Rong Yi spoke up again, "Tomorrow, I'll send my attendants to your mansion. If the situation gets out of control, there will be troops on standby and they'll arrive in time. You don't need to worry about the safety of the Su Mansion."
Normally, the Su Mansion wouldn't have been involved in such a matter. This incident was like an innocent bystander being affected. He Lian Qi felt guilty. He bowed to Lord Su and said, "I'll never forget your great kindness. In the future, if the Su Mansion or the Rong Mansion encounters any difficulties, you can come to me at any time."
Lord Su quickly helped He Lian Qi up and said, "You're the king of the country. When the monarch is in trouble, it's only natural for us to step forward. How can such a natural thing be considered a great kindness?"
Although he was a merchant, Lord Su's courage and grandeur won the admiration of everyone present. This was also one of the reasons why the Su Mansion had been able to establish a foothold in the capital.
Su Luo, who had fetched the colored ink, entered the study and handed the colored ink in her arms to Rong Yi.
Rong Yi looked at the topographic map on the table and said, "We'll just arrange martial artists at these points, these points and this point. As for these two points, I'll assign people. The route for the outing will start from the entrance of the flower fair and go along the east side of the lake."
The others looked at the route Rong Yi had drawn on the map. Lian Cheng pointed at a point and said, "This point is connected to the area around the lake. It'll be very difficult to stop people if they suddenly rush out."
Rong Yi nodded at the place Lian Cheng had pointed out and said, "You're right. So we'll have people lie in ambush on the outer perimeter in advance. I'll inform the people of the flower fair about this point. We'll set up more flower displays here and arrange for people to dress up as flower - keepers and guard here."
Rong Yi's arrangements were almost flawless. Not only did He Lian Qi look at him with new respect, but even Su Luo, who usually looked down on him, also thought differently of him. "What... what can I do?"
Although Su Luo didn't know much martial arts, she had learned a few moves when her brother was learning martial arts. Moreover, having learned medicine and poison since childhood, she could protect herself and those around her.
"You guard Lady Su and Miss Donghua well. Prepare more of those poison powders you like to play with on weekdays. It's best if they can cause harm to the eyes and skin. Since they'll probably be wearing masks, the kind that can be inhaled may not be very effective. Most importantly, protect yourself." Rong Yi arranged the task for Su Luo.
Su Luo nodded, thinking that she needed to prepare more of the things she'd need for tomorrow tonight.
"Next is the escape route." Rong Yi drew on the map with a different color. "Although we can make arrangements in advance, none of us can predict exactly how the assassins will act. So we can only try our best to lead the assassins onto our planned route. So these two points are where we need to force and guide them. Drive them to this point. There will be people blocking around here, so they can only go this way. This is the best escape route."
Rong Yi truly deserved his reputation as a talented person. He did a really good job in this aspect. After making proper arrangements, Rong Yi looked at the people in the study and said, "Uncle Su, could you invite your old friends here tonight? I'll take advantage of the afternoon to gather the necessary talents and then assign tasks to them here tonight."
"Then I'll have to trouble you." He Lian Qi nodded at Rong Yi.
"It's no trouble."
After saying that, Rong Yi folded the map and put it in his bosom. Then the group left the study.
Rong Yi, noticing that Su Luo seemed preoccupied, walked up to her and asked, "Are you nervous?"
"No." Su Luo shook her head and then said, "It just feels strange. The prince and the others haven't done anything wrong. They just went out to enjoy the flowers and yet they're being chased and killed."
Rong Yi smiled and patted Su Luo on the head. "The higher the position, the more dangerous it is."
Then he left the Su Mansion to make arrangements for the people for tomorrow.
The Palace of Concubine Chu.
Concubine Chu, who was having her nails painted, looked at the maidservant beside her mixing the pigment and said, "It's a bit too light. Make it darker."
Suddenly, just as a hand reached out, they heard that Concubine Dong had come. Concubine Chu waved her hand and signaled all the maidservants to retreat.
"Greetings, Your Highness." Concubine Dong bowed to Concubine Chu and handed the letter in her arms to Concubine Chu. "Last night, they wanted to scout the place and make a move, but they were discovered by the emperor's people. Today, the emperor and his entourage have moved into the Su Mansion."
"The Su Mansion?" Concubine Chu glanced at her newly - painted nails and opened the letter with her other hand. "Which Su Mansion?"
Concubine Dong stepped forward to explain, "The Su Mansion that has business dealings with the royal family."
"That merchant family." Concubine Chu always looked down on such merchant families. They were just low - class people with a bit of money. "What? Is it difficult to make a move now that they've moved into the Su Mansion?"
Concubine Dong originally wanted to say that the Su Mansion had invited some martial artists and that Rong Yi, the son of Minister Rong, was also involved. But after thinking about it, she didn't want to involve the innocent Su Mansion and Rong Yi. So she said, "I'm just worried about hurting innocent people. But there will be a flower - viewing festival tomorrow. The emperor and his entourage will go there. The people over there said they'll make a move during the flower - viewing festival."
"If it's not difficult to make a move, there's no need to come here and say something useless. Leave." Concubine Chu threw the letter back to Concubine Dong. Concubine Dong then took the letter and left the Palace of Concubine Chu.
The Palace of Concubine Dong.
Concubine Dong burned the letter. Thinking about the Su Mansion and Rong Yi, the son of Minister Rong, who were involved, she hoped that no innocent people would be hurt and that the entire Su Mansion and Rong Yi would be able to protect themselves.
For some reason, after He Lian Qi and his entourage moved into the Su Mansion, the assassins didn't come to scout the place anymore. Thinking about the flower - viewing festival tomorrow, Concubine Dong assumed on her own that they had already gone to scout the place for the flower - viewing festival.
Seeing that everyone seemed absent - minded while only she and Donghua seemed happy, Dongfang Yi asked He Lian Qi curiously, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing. I'm just thinking about the things I need to deal with after returning to the palace." He Lian Qi replied with a smile.
"You can think about those things after you get back. Since we're already out, let's relax. It's not good to always be so tense." Dongfang Yi said with a smile as she helped He Lian Qi straighten his collar.
"Everyone, the food is ready. Please move to the dining area." Lady Su greeted them with a smiling face and led everyone to the dining area.
"These are just home - cooked dishes. I hope you'll like them." Lord Su looked at the table full of dishes and explained to He Lian Qi and the others with a smile.
"Lord Su, you're being too polite. They smell delicious." Dongfang Yi even made a very greedy look, which made Lord Su and Lady Su smile with their eyes bent.
Su Luo, who had something on her mind, didn't have much of an appetite. She sat at the table and kept playing with the rice in her bowl.
Seeing that Su Luo was absent - minded, Mrs. Su picked up a drumstick, one of Su Luo's favorite dishes, and put it in her bowl. "Don't worry. Your brother will take care of everything. Eat well."
"Sister - in - law, I'm still a bit worried about what will happen tomorrow." Su Luo said while picking up the drumstick her sister - in - law had given her. "The arrangements for the flower - viewing festival seem very thorough, but I'm worried about something happening to the Su Mansion."
"Don't worry. Your brother and I are here in the Su Mansion. What are you worried about?"
Seeing that Su Luo still looked worried, Mrs. Su comforted her again, "Look, there are so many of your uncles and these elder brothers. Moreover, your brother and I aren't bad at martial arts. What are you worried about? Take good care of yourself tomorrow, okay?"