Chapter 277: Escape

Gu Xixi drove the cart out of the village, and only then was it broad daylight.

He Jinglan gazed back at the wispy cooking smoke rising from the village, clutching her small bundle, looking somewhat wistful.

Ah…

She sighed, "I hope that after we leave, those damned things will stop watching your home and Flower Pool Ford Village."

According to the He Family Dark Guards, the village's defenses inside and out have become denser than before, forming an iron barrel.

It is evident that Mu Nan Zhao left more people in hiding before his departure last time.

Moreover, the black-clad assassins have suffered heavy losses.

Those powerful figures behind the scenes who wanted to kidnap Gu Xixi and He Jinglan now find it nearly impossible to send people into the village.

Therefore, the fire oil might be what Xiao Hua picked up at the edge of the village.

It is a warning, and also a threat.

If the threat continues to be countered like this, they will burn the whole village.

Last night, Gu Xixi and He Jinglan realized this crucial point, which is why they said the fire oil was dropped accidentally by a passerby.

The purpose was to reassure the other family members and also to give them an excuse to leave home this morning.

Gu Xixi said, "Now they toss a small canister of fire oil to test us— isn't that just trying to force us out of this refuge?"

"Then let us come out openly, and let them see where we go."

Gu Xixi does this for her family's safety, to prevent her painstakingly managed property from being burned, and to avoid implicating the innocent villagers.

But she and He Jinglan do not harbor such a lofty notion of sacrificing themselves for others without reservation.

When threatened, if one does nothing and simply chooses self-sacrifice, actively offering one's head, that would be too foolish.

The He Family Dark Guards accompany He Jinglan on her travels; at present they are following from the shadows.

Having learned from past experience, first, the people behind the scenes will certainly not attack them en route.

Some of the He Family Dark Guards will arrive first, secretly reaching the manor.

Once Gu Xixi and He Jinglan settle into the manor, they will have a chance to set up defenses.

Then it will be a matter of who acts faster, who has the superior move.

If defense truly becomes impossible, there is still the Thirty-Six Stratagems: retreat is the best.

The manor is near the county town and adjacent to the official road, with thorough connections and many people around, making it far more convenient for fleeing and hiding than Flower Pool Ford Village.

Gu Xixi paused, sighed, "I only bring you hardship; I had solemnly promised to protect you well and not let you face danger with me again."

He Jinglan waved her hand indifferently, saying, "This matter also has my share."

"Since I bear the He surname and my brother is He Jinghui, we are like sisters-in-arms; let's not argue over whose burden is greater."

She shifted her body forward slightly and asked in a low voice, "However, deliberate arson is a serious crime."

"You say, if we insist on not leaving the village, will they really pour fire oil and set the village ablaze?"

Gu Xixi's lips curled into a cold smile, "When driven to desperation, what can't they do? But……"

She gazed ahead at the extending road, her eyes blazing, "The more frantic their reaction, the clearer it shows that the Northwest Army side, as well as your brother's side in the capital, are gaining greater advantage."

He Jinglan gave a light chuckle, her eyes like a hunter spotting prey, "So they are afraid."

"Unable to think of any other way to stop the great army's advance, they can only fix their sights on us."

"What a bunch of useless fools."

Gu Xixi said in a low tone, "So we must not be captured."

He Jinglan nodded, "We cannot hold each other back!"

Gu Xixi tugged the reins, slightly turning her head to look behind, "I mean…… the more the Northwest Army has victory in hand, the greater the hostage-exchange terms become— so great that no fool would accept them."

He Jinglan thought for a moment, then said firmly, "I still believe my brother and Mu Nan Zhao will not abandon us to our fate."

Gu Xixi sighed silently, "I am not doubting their character."

"Think again: countless soldiers of the Northwest Army follow the general through life and death. And in the capital's court, the He family also has many allies; by then, whether to rescue the hostages will not be decided solely by your brother, your childhood friend, and General Ho—the three of them together."

He Jinglan felt a sudden jolt in her heart, as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over her head.

She murmured, "Indeed, the commander's decisions have lost the people's hearts, and the soldiers' remonstrations forcing compliance are nothing new."

"Yet this cannot be blamed on anyone; if the bowstring is drawn full and the arrow is nocked, hesitating to retreat now will only hurt others and oneself."

"Even if the Empress Dowager's faction seeks surrender, everyone knows that afterward no one can guarantee they won't be eradicated root and branch."

The two fell into silence again, hearing only the mule's galloping.

Gu Xixi drove the cart straight into the manor, then latched the threshold, shut the door, and slid the bolt.

He Jinglan helped unload the cart, saying, "Once inside, I feel somewhat more at ease."

Gu Xixi said, "Don't rush to feel at ease yet; there's still much to do— summon all your people."

Lai Fu was grazing on wild grass in the open field ahead, while the bedding and luggage on the cart remained as they were.

Gu Xixi and He Jinglan walked across the expansive fields to the two small huts.

Gu Xixi produced the key and first opened the left-side room piled with miscellaneous items.

"At a time like this, surely we wouldn't first tidy up the miscellaneous items and clean, would we?"

He Jinglan was puzzled at that moment.

Gu Xixi pulled back the felt cloth leaning against the wall.

No one had entered here for a long time; thick dust rose, covering both of them from head to toe.

He Jinglan choked and began to cough.

Hearing the sound, she opened her eyes and saw Gu Xixi bending over, grunting as she dragged out item after item.

All-iron spiked boards, a meteor hammer with thick iron chains, a bronze vessel of unknown use……

He Jinglan widened her eyes in surprise, immediately understanding that Gu Xixi intended to use these things to set traps.

She squatted down and, together with Gu Xixi, dragged things out from the mountain‑high pile of miscellaneous items.

She called out, "You few, hurry in and move things!"

The He Family Dark Guards numbered twelve, plus one coachman, and they were all here.

When He Jinglan set out from the capital, she hadn't expected the journey to be so long, so she brought only seven dark guards and a coachman skilled in martial arts.

When Xi Bei went to war, He Jinghui, having prepared in advance, additionally sent five top‑rank dark guards to He Jinglan's side.

These five are first‑rate in martial arts, each with their own specialty, rivaling the top guards of the imperial palace.

They now obey only He Jinglan's orders.

Seeing He Jinglan covered in dirt and sweat, exerting all her strength, her pretty little face turned red.

A dark guard leader said, "Miss, leave this to us; you should go rest."

He Jinglan refused without lifting her head, "No, we are already short‑handed."

You few, move the things out; you should know a bit about setting up traps. See what can be used, tidy them up first. Later we'll follow Boss Gu's arrangements!

The dark guards had no choice but to obey, "Yes!"

He Jinglan thought that these weapons of her family could be used, so at least they weren't waiting to die; she couldn't help but laugh and say, "Xixi! You're amazing—did you already take a liking to these miscellaneous items in the house when you bought the manor?"

Gu Xixi, while working, said, "That day when I was looking at the house, I inadvertently walked over here and felt something under the felt cloth. Taking advantage of Boss Liao going to open the window, I lifted a corner and secretly glanced. The steward selling the manor perhaps also didn't know these things were stored in the house."