The Treacherous Concubine’s Guide To Whitewashing

Chapter 14, Pt 1 - Out of Town

Yuan Luo stood up and rushed out the door. The imperial guard on duty was confounded by her actions.

Miao Zi Fang had been commanding his guards to fight the fire, but had just now returned. He met Yuan Luo and, before he even had the time to salute, the other person cut him off and urgently said, "Immediately mobilize military forces and go to the East China Sea king’s mansion. The East China Sea king is wanting to escape!"

Miao Zi Fang stared at her blankly. Previously, Yuan Luo had already ordered for them to keep a close eye on the East China Sea king’s mansion. "I haven’t heard of the East China Sea king going out today."

"There’s no time to lose. Send someone at once to check on him. Forget it. This palace will personally go over there!" Yuan Luo was burning with impatience. Once the East China Sea king returned to his fief, the fish would swim out to sea. If that happened, it would be too difficult to suppress him and then he would be able to raise an army to start a rebellion within a only few years.

Yuan Luo hurried returned to the warm room and and ordered Si Xi to take a set of Sikong Lin's unmarked clothing.

She was tall, nearly the same height as the Emperor and she urgently changed into men's clothing. When Yuan Luo left the hall, she saw Miao Zi Fang had already gathered a hundred guards, who were all elite masters.

Yuan Luo hadn’t intended to make a large fuss about intercepting the East China Sea king. After all, the two sides had yet to have a public falling-out and the East China Sea king’s escape from the city was unlikely to have much manpower with him.

Miao Zi Fang brought a fast horse and Yuan Luo mounted it.

Fortunately, the original owner was born into a hunting household and was adept at using a bow and riding a horse, because Yuan Luo, since the day she crossed over, had not engaged in much exercise. When all was said and done, if by chance she was unable to change her fate and the foreign bandits invaded, at that time the chance of escape on horseback would be higher.

Yuan Luo and Miao Zi Fang gathered the guards and the group quickly left the palace gate.

Upon arriving at the mansion of the East China Sea king, she at once saw Lian Yan Qiu rushing out furiously. On seeing her, he was shocked that Yuan Luo had arrived in person.

Yuan Luo was even more astonished. Unexpectedly he had arrived one step ahead of her.

"Your servant was directing the fire fighting when he discovered that the fire was deliberately set aflame. It is suspected that it was caused by an informant of the East Sea King." Lian Yan Qiu quickly explained.

"Where is the person?" Yuan Luo asked angrily.

"He is not in the prince’s mansion anymore," Lian Yan Qiu replied quickly. "I just tortured the mansion’s steward and porter. Only one group who went to the back kitchen to deliver food have left the palace today. There were six people all together, driving a carriage with half-person tall baskets."

Since the incident at the Temple of Heaven, Yuan Luo had sent people to watch the East China Sea king's mansion attentively. Sikong Yan had left quietly, so there was bound to be some involvement by those food delivery workers.

"When did those workers leave?"

"It's been more than two hours." Lian Yan Qiu looked ashamed.

Yuan Luo’s heart sank. More than two hours. That was sufficient enough time for Sikong Yan to leave the Capital. The intensity of the fire at Chongwen Pavilion had been so alarming that it had attracted the attention of the entire Capital and even the guards of the Division of Intelligence were inevitably distracted.

Lian Yan Qiu raised his head and looked at the sky's deep twilight canopy. "There will be a blizzard this evening and the East China Sea king’s body is frail. He will be unable to endure fast travel, so, if we chase him immediately, we should be able to catch up."

"But the Capital is huge with twelve city gates. Which one did Sikong Yan use?"

"If you want to return to the fief as soon as possible, you should go through the Wanxiang Gate to the southeast." Miao Zi Fang conjectured.

Lian Yan Qiu considered, "You could also use the Holy Arch gate in the northeast." These two gates were the closest to the recent fire site. The soldiers stationed there were mostly summoned to help put out the fire, which would have been beneficial for Sikong Yan and his party to go out smoothly.

Both routes were possible and after a few people discussed it they simply divided the guards into two groups and urged their horses into a gallop.

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Thick dark clouds gathered on the horizon. A gale whipped around them and the snowflakes which had begun to fall were getting larger and larger. It wouldn’t be long before the wilderness roads outside the city walls would be covered.

Soon it would be time for the New Year’s festival. It was at this time of year when each and every family was preparing for the biggest celebration of the year, therefore there were few pedestrians on the road.

On the public road north of the city walls, a group of travelers were galloping on horseback.

While they were rushing toward the hills, Sikong Yan suddenly coughed violently. The guard next to him leaned forward and asked nervously, "Prince, are you tired?"

After leaving the city, they had galloped the entire distance only to encounter heavy snowfall.

Sikong Lin’s complexion paled and his frail body, which was a problem from the womb, suffered the most from the cold. Since childhood he had used precious medicinal ingredients and had practiced martial arts in order to strengthen his body and keep healthy, yet he could not change his dilapidated constitution. Now that he had been desperately rushing for most of the night in the season where water was dripping into ice, his body felt cold and he was finding it hard to keep upright.

Yan Qing Tian, the commander of his Royal Guard, urged in a low voice, "Prince, it would be better to rest for now. We have already put at least a hundred miles between us and the Capital and any chasing soldiers can’t catch up to us." They had left very abruptly. It was very likely the palace was still at a loss at this hour.

Sikong Yan wanted to speak, but he coughed roughly and his cheeks became flushed. He hesitated, but he had to agree with the guard's suggestion.

Dozens of guards immediately dismounted and set up a small, simple tent under a big tree to let the prince rest.

Sikong Yan entered the tent and fell on a cushion. He could almost not stand.

He had a strong disposition, but only a moment ago he could barely support himself while on horseback. Now, in one breath he relaxed and nearly fainted.

He sat on the cushion to adjust his inner breath. He waited until his physical strength had recovered somewhat then he immediately started ordering left and right.

"Pack your things and set off at once."

Yan Qing Tian persuaded, "Prince, you should still rest for a while." Sikong Yan’s face was really unsightly. He had barely rushed through much of his journey and there was already fear of a serious illness.

Sikong Yan stood up with the support of the guard’s hand, "I have nothing..."

Before he finished speaking, he suddenly heard the sound of rapid horse hooves outside.

"Prince, there are soldiers chasing!"

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