My elder sister is so noble, this time it's my turn to strike back

Qiu Ning was anxious and looked towards Gu Li.

"They're coming this way? What should we do? Should we retreat now?"

However, Gu Li shook his head, also with a serious face, "It's too late. I'm afraid the road behind has been blocked."

Qiu Ning's heart sank. What should he do? They were all gathering here. If he was discovered, he would probably be shot into pieces in the first place.

The enemy was coming towards us and would soon be discovered.

Ten steps.

五步

Two steps...

However, at this moment, someone suddenly shouted from the opposite valley: "Over here, hurry up, don't let them run away!"

At that moment, everyone changed their pace and chased towards the source of the sound.

Qiu Ning noticed with his sharp eyes that a black figure flashed by on the opposite side. The figure looked very familiar. It was Gu Li's previous subordinate who had said that he wanted to kill him.

Qiu Ning breathed a sigh of relief.

It seems that Gu Li's men worked together inside and outside to lure the enemy away.

Next, the two did not stop and quickly returned along the same route. Fortunately, they had no danger along the way and finally got out of the cave smoothly.

After Gu Li sent Qiu Ning to a teahouse at the foot of the mountain, he quickly mounted his horse and left the scene. He looked quite hurried.

At this time, Wan Zilang and A Kuan appeared out of nowhere. When they saw Qiu Ning, they both breathed a sigh of relief at the same time.

"Auntie, where have you been? You've made us worry to death."

As soon as Wan Zilang saw Qiu Ning, he couldn't help but start complaining. He held the teapot on the table and took two big gulps of tea, almost choking.

Gu Li and the others had already gone far away. Qiu Ning also withdrew his gaze from them and replied to Wan Zilang:

"I'm fine. I just went to the mine to check it out. Let's hurry back to Beijing and make the next arrangements, otherwise it might be too late."

However, Wan Zilang looked at the direction where Gu Li left and said in a leisurely tone, "No need. Someone has already done this for us. Next, we just need to collect other evidence of the Guo family's crimes to prevent the Guo family from mutiny."

Qiu Ning looked puzzled. "Someone will do it for us? Who?"

Wan Zilang pointed in the direction where Gu Li and the others were leaving and said, "Gu Li, wasn't I with you just now?"

Qiu Ning was stunned and his mind went blank for a moment.

"Gu Li?"

Was this the Censor Gu Li he'd mentioned a few days ago? One of the only factions in the court that could rival the Guo family?

"Yeah! I just saw you two together, I thought you already knew each other? Why, you don't know him?"

Qiu Ning shook his head. "I didn't ask about his identity."

Wan Zilang stood up from his seat with a jerk, shocked. "No way! Auntie, you two have been through so much together, and you don't even know his identity?"

Qiu Ning rolled his eyes at him. "A gentleman doesn't ask about origins. Is that strange?"

No wonder this person gave him an unusual feeling. He had the aura of a superior, and even his guards had such high skills. It turned out that he was the Censor Gu Li.

This way, things would be much easier. As long as they weren't enemies, they could be turned into our own people.

Qiu Ning thought so.

……

At the same time, in Prince Yong’s Mansion.

King Yong had nothing to do and was teasing a thrush in a cage.

Around him, there are many cages filled with various birds, including parrots, quails, orioles, and larger falcons.

Most of the birds here were presented by the people below, and some were gifts from the emperor and the empress dowager.

When Prince Yong had nothing to do, he liked to stay in this bird-raising place to maintain his image as a leisurely prince who had no ambitions in the court.

At this time, the confidant Lin Ji suddenly walked in from outside and whispered something in King Yong's ear.

Prince Yong paused in his act of teasing the bird, a dark glint flashed in his eyes, and he asked, "Is the news true? Did someone really go in?"

"Your Highness, it's undeniable that Li Kuan and his men personally led the pursuit, but the thieves were very cunning and let them escape..."

Lin Ji's voice dropped unconsciously as he finished speaking, his face filled with guilt.

Just now, someone from below came to report that there was trouble at the mine and a spy had sneaked in.

Upon hearing the news, Lin Ji rushed over immediately, but someone still escaped.

He was prepared to be scolded by King Yong.

At this moment, a dark light flashed in King Yong's eyes. He turned the jade ring on his thumb and thought of a countermeasure quickly in his mind.

At this time, another servant came to report.

"Your Majesty, Aunt Qiu said she has a stomachache and seems to be having a miscarriage. I hope you can go and visit her."

Prince Yong had just heard about the incident at the mine and was already feeling a little upset. Now, when he heard about the trivial matters in the backyard, he was even more furious.

"If you have a stomachache, go find a doctor. What can I do? Get out of here!"

That’s right, Qiuyao has been in the palace for three months. Just two days ago, she was suddenly diagnosed with pregnancy. However, she was punished by Concubine Su to kneel at that time and accidentally saw her blood. She has been carefully taken care of these days.

Originally, King Yong was very happy that Qiuyao could get pregnant, and he also specifically instructed that if Qiuyao could give birth to a boy, he would agree to make her a concubine.

If he hadn't suddenly heard this news today, he wouldn't have gotten angry at his servants.

After the servants left, the confidant Lin Ji's eyes turned, as if he suddenly thought of something, and suggested to King Yong:

"Your Majesty, I think you should be nicer to Concubine Qiu during this period."

Prince Yong tilted his head to look at him and asked, "You knew Qiuyao was trying to seduce me in the palace, and yet you're still speaking up for her this time?"

Lin Ji was afraid that he might misunderstand, so he quickly said, "Your Highness, this Qiu Yao was once the legitimate daughter of the Qiu family. If Prime Minister Qiu hadn't fallen, she would have been considered a noble lady in the capital. I've heard that the downfall of the Qiu family was closely related to Prime Minister Guo."

Lin Ji stopped talking and said no more.

King Yong thought a lot about what he said.

Lin Ji's intention was to put the blame for Prime Minister Qiu's downfall on the Guo family. This time, something had happened in the mine where he and the Guo family were cooperating. If things got out of control in the end, he would definitely sacrifice the pawns to save the chariot.

And the Guo family will be a good scapegoat.

At that time, he could just pin the crime of illegally mining iron ore and reselling military equipment on the Guo family, and he could get away with it.

And in the process of convicting the Guo family, Qiu Yao, the daughter of the Qiu family, might play an important role.

Thinking of this, Prince Yong suddenly felt enlightened and immediately ordered Lin Ji:

"Then I'll do as you say. I'll treat her well from now on. As for the area near the mountains, I have a bad feeling."

After a pause, Prince Yong continued, "Well, you should withdraw our people first and remember to destroy the evidence. As for the rest, you know what to do!"

Lin Ji was startled and said subconsciously: "Your Majesty, this..."

Is the prince planning to sacrifice his pawns to save his chariot?