CHAPTER 444: CHAPTER 438 QUIETLY INFILTRATING

The county seat of Nanyang Country is in Lu Yang, not far, but not close, to Xie County.

Zhao Hanzhang led a hundred personal guards, traveling swiftly, and arrived outside the city gates shortly after noon the next day.

They reined in their horses on a hillside, Zhao Hanzhang’s face and head were covered, revealing only her eyes. There was no choice; it was too cold!

From their high vantage point, they watched the city gate not far away. Qiu Wu and the scout ran up, saying, "Mistress, we’ve investigated. The checks for those entering and leaving the city without goods are not strict, but with so many of us, we’d definitely attract attention."

Zhao Hanzhang lowered her eyes, thought for a moment, and said, "Leave three riders outside. The rest will split up and enter the city separately. Qiu Wu, select fifty riders to enter the city with me."

"Yes."

Zhao Hanzhang removed her helmet. In the forest, they changed out of their armor. Ting He untied the bundle she carried, struggled for a moment, and finally took out a shawl to wrap around Zhao Hanzhang’s face like a large veil.

A moment later, Zhao Hanzhang’s eyes were all that was showing again. But unlike her previous gallant appearance, she now looked lively and charming, clearly a lady from a wealthy family.

Ting He thought for a bit and let down half of her hair, "Mistress, it’s done."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded, mounted her horse swiftly. Qiu Wu had picked the men, and they all packed up their armor, mounted their horses in plain clothes, and solemnly followed Zhao Hanzhang down the hill.

The remaining people waited for Zhao Hanzhang and her group to leave some distance before they started to split up and scatter, each needing to find their way into the city.

Amidst the chaos, it became common for a master from a big family to travel with escorts, but it was rare to have a full fifty riders. In Yu State, such families could be counted on fingers.

So from afar, seeing a lady leading fifty riders on horseback, the soldiers guarding the gate instinctively tensed up.

As they approached, they saw a noble lady at the front, her face covered with a veil, her gaze cold. Although charming, no one dared to stare; eyes quickly shifted away. Instead, the lady who seemed to be a maid behind her was quite fierce, glaring back at them fiercely and scolding, "What are you looking at? Make way quickly. If my lady catches a cold, you’ll be held accountable."

The gate soldiers immediately lowered their heads, but still dutifully blocked their path, scanning the guards behind them. Seeing each carrying weapons, their horses well-trained, strong and healthy, they became more cautious, "Who are you, where do you come from, and what business do you have in Lu Yang?"

He added, "This is a routine inspection."

Qiu Wu lightly kicked his horse forward a couple of steps, lifting his chin arrogantly, "We are the Xiping Zhao Family, passing through Nanyang Country to Xiangyang. This is our lady from the fifth branch. Why don’t you quickly let us through?"

How would ordinary soldiers know which lady belonged to the Zhao Family’s fifth branch?

But currently, in Yu State, the Xiping Zhao Family was indeed the most prominent. No, it was already very influential before, but now people were even less inclined to provoke them.

The soldiers hesitated no more and stepped aside.

Zhao Hanzhang spurred her horse and rode on.

The soldiers watched them enter the city and only after they disappeared did they say, "Quickly report to the Colonel that someone important from the Xiping Zhao Family has arrived."

The Colonel was warming himself in the gatehouse. Hearing this, he sat up straight, "Which important lady? What are they here for? Where did they go now?"

"They said it’s a lady from the fifth branch, heading to Xiangyang, passing through our Nanyang Country. They should be heading to an inn now."

The Colonel leaned back again, dismissively waving his hand, "So they’re just passing through, what’s the concern?"

He snorted, "With so many Zhaos, do I need to concern myself with every single one passing by? Unless they’re on official business, don’t bother reporting."

The soldiers agreed and withdrew.

Zhao Hanzhang and her group did not stay at an inn but found an empty house to take shelter in. It was filled with cobwebs, long uninhabited.

Zhao Hanzhang casually pushed open a door, waved away the floating dust, and found a place to sit, "Have the scouts gather everyone here."

Qiu Wu acknowledged and made arrangements.

Ting He brought water and dry food, and seeing Zhao Hanzhang eating the hard bun with cold water, she felt pained, glancing outside, "Mistress, may I go buy some provisions?"

Zhao Hanzhang shook her head, "It’s best to keep a low profile for now. Stay here and don’t go out."

Ting He could only agree.

As dusk fell, the dispersed scouts finally led everyone back, all one hundred regrouping in the empty house. Some scouts also scouted out Pei He’s residence.

Zhao Hanzhang crouched on the ground, examining something, then tapped a point with a stick, "Entering from here will get us closest to his study."

"Will he be in the study at this time?"

"If we calculate the time, the news of us entering Xie County should have reached him. He must be in the study handling matters," Zhao Hanzhang said, "Let’s eat, and we’ll move as soon as it gets dark."

The weather was too cold, and with a heavy snowfall two days prior, no one wanted to venture outside.

So as soon as night fell, the entire Governor Mansion quieted down. Except for a few servants, only patrolling guards were outside.

But the guards also didn’t want to stay outside long; they would quickly pass through and then hurry back indoors.

Especially now that it was just dark, they didn’t think anyone would have the audacity to come to the Governor Mansion.

Thus, as soon as they passed by, they quickly sought shelter, shutting the doors and windows tight.

As Zhao Hanzhang and her group agilely scaled the wall, they overheard an argument inside, "Open the window a bit, we’re burning charcoal inside."

"Then you sit by the window..."

"You wish, go on, open it; last night, I sat by the window..."

Lightly, Zhao Hanzhang darted past the house, alighting swiftly under the corridor.

Here, the view was open and quiet; it was clear there was nobody around.

Thus Zhao Hanzhang didn’t rush anymore and even adjusted her sleeves leisurely as she strolled towards the study as if she were wandering in her courtyard.

Qiu Wu and three trusted aides followed behind, beads of cold sweat forming on their foreheads as they saw Zhao Hanzhang walking so leisurely and confidently.

One might ask, how did she know to turn left for the study? Right, what was written on the map about this place, where exactly was the study?

Before he could figure it out, Zhao Hanzhang had already gently pushed open a window and climbed in with a handhold.

Qiu Wu: ...

He widened his eyes and hurriedly followed.

Zhao Hanzhang landed softly, glancing down at where her feet landed. It was a wooden couch by the window.

Her boots had been through horse riding, snow stomping, mud, and tile climbing today, they were as dirty as could be.

She apologized silently in her heart and then stepped onto the ground.

This seemed to be an inner room for resting; besides the large wooden couch, there were shelves not far off with washbasins and towels. Two large screens stood in front of the couch.

At that moment, silhouettes were cast on the screen, resembling one person sitting while two stood.