The loud commotion startled the servants in the courtyard, but as soon as they saw Tan’er standing at the doorway, they all slinked away without exception.
Lin Wan’er glared at ng Qianqian angrily, gesturing: You are no longer the Eldest Young Madam of the Lu Family. You have no right to barge into my courtyard, nor to flaunt your power in front of !
ng Qianqian grabbed her by the neck, her voice brimming with killing intent: I have no ti to waste words with you. I’ll ask you one last ti—what did you give to Lu Lingxiao?
Lin Wan’er had never seen such a terrifying side of ng Qianqian before. She wasn’t screaming or shouting, yet the palpable aura of nace she exuded felt like a sharp dagger. It hung over Lin Wan’er’s brow as if it could take her life in an instant.
ng Qianqian reversed her grip and pulled the hairpin out from Lin Wan’er’s hair, ruthlessly stabbing toward her eye!
I’ll tell you!
Lin Wan’er gestured desperately in fright!
The hairpin stopped right on her long lashes.
She blinked, her lashes brushing against the tip of the pin.
Her face turned deathly pale, cold sweat drenched her back, her chest heaved violently—alard and deeply humiliated.
What is it?
ng Qianqian demanded.
Lin Wan’er’s eyes reddened as she gestured: The Black Armor Guards’ signal flares and rescue token.
ng Qianqian threw her onto a chair: Draw them!
Ever since Lin Wan’er beca pregnant, everyone had treated her with the utmost care. But ng Qianqian, so rough and heedless, showed no concern for the child in her womb.
It proved the old matriarch’s words right—she was indeed a venomous woman.
Lin Wan’er gestured toward Lu Luo.
Lu Luo shivered, trembling as she brought over paper and brush.
Tan’er threatened: N, you’d better not lie. Get one detail wrong, and your little life will be over!
Lin Wan’er had to admit that she was truly scared by these two lunatics, especially ng Qianqian.
Every ti she considered sketching sothing wrong, ng Qianqian seed to notice, the murderous aura thickening further.
Eventually, she finished the drawing and handed the paper to ng Qianqian. Seeing ng Qianqian’s brows tighten in apparent confusion, Lin Wan’er couldn’t resist a smug gesture, accompanied by a motion:
You’re just a rchant’s daughter; of course, you’ve never seen these things. What I gave the General wasn’t ordinary fireworks or bamboo flares—it was a rescue signal that could summon the Black Armor Guards from within a hundred-mile radius at all costs. It’s usable only once. The token, too—once used, it’s destroyed. The bearer of the token holds authority equal to the Grand Marshal’s presence. If the General encounters danger, he can use it for self-protection or employ strategy to lure out the Black Armor Guards to assassinate Beiliang’s commanders! With these, the General is assured of great achievent on this trip!
Fool!
ng Qianqian slapped Lin Wan’er hard, drawing blood at the corner of her mouth.
Lu Luo lunged forward to embrace Lin Wan’er, crying out in pain: My lady has already given you what you wanted; why are you still hitting her?
ng Qianqian looked coldly at Lin Wan’er: If you weren’t pregnant, I’d kill you right here today!
Tan’er raised her hand: Sister, let do it!
ng Qianqian said to Tan’er: Leave.
Once outside Feng Courtyard, Tan’er snorted disdainfully: Truly foolish! Didn’t she hear that the Black Armor Guards no longer station at the border? And she’s so certain that, within a hundred miles, the Black Armor Guards would still heed Lu Lingxiao’s orders?
ng Qianqian’s gaze turned icy: Better if they aren’t present. If they are—
Tan’er tilted her head, puzzled: Hmm?
ng Qianqian’s expression grew grave: What Lin Wan’er gave Lu Lingxiao isn’t a rescue token at all. It’s the Black Armor Guards’ highest-level Execution Order. With fireworks as the signal, within a hundred-mile radius, the guards will rcilessly slaughter both the token bearer and their associates!
Tan’er gasped sharply: That severe? The Grand Commander and Treasure Piggy would be implicated too? That cursed woman, she’s stirred up enormous trouble! Is she hoping for Lu Lingxiao’s welfare—or his demise? If that filthy man dies, so be it, but my Treasure Piggy—
Covering her face dramatically, Tan’er began to cry theatrically—tears conspicuously absent.
ng Qianqian said seriously: I need to step out for a while. You stay here and keep an eye on her for .
Tan’er made a resolute fist: Understood!
ng Qianqian hastened on horseback toward the Governor Mansion, violently knocking on the door knocker.
Who’s there?
The servant opened the door with a yawn, stunned upon seeing ng Qianqian: Miss ng?
ng Qianqian, breathing heavily, asked: Is Lord Shangguan here?
The servant replied: Lord Shangguan has left the city.
Shangguan Ling had indeed ntioned he would leave the city for a few days, but ng Qianqian hadn’t expected him to depart so soon.
She paused briefly: I need to see Steward Cen.
In the flower hall, ng Qianqian t Steward Cen and got straight to the point: Steward Cen, do you know how to contact Lord Shangguan?
Steward Cen responded uncomfortably: Well, usually Lord Shangguan gives us the instructions. If he’s out on a mission, we have no way to reach him.
ng Qianqian stood, her expression somber: Steward Cen, I need a Passage Order, the fastest horse, and if possible, a set of riding clothes!
Fifteen minutes later, clad in ink-colored brocade garnts and wearing a black hat, ng Qianqian mounted a horse and sped into the boundless night.
She neared the city gates without slowing at all.
From the city tower above, a guard shouted sternly: Who dares ride at such speed? Are you unaware of the curfew? Halt now!
ng Qianqian raised the Governor Mansion token high: Open the gate!
The expedition forces had departed five days ago. With the border situation growing critical, the court’s Tiger Army should be advancing swiftly, covering at least a hundred miles per day. Cavalry would move even faster.
This harsh weather made rapid marching detrintal, exhausting troops’ strength and reducing effectiveness in combat.
Yet, based on Shangguan Ling’s intel, the court intended to negotiate peace with Beiliang. Dispatching troops was rely for show and to investigate the case, depriving Beiliang of pretext for war with Great Zhou.
A thousand n, ten million gold—where could they have gone? The governnt had overturned Feng County and still found no trace.
As ng Qianqian rushed onward, she mulled over the details of the case.
The piercing cold wind froze her flesh to the bone.
When tired and hungry, she stopped under a large tree, took out a chunk of frost-hardened, throat-scraping flatbread from her bag, and ate a couple of bites. When thirsty, she scooped up snow to eat.
At night, she lit a fire, clutching her Brocade Spring Saber as she spent the evening in mountain caves or beneath trees.
For seven nights straight, she stayed at an inn just once.
First, she reached the court’s supply and baggage train. Next, she caught up with the Tiger Army’s infantry troops, but neither Lu Yuan nor Bao Shu were among them.
So they were indeed traveling with the cavalry?
Cavalry moved quickly, departing five days earlier; by now, they might already be nearing Yun Pass.
Even if she rushed day and night, catching up seed almost impossible—unless... she took a shortcut!
ng Qianqian suddenly tightened her reins, her horse screeched to a halt, its front hooves raised high, braying in the icy wind!
She adjusted the mask on her face, turned her horse around, and galloped back the way she ca.
Snow fell again; fierce winds raged. Hail pelted loudly against her hat and mask, as well as her slender but unyielding fra.
A carriage approached.
ng Qianqian tugged her reins, brushing past the carriage.
The curtain lifted briefly in the wind, revealing a figure clad in purple, leaning silently against the carriage wall with closed eyes.
Suddenly, he opened his eyes.
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