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"I have stored a considerable amount of emergency medicine. I must send for it first," she gritted her teeth, glancing at the shattered Zhang Mama, barely recognizable behind the old woman. "With General Liang, Lord Gu, and Eunuch Liu here, the pirates from Four Square Island won't be able to breach the inner city. I'll be safe here. Auntie Guo, please return to Spring Moon Building first and take care of the girls there. Bring Zhang Mama along on your way."

In her previous life, despite being caught off guard, Yang State Prefecture had withstood the pirate attack, and Gu Changjin and his companions had prevented them from entering the inner city. This time, with her early warning, they would surely be able to defend it.

She instinctively looked toward Shiiun and Qi Xin.

When the two had arrived with their groups, surrounding her, she had been startled. Later, she learned that they were both sent by Gu Changjin to protect her.

She was familiar with Shiiun, but this was her first encounter with Eunuch Qi Xin.

Rong Shu had sprained her ankle, and in her haste to enter the inner city, she hadn't paid much attention to the pain in her foot. Now that they had arrived at the City God Temple, the piercing ache made her break out in a cold sweat.

Wiping the perspiration from her brow, she composed herself and spoke, "The medicinal remedies are stored under my mother's name at our family's pharmacy. Could I trouble the two of you to send someone to retrieve them? With the pirates attacking Yangzhou, there will undoubtedly be many soldiers and civilians injured. This City God Temple would serve as an ideal place for treating their wounds."

Shiiun originally intended to take Rong Shu to No. 18 Bining Street, where he had personally installed traps and a secret chamber. Even if the pirates managed to infiltrate, they would have nothing to fear.

But hearing Rong Shu's words, he realized that she had no intention of leaving this place.

The person their master had entrusted them to protect, whether it was Rong Shu, Chang Ji, or Heng Ping, none of them would leave her side unless they were dead.

He considered for a moment and said, "Miss Rong is right. The City God Temple is indeed a suitable place to tend to the wounded, given its proximity to the city walls. I'll stay here to assist you, and Eunuch Qi Xin, how about sending someone to fetch the medicine?"

Qi Xin glanced at Shiiun and then at Rong Shu, nodding in agreement. "I'll go right away."

He followed Lian Yan out of the City God Temple. Halfway through their journey, they heard a loud explosion coming from beneath the old city wall.

Qi Xin's expression turned cold as he asked the nearby soldiers from the Warrior Camp, "Didn't we deal with all the explosives that Uzhda brought?"

The soldier was also unsure, replying in confusion, "I did dispose of all the gunpowder and weapons on those painted boats."

Just as he finished speaking, another commotion broke out ahead. Lu Shiyi, accompanied by several bailiffs, hurriedly approached from outside the city.

Qi Xin quickly intercepted him, asking, "Inspector Lu, what has happened up ahead?"

Lu Shiyi replied, "That damned Uzhda planted explosives in the carriage that Madam Liao was using! That carriage just got blown up! I don't know if Madam Liao was inside, but I'm going to rescue her immediately!"

Qi Xin was startled. Madam Liao was the niece of the former Minister of Rites, Fan Jinshu.

Madam Liao was skilled in calligraphy, able to mimic others' handwriting so perfectly that it could deceive even the most discerning eye. The letter sent from Yangzhou to the capital had been penned by her hand.

While others might be unaware, Qi Xin and Liu Yuan knew that Lady Liao had been tirelessly searching for evidence of Liao Rao's treasonous activities in recent years.

Unfortunately, Liao Rao had concealed himself too well. In desperation, Lady Liao forged that letter and, together with the former Secretary, orchestrated the exam cheating scandal.

When they set off for Yangzhou, the elderly Secretary had even asked his master to convey a message to Lady Liao, urging her to cease her investigation and promptly return to the capital.

Qi Xin's heart sank, and her hands involuntarily clenched into fists.

As the explosion echoed, a sinister laugh suddenly reverberated from an elegant chamber within the Exquisite Silk Pavilion.

Uzhda's limbs were bound, his moon-white attire stained with blood. A gory hole in his waist oozed blood relentlessly.

He gazed fixedly at Liao Rao with a malevolent expression, asking, "Does Minister Liao know which part of this explosives cache has been detonated?"

When Liu Yuan and his men from the Warrior Camp surrounded the inn, Uzhda realized he had fallen into Liao Rao and Liu Yuan's trap to lure the snake out of its hole!

Uzhda was accustomed to arrogance, assuming that his covert infiltration into Yangzhou was a virtually foolproof plan. Little did he expect that every step he took was within the calculations of others.

With no hope of escape in sight and a mix of new grievances adding to old hatreds, she despised Liao Rao intensely in that moment.

Liao Rao was about to leave when she heard this, suddenly turning back, staring at Uzhda in silence.

Uzhda spat out blood, not bothering with any suspense as he chuckled twice, ready to say, "It's you—"

Unfortunately, Liu Yuan didn't give him the chance to finish his sentence. With a sweeping motion of his arm, a teacup firmly covered Uzhda's mouth.

With his words cut short, Uzhda's face contorted in frustration, struggling like a wriggling caterpillar.

No matter how much he struggled, Liu Yuan's hand holding the teacup remained steadfast.

His shoulder was injured, and his crimson official robe was stained with dark blood.

But he seemed oblivious to the pain, his pale lips even curving into a faint smile as he softly spoke to Liao Rao, "I'll handle the aftermath here. Uzhda came prepared, so I hope Governor Liao can quickly assist General Liang. Today, Yangzhou cannot fall!"

Liao Rao appeared not to have heard him, striding forward, pulling the teacup out of Uzhda's mouth. With a large hand around Uzhda's throat, she forced him to look up, demanding, "What exactly were you going to say? Speak!"

Chapter 56 (Combined Double Update)

"What exactly were you going to say? Speak!"

This renowned Governor of Jiangsu and Zhejiang, having been surrounded by Liu Yuan's men, never showed the slightest ripple of emotion on his face. Upon hearing about the naval raid on Yangzhou by pirates from Four Square Island, he merely gave Liu Yuan a faint glance and asked, "What would you have this general do, Lord Liu?"

Liu Yuan truly admired such an unshakable demeanor.

Yet, to his surprise, Uzhda's casual remark had triggered a violent reaction, causing veins to bulge on his forehead and distorting his features with rage.

Studying Liao Rao intently, Liu Yuan seemed lost in thought.

Two front teeth were knocked out by the teacup, leaving Uzhda's lips and tongue stained with blood. With a fierce glare, he stared at Liao Rao, his words slurred through the gaps in his teeth, "You've been conspiring with the Water Dragon King for so long. Didn't you know that he had bribed one of your old servants? Can you guess what secret he uncovered from that aged retainer?"