Rebirth of the Excellent Daughter of the Marquis Household (REDMH) - Chapter 144

“Miss, has Her Highness the Princess risen yet?” Wang Yan hurried in from outside, his face full of urgency.

His abrupt entry shattered the tranquillity of the courtyard. Gu Yu Qi and Prince Fu both turned to look at Wang Yan, while Gu Si Yu quickly slipped into hiding.

“She probably hasn’t yet,” Gu Yu Qi glanced at the other side of the room, noting that it was still early, with the first rays of morning light breaking through the horizon.

Just as Gu Yu Qi finished speaking, she saw Yan Zhi opening the door from the inside of the side room, “What does Guard Wang need the Eldest Princess for?”

It seemed the Eldest Princess had also endured a sleepless night.

Who in the capital last night had truly found peace enough to rest?

“Miss Yan Zhi, please inform Her Highness,” Wang Yan said, clasping his fists respectfully at the door, “His Highness Prince An seeks to borrow the Eldest Princess’ seal.”

The door was pushed fully open, and the Eldest Princess appeared. Despite having not slept a wink, her complexion had recovered somewhat after a night of rest. Behind her was County Princess Jia Xi.

“What does Ke’er need my seal for?” Princess Ping Hu asked, standing in the doorway with Yan Zhi’s support.

“Your Highness, Prince An has led the War Cavalry Camp through the Chang Xin Gate and has currently seized control of two city gates. His Highness the Crown Prince has taken the opportunity to stage a coup, surrounding the imperial palace. The Emperor’s status is uncertain, and the city’s Five Military Departments are in complete disarray, unsure whose orders to follow. Thus, His Highness Prince An requests the use of Eldest Princess’ seal to reorganise the city’s Five Military Departments and combine forces to lift the siege on the palace and rescue His Majesty.”

Gu Yu Qi glanced at Princess Ping Hu upon hearing this. Her earlier suspicions were confirmed. The breach of the capital and the Eldest Princess’ residence were no mere coincidences but part of an inevitable plot. His Highness the Crown Prince had indeed seized the opportunity to make his move during the chaos. Their attack on the Eldest Princess’ estate was likely aimed at securing the Eldest Princess’ seal. As the Eldest Princess’ fief lay within the capital’s boundaries, her seal held the authority to command all officials and troops within the city. This was why Yun Xuan had sought to control her at the first opportunity during the turmoil.

The Eldest Princess’s face turned pale as she listened, followed by a long sigh, “Xuan’er is too reckless! How could he do such a thing?!” She turned to Gu Yu Qi, “Yu Qi, do you have horses here?”

“Yes,” Gu Yu Qi replied calmly. She had purchased this courtyard with all contingencies in mind, equipping it with everything necessary, including horses and even a cellar.

“Then lend me two horses. This princess will go personally,” the Eldest Princess said slowly.

“Your Highness, the streets are too chaotic,” Wang Yan immediately objected, cupping his fists in protest.

“No, don’t try to dissuade this princess,” The Eldest Princess raised her delicate hand, cutting off Wang Yan’s words, “This princess is fully aware of the situation outside, but His Majesty is this princess’ own younger brother, and the Crown Prince is also this princess’ nephew. How can this princess possibly sit here idly? When the nest is overturned, no egg remains intact. This princess has been the Eldest Princess for so many years, yet this princess has never truly done anything significant for His Majesty. Let this princess go with you. This princess must personally see His Majesty rescued safely, only then will this princess feel at ease.” The Eldest Princess’ expression was solemn, and though she was dressed plainly in a simple azure robe, her innate dignity and majesty were unyielding, commanding deference from all around her.

“Understood.” Wang Yan knew there was no persuading her. Perhaps with the Eldest Princess personally intervening, matters might indeed proceed more smoothly.

“This civilian girl will accompany Your Highness,” Gu Yu Qi said, cupping her fists in earnest. Prince An must not fail, and the Eldest Princess must not die either. Her mother was still in Ximu Alley. If Prince An were to fail, all her previous efforts would amount to nothing, and her mother was still awaiting treatment from an imperial physician. Should Yun Xuan truly succeed, he would undoubtedly eradicate all who opposed him. Yun Yi and Yun Ke would be implicated, dragging the entire Ding Yuan Marquis’ residence down along with them. Gu Yu Qi still required her identity as the legitimate daughter of the Marquis’ family and her status as Prince An’s concubine to invite an imperial physician. For now, Yun Ke could not be in any trouble for now.

The Eldest Princess gazed intently at Gu Yu Qi for a moment, then smiled faintly, “Very well. With you by this princess’ side, this princess feels reassured.”

Wang Yan, on the other hand, felt like he was going crazy… Do these two even realise the current situation outside? War! It was a battlefield! Fine, one was the Eldest Princess and the other was Gu Yu Qi. Neither was someone he could afford to offend. Since they both insisted on going, then they would go. At worst, if Gu Yu Qi met with misfortune, he was prepared to offer his own life.

“Ling’er, you stay here and wait,” the Eldest Princess said to Prince Fu, “If this aunt doesn’t return, at least there’ll be someone to gather this aunt’s remains.” She then turned to County Princess Jia Xi, “Take good care of His Highness Prince Fu.”

“Understood,” Jia Xi nodded solemnly.

“Aunt,” Yun Ling stepped forward, gripping the Eldest Princess’ hand tightly, his voice choked with emotion, “You will be safe.”

“Good child, this aunt will take your kind words to heart,” the Eldest Princess smiled warmly at Yun Ling, patting the back of his hand in reassurance, “Wait here for this aunt to return for you.”

“Your Highness, this servant requests to accompany the Eldest Princess to ensure her safety,” Du Xia said to Yun Ling with cupped fists.

“Go ahead,” Yun Ling said, nodding. This person had been sent by Yun Ke to protect him, but now he was relatively safe here and it was the Eldest Princess who required support.

“Thank you, Your Highness,” Du Xia replied, cupping his fists again before taking his place behind the Eldest Princess.

Yan Zhi had already fetched the horses from the backyard, four in total. Gu Yu Qi left Bai Fu and Ran Mo behind to protect Yun Ling. With Bai Fu opening the side door, the four spirited horses galloped out of the civilian residence in Yingzi Alley under the soft glow of dawn.

The Eldest Princess sat astride her horse, surveying the chaos along the streets of the capital. Her heart sank into a pit of despair. This was the city where she had lived her entire life. The once-bustling and splendid capital was now shrouded in deathly silence. At the street corners and alleys, soldiers of the War Cavalry Camp were still fighting scattered bands of thieves. The clang of weapons and the cries of combat echoed incessantly.

The thieves roaming the streets were disorganised and no match for the well-trained War Cavalry Camp. However, they were dispersed everywhere. If they were not decisively eradicated, they would continue to wander and commit atrocities. These men were desperate criminals with no regard for morality. After breaching the capital, Yun Ke had been forced to allocate a large portion of his troops to eliminate these stragglers, ensuring they would not become a lingering threat.

Gu Yu Qi guarded Princess Ping Hu as they entered the yamen of the city’s Five Military Departments. The scene inside was one of utter chaos. Bloodstains and corpses were strewn across the floors and walls. Furniture, once neatly arranged, now lay scattered as if the place had been hastily ransacked.

“Where is your superior?!” The main gate of the yamen was wide open, and people were hurrying about, carrying items. Everyone seemed too preoccupied to pay attention to the newcomers. Wang Yan grabbed a man dressed like a yamen runner and questioned him.

The man glanced at Wang Yan with a dazed expression, shook his head, and continued struggling with a heavy chest that seemed beyond his strength to carry alone.

“Where is Qu Li?! Bring him here to see this princess!” Princess Ping Hu’s sharp voice thundered, which startled Gu Yu Qi who was accustomed to seeing Princess Ping Hu’s dignified and refined demeanour. Only now did Gu Yu Qi realise Princess Ping Hu could command a voice loud enough to shake walls.

The Princess’s shout summoned a junior official dressed in blue from within.

He had seen the Eldest Princess before. The moment he saw the Eldest Princess, he dropped to his knees in a panic, “This humble servant greets Your Highness.”

“Where is Qu Li?!” the Eldest Princess demanded, her brows furrowed.

“Master is inside,” the official stammered, unsure whether to continue kneeling or rush to summon Qu Li, his movements growing increasingly frantic.

Someone relayed the message inside, and soon Qu Li appeared, hurrying over. His armour was smeared with bl00d, and his arms were covered in bruises, wrapped in white bandages and hanging in a sling around his neck. His face bore bruises, dark smudges, and scratches, and he carried a large sabre in his hand. It was clear he had been busy throughout the night.

“Your humble servant pays respects to the Eldest Princess!” Qu Li was about to kneel when the Eldest Princess impatiently waved her hand, “Do not waste time with formalities!” she snapped, “Rally your men and follow me into the palace to break the siege of the capital!”

“This…” Qu Li hesitated for a moment.

“What do you mean, ‘this’?” Gu Yu Qi suddenly chuckled softly, her eyes sharp, “Lord Qu seems to be in high spirits.”

“Huh?” Qu Li raised his gaze towards Gu Yu Qi.

“If I’m not mistaken, that item isn’t something that belongs to the city’s Five Military Departments, is it?” Gu Yu Qi said lightly, pointing to a chest scattered near the entrance of the yamen. Wang Yan glanced at the chest, then silently drew his sword.

A flash of malice flickered in Qu Li’s eyes. Without warning, he raised his sabre and lunged towards the Eldest Princess. The metallic clang of weapons rang out as Wang Yan blocked the strike mid-air. The sudden attack startled Princess Ping Hu. She pulled on the reins, causing her horse to rear back with a sharp whinny.

“Qu Li, you! How dare you rebel!” Though shaken, Princess Ping Hu was no stranger to danger, having grown up in the palace. Her voice thundered with fury.

“Hand over the command token, you wretched old widow!” Qu Li sneered, dodging Wang Yan’s counterstrike as he swung his sabre again. At that moment, dozens of men disguised as soldiers emerged from the yamen, charging at Gu Yu Qi and the Eldest Princess.

Gu Yu Qi had long been on guard. The city’s Five Military Departments controlled the city gates, and with them closed at night, the ease with which the invaders had breached the city suggested an inside collaborator. So on the way here, Gu Yu Qi had already suspected that some within the city’s Five Military Departments might already have pledged their loyalty to Yun Xuan. Her suspicions were confirmed the moment she noticed the ornate chest in the courtyard. That chest was not from the city’s Five Military Departments. It was small, intricate, and adorned with gemstones. Which government office would use such a gorgeous box to store things? It looked like something from a wealthy residence in the capital.

This chest was likely looted from someone else’s residence. Another chest being dragged by a soldier just now looked ordinary but was incredibly heavy. Ordinary documents from the city’s Five Military Departments would not be so heavy. It was likely filled with gold and silver.

The city’s Five Military Departments were not only rebelling, but was also taking advantage of the chaos to plunder!