It's past midnight, and the crescent moon is high.
Zhu Yan tossed and turned, not feeling sleepy at all, her heart beating inexplicably fast, staring at the bed curtain, feeling vaguely uneasy.
After a while, Zhu Yan sat up with her arms supported, put on her coat, got out of bed and opened the window, looking at the bright moon in the sky, she lost her mind for a moment.
Suddenly, there was a rustling movement in the yard.
Zhu Yan was startled and stared at the cypress tree in the courtyard.
Just now, there was a strange noise coming from that place.
The next moment, the ground was suddenly lifted, revealing a head.
Zhu Yan's body swayed and she almost fell to the ground. Her eyes widened and she stared outside in disbelief.
There was actually a thick stone slab underneath the land. Now the stone slab was pushed away, and the people inside climbed out one after another.
The moon was dark and the wind was high, Zhu Yan's eyes felt black and she covered her mouth tightly, for fear that these evil spirits climbing up from the ground would find her.
"Let's go quickly." Xie Li held Song Huixin's shoulders with a serious look on his face, "If Qi Chong finds out, he won't be able to leave."
Lian Yan looked around, his tone a little nervous, "Where is this?"
"It seems..." Xuanwu had a round figure. It took a lot of effort to climb up and took over the conversation, "It is the courtyard of the Duke's wife."
Seeing that several people had escaped safely, Xuanwen hurriedly squatted down, pushed back the opened stone slab, turned around and urged, "Masters, hurry up and leave!"
"You must guard this place and wait for news from the government." Song Huixin stroked his heart, his face turned pale, "Qi Chong must be brought to justice."
In the silence of the night, Zhu Yan hid behind the window, and the voices of the five people came in through the cracks in the window, and they could be heard clearly.
"etc."
Zhu Yan put on her clothes, opened the window, and asked solemnly, "Who are you?"
Several people in the yard were startled, and when they saw Zhu Yan through the moonlight, their faces turned pale.
"Madam, Duke of the State," Xie Li was the first to come to his senses and nodded politely towards her, "I have long admired your name."
After finishing his words, Xie Li turned slightly sideways and his eyes fell on Lian Yan, his eyes seemed to have a deep meaning.
Lian Yan understood instantly, his fingertips touched the crossbow arrow on his wrist, and a trace of killing intent flashed in his eyes.
They have been exposed, and if they want to escape safely, they can only use strong methods.
Zhu Yan pressed her hand against the window with a faint look in her eyes, "If you believe me, you can come to my room and take shelter."
Lian Yan was stunned and subconsciously looked at Xie Li.
Xie Li frowned slightly and looked at Zhu Yan with a scrutinizing gaze, as if he was wondering how true her words were.
"Are you from Yongcheng Houfu?" Zhu Yan calmed down and said softly, "Your wife and I are also good friends."
Xie Li tightened his grip on Song Huixin's wrist and led her behind him. There was no lack of defense in his eyes, "How did the Duke and Madam see through our identities?"
Zhu Yan's eyes moved slightly and fell on Song Huixin, and she whispered, "The jade pendant around the girl's waist looks very familiar. I have seen it on the legitimate young lady of the Yongcheng Marquis."
Song Huixin's expression changed, and he tugged on Xie Li's sleeves and whispered, "This was given to me by my mother. My sister-in-law and my little sister also have one each."
Zhu Yan pushed open the door and urged, "Don't waste any more time, hide in quickly."
Lian Yan couldn't make up his mind and could only look at Xie Li standing aside.
Xie Li pursed her thin lips and said in a deep voice, "I believe this time, let's go!"
"Your Majesty." Xuanwen called him with a respectful look on his face, "Just in case, we brothers should go out for inspection."
Xie Li nodded and whispered, "Be careful."
"yes."
As soon as he finished speaking, Xuanwen grabbed Xuanwu and dragged him out of the yard.
When the three of them entered the room and carefully closed the door, everyone looked at each other, not knowing what to say.
"You..." Zhu Yan paused, her eyes were surprised, "Why did you break into the Duke's mansion in the middle of the night?"
As soon as the words came out, Lian Yan and Song Huixin looked at Xie Li with great understanding.
Xie Li sighed softly and said helplessly, "I don't know where to start talking to the Duke and Madam."
"Just say it clearly." Zhu Yan raised her eyes and looked at the three people in front of her with a sincere expression, "Qi Chong and I are not of the same mind, but the time has not come... If you have any way to bring him down, I I’d like to lend a helping hand.”
Song Huixin glanced at her and his face changed slightly, "Does Madam Duke know that there is a secret room under your yard?"
"Darkroom..." Zhu Yan was stunned, her eyes blank, "What darkroom?"
Seeing that she didn't look like she was faking it, Song Huixin had a cold face and said softly, "Qi Guogong built a dark room, and there were many girls locked up in it for his entertainment. If they were not happy at all, they would kill each other. Now it has become a dark room." Purgatory on earth.”
Zhu Yan shuddered, and the handkerchief fell on the table. A chill surged from the soles of her feet to the top of her head.
She has lived in the courtyard for more than ten years, and now she is told that many people have died under this courtyard. No one can recover from such a shock.
Xie Li looked at her quietly and said calmly, "Madam, you are a good person. If you let this matter go, it will save us a lot of trouble."
Zhu Yan pursed her lips, and her eyes gradually changed from fear to determination, "This matter is before me. Those girls would have had a different life... If I don't do something, my conscience will be uneasy."
"Whether it's going to the palace to meet the saint, or going to beat the Dengwen drum, I will cooperate without any hesitation."
Xie Li breathed a sigh of relief, relaxed his brows, and said in a low voice, "Mrs. Lao Guogong."
Zhu Yan clenched her hands tightly, unable to hide the hatred on her face, "Qi Chong has a human face and a beast's heart, how can we allow such harm to remain in the world!"
"Leave this matter to me, I won't let him escape." Zhu Yan raised her head with a solemn expression, "When the rooster crows, you sneak to the back door. The cook who goes out to buy will leave a crack in the door. When the time comes, you take the opportunity to sneak out, this is the only way."
After saying this, the three people opposite looked at each other and nodded in agreement.
-
next day
For the first time, a carriage parked in front of the always deserted Shen family.
Shen Ji dressed up early and sat in the yard to have breakfast as usual.
Wen Mo stood behind him, his eyes were groggy, and his tone was full of accusations, "Sir, you have a rest today, why did you get up so early?"
Shen Ji drank the last mouthful of porridge in the bowl, picked up the handkerchief and wiped the corners of his mouth, and said with a smile, "Go to the Yongcheng Marquis Mansion today to see Xie Li."
"Who are you looking at?" Wen Mo pursed his lips and muttered in a low voice, "Sir, you really know how to make amends for yourself."
Shen Ji glanced at him and said calmly, "It seems that I am usually too good to you."
Wen Mo shook his head quickly and turned into a bitch in an instant, "Sir, it's just a small talk but no intention."
Shen Ji looked away, stood up slowly, and smiled lightly, "Get the car ready and go to Yongcheng Houfu."
"yes."
Shen Ji felt refreshed, the woman's face appeared in his mind, and even his steps became much lighter.
Until he saw the strange woman sitting in the hall, the smile on his lips suddenly disappeared.
