Chapter 39 Ambush on the Way
After delivering the imperial edict, the messenger left the Prime Minister's residence without lingering for even a moment.
Madam Ding stepped forward, but before she could ask a single question, the servant who had delivered the imperial edict hurriedly left.
The Emperor's lavish praise of Cao Cao's achievements and his deliberate decision to keep Cao Cao in the palace must be more than meets the eye. Has the Emperor already discovered Cao Cao's amnesia? Is Cao Cao in danger now...?
The Prime Minister's residence was filled with unease. At the slightest disturbance, everyone fell silent. Madam Ding returned to the Buddhist hall to continue chanting sutras and reciting Buddhist prayers, while Madam Yin sat in the courtyard, drinking tea and eating snacks.
The guards outside the Prime Minister's residence remained tight.
"Woman, it's almost time." He Yan stared at the people changing shifts outside the door and suddenly said softly.
The rising sun cast a soft, gentle light. Without the barrier of night, I became even more cautious. I looked around before nodding and carefully approaching the escape door.
The garden path was damp with morning dew, giving off a slight chill. Holding He Yan's hand, I bent over and approached a dense patch of flowers.
"Who?!" A loud shout suddenly came from behind.
We've been discovered? I suddenly pulled He Yan down behind the flower bushes, instinctively gripping his hand tightly, my body stiffening and unable to move, my palms sweating profusely.
"Is it not even permissible for me to stroll around in my own garden?" a mocking voice rang out softly.
Is it Madam Yin?
I was stunned for a moment, looking at the woman blocking our way. Her bright and dazzling long dress blocked the guard's view.
"Is it just the lady alone?" the man asked suspiciously.
Madam Yin raised her eyebrows. "Who else could it be? Could it be that this military officer is implying that I am unfaithful and secretly meeting my lover while the Prime Minister is in the palace?" Her soft voice carried three parts coquettishness and seven parts allure.
"I wouldn't dare."
"In that case, please, sir. If a man and a woman alone in this back garden were to be reported to the Prime Minister by someone with ulterior motives, even if I had a thousand mouths, I would not be able to explain myself," Madam Yin said softly, covering her mouth with a charming smile.
The man was speechless for a moment before finally managing to say, "Farewell," and then hurriedly left with a fist and a fist salute.
All around fell silent.
Has Madam Yin discovered us? Is she... here to help us? Crouching in the flower bushes, I subconsciously bit my lip, remaining motionless.
"Aren't you leaving?" Madam Yin didn't turn around, but spoke calmly.
"Thank you," I said softly after a moment's hesitation, then turned and pushed the piece of wood out of the flower bushes.
"Take care of Yan'er for me." With her back to me, Madam Yin did not turn around.
"Okay," I replied, then bent down and crawled out along the flower bushes, with He Yan following behind.
Carefully hooking the wooden block back into place with my foot, I took advantage of the guards changing shifts and pulled He Yan along, jogging away from the Prime Minister's residence.
"Where are we going?" He Yan asked, sweating profusely, as he instinctively grabbed my hand.
I hesitated for a moment. The situation in the palace was unknown. "I'll go find Guo Jia first, and while I'm at it, I'll try to notify the Xiahou brothers who are stationed outside the city."
They rented a carriage and, following the memory of that day, rushed to Guo Jia's residence, but couldn't find a single person there.
Could it be... that even Guo Jia is in danger? I was momentarily at a loss. He was such a frail man, yet he possessed such a reliable strength; without him, I felt a pang of anxiety.
"Young lady, where are we going now?" the driver asked.
"Hey, what's wrong?" He Yan probably noticed my bad expression and nudged me, asking.
“It’s alright,” I said with a smile as I turned around. “Let’s leave the city.”
They turned the carriage around and sped out of the city.
"Whoa!" Halfway there, the coachman suddenly shouted, the carriage jerked violently, and came to an abrupt stop.
I plopped down on the floor.
"Where does the young lady wish to go?" A gentle voice suddenly rang out from outside the carriage.
My scalp immediately tingled – it was Liu Bei!
Biting my lip, I stiffened and stared intently at the carriage curtain.
Outside the carriage curtain, there must be Liu Bei.
...They really came prepared.
How did they know I would escape from the Prime Minister's residence?
"Isn't Miss Pei going to come out and meet me?" The voice rang out again, seemingly gentle, yet it sent chills down my spine as if it were an ice blade.
He Yan, however, could not contain himself and abruptly lifted the carriage curtain.
Liu Bei rode his horse across the front of the carriage, wearing a long robe with wide sleeves and a lacquered gauze crown. At first glance, he seemed unremarkable, yet he exuded an aggressive aura.
Behind him were two fierce generals, Zhang Fei on the left and Guan Yu on the right, both mounted on horseback, looking majestic and imposing.
"Hi! What a coincidence!" I jumped off the carriage, waving and greeting him with a big smile, full of enthusiasm.
Liu Bei looked at me and raised his eyebrows slightly.
A flock of crows flew overhead... It's so cold.
"Brother Zhang!" I turned to Zhang Fei with a smile on my face and waved.
Zhang Fei remained unmoved, his face dark.
"Caw caw..." The crow flew by again.
"Does Miss Pei know me?" Liu Bei asked casually, with a half-smile.
"Of course! Sir, you have given alms to this little beggar, how could this little beggar ever forget?" I grinned, but my palms were already soaked with sweat.
“But back in the Prime Minister’s residence, Miss Pei didn’t seem to recognize me,” Liu Bei said slowly, looking at me.
I knew he was referring to the time I deliberately avoided him at the Prime Minister's residence.
“Miss Pei, who is Prime Minister Cao to you?” Zhang Fei interrupted, displeased.
Who are you? Who am I to you?
"Friend." After a slight hesitation, I gritted my teeth and said.
"Didn't he give you sixty lashes back then? Besides, it's better not to associate with such a cunning person," Zhang Fei finally couldn't contain his impatience and jumped off his horse. "Miss Pei, I am a rough man. With the great cause at hand, Miss Pei, please don't make any more unnecessary sacrifices."
I narrowed my eyes, grinned, and said, "That's true. Why should I risk my life for that kind of guy? Thanks for the reminder, Brother Zhang. I'll be leaving now." With that, I turned and walked away.
As soon as I turned around, a large, gleaming sword was placed in front of me.
It's Guan Yu.
I sidestepped and kept walking.
The large sword was once again held in front of me. "My Green Dragon Crescent Blade has no eyes, Miss Pei, be careful."
The voice was clear and cold, chilling to the bone.
I stopped, turned around to look at him, and grinned, "What's wrong?"
"A very interesting girl." Behind him, Liu Bei chuckled softly. "If you want to see Prime Minister Cao, you don't need to go to so much trouble. I'll take you to see him."
I froze, then slowly turned around to look at him.
Ah Man... has he really been imprisoned?
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