Chapter 106

Chapter 106

Outside, the kind words of a few maids put Li Xia's furrowed brow at ease somewhat. Li Xia was not affected by the matter involving Lin Meizhen. Instead, she was troubled by what Zhou Heng had written in his letter.

Zhou Heng's letter stated that Prince YongKang had secretly arrived in Yuzhou and had seized control there, preparing to launch a rebellion. Since Liuzhou was next to Yuzhou, Prince YongKang's rebellion would certainly attack Liuzhou.

After verifying this information, Zhou Heng passed it on to Li Ming, sending an urgent letter to Li Xia as well. Upon receiving the letter, Li Xia had already responded to Zhou Heng, instructing him to provide those weapons to Li Ming as reinforcements. She had also asked Zhou Heng to protect Li Ming and Mrs. Lu.

In the past decade or so of her life, this was the first time Li Xia did not know what to do. Should she inform Li Hui and Li Xin about the situation in Liuzhou, or keep it from them?

While Li Xia wavered, the situation quickly changed. At dawn, hurried knocking rang out in Osmanthus Alley, waking up the gatekeeper Li Er from his sleep. Throwing on some clothes and dragging his feet, he sleepily emerged from the house, yawning and muttering, "Coming, coming, coming."

As he unlatched the door while still grumbling, "Who is it, knocking so early in the morning," he opened it to see the person standing outside. Li Er couldn't help but rub his eyes, leaving his yawning mouth agape.

Hearing the noise, Zhao Pan came over and exclaimed in surprise, "Chunlu Granny, why have you come to the Capital City?"

"Zhao Pan, the lady has arrived. Go and inform the young master and young ladies," Chunlu Granny's words left the steward Zhao astonished. He instructed the servants to quickly open the main gate and welcome Mrs. Lu and her party inside.

Puzzled as to why Mrs. Lu had come without any prior indication, he wondered if something had happened in Liuzhou. As he gestured for someone to quickly notify the heads of the various residences, he pondered what could have occurred.

Awakened by the commotion, Li Xia noticed Mrs. Lu's arrival and wore a faint expression of "finally, she's here." Fortunately, it was dim inside, so Qiu Shui did not catch Li Xia's expression.

Mrs. Lu's arrival left everyone in Osmanthus Alley astonished. Qiu Shui brought out clothes, urging Li Xia to get up while instructing the three handmaidens, "Young Miss, get up quickly. Qiu Chan, is the hot water for washing ready? Bring it over. Qiu Kui, help me dress the Young Miss. Qiu Ling, comb the Young Miss's hair."

Qiu Chan brought the hot water and wrung out a towel to wipe Li Xia's face. Qiu Kui and Qiu Shui helped Li Xia dress, while Qiu Ling attended to her hair. Once dressed, Qiu Chan handed Li Xia a cup of hot tea to refresh herself.

Leaving her bedroom, Li Xia saw Auntie Mei's solemn expression. Auntie Mei approached, took Li Xia's hand, and said, "Let's go and pay our respects to the lady." Auntie Mei's hand felt cold.

"Brother has gone to Beining Marquis Manor," Mrs. Lu explained. Upon her arrival, she had immediately recounted the situation to Li Hui. As military matters were involved, Beining Marquis Manor would have more pertinent information.

Prince YongKang had fled with his men to the neighboring Yuzhou and caused unrest there, seizing control and amassing forces to attack Liuzhou.

Li Ming had received advance warning and, as the governor of Liuzhou, could not abandon his post. However, he could not let his wife and children stay and face death with him.

He had arranged for Commander Wang to escort the two families' women and children away from Liuzhou. After reaching the Provincial Capital, Commander Wang's family refused to leave, choosing to wait there for him.

Mrs. Lu had also intended to wait in the Provincial Capital, but Li Ming did not feel it was safe for them there. Before leaving Liuzhou, he had secretly instructed his men to ensure they were sent to the Capital City.

Traveling non-stop, they had arrived in the Capital City last night but could not enter as the gates were closed, so they waited outside until this morning to gain entry. Recounting this, Li Xin's tears fell again. "How could this happen? We don't know if Father is alright, or what will become of Liuzhou."

"I believe Father will be fine. Don't cry. We must find a way to help him," Li Xia consoled Li Xin.

"But how?" Li Xin truly could not think of anything they could do. This was a matter of war – how could they in the Capital City aid their father so far away in Liuzhou?

"The imperial court will definitely send troops to aid us, and father will surely be able to hold on," Li Xia believed that the Emperor would not allow Liuzhou to be occupied by Prince YongKang. Beyond Liuzhou lay a vast expanse of plains, with no advantageous terrain to impede Prince YongKang's army.

If Liuzhou fell, the Capital City would be in grave danger. Li Xia did not believe that after Prince YongKang was rescued, the Emperor had made no preparations. For now, it all depended on whether Liuzhou could hold out until reinforcements arrived.

"When will the imperial court be able to dispatch troops?" Li Xin asked anxiously, wishing the imperial court would send soldiers immediately.

"That's what we need to consider, we must make the imperial court send troops as soon as possible," Li Xia echoed Li Xin's sentiment.

"But how do we make them act quickly?"