PROOFREAD BY AFREANA

Chapter 26.2

An Ruochen performed cleverly. Her words at the government office had bluffed the Lord Governor. She was injured, and her chances of successfully escaping alone were low, but she still did it.

Xie Gang frowned. If the spies really kidnapped An Ruofang and controlled An Ruochen, it would mean there was someone who helped and guided her. She acted well in front of the Lord Governor. Naturally, she could also be acting in front of them.

In any case, she did succeed in infiltrating the Purple Cloud House and entering the core of their team to hunt down the spies. She singled out the suspicious people and even mentioned Zhao Jiahua, whom they had already arranged to deal with after they told her the detailed plans.

Big Long looked at Xie Gang’s expression and said: “Did you teach her not to be too vocal? To hide the cleverness when it’s time to hide. Otherwise, it would be easy to backfire and arouse suspicion.”

Only then did Xie Gang understand. He almost fell for a diversionary scheme. Xie Gang said, “I have not taught her this. Miss An was raised in a boudoir and does not understand many things. Today, I only talked about the usual methods used by spies and the up and down line connection routines.”

Big Long nodded: “I’ll give her some pointers then. I can’t make you tired.”

Xie Gang tried very hard to restrain the expression on his face. It sounded so much like an excuse to see a girl, ah. General, you are the most powerful one here. You can see whoever you want to see. Why are you looking for an excuse?

Xie Gang cleared his throat and said seriously. “General, why don’t you go back tomorrow? Miss An is quite busy today.”

Big Long was stunned and narrowed his eyes at him. He still had to wait in line to see An Ruochen. Is that what he meant?

Xie Gang said happily. “General Zong visits Miss An every day, so he should be at her place now.”

Big Long raised his eyebrows.

Ah-choo! Zong Zeqing sneezed loudly. It was a nice day, and he didn’t feel cold, but he sneezed out of nowhere. He rubbed his nose and led An Ruochen into the small hall in the front courtyard.

These days An Zhifu was absent. He could not find a reason to enter the An House. The An House closed its doors and strictly forbade the servants from going out. Based on the gatekeeper’s face and listening to his words, the whole residence was anxious. Everyone was cautious and spoke quietly.

When Zong Zeqing came back and explained it to An Ruochen, she thought about it and asked Zong Zeqing to invite Lu Daniang over to her. Lu Daniang delivered vegetables every day and could enter the An House to talk to the old nanny.

It was a simple matter for Zong Zeqing.

At this time, Lu Daniang waited in the small hall.

Zong Zeqing accompanied An Ruochen to go over there and he observed her walking much more steadily with crutches. Her face looked better. He asked her about her injuries and was still talking when he heard someone coughing lightly. When Zong Zeqing looked over, it was Xie Gang and Big Long.

“The General is back?” Zong Zeqing greeted them.

An Ruochen bent down and saluted, “Greetings, General.”

Big Long raised his eyebrows. “Miss An is quite busy.”

”It’s nothing. I’m taking Miss An to see Madam Lu.” Zong Zeqing enthusiastically answered for An Ruochen, also told the reason for inviting Lu Daniang, and then asked, “Does the General have any orders?”

”Nothing.” Big Long replied.

”Then, we are going.” Zong Zeqing said and looked at Xie Gang: “Brother, what happened to your eyes?”

“Nothing.” Xie Gang smiled at him.

Well, it was good that nothing happened. Zong Zeqing led An Ruochen away.

Big Long headed for the front yard as if nothing had happened and discussed the intentions of the South Qin army deployment and the ploy of the spies with Xie Gang along the way.

In the front courtyard hall, An Ruochen and Lu Daniang spoke alone. Zong Zeqing was embarrassed to eavesdrop, so he stayed outside the room, and then just sneaked around. He was confused. Why are the General and Xie Gang also walking around?

Zong Zeqing dawdled over. “General.”

”Hmm.”

”Free?” Zong Zeqing smiled with a sunny face.

Xie Gang coughed furiously for a while.

Inside the hall, An Ruochen greeted Lu Daniang with a few words. Then she said she needed to stay at the Purple Cloud House for a while and canceled her marriage with the Qian family. She has a new life now and no other concerns with the An House. Only the old nanny still worries her.

She wanted Lu Daniang to help her send a message to the old nanny. The message was that she was fine and that she wanted to ask her nanny not to worry about her anymore, take the pension money that her mother had left for her and go back to her hometown according to the previous plan.

An Ruochen finished speaking with Lu Daniang, pulled out a small piece of money from her sleeve, put it on the table, and pushed it to Lu Daniang. “My father holds a grudge against me, so I can’t go back and say this to my old nanny personally, or I’ll invite trouble for her. I have no one to entrust this matter with. I can only ask for your help.”

Lu Daniang did not accept the money, but looked out the window, turned her head back, and asked in a soft voice: “Besides this matter, is there anything else you need my help with?”

An Ruochen said, “Don’t worry, it’s just this. Just tell old nanny you have seen me with your own eyes and that I’m fine. She can feel at ease. Persuade her to find a chance to leave the An House.”

Lu Daniang nodded but still did not take the money. She said: ”I heard Young Miss dragged your bruised body in the middle of the night to the county government office to beat the drum to report a matter. Everyone in the An House is secretive, but some people can’t keep their mouths shut. Some news came out of the government office, and all kinds of rumors are spreading in the community ……”

An Ruochen said: “Daniang, I will not drag you down and cause any more trouble. I beg you, send a message to my nanny, lest she worries about me.”

Lu Daniang ignored An Ruochen’s words and said: “I heard it was a mess when Young Miss escaped. You were locked in the house before escaping because of the disappearance of the fourth girl. They searched your room, took your jewelry, and nothing was left behind. Now listening to you, it seems that even your closest old nanny did not know about your escape plan, then this money  ……”

“It’s the money I got in advance for my work.” An Ruochen observed Lu Daniang’s expression. She did not seem malicious, but An Ruochen’s heart was uneasy.

She trusted Lu Daniang. When she chose to help her rent a house, she observed her for a long time before deciding to take the risk. After that, Lu Daniang did her job well. Her mouth was strict. She never talked too much or took the initiative to report any situation, so she felt she did not choose the wrong person. The last time she asked Lu Daniang to do something and handed over the money, she was willing to do it. Now, it was just a small matter of passing on a message, but Lu Daniang seemed concerned.