The sky has turned completely dark, everything is dark, and there is even dead silence in the small building.
Zhang Yanling sat leaning against the wall under the long window of the deserted room, frowning in thought.
Zhang Yanling has secretly looked at the surroundings twice. There are many people guarding the courtyard of this small back house, and there are many figures wandering in the darkness. Apparently Zhu Zhixiu left a lot of people to guard here.
With my own skills, it is probably impossible to sneak out secretly. Unless I force my way out with a firearm. But it is a bit unrealistic. Even if my firearms are powerful, I may be able to kill many guards, but if If it starts to make a fuss, you will definitely not be able to escape.
This is the deep courtyard of Prince Qing's Mansion. There are countless guards, but how can they break out with their own guns? It is obviously unwise to do so.
I don't know what the situation is like outside, and I don't know if Chen Shiyi and the other brothers are out of danger. With Chen Shiyi's methods, he will definitely be able to rush back to the inn in time to give a warning. With Ma Zhanbao as a guide, the terrain near the inn is complicated. The buildings are densely packed, so there shouldn't be any trouble.
Moreover, just now Zhu Zhixiu also said that he was conducting a search, but did not say who was arrested. Perhaps, things outside are not so bad. But he is trapped in this small building and cannot escape. This is the troublesome thing. .
Today is already the sixth day, and Zhang Yin and his cavalry will arrive the night after tomorrow. At Lingzhou Ferry, Yang Yiqing's cross-river attack is imminent. Time is running out, and I don't have much time left, so I have to think of a way quickly.
Zhang Yanling took a deep breath in the darkness to keep herself calm so that she could calmly analyze the current situation without falling into anxiety.
Things are actually a little strange. Not long ago, when a large-scale investigation and arrest suddenly started in the market, Zhang Yanling felt a little strange. She always felt that this incident was related to her and others sneaking into the city.
Zhu Zhixiu also said just now that he had received a secret report that someone in the city had sneaked in with the intention of assassinating him. That's why he launched a large-scale manhunt. Although this was slightly different from his purpose of coming, Zhang Yanling was He thought that the news that he had sneaked into Ningxia City must have been leaked.
Naturally, his whereabouts were not leaked, otherwise the rebels would not need to conduct a large-scale search, and would directly rush into the inn to arrest people. In other words, in fact, the information Zhu Zhixiu received was specious and unclear. But this is consistent with the fact that he came from Lingzhou. Characteristics of leaked information over there.
When he left Lingzhou, he did not tell anyone what he was going to do, but this did not mean that he could ensure that no one knew what he was going to do.
If someone follows the footsteps of his cavalry to conduct a secret investigation, he can go to Xinjia Village on the Zhongwei side of Ningxia and ask around, and he will know that he has led his army across the river. From this, it is possible to deduce what he is going to do.
But if this is the case, Zhu Zhixiu should not only know that Xizuo has entered the city, but also that a large number of soldiers and horses have sneaked into Ningxia Town. He did not mention this, which seems to indicate that he did not know. Of course, this is also It's just an inference. Zhu Zhixiu may have known it, but he didn't need to tell it in front of the princess.
There is another possibility, that is, someone in Lingzhou has guessed his intention. For example, Shi Yong. The night before departure, I asked Shi Yong many questions, some of which were very detailed. For example, in Ningxia City The defensive troops even asked about the location of the pass of Helan Mountain, as well as many details that should not have been asked. This may arouse Shi Yong's suspicion.
In fact, Shi Yong did have some doubts at the time. He asked himself a few questions, but was put off by himself.
Is it possible that Shi Yong leaked the news? Shi Yong maintained a special communication channel with the guerrilla general named Qiu Yue in the city.
But if Shi Yong told Qiu Yue what he guessed, and Zhu Zhixiu knew about it, it means that Qiu Yue tipped him off. Then, if he went to find Qiu Yue, wouldn't he be throwing himself into a trap? What happened was that he made a mistake in his judgment and was tricked by Shi Yong. Or maybe Qiu Yue tricked Shi Yong. In fact, he didn't pretend to surrender, but really defected to Zhu Chixiu.
However, Zhang Yanling did not want to believe this, although it was very possible. But Zhang Yanling did not want to believe that there was something wrong with his judgment. Judging from the detailed discussion between himself and Shi Yong that night, Shi Yong was definitely not It's a traitor.
Otherwise, Shi Yong didn't have to come to see him and expose his intentions. He didn't have to hinder Yang Yiqing's plan to cross the river. Instead, he should encourage Yang Yiqing to attack. That was the most beneficial thing for the rebels.
Shi Yong saved Qiu Yue's life, and he and Qiu Yue were life and death friends. I also asked him whether Qiu Yue was reliable or not. Shi Yong swore a poisonous oath that Qiu Yue was absolutely reliable, and he dared to guarantee it with his life. He said that he was reliable. Even he may not believe it, but he absolutely trusts Qiu Yue. Moreover, he said that in order to avoid suspicion, Qiu Yue never asked about any plans and arrangements for the attack of the imperial troops in his letter, but only conveyed the news from Ningxia City. This alone , it is difficult for people to doubt that he has taken refuge with Zhu Zhixiu.
But if neither Shi Yong nor Qiu Yue had any problems, then who warned Zhu Zhixiu?
Zhang Yanling thought about it and decided not to bother with this matter. If Qiu Yue had any problems, he could find out in just a few words if he saw him. Even without Qiu Yue's help, the plan would still go ahead.
The problem at hand is to find a way to complete the established plan. It's impossible to be trapped here and can't do anything.
After carefully recalling what he had seen and heard that day, Zhang Yanling made a decision. He wanted to show up to meet the princess of Prince Qing's Mansion. This might be a bit risky, but if he could cooperate with the princess, the next steps would be smooth. It went much more smoothly. Now that things have come to this, I have to try it anyway.
Zhang Yanling climbed out of the window and walked slowly along the corridor to the east side of the small building near the small hall.
In the hall, a candle flame danced, giving off a pale light. A maid was sitting on a chair in the corner, dozing off. This should be the maid on night duty, and the county clerk should be inside a curtain door in the small hall. The abode of the Lord.
Zhang Yanling stood in the darkness and thought for a while. Then he suddenly stretched out his hand and pulled the flower stand beside him. With a crash, the flower stand fell over, and the pot of orchids on it fell to the ground.
The maid who was dozing off was startled. She jumped up and looked around in panic. She quickly walked out of the small hall and followed the sound. When she saw the flower stand overturned on the ground, she looked around, sighed and squatted down to start cleaning it up. .
The flower stand was overturned on the back porch, which was in the blind spot of sight. Even if the maid turned her head, she could not see anything. Zhang Yanling appeared from the shadows and quickly entered the small hall. He came to the inner curtain door and opened the broken door. He opened a corner of the flower curtain, reached out and pushed the door, and it opened.
Perhaps to facilitate the entry and exit of the maid, this door was not bolted.
Zhang Yanling glanced inside. The light inside was dim and he didn't see anything, so he ducked in and closed the door.
I leaned against the door and looked into the room, and found that this was only the outer room. There was another arched door where the curtain drooped, and light came from inside. That should be the princess's boudoir.
Zhang Yanling gently closed the door with her backhand and walked quickly towards the vertical door. When she reached the door and was about to open the door curtain, suddenly the light was dazzling and the door curtain was suddenly opened from the inside.
A woman with high hair and a beautiful face was standing in the door holding a candlestick in one hand and lifting the curtain with the other. She happened to meet Zhang Yanling face to face.
This surprise was no small matter. The woman immediately realized that the person with her head wrapped in cloth was definitely not the maid next to her. She was so shocked that she stared blankly in shock and was stunned for several breaths. Zhang Yanling was also stunned for two breaths, but he rushed there.
Before the woman screamed, he stepped forward and covered her mouth.
The woman whimpered and struggled. How could Zhang Yanling allow her to scream or make any noise? He stepped forward and entered the door, pressing her whole body against the wall, covering her mouth tightly with his hands. He pressed his elbows on
She controlled her chest. At the same time, she held the fallen candlestick in her other hand and shined it on the woman's face.
"Princess, don't scream, I'm here to save you. I'm not from King Anhua." Zhang Yanling said quickly.
The woman's beautiful eyes blinked in horror, and she suddenly raised her knee and hit Zhang Yanling's vital part. Fortunately, Zhang Yanling was not close to her body. The hit hit her lower abdomen, and Zhang Yanling groaned in pain.
"Princess, I'm really not a bad person. I'm here to save you. I'm sent by the imperial court to quell the rebellion. Don't make a scene, or you'll be in trouble if the guards outside hear it." Zhang Yanling reluctantly whispered in a low voice.
The woman stared at Zhang Yanling, her big eyes full of questions.
Zhang Yanling whispered: "I let you go, but you can't scream. Listen to me explain to you, okay?"
The woman stared and nodded.
Zhang Yanling slowly released the hand covering her mouth. The woman took a deep breath and suddenly shouted: "Help..."
How could Zhang Yanling allow her to scream again? She couldn't say her life, so he covered her mouth again with his palm. The woman twisted and struggled, whimpering.
Zhang Yanling's face turned pale and she said in a deep voice: "Princess, I'm sorry."
Zhang Yanling threw the candlestick on the ground. The candlestick was still burning on the ground. The light shone from the ground, causing the shadows on Zhang Yanling's face to flash, which was very scary. The woman looked at this terrifying face in horror, and saw Zhang Yanling's raised eyebrows.
The palm of his hand hit the woman's shoulder and neck with a pop. The woman let out a faint sound and slowly fell softly.