The three, master and servant, closed the door with solemn expressions, hid in the room, and looked at each other in bewilderment.
"Miss, even if you wanted to leave now, I'm afraid it would be difficult for you to get away," Ling Shuang said with a furrowed brow and deep concern.
Ling Xue then suggested, "How about we use the waist token General Gu gave us to seek help from Grand Tutor Xing?"
“You’re really confused. If we do that, Grand Tutor Xing will also be watching our movements…” Ling Shuang immediately retorted, her eyes filled with anxiety.
“This road is blocked. Then think carefully, in this capital city, who is the one who most wants me to leave as soon as possible, and preferably never come back?” Lin Xihe couldn’t help but ask, her gaze darting back and forth between the two maids’ faces.
"Sun Ningxiang," the two said almost simultaneously.
"Besides her, is there no one else?" Lin Xihe frowned slightly, pondering to herself. She had only met Sun Ningxiang a few times. Although the book described her as not being a villain, she still didn't have a good impression of her.
She subconsciously stroked her slightly protruding belly. The fetus inside seemed to sense her thoughts and moved slightly. This subtle movement was like a heavy hammer blow to Lin Xihe's heart.
She knew better than anyone that she was now six months pregnant, which was undoubtedly her most fatal weakness. She could not easily put herself in danger, nor could she try to get out of the city with Sun Ningxiang's help.
"And Madam Ji!" Ling Xue exclaimed suddenly, seizing the opportunity.
"Yes, Ling Xue, you should go see Madam Ji immediately. Make sure to make things clear to her that my leaving the capital is a good thing for her. If I stay here and continue to be entangled with Ji Zhuo, she won't be able to have any peace."
"But... Miss, is she really willing to help us?" Ling Xue frowned, her eyes filled with worry.
“It’s never a bad thing to give it a try. You must be extremely careful along the way, do everything you can to avoid being seen by those eyes and ears, and absolutely do not let anyone notice the slightest flaw.” Lin Xihe’s gaze was sharp as she looked directly at Ling Xue.
"Yes, I understand," Ling Xue replied, turning to leave.
Lin Xihe then looked at Ling Shuang and said, "Ling Shuang, take three thousand taels of silver and go to the west of the city to find a blacksmith shop. I remember it's called Jin Huo Tang or something like that, it should be on that old street in the west of the city. Go there and find a man named Mo Wusheng, and tell him that I, Lin Xihe, am hiring him for three years."
Lin Xihe originally thought that he wouldn't need any experts, but now the situation forced him to resort to this tactic.
This Mo Wusheng, who was later used by Sun Ningxiang in the book, was extremely skilled in martial arts. He only cared about money and not people, but he was very trustworthy.
"A blacksmith? What kind of blacksmith is so expensive? Why would you hire a blacksmith, young lady?" Ling Shuang asked, her face full of doubt.
"He knows far more than just blacksmithing. Remember, you must be respectful," Lin Xihe solemnly instructed.
With Mo Wusheng's protection, she could go anywhere with Ling Shuang and Ling Xue with peace of mind.
"Yes, young lady, we will definitely go and return quickly," the two replied in unison.
"Ling Xue, if you don't find a suitable opportunity when you go out, don't act rashly. It's best to return to the manor as soon as possible. When you come back, buy some of our signature pastries. Ling Shuang, you go to the silk shop and pick out some fabric. That way, we'll have a plausible excuse to leave the manor and keep our secrets from being discovered."
The two men accepted the order and withdrew.
Lin Xihe wasn't worried about her safety at the moment. With so many guards at home, even a fly would have a hard time getting close.
She instructed Xiaoru and Xiuxin to guard the door, while she planned to catch up on some sleep.
But as soon as he lay down, he heard the voice of a maidservant bowing outside: "Greetings, Lord Ji."
Lin Xihe tensed up instantly. Ji Zhuo never came at this time before, so why was he here so early today?
"Why are you two the only ones guarding this place? Where are Ling Shuang and Ling Xue?" Ji Zhuo's voice came from behind.
“The two older sisters have gone out,” Xiaoru replied.
Where are your girls?
"The girl has just fallen asleep."
Before Lin Xihe could get up, the door was gently pushed open.
She immediately closed her eyes and pretended to be asleep, only to hear footsteps getting closer and closer. She really didn't want to talk to Ji Zhuo at that moment, so she simply continued to pretend.
A moment later, Lin Xihe felt Ji Zhuo sit down by the bed.
Even with her eyes closed, she could imagine Ji Zhuo staring at her.
Lin Xihe simply turned to her side, but as soon as she did, the baby in her belly seemed to be protesting, kicking her incessantly. She had no choice but to turn back over and try to sleep in a different position.
"Xi'er, don't sleep yet, I have something to tell you." Ji Zhuo knew that Lin Xihe was not asleep, and said softly.
Lin Xihe ignored him, not even lifting her eyelids.
Ji Zhuo's voice remained gentle: "Xi'er, I'm going on a long trip."
Upon hearing this, Lin Xihe slowly opened her eyes and asked, "Where are you going?"
“Remember Qin Mu? My men have found out he’s hiding in Yucheng. Instead of living in constant fear of a sudden attack, I think it’s better to eliminate him completely this time.”
The mere mention of Qin Mu immediately conjured up the terrifying scene of that night in Lin Xihe's mind: countless assassins swarmed into Sun Ningxiang's courtyard and launched a fierce attack on them, leaving behind mountains of corpses and seas of blood, with severed limbs scattered everywhere.
Although she knew that Ji Zhuo's departure would benefit her escape plan, she couldn't help but worry when she thought about Ji Zhuo going to see Qin Mu.
Lin Xihe sat up, leaning against the bed, but never looked up at Ji Zhuo: "Can't we send some experts? Do you have to go yourself?"
“I have faced him many times and know him best. It is more appropriate for me to go than for anyone else.”
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