After a long while, Empress Dowager Guo's anger subsided. After pondering for a moment, she narrowed her eyes and said, "Since the imperial guards can't handle it, let's use the methods of the martial arts world."
Upon hearing this, Qinglian hesitated and asked, "Does the Empress Dowager mean to continue hiring assassins?"
Empress Dowager Guo frowned; in truth, she did not trust assassins from the martial arts world.
The last time they were hired to assassinate Wen Nongnong, it also ended in failure.
But the imperial guards couldn't even handle two charlatans. Sending them out would only result in more losses, and if this matter got out, it would certainly damage the royal family's reputation.
The master and apprentice have gone to Xiangzhou now, which means they must still have feelings for Gu Linchao. How could she let them go?
They must die!
Thinking it over, a venomous glint flashed in her eyes. "A generous reward will surely attract brave men. Have someone put a bounty on the head. Anyone who can kill that master and disciple and Wen Nong Nong will be rewarded with a thousand taels of gold."
Upon hearing this, Qinglian felt a chill run down her spine. She hadn't expected that the Empress Dowager still hadn't given up on the idea of killing Wen Nongnong.
"Should we still use that assassin's tower from before?" she asked, bowing her head.
"Use it. They failed last time, but I don't believe they can fail again with such a generous reward this time," Empress Dowager Guo said, frowning.
In her view, wealth is a powerful motivator.
With such a hefty reward offered, she couldn't believe that the Crimson Feather Tower wouldn't spare no effort in their assassination attempt.
Actually, Shen Qingning was secondary, since Gu Linchao didn't even look at her. Wen Nongnong was the person she wanted to get rid of the most. But what was Shen Qingning? How dare she have such improper thoughts? She would make her pay the price with her life.
"This servant will go now." Qinglian replied respectfully and then withdrew.
...
In a secluded mountain valley outside the capital.
Xiao Yan emerged from a cave, his body hunched over and covered in soot. He spat several times, then took a water pouch from a servant and rinsed his mouth several times before finally stopping.
"Duke, is this really a route to the palace?" the attendant asked uncertainly.
Xiao Yan handed the water bag back to him, wiped the water droplets off his chin, and said confidently, "Of course, it will just take some time to dig this passage."
Upon hearing this, the attendant looked somewhat worried, "It is indeed time-consuming. We've been digging for half a month and have only dug up so little."
Xiao Yan pondered for a moment and said, "There are a lot of rocks around here, so it's not easy to dig. It should be much easier after we get past this section. By the way, hire more people and have them take turns digging. As long as we keep digging day and night, I believe we can get through soon."
"Yes," the attendant replied respectfully.
After looking around, Xiao Yan returned and instructed, "Zhou Jun, this place is in your hands. Make sure to urge them to dig faster, but don't pressure them too much. Prepare plenty of wine and meat for them three meals a day, and don't mistreat them."
"I'll go back and rest for a bit, and come back in a couple of days. Let me know if anything happens." As he spoke, he rubbed his aching lower back.
He hasn't had much rest lately in order to dig this tunnel.
Relying on his familiarity with the capital and the palace, he spent several days personally drawing the topographical map. Afterward, he personally selected workers and went to the site to inspect the work. He was busy for many days, and today he can finally take a break.
"I understand, Your Excellency. Please return with peace of mind," Zhou Jun said.
Xiao Yan patted him on the shoulder and then rode away on his horse.
Zhou Jun was a servant in his family, a reliable and loyal man, and he felt at ease entrusting this place to him.
As for why he dug this secret passage, it was naturally for his older sister.
Gu Heng used his older sister to control Hengzhi, but his older sister stubbornly threatened Hengzhi with her own life, saying he shouldn't bother with her.
It's a complete mess.
He had to resolve this trouble for Hengzhi.
Otherwise, if the uncle and nephew really have a conflict one day and it comes to the point of violence, wouldn't Hengzhi be held back for the sake of his older sister?
At that time, he would steal his elder sister out of the palace, so that he would have no worries and Hengzhi would be in an invincible position.
Xiao Yan was smug about his plan and was determined to dig through the secret passage as soon as possible.
...
Tunzhou, Chiyu Tower.
The Second Elder almost burst out laughing when he saw the glittering gold before him, but remembering that his employer was still there, he put on a solemn face and said, "Don't worry, young lady, we guarantee that we will complete the task you entrusted to us smoothly this time."
Upon hearing this, Qinglian, who was wearing a veil, nodded and said, "If you can handle things properly, the other five hundred taels of gold will be delivered on time."
"Young lady, go back and prepare the gold. We will definitely present Wen Nongnong's head when the time comes," the Second Elder assured him, patting his chest.
The trusted disciple overheard this and his lips twitched suspiciously.
The Second Elder is utterly rebellious! He dares to address the Lord by his given name and even wants to take his head.
Qinglian was satisfied, thinking to herself that it was just as the Empress Dowager had said: these Jianghu people were all greedy for profit, and as long as you offered them a large sum of money, you wouldn't have to worry about them not risking their lives.
Thinking it over, she stood up, her tone somewhat haughty, "In that case, I'm relieved. I'll take my leave now."
"Zhao Kun, see this young lady off for me." The Second Elder winked at his trusted disciple and then said with a smile.
Zhao Kun understood and immediately stepped forward, "Miss, please!"
After everyone left, the Second Elder touched the gold in the box and couldn't stop smiling.
Just as the original poster guessed, the person behind the scenes was not satisfied and came knocking on their door again, hiring them.
Zhao Kun returned after half a day. "That girl was very cautious. She changed carriages several times in Tunzhou City before finally leaving the city. Our people almost lost her."
Once outside the city, she took another carriage, which circled around before heading towards the capital. However, the driver looked rather effeminate, resembling a palace eunuch.
Upon hearing this, the Second Elder pondered for a moment before saying, "In that case, the person who wants to kill the Lord is very likely from the Imperial Palace."
“I think it’s highly likely.” Zhao Kun nodded, then asked, “Second Elder, are you really going to take on this business?”
The Second Elder collected his thoughts and touched the gold on the table. "Nonsense, we've already taken the gold, how can we go back on our word? Besides, if we don't take this job, that person will just hire someone else. The Master said, we shouldn't let the good stuff go to outsiders."
Zhao Kun's lips twitched, speechless. But the employer would never have dreamed that the person they wanted to kill would be their own boss.
The gold was practically handed to them for free.
"Zhao Kun, take a few disciples and go to Xiangzhou now. Tell the sect leader about this matter, and then follow his instructions."
"Yes," Zhao Kun replied and went to prepare.
...
Xiangzhou.
For the past month, Wen Nongnong has suffered from severe morning sickness, vomiting several times a day, almost everything she eats is vomited, and eventually she lost her appetite for everything.
Even the highly skilled physician Lin tried several methods on her, but none of them worked.
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