flstandardbreds Chapter 244 A Narrow Escape
Chapter 244 A Narrow Escape
"It's nothing. Just work hard under me from now on, and I won't treat you unfairly," Shen Li promised, mimicking the emperor's manner.
Mingyue snorted: "Stop talking nonsense. I'll only be convinced if you really save our lives."
Before Shen Li could speak, Fang Bo came running up from the foot of the mountain, urgently saying as he ran, "Retreat, retreat!"
"Protector Fang, what's been withdrawn?" Chaoyang asked, poking his head out of the cave.
“Yes, Protector Fang, you should explain yourself clearly. Do we need to change locations?” Mingyue asked as well.
Fang Bo ran up in one breath, and after catching his breath, he said to the cave, "Your Majesty, the soldiers down the mountain withdrew overnight, and no one is sealing off the mountain anymore."
"What?" The group, including Bai Wuyou, remained skeptical, wondering if they had misheard.
"I saw it clearly, not a single soldier was left behind. I was worried it might be a trap, so I searched around and found that they had indeed all withdrawn." Fang Bo said excitedly, "We can get out of these mountains now, we're saved."
Bai Wuyou's questioning gaze finally settled on Shen Li, and he asked, "Who exactly are you? Why do they obey you when you tell them to retreat?"
He naturally saw the words Shen Li had carved on the stone yesterday. The two of them had also discussed faking their deaths, as this was the only way to escape.
Moreover, the Grand Elder of the Red Lotus Sect will surely lower his guard as a result, which will give him the opportunity to find out who is loyal to the Grand Elder and who else he can use.
The others also looked at Shen Li, their eyes filled with disbelief. She had accomplished such a great thing with just a few words? Even the Grand Secretaries of the court listened to her?
“Although I am a low-ranking official, my father is not, and he still has influence in the court.” Shen Li raised an eyebrow smugly.
Fang Bo was still puzzled: "Even if they had influence, they wouldn't back down so easily, would they? I heard that the Grand Secretary was in charge of this matter, how could it be treated so casually?"
“That’s my father,” Shen Li replied sincerely.
The four of them were practically petrified upon hearing this.
"No wonder the Emperor allowed her to pass." Mingyue swallowed hard, looking Shen Li up and down: "Are you from a prestigious family, a young lady from a wealthy family?"
"Doesn't look like it?" Shen Li asked.
"It's similar, but it's not," Mingyue replied.
Shen Li's temperament suggests she was raised in a pampered manner, yet many of her actions are pragmatic, as if she has experienced hardship. For example, the coarse linen clothes she is wearing now are warm but not very dignified.
Furthermore, the fact that she carried those bedding and food beforehand clearly indicates that only someone who has experienced cold and hunger would be so prepared for a rainy day, which shows no trace of a noble lady.
"So we're safe now?" Chaoyang asked hesitantly, hardly believing that they had escaped death.
“Yes, even if we can’t go to town, staying here for half a month is fine. As long as our injuries heal, we can go anywhere. Even the dog emperor would dare to kill us again.” Fang Bo also perked up.
Bai Wuyou gazed at Shen Li in the sunlight outside the cave, his eyes deep and inquisitive.
He knew the significance of this withdrawal; such a large-scale military operation must have been approved by the dog emperor. There were many people from noble families, but even among the men, very few were capable of politics, let alone a woman like her.
The withdrawal of troops signifies that the emperor trusts her, and there is no significant opposition among the senior officials, demonstrating her considerable influence.
The fact that she could reach such a high position in such a complex court is enough to demonstrate her skill. If he were to join her in rebelling against the court, supporting her as the new ruler would not be a bad choice.
The Red Lotus Sect needs someone like this to revitalize it. If it were to fall into the hands of the Grand Elder, it would certainly be no match for the current imperial court.
"How about it, little follower?" Shen Li looked at him and raised her eyebrows smugly.
Bai Wuyou, supported by Chaoyang, walked out of the cave and faced her. He said solemnly, "I have lost. From now on, I will be at the mercy of my new master."
As he spoke, he pushed Chaoyang aside and knelt down directly in front of Shen Li, one knee about to touch the ground.
The two maids and Fang Bo were stunned; they didn't even have time to help them up.
He just lost the bet, so he can just let her do whatever she wants in the future. There's no need for such a grand ceremony.
As Shen Li spoke, she grabbed his forearm with one hand and lifted him up with a little force, almost causing Bai Wuyou to lift his feet off the ground.
Chaoyang quickly helped his master up, feeling that his holy son was like a rag doll in Shen Li's hands, and could be taken apart at any moment.
"Don't bow down to me, I'm afraid you'll drag me into a rebellion." Shen Li knew exactly what he was thinking. He seemed to be submitting, but in reality, he wanted to lead her astray.
She wanted the Red Lotus Sect, but she never intended to become emperor herself.
Being schemed against by the imperial court and the harem every day, having to guard against her husband and the children she bore, that was not the life she wanted.
She only wanted to be a free and unfettered person whom the court dared not touch.
A hint of helplessness flashed in Bai Wuyou's eyes. This woman was indeed very vigilant, but there was still a long time to go, and it was hard to guarantee that she wouldn't be tempted.
A shrewd, youthful spirit shone in his captivating eyes. He was determined to have a chance if she were by his side in the future.
"Now that everyone's gone, let's go into the city and find a doctor to treat our injuries so we can heal faster." Shen Li couldn't wait to move on to the next step of the plan.
“How could there be no one checking things inside the city? Entering the city now would expose our whereabouts,” Mingyue strongly objected.
"Mingyue." Bai Wuyou's eyes swept over, her voice slightly cold: "How dare you speak to an adult like that?"
Mingyue was stunned for a moment, then stamped her foot: "Master, you really agree? What makes her so special?"
"My Red Lotus Sect hereby submits to you, sir. If you are unwilling, you may leave immediately. I will not force you." Bai Wuyou's gaze swept over the three people present.
The three were naturally unwilling, but hearing the Holy Son speak so harshly, none of them dared to refute him. They could only bow in unison and say, "Greetings, Your Excellency."
"Good job, let's go down the mountain." Shen Li patted Bai Wuyou on the shoulder.
Bai Wuyou glanced at her with bright eyes.
At the gates of Anzhou, only Shen Li was left supporting Bai Wuyou, and they parted ways with the others to avoid any future misunderstandings.
The city gate didn't really check them much; they just glanced at their identification documents and let them pass without even recognizing Shen Lishun's fake document.
Shen Li then helped Bai Wuyou into the city. In reality, she was just holding his forearm with one hand, and the two kept their distance. Even so, Bai Wuyou could still use the strength of that hand.
He looked at that slender hand more than once, feeling incredulous that a woman could be so strong.
The two stood in front of a clinic, and Shen Li asked, "Are you sure this is the one?"
"Mmm." Bai Wuyou responded, and at the same time asked her, "Are you sure you want to go in?"
“I’ll finish my task, you get your revenge, it’s a win-win situation.” Shen Li picked him up and said, “Let’s go.”