You expect me to serve your mistress? The mistress is driving this scumbag and his entire family cra

Chapter 227 Taking orders in times of danger
Under Yu Zhu's cover, Liang Jiang finally had the opportunity to speak with Xie Wan'er alone.

She succinctly conveyed the Empress Dowager's words to Xie Wan'er and solemnly handed her the secret edict concerning the state of the nation. She urged Xie Wan'er to find a way to escape the Imperial Guard, locate Gu Xizhi, and relay the edict and the Empress Dowager's message to him.

Xie Wan'er hesitated only slightly before refusing outright.

“I could leave the guards when the opportunity arises, but with my mediocre skills, I would be completely unable to cope with any unforeseen circumstances. Moreover, this secret edict is of utmost importance; if it falls into the wrong hands, we will lose everything. I am utterly unworthy of the Empress Dowager’s entrustment.”

Liang Jiang was also helpless: "Now that things have come to this, there is no other way but to take a gamble and try it."

Xie Wan'er grinned: "Who said there's no other way? We still have you, don't we?"

“Me?” Liang Jiang frowned. “If I can leave this place, I naturally don’t need you to take the risk with me.”

"You're only a little taller than me. If we change clothes, you can dress up as me, take my badge, and have the Empress Dowager's people cover for us, then we can leave, right?"

“No,” Liang Jiang refused again. “I am still of use to them and my life is not in danger, but you are different.”

"What time is it? Stop being so fussy." Xie Wan'er said with a stern face, "Besides, I'm not doing this to save you, but for my cousin, for the sake of Chang'an and the country. You're capable, so stop nagging and hurry up and change your clothes."

Liang Jiang never expected that Xie Wan'er, who usually seemed quirky, mischievous, and willful, would be so calm, resourceful, and courageous when faced with a major event.

Yu Zhu chimed in, "What this young lady said makes perfect sense. Princess, you are quite familiar with the Weixi area. As long as you leave this place, you can contact some helpers to lend you a hand. Why don't you take the risk and give it a try?"

In urgent situations, expediency is necessary, and after weighing the options, Liang Jiang also felt it was feasible.

Once he leaves this place, he can contact his fellow disciples in Fengying Pavilion and Yuhua Mountain, which will not only protect the imperial edict but also allow him to find Gu Xizhi as quickly as possible.

I do have an advantage over Xie Wan'er.

Therefore, she made up her mind and agreed: "Princess Wan'er, then I can only ask you to make do."

Yu Zhu secretly reported to the Empress Dowager and made all the necessary arrangements. The two then immediately changed clothes under Yu Zhu's cover.

Xie Wan'er covered her face with a handkerchief and lowered her head to fan the air while boiling the medicine.

After several twists and turns, Liang Jiang finally had the opportunity to leave the guard's garrison.

Who knew that after the inspection, just as they were allowed to pass, they were stopped by someone.

It turned out to be Tong Shouliang.

As countless soldiers surged in from all directions, surrounding her in the center, Liang Jiang knew that Tong Shouliang's departure was nothing more than a feint.

I have always been under his control.

I just don't know if he knew about the secret edict the Empress Dowager had given him.

Liang Jiang was on high alert: "So you didn't leave?"

Tong Shouliang sneered: "I knew it. There must be something fishy about the Empress Dowager's sudden illness. I definitely can't leave. Tell me, what did the Empress Dowager send you to do?"

Liang Jiang was extremely flustered as she carried the imperial edict. The Empress Dowager had entrusted her with such an important task; she couldn't let it go wrong because of her.

She forced herself to remain calm: "Of course I can't stay here and wait to die. I have to find a way to leave."

Tong Shouliang ordered the guards behind him: "Search them."

The guards immediately stepped forward.

Liang Jiang's eyes flashed with a fierce light: "I am a second-rank princess personally appointed by the Emperor. Let's see who dares to be disrespectful?"

Tong Shouliang curled his lips in disdain: "Even now, you still dare to be so arrogant. Do you think Gu Xizhi will come to your rescue? He can't even protect himself."

Liang Jiang's expression suddenly turned panicked. Gu Xi knew that there was absolutely no way he would abandon her, but along the way he had missed the best opportunity to rescue her, which meant that he had also encountered a very difficult problem and was too busy to take care of himself.

Liang Jiang's heart sank: "What do you mean by that?"

"Need I say more? Fang Chengxu brought so many troops with him to Weixi this time; he's no pushover."

He had already taken control of the Weixi army. Gu Xizhi's attempt to mobilize troops to rescue you is tantamount to walking into a trap.
Even though he's been a battlefield veteran for years, invincible, one man can't fight four. Now he's surrounded and barely able to save himself, how could he possibly come to your rescue? Let me give you a piece of advice: stop playing tricks on me and cooperate with me honestly. Don't think that just because you're a phoenix maiden, I can't kill you.

Master Li has already located the dragon vein and ordered the underground palace to be dug. You, Phoenix Maiden, are already dispensable. If you continue with your cunning schemes, don't blame me for being ruthless.

Liang Jiang shrugged: "It seems there's no point in me struggling anymore. But I have a question for you."

"explain."

Liang Jiang narrowed her eyes slightly: "The construction of the underground palace is a huge project that will take years. Why is Master Li preparing the underground palace so hastily and carelessly? Who exactly is it for?"

"you guess?"

How would I know?

Tong Shouliang's tone grew even colder: "No need to pretend anymore, you should have guessed it long ago, right? I inadvertently slipped up today, how could the Empress Dowager not be suspicious? But it doesn't matter if you know, I believe the Empress Dowager will consider the bigger picture and make this self-sacrifice."

Confirmed by Tong Shouliang's account, Liang Jiang felt a chill run down her spine, deeply disturbed by the emperor's despicable and ruthless nature.

She suddenly called out to Tong Shouliang from behind, "Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, did you hear that?"

Tong Shouliang turned his head in surprise, and Liang Jiang suddenly attacked him, shooting out a boomerang.

Tong Shouliang seemed to have been prepared. Without even glancing at her, he simply tilted his head and easily dodged the hidden weapon. Then, he flicked his long sword, ready to strike.

"You're trying to play tricks on me! Surrender!"

But the boomerang that had flown away miraculously returned with a gust of wind, landing back in Liang Jiang's hand.

Liang Jiang gave him a wicked smile, and Tong Shouliang's heart immediately went into overdrive, realizing something was wrong.

In the blink of an eye, Liang Jiang pulled back her grip on the dart, and Tong Shouliang noticed that there was a long, thin line, as fine as a spider's web, at the end of the dart.

The boomerang had just circled him, and although he easily dodged it, the thin thread had still wrapped around his neck.

Liang Jiang suddenly pulled back; if the force had been too great, the thin thread might have severed his throat.

He hurriedly ducked, raising his sword in one swift motion. Although the thin thread didn't injure him, it caught his mask, which he then ripped off, revealing his true face.

A gasp of surprise immediately erupted from the crowd.

Liang Jiang said hatefully, "You really are Tong Shouliang!"

Tong Shouliang remained calm despite having his identity exposed, coldly saying, "So what if I am? Since you're courting death, don't blame me. Those who obey me prosper, those who defy me perish."

He brandished his longsword, ready to kill and silence anyone.

Liang Jiang was not afraid and rushed forward, instantly engaging him in combat.

When masters clash, they exchange blows, sometimes more than a dozen moves in an instant.

The guards on the side were completely unable to intervene.

Liang Jiang was also inwardly groaning. She absolutely could not afford to fail. Once the secret edict fell into his hands, he would definitely destroy it immediately.

But if one wants to leave, it's not an easy task, as one person alone cannot do it alone.

The commotion had already alerted the Empress Dowager and Lady Liang, who rushed over in a panic. The Empress Dowager angrily shouted, "Stop!"

Tong Shouliang completely disregarded the Empress Dowager: "Your Majesty, please do not interfere in this matter."

The Empress Dowager broke free from Lady Liang and rushed forward to block Liang Jiang's path, saying, "How dare you impersonate an official of the court and issue orders in front of me?"

Tong Shouliang pointed his sword at the Empress Dowager without flinching: "If you insist on obstructing this humble subject and disrupting His Majesty's important affairs, then don't blame me for being rude. Guards, please escort Your Majesty into the mountains first, and allow this humble subject to handle the aftermath."

(End of this chapter)