Chapter 29 Split Operations
“I know it will be difficult, but we still have to try to get in,” Ye Wanning said. “This is the only clue we have right now.”
Pei Zhi nodded: "You're right. I'll send someone to investigate that manor and see if there's a chance to sneak in."
He paused, then said, "You've had a hard day. Go and rest for a bit. I'll let you know as soon as I have any news."
Ye Wanning waved her hand: "I'm not tired. I want to discuss with the adults how we can sneak in."
Seeing her resolute expression, Pei Zhi smiled and said, "Alright."
The two sat in the study, discussing how to infiltrate Yuquan Mountain Manor and find Xiao Cui's younger brother. Ye Wanning looked at the map, also calculating in her mind. She knew that time was of the essence; they had to find the person as soon as possible, otherwise the Crown Prince would be in danger.
Just then, a guard rushed in, saying in a panic, "My lord, something terrible has happened! News has come from the palace that the Third Prince said His Highness the Crown Prince attempted suicide in the Eastern Palace. The Emperor is furious and has ordered that His Highness the Crown Prince be severely punished!"
Ye Wanning and Pei Zhi's expressions changed simultaneously.
"The Third Prince is ruthless! He actually dares to pressure the Emperor like this!" Pei Zhi said in a low voice. "We must act quickly! It will be too late if we delay any longer!"
Ye Wanning nodded, her determination even stronger: "I know, this time we can only succeed, we cannot fail."
A dark, imposing carriage emerged from the city gate and headed towards Jade Spring Mountain in the western suburbs. Inside the carriage sat Ye Wanning, Pei Zhi, and Pei Zhi's trusted guards.
“We must be careful this time and not let anyone find out.” Pei Zhi lowered his voice. “The manor on Jade Spring Mountain is heavily guarded and the terrain inside is complicated. If we are discovered, the consequences will be unimaginable.”
"I know," Ye Wanning nodded.
Pei Zhi hummed in agreement: "I've already had someone investigate. I'll let you know when I have any news."
The carriage traveled for about an hour before finally arriving at the foot of Jade Spring Mountain. The group disembarked, hid the carriage in the woods, and then walked towards the manor. The mountain forest was quiet at night, save for the occasional rustling of leaves in the wind and the chirping of insects. Moonlight streamed through the trees, casting dappled shadows on the ground.
Ye Wanning followed behind Pei Zhi, walking forward with uneven steps, the fallen leaves crunching under her feet. She was a little nervous, her palms sweaty.
After walking for most of the hour, the outline of the manor finally came into view. It turned out to be a very large manor with high walls covered with a dense array of sharp bamboo spikes.
The group hid in the woods and spied on the manor.
“Look, that’s the back gate.” Pei Zhi pointed to a corner of the wall. “There are only two guards there, and they seem quite lax.”
Ye Wanning looked in the direction he was pointing and saw two men in black leaning against the wall, sleeping.
"How do we get up there?" Ye Wanning asked softly.
Pei Zhi pulled a thin rope from his pocket, with an iron claw tied to one end: "I'll go up first and secure the rope, then you can come up."
He turned around and crept over stealthily, his movements as nimble as a cat's.
Ye Wanning and two guards also hid in the woods, watching him nervously.
Pei Zhi quickly arrived at the foot of the wall. He looked up at the guards above and, seeing that they did not react, he suddenly leaped out, threw the rope, and the iron claw accurately grabbed the top of the wall.
Pei Zhi pulled hard, and the rope was firmly secured to the top of the wall. Using both hands and feet, he quickly climbed up, peered inside from the wall, and then gestured that it was safe to go up.
Ye Wanning also grabbed the rope and started climbing. She wasn't as skilled as Pei Zhi, so it was much harder for her, but she gritted her teeth and persevered.
Finally, she climbed to the top of the wall. Pei Zhi pulled her up and gestured for her to squat down.
Two guards quickly climbed up as well.
Several people were lying there, peering inside the wall. Inside the wall was a large area, planted with many flowers and trees, and several small buildings.
“According to the information I found, Xiao Cui’s younger brother should be imprisoned in a small building at the far east end of the wall.” Pei Zhi pointed to a small building not far away, “and there are fewer guards there.”
Ye Wanning nodded: "Let's be careful and head east slowly."
Several people jumped down from the wall, landing on a soft patch of grass. Crouching low, they used the flowers and trees for cover as they slowly made their way towards the small building to the east. The manor was quiet, save for the footsteps of the patrolling guards. Holding their breath, they carefully evaded the patrolling guards, and their progress was relatively smooth.
Soon, they arrived near the small building on the east side. The building was two stories high, and there were no lights in the windows; it sounded very quiet.
"Let's split up." Pei Zhi lowered his voice. "I'll go forward to distract the guards, and you guys take advantage of the chaos to go in and find Xiao Cui's brother. Remember, once you find him, retreat, and we'll meet up at the back door."
Ye Wanning and the two guards nodded.
Pei Zhi took a deep breath, quietly circled around to the front of the small building, picked up a small stone, and threw it against the wall. The stone hit the wall with a "thud," making a crisp sound. Shouts from the guards and sounds of fighting followed.
"Who's there?" the two guards at the entrance of the small building asked alertly, gripping their knives tightly as they walked toward the direction from which the voice came.
Ye Wanning knew her chance had come. She and her two guards exchanged a glance and quietly slipped into the small building.
The small building was dark, and a musty smell wafted from it. Ye Wanning took out a tinderbox she had prepared and lit an oil lamp. In the lamplight, the small building was empty, with only a few old tables and chairs, and nothing else.
"Where could the person be?" a guard asked in a low voice.
Ye Wanning frowned, looking around. Suddenly, she saw a door leading to the basement in the corner of the wall; the door was locked.
"Maybe it's in the basement," Ye Wanning said, pointing to the door.
A guard stepped forward, took out a small key from his pocket, tried it a few times, and turned the lock. The door creaked open, and a cold draft rushed out from inside.
Ye Wanning took the oil lamp and went downstairs first. The basement was small, containing only a simple wooden bed, where a little boy was curled up asleep, covered with a thin blanket.
Ye Wanning was delighted and stepped forward to gently push the little boy: "Little brother, wake up."
The little boy was startled awake. He rubbed his eyes, saw Ye Wanning, and jumped in fright: "Who are you?"
"Little brother, don't be afraid, I'm here to save you," Ye Wanning said softly. "Are you Xiao Cui's brother?"
"Yes." The little boy nodded, his eyes filled with wariness. "How do you know my sister's name?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com