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Wu You had come out too. In another room, Fangyun and Zhu Keying helped each other open the door. They cried out in shock at the sight before them.

A figure dropped from the roof, nearly frightening a scream out of Fangyun.

"Don't worry. He's one of ours," Shen Lantang reassured her, then walked forward with Xie Jin.

"We spotted people sneaking up to the Zhao Residence and setting a fire. I alerted the guards at the entrance in time. So far, the flames are only behind the gate. They haven't spread."

"Who did it?"

They knew the answer without needing to ask.

"After setting the fire at the front gate, they went around to the back."

Wu You turned to head for the back gate.

"Wait—"

Xie Jin suddenly caught hold of him.

"Young master?"

Shen Lantang looked at Xie Jin. The moment their eyes met, understanding struck her.

"You mean to..."

"This is a good opportunity," Xie Jin said.

Shen Lantang nodded. She went to Fangyun and Zhu Keying. "Fangyun, take Miss Zhu to the madam. Leave the back gate to us. Trust us."

Fangyun was thoroughly confused, but she trusted Shen Lantang instinctively. Without asking more, she supported Zhu Keying and said, "Miss Zhu, let's go."

"All right."

After the two women left, Shen Lantang nodded to Xie Jin. He gave her a faint smile, then vanished into the night with a few leaps.

Hearing the commotion out front, Zhao Cheng lost his nerve again. He said timidly to Young Master Lin, "We should go. They're all awake."

"Go? They think we only set a fire out front. They won't expect us here too. Everyone's been drawn to the front, which makes things easier for us."

As he spoke, he ordered someone to pour an entire bucket