Suddenly, there came a gentle knock on the door. "My lord," a voice said.
Recognizing it as Lian Cheng's, knowing that he must have been awakened by the footsteps on the rooftop too, the man opened the door and let Lian Cheng in.
Frowning, Lian Cheng held his sword and glanced at the roof. "Are you and the lady all right?" he asked.
"We're fine," replied Helian Qi, also looking at the roof. "Go and find out who those people are. Don't act rashly for now."
"Yes, sir." With that, Lian Cheng disappeared in a flash before Helian Qi's eyes. Helian Qi closed the door again, walked back to the bed, glanced at Dongfang Yi, and knowing he couldn't fall asleep again, just sat there guarding.
Lian Cheng chased after them to the rooftop. When he saw several black - clothed men, he went after them. Unfortunately, the black - clothed men also noticed him and quickly fled.
Lian Cheng, who had intended to continue the chase, thought of his lord and the lady in the room, so he had to return. Knowing that the lady was still resting, he decided to discuss it with his lord the next day.
It was a sleepless night for Helian Qi. Dongfang Yi, who had slept soundly, woke up and saw Helian Qi sitting on the edge of the bed. Thinking he had just woken up not long ago, she said, "You're awake."
Helian Qi, who had been dozing off, heard Dongfang Yi's voice. He turned his head affectionately to look at the little woman who had just woken up. "Get dressed and go for breakfast," he said.
Dongfang Yi rubbed her sleepy eyes, nodded, and got out of bed to get dressed.
Helian Qi left the room first. Lian Cheng stepped forward to greet him. "My lord, those black - clothed men last night were after us," he said.
"Did you catch them?" Helian Qi asked seriously.
"I'm incompetent, my lord," Lian Cheng replied.
Hearing this, Helian Qi knew that after the black - clothed men escaped last night, Lian Cheng couldn't continue the chase because there were still himself, Dongfang Yi, and Donghua in the inn.
"Tell Lord Su about the situation. We'll move into the Su Mansion. Don't tell the lady about this. I don't want to spoil her mood for the flower - viewing festival," Helian Qi ordered.
"Yes, sir." With that, Lian Cheng disappeared in a flash from Tianya Residence.
Seeing Lian Cheng leave the inn, Dongfang Yi, biting a pancake, pointed at the food on the table and asked, "Isn't Lian Cheng going to eat? Where is he going so early?"
"Didn't you want to play matchmaker for Miss Su? I sent him to see Lord Su. We're going to the Su Mansion," Helian Qi said. After stirring the porridge to the right temperature and handing it to Dongfang Yi, he started his own breakfast.
Dongfang Yi had refused to stay in the Su Mansion yesterday, but now they were going there after just one night. She sipped the porridge in her bowl, puzzled. Were men really so changeable?
Lian Cheng came back to report that the matter had been taken care of. Then they followed Su Heng, who had come to fetch them, to the Su Mansion.
Su Heng bowed to Dongfang Yi, then stepped closer to Helian Qi and whispered, "My father already knows about this. He has increased the number of guards in the mansion and invited some martial arts friends. You can rest assured, my lord."
Helian Qi nodded. "Thank you. I didn't want to trouble the Su Mansion like this, but this incident was sudden."
"You're being too polite, my lord," Su Heng said quickly, bowing again. "Ensuring your safety is the top priority. But what about the flower - viewing festival tomorrow? Will you still go?"
"The lady came this time specifically for the flower - viewing festival. I didn't tell the lady or Donghua about this just so that the lady can enjoy the festival to the fullest," Helian Qi said, glancing at Dongfang Yi who was walking in front.
"You're very considerate, my lord. The Su Mansion will definitely be on high alert to ensure the safety of you and your companions," Su Heng said with a determined look in his eyes. He also felt a bit envious of the relationship between Helian Qi and Dongfang Yi.
Lord Su, supported by Su Luo and Rong Yi, was waiting at the door for Helian Qi and the others. When he saw Helian Qi from afar, he quickly stepped forward to greet him.
Seeing Lord Su coming towards them, Helian Qi, as the younger generation, quickly stepped forward to support him. "Lord Su, there's no need for this."
"Don't worry, Mr. Song. You'll be safe in the Su Mansion," Lord Su assured him.
Rong Yi, with a slightly serious expression, asked, "Do we need to tell my father or deploy some troops?"
"No. I didn't tell the lady about this for fear of spoiling her mood," Helian Qi explained to Lord Su and the others.
Su Luo nodded and asked, "Then what about the flower - viewing festival tomorrow?"
"Deploy some people to lie in ambush around. As soon as there's any trouble, they should step forward to protect you," Rong Yi patiently explained to Su Luo.
"I know that," Su Luo said, still looking worried. "The main problem is that during the flower - viewing festival tomorrow, people from all around will come. It will be crowded and chaotic, and it'll be very difficult to control the situation."
"Let's not talk about it here. Let's go into the mansion quickly," Lord Su said, pointing at the mansion gate in front.
After everyone entered the mansion, Lord Su had informed Lady Su and the eldest daughter - in - law of the Su family in advance and reminded them not to mention this in front of Dongfang Yi.
Helian Qi and Lian Cheng followed Lord Su and the others into the study, while Lady Su and the other woman took Dongfang Yi and Donghua into the side room to chat.
"I've invited some martial arts families to help. They're all from various gangs. We can also call in some trusted people to guard here and around Sui Xin Lake," Lord Su said as soon as he closed the door of the study.
"It's not about the number of people, father. Think about all the previous flower - viewing festivals at Sui Xin Lake. Which one wasn't crowded with people? With so many people, if something really happens, it'll be impossible to get through the crowd," Su Luo explained, recalling the previous scenes.
Rong Yi had already drawn a map of Sui Xin Lake. Looking at the map, he said, "It'll be difficult for us to rescue, but it'll also be difficult for the other side to attack. In this regard, the situation is the same for both sides."
"You drew this map so quickly," Su Luo said, looking at the topographic map on the table in surprise.
Lian Cheng looked at the terrain of Sui Xin Lake and said, "The terrain is actually quite flat, but there will be too many flower beds and flower pots placed there tomorrow. The routes will be winding and not easy to walk on."
"That's right. So for the deployment, we need to assign our people to every place. The tour route should also follow the one we've planned, and the same goes for the escape route," Rong Yi's words were agreed upon by everyone present. "Su Luo, go and prepare some paints of different colors. We'll make a plan."
Suddenly named, Su Luo was stunned for a moment, then quickly nodded and went out to prepare the paints.
Rong Yi's expression became even more serious. He said to Helian Qi, "I'll follow you tomorrow. Besides ensuring your safety, I also have to ensure Su Luo's safety."
Lord Su and Su Heng beside them were also very worried about Su Luo's safety during the flower - viewing festival tomorrow.
"Of course," Helian Qi said firmly, looking at Rong Yi.
"Su Heng, you know martial arts. You stay in the mansion to guard the people of the Su family," Rong Yi said, looking at Su Heng. "If those people were scouting the inn last night, they must have known that you've moved out. The people in the Su Mansion may also be in danger. Besides the martial arts people, you should also stay."
Su Heng had originally wanted to go with them to protect Su Luo's safety, but after hearing Rong Yi's reasonable arrangement, he agreed.