Chapter 417: Daddy, you miss Mommy, don

Xiao Ningxun nodded: "Let's go, we'll talk when we get back."

The curtain fell, and Xiao Ningxun sat opposite Lu Qi: "I need the Tianji Pavilion to handle a few matters."

Lu Qi clasped his fists: "Please give your orders, Third Young Master."

"First, keep watch on all movement in the several streets surrounding the old barracks."

"No need to risk entering to investigate; just find out when the guards change shifts each day, which gate the grain and vegetable carts enter through, and all similar matters, big or small—I want them investigated thoroughly."

"Second, go to the Nüzi Jian and find Divine Doctor Mo."

"Tell him we need him to make something that can release smoke—something that can cover the eyes but not harm people; the more, the better."

"Please make sure he has it ready; we'll use it as soon as we reach Jingcheng."

"Third, ask the experts of the Tianji Pavilion to go every two or three days to the mansions of those high officials in Jingcheng—whether it's the Minister's residence or a marquis's manor, any will do."

"Steal their most valuable items, make the operation a bit bigger, and I want the night patrol alarms in Jingcheng to keep sounding."

"Of course, act cautiously—don't let yourselves fall into others' hands."

Lu Qi gave a firm fist salute: "Good! I'll set off immediately."

He hesitated not, rose, and walked away.

Xiao Ningxun shouted after him: "Brother Lu, once we reach Jingcheng we'll first go to the Xuanqiong Temple."

"Just go there and inquire about a northwestern merchant surnamed Lin; we'll meet in Jingcheng."

Lu Qi turned his head: "Good!" and strode out.

After a moment's thought, Xiao Ningxun looked at Xiao Er: "Tomorrow, tell the people from the Ma Gang who bring the grain, and when you go to meet the Canal Gang folks, ask Young Chief Luo to come quickly—I have a request."

"Yes!"

A few days later, Luo Zhenjiang arrived: "Third Young Master, what do you need the Canal Gang to do? Just say it."

Xiao Ningxun clasped his fists: "Chief Luo, I need the Canal Gang's boats to take us to the foot of Jingcheng—but I don't want to stop just outside the city walls."

Luo Zhenjiang's expression tightened: "What do you mean, Third Young Master?"

Xiao Ningxun pointed at the map on the table: "I need a water route that leads from the river to this old barracks."

Xiao Ran puzzled: "How is that possible? The old barracks are inside the city, not on a river!"

Xiao Ningxun looked at Luo Zhenjiang: "I believe that wherever there's water, the Canal Gang won't be stumped."

Luo Zhenjiang stared at the map, silent for a long while.

He pondered for a long time: "People who often run to Jingcheng have mentioned that when the previous dynasty rebuilt the city, they altered the river channels; most of the old riverbed was filled in, but many places underground still remain."

"Later, some sections were used as hidden drains; I can have them check whether any of them run near this old barracks."

Xiao Ningxun's eyes lit up: "If there is, could people pass through it?"

"We need to scout it." Luo Zhenjiang spoke frankly: "They're all abandoned—whether there's something near there that's collapsed or blocked, we won't know until we see it with our own eyes."

"All right." Xiao Ningxun nodded: "Then I'll entrust this to you, Brother Luo."

"Within five days, please give me a reply—whether this passage is still open and passable."

"Sure! I'll get on it right away."

Luo Zhenjiang turned and left.

Xiao Ningxun thought for a moment: "Xiao Er."

"Here."

"Pick twenty reliable brothers, get a big wagon, prepare some local produce from here, have them pose as a merchant caravan, and set out immediately to sneak into Jingcheng."

"Once inside, should they also meet up at the Xuanqiong Temple?"

"Yes, give them each a Star Constellation Flow Pearl from Tuan Tuan; True Person Xuanqing will naturally take them in."

"All right!" Xiao Er took the order and left.

Tuan Tuan pattered over to Xiao Ningxun: "Third Brother, everyone's got something to do—what should I do?"

Xiao Ningxun crouched, looking at her little face, his gaze softening: "What Tuan Tuan has to do is more important than what they're doing."

"Wow! The biggest task Third Brother is entrusting to me!"

Tuan Tuan exclaimed excitedly: "What is it?"

"You, you need to pick up lots of junk and stuff your little embroidered pouch full."

He touched his sister's waist pouch, feeling a pang—it was his mother's needlework.

"Then you need to keep an eye on them. Which of these junk treasures are usable—only you know!"

Tuan Tuan nodded firmly: "Yeah! I'll go pick them up now, and then watch them carefully!"

She took Gongsun Yue's hand and ran toward the tent flap: "Xiao Yueyue! Come on! Let's go pick up junk together!"

Gongsun Yue: "……"

The Canal Gang handled things efficiently; five days later they sent over a map.

The map wasn't complicated; it marked three spots: an inconspicuous bend on the Anding River, a water gate marked with an X, and a place extending from that gate—exactly the west wall of the old barracks.

Beside it was a small line of text: "The old channel still remains; the entrance is concealed, allowing one to pass bent over. It has been ascertained that the end of the waterway is the filthy ditch beside the west wall of the old barracks."

"At the connection point there's an iron grate—I've already ordered it removed."

Xiao Ningxun stared at that line for a long while, then let out a long breath.

According to the date on that notice, twelve days later will be the execution day.

We must reach Jingcheng within ten days; fortunately, with swift horses and whips, we can make it.

He raised his head: "Brother, please trouble yourself to go back and tell Chief Luo: in ten days, ask the Canal Gang brothers in Jingcheng to go to the Xuanqiong Temple and find a northwestern merchant surnamed Lin."

"Yes!"

Xiao Ningxun carefully put the map away, tucked it into his lapel, and looked at everyone: "Pack your gear, change your clothes, and set out immediately!"

After a while, everyone had gathered.

Xiao Ran checked the saddle, and Xiao Er tidied Tuan Tuan's boy's jacket.

Gongsun Yue ran up to Tuan Tuan: "Tuan Tuan, you must come back safe! I'm waiting for you here."

Tuan Tuan nodded.

"Ah! Right!" She reached up, pulled out the pearl hairpin from her head and handed it to Gongsun Yue, "I'm a boy now, I can't wear this."

Gongsun Yue took the hairpin and shook his head.

He carefully placed the hairpin into her sachet: "Just put it here, let it accompany you, it will surely keep you safe."

Tuan Tuan blinked, smiled: "All right! Don't worry, Xiao Yueyue, I will definitely rescue your mother consort as well!"

Gongsun Yue's eyes reddened suddenly, he turned away and said nothing more.

Xiao Yuanhang shoved a small porcelain bottle into his son's hand: "This is top-grade wound medicine, keep it."

Xiao Ningxun smiled at his father: "All right! Father, please rest assured."

Xiao Ningchen came over and picked up Tuan Tuan: "Be good, listen to your third brother; your second brother is waiting for you to come back."

"Mm-hmm!" Tuan Tuan wrapped her arms around his neck, kissed his cheek: "I know!"

She spread her little arms toward the father beside her: "Daddy! Hold me!"

Xiao Yuanhang took her from his son's hands, examined her closely: "Our Tuan Tuan looks so handsome in boys' clothes!"

"When your mother returns, I'll tell her to make you a few nicer outfits."

Tuan Tuan looked at him, blinked her big eyes, looking suddenly enlightened: "I know! Daddy, you miss Mommy, right?"

Xiao Yuanhang laughed exasperatedly and flicked her little nose: "You little sly one!"

The Emperor walked over.

Everyone hurriedly bowed: "Your Majesty!"

"Everyone, rise."

Xiao Jieyun walked up to Xiao Yuanhang, opened his arms toward Tuan Tuan; Tuan Tuan laughed, climbing from her father's embrace into his.

The Emperor hugged her, then personally placed her on the horse beside Xiao Ningxun: "Tuan Tuan, go, go fetch your mother back!"

"All right!"

Xiao Ran shouted loudly: "Father Emperor! Why are you so good to Tuan Tuan? You didn't even tell me a word!"

The Emperor glanced at him: "How old is she, how old are you? Quit arguing with a child!"

Xiao Ran grinned.

Xiao Jieyun scanned the crowd: "Everyone ready?"

Xiao Ningxun nodded: "Yes."

"Go! I await your safe return!"

"Yes!" Xiao Ningxun gave the order: "Set out!"

Several people mounted their horses.

Xiao Ningxun wrapped his own cloak tightly around Tuan Tuan, who sat in front of him: "Giddyap!"

The swift horse spread its four hooves and galloped toward Jingcheng.