Thousand Miles of Bright Moonlight - Chapter 154.2

He had initially thought this might be another test.

The guard stood frozen for a moment. Sultan Gu had already carried Yaoying swiftly into the house. The guard came to his senses, led the horse into the porch, closed the gate, then followed into the main hall. He hesitated and decided not to enter the inner chamber, standing silently beyond the screen instead.

Sultan Gu entered the southern chamber in a few quick steps. He gently set Yaoying down, lowered his eyes, and carefully pulled up her sleeve. His fingers rested lightly on her fair, slender wrist.

Yao Ying shivered, alternating between feverish heat and chills.

Sultan Gu’s gaze settled on the fine beads of sweat gathering on her forehead. He retracted his fingers, rose, and stepped outside the screen into the outer hall. He asked the guard, “Did everyone make it out of the city?”

The guard cupped his fists. “Reporting to the Regent, back at the posthouse, the guards of Prince Jin Bo and the dancing girls suddenly launched an attack on the young prince. Following your earlier orders, the commander protected the Prince and escaped. Fearing more assassins in the city, they left for outside immediately. Only this subordinate and Alanruo remained here to await Your Grace.”

Before entering the city, Sultan Gu had given strict instructions: if anything went wrong, everyone was to withdraw from Gaochang’s royal city. If the city was under lockdown with nowhere safe to go, they were to regroup at this courtyard. Alanruo was the one assigned to watch over this courtyard.

Earlier that evening, after Sultan Gu’s and the others had left, while the hall was still filled with music and dancing, the dancers in the posthouse hall, twirling gracefully, suddenly flicked their arms. Bright daggers slid from their sleeves, and they lunged at the drunken Jin Bo.

Jin Bo’s guards reacted at once, drawing their blades to meet them. Blood splattered everywhere and in an instant swords and knives gleamed throughout the hall. The Hu merchants, who had been watching the singing and dancing, fled hugging their heads scurrying like rats; some screamed, some wailed, some cursed, some shouted. The scene was utter chaos.

Just as Jin Bo was about to be struck down by the dancing Hu girl’s blade, Xie Qing had drawn her sword without hesitation and rushed forward, saving Jin Bo in the nick of time. Xie Chong and the other guards helped subdue the Hu dancers.

Jin Bo, nearly drenched in his own blood, was left shaken but still drunk. Clutching Xie Qing’s arm, he exclaimed loudly: “Many thanks to this brave warrior for saving my life!”

Xie Qing’s face was like stone. She flung Jin Bo’s hand aside. The surrounding guards burst into laughter.

But just then, disaster struck again. One of Jin Bo’s own guards suddenly raised his blade and slashed towards his master!

Everyone in the hall was stunned speechless. In the next instant, several other Northern Rong guards sprung into action. Taking advantage of the stunned onlookers, they slashed at their unsuspecting companions. Severed heads rolled across the floor like scattered melons. Blood painted the floor.

Jin Bo received a slash across his arm and blood spurted wildly. This time he sobered up completely, screaming in terror.

At that moment, the sound of galloping hooves and the twang of bowstrings came from outside the inn.

The Hu merchants had long since fled in every direction.

Xie Qing and the others exchanged glances. They now suspected that Jin Bo’s personal guards had fully betrayed him, and judging by the ambush, there were accomplices outside. The inn was no longer safe. Without any more hesitation, they grabbed Jin Bo and rushed out.

A few guards stayed behind. They warned the people from the Royal Court to flee the city as soon as possible, then set fire to the inn to signal Sultan Gu and the others, lest they walked straight into a trap upon their return.

In the main house, only a single oil lamp flickered, its dim light barely illuminated the patterns on the screen.

Sultan Gu listened to the guard’s brief report of the night’s events and asked,
Are there any maidservants in the residence?”

The guard was taken aback, then shook his head. “This courtyard has always been looked after by Alanruo alone. Other than him, there are only a few horses and two camels. No one else.”

Sultan Gu fell silent for a moment.“Bri ng some hot water.”

With that, he turned and walked around the screen, stepping into the inner room.

The guard froze for a second before understanding: Princess Wenzhao was ill and needed care, but all her attendants had fled the city during the chaos. That was why the Regent was asking if there were any maidservants present.

The guard quickly fetched a copper pot of hot water from Alanruo and brought it to the main house.

“Your Grace… I’ve just spoken with Alanruo. The fire at the posthouse has been extinguished. As for the palace, we don’t know the situation yet. Just now, the city guards went door to door issuing warnings. The city has been placed under martial law, anyone seen outside at night will be arrested and locked up.”

In other words, Li Yaoying would have to endure the night. In the dead of night, not to mention fetching a physician or a maidservant, even the sound of a door unlatching could draw the patrolling guards.

Sultan Gu gave a quiet “Mm” and took the copper pot from his hands. “Fetch clean clothing as well.”

The guard replied, “Lord Regent, there are spare clothes in the residence, but they’re all men’s garments.”

Sultan Gu had already turned back into the inner chamber. His hoarse voice drifted through the screen: “Bring them.”

The guard acknowledged the order, gathered some clean garments, fresh bedding, and towels. He and Alanruo carried in several large buckets of hot water and brought them into the inner room.

Behind the screen, the lamp flame swayed gently like a tiny star.

Sultan Gu stood before the bed, his silhouette lean and upright. The bedcurtains were drawn tightly, hiding the figure within, but the faint outline of a slender woman could still be seen. Her soft, laboured breaths came intermittently.

Alanruo couldn’t help but steal a glance at the bed. In the next instant, he met a gaze which felt like ice-water being poured down his spine.

Sultan Gu’s eyes flicked towards him.

Alanruo shivered involuntarily and quickly lowered his gaze, retreating alongside the guard.

The door closed softly behind them.