Chapter 780: Escape
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
“Princess Shaoyi first used the matter of buying medicine to relieve the disaster to make me hold back. Then, she reported me to the Imperial Court, making me overwrought and unable to take care of myself. She bought time for the Xie Residence and secretly planned to escape. If Princess Shaoyi escaped from Quanzhou, it would be called alerting the enemy and really ruining His Highness’s plan.”
The spy’s expression immediately turned solemn. “After we reach the Xie Residence…”
The eyes of the head of the Jiazhou Residence narrowed into slits. “You should disguise yourselves as bandits. If the Xie Residence is sensible, capture them alive and lock them in the dungeon first. With their family’s connections, they can also be used by His Highness to earn endless money for him.”
The spy quickly asked, “What if they don’t know what’s good for them?”
The head of the Jiazhou Residence narrowed his eyes and revealed a cruel expression. “Then kill them on the spot to prevent future trouble.”
The spy hesitated again. “The Xie Residence is the richest family in Quanzhou, and they have a lot of connections. Princess Shaoyi has just been conferred the title of princess not long ago, and she’s in the limelight. I heard that there are many commoners who have been affected by the disaster in Zhejiang and the north. They only survived because they planted sweet potatoes. There are many rumors about Princess Shaoyi among the commoners. Many people say that she’s a living Bodhisattva. They have established a shrine for Princess Shaoyi and offered incense. The Imperial Court has also issued a document to promote the planting of sweet potatoes throughout the country at the beginning of spring next year.”
In the past few years, there had been natural and man-made disasters in the Great Zhou Dynasty. There had been frequent riots everywhere, and the Imperial Court had not done anything. As a result, the government had been corrupted and bullied the commoners, causing them to suffer unspeakably.
The sweet potatoes promoted by Princess Shaoyi were the hope of the commoners to save their lives.
Therefore, Princess Shaoyi’s reputation among the commoners was extremely high.
The Jiazhou Residence sneered. “If it were any other time, I would still be a little afraid of the Xie Residence and be polite to Princess Shaoyi. However, when His Highness enters Quanzhou, what’s a mere merchant? The palace can’t even take care of itself, so how can they control Princess Shaoyi, who’s far away in Quanzhou?”
The spy felt that his words made sense, but he still had some scruples. “Princess Shaoyi’s Cousin Zhou seems to be related to King Yue Fei. King Yue Fei even asked for credit for Princess Shaoyi previously…”
The head of the Jiazhou Residence was a little disapproving. If it weren’t for the fact that this spy was King Liang’s man, he wouldn’t have wasted his breath. “The North is located in the extreme north, and Quanzhou is on the southeast coast. The two places are poles apart and are thousands of mountains and rivers apart. King Yue Fei is too far away. Could it be that King Yue Fei will make things difficult for a dignified vassal lord for the sake of a woman?”
The spy thought about it carefully and gradually dispelled his worries.
After His Highness took control of Quanzhou, he would only wait for the three princes to fight for the throne. At that time, there would be no world. Who would care about the princess and the Xie family?
After convincing the spy, the head of the Jiazhou Residence said, “Let’s do as I said.”
When the Xie Residence suffered a calamity, the government would release news that a group of pirates had infiltrated Quanzhou. In order to not alert the enemy and cause unnecessary panic among the commoners, the government would begin to cordon off Quanzhou during this period of time. They did not expect this group of pirates to be so vicious as to attack the Xie Residence.
At that time, he would use this as an excuse to seal Quanzhou and help His Highness control it. Even if the Imperial Court wanted to send officials over to investigate, it would take time.
His Highness would have taken the initiative.
“Lord, you’re right.” The spy calmed down. “We can’t let the Xie Residence leave Quanzhou. Otherwise, not only will we alert the enemy, but they’ll also leave with money. Wouldn’t we have worked for nothing?”
Unknowingly, it was midnight.
During this period of time, the Xie Residence had already evacuated Quanzhou one after another under various pretexts.
The Xie Residence was a large family and had many businesses along the southeast coast. Furthermore, as the year was approaching, businesses everywhere needed to be checked. The government would not deliberately make things difficult for them and not let them do business. In addition, the key figures of the Xie Residence, such as Old Master Xie and the people from the main family, were still in Quanzhou, so it did not arouse any suspicion.
In order to avoid causing any commotion, the Xie Residence did not even light a lamp. There was only a small lighter that flickered in the darkness.
In Old Master Xie’s study, there was a secret passage that led straight to the outside of Quanzhou City. The Xie Residence had arranged for a carriage to receive them outside the city. At that time, they would take a carriage to the dock and leave by sea.
They were worried that if they left the city together, it would be too eye-catching if there were too many people. There was still a long way to go from the outside of the city to the dock. Thus, at midnight, Old Master Xie brought the women and children of the family and made them leave first.
Old Master Xie, Xie Xun, and Yu Youyao left an hour later.
Old Master Xie had originally planned to let Yu Youyao leave with him, but Yu Youyao felt a little uneasy. She was worried about the 50 elite troops guarding the residence and some guards, who refused to leave.
Thinking that she had Yin San, Yin Shi, and Chun Xiao by her side, Old Master Xie did not force her.
Halfway through the night, Old Master Xie finally heaved a sigh of relief. “It’s time. We should leave.”
At this moment, Yu Youyao heard the sound of swords clashing outside and was shocked.
Yin Shi immediately raised his knife and stood in front of her to block her.
Even Yin San, who was hiding in the dark, appeared.
A guard rushed into the courtyard. “Princess, a team of black-clothed and masked people forced their way into the Xie Residence…”
Yu Youyao’s face turned pale. She turned to her maternal grandfather and said, “The news that we’re leaving Quanzhou has already been leaked. The Jiazhou Residence might as well do it in for a penny in for a pound and attack the Xie Residence directly. This group of men in black should be the Liangzhou army disguised as bandits. It seems that they’re going to kill us all.”
Old Master Xie’s expression was very ugly. “Little Yao’er, leave through the secret passage quickly with your eldest uncle. After leaving Quanzhou City, go straight to the coast. Wait for me there for 15 minutes. If I don’t arrive in 15 minutes, set sail for the North immediately.”
Yu Youyao remained calm and gave Yin Shi a look. Yin Shi understood and ran behind Old Master Xie. He slashed the back of Old Master Xie’s neck, knocking him out and sending him into the secret room.
Xie Xun asked anxiously, “Little Yao’er, what are you doing?”
Yu Youyao said calmly, “Eldest Uncle, bring Grandfather away first. I’ll stay behind to take care of him.”
“What about you?” Xie Xun grabbed Yu Youyao’s hand. His grip was strong, as if he was afraid that she would break free. “No, you can’t stay.”
Her wrist hurt from being grabbed, so Yu Youyao couldn’t care less. She said anxiously, “Leave now. If we delay any longer, no one will be able to leave.”
Xie Xun’s eyes were red. “Even if we want to leave, you should go first. I’ll stay behind to cover you.”
Yu Youyao explained anxiously and quickly, “I have Yin Shi, Yin San, and Chun Xiao by my side. They’re not bad. It won’t be a problem for them to protect me and allow me to escape alone. Even if I’m unfortunately captured, I’m the Princess Shaoyi conferred by the Imperial Court. Before King Liang completely controls Quanzhou, they can at most lock me up and won’t harm my life. If you’re captured, you’ll only die. If it doesn’t work, I still have the token from King Yue Fei. They won’t dare to touch me. Leave quickly…”
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