She's gone mad, this girl has gone mad, she absolutely cannot stay.
Ci Yi reacted immediately, and Ji Xiaoxiao barely managed to block his attack.
Ci Yi was a secret guard from the Zhengye Marquis's residence. His moves were cunning, each strike designed to kill quickly. Ji Xiaoxiao was overwhelmed and suffered a cut on her right arm.
The rhythmic footsteps drew closer, and a chilling aura of killing intent swept over them, instantly extinguishing the joy and laughter of the birthday banquet.
"What is this?" The man and woman looked horrified.
"One of the privileges of the Three Dukes and Four Marquises was having a private army."
The Three Dukes and Four Marquises were the most special privileged class in the Great Yan Dynasty. They not only wielded immense power but could also maintain private armies in the capital. However, there were explicit regulations regarding their numbers: a Duke's mansion could have a maximum of one thousand private soldiers, while a Marquis's mansion could only have a maximum of five hundred.
The heavy, powerful footsteps signaled that the private army of the Marquis of Zhengye's mansion had been mobilized!
A hint of panic flashed in Ji Xiaoxiao's eyes. She had only been cultivating for a short time and was already at a disadvantage against Ci Yi alone. If hundreds of well-trained soldiers came, she would surely be defeated.
"Where there's life, there's hope."
Ji Xiaoxiao used all her strength to knock back Ci Yi with a palm strike, then leaped into the boundless darkness.
Tong clenched her hands tightly, and the hair ornaments on her head jingled as they swayed.
"Chase her, we can't let her get away."
Ci bowed and chased after the direction in which Ji Xiaoxiao had disappeared.
The Marquis's private soldiers arrived late, and the captain clasped his hands and said, "Madam, your subordinate is late."
Tong was seething with anger, but out of consideration for those present, she held back and politely ordered the captain to arrest the audacious scoundrel.
"Yes, sir." The captain led his men down quickly.
Ji Xiaoxiao ruined what should have been a joyous birthday banquet for all the guests.
The maid helped Madam Tong down the aisle. The pungent smell of blood filled the middle of the corridor. Xiao Chengrui, his body severed from his head, lay dead with his eyes wide open. Madam Tong knelt down and kowtowed three times to the corpse. "Duke Wei, it is the Zhengye Marquis's mansion that has wronged you. Debts must be repaid, and murderers must pay with their lives. I will surely capture your unworthy descendant Gu Shen to avenge you and give the Duke Wei's mansion an explanation."
After speaking, Tong stood up shakily, her head felt heavy, and she fainted.
"Madam, Madam."
"Go quickly and fetch a doctor."
"My lord."
The Zhengye Marquis's residence was in complete chaos. The high-ranking officials and nobles, who were ready to kick her while she was down, hesitated, touched their noses, and left sheepishly. After all, she was a ninety-year-old woman; they had to give her some face. After all, she was old and easily angered; if she got sick from anger but didn't die, they would end up worse off.
On the day of the birthday banquet of the old lady of the Zhengye Marquis's mansion, Duke Xiao Chengrui of Wei was cut in half by a villain. The villain was none other than Gu, the eldest daughter of the former Duke Gu Zhige.
The news spread at an alarming speed, and in less than a day, everyone in the capital knew the name of the mad eldest daughter, Gu Shen.
The emperor was furious upon hearing the news and dispatched the Five City Garrison to capture the criminal Gu Shen, even if it meant digging three feet into the ground. This woman's actions were cruel and her crimes were unforgivable.
"Your Majesty is wise," the three dukes and four marquises said in unison.
Emperor Yumin stood high above, his imposing aura commanding respect even without anger. "Qiao Chu."
"Your subject is here." A handsome man strode out from the ranks.
"You shall handle this matter," Emperor Yumin said.
Qiao Chu knelt down and said, "Your subject Qiao Chu obeys the order."
The three dukes and four marquises watched Qiao Chu silently, secretly amused. With Qiao Chu's help, it was only a matter of time before Gu Shen was apprehended and brought to justice.
Ji Xiaoxiao, far away in the kitchen of the second branch of the Zhengye Marquis's mansion, was unaware that the most powerful person in the world also harbored a strong desire to kill her.
The most dangerous place is the safest place. Hiding in the kitchen for three days, Ji Xiaoxiao was safe and sound. When she was hungry, she would steal some delicious food, and when she was sleepy, she would find a secluded guest room to sleep. She lived a very easy and comfortable life.
Two weeks later, the storm surrounding the "Gu Shen murder case" gradually subsided.
Some were happy while others were sad. The once high-spirited Qiao Chu was now looking disheveled. After half a month, he hadn't even caught a glimpse of the criminals, let alone brought them to justice. His competence was being questioned, and he received another scolding from Emperor Yumin at the morning court session.
Back home, Qiao Chu flew into a rage, smashing several sets of porcelain produced by the official kiln, vowing to teach Gu Shen a lesson.
On the other hand, with more than half a month to spare, Ji Xiaoxiao could make further progress in her cultivation.
Lying on her side on the roof beam, Ji Xiaoxiao said silently, "Now I'm 100% confident I can defeat Ci Yi. Since that's the case..." Ji Xiaoxiao gave a mysterious and unfathomable smile.
The moon hangs high in the sky, its cold light lonely and indifferent.
Ji Xiaoxiao silently sneaked into Cangsong Courtyard.
In Duanmu Lei's room, bursts of joyful sounds rose and fell.
As if nothing had happened, Ji Xiaoxiao pushed open the door and said with a smile, "Hi, did you miss me?"
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