The Empress's No.1 Lackey

Chapter 979 - 555: By Mr. Zhao’s Order, We Escort the Young Lady North

In Hong Ye’s hand was a blank portrait, which at this moment was slowly imprinting her image with a bronze face armor.

Yet, as the Gold Shadow Guard, Hong Ye herself was slowly transforming into Zhao Ke’s appearance.

The scroll named [Illusion] can temporarily transform appearances, but the effect only lasts for a short while and can’t withstand close scrutiny.

But it was enough.

"Hong Ye, you disguise as her and escape, proceed with the plan."

"Scholar, follow me, move quickly. Before they react, we need to put on a good show."

Song Jinxi quickly ordered, and the two Shadow Guards immediately responded, soon disappearing from the Confucius Temple.

Outside the tightly closed front courtyard doors.

A military officer faintly heard noises inside, frowned, hesitated to step forward, and knocked: "Miss Zhao? Miss Zhao?"

No response!

The officer’s face changed, and he suddenly kicked open the room with a "bang," only to see the room empty, with no sign of Zhao Ke’er anywhere.

"Escaped?!" His gaze locked onto the opened rear window, cold sweat beading on his forehead, as he turned and shouted loudly: "Zhao Ke’er has escaped! Search the Confucius Temple immediately! Even if you have to dig three feet, find her!"

...

Just as the rebel army surrounded the Confucius Temple, starting a frantic search and following the clues left by Hong Ye.

Song Jinxi, however, returned with people to Zhao Ke’er’s current residence.

Inside Zhao Ke’er’s bedroom.

The girl slowly awoke from her slumber, familiar curtains and the bedroom layout came into view.

Wasn’t she at the Confucius Temple? How did she return home?

Zhao Ke’er was momentarily stunned, tried to sit up, but was startled to find her hands and feet bound with ropes!

"I’ve been brought back!"

Zhao Ke’er’s mind exploded with realization, piecing together the truth in her head.

She tried to escape from the Confucius Temple but was knocked unconscious by those secretly monitoring her from Mu Prince Manor and was now brought back.

Indeed!

During the conversation outside at that time, the messenger said to bring her back to the manor, everything matched up.

At this moment, Zhao Ke’er heard footsteps outside the bedroom again, followed by familiar voices.

"How is she?"

"Tied up on the bed, ha, a weak girl wants to run? It’s laughable. But Zhao Shixiong’s daughter’s appearance and figure are indeed impressive, no wonder the Prince took a liking to her."

"What kind of person is the Prince, what kind of woman hasn’t he been with? Just the large group of concubines in the palace can’t be compared to her, but as the general’s daughter, such a tender fledgling might offer a unique experience."

"Alas, a pity that with the Prince’s temper, he might twist her neck after enjoying her. But since Zhao Shixiong hasn’t been caught yet, he probably won’t kill her for now..."

"What? Are you thinking of making a move on her? Get a grip, even if Zhao Shixiong dies, there are plenty of people wanting to taste the general’s only daughter, it won’t fall to you or me."

"What if the Prince shows mercy and tosses her into the barracks as a camp prostitute?"

"That... wouldn’t be impossible either..."

Zhao Ke’er listened dumbfounded to the conversation outside, feeling a chilling sensation creeping from her spine to her head.

Growing up on Yunfu Road, she wasn’t unfamiliar with Xu Jingtang’s behavior in private.

Knowing that the Prince, who outwardly appeared eager for talent, had a brutal side inside.

If he wanted to vent anger, targeting herself wasn’t surprising... thinking of being ravaged by Xu Jingtang and then thrown into the barracks, a fate worse than death, Zhao Ke’er’s fingertips grew cold, her face turned pale, and tears welled up in her once haughty and willful eyes.

She attempted to struggle but couldn’t loosen the ropes binding her hands and feet, let alone the wolves at the door.

Even if she could escape this house, where could a weak girl like her flee to?

Desperate...

Zhao Ke’er’s heart sank to the bottom, and suddenly, the second line from the letter flashed in her mind.

The despair in the girl’s eyes erupted into a spark of hope for survival!

She strived not to make a sound, fearing it would draw attention from those outside, carefully curling up, twisting her waist to reach her bound hands into her skirt.

After several attempts, she finally managed to pinch the purple talisman out with her fingertips.

Summoning her courage, Zhao Ke’er tore the talisman apart with her fingertips!

"Buzz—"

The mysterious array symbols on the talisman lit up, the mana sealed within began to operate, and the purple Middle Grade talisman started to burn.

A faint circle of purple light radiated from her center, sweeping in all directions.

"Ah-choo... So sleepy."

Outside the door, the sound of conversation vanished, followed by the thuds of people falling to the ground.

This talisman can make people nearby fall asleep... but it doesn’t affect me... Zhao Ke’er’s eyes lit up.

Then, without hesitation, she jumped off the bed, struggled to overturn the jewelry box, and used the small knife inside to cut through the rope.

Worried that someone might come, she only managed to cut some hemp rope, leaving her drenched in sweat.

When she finally broke free, the young girl was almost exhausted.

"I have to leave quickly..."

Zhao Ke’er used the same trick, slipping out through the back window and escaping from the mansion.

The process was surprisingly smooth; along the way, she came across several house servants from the mansion, all collapsed on the ground, as if in a deep sleep.

Zhao Ke walked out through the back door and then stared at the street, filled with massive confusion.

She had escaped.

But...

The entire city and half of the Huai River were under the control of Mu Prince’s mansion. Where could she flee to?

"Come here," suddenly, Zhao Ke noticed a slender, masked woman across the street in an alley who waved at her.

Zhao Ke was stunned for a moment, then mustered her courage to run over, biting her lip with excitement, "Was it you who warned me?"

The mysterious girl, who wore a straw hat and seemed about Zhao Ke’s age, quickly replied, "Yes, hurry, it’s not safe here. My companions are nearby and will help take you away. Head north to Yongjia to find General Zhao."

Zhao Ke was thrilled, "Are you my father’s subordinates? Did he send you to rescue me?"

The girl in the hat paused, turned her head to look at her, and calmly removed her veil to reveal a serene and beautiful face.

Yun Xi shook her head and said, "No. We belong to the Kuangfu Society, to be precise, the new Kuangfu Society genuinely working for the Great Justice."

Behind Yun Xi, several more figures emerged from the alley.

They were Wu Ling, an actor inheriting the legacy of the God of Drama; Qing Niao, a former maid of the Thousand Faces God; the female sorcerer Lin Yuebai; and the young Kou Qichi...

Zhuang Xiaocheng was captured on the Marine Road and beheaded in the Capital.

Under Zhao Douan’s arrangement, Yun Xi and her group continued to roam the Martial World, gradually eliminating and absorbing the remnants of the Kuangfu Society, fighting with other local sub-branches to strengthen their team.

This time, this group, almost forgotten and independent of the "Shadow Guards," exclusively created by Zhao Douan, was ordered to arrive at the Huai River.

They cooperated with the Shadow Guards led by Song Jinxi and the insider Nie Yurong to make this move.

...

Outside Zhao Ke’er’s boudoir.

Under the eaves, two figures stood.

In the courtyard, scattered across the ground lay several house servants and maidservants left in the mansion.

"Ahem," the scholar removed the Illusionary Sound megaphone from his mouth and looked at Song Jinxi, who stood with hands behind his back in the corridor: "Sir, are you just letting Zhao Ke’er escape like this? She..."

Song Jinxi said blandly, "Sir has already instructed, Zhao Ke is to be escorted north by designated people. Our goal is to cover her escape and perform this drama well."

The scholar praised, "Mr. Zhao’s strategies are divine. After stirring things up in Yongjia City, it made Xu Jingtang suspicious. Now, directing this play can anger Zhao Shixiong."

Song Jinxi said sinisterly, "Actually, the best way would be to truly ruin this Zhao Ke’er, frame it on Mu Prince’s mansion, or simply kill her. This deceit, after all, is not thorough enough."

The scholar’s heart stirred, "Your meaning is..."

Song Jinxi glanced at him and shook his head, "Don’t overthink it, I don’t mean anything else, nor any implication. Just feeling that everyone criticizes Mr. Zhao for being ruthless and insidious. But how would they know our master’s magnanimity?"

The scholar expressed his feelings, "Mr. Zhao has things he will do and things he won’t."

Song Jinxi’s expression turned strange, "It’s not necessarily related to morality. Actually, when Mr. Zhao explained this plan to me, I suggested carrying it out to the extreme, but he said, some things, once started wrong, won’t end well."

The scholar questioned, "What does that mean?"

Song Jinxi replied irritably, "Sir’s words are profound, how would I know? Alright, let’s go, the task isn’t over yet, next it’s up to Nie Yurong."

...

Hundred Generations Garden, inner hall.

"What did you say? Zhao Ke’er escaped?!" Xu Jingtang had just returned to hear the bad news from Second Young Master. The armored Mu Prince was furious, "Didn’t I order you to keep watch?!"

Second Young Master’s lips trembled as he stuttered an explanation, "Father, calm down, I truly assigned trusted people to monitor her, but..."

Xu Jingtang’s beard and hair bristled, his face grim, "Useless! A bunch of useless! How did she suddenly run away? Have you figured it out?"