No, gentlemen also guard against

Chapter 779: Yinbingzhai's sudden change (spicy!)
When Ouyang Rong walked out of the ruins of the inner house quickly, Li Xian came up with his family and servants and asked eagerly:

"Tan Lang, are you ready to go? The carriage and important luggage are ready."

There was no need for Xie Lingjiang to urge them. Li Xian's family had already been prepared. With the decisive mother and daughter Wei Mei and Li Guo'er around, there was no way they would procrastinate.

Ever since Ouyang Rong proposed the "strategy to return to the capital", they have been eager to try it.

"Well, let's go."

Ouyang Rong did not stop, but nodded hurriedly, holding the sword case in his arms, walked straight past them, strode out of the door, and rode a fast horse.

Looking at his back, he looked like he had something on his mind and didn’t want to be polite.

Li Xian and Li Dalang looked at each other, while Li Guoer and Wei Mei glanced sideways at Xie Lingjiang who was following behind.

It seemed like he was asking what they had just talked about, which made Tan Lang lose his composure.

Xie Lingjiang also frowned and said nothing, following closely.

Li Xian and others quickly followed.

When they arrived at the back door, they found that Ouyang Rong had already grabbed a fast horse from the stable and was running towards Xunyangfang.

Li Xian's family hurriedly got into the car, and servants such as Cai Shou and Shun Bo also followed.

All the maids and stewards who had been imprisoned in the firewood room of the outer house by the fake pirates were released. However, when Li Xun returned to Beijing this time, he did not bring anyone with him except Cai Shou, Shun Bo and other loyal servants.

Xie Lingjiang and Lu Ya each rode a fast horse, guarding the carriage where Li Xian's family was hiding, and drove out of the dilapidated Xunyang Palace.

The streets were empty, with few pedestrians, and scattered items everywhere. From time to time, the figures of constables and auxiliary soldiers hurriedly passed by.

Today, there were many shocking events in the city: the Jiangzhou Hall issued a city-wide martial law order, pirates captured Xunyang Ferry, and a fire suddenly broke out in Xunyang Palace...

In addition, most of the personnel from the Imperial Observatory and the White Tiger and Black Tortoise Guards were transferred to Shuangfeng Peak in the morning, leaving the city unguarded. The situation at the Xunyang Grottoes was uncertain at the moment.

At this moment, only the officers and soldiers of Jiangzhou Hall were left in the city, trying hard to maintain order in the city. Several city gates were still in the hands of the officials of Jiangzhou Hall, struggling to hold on.

Perhaps the news that the young governor was still in the city had spread by word of mouth, or perhaps Yan Liulang was still following Ouyang Rong's order to maintain stability.

Some important government structures in Xunyang City are still functioning as usual. If they were in other prefectures and counties, these cunning officials would have fled long ago... How much salary do they get that makes them work so hard?
Even so, this special atmosphere that was barely balanced could not withstand the aftermath of the huge changes that occurred in Xunyang Grottoes.

The discerning people in the city are waiting for the final outcome at Shuangfeng Peak.

If the imperial astronomical bureau and the two imperial guards won, it would be fine.

If the Tiannan Jianghu and Kuangfu Army rebels win, then Xunyang City will face a situation of being slaughtered like fish on a chopping board, and the stability maintenance officers and soldiers under the command of Jiangzhou Hall will be unstoppable.

However, most people in the city did not know that the outcome of the battle at Xunyang Grottoes had the opposite impact on Xunyang City and Xunyang Palace.

At least from the current situation, the rebels in the Tiannan Jianghu have won, which is of the greatest benefit to the Xunyang Palace, whether it is to use this as an excuse to return to the capital, or to kill political enemies such as Wei Wu and Nanny Song alive.

But the best outcome, of course, is that the Tiannan Jianghu and Kuangfu Army rebels win miserably. In this case, even if they win, they will have no time to take care of the poorly defended Xunyang City.

To put it cruelly and realistically, the imperial army including the female officials of the Imperial Observatory, the two imperial guards and other members of the royal army at Shuangfengjian are not true allies of the people of Xunyang City.

The first priority for these court personnel from Luoyang and Guanzhong is to protect the golden Buddha statue of the saint.

Xunyang City is the kind of place that can be sacrificed to a small extent.

Otherwise, there wouldn't have been the "unexpected incident" of the three hundred pirates disguised as Wei's assassins being able to enter the city unhindered and raid the city.

Just like what was written in the secret letter that Xunyang Wang Lixian and his family received this morning:

If not on the table, then on the recipe.

Today, even the Xunyang Palace is on the written recipe, let alone the people of Xunyang City.

If there is no one representing the broadest interests of the people of Xunyang City sitting at the dining table of "Shuangfengjian", who would be willing to give up the interests they have fought for and make selfless contributions?

Simply rely on the compassion of others?
The situation today is so simple, and so naked and cruel.

Pei Shisanniang's house is located on the edge of Xunyangfang, between the Huaiye Lane residence and the Xunyang Palace, and close to the main road of Xunyang City. Whether going to Xunyang Ferry or leaving the city through other gates, transportation is very convenient.

Pei Shisanniang had been to Longcheng County before, and had recently been in charge of the activities of the Yinbingshi business in Kuanglu Mountain. She was very familiar with the two escape routes that Ouyang Rong had planned in advance.

This is also the reason why Ouyang Rong had set the gathering place here before, so that he could be flexible.

When Xie Lingjiang, Li Xian and others arrived at Pei Shisanniang's house, Ouyang Rong had already arrived a while earlier.

When everyone walked into the compound, they found that Ouyang Rong did not go into the lobby to drink tea, but was standing outside in the yard, wandering and pacing waiting, with his head down so that his expression could not be seen clearly.

Pei Shisan Niang was standing aside with her hands in her hands, looking timid and worried.

As if she had realized the crisis of today's situation in advance, this plump and beautiful woman wore men's clothing that was convenient for movement, and the trusted maids accompanying her were also dressed in men's clothing.

Right now, the entire Pei Mansion is under martial law by the loyal guards who were hired at a high price.

When Xie Lingjiang, Li Xian and others arrived, Ouyang Rong just looked up and continued to pace.

Li Guoer looked around and found that there were no women from Huaiye Lane, so she winked at Xie Lingjiang.

Xie Lingjiang actually didn't need her to teach him. He didn't bother the senior brother. He walked over, called Pei Shisanniang aside, and asked in a low voice:

"what happened?"

Pei Shisan Niang said with difficulty: "When the young master came, he asked me whether Miss Xiu Niang and Madam Zhen had arrived."

When Xie Lingjiang was about to speak, Pei Shisanniang whispered:
"How could it be so fast? Before the agreed time, Miss Xiu Niang disappeared in the morning. Madam Zhen came to look for me. After searching for a while, I heard from Huaiye Lane that Miss Xiu Niang had returned. I took the guards and personally sent Madam Zhen back to her residence in Huaiye Lane. When I found that she was safe, I left some guards there and left.

"It has only been a short while since I came back, and the young master has already come running over... Logically, Madam Zhen had to chat with the embroiderer and pack her luggage, so she couldn't come to my humble abode so quickly. The time since I left was not enough for them to travel back and forth. However, I still sent someone to urge her, as the young master still seemed worried."

Seeing that she had done it properly, Xie Lingjiang pursed his lips and said nothing more. He turned around, walked to Ouyang Rong, and asked softly:
"Is there something wrong with the old Taoist's motto? Is the eldest brother worried about Sister Xiu Niang or Aunt Zhen?"

Ouyang Rong took a few steps forward and looked back at her.

Beside him, Li Dalang spoke cautiously, mentioning something that everyone present was actually very concerned about: "Tanlang, when Madam Zhen and Miss Xiu Niang arrive later, let's leave the city together and return to the capital together. Although it is inconvenient to leave the country as a governor, it is not a big deal if you have the reason of 'protecting a seriously ill prince' to come to the capital. Besides, you are a scholar of Xiuwen Academy. As long as our plan is implemented, it will be no problem for you to get an official position in the capital. Tanlang, you also said that the closer to the center of power, the better..."

Ouyang Rong slowly stopped.

Just then, footsteps were suddenly heard outside.

Ouyang Rong immediately turned around, and everyone looked over as well.

But then I saw a captain of the police in blue clothes, looking dusty, walking briskly with a group of subordinates.

"Mingfu, you're back! How's the situation at Shuangfeng Peak?"

It’s Yan Liulang, bringing people to meet up.

Xie Lingjiang, Pei Shisan Niang and others immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

Yan Liulang noticed that the atmosphere was not right. He also saw the disappointment in Mingfu's eyes and asked curiously:
"Why are you all looking at me like that? What happened to Mingfu? Who are you waiting for?"

He couldn't help but look back out the door.

The next moment, I felt a whirlwind passing by.

Yan Liulang looked carefully and saw that it was Ouyang Rong who passed him and ran quickly towards the long street outside the door.

"Where are you going, Mr. Ming?"

Ouyang Rong directly snatched the black horse that Yan Liulang was riding, mounted the horse in a green shirt, and galloped towards the mansion in Huaiye Lane.

It seemed that Xie Lingjiang, Yan Liulang, Li Xian and others were chasing after them, but Ouyang Rong ignored them.

He was dressed in a blue shirt and riding a black horse, he passed through the long street at lightning speed and came to the familiar Huaiye Lane.

Before arriving at the mansion, they encountered a group of hurried people led by Wang Caozhi, who seemed to have just left the mansion in Huaiye Lane.

The two parties collided and braked at the same time.

The young man in the scholar's robe pulled the whip hard, and the black horse neighed and raised its hooves high. Before it landed, the young man on the horse said in a commanding voice:
"Where are the embroiderers?"

Wang Caozhi had a miserable face, and when Ouyang Rong saw it, his heart skipped a beat.

When Wang Caozhi's nervous and stuttering words fell into his ears, they were like a stone thrown into an empty valley, echoing for a long time:

"Sister, brother-in-law, Miss Xiu Niang has disappeared. She was in the courtyard of Yinbingzhai half an hour ago. A maid brought food to her... Madam Zhen and Miss Ye are looking for her... Miss Ye said that someone from her master's sect had visited Miss Xiu Niang before she disappeared... Hey, brother-in-law!"

When Wang Caozhi was halfway through his words, Ouyang Rong had already dropped his whip, shook him off, and rushed into the house.

Ouyang Rong did not hide his skills any more, he climbed over the eaves and walls, and rushed to the courtyard of Yinbingzhai as fast as lightning.

I saw a group of familiar maids guarding outside the courtyard gate. They were all my aunt's servants. They all kept their heads down and kept silent.

Before they could react, Ouyang Rong had already leaped over and rushed into the yard. As soon as he entered the door, he saw three people in the yard, one standing, one squatting, and one lying beside the stone table.

The person lying on the ground was my aunt's personal maid, Banxi!
She seemed to be unconscious, lying on the ground next to the stone table, with some blood stains on her cuffs.

It seemed that the bowls on the table had fallen to the ground, and the Silla maid was covered with broken porcelain pieces and splashed tea. Among the tea stains, there were faint traces of some tiny noodles, and the broken porcelain pieces cut her palms.

The study, bedroom and other places in Yinbingzhai were all tidy and intact, except for the stone table in the courtyard which was in a mess. Along with a swing swaying in the wind, everything was reflected in Ouyang Rong's shrunken dark pupils.

Ye Weilai squatted beside Banxi, supporting her with care and pinching her philtrum.

Zhen Shuyuan stood aside, her ten fingers tightly grasping the handkerchief, her face ashen.

"Tanlang!"

Zhen Shuyuan and Ye Weilai both noticed Ouyang Rong standing at the door, and they shouted almost in unison, their voices filled with tears and...guilt.

Seeing this scene, Ouyang Rong's pace slowed down instead.

He walked slowly towards the three women and looked down at them.

Banxi was gradually awakened. Her eyes widened and she noticed the gazes of the people in front of her. She looked around in panic, her face wrinkled, and she cried sadly:

"Mr. Wuwuwu... It's all my fault. I'm useless and didn't stop him... I'm really a useless person, wuwuwu..."

The sobbing sound echoed in the courtyard, the words were intermittent, and she was crying so hard that she couldn't speak clearly.

Seeing Banxi weeping, fearful and talking nonsense, Zhen Shuyuan and Ye Weilai felt as if their hearts had sunk into an icy cave, without even having to hear the rest of her words.

They were a little afraid to look at Tan Lang beside them, as they were extremely afraid to see his expression and reaction at this moment.

However, after waiting for a while, the two girls found it strange that the young man in Confucian robes next to them was particularly quiet.

Ouyang Rong squatted down, pinched his sleeve with his right hand, wiped Banxi's dirty face, looked at her, and spoke calmly:
"Don't worry, take your time, don't be afraid, I'm here, tell me everything you saw, don't leave out anything."

Ban Xi stared blankly at Ouyang Rong, sobbing for a while, and finally took a breath, and said in a sobbing voice:
"Master, an acquaintance of Sister Xiu Niang has come and entered the courtyard. I followed Sister Wei Lai's instructions and brought noodles and tea. I am waiting outside Yinbingzhai, waiting for Sister Xiu Niang to see the guest off.

"At first, everything was fine. There was no movement in the yard. They should be eating noodles and drinking tea. But after waiting for a while, I suddenly heard the special sound of the white hairpin on the head of the embroiderer sister in the yard. I felt it was a bit strange. Just as I approached the gate, I heard the sound of tea cups and noodle bowls falling to the ground.

"I was worried, so I pushed the door open and took a closer look. I saw that Sister Xiu Niang had fainted on the table. I didn't know what had happened. A strange barefoot girl in a white dress was about to carry her away. How could I let her go? Sister Wei Lai had specifically told me to keep an eye on Sister Xiu Niang. I went over to stop them and tried to take Sister Xiu Niang back. But the girl in the white dress was incredibly strong and forcefully pushed me away. I was so anxious that my eyes turned red and I shouted for help. The next moment, the back of my head hurt, and my vision went black. I don't remember anything..."

Ye Weilai's eyes were red, and she lowered her head deeply:

"Tan Lang, when I was escorting Sister Xiu Niang back to Yinbingzhai, I heard a strange bell sound and smelled a strange smell. Sister Xiu Niang found an excuse to send me away. I roughly guessed that it was someone she knew and I didn't want to disturb her, but I was worried, so I asked Wei Lai to serve noodles and tea as a polite reception on behalf of Tan Lang. I thought the guest would know the etiquette and would not dare to be rude, but I didn't expect it to be like this..."

When Ye Weilai said this, she choked up and shed tears along with Ban Xi who was crying and complaining about her grievances.

Ouyang Rong remained silent, looked around, suddenly stood up, walked to the stone table, bent down, picked up something from an inconspicuous pile of grass.

A gray, icy-white jade hairpin.

(End of this chapter)