After saving the Empress, I became the top scholar in the imperial examination.

Inside the Drunken Crane Tower, after listening to what Old Man Peng had said, Xu Xiyin picked up her tea and frowned in thought for a while.

The fragrant tea in the cup lingered on her lips and teeth. She took a small sip, put down the wooden cup, and nodded silently.

Regardless of whether this makes sense or not, knowing the young master's whereabouts is always a good thing.

They suggested that they go to the Imperial Clan Court now and wait for the young master to emerge, so they could respond accordingly and provide support.

Peng Liangang had already picked up the warm Xianlaichun wine in his hand, the aroma of which filled the cup, when he paused, instinctively wanting to refute the Taoist nun.

According to his instructions.

As soon as the young master breaks out of the Imperial Clan Court, four brothers disguised as merchants will come running on fast horses.

After taking the Empress hostage and leaving the city, ten fast horses were waiting in a grove of trees north of the city, along with thirty of their best men to cover their retreat.

After releasing the Empress, the young master led a few men, each on two horses, southwards. They boarded a boat near the Xiaobai River and continued south.

They disembarked midway, and their identities and identities had already been arranged. They could travel to Jiangxi with peace of mind and then head north, free to roam as they pleased.

He originally planned to leave the city later and meet up with the young master at Xiaobai River.

However, after a few bowls of hot wine, Old Man Peng realized that the nun's words made some sense. If things didn't go smoothly, he could stay by the side and support the young master.

He then took out two qian of silver from his pocket, slapped it on the table, and said:

"Alright," he said, glancing sideways at Xu Xiyin with a hint of alcohol in his eyes. "Sister Xu, you'd better watch your step and do what I say, or you'll ruin my plans."

Xu Xiyin flicked her whisk and said calmly:

"Old Peng, I never care about what others think. If you won't come with me, I will go alone with my men... Even if it means storming the Imperial Clan Court, I will rescue the young master."

Peng Liangang glared at her and scoffed, but seeing the nun's cold expression, he lost his temper, stood up, and said impatiently:

"Alright, alright, let's go..."

The two stepped out of the restaurant, where the street was covered in snow and red banners fluttered in the air on both sides.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year in the first year of the Mingzhen reign, a light snow fell from the sky.

Outside the Imperial Clan Court, there weren't many shops open during the year-end season. The two of them found a teahouse with a stove, sat on the second floor, and enjoyed their tea while gazing at the Imperial Clan Court not far away.

As the sun began to set, the light snow gradually stopped.

A guard slowly approached from the east side of the long street where the Imperial Clan Court was located.

Peng Liangang frowned, his thick eyebrows furrowing, and said, "They're here..."

Xu Xiyin gave a faint "hmm," picked up her hot tea, took a sip, and glanced in that direction.

At the head of the guard were two squads of about fifty armored soldiers, with a red imperial carriage in the middle.

There should be more than fifty people behind them, at least over a hundred.

A dozen or so eunuchs and palace maids followed on each side of the imperial carriage.

After the imperial carriage stopped at the gate of the Imperial Clan Court, a group of people came out to greet it.

Sure enough, a woman dressed in green stepped out of the carriage and entered the Imperial Clan Court with a retinue of attendants.

The two exchanged a glance, both knowing that the man must have come to visit the young master after finishing his court assembly.

Peng Liangang held the teacup, the steam rising into his palm, and his heart sank. He exhaled deeply and said:

"The people I sent in have quickly explained the situation to the young master... Just wait... it should be soon..."

From the beginning of the day until sunset.

Then night fell.

The Imperial Clan Court remained completely silent.

Peng Liangang sat in the teahouse, scratching his head.

Xu Xiyin looked at the stars in the sky and silently let out a sigh of relief: "Let's wait a little longer."

The tea shop is closing.

She went to an inn to stay the night.

Peng Liangang waited in a stable.

The two met at the teahouse the next morning.

Outside the Imperial Clan Court, the guards took turns on duty three times throughout the night, but there was no other activity.

Peng Liangang took a sip of hot tea and sighed, "He still doesn't trust us after all..."

Xu Xiyin also remained silent.

a whole night.

On the one hand, she hoped that the new leader would not abduct his wife and flee; on the other hand, she hoped that he would actually come out and trust their plan, since it wouldn't harm the empress anyway.

"I've been offered a warm welcome but received a cold shoulder," Peng Liangang said as he ate a bowl of noodles brought to him by his subordinate.

Xu Xiyin gazed at the vast expanse of white sky and couldn't help but sigh softly.

That night, the Left Protector had actually told the other party that if they needed anything, they could go to the Qiudao Temple in the south of the city.

But in the past four months, the other party has not visited even once.

Actually, there were no people from their sect at the Qiudao Temple in the south of the city.

Their men only stayed outside.

To her slight relief, at least no Jinyiwei spies were ever seen there.

This shows that the leader ultimately did not tell the Embroidered Uniform Guard about this location.

"Okay, what do we do now?"

Old Peng had a very good appetite. After finishing his noodles and a few pieces of cured meat, he stuffed an egg into his mouth, saying with a hint of complaint,

"We're clearly at our wits' end... but even if we try to break them out of prison, they might still think we're dirty and refuse to come with us..."

Old Man Peng's words were somewhat rough, but Xu Xiyin did not refute them. She just pursed her lips and sighed slightly in her heart.

The other party was already a top scholar with a bright future, so the possibility of him going to the north with them to lead the rebellion was very small.

Having finally become a prisoner, the Southern Dynasty Empress defied public opinion by making a public announcement after this man's attack in the Golden Palace, claiming that he was her betrothed and that she visited him at the Imperial Clan Court every day.

If she were a man, she probably wouldn't be able to make the decision either.

Xu Xiyin frowned and said, "In short, since the young master was personally chosen by the master... we absolutely cannot stand idly by and watch him be trapped..."

A rare hint of murderous intent flashed across the young Taoist nun's brows as she frowned and said:

"...If he has no ambition and prefers to stay inside and be kept like a pet, we cannot remain leaderless and be at the mercy of the court forever. Even if this top scholar and imperial son-in-law is unwilling to be our leader, we will still settle things with him!"

"...One thing at a time, Old Peng, gather your men...get your people inside ready..."

The Taoist nun looked at Peng Liangang, whose expression had also become solemn.

"With inside help... we're preparing a prison break... After rescuing this man, if he still refuses to be our leader and treats us like dirt, then there's no point in trying to win him over!"

"He will hand over the leader's token, and we will sever all ties with him... Whether he prefers to be the top scholar, the grand prince consort, or be treated like pigs and dogs in a mansion... in short, let him pursue his wealth and glory, and we will go about our own business!"

"We risked our lives to rescue him from prison, and that is how we fulfilled our duty and repaid the old leader's kindness..."

"Glug glug..." Peng Liangang finished his warm noodle soup in one gulp, his face becoming relaxed. He wiped his greasy mouth, stared at Xu Gu Zi, and chuckled:

"Alright! Sister Xu! Old Man Peng is yours this time! ...Let's kill him to our hearts' content!"