Xiao An clearly understood Liu Xiangnan's meaning, nodding with a smile.
"My dear minister speaks truly. I shall immediately issue ten imperial edicts. Eight hundred li per hour shall they be sent to the ten feudal lords, ordering them to raise their armies with haste."
As dusk settled over Mount Qingniu, Xiao Jingyun received a letter from Liu Rumei.
After reading it, he clenched his fists and waved them fiercely in the air.
"Little sister, look. Rumei's plan has succeeded. Sun Yuliang has been captured."
Princess Zhaoning took the letter, read it, and then handed it to the old steward, Liu Kai.
Liu Kai also nodded with a smile after reading, "Excellent, truly excellent. Heaven has not abandoned our Great Cang."
As the news spread, the atmosphere at the scene gradually grew more fervent.
Princess Zhaoning seized the opportunity to say, "Imperial brother, why don't we inform the enemy of this news and persuade Zhu Meng to surrender?"
Xiao Jingyun, however, shook his head. "No, don't forget Chen Qiao'er is still in Zhu Meng's hands. If he becomes desperate, it could be very dangerous."
Liu Kai also interjected, "Your Highness, Chen Xiaobei has rendered meritorious service to our Great Cang. We must quickly organize a force to descend the mountain and rescue Qiao'er."
Xiao Jingyun nodded and looked at his sister.
Princess Zhaoning immediately understood his meaning and stepped forward, speaking loudly, "Imperial brother, I volunteer to lead a party down the mountain and risk my life to rescue Chen Qiao'er."
Xiao Jingyun nodded and then looked at Liu Kai. "There's no point in us leaving so many people on the mountain. Let's send more down this time."
Liu Kai cupped his fists. "Your Highness, the matter will soon come to a conclusion. I still need you to oversee the overall situation. I will stay with a few men to continue to contend with them. You should descend the mountain together."
Xiao Jingyun pondered for a moment, finally nodding. "Very well. In another two or three days, everything will be clear. You may descend the mountain directly after three days."
Liu Kai kept Ma Xiaoyi behind, as Ma Xiaoyi knew the path down the mountain. Xiao Jingyun and his party were led down by members of the village guard, such as Chen Sanliang.
Ma Xiaoyi carefully explained the descent route to Chen Sanliang, who nodded.
At this time, a special guest also arrived at Centipede Ridge.
It was Feng Xiaoyue.
Cui Hongyu had met Feng Xiaoyue once and had some impression of her. Upon meeting, Feng Xiaoyue dispensed with any pleasantries and got straight to the point.
"Sister Hongyu, when Xiaobei left, he asked me to help find someone who could extract Chen Qiao'er from Zhu Meng's military camp."
Hearing this, a glint of joy immediately flashed in Cui Hongyu's eyes.
"Little sister Yue, can you find someone?"
Feng Xiaoyue nodded. "I've already found someone."
As she spoke, Feng Xiaoyue turned and called out loudly to a dark corner nearby, "Brother Leopard, you can come out now."
With a rustling sound, a young man emerged from the shadows. He was not tall and appeared very lean.
He approached Cui Hongyu, cupped his fists, and said in a clear voice, "Greetings, Miss Cui."
Cui Hongyu looked at him. "Can you help get her out?"
Leopard nodded. "Getting the person out is possible, but there's a condition. I need a few helpers."
"Zhu Meng's army patrols in teams of six. We'll also need a few people to pose as prisoners."
Hearing this, Cui Hongyu became somewhat troubled.
If it were a matter of needing one person, she would have gone without hesitation. But Leopard was asking for seven or eight people. Cui Hongyu truly did not want the village guards to risk their lives.
With this thought, Cui Hongyu nodded slightly and produced a piece of silver from her sleeve. "Thank you for your kind intentions, Brother Leopard. How about this, let me try to find some people to make up the numbers. Once I have them, I'll come find you."
Leopard nodded, but then reached out and pushed the silver back. "It is not right to accept reward before doing any work. How can I take your silver?"
Feng Xiaoyue clearly did not understand Cui Hongyu's concern and continued with a smile, "Yes, Sister Hongyu, please don't worry. Even if the task is completed, Brother Leopard will never ask for a single coin from you."
After the two left, Cui Hongyu fell into hesitation.
She desperately wanted to rescue Chen Qiao'er, but she understood that even if Chen Xiaobei were present, he would never lead so many villagers into such danger.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Daoist and Sun Qi were in a rather dishevelled state. Since the authorities had received imperial edicts, they had intensified their patrols. They dared not travel on the main roads during the day, which greatly slowed their progress.
However, Liu Rumei and Chen Xiaobei and his party were making smooth progress, galloping at top speed towards Qingniu County.
Even more anxious than them was Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun.
In just one day and one night, they returned to Centipede Ridge.
Seeing the village guards return, the villagers erupted in cheers.
Xiao Jingyun, witnessing the villagers' joyous celebration, could not help but sigh inwardly. What could be more exciting than reunion?
After the cheers subsided, Xiao Jingyun, along with Princess Zhaoning, approached Cui Hongyu and cupped their fists.
"Thank you, Miss Cui."
This sudden gesture startled Cui Hongyu, who quickly returned the bow. "Your Highness, please do not demean yourself."
Xiao Jingyun cupped his fists again. "Chen Xiaobei, for the sake of the nation's righteousness, went to the capital without hesitation, leaving his sister in peril in Zhu Meng's military camp. I, Xiao, deeply admire such magnanimity."
Mentioning Chen Qiao'er again, Cui Hongyu's expression turned somewhat somber.
Princess Zhaoning saw this and stepped forward, taking Cui Hongyu's hand. "Chen Xiaobei temporarily put his sister aside for the sake of the nation. We cannot stand by and do nothing. We have descended the mountain this time precisely to rescue Qiao'er."
Looking at the many people behind them, the small spark in Cui Hongyu's heart was rekindled.
Xiao Jingyun said with a solemn expression, "Yes, with so many of us, we will surely be able to rescue Qiao'er."
At this moment, Zhou Quan, standing nearby, cupped his fists towards Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun. "Your Highness, please permit me to go to Zhu Meng's camp to scout the situation first."
Liu Rumei suddenly remembered Leopard, who had come the previous day. A thought struck her. "Your Highness, there is no need to scout the situation. I have someone here who is familiar with the terrain, but we will need a dozen or so helpers."
Upon hearing that only a dozen or so helpers were needed, Princess Zhaoning boldly thumped her chest. "A dozen people are enough for me and the little girl to go."
Xiao Jingyun looked at her and coughed softly, then turned to Cui Hongyu. "Miss Cui, since that is the case, let us hurry to find this person and see how we should rescue her."
Cui Hongyu nodded and was about to move when Shen Ziyan, standing beside her, spoke. "Sister Hongyu, you are indispensable here on the mountain. Let me take them."
Cui Hongyu shook her head. "No, I must go myself."
While they were arguing, the Old Ancestor arrived. Upon hearing that they were going to rescue Chen Qiao'er, he appeared very excited.
"Hongyu, you go ahead and make arrangements. I will be here to guard the stockade. Rest assured."
Cui Hongyu bowed deeply to the Old Ancestor and, taking Xiao Jingyun and the others with her, hurried down Centipede Ridge.