Chapter 440: They Were Saved
The night grew deeper.
The lake within the Orphanage was exceptionally calm, with various aquatic plants growing along the shore. Suddenly, numerous heads emerged from amidst the dense vegetation.
Their movements were extremely quiet, producing no sound as they stealthily crawled ashore where the water plants were thickest.
"Brr, it's so cold."
The moment Chu Hongyu emerged from the water, he felt the chilly wind and couldn't help shivering.
Lin Dongdong wanted to speak but realized his clothes were soaked too, so he remained silent.
After Yun Zhenjiang and Meng Shen reached the shore, they crouched in the grass, exchanging a glance that flashed with killing intent.
Following them, over thirty shadow guards crept toward the scattered guards in the courtyard, slowly and silently closing in.
More than thirty guards were dispersed across the courtyard, while over twenty stood guard in front of the building.
These two groups were separated.
The Cloud Family Shadow Guards were men who lived by the blade, well-versed in various assassination techniques.
Before the guards could react, a thin rope descended from above and tightened around their necks. The swift constriction gave them no time to cry out or struggle before they lost consciousness and fell dead.
The twenty-plus guards stationed in front of the building seemed to hear some commotion and sent one person to investigate.
As soon as the man stepped out, an arrow pierced his neck. Blood instantly gushed out, and he collapsed, twitching in death.
Simultaneously, the Cloud Family Shadow Guards filed in and subdued all the guards at the building's entrance.
Without giving them a chance to speak, each was killed with a single blade stroke.
The sounds from outside, though faint, reached Yun Qin's ears.
After Yun Chu had established the Orphanage, Yun Qin had volunteered to help and eventually became its director, managing all affairs.
She never expected that this morning, a group of black-clad men would storm in. She was knocked unconscious and awoke to find herself and all the adults and children of the Orphanage locked in this row of rooms. Her hands and feet were bound, her mouth gagged—utterly helpless.
She kept glancing at the children on the bed nearby, where dozens of infants under one year old lay.
Throughout the entire day, these children lay unnervingly quiet, neither crying nor fussing... Normally, infants of this age would need frequent feeding and diaper changes, inevitably making some noise. Their prolonged silence was terrifying.
Anxiety and fear gripped her to the core.
When the commotion outside finally ceased and footsteps drew nearer, Yun Qin's fear peaked.
The door creaked open, revealing a line of black-clad figures entering. Struggling against her gag, she pleaded silently for the children's release, willing to do anything...
Just as despair set in, a small figure emerged from among the black-clad men and rushed toward her: "Aunt Yun Qin!"
Yun Qin was stunned.
It was actually the Emperor!
Then—they were saved!
Chu Hongyu swiftly removed the gag from Yun Qin's mouth and cut her bonds with a dagger.
Forgoing formalities, Yun Qin hurried to the bed and checked one child's breathing. Relieved to find them still alive, she turned back and said, "Your Majesty, these children have been unconscious for some reason. We must summon a physician immediately!"
Chu Hongyu responded, "First, untie everyone. I'll clear the path ahead.""Wait a moment." Lin Dongdong took a baby-wrapping blanket from the bed and draped it over Chu Hongyu. "Your Majesty, the wind is strong outside. Wrap yourself tightly in the blanket to avoid catching a chill."
At the main gate of the Orphanage, Chu Rui had stationed his men to block the entrance. Facing him were Yun Chu's people, and the two sides had been in a standoff for a long time.
"Yun Chu, how much longer do you need to think?" Chu Rui asked softly, clutching his chest. "I don't have much time left. I only wish to fulfill this long-cherished desire."
Yun Chu's expression was icy. "You've played too many tricks. I dare not agree to you lightly."
Chu Rui smiled bitterly. "At this point, what tricks could I possibly have left? If you let me enter the palace and allow me to die in the Golden Glory Hall, I will release everyone in the Orphanage."
His mother and his elder sister had both died in the Golden Glory Hall and were buried in its rear garden. That was why the chrysanthemums there bloomed most brilliantly.
He could clearly feel his life slipping away.
From the moment he chose to use the gu worms, he knew he wouldn't live long.
Coupled with the fatal blow Yun Chu had dealt him, this short life of his was due to end.
He only wanted to find a resting place for himself.
Such a small request, yet Yun Chu wouldn't grant it.
"Since you refuse, I can only have these children accompany me in death." Chu Rui's lips curved into a strange smile. "I'll give you only three counts."
Yun Chu narrowed her eyes.
Just a short while ago, the Cloud Family Shadow Guard had informed her that Yu Ge'er had led people into the Orphanage through the secluded pond at the back of the mountain.
Fortunately, Yun Zhenjiang and Meng Shen had followed them in. These two were relatively more steady, which eased her worries somewhat.
Her standoff with Chu Rui here was mainly to buy time.
Once the Cloud Family Shadow Guard fully secured the interior of the Orphanage, she could move to kill Chu Rui directly.
"Three."
Chu Rui began counting with a smile on his face.
Just as Yun Chu had done when counting at the Regent's Residence.
"Two."
Yun Chu's brows furrowed tightly.
She prepared to agree first and then maneuver slowly.
At that moment.
A child's voice rang out: "Your counting is so slow. Why haven't you reached one yet? Hurry up and count. I want to see what you plan to do."
Chu Rui turned in disbelief.
Inside the Orphanage's gate stood a small figure wrapped in a blanket. Who else could it be but the current Emperor?
He suddenly understood why Yun Chu had kept saying she needed to think—it was to stall for time.
Mother and son had conspired together, one outside and one inside. He had lost, truly lost, utterly defeated.
"Hahahahaha!"
Chu Rui laughed heartily.
Around him, over twenty men surrounded him protectively.
Yun Chu said calmly, "Take action."
The Imperial Guards behind her, who had long been restless, charged forward and clashed with Chu Rui's men.
Yun Chu kept her eyes fixed on Chu Rui. She saw him clutching his chest, rising unsteadily from his chair with a limp, and coughing violently.
He smiled at Yun Chu. "Since you are heartless, don't blame me for being merciless."
"Lin Qiang, Fan Ming!" Yun Chu shouted. "Restrain Chu Rui!"
Chu Rui pulled a fire starter from his sleeve, blew on it, and as Lin Qiang rushed toward him, he let go. The fire starter fell to the ground.Something had been placed on the ground, instantly igniting a line that snaked toward the interior of the Orphanage. As it burned, it simultaneously ignited surrounding lines, sending over a dozen fiery trails racing toward the room where the children were confined.
"It's... gunpowder!"
Chu Hongyu's eyes widened instantly.
Yun Chu cried out in alarm: "Yu Ge'er, run!"
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