"Jing Feng, when the Emperor wakes and if he is angry, tell him this: I will live or die with Wan Nian City."
Xiao Jing Feng respectfully nodded, took the jade pendant, and carefully tucked it away.
"Big brother, take care."
Xiao Jing Yun nodded with satisfaction and turned to leave.
Soon, several carriages drove out from the back gate of the imperial palace.
The drivers were imperial guards in plain clothes. Leading them was Bai Han, disguised, followed by Xiao Shun Zi and others. The first carriage was loaded with Xiao An, who was tightly bound. The second carriage carried Empress Li.
The following carriages were filled with provisions and daily necessities.
The convoy hurried out of the North Gate of Wan Nian City.
After exiting the North Gate, they followed the official road for about a hundred miles to a mountain called Phoenix Mountain.
There was a temporary camp on the mountain, which Xiao An used when he went hunting.
Their destination was there.
Xiao Jing Yun stood on the city wall, watching the carriages disappear from his sight before he let out a long sigh.
The captain of the guards, Zhou Quan, clasped his hands and said, "Your Highness, shall I lead some men to follow? I will ensure the Emperor's safety."
Xiao Jing Yun waved his hand gently. "Is that not enough? Jing Feng should also be departing soon."
As expected, after a short while, the sound of hurried hoofbeats could be heard. Princess Zhao Ning, leading her entourage, rushed towards the city gate.
Princess Zhao Ning had brought a considerable number of people this time.
Princess Zhao Ning was accompanied by Chun Hua, Qiu Yue, and several hundred guards from the palace. Some of these guards were brought back from Centipede Ridge, some had remained in the palace, and some were among the dozens of people who had previously followed the young lady. When the young lady left Wan Nian City, she had sent these people to the princess's mansion.
Their destination was also the temporary palace on Phoenix Mountain.
Watching these people depart, Xiao Jing Yun's worried heart finally settled.
Seeing this, Zhou Quan quickly stepped forward, clasped his hands, and said, "Your Highness, let us return."
Xiao Jing Yun nodded. "Pass down my order: close the four gates of Wan Nian City after dark, and they will not be opened tomorrow. Let the citizens who have matters to attend to leave the city early to make arrangements and say their goodbyes."
Zhou Quan appeared hesitant. "Your Highness, might this cause panic among the populace?"
Xiao Jing Yun shook his head. "It will be fine. Go and do as ordered."
Soon, a piece of news spread throughout the city: the army of the Great Tu Kingdom was arriving tomorrow. Those who had matters to attend to should leave today, as the city gates would be closed tonight, and no one would be able to leave.
As dusk approached, just as the city gates were about to be closed, several swift horses galloped up. The riders shouted as they ran, "Brothers, keep the gates open a little longer! Brothers, keep the gates open a little longer!"
The soldiers guarding the gate squinted and stared for a long time. It was only when the group approached that they could clearly see their faces.
"Ah, it's Brother Liu Tie! Why have you come so late?"
Liu Tie had often accompanied Liu Ru Mei in Qing Niu County town, and many recognized him. Liu Tie was a prominent figure in Liu Xiang Nan's household, and several soldiers in Wan Nian City knew him well.
Liu Tie cupped his fists towards them and said with a smile, "We're returning from handling matters in another place. Seeing that it was getting late, we hurried back."
"Oh, Brother Liu, you should go back and rest. By the way, we just received orders that entry into the city is allowed today, but the gates will not open tomorrow."
Upon hearing this, Liu Tie frowned. He wanted to ask for details, but at that moment, Liu Ce spoke up beside him, "Brother, let's go."
Liu Tie then smiled and bid farewell to the guards. After they had walked a considerable distance, he turned to Liu Ce and asked, "Brother, since they spoke up, why didn't you let me ask for clarification?"
"Brother, it's better to avoid trouble. We still don't know the details of why Master was transferred into the city. Therefore, the fewer people who know when we return, the better."
So that was it.
Liu Tie nodded gently and said no more. The two turned and headed straight for the Liu residence.
Meanwhile, at the Liu residence, Liu Kai was serving Liu Yuan Wen in preparation for dinner. Upon hearing of their arrival, Liu Yuan Wen put down his chopsticks and was about to rush out.
After only a few steps, Liu Kai stopped him. "Young Master, you are the heir and the master of the house. They are servants. What reason is there for the master to welcome the servants?"
Hearing this, Liu Yuan Wen waved his hand indifferently.
"It's nothing. It's nothing."
"What master and servant distinction is there now? They are older than me, so they are my elder brothers."
Liu Kai shook his head slightly. "This is not permissible. The etiquette of seniority must not be abandoned. You wait here, and I will go and welcome them in."
Without waiting for Liu Yuan Wen's reply, Liu Kai turned and walked out.
Liu Tie and Liu Ce were walking in when they saw Liu Kai coming out. They quickly stepped forward and bowed. "Greetings, Head Steward."
Liu Kai nodded gently. "Why have you two returned?"
"We were ordered by the young lady..." Liu Ce had only spoken half the sentence when Liu Kai gently waved his hand. "Enough. Don't say anything yet. I'll take you to see the young master. Remember, say what you should, and don't say what you shouldn't."
The two naturally understood Liu Kai's meaning: don't speak too definitively.
Liu Kai was not particular and led them directly into a side room.
Over there, Liu Yuan Wen was arranging for more stools to be placed on the table. "Second Brother, you've come from afar and haven't eaten yet. Sit down and eat with us."
Liu Tie and Liu Ce cupped their fists almost simultaneously. "Young Master, please eat. We have returned on the young lady's orders. The young lady is worried about the situation here."
"The young lady asked us to go to Xiangguo Temple first to protect Master. When we arrived, we found that Master had already returned to Wan Nian City with other monks."
Liu Yuan Wen nodded. "Yes, my father is back and is staying at the inn."
"It's a pity, we still can't see him."
Hearing the last sentence, the glimmer of hope in Liu Tie and Liu Ce's eyes instantly vanished.
"I'll take you two to rest. Let the young master eat first." Liu Kai quickly steered the conversation.
The three bowed to Liu Yuan Wen simultaneously and then retreated.
After coming out, Liu Tie looked at Liu Kai and asked in a low voice, "When I arrived, I heard the soldiers at the city gate say that the gates would be closed tomorrow."
"Yes, at noon, a message came from the palace saying that the Great Tu Kingdom would besiege the city tomorrow. Citizens with matters to attend to should leave the city quickly to make arrangements."
"Then it's strange, why haven't we seen any fleeing civilians along the way?" Liu Ce grumbled beside him.
"Alas, in the depth of winter, even if the common folk wanted to run, where would they go? If they can't light a fire at night, wouldn't they freeze to death?"
As soon as this was said, the atmosphere fell silent. The three remained quiet for a long time. Liu Kai led them into a room nearby, ordered some dishes to be prepared for them, and a pot of wine.