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

Chapter 377 I'm guarding Your Highness, where are you going?

The night dew grew heavier, dampening the hem of Cui Zhihao's robes and carrying a chilling sensation.

As he escorted Shen Yanzhou into this secluded alley, the sounds of fighting around them had faded considerably, leaving only the whistling of the wind through the narrow alley and the faint clash of weapons in the distance, reminding everyone that the danger was not yet over.

This house is one of the few two-story buildings in the area. Although the courtyard wall is not high, the wooden door is sturdy. There is an old locust tree in the yard, and its branches and leaves rustle in the night wind.

Shen Yanzhou was helped into the main room by several imperial guards. He had been working hard for days and had just gone through this ordeal. His face showed signs of exhaustion. However, when he sat down, his eyes still habitually swept over the furnishings in the room with a hint of wariness.

Cui Zhihao stood guard at the door, his brows furrowing slightly as he watched the Imperial Guards standing on either side of the door and window.

The guards of the Eastern Palace were originally elite, but they were weakened by the daytime fire and the battle that had just taken place on the high walls.

Now, only a handful of people remain by the Crown Prince's side, and all of them are injured. They are all leaning against the wall, panting, clearly at their last gasp.

Although these imperial guards looked spirited, they were outnumbered and outgunned. If another assassin followed their trail, they might not be able to protect His Highness.

He paced back and forth in front of the door a few times, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the jade pendant at his waist.

Although Lin Shuai has stabilized the battle situation, the men in black came suspiciously and acted ruthlessly. Who knows if they have any other tricks up their sleeves?

His Highness the Crown Prince remaining here is ultimately a hidden danger.

Just as I was pondering this, a series of hurried footsteps suddenly came from the alley entrance, accompanied by low shouts.

Cui Zhihao's heart tightened, and he instinctively stood in front of the door, shouting sharply, "Who is it?"

"it's me!"

A young voice rang out, tinged with urgency.

Cui Zhihao looked closely and saw Lin Yiyu dressed in a tight-fitting outfit, walking quickly towards them with four or five servants.

Lin Yiyu is Lin Yongnan's eldest son. He has a lively personality, but his face is full of anxiety. When he sees Cui Zhihao, he immediately quickens his pace.

"Brother Cui!"

Lin Yiyu rushed forward and was about to barge in when Cui Zhihao stopped him.

"Fang Wen, what brings you here?"

Choi Ji-ho frowned and lowered his voice.

Fang Wen is Lin Yiyu's courtesy name, but in front of outsiders, Cui Zhihao still habitually calls him by his courtesy name.

Lin Yiyu was stopped and stamped his feet in frustration. His eyes darted around the courtyard, but he didn't see the person he was looking for. He became even more anxious: "Brother Cui, where is Sister Shi? Where is His Highness the Crown Prince?"

"There was a huge commotion outside. I heard something was wrong at home, so I brought my men over!"

As he spoke, he reached out to grab Choi Ji-ho's arm, trying to force his way in.

Cui Zhihao stepped aside, raised his hand to straighten his sleeves that had been ruffled by the wind, and said in a calm but authoritative tone: "Your sister Shi is fine. Commander Lin has already brought people over to provide support, and she is helping the doctor treat the wounded in the back."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the nervous servants behind Lin Yiyu, and then said, "His Highness the Crown Prince is also well and is resting inside."

"Your father is a pillar of the nation, and he's giving orders right now. Why aren't you at home? What are you doing out here causing trouble?"

Upon hearing the word "father," Lin Yiyu instinctively shrank back, a barely perceptible hint of fear flashing in his eyes.

His father was always strict with him, and if he were caught here, he would be scolded without a doubt.

But then she thought about it again and realized something was wrong, so she quickly asked, "Then... I can't just go back like this, can I?"

"Who said you could go back?"

Looking at his expression, Choi Ji-ho felt both angry and amused, and patted him on the shoulder.

"You've come at the right time. There are only a few Imperial Guards here; that's probably not enough."

"You and your men stay here, never leaving the house. No one is allowed near the main house, including me, understand?"

Lin Yiyu breathed a sigh of relief and patted his chest, saying, "Don't worry, Brother Cui! Can't I handle this little thing?"

But as soon as he agreed, he seemed to remember something, and his eyes widened.

"Wait a minute, what about you?"

Cui Zhihao rolled his eyes at him and turned to leave: "Of course I'm going to check on your sister Shi in the back and lend a hand. I can't let her, a woman, run around there all by herself."

"I am coming too!"

Lin Yiyu immediately chimed in, saying he was about to follow.

"I can bandage too! Last time I went to the military camp with my dad, I even learned how to treat arrow wounds!"

Choi Ji-ho stopped and looked back at him.

Lin Yiyu's eyes were full of urgency, and his cheeks were slightly flushed from running, showing a youthful sincerity.

Choi Ji-ho was silent for a moment, then finally sighed: "Fine, come with me."

"But remember, once we get there, follow my instructions. Don't run around or make any noise that might disturb the wounded."

"I know, I know!"

Lin Yiyu nodded hurriedly, afraid that Cui Zhihao would change his mind, and immediately turned to give instructions to the people behind him.

"You guys, keep watch here! Keep your eyes peeled, and call me immediately if there's any movement!"

"Yes, Master!"

The servants responded in unison and immediately dispersed to guard the courtyard gate and the entrance to the main house, each standing upright and looking somewhat like guards.

Seeing this, Cui Zhihao nodded in satisfaction and turned to walk out of the courtyard.

Lin Yiyu quickly followed, keeping pace with him, and asked in a low voice, "Brother Cui, where did those men in black come from?"

"They set fire to East Street during the day and then attempt an assassination at night. This is outrageous!"

Choi Ji-ho continued walking, his voice even lower: "It's still unclear right now."

But the fire of day and the thorns of night are no coincidence.

Your father ordered them to be kept alive because he wanted to get some information out of them.

He paused, his gaze fixed on the direction where the firelight flickered in the distance. From there, he could faintly hear shouts of battle, though not as intense as before, they still carried a bloody stench.

"It seems that the capital city is about to undergo a major upheaval."

Lin Yiyu felt a chill run down his spine upon hearing this, and the playful expression on his face faded considerably, replaced by a serious look.

Although he was young, he knew the weight of those words.

The crown prince is the foundation of the nation. The successive incidents in the Eastern Palace must be related to a huge conspiracy.

The two traveled quickly and soon arrived at the temporary wounded soldiers' camp at the rear.

This place was originally a secluded courtyard on East Street. Now it was brightly lit, and two doctors were busy tending to the wounded. Shi Wei was also among them.

She was dressed in a moon-white ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), with the sleeves rolled up to her forearms, revealing her slender yet strong wrists. She was using strips of cloth to bandage an injured guard, her movements swift and focused, her face showing no trace of her usual gentleness.

"Sister Shi!"

Lin Yiyu saw her and immediately called out.

Shi Wanxia looked up when she heard the voice, saw them, and a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, but she quickly regained her composure.

He merely nodded slightly to them as a greeting, but his hands continued moving.

Choi Ji-ho stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over the wounded men filling the courtyard, his brows furrowing even more deeply.

The ground was littered with people, including guards from the Eastern Palace and soldiers of the Imperial Guards, all covered in blood, groaning incessantly. The air was thick with the stench of blood and herbs, making one's chest feel heavy.

"How is it here?" Cui Zhihao asked Shi Wei in a low voice.

Shi Wanxia had just finished tying the last knot when she raised her hand to wipe the sweat from her forehead. Her voice was tinged with fatigue: "Fortunately, most of them are superficial wounds. It's just that there are too many wounded soldiers and we're running out of medicine."

She paused, then looked at Choi Ji-ho, "Has His Highness the Crown Prince been settled?"

"Yes, with Lin Yiyu and his men guarding the area, it's safe for now."