was frugal and reluctant to light lamps. Once it got dark, besides sleeping, there was nothing else she could do.So he didn't know what happened in the courtyard, nor did he know that his daughter-in...Fang Jinshi fanned the medicine stove with a fan, and the vast Wuding Hou Mansion was silent. All she could hear were the crackling sounds of firewood burning in the stove from time to time. What a peaceful night.

Even Lao Tian Baoyun's brain, like this peaceful night, would return to normal by tomorrow morning, and nothing would happen.

She was not a believer in gods and Buddhas, but now she could only pray to Buddha for protection here. There was nothing else she could do.

This feeling of helplessness was too much for Fang Jinshu to bear.

At the back of the hut, a figure in black had crept close. Zhao Yun felt rather embarrassed; his stomach was growling with hunger. But with the general still lying inside, unconscious and his fate uncertain, he hesitated to eat so freely here.

Zong Bai saw his worry and directly stuffed the beef jerky and hardtack into his hand.

"Eat, you'll need your strength to stay up all night. You can't possibly stand guard on an empty stomach. What if something happens and we need General Zhao to step in"

Zhuge Yun was a very obedient person. He felt that Zong Bai's words made sense and immediately erased the discomfort he had in his heart. He picked up the dry food and beef jerky and started eating.

Everything at Jinxiu Mountain Villa is so delicious, even the rations and beef jerky are better than anything he's ever had before.

Those who have served in the military for a long time eat quickly, especially when the food is really good. Zhao Yun finished a catty of beef jerky and two large flatbreads in half a cup of tea's time, clean and dry. After finishing his meal, he burped contentedly and smiled sheepishly, asking Zong Bai.

"Little Zong, besides dry rations did you bring water I'm a bit choked up."

To his astonishment, Zong Bai reflexively reached for the water pouch at his waist and handed it to him.

Zhao Yun could be considered to have eaten and drunk his fill. The water infused with spiritual spring not only tasted exceptionally sweet, but also had the effect of replenishing his energy.

"You know what, after a good meal, you feel so much more energetic."

Just now, I still felt a bit tired, but now I feel full of energy all over. I could even run around the Wuding Hou Mansion three laps!

Zong Bai smiled and didn't speak. His sister-in-law's spring water wasn't something ordinary, he wouldn't give it to just anyone.

"As long as you're strong, General Xiao Zhao, thank you for guarding all night."

As soon as Zong Bai's voice fell, Zhao Yun's smile vanished from his face, replaced by a look of extreme caution.

"Psst! Someone's here."

Zong Bai froze in place, unable to move. He held his breath, his only movement being the swiveling of his two eyes as he observed his surroundings.

Zhao Yun pulled him aside into the thick grass, using the dense, untamed weeds to conceal their figures.

"Young Master Xiaozong, I'll hold them back later. You take my token and leave the house to go to the city defense camp to find Deputy General Wang and ask him to send reinforcements."

Zhao Yun's expression was solemn, Zong Bai sensed something was amiss. He had heard from his elder brother about Zhao Yun's martial arts prowess, which was considered top-notch among young warriors. He should be able to handle two or three masters on his own.

These people are probably not ordinary, or he wouldn't have sent for reinforcements.

"General Xiao Zhao, the safety of my elder brother and sister-in-law is entrusted to you."

"Don't worry, Master Zong will take care of his safety."

After Zhao Yun finished speaking, his figure flashed and disappeared. Zong Bai hid in the grass, paying close attention to the movements outside. Soon he heard the sound of fighting.

Since there were no lanterns in the Wu Ding Hou Mansion, he could only rely on Zhao Yun's sword light flashing during their fight to judge their positions.

They fought right next to the big brother's house. These people really came for the big brother, the sister-in-law's premonition came true again!

After the sword light moved away from this area, Zong Bai hurried to the gate. His eyes could see farther in the dark than ordinary people, and his extraordinary memory had already memorized the layout of the Marquis's mansion when he was looking for his elder brother during the day.

The assassin recognized the path well, and in a short while he found the main entrance. He rushed up to open the door and go out.

Zong Bai pulled the door hard, several times but found it wouldn't open. At first he thought he was just too eager and hadn't opened it properly. He took a closer look and pulled twice more, but at this moment he heard the sound of the chain.

He reached out and felt through the crack in the door. It turned out someone had hung a chain outside the door, locking the main gate of the Marquis Wu Ding's mansion shut.

Damn it! Those guys in black must have done it.

He didn't even care who sent them now, he only knew they were prepared and his older brother couldn't move. There was only General Xiao Zhao here who could deal with them, but two fists can't fight four hands.

If he cannot bring reinforcements as soon as possible, General Xiao Zhao will not be able to hold out, and the consequences would be unimaginable!

Zong Bai was burning with anger, but he knew that anger was useless now.

There must be another way. He turned and ran toward the back door, but it too was locked.

He angrily kicked the door, these bastards, as expected, came prepared!

No, he can't let anger override reason.

Zong Bai took two deep breaths, closed his eyes and began to replay the entire Hou Mansion map in his mind. Such a large Hou Mansion couldn't possibly only have these two exits; there must be some small doors somewhere.

Suddenly, inspiration struck him. He remembered the small kitchen he had seen earlier while walking through the main courtyard.

Generally, the masters of large households would build a small kitchen separately in their own courtyard. To avoid overlapping with the household's expenses, these people would pay out of pocket and send someone to buy ingredients separately.

Since they could have their own small kitchen, wouldn't it be too much trouble to buy things through the main gate

Zong Bai, with a try-it-out mentality, went over and sure enough, found a small secret door behind the tiny kitchen.

This place not only provides convenience for individual shopping trips, but also serves as an escape route in case of danger.

This hidden door was made of stone slabs inside, and you could open it by pushing the other side hard. It would close again once you removed the force.

Zong Bai was overjoyed and hurriedly pushed open the stone gate. Sure enough, he could come out.

After leaving the Marquis Wuding's mansion, he ran nonstop towards the city gate. There wasn't a single commoner on the streets of the city tonight, and most of the shops lining the streets were also closed.

He felt a bit strange but didn't think much of it. It seemed like finding a carriage was out of the question, so he could only run there.

When Zhao Yun arrived, he found the group of black-clad men attempting to infiltrate Zong Yu's hut, carrying flammable oil in their hands.

He was quick on the draw, using his sword to snatch the flaming oil from the man's hand and toss it into the lake. He then engaged them in a fierce fight.

Fang Jinxiu heard the sound of fighting ahead and her first reaction was to hug the medicine cauldron and run back into her room, taking out all sorts of self-defense items and placing them around her.

Her goddamn intuition was never wrong, she didn't know if that was a good thing or a bad thing.

This old stubborn Yuan Buyu, it seems he really treats them as thorns in his side, a flesh wound, absolutely not letting go of any opportunity to get rid of them.ince.This was the first time she had spoken to Zong Bai in such a cold and severe tone."It's useless.""Too hard to look at.""Without your elder brother at home, is this how you support the family""Fac...