Lucky Farmer Girl: I rely on metaphysics to support my family

The next afternoon, Tang Wan did not go to the space to draw talismans again. Instead, she sat by the window and counted the talisman papers in her sleeves once more.

Er Ya hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Miss, should we bring some changes of clothes?"

Tang Wan shook her head and said, "No need, it's probably not necessary."

They won't act until midnight at Qixia Village, and the city gates will be locked long ago, making it impossible for them to return to the city.

Logically, one should be prepared to spend the night away from home, but the matter at Qixia Manor is unlikely to be resolved soon, and may even last all night. By the time it's over, the city gates may already be open the next day, allowing one to go home and rest.

Hearing her mistress say this, Er Ya nodded in agreement without asking any further questions.

Around 3 PM, the gatekeeper came to report that someone from the Prince of Zhan's residence had arrived.

Tang Wan tied up the bundle and said to Er Ya, "I'll send you to the space to cultivate. You can come out again if you need to."

Qixia Manor not only has secret guards, but more importantly, it also has a mysterious altar, which she fears might have some adverse effects on Er Ya.

Er Ya opened her mouth, as if to say something, but in the end she didn't, only nodding and saying, "Okay, Miss."

With a slight thought, Tang Wan noticed that Er Ya had vanished.

Tang Wan went to Wang's courtyard alone.

Wang was doing needlework in the room when she saw Tang Wan come in. She smiled and said, "You've come at the right time. I was just thinking of asking you what you'd like to eat tonight."

Tang Wan bowed and said gently, "Mother, I have to go out for a while. There are some things at the Prince Zhan's residence that require my help, so I probably won't be able to return to the residence tonight."

Madam Wang's hand tightened slightly, her brows furrowed, and she lowered her voice, saying, "Wan'er, how can an unmarried young lady like you stay overnight at the Prince Zhan's residence?"

As she spoke, Madam Wang stood up, took Tang Wan's hand, and pulled her to stand in front of her. She asked in a slightly impatient tone, "What is it that's so urgent? Can't we do it tomorrow?"

When Tang Wan heard her mother, Wang, say this, she knew that her father probably hadn't mentioned this matter to her mother yesterday.

She had no choice but to lower her voice further and explain, "Mother, I am not staying at the Prince of Zhan's residence. I am out on business, and I cannot go into details, but this is an imperial decree that cannot be disobeyed. Moreover, the Prince of Zhan's residence has already sent people over, and I cannot refuse to go."

Upon hearing the words "Imperial Decree," Lady Wang's fingers tightened sharply, her heart filled with even greater worry. This must be an extremely serious matter, one that had alarmed even the Emperor.

No matter how much worry I had, I could only swallow it down and offer no further words of advice.

She moved her lips twice, but ultimately didn't say anything like "Can I not go?"

She held her daughter's hand tightly for a long time before saying with concern, "Then be careful and be sure to stay safe."

Tang Wan nodded and reassured her, "I understand, Mother, don't worry."

Wang didn't ask any more questions, but simply let go of his hand and said softly, "Go and come back soon."

Tang Wan responded and turned to leave Wang's room.

Tang Wan's carriage stopped at the side gate of the Zhan Prince's mansion, and Zhan Yi led her straight to the study.

After Zhan Yi knocked on the door and came in to report, Zhan Wang had Zhan Yi invite the person in while he got up to greet him.

Seeing Tang Wan enter, the War King's lips curled up slightly, and he said with a smile, "You've arrived!"

Tang Wan smiled and agreed, and they walked together into the War King's Hall.

The War King led Tang Wan in, pointed to a chair to the side, and said, "Sit." Then the War King sat down in his own seat and said, "In a quarter of an hour, the leaders of each team will come over to make final arrangements together."

Tang Wan sat down and looked up at the War King. She noticed that he had faint dark circles under his eyes, indicating that he hadn't slept well for the past few days, but his back was still straight and his eyes were clear.

Tang Wan felt a pang of sympathy, but at this moment, she couldn't say much. No matter how much she felt sorry for him, she couldn't let him rest. After all, the operation that night was crucial, and he was in charge, so he really couldn't rest.

Just then, Zhan came in and served tea, and Tang Wan took the opportunity to drink it.

Although the two hadn't seen each other for a few days, they couldn't have any private conversations as they were about to take action, and simply chatted about their plans for the evening.

A short while later, Zhan Yi led several people into the study.

Leading the group was Commander Zhou of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, a man in his forties with a wiry build and sharp eyes.

Following behind were the two leaders of the secret guards, as well as the two groups of guards in charge of the War King's Mansion.

After exchanging greetings, the War King led them to his desk.

Several people gathered in a circle in front of the desk. The War King stood up, picked up a vermilion pen, and pointed to the mark on the map on the desk.

He said in a moderate voice, "There are five routes in total, all to be launched simultaneously at midnight tonight. The first route is Jishan Hall, led by Zhan Yi, with fifty men, to block all exits and not let a single person escape. The second route is Feng Mansion, led by Commander Zhou, with fifty men, to storm in through the main gate and control all entry and exit. The third route is Qixia Manor, which I will personally lead, with two hundred men, a mix of Tiger and Leopard Cavalry and secret guards. This route is the main force and will be the toughest battle. The fourth route is the East City Villa, with fifty men; the fifth route is the South City Villa, with fifty men."

The War King glanced at the crowd and said, “When leaving the city, the three groups will move out in batches to avoid attracting attention. The people from Qixia Manor will go through the west gate; the people from the East Courtyard will go through the east gate; and the people from the South Courtyard will go through the south gate. They will each meet three miles outside the city and approach the target on foot.”

Commander Zhou asked, "Your Highness, are there any hidden sentries outside Qixia Manor?"

"Yes," said the War King. "The secret guards have already located the sentries. They will be removed before the operation to avoid alerting the manor. There is an evil formation in the forbidden area behind the mountain; ordinary people who go in cannot come out."

The War King didn't mention exactly how to get in.

Commander Zhou, still uneasy, pressed for details: "In that case, Your Highness's journey is likely fraught with danger. Would you like to consult a master who is knowledgeable in this area?"

Upon hearing this, the War King glanced at Tang Wan and had no choice but to say, "Miss Tang is an expert in this field, but please keep this matter to yourselves and do not spread it around."

All eyes fell on Tang Wan at the same time.

Then, Commander Zhou was the first to react, clasping his hands in a fist and replying, "Yes, Your Highness!"

The other two guards actually knew Tang Wan's identity, but they echoed her.

Commander Zhou then glanced at Tang Wan, asked no further questions, and simply clasped his hands in greeting, saying, "Thank you for your trouble, Miss Tang."

Tang Wan nodded slightly and said calmly, "It's my duty."

The War King then explained in detail the meeting point for each group, the signaling method, the retreat route, and the contingency plan for unexpected situations.

This plan was one he had carefully considered repeatedly; it was extremely detailed and took into account every possible problem.

Having said that, he raised his eyes to look at everyone, and said solemnly, "Did you all understand?"

Everyone responded in unison, "Understood."

"We will depart in one hour," the War King said. "Everyone, change into civilian clothes, act in batches, and meet at the designated location. Each group leader must remember to act at the same time."

The group accepted the order and withdrew one after another. (End of Chapter)