Farm Girl's Manor
Chapter 1307 - 408: Seeking Your Own Death, Fear Not_2

Chapter 1307: Chapter 408: Seeking Your Own Death, Fear Not_2

Although these princes and sons had become much more reserved after Chu Heng’s recovery, their covert and overt criticisms of Chu Heng’s lack of a successor betrayed their lingering aspirations for the position of Crown Prince. The earlier suggestion that Chu Heng should adopt a child from another Prince’s Mansion had been secretly maneuvered by these individuals.

Xiao Ruiyuan started with these princes and sons, and kept an eye on Weiya, who could freely enter and leave Jing City with the Passage Order he had given her. Sure enough, he discovered clues and successfully located the hiding place of that group of spies. He prepared to take this opportunity to root out the mastermind behind the scenes and eradicate future troubles.

"Master, what should we do next?" Xiao Eleven’s disdain for the person mentioned by his master reached its extreme. He understood the desire of the fallen to rise again but found it despicable to cast aside the righteousness of one’s country in pursuit of one’s goals and to make deals with a tiger.

"Let them be for now. Once we capture the Uto People in one fell swoop, he won’t be able to escape," Xiao Ruiyuan stated emotionlessly, sealing the fates of those harboring enemy spies.

"Yes!" Xiao Eleven bowed and responded.

At that moment, a "tat tat tat" knocking sound came from the door. Xiao Eleven quickly stepped forward to open it, and Maomao burst through the crack, bouncing onto Xiao Ruiyuan’s desk, with a piece of white cloth stained with green grass juice held in its mouth.

Xiao Ruiyuan could not stay in Liu Yang Village indefinitely. Once again, Maomao became his and Mo Yan’s messenger, traveling daily between the Mo Family and the General Mansion, exchanging their letters.

After opening the white cloth and reading its contents, a trace of joy crossed Xiao Ruiyuan’s face. Instead of immediately writing a reply as usual, he quickly gathered all the Hidden Guards and personally issued a series of orders to them.

After making all the arrangements, Xiao Jiu hesitated for a moment before suggesting to Xiao Ruiyuan, "Master, the gunpowder is too dangerous. To be safe, I think it would be best to dispose of it ahead of time."

Xiao Ruiyuan shook his head, "Doing so would easily expose us. As long as we stick to the plan, they won’t have the audacity to ignite the gunpowder. There’s no need to take such a risk."

Those who harbored thoughts of turning him wouldn’t easily attempt to kill him. He had never intended to act during the exchange of hostages, and letting them think they had succeeded and lowering their guard for a little while longer was no issue.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jiu refrained from saying anything more.

The next day, Weiya, holding the special Passage Order previously given by Xiao Ruiyuan, entered the city unimpeded and reached the General Mansion. After several exchanges, Weiya "reluctantly" agreed to Xiao Ruiyuan’s demand to exchange hostages in person and secretly brought the spies to the General Mansion on the following night.

Xiao Ruiyuan pretended not to know the hideout of these individuals, agreeing to Weiya that he would take them out of the city the next day while also warning the Uto People not to play any tricks.

Weiya readily agreed and swore on the name of Wutuo’s guardian that no tricks would be played.

The Uto People had gone to great lengths mainly to rescue their trapped clansmen. Winning over Xiao Ruiyuan was an impromptu plan, and now that they had largely succeeded, they had also sown the seeds of discord in the hearts of the betrothed couple, Mo Yan and Xiao Ruiyuan, achieving another of their goals. As long as Xiao Ruiyuan didn’t go back on his word, they wouldn’t have the courage for a do or die showdown.

At noon the next day, several dozen Uto spies carrying the special Passage Order given by Xiao Ruiyuan managed to escape Jing City under the control of the Hidden Guards. Not long after, Xiao Ruiyuan led a troop to Yuhua Mountain under the pretext of a night hunt, meeting with the foreign spies on the outskirts of the mountain forest where the Six Beasts were already waiting.

With less than four hours left before dark, they were in a rush to reach the exchange point before nightfall. Concerned that the Mo Family might be anxious, Xiao Ruiyuan decided not to inform them and led his men directly into Yuhua Mountain. The Six Beasts cleared the way in front, deterring the fierce beasts that emerged by day and lurked by night.

The mountain roads were difficult to navigate, but the group hurried and finally arrived opposite the Uto People’s cave before dark. Sitting high on horseback, Xiao Ruiyuan saw Mo Yan being restrained by two Uto People from afar.

Today marked the eighth day since Mo Yan had been taken up the mountain, meaning that aside from exchanging a few letters, the two had not seen each other for eight days. In those eight days, Xiao Ruiyuan had experienced unprecedented worry, guilt, anxiety, and hope—longer than the past eight years combined.

From a distance, they gazed at each other, and even though they couldn’t discern each other’s faces, they could feel the surging excitement within.