Ren Yaoqi didn't have time to notice Mu Hu's miserable appearance. She just said to Concubine Yun, "I'm fine, Grandmother." Then she turned around and asked Mu Hu, "Is the princess okay? Are you hurt?"
Mu Hu lowered his head and replied, "The princess is not injured. I have already sent her to a safe place. Once the situation at the palace is under control, I will go and take her back. The princess is also very concerned about the dowager concubine and the young lady."
Ren Yaoqi finally breathed a sigh of relief. As long as everyone was fine, that was all that mattered.
Although the elder Concubine Dowager was present, Ren Yaoqi couldn't ask any more questions without her knowledge, but she didn't avoid the question either. Instead, she sat next to Concubine Dowager Yun.
Concubine Yun glanced at her, and finally sighed and didn't drive her away.
"What about the one in Shou'an Palace? Has he been rescued?" Concubine Yun continued to ask.
Mu Hu frowned and said, "The old princess is not in the mansion. She might have been kidnapped by Xiao Heng. However, the second lady and her daughter are still in the mansion."
Xiao Heng took the old princess away, but left behind his wife and daughter?
Concubine Yun sighed, "This shows that he left in a hurry. The Su mother and daughter sent someone to watch over them, but be polite to them and don't make things difficult for them. The men were bastards, but they let the women suffer. What's their fault?"
Mu Hu agreed.
"What's the situation outside?" Ren Yaoqi couldn't help but speak.
Mu Hu replied, "We've recaptured the city gate, but there are still some of Xiao Heng's men in the city. They're no longer a threat, so I've already sent people to encircle and eliminate them." After a pause, Mu Hu hesitated and said, "The most troublesome thing right now isn't Yunyang City, but the area outside of Yunyang City."
The old princess frowned: "What happened outside the city?"
Mu Hu pursed his lips. With only a few women remaining in the Yanbei Palace, Mu Hu made no effort to conceal the truth. "The scouts we sent out reported that they've spotted signs of an army five kilometers from Xiyuan Town, near Yunyang City. They're likely the imperial army, and they have quite a few men."
The old princess exclaimed in astonishment, "How did the imperial army arrive in Yanbei without anyone noticing? They're already at the gates of the city!"
Mu Hu said with a cold face, "I'm afraid I'll have to ask Xiao Heng about this."
The atmosphere in the room suddenly became solemn.
Ren Yaoqi sighed: "How many troops can be mobilized near Yunyang City?"
Mu Hu said, "A rough estimate is five thousand, but don't worry, Madam Dowager and Young Madam. Several city gates are now under the control of the palace, and there's plenty of food and fodder within the city. If we have to defend the city, we should be able to hold out until reinforcements arrive."
If Xiao Heng successfully captured the Yanbei Palace today and gained control of the four gates of Yunyang City, the consequences would be unimaginable if he allowed the imperial court's troops into the city. Everyone couldn't help but think of the catastrophe that befell the Yanbei Palace decades ago. The Yanbei Palace was destroyed by its own people, and then the Liao army marched south, leaving the entire Yanbei region in ruins.
Concubine Yun pressed her temples wearily. "You all should get back to your work first. If there's anything happening outside, send someone to report it."
Mu Hu and others retreated upon being told so. Xiao Jingyue and Yelu Sage were taken away by Mu Hu's men, and no one knew where they were imprisoned. Nan Xing remained in Zhaoning Palace, as did the Eighteen Guards of Yanbei.
Seeing Ren Yaoqi silent, Concubine Yun sighed. Patting her hand, she spoke in a rare gentle tone, "Don't be afraid. The southerners can't possibly defeat the Yanbei army in terms of military operations. Otherwise, we wouldn't have the Yanbei Palace. And they've already lost the initiative this time. If... if they really come to a point where the enemy is at the gates, I'll have the guards escort you out. You and the child will be fine."
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