Even women who travel through time can become prime ministers and nobles.

Chapter 453 The Crown Prince Returns

Cui Zhihao's expression changed instantly: "July 15th? Only three days left! They're going to break into the prison to rescue Wang Wan'er!"

He immediately stood up and said to Cui Yu'an, "You should immediately mobilize troops to strengthen the guards inside the prison, and also lay in ambush outside the prison. When they come to break in, we'll wipe them all out in one fell swoop!"

"Yes!" Cui Yu'an immediately accepted the order and left.

Choi Jiho walked to the window and looked at the sky outside. The autumn sky should have been clear, but at this moment it was covered with dark clouds, as if a storm was about to break.

He knew that this was not just a prison break, but also the first challenge that the remnants of the Rongyang King had taken against the new policies of Chuzhou.

Meanwhile, inside the prefectural government office, Shi Wanxia was unaware that a crisis was approaching.

She was discussing expanding the cement workshop with Shuyun, Qinxin, and Qinglan when she suddenly heard hurried footsteps outside.

Choi Ji-ho's confidant rushed in, looking flustered, and said, "Lord Shi, Lord Choi requests your immediate visit to the prison; there is an emergency!"

Shi Wanxia's heart sank, and she immediately stood up: "Let's go take a look."

Stepping out of the government office, she looked up at the sky. The clouds grew thicker, and the wind began to blow, swirling up fallen leaves that drifted into the distance.

She knew that the peace of Chuzhou was about to be shattered.

The gloom lurking in the shadows is finally about to surface.

On July 12th in Chuzhou, before the morning mist had completely dissipated, a steady sound of horses' hooves came from the south gate.

Crown Prince Shen Yanzhou, dressed in a black brocade robe and a dark cloak, rode a tall horse followed by more than twenty palace guards in tight-fitting clothes, and drove into the city in a dusty state.

As soon as they passed through the city gate, Shen Yanzhou reined in his horse and scanned the streets with his eyes.

A month ago, when he escorted Wang Qinian and Yuan Xiaomiao back to Beijing, this place was still a ruin, with refugees everywhere, sewage flowing freely, and even the roads were difficult to traverse.

But now, the collapsed courtyard wall has been repaired neatly, and the street vendors have set up their stalls early in the morning, with steam rising from the wooden buckets selling soy milk.

The weaver sat at the doorway, her needle and thread flying, while several children, holding sugar figurines, chased and played around at the alley entrance.

What concerned him even more was that on the section of road in the west of the city that had been washed away by the flood, craftsmen were busy laying a kind of grayish, hard block.

When he returned to Beijing, Shi Wanxia mentioned that this was called "cement," which was several times stronger than ordinary bricks and stones.

The craftsmen worked quickly and efficiently, while several locals gathered around, peering in with curiosity and occasionally uttering words of praise.

"Your Highness, the changes in Chuzhou are truly earth-shattering."

The accompanying head guard, Zhao Hu, couldn't help but sigh, "When we left last month, we never saw him this angry."

Shen Yanzhou smiled faintly, but his eyes were full of praise: "This is all thanks to Shi Wanxia's ability. To be able to clean up such a mess in just over a month, she is truly a woman who is just as capable as any man. I was right about her."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than a group of people approached quickly from ahead. The woman at the head of the group wore a blue official robe, though some morning dew clung to her hair.

His face showed signs of fatigue, but his eyes were surprisingly bright, and his posture was as upright as a pine tree; it was late summer.

Behind her were Shuyun, Qinxin, and Qinglan, all three of them looking capable. Shuyun was holding an account book in her hand, as if she had just returned from checking something somewhere.

"Your subject, Shi Wanxia, ​​greets Your Highness!"

Upon seeing Shen Yanzhou, Shi Wanxia immediately led the three of them in bowing respectfully, her voice clear and crisp.

Shen Yanzhou dismounted and quickly stepped forward to offer a helping hand, his tone gentle: "Sister Wanxia, ​​there's no need for such formalities. You must be tired from your journey."

His gaze swept over the three of them, finally settling on Shi Wanxia.

"I saw this as soon as I entered the city. The streets are clean, the refugees have been resettled, and even the roads are being repaired—Chuzhou is what it is today, all thanks to you."

"Your abilities far surpass those of many male officials in the court. I will certainly report this to my father and request that you be rewarded."

Shi Wanxia quickly shook her head, her tone sincere: "Your Highness is too kind."

"I was merely doing my duty. If it weren't for Your Highness's initial trust, the investigation by Lord Cui and his nephew, the assistance of Shuyun and the others, and the perseverance of the people of Chuzhou, we wouldn't be where we are today."

"This credit belongs to everyone; I dare not claim it all for myself."

"You're still so humble."

Shen Yanzhou chuckled and turned to look at Shuyun and the other two.

"These three must be Shuyun, Qinxin, and Qinglan, the young ladies from the capital, right?"

"After I returned to the capital, I heard that you were quite capable in assisting Wanxia in Xinyang."

"You have made great contributions to the stability of Chu Prefecture this time. I will petition the Emperor to approve your official ranks and titles, and I will not allow your talents to be buried."

Upon hearing this, Shuyun and the other two bowed deeply in gratitude: "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness!"

Shi Wanxia felt a warmth in her heart—she had always been concerned about her sisters' official positions, and now that the Crown Prince had brought it up, it relieved her of a worry.

Just as he was about to say something more, a figure came running quickly from the street corner; it was Cui Yu'an.

He usually had a youthful air about him, but now his face was solemn, and sweat beaded on his forehead. As soon as he saw Shen Yanzhou and Shi Wanxia, ​​he said urgently, "Your Highness! Lord Shi! You've finally arrived! My third uncle is waiting in the prison; he's made an urgent discovery!"

Shen Yanzhou and Shi Wanxia exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of unease in each other's eyes. Shen Yanzhou immediately said in a deep voice, "Let's go to the prison!"

The Chuzhou prison is located in the northwest corner of the city, in a remote area, and is perpetually filled with a damp, musty smell.

The group quickly walked through the dark corridor and arrived at the interrogation room. There, they saw Choi Ji-ho standing in front of the table, holding a crumpled piece of paper in his hand, his brows furrowed.

"How's the situation in Huai'an?"

Shen Yanzhou pushed open the door and entered, his voice tinged with urgency.

Upon seeing the Crown Prince arrive, Cui Zhihao quickly cupped his hands and said, "Your Highness, just now, our secret guards received a secret letter outside the city. It was delivered by the remnants of the Prince of Rongyang. It reads: 'On the fifteenth of the seventh month, the Ghost Festival, we will break into the prison at night to rescue Wan'er and Qinian.'"

"The Ghost Festival?"

Shi Wanxia's heart skipped a beat. "That day, the people were going to hold a sacrificial ceremony. There were many people and all sorts of people on the street. They wanted to take advantage of the chaos to make a move!"

Cui Zhihao nodded, his expression growing increasingly grave: "Exactly. The secret letter only mentioned the time and objective, but not the number of people, the route, or how many spies were inside the city."

"Although Wang Wan'er hasn't spoken these past few days, judging from her expression, she seems to have anticipated this, and it's likely that she had already spoken with the people outside."

Shen Yanzhou took the secret letter, his fingertips tracing the hastily written words, a cold glint flashing in his eyes: "These traitors dare to make a move in Chuzhou, they are truly lawless!"

He pondered for a moment, glanced at everyone, and quickly made arrangements.

"Zhao Hu!"

"The general is here!"

Zhao Hu immediately stepped forward, clasped his hands in greeting, and accepted the order.

"I have brought fifty palace guards and secret guards with me this time, all of whom are elite."

"Immediately take my warrant and have them break into ten groups and infiltrate various parts of the city—the area around the prison, the four city gates, the residence where Wang Wan'er used to live, and the dilapidated temple in the west of the city. They must thoroughly investigate all of these areas!"

Shen Yanzhou said sternly, "We must find out their hiding places, the number of weapons they have, and their specific prison break plan before July 15th!"

"Remember, be discreet, and never alert the enemy!"

"Yes! This subordinate will take care of it immediately!"

Zhao Hu took the order, turned around and strode away, his steps hurried but not flustered.