Chapter 27

It was still deep into the night, but there was no way to fall asleep.

Old Yue said, "Princess, the false emperor's henchmen are in hot pursuit. It's not safe to stay here. Why don't we travel through the night and reach Ying Shui County as soon as possible to meet up with the reinforcements?"

Princess Dongyang lowered her head and pondered for a moment, then suddenly asked Qin Sang, "Young Master Qin, based on your knowledge, how many assassins has Jiangshan Tower gathered in Sanwu City?"

Qin Sang replied cautiously, "According to my information, there are nearly thirty."

Princess Dongyang nodded, "Let's assume there are thirty assassins. Two were killed by Young Master Qin, and only ten appeared this time. This suggests that our whereabouts have not been completely exposed. The assassins from Jiangshan Tower either split up or were mostly killed by Grandma Li and the others. Old Yue, what if we return to Sanwu City tonight?"

Old Yue was shocked, "Princess, you mustn't! Sanwu City is now a den of tigers and wolves. The Water Governor might have already defected to the false emperor. The other guards have all been assassinated, leaving only a few of us. If we encounter an ambush, even if we fight to the death, we cannot guarantee your safety, and I cannot answer to the Duke!"

Princess Dongyang smiled slightly, "To achieve great things, one cannot be overly cautious. If even Old Yue dares not let me return to Sanwu City, the false emperor's henchmen will never expect it. As for the Water Governor, I don't think he has defected to the false emperor. Otherwise, the false emperor wouldn't resort to such underhanded tactics."

Before Old Yue could speak again, Princess Dongyang shook her head, "Old Yue, there's no need to persuade me further. I have made up my mind. Commander Bai, you and Guard Zhou ride the same horse and take the injured arm back to Sanwu City. There are imperial physicians in the Water Governor's residence. Perhaps they can reattach the limb."

Bai Jianglan quickly responded, "Yes!"

The horses were still there. Princess Dongyang, despite being a woman, showed no sign of weakness. She mounted the horse and rode without stopping, reaching the north gate of Sanwu City by dawn.

Sure enough, they did not encounter any assassins from Jiangshan Tower on the way.

The north gate, like the south gate, had a side entrance open. Qin Sang, familiar with the area, helped Princess Dongyang and the others blend into a merchant caravan. Only Shuimoni's injuries were too obvious, so Qin Sang found a secluded courtyard outside the city to leave him and take care of him. Princess Dongyang, Old Yue, and Bai Jianglan went to meet the Water Governor.

Shuimoni, exhausted and severely injured, fell into a deep sleep.

Qin Sang sat in the courtyard, waiting for news from the princess, alert to any outside movements, ready to flee at any moment.

From the bits and pieces of conversation between Princess Dongyang and Old Yue, Qin Sang could roughly piece together the situation. The false emperor they mentioned was likely the current Emperor of the Great Sui Dynasty. Jiangshan Tower was originally the emperor's people, which explained why they dared to attack the governor in broad daylight.

It was said that the Duke of Dongyang and the current emperor were born of the same mother, with the Duke of Dongyang being the elder brother. After the death of the previous emperor, the younger brother ascended the throne, while the elder brother was demoted to a prince, which was against the norms of propriety.

There were undoubtedly many complications, but outsiders could not know the details.

Now, the Great Sui Dynasty was plagued by natural disasters, and the four northern counties were in rebellion, with countless people raising banners and engaging in warfare, causing chaos.

With the Great Sui Dynasty in turmoil and its foundations unstable, rumors spread among the people that the new emperor was unjust. It seemed that the Duke of Dongyang saw an opportunity and could no longer bear the loneliness. The way Princess Dongyang, Grandma Li, and Old Yue referred to Jiangshan Tower as the false emperor's henchmen was clear evidence.

If the Duke of Dongyang were to raise the banner against the false emperor, the first step would be to win over the Water Governor.

The Water County and Dongyang County were closely linked, one to the west and one to the east, standing together in the south of the Great Sui Dynasty. Without the Water Governor's support, the Duke of Dongyang's rear would be unstable, making it impossible to launch a campaign against the rebels.

Princess Dongyang risked her life to come to Sanwu City alone, probably to persuade the Water Governor. However, the news leaked halfway, and Jiangshan Tower learned of it, ordering an ambush.

Now, the Great Sui Dynasty was filled with hidden currents.

Qin Sang, initially unaware of the situation, had unintentionally boarded the pirate ship of the Duke of Dongyang. There were opportunities to leave, but he chose to stay.

His goal had never changed. He did not care whether the emperor of the Great Sui Dynasty was the Duke of Dongyang or the current emperor. What he wanted was a shortcut to meet his master.

Heroes emerge in times of chaos, and following the Duke of Dongyang in rebellion was undoubtedly a good opportunity.

Now, it all depended on whether Princess Dongyang could persuade the Water Governor.

If she failed, Princess Dongyang would be doomed, and he would not stay to die with her. At worst, he would fight his way out and flee to another country.

By noon, Qin Sang suddenly heard footsteps approaching the small courtyard. He stood up alertly and listened carefully.

Someone was speaking, but it did not sound like a confrontation.

Qin Sang put Yan Wang aside and soon saw the courtyard gate pushed open. Bai Jianglan and an old man carrying a medicine box walked in first, followed by Princess Dongyang and a well-dressed middle-aged man, who were talking warmly, with no signs of distress.

Qin Sang breathed a sigh of relief, called back Yan Wang, and went forward to greet them.

The person talking to Princess Dongyang was the Water Governor himself, and the man beside Bai Jianglan was the imperial physician of the Water Governor's residence. After examining Shuimoni's wound, the physician stroked his long beard, looked at the severed arm for a while, and shook his head, saying, "Your Highness, Princess, this severed arm is severely damaged and has no signs of life. Moreover, too much time has passed, so it cannot be reattached."

Bai Jianglan's eyes darkened.

Princess Dongyang said, "Then please help Guard Zhou stop the bleeding and treat the wound to prevent any further danger to his life."

"Understood!"

The physician opened his medicine box and began treating the wound.

The Water Governor said, "Niece Anning, rest assured. Doctor Wang is a skilled physician and will surely save this brave man's life. I have already prepared a grand feast. Why don't you come to the governor's residence for a meal and rest?"

"Thank you, Uncle," Princess Dongyang bowed, her voice filled with fatigue, "I came to see you secretly, so there's no need for such grandeur. Now that my concerns are resolved, I would like to ask you to send me back to Dongyang County to avoid worrying my father. I am being disobedient, but I hope you understand."

The Water Governor was indignant, "I never expected a mere group of assassins to dare cause trouble in Water County and assassinate a princess. I have already ordered a search throughout the county to eliminate them all and give an account to my brother and Niece Anning! Since Niece Anning insists on returning... Guards, prepare a large ship and arrange a feast on board. Also, order General Zhao Xiang to dispatch his most elite troops to escort the princess back to Dongyang County. If a single hair of the princess is harmed, I will hold him responsible!"

"Yes!"

...

Qin Sang, Bai Jianglan, and Shuimoni rode in the same carriage, with elite troops guarding them. As they passed through Cuiming Mountain, Qin Sang lifted the curtain and took a look outside.

With his own future uncertain, he did not disturb them.

They boarded the ship and sailed down the river, reaching the city of Chun in Dongyang County three days later.

Qin Sang followed Princess Dongyang, escorted by the governor's guards back to the governor's residence. Along the way, he noticed that the customs and scenery of Chun City were quite different from those of Sanwu City.