CHAPTER 283: CHAPTER 280 FINALLY ARRIVED

Yu Niang was prudently led away from Aunt Li’s room immediately after leaving, even if Aunt Li shouted loudly, the Cai family’s household generals couldn’t find Yu Niang’s whereabouts.

By the time Yu Niang entered an inn within Yingzhou City, Xie Liangchen was already waiting there.

"Miss Xie," Yu Niang whispered, "I’ve said everything I needed to say, I hope Ayin can see sense."

Xie Liangchen poured tea for Yu Niang: "She will." She was very certain.

Yu Niang asked, "Did she... come after me?"

Xie Liangchen laughed and said, "She didn’t, but the person guarding there said Aunt Li didn’t inform Cai Rong." Not telling Cai Rong means there’s hesitation in her heart.

Yu Niang breathed a sigh of relief, as if another matter weighing on her mind had been resolved.

Xie Liangchen looked at Yu Niang: "You’ve worked hard these days, since finding you, you’ve been running around everywhere." Extracting clues from Princess Jiahui’s servants and then bringing people to verify them, every time finding someone requires some effort.

The matter couldn’t be done openly because Xie Liangchen knew there was someone else behind Princess Jiahui.

Yu Niang said, "For now, those things can be paused, but Ayin’s matter must be handled well, otherwise if a war breaks out in the future, Ayin will surely regret it."

"Ayin is currently temporarily deceived, once she sees clearly and sees those innocent people... alas... maybe I should persuade her again tomorrow, if once doesn’t work, I’ll go several times."

Xie Liangchen shook her head: "It’s too dangerous, you can’t go in and out there frequently, Cai Rong’s troops are nearby, if we’re not careful, they’ll notice."

Yu Niang said, "As long as I can do my part, I’m not afraid of taking risks."

"I’m afraid," Xie Liangchen smiled, "Startled snakes make things difficult afterward."

Yu Niang knew Miss Xie was worried about her safety, and that’s why she said it deliberately. After spending some time with someone, you can feel whether their intentions are genuine or fake. At that time, they were pushed along by Princess Jiahui, all blinded by hatred.

Understanding this, Yu Niang in turn persuaded Xie Liangchen: "You should return soon to avoid any mishaps."

Xie Liangchen came to Yingzhou not only to have Yu Niang persuade Aunt Li but also for another matter. If Aunt Li wasn’t willing to help, she needed to know what Yang Wu intended to do.

By this moment, Yang Wu would surely send someone to find Aunt Li.

...

Aunt Li couldn’t sleep all night, Yu Niang’s words kept echoing in her mind. What Yu Niang said wasn’t something she hadn’t suspected before, but now seeing Daqi sending troops to the Eight States, what they had been waiting for years was about to be realized, how could she back down at the last moment? She just had to follow the commands of the Commandery Princess.

"Aunt, you need to get up,"

Hearing the servant’s voice, Aunt Li realized it was already daylight.

Today, she should send the news she received from Cai Rong to the Commandery Princess, including the evidence of Cai Rong’s collusion she had obtained.

"Aunt," the servant stepped forward and whispered, "Shall I head out today to buy some supplies?"

Aunt Li nodded, having made up her mind after thinking all night: "Go deliver the message, say... say the evidence hasn’t been secured yet, but I’ll find out where Xiao Xingzong’s people are hidden, and once the Commandery Princess sends someone, those people can be apprehended."

Once those Liao spies are apprehended, Princess Jiahui can coerce Cai Rong to do her bidding.

The servant responded and left.

After the servant left, Aunt Li closed her eyes. That servant was sent by Princess Jiahui, so by instructing her this way, she was trusting Yu Niang’s words.

Now she wanted to meet Yu Niang, to ask properly what to do next?

Even without asking for Princess Jiahui’s orders, with the North about to fall into chaos, do they have a second path to walk?

Who can turn this situation around?

Aunt Li took a while to summon her spirits, no matter what, she must first find out where Xiao Xingzong’s people sent by him are hidden by Cai Rong now.

She hadn’t had time to think about how many mistakes she had made all these years.

But she felt no mistake in holding proof of Cai Rong’s betrayal, even if Princess Jiahui wasn’t trustworthy, she must find a way to give the evidence to the court, to let them deal with Cai Rong.

After two days of busywork, Aunt Li had some small gains, finally hearing Cai Rong instruct someone to send gifts to the Liao people, who were hiding in a village outside Mo State City.

At nightfall, Aunt Li dared not rest, listening to the sounds outside, until the window was gently pushed open, Aunt Li saw Yu Niang’s face again.

Aunt Li hurriedly stepped forward and grabbed Yu Niang.

Yu Niang asked in a low voice: "Have you made up your mind?"

Aunt Li didn’t answer, instead she asked: "Are you working for Song Xian?" After several days of pondering, she understood that the one who exposed Princess Jiahui was Song Xian, Yu Niang was likely found by Song Xian.

Yu Niang nodded.

Aunt Li asked: "How do you plan to proceed?"

Yu Niang held Aunt Li’s hand: "As long as the North is stable, we can seize back the Eight States, are you willing to help? If you are, I’ll take you to find a few people."

Aunt Li nodded.

Early the next morning, Aunt Li left the courtyard by carriage, heading to an embroidery shop in the marketplace, where several embroideresses were busy working, Aunt Li looked closely.

One familiar face after another appeared before her eyes.

She seemed to have returned to that year, leaving the territory together, filled with hatred and hope.

So many years have passed.

Now these people are gathered together again.

"Ayin."

Aunt Li’s nose twitched, she nodded, gently holding an embroideress’s hand.

For some reason, Aunt Li felt that despite going around in circles for so long, her years-long wish might eventually be realized. When the war ends, they will return together to the territory, back to their hometown.

Of course, before that, they must also contribute to the territory.

Aunt Li managed to steady her emotions, only to see the curtain before her lifted, and two people emerged from within.

One she recognized; it was Xu Tingzhen, whom Princess Jiahui had mentioned. When inquiring about Xu Tingzhen, she had secretly commissioned a portrait of him.

The other one didn’t need guessing, it must be Xu Tingzhen’s apprentice, Sister Chen from Chen Family Village.

Aunt Li’s initially anxious heart all fell into place at this moment.

So it was them.

It should be them.

The evidence and information had the place they belonged.

...

Zhenzhou.

Mrs. Rong did not close her eyes all night.

The former Imperial Family’s army was in conflict with Song Xian’s forces within Xinzhou County, several tens of thousands of troops from the former dynasty pinned down Song Xian.

They were finally waiting for this opportunity.

Mrs. Rong’s heart pounded like a drum, her hands and feet icy cold, anxiously waiting for news.

"Madam," the housekeeper hurriedly entered, saying, "A large force of Liao people has been discovered at Juma River, Master has already gone to Yizhou, instructing you to take care of the household."

Mrs. Rong couldn’t tell whether she was happy or anxious, after waiting for so many years, this moment had finally come.

"Where’s Yu?" Mrs. Rong said, "Quick, let Yu return."