Duke Qi instructed the steward:
"Tell the manor overseer that under no circumstances may that mother and son leave the manor."
"Yes."
"You may go!"
Duke Qi had kept men watching the Marquis's Residence, waiting to see when Yuan Jibai and his sister would leave.
When Song Yaoyao returned home after work, Guagua noticed quite a few additional people outside the residence and warned her:
[Host, there are quite a few men Duke Qi sent to keep watch outside the Marquis's Residence.]
Song Yaoyao: [Hah, I've already brought them into the Marquis's Residence, and Duke Qi still won't give up.
By the way, have my eldest brother and the others returned?]
Guagua: [Not yet.]
Song Yaoyao's expression changed drastically as she said:
[What? They still aren't back?
My eldest brother and the others would normally have been home long before now. If they still aren't back, something must have happened.]
Song Yaoyao immediately ordered Song Yi and the others to gather men and follow her.
Once everyone had assembled, Song Yaoyao led them out to help Song Qingyu and Yuan Jibai.
On the way, Guagua said:
[Host, your eldest brother and Yuan Jibai travel to and from school together. When school let out this afternoon, assassins attacked them.
Those assassins were originally only after Yuan Jibai, but when your eldest brother stepped in to help, they decided to kill him too.]
Song Yaoyao: [Were they sent by Duke Qi?]
Guagua: [That's right.
But don't worry, Host. Your eldest brother and Yuan Jibai are both skilled fighters. They're in a sorry state, but their lives aren't in danger!
We're heading over at just the right time.
By the way, your eldest brother and Yuan Jibai were afraid of frightening the common people, so they lured the assassins outside the city.]
Song