Chapter 726: with translation of chapter title

In Jade Belt Alley.

Chu Yuan stood with his hands behind his back at the window.

The little Daoist lifted his head toward the city gate: "Master, the horn has been sounding for half an incense stick's time."

Chu Yuan gave a slight nod and murmured, "Eleventh Prince, Tuan Tuan has already placed the spark of life in your hands; you need only trust her."

"It's just that, after you feigned death, amidst the tens of thousands of troops..."

He withdrew his gaze, walked back to the bedside, and sat cross-legged on the futon.

The little Daoist hurried out and stood silently outside the door.

Chu Yuan gazed quietly at the three turtle shells before him, closed his eyes, and formed hand seals.

Moments later, a faint green light appeared at his fingertips.

That green light gradually spread across his entire palm, as if he were holding a mass of flowing starlight.

The three turtle shells rose silently, hovering before him and slowly rotating.

Chu Yuan whispered, "Since my disciple has promised to save your life..."

"Let me, as your Master, keep the rest of your safety."

He raised his right hand, brought his index and middle fingers together, and lightly tapped in the void.

The speed of the turtle shells' rotation suddenly increased, and the fine patterns on their surfaces were enveloped by the light in his hand.

Those patterns continually flowed and intertwined, gradually sketching out a blurry face.

It was Xiao Lin.

Chu Yuan spread the fingers of his left hand, and a green light surged forth, rushing toward Xiao Lin's face.

He softly chanted, "Boundless Heavenly Venerable!"

In the Marquis of Jinghai's mansion.

"I, the Marquis, have finally awaited this day!" Zhou Jinhua listened to the horn, his eyes blazing: "Wei Ming, you must set out immediately and personally lead men to the Ning Prince's Mansion."

"Do not act rashly; wait until the city falls into great chaos before moving, and bring Yunniang and the young master back to me."

"Yes, my lord!" Wei Ming knelt on one knee, lifted his head, and said, "My lord, what about you?"

"Me, the Marquis?" Zhou Jinhua smirked: "I, the Marquis, will take people to the city gate to see who wins the deer."

In the imperial garden.

A gap was gently pushed open in the huge Taihu stone rockery.

The horn's sound still faintly echoed in the air.

Chen Hao cautiously poked out half his head and carefully surveyed the imperial garden.

The pavilions and towers remained as before, yet empty of anyone.

Even the usual eunuchs and palace maids who came and went were nowhere to be seen.

Xiao Ran raised his hand and rubbed Xiao Feifei's head.

Xiao Feifei's head tilted from his petting, and she let out an "eng" sound, bumping her wet nose against his fingertip.

What are you doing, following me?

Xiao Ran pinched its little ears again, feeling both helpless and amused: "It's not like you're going to the imperial kitchen to steal roast chicken; why are you joining the fun?"

Xiao Feifei blinked her eyes, shook her ears to avoid his touch, and let out an "eng" as if saying, "Don't bother me!"

"Hmph! Still quite the temper!" Xiao Ran looked up at Xiao Ningyuan: "Besides you, it's fine that it came running over, but why did you come too?"

Xiao Ningyuan also snorted, lowered his gaze to the fluffy mass in his arms: "Tuan Tuan likes Xiao Feifei the most, you know that."

"Outside is chaos; if it gets lost, are you supposed to go find an identical fox spirit to compensate her?"

"Uh." Xiao Ran was left speechless.

Chen Hao drew back his head, gently closed the hidden door, leaving only a slit, turned to look at them, and said, "I and Xiao Ran will go rescue people; you and Xiao Feifei wait here."

"If we manage to get them out, we'll return to this secret chamber from here."

Xiao Ran nodded and said, "Good."

Having said that, the two turned to leave.

"Wait!" Xiao Ningyuan called out to them, "Why don't you first go scout a path?"

"See what's happening at the Huaron Hall, how many guards are there, and where one can enter."

"After figuring it out, come back, we'll discuss and then act."

Chen Hao and Xiao Ran exchanged a glance, nodded, and agreed that made sense.

Xiao Ningyuan, looking calculating, said, "You go together; if you can't beat them, you'll all have to sacrifice yourselves."

"If only one falls, at least the other remains." He paused, "Losing one, this deal isn't too much of a loss."

Xiao Ran and Chen Hao glared at him simultaneously: "..."

The cave fell silent for a moment.

Chen Hao said, "I'll go."

Xiao Ran grabbed his arm: "Our skills are similar, but I know the palace far better than you; I should go."

Chen Hao shook his head: "Precisely because most people in the palace have seen you, you're all the more unable to go."

"If we fail to rescue Consort Rong and you fall into their hands, Tuan Tuan will truly be overwhelmed."

Xiao Ran: "..."

"Half an incense stick's time." He thought it over, realizing Chen Hao spoke the truth: "If you don't come back, I'll come find you."

Chen Hao gave a light smile: "No need; if I haven't returned after half an incense stick's time, you should hurry back—that's the proper course."

"Don't worry; even if I'm captured, my father may treat me coldly, but he wouldn't go so far as to kill me."

Having said that, he gently shook off Xiao Ran's grip on his hand, pushed the hidden door's slit wider, flashed out, and with a backhand closed the hidden door.

Xiao Ningyuan and Xiao Ran leaned side by side against the wall, together lowering their heads to look at Xiao Feifei.

The white furball's ears were tightly fixed on the direction of the dark door.

Xiao Ran reached out and placed his hand on its back.

Before half an incense stick could burn down, Chen Hao had returned.

He leaned against the stone wall, his chest rising and falling slightly, fine beads of sweat gathering at his temples: "More than a dozen Imperial Guard are guarding the main gate of Splendid Containment Hall."

"I can't see if there's anyone left inside."

"More than a dozen Imperial Guard?" Xiao Ningyuan asked, "Can the two of you beat them?"

"We can't." Xiao Ran answered succinctly.

Xiao Ningyuan: "……"

"For Tuan Tuan," Chen Hao swallowed, "Even if we can't win, we have to try!"

Xiao Ran, however, lowered his head and remained silent.

"No," Xiao Ningyuan shook his head, "Tuan Tuan wouldn't want the two of you to go to your deaths."

The three discussed but couldn't decide, and for a moment had no ideas.

Suddenly, Xiao Ran jerked his head up: "Don't you forget? In their eyes, I'm already a dead person."

Chen Hao's eyes lit up: "Exactly!"

Xiao Ningyuan also understood: "Great idea!"

"If you now swagger up to them, you might scare a few of them to death."

"Sure," he said, giving Xiao Ran a once‑over, "Times have changed; the Ninth Prince is no longer reckless, he now uses schemes."

"But, you alone won't do; given time, you'll surely be seen through. Hand me the tinderbox, and I'll go with Xiao Feifei as well."

Inside Splendid Containment Hall.

Consort Rong stood dazed by the window, listening to the horn that echoed throughout the city, gazing far at the sky above the high wall.

Lin'er, my Lin'er, where are you? Are you on the dragon throne atop the city wall?

Princess, you promised me you wouldn't let Lin'er come to harm—where are you now?

Your Majesty! Lin'er is your son—you must surely protect him!

Her mind was in turmoil, tears welling in her eyes, yet she suddenly lifted her face, holding back the tears.