There is a god in the sky

Chapter 378 Coup 2

The log cabins in Qianjia Village have been razed to the ground.

Shen Lan led Marquis Pingyang and others here and found the exit of the secret passage from back then.

Xiao Ji made cover before leaving, originally intending to send someone to seal the secret passage after the case was closed, but unexpectedly he left a way out for the Imperial Guards.

"The walls of Bianjing were reinforced last year. Even though they are only guarded by some Imperial Guards, it will be very difficult for us to break through."

Marquis Pingyang never expected that the capital would change so drastically after he had only been in the mountains for a few days.

An hour ago, he sent someone back to deliver a message, but the person couldn't enter the city. If he hadn't been quick-witted and escaped, he would have almost lost his life there.

Shen Lan guessed that the Tong family and the Crown Prince had joined forces to launch a coup, and had brought the Imperial Guards here without stopping.

“This secret passage leads to the Tong family’s study. I don’t know if the entrance is blocked. I suggest we send some people through it first, bringing tools with them.”

Thousands of people rushed into the secret passage, fearing that if the front got blocked, it would be difficult to turn around.

Marquis Pingyang pushed open the door and said in a low voice, "It's too late. Time waits for no one. We don't even know what the situation is in the city. We have to hurry back."

Shen Lan was also worried about Xiao Ji's safety.

He has collected so much evidence that is detrimental to the Tong family. If the other side wins, the entire Xiao family will be in danger.

“Alright, I’m faster. I’ll go in first and leave marks along the way. Your Excellency, follow my marks.”

Shen Lan casually drew a five-pointed star at the entrance with her dagger, and then she and Sui Ying rushed into the secret passage.

Marquis Pingyang left a small team of a hundred men in the vicinity, partly to monitor the movements on the official road, and partly as a backup.

If things really get chaotic in the city, and if the lives of his family are threatened, he will find a way to get them out of the city.

"Check your weapons carefully. Once we enter the city, there may be a tough battle ahead! You've just made a great contribution. If you can make another one, I guarantee you'll have a chance to be promoted and make a fortune. Are you willing to fight alongside me?"

"We swear to follow you to the death, my lord!"

Marquis Pingyang was indeed very good at managing his subordinates. Most of the Imperial Guards were sons of high-ranking officials, or at the very least, from wealthy families. The allure of promotion and wealth was far less important to them than the importance of preserving their lives.

However, following Marquis Pingyang for these days allowed them to experience the exhilarating life of a soldier.

Shen Lan quickly reached the exit, and as expected, it was blocked by mud.

The dark walls give people a sense of insecurity, and because the air doesn't circulate, it always makes people feel stuffy in their chest.

"Let me try. This spot shouldn't be too clogged."

Suiying handed the torch to Shen Lan and walked to the wall.

The study outside was burned down, so the Tong family probably didn't have much time to seal the secret passage properly.

As Suiying punched the wall, he could indeed feel it loosen, and mud and rocks fell down in a flurry.

"There's hope," Shen Lan said happily.

She returned to the secret passage, found some wooden sticks in the old warehouse, and used them to clear the mud walls of the exit.

A quarter of an hour later, Marquis Pingyang arrived with his men, and Shen Lan and the others had cleared a hole the size of a watermelon.

"Step back, I'll handle this." Marquis Pingyang raised his spear and thrust it towards the cave entrance.

A group of imperial guards rushed up and quickly dug the entrance to a size that a person could pass through.

The Tong family has fallen apart; many servants have fled, but some loyal servants still hold onto the Tong residence.

However, these men didn't even have the courage to fight the Imperial Guards, and were ordered by the Marquis of Pingyang to stay inside and not come out.

"What does Your Excellency intend to do?"

"Send out a batch of medicinal herbs first; the wounded on the mountain are still waiting for the doctor and medicine."

Although they worked together to kill Tong Yiwen, they suffered heavy casualties, especially the wounded. The first batch of Imperial Guards who charged ahead were all injured to varying degrees.

Shen Lan's eyes lit up. "I know where the Tong family has medicinal herbs, and a lot of them at that."

There was no shortage of doctors; the Tong family had more than one or two.

After the medicinal herbs were sent out through the secret passage, the Marquis of Pingyang sent people to gather information.

A short while later, food was brought in from the kitchen.

Even though the master of the Tong family is no longer alive, they will not lack food. They even requisitioned the Tong family's servants to cook.

Shen Lan had only taken a couple of bites when she saw the people who had gone out to gather information return.

As expected, the news they brought back was bad.

The palace was surrounded by a group of soldiers of unknown origin, and the palace gates were now guarded by unfamiliar soldiers.

The emperor and all the civil and military officials are in the palace, and they don't know what the current situation is.

Shen Lan chewed her food listlessly, stopping when she felt full.

Marquis Pingyang was discussing countermeasures with several deputy generals. Shen Lan strained her ears to listen and saw Suiying put down her chopsticks and walk out.

Shen Lan chased after her, and Sui Ying told her, "I'll go back to the manor first. Master and the magistrate must be in the palace. I'll go and bring Madam out."

They had to prepare for the worst; if the emperor lost, they had to at least protect the lady.

Shen Lan took out a set of keys from her purse and gave them to him.

“This is a house I just bought. It’s under someone else’s name, and nobody knows that it’s related to me. Take your wife there to avoid it.”

Suiying didn't stand on ceremony with her either, taking the keys and thanking her.

He hesitated and said, "Miss Shen, these things are none of your business. Don't worry about them. Fighting is a man's job."

Shen Lan punched him lightly, then laughed and said, "How could it be unrelated to me? It all started when I came to Bianjing City. I will find a way to save you, sir."

Shen Lan was not yet at the point of despair, because Li Ge was still in the palace.

Li Ye ran out and said to Shen Lan, "The commander requests your presence. It's hot, how should we preserve that old scoundrel Tong's head?"

Shen Lan asked him to find ice and lime, secretly hatching an idea.

After placing Tong Yiwen's head into the box, Shen Lan revealed her idea.

"My lord, perhaps I can sneak into the palace first."

She pointed to the box in front of her.

Marquis Pingyang gasped, "You're going to bring this into the palace? Are you out of your mind?"

"No, I only know a little about makeup."

At first, Marquis Pingyang didn't understand, but when he saw Shen Lan paint Li Ye, a young man, as an old man who looked seven or eight parts like Tong Yiwen, he pinched his own face in disbelief.

"Miss Shen's hands are truly a miracle."

Shen Lan found a set of clothes that Tong Yiwen had worn at the Tong family's house and had Li Ye change into them. She also gave him special pointers on his walking posture and demeanor.

Marquis Pingyang asked curiously, "Miss Shen, could you also conjure up a replica of me?"

"It's impossible to make them exactly the same; we can only try to get away with it."

Marquis Pingyang thought about it and agreed. If there really was a flawless disguise technique, that would be terrifying.

"It's still too dangerous. Are you planning to take him into the palace alone?"

Shen Lan nodded, "If we don't take a gamble, we won't even know what's going on in the palace."

"I'm afraid that once they get in, they won't be able to get out."

Shen Lan said indifferently, "The victor is king, the loser is villain. If we lose, we all die together."