Two large carriages were parked outside the Prince Yan's residence. Lanxiang and the others had already prepared their luggage in advance. The Prince Yan's residence and Bai Chuxiao's properties had been entrusted to Zhao Sifang for management in secret. As for the dowry and other items that could be converted into silver notes, they didn't have any heavy luggage for this trip from the capital.
As for the maid Bai Chuxiao, she only decided to bring Lanxiang, Lanxin, Qingzhu, and Qingshuang. As for Yuwen Minke, she had already revealed everything she could; bringing her along would only be a burden, so there was no need for her to stay alive.
Bai Chuxiao helped Consort Jing into the carriage, smiling as she said, "Before we return to the Northwest, Mother will have to work hard."
Consort Jing smiled faintly, "Don't worry about me. I used to travel all over the place myself."
Bai Chuxiao blinked. "Lanxin's medical skills are quite good. Mother might as well teach her a bit more along the way."
If Consort Jing is here, it will take at least half a month to get back to the Northwest. It would be good to have something to do to pass the time.
Consort Jing smiled helplessly, "Alright, I've seen everything the Lanxin Society has done these past few days, they don't need me to teach them."
Lanxiang said with a grin, "Then the Dowager Consort will teach us a few medical skills; it'll come in handy someday."
Qingzhu and Qingshuang nodded quickly.
Consort Jing said gently, "Very well, you girls are all clever and quick-witted."
Seeing this, Bai Chuxiao felt relieved. After instructing Qingzhu and Qingshuang to protect the Dowager Consort, she stepped out of the carriage, hopped on her horse, and mounted her horse.
Aside from the carriage carrying luggage and the carriages carrying Consort Jing and Lanxiang, Yu Fengyang, Bai Chuxiao, and the remaining several hundred guards all rode horses, as the journey was far from peaceful.
This led to much speculation: with the new emperor's ascension to the throne imminent, why would the Princess Consort of Yan leave the capital at this time...? But apart from the sinister-looking guards, there were only two carriages, and it didn't seem like they were going back to their fiefdom...
Outside the city gate, Lord Kong, accompanied by a group of Chu Tianling's guards, stood in front of the carriage, having waited for quite some time.
Bai Chuxiao dismounted and walked up to Lord Kong, saying in a deep voice, "Uncle Kong..."
Lord Kong quickly waved his hand, glanced at the people following behind him, and said in a low voice, "Your Highness, there's no need to say more. Let's set off now."
Bai Chuxiao nodded helplessly, "Thank you for your trouble, Lord Kong."
Yu Fengyang and Bai Chuxiao rode two fine horses, following in front of Consort Jing's carriage, as the group slowly headed towards Qingzhou.
Qingzhou was the closest prefecture to the capital. As soon as the group stepped into Qingzhou territory, Chu Tianling's guards surrounded them, preventing them from advancing any further.
Helpless, Lord Kong approached Bai Chuxiao, who whispered, "We've implicated Uncle Kong in this matter."
Lord Kong said in a deep voice, "Xi Han is entrusted to you. As for the Kong family and the Princess Consort, there's no need to worry."
Bai Chuxiao handed over the slip of paper with the address of the will written on it, nodding emphatically, "Sister Xihan, please rest assured about Uncle Kong."
She has already sent Lin Huai with men to Jiangnan to protect her second uncle and the others. If anything goes wrong, they will be taken back to Yongzhou immediately.
Lord Kong took it, glanced at it, and said in a deep voice, "Your Highness, take care."
He then boarded the carriage and left under the escort of Chu Tianling's guards.
As soon as Chu Tianling's men left, Bai Chuxiao's expression turned serious, and she said loudly, "Let's go!"
The group immediately sped up; they wanted to get as far away from the capital as possible before Chu Tianling received the imperial edict.
Inside the palace, Chu Tianling slammed the bright yellow scroll in his hand onto the ground:
The crown prince ascended the throne, Prince An was executed, and Prince Qi was demoted to commoner status.
Just as Bai Chuxiao said, those few words were indeed well worth the exchange. Chu Wenzheng picked it up and glanced at it, his expression remaining calm. Chu Wenxuan was indeed decisive and ruthless, but in the end, they had succeeded, hadn't they...?
"Send more men to bring Bai Chuxiao and the others back," Chu Tianling said sternly. As for the contents of the will, he was not worried that Bai Chuxiao would reveal them. Who would believe empty words without an imperial edict?
After giving his instructions, Chu Tianling looked at Chu Wenzheng, who remained expressionless, and said calmly, "Uncle, don't you plan to explain to your nephew how you made Bai Chuxiao watch Father die in front of you that night?"
Chu Wenzheng smiled, "Telling this wouldn't be good news for you, nephew."
Secrets are also bargaining chips, and bargaining chips should be used where they are needed...
Chu Tianling coldly replied, "Aren't we on the same page?"
Chu Wenzheng said with a half-smile, "The premise is that I remain the Regent of the Great Xia Dynasty."
If Chu Wenxuan hadn't laid a trap in his early years that prevented him from having any children, how could he have so easily relinquished the throne? But since he himself had no children, how could Chu Wenxuan's son live a carefree life...?
Chu Tianling concealed his expression, "That's natural."
Chu Wenzheng laughed a few times and then turned and left. Chu Tianling stared at the arrogant figure with a gloomy expression, the pen in his hand snapping in two.
On the official road, fine horses galloped by, kicking up clouds of dust.
Just as they were about to enter Cangzhou territory, Chu Tianling's bodyguards caught up with them all, led by the familiar old friend.
Mu Linfeng lunged at Bai Chuxiao, his face contorted with rage, and said, "This time, let's see how you escape!"
Bai Chuxiao raised an eyebrow. "Mu Linfeng, you've failed time and again, yet Chu Tianling still dares to keep you around. I admire you."
Mu Linfeng was undoubtedly struck where it hurt, but this time he brought not only Chu Tianling's men, but also many experts, determined to capture them and bring them back.
Bai Chuxiao, Yu Fengyang, and Zhan Chi were all entangled by several experts. Most of Mu Linfeng's men rushed towards Consort Jing's carriage. Bai Chuxiao's skills were undeniable, so catching her wouldn't be easy, but Consort Jing was a different story...
Inside the carriage, Consort Jing showed no sign of panic, while Lanxiang and Lanxin looked rather grave. One of them was unskilled, and the other was barely better off without any skills...
Xia Fan and his men surrounded the carriage, with Qingzhu and Qingshuang standing guard closely at the front and back, ready to watch out for any black-clad men who might occasionally rush in.
The stench of blood in the air grew stronger, and the men in black lay sprawled on the ground. Mu Linfeng frowned; these few hundred men from the Prince of Yan's mansion were far too difficult to defeat.
A murderous glint flashed in Bai Chuxiao's eyes. Her recent victories had significantly improved her martial arts. Mu Linfeng, sensing the woman's increasingly ruthless attacks, subtly changed his expression. Previously, Bai Chuxiao was inferior to him, but now it seemed she was almost on par.
Zhan Chi had already dealt with several experts who were entangled with him and Yu Fengyang. Mu Linfeng glanced at them out of the corner of his eye, then gritted his teeth, suddenly unleashed a sharp sword aura, and quickly retreated.
He disappeared again mid-fight, leaving Bai Chuxiao speechless. This Mu Linfeng was far too cowardly; he would run away the moment he showed signs of weakness, without any hesitation...
Zhan Chi, who had just arrived beside Bai Chuxiao, frowned and said, "He's certainly fast."
Bai Chuxiao frowned. "Now is not the time to pursue him. We should deal with the others as soon as possible."
After saying that, the two quickly rejoined the battle. Looking at the corpses scattered on the ground, Bai Chuxiao had no time to care about anything else and said in a deep voice, "Get out of Cangzhou as soon as possible."
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