Ambush

Fearing the horses would be stolen if he left, he could only wait there, unable to do anything.

Finally, someone came out and even offered to let their horses into the prefectural government office. The Imperial Guards's anger subsided somewhat, and he cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for your trouble, Administrative Clerk Chen."

Chen Kang then instructed his two attendants and the Imperial Guards to drive the horses to the back, where there were special stables that housed not only the horses of the prefectural government but also the horses of the various officials who rode up to the government office.

Zhao Ruxi's carriage was also parked inside, being looked after by Yang Song.

Yang Song was originally a servant at the Egret Manor. Later, because of his cleverness and honesty, Zhao Ruxi transferred him to the Green Plantain Courtyard in Beining to work as a gatekeeper alongside Zhaoming, where he was given special training. In addition to being a gatekeeper, Zhaoming also learned arithmetic and literacy, while Yang Song learned martial arts from Ma Sheng and others.

When Zhao Ruxi came to Nanyang, she was short-handed, so everyone except those who did business in the capital came to Nanyang with her.

Although Uncle Lu is loyal and tight-lipped, he is old and doesn't know martial arts. If he encounters danger, he can hardly protect himself, let alone control the horses and carriage to alleviate the danger to Zhao Ruxi.

Therefore, Zhao Ruxi left Uncle Lu in the Zhao Residence in Nanyang as a minor steward, and transferred Yang Song, who was quite skilled in martial arts, to be a coachman.

It was already time to leave the office, but no one had come to call them. Seeing Chen Kang and the others enter, Yang Song quickly stepped forward to inquire about the situation.

Chen Kang introduced him and the Imperial Guards, then explained the arranged marriage, and said with a smile, "Congratulations, Little Song."

Upon hearing that someone from the palace had come to announce the emperor's arrival, Yang Song's nerves tightened.

However, he didn't show it on the surface. After exchanging a few pleasantries with Chen Kang and the Imperial Guards, he went to check the horses and carriages again and again. He also kept a watchful eye on Chen Kang and his party. When he saw Chen Kang exchange a few words with the Imperial Guards, leave a servant to do his bidding, and then go out again, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but still stayed by the horses and carriages without moving.

However, as soon as Chen Kang left, Yang Jie appeared at the door and waved to Yang Song, saying, "I'm leaving, the master has come to summon me."

"Yes." Yang Song quickly hitched up the horse and headed out in the carriage.

Inside the yamen (government office) at the front, Zhao Ruxi was ushering Eunuch Deng and the others outside. "Eunuch Deng and the imperial Imperial Guards, please dine at the Added Fortune Pavilion."

She then cupped her hands in a respectful gesture towards Liu Hongyu and the others, saying, "Then I'll have to trouble Lord Liu, Lord Cai, and Lord Li to keep me company."

If the imperial decree for the marriage had not been issued, she would have been merely a female official. Although she was in the officialdom and did not need to sit with them at the banquet, it would have been appropriate for her to go to the Added Fortune Pavilion to offer a toast to Eunuch Deng and the others who had come from afar before taking her leave.

But now that she is the future princess, her ability to offer toasts or organize banquets is overwhelming for Eunuch Deng and others. It is perfectly appropriate for her to entrust Liu Hongyu and others to accompany her.

It also gave the three of them an opportunity to do favors.

Upon hearing this, the three were overjoyed and quickly replied, "Of course, of course."

Being able to get close to and cultivate relationships with the palace eunuchs and Imperial Guards was a kind of honor. Even if one was geographically or socially distant and might not necessarily be able to use such connections, it was still a rare opportunity. One could boast about it for ten years—who among ordinary officials or commoners could dine with powerful palace eunuchs and Imperial Guards?

"Eunuch Deng, gentlemen, please." Liu Hongyu immediately assumed the role of host and gestured to Eunuch Deng and the others.

"No, no, Your Highness, please go first. I imagine the Wife of the Earl of Suiping is unaware of this matter yet. Your Highness must go back and congratulate her properly." Eunuch Deng refused to let Zhao Ruxi go first.

Upon hearing this, Liu Hongyu immediately realized the gap between himself and Eunuch Deng and the others.

When it comes to flattery, they can't even match the shrewdness of the people in the palace.

He dared not speak again and stood aside.

Zhao Ruxi knew that Eunuch Deng and the others weren't being modest, but rather following protocol. She didn't refuse, cupping her hands in a respectful gesture and saying, "You're right, Eunuch. His Majesty's kindness is immense; my mother will surely kowtow to him several times upon hearing this news. She's been worrying herself sick over my marriage."

"Haha, good things come to those who wait. Only a dragon among men like Prince of Qi can match a princess like her," Eunuch Deng laughed.

At this moment, on the road from the prefectural government office to the Zhao Residence, a group of people disguised as passersby lay in ambush on both sides of the road.

"Hey, it's long past the end of the day, why hasn't that person come yet?" one of the men asked his companion, growing impatient.

"It hasn't been long, let's wait a bit." The woman dressed as his wife glanced at him, her eyes full of mockery. "What, can't wait any longer?"

"Bah! I just want to finish my work and go back to Beijing for a meal and drinks. Can't you speak properly?" the man said angrily.

Their journey was a do-or-die situation; there was no other way. For the woman to say such a thing was very unlucky; it implied he was eager to die. How could he not be angry?

The woman knew she had said the wrong thing and didn't dare to talk back. She quickly lowered her head to get some candy to coax the child she was holding, but a dark glint flashed in her eyes.

She looked up, her face regaining its nonchalant expression. "Should I go take a look?"

The man said, "Go on, go on."

The woman then took the child's hand and walked towards the government office.

The house Zhao Ruxi bought wasn't far from the prefectural government office, and the street corner where they were located was right between the two. The woman walked for a while and then arrived at the entrance of the government office.

At this moment, Chen Kang invited the horses and Imperial Guards at the gate into the stables of the yamen. The area in front of the yamen was empty, with only two Imperial Guards standing there obediently.

The woman glanced around but didn't notice anything amiss. Then she saw Yang Song driving the carriage from the backyard. Her expression hardened, and she quickly bent down to soothe the child in her arms. "Baby, Mommy left something at home. Let's go back and get it."

As she spoke, she took the child's hand and turned to walk back.

A short while later, Zhao Ruxi came out of the yamen, followed by Eunuch Deng and his entourage.

Zhao Ruxi stopped and exchanged a few more pleasantries with Eunuch Deng and the others before getting into the carriage.

After Eunuch Deng and the others waited until her carriage was far away, they got into Liu Hongyu's and Cai Yaozong's carriages and followed behind Zhao Ruxi's carriage.

Added Fortune Pavilion and Zhao Residence are in the same direction. After passing Zhao Residence, you have to walk a little further ahead, so they are going in the same direction. However, Eunuch Deng did not dare to overstep his bounds, and his carriage always kept a distance from Zhao Ruxi's carriage.

The woman, leading the child, walked slowly. When she returned to the man's side, she whispered to him, "We're here." Zhao Ruxi's carriage then turned the corner and came into view.

The other person, disguised as a tourist, and the two people lying in ambush in the tree, all perked up.

"Huh, why are there three people?" the person hiding in the tree asked in surprise.

They had already found out that Zhao Ruxi was now only taking one maid, two guards, and a coachman to the yamen. She used to ride horses when the weather was cooler; now that the sun was too strong, she had switched to riding in a carriage.