Chapter 56: Sit in Order, Share the Fruit

"Cuiyu, go ask, where have we reached?"

The party had marched for three days, already far from Liu Cheng, and during this, Shen Yunyao clearly sensed that the atmosphere was off.

In her occasional observations, she always saw the Imperial Palace Guard Commander Zhao Muqing's gaze lingering around her carriage.

And the guard formation while marching invisibly tightened the protection around her carriage.

The troops that arrived later were tasked with defending the outer perimeter.

The whole setup plainly felt like trouble was imminent.

Cuiyu, following Shen Yunyao's instruction, disembarked and quickly got an answer.

Beyond the mountain ahead lies the border of Jiangfu County.

"We're moving so slowly!"

Three days in, we still haven't left Linlang County, which made Shen Yunyao find it rather baffling.

Before departing, she had consulted with Shen Grandma and Ma Grandma, who said that from entering Linlang County to reaching Liu Cheng originally took less than two days.

Even though they now have many men and horses, this marching speed still seems off.

"Miss, I noticed that the officials guarding us have been replaced!"

Cuiyu leaned close to Shen Yunyao and whispered.

"Replaced?"

"Yes, definitely replaced!"

"Although their clothes are the same, I've seen that they're all unfamiliar faces; none of the previous people are present."

Hearing Cuiyu say that, Shen Yunyao frowned, thought for a moment, and roughly guessed the truth.

The reason they were moving so slowly must be that they were waiting for the replacement.

The original guards were from Linlang County; the current ones, if I'm not mistaken, should be from Jiangfu County.

"Miss, is there a villain planning to attack our convoy?"

"Didn't they say the realm is at peace?"

Cuiyu's little face was all wrinkled, clearly worried.

Shen Yunyao thought for a moment and said, "Peace in the realm doesn't mean nothing ever happens. Perhaps we just hadn't encountered anything before!"

After all, Shen Yunyao knows that throughout history, even eras recorded as golden ages still saw peasant rebellions.

These days Dayong has been peaceful for a long time, yet things still occur in the provinces.

However, Linlang County has always enjoyed favorable weather and relatively clean administration, and no shocking incidents have been heard of—so why has it escalated to needing stationed troops?

Or perhaps it's only directed at us?

Because of Xie Zian's status?

Shen Yunyao wanted to find Wang Deshun for clarification, but that Wang Gonggong is a shrewd man whose words are airtight.

"Alright, stop worrying; if the sky falls, a tall one will hold it up!"

"Besides, we have nearly six hundred soldiers here; what are you even worried about?"

Shen Yunyao remained calm.

Regardless of what lies inside, she could at least be certain that whether it's Wang Deshun or Zhao Muqing, they both prioritize her safety above all.

So, just stay calm!

……

Wang Deshun and Zhao Muqing have now received solid information that the Mani Sect is indeed stirring trouble in secret.

"Commander Zhao, it's time to make a name for yourself!"

"Dare you gamble a bet with us?"

After Wang Deshun saw the urgent documents sent by the county magistrate of Linze City, he began to devise a plan.

Because of his arrangement, the garrison in Linlang County remains in hiding.

Even so, once the Mani Sect rebels and is then quelled, it will still cause unrest in Linlang County's city. The Mani Sect dared this because they were given an opening.

Even if remedied properly, it could still be used against them as leverage.

But if they can seize the chance to achieve merit, wiping out those thieves at the very start of the Mani Sect's revolt, that would be true glory!

"Wang Gonggong, this matter should be reported to that person!"

Zhao Muqing was intrigued.

But their duty is to escort Shen Yunyao to Jingcheng; abandoning that duty to eradicate the Mani Sect's unrest is indeed a great merit, yet a misplaced hat could still be placed on them.

"Of course!"

"With such a huge merit, the two of us can't claim it all!"

Wang Deshun wasn't foolish.

With such a great merit, if they abandon Shen Yunyao, the future royal aunt-in-law, even if the emperor approves, that little ancestor of the Xie Family will be displeased.

And once that little ancestor keeps them in mind, these good days will be gone forever.

"Sit in order, share the fruit, that's essential!"

Finally, Shen Yunyao understood what had happened.

"Wang Gonggong and Commander Zhao, you intend to quell the rebellion?"

Shen Yunyao grasped the purpose of their visit.

Such merit, if unknown, would only be a later regret of bad luck, but now that she knows, watching it slip away uncomfortably, how could she be content?

"I wouldn't dare deceive the young lady!"

"The Mani Sect dared to act in Linlang County this time because we moved the garrison there; although we made secret repairs, that ultimately gave the Mani thieves an opening!"

"Wang Gonggong, you're exaggerating!"

"In this matter, Lord has merit and no fault; had it not been Lord's wit, even if he had guessed that the Mani Sect would rebel, he could only act cautiously!"

"Then, whatever comes next, just let Lord Wang and Commander Zhao discuss it; on my side, I will fully cooperate!"

Shen Yunyao agreed with great enthusiasm.

In fact, she had no choice but to agree to such a matter.

If she refused, not only would she offend people, but when the Mani Sect rebelled, she would also bear some blame.

But as long as she agrees, regardless of the final outcome, she will have merit.

If the Mani Sect is swiftly crushed, then she will naturally have achieved a great feat.

At that time, Lord Wang and Commander Zhao will get what they want, and likewise, she will be rewarded.

Originally, as a girl from a small family in the little town of Liu Cheng, how could she possibly have the merit to marry into the Xie Family?

But with this merit, things become completely different!

"People of the Mani Sect actually did a good thing!"

Shen Yunyao even felt that she ought to sincerely thank the Mani Sect for delivering such a huge merit to her.

That night, the convoy paused at the relay station.

Shen Yunyao changed into a sturdy outfit, took the horse matron and Shen matron, and slipped away from the relay station silently, racing through starry night toward Linlang County City.

At the same time, Wang Deshun and Zhao Muqing also led three hundred elite soldiers from Jiangfu County, took a shortcut, and rushed toward Linze City.

Cuiyu originally wanted to follow Shen Yunyao to Linlang County City, but she had to stay at the relay station to create the illusion that Shen Yunyao was still there.

As the personal maid attending Shen Yunyao, wherever Cuiyu was, Shen Yunyao was certainly there as well.

After all, no one knows whether the Mani Sect is still watching from the shadows.

These people are plotting rebellion; it's certainly not something done on a whim.

Before acting, there must be a plan.

Moreover, Shen Yunyao sensed that these people might actually arrange a surprise attack on their convoy, thereby diverting the attention of the local authorities along the way.

When that time comes, if they strike again, it will be truly unexpected!

(End of chapter)