CHAPTER 288: CHAPTER 285: DISCOVERY

Qin Maoxing escorted Lishu all the way to a secluded courtyard. Inside, there was only an old servant, whom Lishu had saved during the disaster. The old servant usually went around looking for odd jobs, and no one ever knew she was acquainted with a concubine from the Jiedu Envoy Mansion.

Lishu knocked on the door, and the old servant, upon seeing her, breathed a sigh of relief.

The outside was not peaceful, and no one knew what exactly had happened. Without any news from Lishu, the old servant had been anxiously worried.

Lishu entered the house and pried open a part of the wall to retrieve a box from within. This was evidence she had carefully collected over the years while staying by Cai Rong’s side.

Recently, she listened to Yu Niang and others talk about their long experiences, and Lishu was grateful that this piece of evidence ultimately wasn’t handed over to Princess Jiahui. Otherwise, the humiliation of many years would have been exchanged for endless regret.

Qin Maoxing stood outside the courtyard, waiting for Xie Liangchen and Xu Tingzhen to arrive. Only then did she enter the house with them.

Lishu handed the box to Xie Liangchen. At that moment, she felt an immense relief, as if the humiliation that had weighed on her heart while staying by Cai Rong’s side had inexplicably disappeared.

Xie Liangchen gazed deeply at Lishu: "These will be escorted to the Capital by the Song Family’s House General and people beside General Qin."

Lishu nodded and solemnly saluted Xie Liangchen: "Thank you, Miss Xie."

"It’s us who should be grateful," Xie Liangchen reached out a hand to hold Lishu, "This evidence can save many lives."

Besides this evidence, there were the Liao people sent by Xiao Xingzong. Lishu asked, "Have those people been caught?" She didn’t know if the information she’d gathered was useful.

Qin Maoxing replied, "There’s been movement on Cai Rong’s side. I’ve sent people to arrest them, ensuring they won’t escape from Yingzhou."

Lishu nodded: "That’s good then."

These Liao people couldn’t be sent to the Capital for now. Qin Maoxing still needed to use them to persuade the military officers to refrain from accompanying Cai Rong to Zhenzhou.

Qin Maoxing looked at Xie Liangchen and said, "In the states where Cai Rong is stationed, many troops only obey Cai Rong. For the remaining about one-third, I can persuade them to defend the pass at the Juma River and fight the Liao people."

Song Qizheng held the advantage. Even though most of the Song Family Army had been taken by Song Xian, Zhenzhou was still the Song Family’s territory. Engaging in battle with the benefit of being prepared and with part of Cai Rong’s reinforcements sent to the Juma River by Qin Maoxing.

In this military turmoil, the Song Family wouldn’t likely lose to Cai Rong.

Xie Liangchen said, "If Cai Rong finds out he’s been tricked, he might flee back to Yingzhou. General Qin, be extremely careful."

After speaking, Xie Liangchen looked at Chang Yue, who stepped forward: "Before our master left, he gave orders that no matter where Cai Rong flees, the Song Family Army will pursue him until he is captured."

The implication was that if Cai Rong returned to Yingzhou, the Song Family would not stand by idly.

Qin Maoxing said, "I will also make arrangements in Yingzhou. We’ll close the city gates. If Cai Rong wants to break in, he’ll have to pay a price."

These arrangements were made properly.

"There’s one more thing," Lishu said, "Jia... Yang Wu will send someone to seek from me the evidence of Cai Rong colluding with the enemy, intending to use it to threaten Cai Rong."

Xie Liangchen said, "We will stay in Yingzhou and capture that person with Lishu."

Qin Maoxing pondered for a moment: "I’m afraid I can’t spare anyone to help."

Qin Maoxing reconsidered: "But Huaiqing is in Yingzhou. If Miss needs, I can have Huaiqing come to assist..."

Before Xie Liangchen could speak, Chang Yue reported: "When we came to Yingzhou, I mobilized over a dozen people from the military camp, who are now just outside Yingzhou City."

My master has always disliked Mr. Su from the Su Family. If Mr. Su approaches Miss Xie, even if my master wins the battle, he might still return as if he lost, like a defeated rooster.

At that time, my master will surely wear a stern face and will be reluctant to talk to people.

That’s the least of it. When giving orders, his speech might be ambiguous, causing those beneath to misunderstand and make mistakes.

Who knows how many people will suffer innocently.

Chang Yue instantly enumerated in his mind the various faults of Mr. Song.

Xie Liangchen saluted Qin Maoxing: "In that case, we should have enough people. Thank you, General Qin."

Qin Maoxing felt a slight disappointment. He initially wanted Huaiqing to meet Miss Xie a few more times, possibly clearing up past misunderstandings, but was cut short by Song Xian’s people.

Yet, it was quite peculiar. The Song Family’s House General, who should follow Song Xian’s lead, acted according to Xie Liangchen’s directives.

One must know, this Chang Yue held a military position and was a military general. However, he listened to Miss Xie’s orders and would protect Song Xian on the battlefield, akin to a guardian, ready to sacrifice for him.

Song Xian went to the Eight States to combat the remnants of the former dynasty. The dangers could be imagined, and yet he didn’t bring Chang Yue.

The more Qin Maoxing thought, the more he realized things weren’t simple. Song Xian, a shrewd person, planned everything meticulously...

Qin Maoxing glanced at Xie Liangchen again.

Though Xie Liangchen had a dull complexion, like a pearl in the dust, her appearance could only be described as unremarkable. Yet, she wasn’t an ordinary woman. Having done so much for the Song Family and fought Cai Rong and the Liao people.

For this reason, he found Miss Xie to be a rare individual. Giving up on the marriage between her and Huaiqing seemed unfortunate, especially since Huaiqing’s expression always turned odd whenever she was mentioned, suggesting he had lingering thoughts about her.

With the intent of bringing Huaiqing and Miss Xie together, he overlooked certain matters.

The Chen Family Village had always supported Song Xian’s endeavors.

Miss Xie and Song Xian must have had frequent interactions.

Could it be...

Qin Maoxing had a moment of astonishment. Could Song Xian have feelings for Miss Xie? Then what about Huaiqing?

Now wasn’t the time to ponder these matters. Qin Maoxing pulled his thoughts back, leaving two people with Xie Liangchen to facilitate communication.

With that, he departed with his men.

Xie Liangchen looked at Lishu: "How do we find Yang Wu’s people?"

Lishu said, "There’s an informant of Yang Wu in a teahouse in the city. I’ll take you there now, but I’m not sure who exactly Yang Wu intends to hand over the evidence to."

Xie Liangchen thought of a few names. It should be the person behind Yang Wu. Perhaps through this situation, they could glimpse the person’s true identity.

...

In a teahouse in Yingzhou.

Granny Feng was anxiously awaiting news.

Cai Rong had made his move, and Lishu was expected to avoid people and seek her, bringing the evidence and information to her.

Granny Feng had another cup of tea, and just as her patience was wearing thin, she heard footsteps approaching.

Granny Feng turned to look and, indeed, saw a woman wearing a veil approaching her.

The woman lifted her veil, revealing Lishu’s face.

Without any other word, Granny Feng stepped forward and asked, "The items? Do you have them?"

Lishu pursed her lips: "There might be some difficulties."

Granny Feng was taken aback.

Lishu said, "I’ve found out the whereabouts of the Liao spies, but I don’t have anyone with me. Can Mama find someone to help? If we capture those spies and retrieve the letters from them, we can solidify Cai Rong’s guilt."