Chapter 213

First Volume, Chapter 213: The Lady in Peril

The Seventh Prince showed little interest in Xiao Zhuozi's report.

He waved his hand dismissively: "No matter. The Beidi war concerns the fate of the state; my second brother would never gamble with Liang's rise or fall. If Liang's national strength is crippled, what meaning is there in seizing the Crown Prince position?"

At this, the Seventh Prince suddenly changed the subject: "Has the Lin family shown any recent activity? Not long ago, Qin Feng expelled Lin Feimo back to Jiangnan; the feud between the Qin and Lin families is now fully sealed."

Xiao Zhuozi couldn't help but smile bitterly and said helplessly: "When did it start now? The grudge between the Qin and Lin families was sealed seven years ago. Lady Qin was banished to her Ancestral Land seven years ago, lonely and forsaken. Qin Feng is fiercely protective of his family—how could he tolerate his mother being treated this way? He must seek revenge against the Lin family."

"In Jingzhong, rumors say Lin Feimo coveted Liu Hongyan, provoking Qin Feng's wrath. But there's another, more credible account: even before Lin Feimo arrived in the capital, Qin Feng had already planned to 'deal with' him—Liu Hongyan was merely an excuse."

The Seventh Prince nodded, convinced that Qin Feng's nature made such an act entirely plausible.

Yet the Lin family is powerful; not even the Qin family, let alone the Li Imperial Clan, would dare alienate them unless absolutely forced.

This time, Qin Feng has stirred up trouble on himself.

Seeing the Seventh Prince's unease, Xiao Zhuozi quickly reassured him: "Your Highness need not worry. As long as Qin Feng remains in Jingdu, the Lin family cannot touch him. The Imperial Guard says that the night before Lin Feimo left the capital, he sent out numerous assassins—including Heavenly Ranking Jin ShaShou—but none even reached Qin Feng's presence; they were all exterminated by the Emperor."

Jingdu is, after all, a sacred ground, intolerant of villains.

But…

The Seventh Prince could not relax. Knowing Qin Feng's nature, he would never remain in Jingdu for life.

Once Qin Feng dares to leave Jingdu's boundaries, he will face a thunderous retaliation.

The Seventh Prince wished to lend a hand, but the Second Prince watched him too closely—he could only leave Qin Feng to fend for himself.

Meanwhile, in the Jingong Yushufang, a censer's incense smoke curled and shifted endlessly in the air.

The Liang Emperor stared at the smoke, now coalescing, now dispersing, his expression grave, as if weighing something. After a moment of silence, he spoke slowly: "How long has it been since Lady Qin left the capital to return to her Ancestral Land for filial mourning?"

Li Zhan was taken aback by the sudden question but dared not hesitate: "Your Majesty, it has been nearly seven years."

The Liang Emperor nodded, his brow slightly furrowed: "Where exactly is the Qin Family Ancestral Land?"

Li Zhan paused, thinking hard before answering: "It's somewhere in Beixi County… I can't recall the specific village. Should I check with the Ministry of Revenue?"

The Liang Emperor said nothing, lost in thought. Then, suddenly, he remembered: "I recall now! Beixi County is only forty Li from the Bianchui border—I once stationed there myself and visited Beixi County."

At this, the Liang Emperor immediately ordered Li Zhan to bring a map, studying the border war situation in detail.

Beixi County lies southwest of Biancheng. According to the latest Imperial Urgent Report from the Front Line, the Beidi Raiding Cavalry's recent ambushes have focused on the east side of Biancheng. Due to the sparse civilian distribution across the Northern Border and limited troop strength, the Defensive Strategy has been to station troops by village and garrisons by county—hence the defense began from the east.

"Bad!"

The Liang Emperor suddenly snapped alert, staring intently at the map, his voice cold: "No wonder the Beidi Cavalry has been moving lately. Originally, they launched widespread ambushes to stretch our Border Army thin—now they've concentrated their forces on the east. On the surface, it looks like a focused breakthrough—but it's a feint! They're striking from the west!"

"The Beidi Spies are everywhere—they must already know Qin Tianhu's position in this war. If Lady Qin falls into Beidi hands, whether or not it shakes Qin Tianhu's loyalty, I, for the sake of silencing court gossip, will have no choice but to remove Qin Tianhu!"

At this, the Liang Emperor looked up sharply at Li Zhan and barked: "Carry my imperial edict—send a thousand-li urgent report immediately to the Chariot and Cavalry General. Split forces to garrison Beixi County. Ensure Lady Qin's safety at all costs."

Li Zhan realized the gravity of the situation and moved to leave—but turned back: "What of Lord Qin?"

The Liang Emperor had originally intended not to inform Qin Tianhu, to avoid distracting him.

But then he reconsidered: if this went wrong, his concealment would surely break Qin Tianhu's trust—and backfire.

After a brief pause, the Liang Emperor nodded. Li Zhan understood the unspoken meaning and hurried out.

The messenger rode hard, galloping out the Jingdu Gate, racing through the night toward the Front Line.

At the same moment.

Biancheng, Beixi County.

Sixteen warhorses were racing full speed toward Qingshizicun.

Along the way, they bypassed three Village Guard Posts. The last one could not be avoided—the Vice Commander gave the order: the sixteen riders split into two groups. One group charged straight into the post, smashing through with lance and long saber, cutting down anyone in sight. The post erupted into chaos; the thirty-man garrison was half-dead within moments.

The remaining soldiers, still dazed, tried to flee—but were cut down by raiding cavalry lying in wait outside.

In the span of one cup of tea time, the thirty-man garrison was massacred!

After a quick cleanup of the battlefield and hiding the corpses, the Vice Commander led his men onward toward Qingshizicun.

It was deep night. The sixty villagers of Qingshizicun were all fast asleep.

When the sixteen Beidi warhorses burst into the village entrance, the village showed no reaction.

One rider rode up beside the Vice Commander, his tiger-like eyes scanning the silent village. He said grimly: "Vice Commander, according to the Scouting Report, this Qingshizicun is the Ancestral Land of Qin Tianhu, Minister of War of Liang! His wife and daughter have been here in filial mourning for seven years—they must be in the village. But we don't yet know which civilian household they're in."

The Vice Commander waved his hand, expressionless: "Send six riders to secure the village's key routes. The rest—storm the houses, one by one! If you find anyone matching her description, take her alive. Kill everyone else."

No sooner had he spoken than ten warhorses surged into the village, smashing open gates, searching each household.

Immediately, screams echoed through the remote little village.

Li Xiaolan was jolted awake by the screams. She threw on a robe and stepped into the courtyard, peering through the door crack—two Beidi soldiers were indiscriminately cutting down innocent villagers.

Li Xiaolan frowned, slammed the gate shut, and hurried back to her mother's room. There she found Qin Cheng Clan already awake, calmly packing her belongings.

This woman, in her early forties, dressed as a common villager, yet radiated an indelible aristocratic grace—elegant, yet dignified.

She was none other than Qin Feng's mother—Qin Cheng Clan!