Her guards

Chapter 233 On the Road

Colorful flags fluttered, carriages and horses surged, and soldiers surrounded them from the front and back.

This group of people attracts countless eyes wherever they go.

Especially in a small town like Wangning, when the news reached the town, the people were curious and eager to spread the word.

"Come quick, look! The princess is getting married!"

"What? The princess is getting married?"

"She's not a princess, she's a noble lady from the capital."

"It is the princess. I saw that she was followed by eunuchs."

"Yes, the county magistrate personally led his men out of the city to welcome them!"

"Who is the princess going to marry? Is it a political marriage?"

"No, no, she married the son of the General of Longxi."

Amidst various rumors, the crowds crowded at the city gate and indeed saw the procession led by the county magistrate and other officials.

Because the city was small, a large number of troops were stationed outside the city, and only close attendants entered the city and lived in the residences prepared by the county magistrate and local gentry.

There were at least a dozen carriages, and the handsome young man at the front, surrounded by a group of black-clad guards, made the sunlight pale in comparison.

"This person is really good-looking."

"Do you know who this person is? He is Wei Jiao!"

"That ruthless killer in embroidered robes?! That's terrifying!"

"What are you afraid of? He's not here to kill anyone. He's the groom. Don't worry, just watch."

Behind the beautiful, freely admiring embroidered captain was a magnificent carriage, vermilion in color, adorned with floral and bird patterns, and adorned with pearls and gemstones at its four corners. In the spring, the carriage curtains and windows were layered with bamboo blinds and gauze curtains, swaying in the wind, revealing the silhouette of the woman sitting inside.

Although her face was not clearly visible, one could see her exquisite dress and the jewelry on her head.

So beautiful!

The crowd jostled and pushed to get a look inside. After the magnificent carriages passed, the carriages behind carried the dowry. Most of them were covered with cloth, but the items inside could be vaguely seen. The tables, chairs, and beds were exquisitely crafted.

Even after the group had entered the grand mansion prepared by the aristocratic family, the crowd was still not satisfied. Some people gathered outside the mansion to wait and watch the excitement, while the restaurants and teahouses in the streets and alleys were filled with even more lively discussions.

"...This is not a princess, but a young lady from the Duke of Ding'an's mansion, who was betrothed to Wei Jiao by the emperor."

"...She's not a princess, is the Duke of Ding'an's mansion that rich?"

"...Ahem, actually she's a princess. I heard from merchants from the capital that His Majesty has a daughter who was lost among the common people..."

"...Is that so? Tell me, tell me quickly."

"...Boss, bring another pot of tea."

As someone began to tell their story, the shop assistant brought over tea, and other customers gathered around to listen to the interesting tales. However, a group of businessmen at one table didn't seem to care.

"Let's go, let's go." One of the bearded men stood up and called to his companion, "Princess or young lady, it has nothing to do with us, let's hurry on our way."

The four companions walked out of the teahouse, crossed the bustling street, and passed the grand mansion where Miss Yang and Wei Jiao were staying. They saw many people watching the excitement outside the gate, and the faint sound of string and wind instruments could be heard from inside the mansion.

"They're hosting a banquet."

The people said excitedly that it was as if they could see it with their own eyes.

The four merchants glanced at the horse only once before it continued on its way.

……

.......
"We just wanted to express our gratitude to the Commandant of the Guards."

The county magistrate, accompanied by several local gentry, stood respectfully outside a courtyard.

Several embroidered-robed men stood at the door, coldly watching them: "The captain is tired and needs to rest."

The journey was arduous, and the group exchanged glances, not daring to insist any further.

"Is there anything else you need, Miss Yang?" a local gentryman asked again. "My wife and daughters are waiting outside."

One of the women in embroidered robes waved her hand again: "No need, Miss is tired and needs to rest. Please don't disturb her."

The gentry wanted to say something more, but the magistrate quickly stopped them: "Then we won't disturb you any longer. Please, Captain and Miss Yang, get some rest."

After saying this, he left with the local gentry.

"This Commandant and Miss Yang are really arrogant; they didn't even greet me after entering the house," a local gentryman muttered.

The magistrate turned and glanced at him with a sneer: "I advise you not to expect to see the Commandant of the Guards being friendly. Your life, and the lives of your family, are over."

Everyone had heard of Wei Jiao's cruelty, but this time, taking advantage of the wedding, they wanted to curry favor with him, so the local gentry quickly shrank back and dared not say another word.

“That Miss Yang has quite the airs,” another local gentryman quickly changed the subject. “She doesn’t actually have the title of princess…”

The magistrate looked at him coldly: "Then do you think if Miss Yang told the emperor that you were disrespectful to her, the emperor would punish you according to your status as a princess?"

The local gentry hesitated, while the gentry next to him chuckled and said in a low voice, "I heard that this Miss Yang beat up the young lady of the Marquis of Yichun. She was more imposing than Princess Heicheng, and the emperor didn't say a word."

The local gentry quickly shrank back and dared not speak: "Let's go, let's go, we've done our part."

As they walked out, they saw that apart from Wei Jiao and Miss Yang, the mansion was filled with soldiers everywhere.

"It's understandable to guard against bandits robbing the dowry while traveling," a local gentryman said in a low voice. "Our county town has always been peaceful, and we're entering such a grand mansion, why are we being so vigilant?"

The magistrate coughed lightly: "After all, these two are arrogant and have caused a lot of trouble. We must be careful on our journey."

Wei Jiao goes without saying; his family was wiped out and his clan exterminated. Countless people wish he were dead.

And this Ms. Yang...

The magistrate chuckled inwardly. His claim was illegitimate; could the Marquis of Yichun really tolerate this? He certainly needed to be extremely cautious and vigilant. "Let's go, let's go," the magistrate said, glancing at the sky as dusk fell. "Let's not disturb their rest."

It's best to stay away to avoid being caught in the crossfire.

……

……

Compared to the bustling county town today, a small town to the west outside the town is much quieter.

As night fell, only one inn in the town was still lit up.

Four merchants entered as night fell and were warmly led into the hall by the waiter. While ordering, they chatted: "You're from Wangning City? Why didn't you stay in the city? There's a big event in the city today; a princess has arrived."

The four merchants asked with a smile, "You've heard about it too?"

The shop assistant said, "Everyone in the surrounding counties knows about it. Many people pass by during the day, all saying they want to go see it tomorrow."

“We’re not interested in the princess,” said a bearded businessman. “The princess won’t give us any money; making money is more important.”

The shop assistant laughed and said, "You guys have traveled all over the country and seen a lot, but we people from small towns only see this once in our lives."

After saying that, he quickly served the meal.

The four merchants quickly finished their meal and went to the lodgings arranged by the shop assistant.

"The place is small and simple, with large communal sleeping areas, and this is the only room available tonight."

The shop assistant led them to the backyard, where they walked to a house and opened the door.

The four people saw seven or eight people lying or sitting on the large communal bed inside.

The so-called empty seats are just for everyone to squeeze in.

The four merchants didn't mind and generously paid the money, and the shop assistant left happily.

The door was closed, and a merchant stood guard by the door while three others came in, sat on the bed, and looked at the people inside.

"How is it?" the bearded merchant asked in a low voice, "Is it right here?"

One of the people lying on the bed sat up: "Yes, we booked the only upper room in the building. Que San and a few others are keeping an eye on things over there."

"Are you sure it's her?" the bearded merchant asked again.

The other nodded: "We're sure. We've been watching her closely ever since she came out alone and changed her identity several times. We're certain there's no mistake."

The bearded man relaxed, then gave a mocking smile: "She knew she had many enemies and was afraid of being hunted down, so she used a fake palace maid to replace her and traveled light to avoid being noticed. Unfortunately, we had already guessed that she would do this."

After saying this, he looked at everyone.

"This time, we must make sure everything is foolproof and we absolutely cannot repeat the mistakes of last time."

The people inside lowered their voices and responded in unison, "Don't worry." "This time it's definitely right." "Absolutely no mistake." "We'll stay by your side through thick and thin."

The bearded man stopped them from talking, stood up, walked to the window, opened it halfway, and looked outside.

"Everyone goes to see the princess, but they don't know that the one in the city isn't a princess at all." He muttered sarcastically, then spat, "What princess? She doesn't deserve it."

After saying this, he closed the window and looked at everyone again.

"Let's do it tonight."

Most people agreed, but one person hesitated: "Boss, why don't we wait until we get closer to Longxi? It'll be more chaotic there, and it'll be safer to make a move then."

The bearded man glared at him: "Why don't you say it would be safer for us not to do anything until she dies of old age!"

After saying that, he pointed upwards.

"We just received another message from above, saying immediately, this woman cannot live another day! If she doesn't die, we die. Do you want to die?"

The man from before, of course, didn't want to die and dared not speak.

A man quickly came to the rescue: "Now is the perfect time to make a move." He smiled as he spoke, "With the imperial guards escorting the county magistrate, and the local gentry and wealthy families surrounding him, under such circumstances, if a few passing travelers were to die in a small town or an inn, it would be completely silent and unnoticed."

If the inn reports it to the authorities, the government might suppress it.

After all, if the Embroidered Uniform Guard pretends to be passing by and then doesn't leave, leaving to investigate thoroughly, wouldn't the local government be inviting trouble?

Upon hearing this, everyone in the room burst into laughter.

"That's right, that's right."

"indeed so."

"She has no one to blame but herself."

"She cleverly hid herself away, and no one knew she was dead. After all, that princess was enjoying a banquet hosted by the county magistrate and local gentry in the county town."

As they were talking and laughing, a soft cough came from outside the door, and the laughter stopped abruptly. Then, there was a series of knocks, three long and two short.

This is the code given by the guards outside.

The people inside breathed a sigh of relief, but the next moment the door was pushed open and a thin man in a blue robe came in and said in a low voice, "Something's wrong, there's a fire."

The people inside paused again, looking past the person who had come in towards the outside...

As night deepened, the bustling inn quieted down, the lights dimmed, and there was no longer any fire.

"Where is the fire?" a man asked, puzzled.

The newcomer's voice was clear and crisp: "Here."

As he spoke, he flicked his hands to the sides, and with a bang, two fiery snakes rose up from the floor inside the room.

It's on fire!
The room erupted into chaos.

(End of this chapter)