Chapter 279 — Blocking the Way
Purple Streets of Chang'an · Page 4 of 4
The guards of Yizhi Hall saluted Song Yan, yet each remained at his post, attending to his duty.
Only then did Song Yan feel somewhat better.
Paying no mind that these men were merely guards of Yizhi Hall, he asked urgently, "Where is the Madam?"
"The Madam has already retired!" one guard said with a smile. "She said she would go over to the Yingzhen Ducal House this morning to gather the serving women and say a few words to them. Master Yan told us to escort the Madam over when the time comes."
Song Yan drew a deep breath, and only then discovered that his palms were slick with sweat.
A guard could not help saying, "Young Master, what a pity you were not at home to see it. The Madam truly is a woman surpassing any man. With only a few young servants and the women of the inner courtyard, she held the line fast and never let those thieves force their way through the hanging-flower gate..."
Song Yan's heart gave a leap. "What exactly happened?"
The guards all began talking at once.
Setting fires to signal for help, scalding men with boiling water... each telling it with shining eyes and great relish.
With such a young madam, they too felt a glow of pride.
A heartfelt smile of delight slowly spread across Song Yan's face, so radiant that even the dawn glow just rising at the horizon seemed to pale with shame.
The guards had never seen Song Yan like this, and could only stare dumbstruck, their words losing all coherence.
Yan Che, having gotten word, came out from the study nearby.
"Young Master!" He saluted Song Yan.
A smile brimmed in Song Yan's eyes and brows. "Thank you for your troubles, Master." His gaze swept past behind him, and he said in a low voice, "Where is everyone else?"
Yan Che said, "Xia Lian took your card and went to the Shuntian Prefecture to see whether anything can be learned from the officials. Zhu Yicheng and the others are searching the vicinity to ensure Yizhi Hall's safety. I feared word might reach Yunqi Temple and cause worry there, so I sent Wu Yi to reassure Old Master Dou. As for Du Wei and Lu Ming, we must wait for your return."
Du Ming gathered intelligence, while Lu Ming trained Yizhi Hall's retainers.
※
To all the sisters and brothers reading this, here is the update first; Chongchong will catch the typos in a moment.
ps: I have read the comments, and thank you all for your concern. The stone is in my kidney, yet I rarely eat soy products and still came down with this illness—it may have to do with my not liking to drink water. As everyone says, I really must exercise more... Only when ill does one know the value of health; from now on I must adjust my daily routine.
o(n_n)o~
※