Chapter 223: True or False
Chapter 223
"Initiating transfer!"
"Transfer countdown... ten, nine, eight..."
As the system's voice rang out, Gu Sang quickly lost consciousness.
The Imperial Palace.
Since Pei Changying had led troops to South City, the Imperial Palace had become much quieter.
Consort Li also had more opportunities to contact her family.
Although the Li family didn't hold any high positions at court, Consort Li's natal family were imperial merchants and didn't lack for money.
Taking advantage of the Emperor's absence from the palace, the Li family bribed a eunuch to establish communication with Consort Li.
In her discussions with the Li family, Consort Li revealed plans to send Grandma Gu to the Li family, who would then use their merchant caravan to smuggle Grandma Gu to Plague City.
Once Grandma Gu reached Plague City, she would be absolutely safe!
That night, a few stars surrounded the moon, which shone with a dim, lackluster light.
Consort Li disguised Grandma Gu's appearance and instructed her:
"Grandma Gu, I'll have someone escort you out of the palace soon, then my family will take you to Plague City."
"The Elder Princess in Plague City is good friends with Gu Sang. Once you reach Plague City, the Elder Princess will notify Gu Sang, and then you'll be able to go home."
"You'll be safe once you reach Plague City!"
"On the journey, don't trust anyone!"
Over the past few days, Grandma Gu had learned much about this dynasty from Consort Li, including that Pei Changying was constantly trying to capture her.
He wanted to use her to pressure Gu Sang and the Elder Princess into surrendering.
Her precious granddaughter had become so powerful now.
As her grandmother, how could she become a burden?
Grandma Gu clutched Consort Li's hand, saying worriedly, "What about you if I leave?"
"Child, can't you come with me? If you stay in this man-eating palace, you'll eventually be tortured to death."
Consort Li shook her head and smiled, a smile both bitter and resigned.
She looked up, forcing back her tears: "Grandma Gu, I can't leave. If I escape from the palace, my family will suffer because of me."
"It's a crime punishable by the execution of the entire clan. I can't be so selfish."
"Grandma Gu, don't worry about me. I won't let myself be tortured to death so easily. Once you escape, the Elder Princess and Gu Sang will have no more worries. They'll be able to march straight into the capital, and only then will I truly be free!"
Grandma Gu tearfully looked at this pale-faced girl with such determined eyes, and embraced Consort Li affectionately.
"You've suffered so much, child."
Hearing Grandma Gu's caring and loving words nearly made Consort Li lose control of her tears. She fought back the urge to cry and gently returned Grandma Gu's embrace.
Girls living in ancient times rarely felt such a powerful and genuine maternal love. Perhaps it existed, but not often.
Because above their heads, there was always pressure from society.
No matter how carefully nurtured a young lady might be, the ultimate goal was simply to marry her off for the family's benefit. How much love could there really be in that?
Tap, tap, tap—
Footsteps sounded.
The person coming to help had arrived outside. Consort Li carefully sent Grandma Gu out.
Consort Li instructed, "Make sure to personally escort her to the Li Family's Private Residence."
"Yes, my lady. This servant understands."
Consort Li took off the bracelet from her wrist and gave it to the eunuch.
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Upon receiving the bracelet, the eunuch's eyes lit up, and he immediately broke into a smile, patting his chest as he assured Consort Li that he would definitely deliver Grandma Gu safely to the Li Family's Private Residence.
Consort Li stood in the courtyard, watching as Grandma Gu and the eunuch walked away.
She silently prayed to the heavens: God, please let Grandma Gu return safely to Plague City!
Meanwhile, after discussing strategies with Zhou Qichen and others, the Elder Princess decided to risk sneaking into South City to test whether Grandma Gu was real or not.
Upon hearing that the Elder Princess wanted to personally conduct a night raid, General Qin was the first to object.
"Impossible! Elder Princess, let me handle this task. You absolutely cannot go. They have surely prepared traps there."
The Elder Princess calmly replied, "Do you know Grandma Gu? Are you familiar with her?"
General Qin was immediately at a loss for words and shook his head.
He truly wasn't familiar with her. Although he had seen her in the future, he didn't know the details about her.
He didn't have the ability to determine whether that old lady was real or fake.
The Elder Princess said solemnly, "Don't worry, I also have tasks for you to do. General Qin, you must remain in command of the army, maintaining the illusion that I'm still in the military camp to prevent anyone from spying on us."
"Zhou Qichen, prepare a few special forces soldiers to pretend to conduct a night raid for reconnaissance. You don't need to fight them to the death; as soon as you're discovered, your men can retreat!"
"They will never imagine that the real night raider is just me alone."
Zhou Qichen asked, "If the person inside is really Grandma Gu, how will you get out?"
"Then we'll just have to wait until we can rescue Grandma Gu. If it's fake, that makes things even easier!"
"In any case, wait for my signal!"
Regarding the Elder Princess's arrangements, General Qin wanted to object further, but seeing that Zhou Qichen hadn't spoken up again, he could only follow orders.
The Elder Princess changed into night raid attire and applied makeup to her face. If someone didn't know her, they wouldn't be able to recognize her as the Elder Princess at all.
After all preparations were complete, at the dead of night when the moonlight was dim and lackluster, Zhou Qichen led the special forces to quietly infiltrate South City.
After entering South City with them, the Elder Princess separated to act alone.
She was by herself, not an obvious target, and tonight's moonlight was suitable for hiding. She wasn't in a hurry to find Gu Sang's Grandma, but first observed the layout of South City and found a courtyard.
There was no one inside; the inhabitants had probably moved away long ago, and the rooms were covered in cobwebs.
The Elder Princess waited and waited, finally hearing chaos break out in the city.
This meant that Zhou Qichen's special forces team had been discovered.
The Elder Princess continued to hide in the courtyard, waiting until the city gradually calmed down before she began to move.
Leaving the courtyard and walking through an alley, she saw night patrol soldiers approaching. The Elder Princess hid herself in a tree, waiting until the last soldier was about to leave before quickly knocking him unconscious. She dragged him into the alley and silently killed him with a dagger, then changed into the soldier's clothes.
The Elder Princess went to the northern granary and set it on fire.
"Fire! Quick, put out the fire!"
The Elder Princess shouted, attracting people to come and fight the fire.
She took the opportunity to run to the commander's tent to report.
"General, there's a fire at the northern granary. The fire is fierce and strange."
The commander was about to go look when he suddenly heard the Elder Princess's lowered voice. He abruptly stopped.
"Strange? Indeed! The weather isn't hot, so how could the northern granary suddenly catch fire?"
"Could there still be rebels hiding here, trying to take advantage of the chaos to rescue someone?"
The Elder Princess, dressed as a soldier with her head lowered, said in a low voice, "Ah? Has the place where people are hidden been discovered?"