Chapter 594: Run!

Just after noon, the main street was already packed to the point of being impassable.

Tuan Tuan and Kang An strained to look out from the window together.

Tuan Tuan's little face twisted into a frown: "Why is it all people! I can't see anything!"

Xiao Ningyuan peeked out; outside was a black, oppressive mass, even the shop across the street was invisible.

"Come on, let's go out and have a look." He scooped up Tuan Tuan and rose to walk outside.

Xiao Ningxun looked at Xue Tong: "Old Valley Master, it's too crowded outside, you're old, stay here; we'll be back quickly."

Xue Tong nodded: "Alright."

Xiao Ningxun bent down, lifted Kang An, and followed.

Kang An's body stiffened; Xiao Ningxun gently patted his back: "Hold you higher, so you can see Gu Li Han."

"Alright." Kang An's eyes reddened, and his two little arms clutched his neck.

The group stepped onto the street and, after great effort, managed to squeeze to the front of the crowd.

The common folk beside the road craned their necks, smiles spreading across their faces.

Many men still held wine pouches in their hands, standing on tiptoe to peer toward the street.

Xiao Ningyuan looked left and right: "It seems this Great King is quite beloved by the people."

Tuan Tuan thought of Xiao Dan Dan: "Hmph, he's a villain!"

As soon as the words fell, a deep horn sound came from afar.

The crowd instantly boiled over.

"Here it comes, here it comes!"

"The Great King's carriage is arriving!"

Tuan Tuan scrambled upward, and Xiao Ningyuan hurriedly held her steady: "Don't rush, I hear it coming this way; it'll be right before us soon."

In the distance, a massive crimson carriage slowly rolled toward us.

Twelve snow‑white steed pulled it, arranged in three tiers, each bearing golden flowers on its forehead and red brocade on its back, marching in unison.

A golden canopy, like a huge umbrella, rose high above the carriage.

Three sides of the carriage were closed, but the rear was open, vaguely revealing four guards in bright armor.

Tuan Tuan whispered in her big brother's ear: "Big brother, look, what a beautiful horse!"

Xiao Ningyuan replied in his sister's ear: "Kuchi has many fine horses; this white one is called a Celestial Horse, a few of which once were presented to the palace."

"Wow! Celestial Horse! What a nice name."

The carriage drew nearer, and faintly one could see four people inside, arranged in two rows, a man and a woman up front.

The man was in his forties, clad in scarlet robes, wearing a jade crown, his visage imposing—he was the King of Kuchi, Bai Buluo.

Beside him sat a woman in turquoise ceremonial dress, her neckline low enough to reveal a sliver of collarbone, her beauty delicate, her smile blossoming.

At the back, two young men sat side by side, one in his early twenties, the other seventeen or eighteen.

The crowd's cheers rose like a tide, making ears buzz.

Tuan Tuan covered her little ear and asked loudly: "Is the one inside that carriage the Great King?"

A man beside them, waving his arms and shouting, turned his head: "Yes! That's our Great King and his most beloved Jade Concubine!"

He pointed upward, "The two at the back are the Great Prince and the Second Prince!"

Tuan Tuan squinted for a moment: "Why aren't there twelve little princes like that?"

Xiao Ningyuan laughed: "I guess the little princes are too young, so they're not here."

The carriage drew ever closer, with several more carriages behind, each drawn by four Celestial Horses.

Each carriage also held a few people, likely high officials accompanying them, but they were still far, their faces indistinct.

The carriage slowly came up close.

Bai Buluo smiled, occasionally scattering handfuls of grain and coins onto both sides of the road.

The townsfolk instantly cheered, scrambling to pick them up, pushing and shoving in a lively bustle.

The Jade Concubine gently lifted her hand, scattering colorful petals that drifted down onto the people's shoulders and hair.

Everyone shouted, "Great King! Great King!"

A man raised his wine pouch, shouting hoarsely: "Great King, have a sip! My family's newly brewed fine wine!"

"Princess Consort, you're truly beautiful!"

The crowd surged, each wave of cheers louder than the last.

The throng pressed them nearly apart; Xiao Ningyuan clutched Tuan Tuan tightly, fearing she'd get hurt: "Slow down, slow down! Don't push! What are you pushing for?"

Xiao Er stifled a laugh, spread his arms, separating the siblings from the people beside them.

Tuan Tuan giggled: "So much fun!"

Kang An, on the first carriage, did not spot Gu Li Han, feeling a bit disappointed, his gaze shifting to the carriages behind.

After much effort, the Great King's carriage finally drifted by.

The carriages behind gradually drew nearer.

In the foremost carriage sat two elderly men with white hair and beards, their demeanor steady.

Xiao Ningxun asked the person beside her: "Excuse me, who are these two elders?"

The man, full of respect, replied: "They are the Great King's left and right Prime Ministers!"

"They were appointed by the former king to the Great King, the most trusted loyal ministers!"

As soon as the words fell, the two men seated behind the elders turned their faces.

One wore a warm smile and gentle eyes; the other had an ordinary face with a cold stare.

They were Wei Chi Guang and Gu Li Han!

Tuan Tuan raised a hand and pointed: "Xiao An'an, look!"

Kang An's eyes almost spat fire: "Yes, him!"

Xiao Ningxun waved at the crowd.

Everyone understood, followed him as he turned and squeezed out of the crowd, walking back to the inn.

The inn was empty; everyone had run out to watch the excitement.

Lu Qi closed the door, and everyone took a seat.

Kang An grabbed Xiao Ningxun's sleeve, voice trembling: "He, is here."

Xiao Ningxun said softly: "Don't rush, let's discuss this properly first."

Everyone took a seat.

Xiao Ningxun said: "After they finish this round, they will return to the Palace; if we want to act, we must do it while they are still on the street."

Xiao Ningyuan furrowed his brows: "But there are so many commoners on the street; if a fight breaks out, innocents will surely be hurt."

Xiao Ningxun lowered his head in thought: "If we could find a way to knock down all four people in their carriage at once, that would be perfect."

"The Great King's carriage is ahead and will continue its procession; it won't stop for them."

"The commoners are also following the Great King's carriage; if the people inside fall, the guards will certainly have them taken for medical treatment."

"Then we can seize this opportunity to act."

Xue Tong snorted: "What's so hard about knocking down four people?"

Tuan Tuan's eyes lit up, she turned and dove into Xue Tong's embrace, rubbing against him, her little mouth as sweet as honey:

"Master, Master! You're the best! I knew you had a solution! Hurry up and tell me! Is there some divine medicine you can use again?"

Xue Tong, unable to bear her rubbing, said: "Enough, enough! Don't rub me! My old bones are going to fall apart from your rubbing!"

Having said that, he pulled a small paper packet from his bosom and placed it on the table.

"You all know martial arts, right? When a horse carriage turns, let the Great King's carriage pass, then figure out how to shake this powder into its carriage."

He looked proud: "This medicine is my secret concoction, colorless and tasteless."

"Not just four people—even four donkeys wouldn't be able to move an inch within two hours!"

Xiao Ningxun was overjoyed, clasped his hands: "Thank you, Old Valley Master!"

He looked at Xiao Er and Lu Qi: "You two have the best lightness skills and are the fastest."

"Based on the scene just now, the convoy moves slowly; first grab a wineskin and wait at a turning point."

"When the Great King's carriage passes, Xiao Er will swoop in front of it, sprinkle this powder on the wineskin, and toss it into their carriage."

Xiao Er nodded: "Yes!"

"Lu Qi, when you see someone fall, act immediately—kill Gu Lihan, then stash Wei Chi Guangcang on the nearest rooftop."

"Afterward we'll go retrieve him, stuff him into a box, and take him out of the city."

Lu Qi's eyes turned cold: "Good!"

Xiao Er and Lu Qi stood up and headed for the door; just as they opened the inn's door, a sudden chorus of screams came from outside:

"Run! Someone's killing people!"