Chapter 81: Fire at the North Gate!

“Brother must already be with Zhao Yinling now…”

“Ah, my brother cherishes me, so how could I not cherish him in return? I am the first wife, I must keep my mind open, stay calm… huff…”

Temporary quarters.

Inside the room shared by Jade and Li Yuanjing.

Jade had yet to fall asleep. Under the flickering glow of the brazier, the young woman gazed wistfully at the earthen ceiling above her, letting out a long sigh.

Creak.

Just as Jade was forcing herself to close her eyes and sleep, trying not to let her imagination wander, the door suddenly swung open. A figure clad in festive wedding robes dashed in.

“Brother, you—why are you here?” Jade was startled, sitting up abruptly.

She could never have expected her brother would return at this hour…

“Girl, don’t speak just yet—hurry and get dressed and listen to me…” Li Yuanjing quickly covered Jade’s mouth, urging her to dress while he explained the situation with Zhao Yinling.

Once Jade was fully dressed, Li Yuanjing finished recounting the events.

Jade was dumbfounded, staring at Li Yuanjing in disbelief. “Brother, how—how can this be? That’s impossible. I’ve met Zhao Yinling myself, how could she possibly belong to the Fragrant Sect…”

Li Yuanjing let out a deep sigh. “Girl, do you know why I didn’t allow you to take a concubine for me? You’re far too innocent.”

“Brother, I’m sorry, I was wrong, I see my mistake now…” Jade sobbed, clinging tightly to Li Yuanjing.

…

“Your servant, Zhao Yinling, greets Madam…”

Soon after.

When Li Yuanjing and Jade arrived at Zhao Yinling’s new chamber, Zhao Yinling had already donned her torn bridal robe. Trembling, she knelt and saluted Jade.

Jade’s pearly teeth nearly broke her tender red lips, but she forced herself to remain composed, asking Zhao Yinling, word by word, “Miss Zhao, is everything my brother said true?”

“Madam, your servant begs your forgiveness, please spare me just this once…” Zhao Yinling knew better than to pretend otherwise. She pressed her head to the floor, desperately pleading with Jade for mercy.

Jade exhaled slowly, ignoring Zhao Yinling and turning to Li Yuanjing instead. “Brother, now that things have come to this, our priority is not to punish Miss Zhao, but to figure out how to resolve this matter!”

Her words took Li Yuanjing aback—he could not help but see his little sister in a new light.

Without realizing it, his young wife had matured beyond his expectations.

“Girl, what do you think we should do?” Li Yuanjing asked, admiring Jade’s composure.

Jade blushed, but she dared not let him lose focus now. She thought for a moment before speaking. “Brother, I’ve heard of the methods used by the Fragrant Sect. Anyone who opposes them is sure to face their wrath… In my opinion…”

Jade’s beautiful eyes locked solemnly onto Li Yuanjing’s.

“Brother, since things have come to this, perhaps it’s best to accept what’s happened and stabilize the situation. Miss Zhao has not had an easy path…”

As she spoke, she gently tugged Li Yuanjing’s arm, acting coquettishly.

Yet, Jade’s demeanor, though seemingly childish, was clear to Li Yuanjing—she was not merely showing kindness to Zhao Yinling, but seeking to win her favor and thereby secure her loyalty.

Li Yuanjing felt a surge of gratitude in his heart.

To have Jade was truly a stroke of fortune.

Though her good intentions had led to trouble, she had also given him a crucial warning. If, in the future, the Fragrant Sect sent even more formidable agents and he failed to see through them…

Li Yuanjing dared not imagine what might happen next.

At that moment.

Seeing Li Yuanjing nod in agreement, Jade helped Zhao Yinling to her feet. “Miss Zhao, what do you think of what I said? Are you still willing to serve my brother?”

Zhao Yinling was no fool. She eagerly professed her loyalty to Jade. “Madam, I am willing, truly willing…”

Jade soothed Zhao Yinling, while glancing over at Li Yuanjing.

Li Yuanjing was momentarily speechless, but as he prepared to face the situation, a shout rang out from outside, the night watchman Pillar calling, “Master, are you there? There’s trouble! The woodpile by the north gate caught fire and spread to several nearby households…”

“What?”

“The woodpile by the north gate caught fire, and it spread to almost all the households?”

Li Yuanjing jolted, hurriedly opening the door and rushing out to the open ground to investigate.

Moments later.

Li Yuanjing’s expression turned grim.

He saw—

From the north gate, flames shot skyward, shouts echoed everywhere, and the orderly night watch had been completely disrupted!

“Brother, what happened?” Jade ran out as well, frightened but resolutely standing by Li Yuanjing’s side.

Li Yuanjing frowned, calling to Pillar, “Gather everyone, follow me down to take a look!”

But as soon as he spoke, Li Yuanjing paused, commanding, “First, assemble the men!”

“Yes!” Pillar dared not delay, quickly summoning the night watch.

Li Yuanjing turned to Jade. “Girl, you must stay out of this now. Stay inside your room, lock the door, and don’t go anywhere unless I knock. Do you understand?”

“But brother…”

“No buts!”

Li Yuanjing’s face was as cold as ancient ice. He pulled Jade back into her room and shut the door firmly.

Just then, Chen Chunyan, who had only recently lain down, hurriedly dressed and rushed over. “Master, what’s happened?”

“Stop panicking!” Li Yuanjing shot her a fierce glare and dragged her to the wall, speaking coldly, “The women workers must stop their tasks. Everyone is to be on alert here! If Zhao Yinling makes any move, have her killed on the spot!”

“And…”

Li Yuanjing whispered a few more instructions to Chen Chunyan.

“Uh…” Chen Chunyan shivered, wanting to say more, but Li Yuanjing had already rushed over to join Pillar and the night watch.

“Master, I understand!”

“Women, stop spinning thread! There’s urgent business, everyone outside now!”

A cold wind swept through, and Chen Chunyan finally came to her senses. She quickly summoned the night shift women from the workshop to stand guard.

“Master, something seems suspicious about this…”

Meanwhile.

Zhang Kun and Zhao Zengjin arrived, with Zhang Kun speaking in a low, grave tone to Li Yuanjing.

Mao Xiaocao had also been called up, standing guard beside Li Yuanjing with a bird gun.

Li Yuanjing breathed deeply, nodding heavily and speaking quietly to Zhang Kun. “Brother Zhang, stay here yourself. I’ll leave Xiaocao with you.”

He then gave Zhao Zengjin a meaningful glance. “Old Zhao, take five men and come down with me to investigate!”

Zhao Zengjin quickly understood Li Yuanjing’s intention—he was to take the best men and grenades. He nodded emphatically. “Yes!”

…

In no time.

Li Yuanjing and Zhao Zengjin, with five men, rushed down the slope toward the north gate.

Yet, moments after they arrived at the bottom—

In a pitch-black corner beneath the slope.

A burly man, completely concealed in shadow, let out a chilling, sinister smile and barked quietly to those behind him, “All of you, stay sharp. Get ready to move!”

…

A humble plea for support—many thanks.