Even women who travel through time can become prime ministers and nobles.

Chapter 402 Murderous intention

There used to be three places, but the flood submerged two of them, leaving only the one in the west of the city.

Dr. Sun sighed, "But that granary has been empty for a long time. Last winter, Yuan Xiaomiao emptied it out under the guise of 'renovation'."

Shi Wanxia gripped the paper tightly, her knuckles turning white.

Wang Qinian wouldn't say that for no reason; there must be something hidden in this picture.

Just as she was about to ask further questions, she suddenly heard a very faint noise coming from outside the courtyard wall, as if someone had broken a tree branch.

Doctor Sun and Little Stone both fell silent. Shi Wanxia made a shushing gesture, slowly stood up, and took out the short knife that Lin Yiyu had given her from her waist.

The boy said, "It's for my sister to use for self-defense," and at that moment, the hilt of the knife seemed to still retain his warmth.

She walked along the wall to the door, then suddenly pulled it open, only to find no one outside, except for a few fallen leaves being blown by the wind from the alley entrance.

But the fresh footprints on the ground clearly pointed to the depths of the alley.

"They're the people who've been following me."

Shi Wanxia said in a deep voice, "It seems that someone doesn't want me to investigate the matter of the charitable granary."

Doctor Sun's expression changed slightly: "Sir, should we inform the young master?"

"Need not."

Shi Wanxia folded the note and stuffed it into her sleeve. "He's keeping an eye on the remnants of the Yuan family. Don't distract him."

She looked at Little Stone, "Do you know the exact location of the West City Granary?"

Little Stone nodded: "I know, I went to gather herbs with my master before, not far from that mountain valley."

“Okay.” Shi Wanxia’s eyes sharpened. “Take me there.”

As night deepened, lanterns in Chuzhou City lit up one by one, like stars falling on black velvet.

Lin Yiyu stood behind the side gate, watching his soldiers change shifts, but he felt uneasy.

He had just seen Shi Wanxia head south of the city. They had agreed to go to the inn, but she took a long detour. She must be going to investigate something on her own again.

"Boss, should we go and follow the adults?"

The guard beside him noticed his thoughts and asked in a low voice.

Lin Yiyu gripped his sword tightly, his fingertips turning white.

He knew Shi Wanxia's temperament; once she made up her mind, nothing could change it. But he was even more afraid that something might happen to her.

The assassins on the city wall that day are still vivid in my mind; those knives hidden in the shadows were impossible to guard against.

"No."

He took a deep breath, trying to suppress his anxiety. "Proceed according to the original plan. Half an hour later, go to the inn in person to report that everything is fine."

The guards responded and left. Lin Yiyu looked towards the south of the city. The night was as dark as ink, swallowing up the low eaves.

He suddenly felt something was missing from his arms, and then he remembered that he had given the cloak to Shi Wanxia. At that moment, he did feel a bit chilly.

He raised his hand and touched his shoulder, where the force of her slapping him still seemed to linger.

The boy suddenly blushed, but quickly straightened his back, like a poplar tree facing the wind.

"Sister Shi, you must stay safe."

He spoke softly to the night, his voice carrying a tenderness he himself was unaware of.

Meanwhile, outside the West City Granary, Shi Wanxia was hiding behind a broken wall, watching a dozen men in black carry several heavy sacks out of the warehouse.

Moonlight peeked through the clouds, illuminating the grain seeping from the sacks—the disaster relief grain that Yuan Xiaomiao had secretly hoarded!

She gripped the dagger tightly, intending to notify Lin Yiyu outside the city to bring his men, when she heard a cold laugh behind her.

"Lord Shi, it really is you."

Shi Wanxia turned around abruptly and saw Wang Qinian standing in the moonlight, his clothes covered in mud, but holding a dagger in his hand, looking at her with complicated eyes, "You really want to turn Chuzhou upside down?"

The blade was sharp and cold, its gleam appearing even more chilling under the gloomy sky.

Wang Qinian's gloomy face was like thick ink that couldn't be dissolved. He stood still, his gaze fixed on Shi Wanxia, ​​who was being protected by the guards, as if he wanted to devour her alive.

The masked man behind him was clearly a well-trained assassin; his movements were swift and ruthless, and his weapons were aimed straight for vital points, showing no mercy whatsoever.

"kill!"

A deep command came from a masked man, and dozens of men pounced on the enemy like wolves, instantly engaging the Imperial Guards in a fierce battle.

The head guard, Shi Zhanyuan, firmly protected Shi Wanxia behind him, wielding his long sword with impenetrable speed, each swing accompanied by the sound of wind breaking, forcing back the enemies in front of him.

"Protect your lord!"

He shouted in a deep voice, his voice clear and powerful amidst the chaotic sounds of battle.

The Imperial Guards of the capital lived up to their reputation; although caught off guard, they quickly regained their footing.

They had guarded the imperial city year-round, their military bearing was impeccable, and their teamwork was impeccable. Even when facing this group of fearless masked men, they did not lose ground for the time being.

The clanging of steel blades clashing, the dull thud of weapons piercing flesh, the muffled groans of the wounded, and the angry shouts intertwined, composing a sudden and bloody battle.

Shi Wanxia's face was pale, she gripped her sleeves tightly, and her heart was pounding wildly in her chest.

Although she had long served in the imperial court and seen many storms, she had never personally experienced such a close-quarters life-or-death struggle. Every time she saw the imperial guards fall to protect her, her heart clenched tighter.

These guards were all acting on His Majesty's orders. Her southern tour carried not only the imperial mandate but also the hopes and safety of countless people.

"Shi Zhanyuan!"

Shi Wanxia couldn't help but let out a soft cry, her voice trembling slightly.

"Rest assured, my lord! Your subordinate is here!"

Shi Zhanyuan forcefully parried a short knife that was slashing at him, leaving a deep, bone-revealing wound on his arm. Blood flowed down his arm, staining the hilt of the knife red, but the determination in his eyes remained undiminished.

He knew that the longer he and his brothers held on, the safer Lord Shi would be.

However, Wang Qinian brought far too many people, and each of them was fearless and seemed to want nothing more than to perish together with him.

Although the Imperial Guards were brave, their numerical disadvantage gradually became apparent.

A young guard, trying to shield Shi Zhanyuan from a knife attack from the side, screamed in agony as blood gushed from his chest and he slowly collapsed.

Once the breach was opened, more masked men swarmed forward, heading straight for Shi Wanxia.

Shi Zhanyuan was extremely anxious. Ignoring the excruciating pain in his arm, he took a step forward and swept his long sword horizontally, forcing back several people. However, this exposed an opening in his back, and he was struck by one of them, causing him to stagger.

"Captain of the Guards!" a guard exclaimed.

"It doesn't matter!"

Shi Zhanyuan gritted his teeth and endured it, his forehead veins bulging.

"Lord Shi, this place is not safe to stay any longer. Your subordinate will risk his life to protect you and break out of here!"

As Shi Wanxia looked at the dwindling number of guards around her, and at their bloodied and valiant figures, her heart turned cold.

She knew that if things continued like this, everyone would perish.

Wang Qinian's sinister gaze never left her; the resolute look in his eyes made her realize that he was determined to kill her today.

"Wang Qinian! Why are you doing this?"

Shi Wanxia couldn't help but raise her voice to question him, her voice trembling slightly with fear and anger.

"I have no grudge against you. Are you really not afraid of His Majesty's wrath for your actions?"