Despicable!
Xin He cursed inwardly, calculating the time and becoming more anxious. By now, Mu Houchu was probably close to Honghua Valley. How could she catch up with him easily? Even if she caught up, it might be too late!
But Ji Xinhe can now almost guess what play Duan Lan is planning to stage.
Mu Houchu rushes to Honghua Valley, only to encounter an ambush. Though prepared, he won’t get hurt but at the same time, a small, well-trained team will emerge and help him break through. This team would later infiltrate Yu State’s borders disguised as refugees!
This was the "troops stored privately" prepared by Duan Lan for Mu Houchu.
This trick is just the beginning. As long as Duan Lan reports the matter to the emperor immediately, how could he let go of such evidence? He’ll definitely send heavy troops to investigate. By then, it would be difficult to handle this matter...
Xin He’s face paled as she thought about it, almost afraid to think further. What a cunning plan!
Seeing Xin He’s face grow paler, Li Junyan felt a surge of triumph and laughed in anger, pointing at Ji Xinhe and cursing: "You shameless mean person, I’m waiting to see your performance, to see when you’ll finally be defeated! Don’t think I don’t know your plan. Hahaha, rest assured, once today has passed and if Mu Houchu is still alive and well, he will personally dispose of you, this wanton woman, and then the Emperor will issue an Imperial Edict to take his life. In the end, I will be the one standing by Duan Lan’s side, accompanying him while he rules the world!"
Li Junyan’s face became twisted and distorted, his fierce eyes seemingly filled with poison, eager to bite Ji Xinhe to death!
Little Chaohuo rushes in, her face full of anxiety: "Your Highness, things aren’t looking good."
Xin He’s face, which was already unpleasant, paled even more: "What’s wrong?"
Little Chaohuo lowered her head and said, "His Highness has returned to the mansion and is asking about your whereabouts. It seems...his expression isn’t very good."
Xin He swayed and inquired with a pale face: "Then, what...what should we do?"
Li Junyan let out a piercing laugh that almost tore the sky: "Hahahaha! Ji Xinhe, your good days are coming to an end! Just wait, I want to see how miserable your death will be in the end!"
Xin He glared at Li Junyan fiercely: "Don’t be so smug! Duan Lan will protect me, and he definitely won’t let anything happen to me!"
Having said that, she hurriedly ran out.
These defiant words from Ji Xinhe struck Li Junyan’s ears like a curse, making her heart ache.
Duan Lan will protect me.
Li Junyan, filled with resentment, threw the tea cup beside her, sat restlessly for a moment, and then immediately got up and rushed out.
Just as Li Junyan stepped out of her room, Ji Xinhe and Xiao Bei had already skillfully scaled the wall and left Duan Mansion.
"Have the Duan Family’s servants been dealt with?" The moment Xin He left the Duan Mansion, the expression on her face changed completely. Where was the previous fear and paleness? Her eyes were deep and calm, unfathomable at a glance.
Little Chaohuo nodded, "They have all been dealt with."
Before Ji Xinhe entered Li Junyan’s room, Little Chaohuo had put all the Duan Family’s servants in the inner courtyard under a sleeping incense. That’s why nobody heard Li Junyan’s cry for help. By the time Ji Xinhe came out, Little Chaohuo had naturally given them the antidote, since the play wasn’t over and all the parts must be played.
Xin He mounted her horse and spoke to Little Chaohuo directly: "You quickly head to Honghua Valley and inform His Highness about Duan Lan’s arrangements."
Little Chaohuo said solemnly, "If I go now, I’m afraid it’ll be too late."
"It won’t be too late. I’ll make sure you arrive before Duan Lan." Xin He said coldly.
Little Chaohuo paused, wanting to ask something but didn’t, knowing in her heart that this must be part of Her Highness’s calculations. She bowed and answered, "Yes."
Little Chaohuo galloped away on her horse.
At this moment, Honghua Valley was still as quiet as ever, with nothing happening. Little Chaohuo’s urgent words to Ji Xinhe in Duan Mansion were just what Ji Xinhe had instructed in advance to deceive Li Junyan.
Lady Junyan thought everything had come to a conclusion and was settled, little did she know that the real drama was just beginning.
In the Duan Mansion.
Lady Junyan rushed out of her room, frightening the servants who had just woken up. They hurried up to stop her.
"Why did you come out, madam? If sir finds out, he might get angry. You should go back quickly!" An old woman said anxiously.
Lady Junyan slapped the old woman’s face: "You lowly servant! How dare you interfere with where I go?"
Although the old woman was hit, she didn’t dodge and remained respectful: "Sir has given special instructions that today is especially important and that you must not go out to cause trouble. Please bear with it for one more day, madam."
Lady Junyan sneered, "Yes, today is his big day. After today, who knows if there’ll be a Lady Junyan left in the Duan Family!"
"What are you talking about, madam?" The old woman looked confused.
Li Junyan had no patience left and yelled, "Get Jinwei here immediately!"
Ji Xinhe, who had been eavesdropping on the roof, raised her eyebrows slightly. Jinwei?
Ha! As expected!
Previously, Mu Houchu’s intelligence network had discovered that the Emperor’s planted pieces in the houses of courtiers were not just powerless tokens.
People like Li Junyan had limited power to mobilize Jinwei.
The purpose of it was so that once a courtier showed signs of rebellion and conclusive evidence was at hand, they could act immediately and execute him if necessary.
For six years, Li Junyan had been planted by the Emperor in Duan Lan’s side, but never used Jinwei. It must be a testament to Duan Lan’s skill in controlling her and her affection for him, preferring to keep him safe.
But today, Ji Xinhe manages to burst Li Junyan’s bubble, leaving her desperate. If she doesn’t use her greatest means to fight for herself, she may lose everything.
Ji Xinhe’s visit today wasn’t just to gather information but to force Li Junyan into a corner, leaving her with no choice but to use Jinwei as her final means of escaping the situation.
"Sir is busy dealing with Prince Pingyang and is on his way to Honghua Valley. Don’t you know that, madam? What are you doing in such a critical moment?" The elderly woman was frantic.
Li Junyan scoffed, "Rushing to Honghua Valley? Do you think I’m so easily fooled? The matter at Honghua Valley is already over and Mu Houchu is already on his way back! He’s nowhere to be found now, probably ran off with his lover!"
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