Chapter 477: 484: Despicable Plan

Han Yu quickly adjusted his emotions. Now, blaming Chen Li had no meaning; that woman was just not very bright and probably didn’t do it intentionally. It was more important to focus on the issues at hand. Liu Kuan truly was a character; even under such close surveillance, he managed to find a loophole to cause trouble, and yet, he left no handle for anyone to grab. It was fortunate he had discovered it early, or it would have become a significant disaster.

“This… I have failed in my duty.” Upon mentioning this, the secret guard looked at Han Yu with a face full of shame, asking for punishment. They had tried their best, almost to the point of not even blinking as they watched Liu Kuan, but they still couldn’t figure out what went wrong. Yet, messages from Liu Kuan had definitely gotten out.

“Forget it, you may go now. I need to think this through.” Han Yu rubbed his forehead. Although he wasn’t short on cunning and strategies, he wasn’t omnipotent. For example, concerning the matter of Liu Kuan, he truly felt helpless. He clearly knew the scope of Liu Kuan’s actions, and that he was a spy and traitor, yet he could do nothing about it. The situation they faced today was caused by Liu Xiu’s softheartedness and the inadequacies in Yin Shi’s precautions.

Further puzzling over why Liu Kuan went to such lengths to get close to him, to inquire about his wife and child, Han Yu suddenly thought of something, and his expression became terrible. A chilling intent emanated from his body. Those people were truly despicable. Unable to gain an advantage on the battlefield, they had turned their sights to his wife and child. In Han Yu’s eyes, battlefield matters should never involve women and children.

Han Yu was still young, and although he had his share of experience, just like Liu Xiu’s softheartedness, Han Yu too had his shortcomings. He hadn’t grown into the same unparalleled, meticulous Prime Minister from his previous life. Hence, he didn’t immediately think of this when he heard the news. He had only arranged for his wife and child to leave because he feared they would get caught in the chaos if his side lost the battle, out of caution and for their protection.

“Summon Qi Yun immediately,” Han Yu ordered, almost suppressing his anxiety and panic. Everyone knew how much he valued his wife, and he could not hide such matters. No wonder those people, having no other recourse, targeted his wife and child. He thought the people from the Imperial Court were oddly quiet, expecting them to be plotting some significant scheme; instead, they were harboring such contemptible intentions.

Rationally speaking, Han Yu knew the chances of his wife being safe were quite high. After all, the other side had just found out that his wife and child were not at the Mansion. It would take time to investigate and locate them, and by then, his wife might have already reached the Feng family’s sphere of influence. Moreover, due to the importance he placed on his wife and child, although Han Yu did not anticipate the Imperial Court’s despicable tactics, he had arranged for many people to protect them. Qi Shen, a reliable confidant, was sent to accompany them, and his father-in-law, an old Jianghu with extensive experience, was surely on guard.

But reason is one thing, and when one cares so deeply about something, that is not within the control of reason. Even knowing that the likelihood of his wife and child being safe was high, Han Yu still felt panicked. There could be no risk whatsoever regarding his wife and child.

At this time, Qi Yun was busy dealing with the tasks Han Yu had assigned him. When Han Yu suddenly called him over, thinking something significant had happened, he heard his master order him to protect the Mistress. In his heart, he did not quite agree. Not being cultivated from an early age as a secret guard, Qi Yun was not like the other secret guards who would obey any of Han Yu’s decisions without thought or objection, and he would even question them if he thought they were wrong. However, Han Yu had understood this when he accepted their allegiance and allowed it within certain bounds, as long as it did not affect their duties.

“Master, has something happened? Madam has Qi Shen with her. Although Qi Shen is young, he is very reliable, cautious, and his Martial Arts are quite good. With him by Madam’s side, her safety should be assured. At this moment, Master, you need all the manpower you can get. Zhai Mo has gone to Chang’an, and if I also go to Madam, there will be even fewer people left to help you with your matters.”

Qi Yun sincerely appreciated Han Yu, who had exacted revenge on the bandit leader for them and had sheltered them in times of peril. He and his brothers had sworn loyalty to Han Yu. Thus, Qi Yun raised these questions now, mostly out of loyalty.

“I have reasons for sending you; those defeated on the battlefield are now targeting my wife and child. Liu Kuan wormed out the information that Madam and the child are not at the Mansion from Chen Li’s lips. They may soon learn of this if they haven’t already and have likely sent people to intercept them, intending to capture Madam and the child to threaten me. Although Qi Shen is with Madam, if they are so determined to take such a course, they must have mobilized substantial forces, set on securing their objective. I fear Qi Shen alone won’t be able to handle it, so you must find Madam and the child before them to ensure their safety. Only when my wife and child are secure can I focus on what needs to be done. That is the most crucial matter right now,” Han Yu explained with rare patience, knowing their loyalty, and he wanted Qi Yun to understand the gravity of the situation.

Qi Yun had not anticipated the severity of the situation. Hearing Han Yu speak thus, his expression hardened, “Master, rest assured, I will head out immediately and ensure the safety of Madam and the child.”

After dispatching Qi Yun, Han Yu still couldn’t entirely settle down. He feared that Qi Yun wouldn’t arrive in time. Until he was utterly certain of his wife and child’s safety, he couldn’t rest easy, especially since his recent sense of foreboding had not subsided. Han Yu feared it would come to pass with his wife and child.

Hidden in the shadows, Su Wenyue watched those people trailing the horse carriage. Confident they were undetected and safe, she then led the child out from the dugout hiding spot in the jungle. It had rained heavily in recent days, everywhere was damp, and the ground was all mud. The hole, dug hastily as a temporary refuge, had no other amenities. When Su Wenyue and her confidants emerged with the child, they were covered in mud. They looked a mess, but at that moment, they couldn’t care less.

“Qi Shen, come out,” Su Wenyue called to the hidden place. The others on the road, including Mr. and Mrs. Su, didn’t know, but Han Yu had informed her beforehand, so she was well aware that Qi Shen was there to protect them,