Chapter 4: The Last Request

Knowing that the situation was urgent and every moment counted, the four did not dare to waste a second and swiftly dashed southeast.

Previously, when they entered the imperial palace, they took the southern gate. However, the imperial guards at the southern gate were now on high alert. To break out smoothly, they would have to find another route. Summer Mu's residence was located in the southeast direction of the palace. Breaking through from the southeast would reduce resistance and allow them to reach the residence in the shortest time.

In the blink of an eye, the four reached the base of the palace walls. The imperial guards on the wall immediately readied their arrows and shouted, "Who goes there?"

"Something's wrong, we need reinforcements urgently," Si Qingshan responded loudly, and at the same time, leaped up the wall.

Si Qingshan's response was very clever. Although the guards were suspicious of their identities, they dared not stop or attack them. They had no idea what the "situation change" meant, nor did they know which side the four were coming to help. With the current uncertainty, no one could predict the final winner of the conflict. If they stopped the wrong people, they would inevitably face brutal consequences later.

Before the guards could recover, Ren Qianyang and the others had already climbed the wall.

"Who are you?" the leading captain asked, looking bewildered.

Si Qingshan did not answer, but instead jumped down the city wall. Zi Xu was about to follow, but seeing a few archers nearby, she took swift steps toward them and yanked several quivers from their backs.

Due to Zi Xu's speed, before the others could react, she had already slung the quivers behind her and leapt down.

Their horses had been waiting not far from the southern gate. As soon as the four appeared, the horses quickly came to meet them.

The four did not rush toward the horses but instead flew south, waiting until the dragon steeds caught up from behind before they finally mounted and galloped away.

At this moment, another furious roar of the white tiger echoed from the palace. Hearing the tiger's roar, the four felt slightly relieved. The white tiger's angry roar meant it had found Summer Mu and joined the battle. With its help, Summer Mu should be able to hold out for a while longer.

Only then did the four get a brief respite. While urging their horses, Ren Qianyang spoke, "They were very well prepared. This shows they know the prince's whereabouts inside and out."

Si Qingshan replied, "After we entered Jingzhou, we rushed north. Even if the local governments immediately sent pigeon posts, they would have no time to mobilize troops. The problem lies with Jiang Zhao and the others. We took almost two hours to get from the South Wilderness to Jingzhou. If you count that time, they have enough to make arrangements."

Zi Xu said, "If it's true that the military sorcerer sent word, it will be much harder for us to fulfill the prince's last request."

Seeing the confused expressions on Yao Beilin and Ren Qianyang's faces, Zi Xu explained, "Since Jiang Zhao sent word, he must have told them how many soldiers the prince brought back this time. Right now, Ji Youde's cavalry is still on the way. Those three hundred ironclad soldiers are our only hope for breaking out. But since the rebels know they exist, they must be setting up an ambush to intercept them."

After hearing Zi Xu's words, Yao Beilin and Ren Qianyang said nothing, as her reasoning was sound. The enemy's preparations were too thorough, and it would be nearly impossible for them to save the child.

Summer Mu's residence was not far from the palace. A short while later, the four arrived at the street where the residence was located. However, to their surprise, the residence was already surrounded by hundreds of soldiers.

"Damn it," Ren Qianyang gripped his sword tightly.

"Calm down," Si Qingshan said in a low voice.

By the time they reached the entrance of the residence, the soldiers reacted as if facing an enemy and raised their weapons.

"Stop! Who are you?" the leader of the soldiers, sweating profusely, gasped.

"And who are you? Why have you brought soldiers here?" Si Qingshan demanded with a fierce gaze.

"I am the patrol officer, Dong Yue," the leader replied.

"Why did you bring soldiers here?" Si Qingshan pressed.

"You first tell me, what are you here for?" Dong Yue countered.

Seeing Dong Yue's response, and seeing the sweat pouring from the soldiers, Si Qingshan quickly deduced that these soldiers had not been sent by Summer Hong, but were aware of the incident in the palace involving Summer Mu. They had come to the residence because of that. Dong Yue's delay in explaining their purpose was likely to leave himself an escape route. If Summer Mu won, they could say they came to protect the prince's family. If Summer Hong succeeded, they could claim they came to capture the remnants of the rebels.

"Well done, you at least know to bring soldiers to protect the prince's family," Si Qingshan said, stepping toward the gate. "Once this is over, you will be rewarded."

Dong Yue, misled by Si Qingshan's words, assumed that Summer Mu had the upper hand and immediately said loudly, "It is my duty, how could I ask for a reward?"

The people inside the residence heard the conversation, and upon hearing Si Qingshan knock on the door, they immediately opened it, realizing it was an ally and not an enemy. Everyone inside the residence, terrified by the sounds of the palace shouting and the soldiers surrounding the residence, had gathered in the front yard under the eaves, nervous and frightened.

Zi Xu was the last to enter. After entering, she turned and spoke to Dong Yue, "The remnants of the rebels are still out there. You must remain vigilant and ensure the safety of the residence."

After Dong Yue nodded in acknowledgment, Zi Xu closed the gate and joined the others, walking towards the group of people standing under the northern eaves.

The door to the front hall was open. A young woman, elegantly dressed and holding a swaddled baby, had been sitting in the main seat on the left. When she saw the four approach, she slowly stood and walked toward the front hall door.

Recognizing that this was the princess, the four hurried forward, introduced themselves, and half-knelt to show respect.

The princess, though anxious, did not lose her composure and immediately asked what had happened in the palace.

The four exchanged glances, unsure how to respond.

The princess, seeing their hesitation, assumed they were being cautious and quickly ordered everyone else to leave before asking again.

Ren Qianyang took out a message tube from his chest and handed it to Zi Xu. "You explain to the princess. We'll wait outside."

Zi Xu hesitated, unwilling to take it, but Ren Qianyang did not insist. He shoved the tube into her hands and turned to leave. Yao Beilin immediately followed.

"We don't have time. Be brief and to the point," Si Qingshan said, closing the door behind them.

By the time Si Qingshan came out, Yao Beilin had already climbed onto the roof to keep watch, while Ren Qianyang was drinking from a large bucket of water meant for watering plants.

After looking around, Si Qingshan went to the servant quarters in the west wing. After a short while, he returned with a bamboo basket over three feet long.

Yao Beilin and Ren Qianyang knew why Si Qingshan was looking for a basket but didn't ask any questions. They were both anxious, pacing restlessly outside.

In reality, the time spent behind the door was not long—only the time it took to burn an incense stick. But to the three of them, it felt like an eternity. Every moment was one that Summer Mu was exchanging with his life. The longer they delayed, the slimmer the chance of sending the child out became.

When they saw Si Qingshan with the basket on his back, they worried that the ropes weren't tied securely enough and helped him tie another knot.

At that moment, another roar of the white tiger echoed from the palace. Unlike the earlier angry roars, this one was filled with sorrow and despair, heartbreaking.

Because they were too far away, the four couldn't hear it clearly, and they couldn't tell whether the sorrowful roar was from the white tiger on the verge of death or mourning the loss of its master. But no matter the reason, there was little time left for the four.