Daily life in the academy

three days ago

Through the crack in the door, one could see the changing light and shadow outside. Bai Zhi and Chu Youyou had been locked up for a day and a night. Except for bringing in some food and water every once in a while, the rest of the time they were left to fend for themselves. Even when they wanted to go out to take care of their physiological needs, no one paid any attention to them.

The two of them had no choice but to talk less and drink less water. After all, the smell here was already bad enough, and they didn't know how long they would be imprisoned.

Chu Youyou could only feel the mixed smells constantly drilling into her nose. She sighed in distress and said, "Azhi, it's only been a day and a night, why does it feel like a long time has passed? Why hasn't Prince Yan sent anyone to rescue you yet?"

Bai Zhi said calmly: "I don't know... Maybe something big happened in Sheng'an City in the past two days, and he and my father are busy dealing with it. After things are dealt with, he will come to rescue us." Her tone was quite nonchalant, but her hand that kept playing with the ring revealed that she was very anxious at the moment.

However, Chu Youyou was not fooled by her calm tone and asked in a low voice: "Tell me the truth, is someone planning a rebellion?"

"Ah?" Bai Zhi looked at Chu Youyou in surprise and asked, "Why do you think so?"

"I'm not stupid. Mu Baizhi's name has only been around in Sheng'an City for a short time. It's impossible for her to have made enemies in just ten days. So, she can only use you as a threat to force General Mu to compromise on certain things... Isn't the most feared thing about General Mu the fact that he holds the power of the Central Army?"

"But His Majesty issued an imperial decree some time ago, taking away my father's tiger talisman. He should no longer be a threat, right?"

Chu Youyou pondered for a moment and said, "There are only two possibilities. One is that they are doing this to be absolutely certain, and they want to eliminate all threats. The other is that there is an insider. Judging from how my father often complained about General Mu's rude remarks in court, His Majesty is extremely tolerant of General Mu. Perhaps confiscating the tiger talisman was just a show... and there is an insider around His Majesty or General Mu."

Her analysis once again brought up something that Bai Zhi had originally been afraid to confirm.

The last thing Bai Zhi wanted to see was being betrayed by her own people... She tried hard to recall the details of her previous conversation with that man. His face and voice were blurry, but her burly figure showed at a glance that he was not an ordinary man with a physique. Only years of rigorous training could keep him in such a strong body.

This is what happens to people who practice martial arts or soldiers who are currently serving.

"Azhi...Azhi..." Chu Youyou talked for a long time, but heard no response. She shook Baizhi worriedly and called out twice.

Bai Zhi came back to her senses, "Ah? What did you say?"

"No...I'm just a little worried because you haven't responded for a long time." Chu Youyou felt relieved.

Bai Zhi smiled and comforted him, "I'm fine. I was just thinking about something else and didn't pay attention."

"Listen... there seems to be a sound of fighting outside..." Chu Youyou suddenly grabbed Bai Zhi's arm, her voice a little tense, "Could it be that there is a civil unrest and they are going to kill people to silence them..."

Bai Zhi patted her hand soothingly and listened for a moment with bated breath. She indeed heard the sound of fighting. She quickly put the ring away and pulled Chu Youyou and the other two to hide in the corner behind the door. If someone broke in, this was a blind spot, which could buy them some time to respond.

As the sounds of fighting got closer, the two people's heartbeats became faster and faster, until there was a "bang", and the door that locked them was kicked open with brute force. Fortunately, the two reacted in time and dodged to the side so as not to be hit.

While they were still in shock, An Qi, dressed in black, rushed into the room. He glanced around and saw the two people who were intact in the corner. He said, "Miss Mu, Miss Chu, we are following the orders of the prince to rescue you two. Ladies, please leave quickly."

Chu Youyou looked relieved. She stood up and was about to follow him, but was stopped by the alert Bai Zhi. She looked at An Qi warily and asked, "You said you were Brother Yan's man. How can you prove it?"

An Qi had been secretly protecting her for more than ten days and had some understanding of this Miss Mu. Without hesitation, he said, "When you were first captured the night before yesterday, someone gave you a ring. That was what the prince asked his subordinates to give you."

"Okay. Let's go." Bai Zhi nodded, pulled Chu Youyou, who had not yet reacted, and followed An Qi out of the cave quickly.

At this time, all the private soldiers inside and outside the cave had been cleared out by all the secret guards. After An Qi set off the fireworks signal, he led the two ladies and other secret guards down the tunnel.

Chu Youyou asked doubtfully, "Are there really rebels? Even the city gates are controlled by them?"

An Qi subconsciously glanced at Bai Zhi, who nodded. He then replied, "I don't know the specific situation, but for the safety of the two young ladies, this tunnel is the safest route."

Bai Zhi and Chu You You were protected by the secret guards in the middle, walking in the tunnel at a moderate pace. They didn't know how long they had walked. When Bai Zhi felt her whole body aching, An Qi's "almost there" finally turned into "there."

An Qi was the first to climb up the dry well, took down the hemp rope wrapped around it, and slowly lowered it down, pulling Bai Zhi and Chu Youyou up one by one. After the other secret guards came out one by one, he ordered, "An Shisan, you will escort Miss Chu back to the Chu Mansion. The rest of you, follow me to escort Miss Mu to Prince Ning's Mansion."

When they parted, Bai Zhi worriedly told Chu Youyou, "Youyou, when you return home, don't go out for the time being. Rest well."

Chu Youyou nodded: "Don't worry, I know everything."

The sun was already setting overhead, and it was probably the end of the afternoon, the beginning of the afternoon. On the way to Prince Ning's mansion, Bai Zhi asked An Qi, "Do you know what's going on right now? Are my father and Brother Yan all okay?"

An Qi shook his head and replied, "I have been ordered to stay near the cave where you are imprisoned. I don't know the situation in the city." He was silent for a moment and added, "We are almost at Prince Ning's Mansion."

Bai Zhi said helplessly: "I've heard a lot along the way and we're almost there... Now we're on the ground, I still know where Prince Ning's Mansion is..."

About an incense stick later, Bai Zhi was already panting. The plaque of Prince Ning's Mansion finally appeared before her eyes. She gritted her teeth and insisted on entering the mansion. The moment the door closed, she sat down on the steps and waved to An Qi, "I can't walk anymore. Let me rest for a while."

An Qi winked at the two secret guards behind him, and then quickly went to the inner courtyard to report the news.