Unable to find any answers within the alley, Zhang Hu had no choice but to venture outside. As he and his men were approaching the mouth of the alley, they saw a row of soldiers stationed there. The one leading them saw Zhang Hu and barked, "Go back!"
"Esteemed officers, my family went out to enjoy the lanterns and have yet to return. I'm a bit worried and just want to check on them," Zhang Hu explained, pulling out some silver coins from his pocket. The soldiers refused the bribe, drawing their blades instead. It was clear that if Zhang Hu took another step forward, they wouldn't hesitate to act.
Seeing this, Zhang Hu had no choice but to return and inform Li Hui of the situation. They could only stay within their courtyard for now. Li Hui looked at Li Xin, Li Xia, and Auntie Mei, "You all should go back and rest."
"Brother, what about you?" Li Xin asked worriedly.
"I'll have my men keep watch," Li Hui said. Worried that something else might happen during the night, he decided not to sleep and instead planned to keep watch throughout the night.
"Young master, let me keep watch instead," Auntie Mei hesitated before speaking up.
"I'm also staying," Li Xin didn't want to leave, she wanted to accompany Li Hui.
"We'll all stay," Li Xia said, without a hint of sleepiness in her eyes. Instead, there was a trace of excitement.
"Do as I say, you all should go back and rest," Li Hui insisted, focusing his gaze particularly on Li Xia, warning her not to act rashly.
Seeing this, Li Xin, Li Xia, and Auntie Mei had no choice but to go back to their respective quarters. Once they left, Li Hui began to arrange for people to patrol around the wall, emphasizing careful inspection to prevent anyone with bad intentions from entering the Li family's premises.
Back at the Plum Blossom Pavilion, Auntie Mei held Li Xia's hand, continuously muttering, "May the Bodhisattva protect us."
"Auntie, don't worry, everything will be fine," Li Xia tried to soothe the nervous Auntie Mei.
"But that loud noise... How could everything be fine? What is happening? Can't the heavens allow us to enjoy the festival in peace?" Auntie Mei was extremely anxious.
Li Xia poured a cup of tea and handed it to Auntie Mei, "Auntie, have some tea."
After drinking the warm tea, Auntie Mei's panic subsided a bit. Seeing Li Xia, who was constantly comforting her, Auntie Mei felt a little embarrassed. She, as a mother, was useless in this situation and instead needed her daughter's reassurance.
Seeing Auntie Mei calming down, Li Xia thought about persuading her to sleep first. Then, she could try to sneak out and investigate what exactly had happened. "Auntie, it's getting late, you should get some rest."
Auntie Mei held onto Li Xia's hand tightly. She was still worried that something would happen and wanted Li Xia to sleep with her. That way, if anything happened, she could protect her daughter.
Feeling Auntie Mei's concern, Li Xia's heart warmed. She didn't refuse, instead saying that she'd go wash up first and come back soon.
Back in her room, Qiu Ling followed her in, "Miss, should I go outside and find out what's happening?"
"Don't be rash," Li Xia warned. It was dangerous to go out now, and she didn't want Qiu Ling to risk it.
"Miss, please let me go," Qiu Ling's voice involuntarily grew louder. She believed she would be fine.
Qiu Shui, who had just come in with Qiu Kui and Qiu Chan carrying hot water, heard Qiu Ling's words and scolded her in a low voice, "Qiu Ling, how can you speak to the Miss like that?"
Realizing she had overstepped, Qiu Ling looked flustered as she turned her gaze towards Li Xia.
Li Xia calmly took the towel handed over by Qiu Kui to wipe her hands and face. Qiu Chan brought in a foot bath, and Li Xia took off her shoes and socks to soak her feet. Qiu Chan, standing by the side, whispered, "Miss, Qiu Ling is also anxious."
"You can't sleep either," Li Xia looked towards Qiu Chan.
Qiu Chan glanced at Qiu Ling and nodded, making a sound of acknowledgment.
"Then you and Qiu Ling go find Elder Brother, let him arrange for you two," Li Xia said, indicating that she was not angry. Qiu Ling didn't dare to ask to leave the residence again, and went with Qiu Chan to the front yard.
On the way, Qiu Chan, worried about Qiu Ling, advised, "Qiu Ling, we are servants. We should listen to whatever the Miss says. Don't do this again."
"I was too anxious this time. It won't happen again." Because of the previous incident, Qiu Ling now strove for perfection in everything Li Xia ordered. She knew nothing about the loud noise this time, feeling that she had failed Li Xia's trust. Hence, she was eager to investigate.
The two bumped into Li Xin on the way to the Plum Blossom Pavilion, leading a group of people. They stepped forward to greet, "Eldest Miss."
"Where are you two going?"
"Miss, instructed us to find the Young Master and follow his orders," Qiu Ling replied to Li Xin's question.
Li Xin knew that both Qiu Ling and Qiu Chan were skilled, their assistance would be beneficial. She turned to Li Yu beside her, "Sister Yu, go with Qiu Ling and Qiu Chan to find Elder Brother."
Li Yu complied and went with Qiu Ling and Qiu Chan to the front yard to find Li Hui, who was on patrol. Li Hui was assigning people for the night watch. There weren't many in the house who were skilled in martial arts, so the arrival of the three was timely.
He assigned each of the three and Zhang Hu to lead a patrol team. Zhao Pan brought all the sickles, axes, hoes, kitchen knives, fire sticks, and any other items that could be used as weapons. Each person was given a weapon and assigned to patrol in different directions.
Li Xia, who had finished washing up, went to Madam Mei's room. Madam Mei was already sitting on the bed. Madam Mei gestured for Li Xia to sleep inside, while she slept on the outside.
Lying on the bed, Li Xia thought to herself that this was the first time she and her mother were sleeping in the same bed. Li Xia had memories since birth, and she still remembered Madam Mei holding and playing with her during the day. But at night, Madam Mei insisted on having the nanny sleep with her.
Initially, Li Xia thought that Madam Mei was worried that a child would disturb her sleep. Later she found out that Madam Mei was afraid that she might crush her in her sleep, hence she dared not let Li Xia, who was still a baby, sleep with her.
Sounds from outside came in, Madam Mei, hearing the noise, quickly got up, protecting Li Xia as she carefully looked outside.
Qiu Ju pushed the door open, "Madam, the Eldest Miss is here to see the Miss."
Li Xia patted Madam Mei's arm, "Madam, it's alright," she said as she sat up to put on her outer garment. Madam Mei reacted, put on her outer garment, and went to the outer room. She saw a somewhat embarrassed Li Xin.
Li Xin returned to the Fuqing Courtyard, her mind filled with the Lantern Festival in Liuzhou, and the water bandits they encountered on the way to the Capital City. The more she thought about it, the more scared she became, the more she thought about it, the more she couldn't sleep. She got up to look for Li Xia, but she didn't want to disturb the two's rest.
"Sister, Madam's bed is big enough. Let's squeeze in and sleep together tonight," seeing Li Xin's embarrassment, Li Xia took the initiative to speak.
"Okay," Li Xin relaxed.
Li Xia slept in the middle, with Li Xin on the inside and Auntie Mei on the outside. Sandwiched between the two, Li Xia's original plan fell through. All he could do was close his eyes and sleep.
Just as the sky began to lighten, Li Xia opened his eyes. Li Xin and Auntie Mei also opened their eyes. The three of them got up, freshened up, and headed to the kitchen. Cook Lady Bai was in the kitchen preparing breakfast.
Fortunately, Li Xia had previously wanted to prepare a 'Ba Bao Yan' (Eight Treasures Banquet), and Li Xin had instructed the kitchen to buy a lot of ingredients. There was no need to go out and buy food for half a month. Cook Lady Bai had her team prepare breakfast, and Li Xin and Li Xia personally brought it to the front yard.
Li Hui was listening to Zhang Hu's report, "The soldiers at the end of the alley are still on guard, not allowing anyone to go in or out. I stood by and listened to them talk for a while. It seems like someone has blown up the city wall."
Hearing Zhang Hu mention that someone had blown up the city wall, Li Hui thought of the explosive oil bought by Prince YongKang's men. Could it be related?
