At the bustling city gates of Beijing, cars came and went, and the noise of people filled the air, with trade trucks lined up one after another. Hongli and Zhao Kuangxun, each leaning on a wooden stick, their clothes tattered, their faces covered in mud, and their hair disheveled, moved forward step by step with difficulty.
Hongli looked up at the words "Capital" on the city gate, his eyes glistening with tears. He realized that to avoid suspicion along the way, they had dared not take official roads, stay in inns, or ride in carriages. Pretending to be refugees, they had trekked through mountains and rivers, sleeping in the open. When hungry, they ate steamed buns and wild fruits; when thirsty, they drank from rivers and streams. Although their journey was arduous, they had finally evaded their pursuers and arrived in Beijing.
Hongli dropped the wooden stick in his hand and ran step by step toward the city gate. Once they entered the city gate and were home, they would be completely safe. Hongli couldn't describe how he felt. He was just grateful to be alive and couldn't wait to see his father and mother.
Zhao Kuangxun grabbed Hongli, covered his mouth, and dragged him to the corner of the city gate. Hongli struggled to pull Zhao Kuangxun's hand away, but when he turned his head, he saw Zhao Kuangxun make a "shh" gesture with his finger to his lips, pull Hongli behind him to protect him, and signal to Hongli to pay attention to a patrol of soldiers who had just passed by.
Hongli was puzzled. They had already arrived in Beijing, so what was there to be afraid of? "Lord Zhao, we're already at the gate. Why are we still hesitating here instead of going in?"
After carefully observing the surroundings, Zhao Kuangxun turned to Hongli and said, "Fourth Prince, I think it's best to be cautious. Look! There are many more patrol soldiers outside the city. They aren't checking the passing traders as usual, but rather observing beggars and disaster victims. I'm worried that these patrol soldiers might have 'those people' among them." Hongli looked closely and realized that Zhao Kuangxun was right. He immediately understood and was glad that he hadn't impulsively walked into a trap.
Hongli discussed with Zhao Kuangxun that, for safety's sake, they should observe outside the city gates for a few more days before Zhao Kuangxun entered the city.
British Duchy.
The men Wu Ge sent to hunt down Hongli and Zhao Kuangxun had been without success, as if Hongli had vanished into thin air. Assassins were stationed in every city and county along the route from Xun County to Beijing, but no trace of the two had been found in passing carriages or inns. Wu Ge suspected that the two had already reached Beijing, which was the last line of defense. If they couldn't capture Hongli before he entered the city, all their previous plans would be in vain.
Wu Ge urgently summoned Ulanara Kunjie to his residence in secret. Kunjie was the illegitimate son of Wu Ge's cousin, and was currently serving as a gatekeeper at the capital city gate.
He knew it wasn't anything important, and the Duke of England wouldn't be in such a hurry to see him, so he unconsciously quickened his pace.
After following the servant to the Duke of England's study, the servant announced his arrival, and upon hearing a voice call "Come in," Kun Jie quickly pushed open the door and bowed, saying, "Kun Jie greets Uncle. May I ask what orders Uncle has for me?"
When Wu Ge saw Kun Jie arrive, he quickly helped Kun Jie up with both hands, signaled the servants to leave and close the door, and pulled Kun Jie to sit down.
Wu Ge looked at Kun Jie solemnly and lowered his voice to ask, "Do you know who Hongli is?"
Kunjie didn't understand. Hongli was the fourth son of Prince Yong of the Yong Prince's Mansion, and was a prince who was favored to inherit the title in the future. What did that have to do with him?
“I do know Hongli, isn’t he the fourth son of Prince Yong?” Kun Jie asked in confusion. Wu Ge took a deep breath, his voice becoming even more hoarse and sinister: “I need you to find a way to get rid of him before he enters Beijing!”
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