The innkeeper was particularly cautious because Liu Rumei and her companions were all dressed in the uniforms of Da Tu Kingdom soldiers.
It wasn't entirely uncommon for troops to seek accommodation.
Naturally, the innkeeper dared not ask too many questions, only offering his utmost hospitality.
Liu Rumei settled in temporarily, able to eat well and sleep soundly for a couple of days. However, she knew that staying at an inn for a mere few days was acceptable, but staying indefinitely would be problematic.
Therefore, she had to quickly devise a plan: where should she go next?
Seeing her distressed, Xiao Qing couldn't help but speak up, "Miss, I think it would be better for us to head towards the Xiao Qing River. Moving further from here would lead us to the capital."
Her casual remark struck a chord with Liu Rumei. Liu Rumei's eyes widened. "You're right. We'd reach the capital."
She slammed her hand on the table. "Xiao Qing, what you said is a good idea."
Xiao Qing was taken aback, looking at Liu Rumei, unsure how to respond, as if to say, "But I didn't say anything."
Seeing her confusion, Liu Rumei chuckled. "Do you remember a while ago when the Lotus Cult Leader and Shen Ziyan infiltrated Qingguang City in Da Tu Kingdom and caused quite a stir?"
"But Miss... wouldn't it be too risky for us to go to Qingguang City again?"
Liu Rumei waved her hand. "I'll take you, just the two of us. Two women, they naturally wouldn't suspect anything. We'll have Zheng Hai and the others stay at the inn. After two or three days, they can head towards the Xiao Qing River. Once we create chaos in Qingguang City, Qiao Na will naturally lead his troops back to search for us. Then, Zheng Hai and the others can cross the Xiao Qing River and return home first."
Upon hearing this plan, Xiao Qing felt a mix of emotions. She understood that Liu Rumei intended to use herself as bait to lure Qiao Na and Yelü Chuang back to Qingguang City, thereby creating an opportunity for Zheng Hai to return home.
"Miss, isn't this too risky?"
Liu Rumei smiled calmly. "What's so risky about it? With just two weak women, what could they possibly find in a search?" Su Dan Novel Network
"Later, go and tell Zheng Hai to go out and purchase more supplies these past few days. Remember to go out separately, not as a group. Let one person buy a lot, and say it's for the road. That's a plausible reason."
Xiao Qing looked at Liu Rumei, bowed, and turned to leave.
In the room, Zheng Hai listened to Xiao Qing's account and was stunned, shaking his head repeatedly. "No, no, I can't let Miss take such a risk!"
After speaking, Zheng Hai went directly to see Liu Rumei. Upon meeting her, he spoke bluntly, "Miss, let me go to Qingguang City. You take everyone else back."
Liu Rumei looked at him. "You don't even speak the language of Da Tu Kingdom. If you go, wouldn't that be walking right into a trap?"
"Besides, Xiao Qing and I are both women. Who would suspect us?"
"Alright, take advantage of these two days to purchase supplies. Make sure to buy enough. If possible, buy a few more carriages."
As she spoke, Liu Rumei turned and took out two silver notes from her personal satchel.
These were confiscated from the cities they had captured during their attack on Da Tu Kingdom, all valid silver notes in Da Tu Kingdom.
Zheng Hai accepted them with tears in his eyes. He lifted his robe and knelt on the ground with a thud. "Miss, I will never forget your great kindness!"
The night passed uneventfully. The next morning, before dawn, Liu Rumei set off with Xiao Qing.
Liu Rumei did not want to wait for Zheng Hai and the others to wake up, nor did she want them to see her off. Everything had to appear as usual.
Liu Rumei and Xiao Qing headed for Qingguang City, while Duobang, in Wannian City, was also not idle.
Duobang rose early, nimbly put on his brocade robe, and went out for a stroll.
His subordinates also split up, scattering throughout the streets and alleys of Wannian City. Their sole objective was to find out which residence the驸马 Chen Xiaobei lived in.
However, they roamed through streets and alleys, spending the entire day in teahouses. They heard many discussions about Chen Xiaobei, but among most people, he was a figure seen only by glimpses, his whereabouts remained unknown.
That evening, Duobang summoned his subordinates to his room. After questioning each of them, he furrowed his brow. What kind of person was he that he remained so mysterious?
"Captain, I think he's a mountain dweller. He doesn't have a residence here. Could he be staying at Liu Xiangnan's house?"
"Yes, yes, that's very possible."
Duobang pondered for a moment and nodded. "Very well, then tonight I'll go to Liu Xiangnan's residence to investigate!"
Duobang waited until the third watch of the night, then changed into his night-traveling attire and quietly slipped out of the inn, heading towards Liu Xiangnan's mansion.
At this time, Liu Xiangnan's mansion was quiet.
Liu Xiangnan had already gone to bed. Liu Yuanwen was reading in the study. In the courtyard, only a few guards were casually patrolling.
Perhaps the quietness of recent days had made everyone relax their vigilance, so no one noticed Duobang's entry. Of course, the guards couldn't be blamed entirely, as experts like Liu Tie and Liu Ce had already been dispatched.
Old men like Zheng Ke and Liu Kai, their hearing had naturally declined.
Duobang lay in ambush on the rooftop for a while. Seeing nothing unusual, he stood up and quietly moved towards the place where light was visible, which was Liu Yuanwen's study.
Liu Yuanwen was reading, with a maid standing beside him.
After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Liu Yuanwen yawned. Seeing this, the maid stepped forward and said, "Young Master, it's late. You should rest early!"
Liu Yuanwen sighed. "What time is it now?"
"It's past the third watch."
Upon hearing this, Liu Yuanwen stood up and stretched his limbs. "Has my father gone to bed already?"
"Yes, Marquis went to bed long ago!"
Liu Yuanwen was silent for a while longer, then said, "Cui Zhu, go and make me a bowl of congee. I want to sleep a bit later!"
"Young Master, you must be worried about Miss, right? Please rest assured, Miss is blessed with good fortune and will surely be fine."
Hearing this, Liu Yuanwen gave a bitter smile. "Da Tu Kingdom is cold and desolate. Rumei has been out of contact there. My heart is truly uneasy!"
Hearing this, Duobang's thoughts stirred. So, this was Liu Rumei's brother!
At this moment, a thought flashed through Duobang's mind: what if he rushed down and killed Liu Yuanwen!
He quickly dismissed the idea.
Killing Liu Yuanwen was insignificant. When he came, he had guaranteed the Emperor that he would kill Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun and Xiao An, or at the very least, Chen Xiaobei. Therefore, he couldn't alert the enemy.
With this in mind, he suppressed the urge within him and waited until the maid in the room had left. Then, he quietly followed towards the kitchen.
In the kitchen, Cui Zhu was chatting with two other people.
"Young Master is truly diligent. It's already the third watch, and he's still reading!"