe and reunites with the general."
The general who defends the country is well-known and has had a lot of blood on his hands over the years.
Now that there are people in the inner court of the palace who want to kill him, there are naturally many eyes outside the palace who want revenge.
There are dangers everywhere, so we need to prepare in advance.
The man in black nodded and made the arrangements.
When the sky brightened, the eunuchs in the palace, accompanied by a group of imperial guards, walked arrogantly into the general's residence and read out the emperor's edict.
Qin Xiangnuan sneered in her heart as she listened to the emperor's so-called mercy.
"Madam Qin, I'm afraid you'll have to suffer a lot on this journey." The eunuch who announced the decree looked at Madam Qin with a smile, but the smile did not reach his eyes.
Qin Xiangnuan turned her head and saw that her grandmother, Old Madam Qin, had been silent since she was brought into the yard by the Seventh Prince's men. Her presence was extremely low. Now, taking a closer look, the old lady was dignified and calm, not at all like someone who was going to be exiled.
Perhaps sensing her gaze, Old Madam Qin looked at her. Seeing that her pampered granddaughter was about to suffer, she couldn't help but feel a lump in her throat and said, "Nuannuan, you've suffered."
She shook her head repeatedly, "As a family, we should share joys and sorrows. Grandma, don't worry, your granddaughter will definitely not bring shame to the General's Mansion."
"Okay!" Old Madam Qin's eyes lit up.
At the same time, the officers and soldiers also put handcuffs and shackles on everyone in the general's mansion.
The heavy shackles are not only on the body, but also on the heart.
When the people from the General's Mansion were walking on the street, countless people lined the streets to see them off, and many people even cried and complained that the General's Mansion was being wronged.
Qin Xiangnuan knew in her heart that this day had come because the people knew about the general's mansion but not the emperor.
If the General's Mansion could return, such things would never happen again.
The officers and soldiers paraded them around the city for public display, and it took about an hour before they arrived at the city gate.
Everyone's wrists and ankles had already been rubbed red and were aching slightly.
Qin Xiangnuan also felt pain, this body was too delicate.
Seeing that some old acquaintances from the general's mansion were still guarding the city gate, some of them were officials in the court, so they didn't dare to show up directly and could only ask their servants to deliver some things.
However, before they could make a move, the crisp and rapid sound of horse hooves rang out from inside the city gate.
Everyone looked back and saw that it was the Seventh Prince again with his men.
Qin Xiangnuan narrowed her eyes, raised her head slightly and looked at the Seventh Prince on his tall horse, her eyes cold.
The Seventh Prince just glanced at her indifferently and said in a cold voice: "Search for me!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the guards behind him rushed forward and thoroughly searched the small bag that each of them was carrying, but still found nothing.
The Seventh Prince was furious.
We are leaving Beijing today. Where can the general's mansion hide the things?
He looked at Qin Xiangnuan sinisterly, examined her from head to toe, and found nothing wrong.
The escorting officer came forward with a flattering look and explained to the Seventh Prince that they had to set off, otherwise they would not be able to catch up.
Only then did the Seventh Prince agree to release the person.
But he must investigate the things in the General's Mansion. Since he can't find anything in the General's Mansion, he will investigate the person who secretly helps Qin Xiangnuan!
"Let's go!" The seventh prince pulled the reins and rode away.
Only then did those who were delivering things to the general's mansion dare to come forward.
"Let's go!" the officer shouted, and walked ahead to lead the way, followed by the people from the general's mansion, and finally the officer to bring up the rear.
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