After saving the Empress, I became the top scholar in the imperial examination.

The red-masked body trembled twice, and the large hands that were gripping the two Imperial Guards loosened their grip. But as the two Imperial Guards leaned forward, those hands suddenly grabbed them again.

After Ning Nan shouted that towards the roof.

The black gun barrel was retracted, slowly revealing a small head wearing a blue mask.

But the man in the blue mask glanced down, paused, then quickly pulled back, sticking the gun barrel out again and resting it on the roof with a click.

The black-faced man remained unmoved. Even when Ning Nan called out to him, he remained as silent as a mountain.

Shan remained silent, his right hand still gripping the hilt of his knife, the back of the blade pressed against Xu Cheng's neck.

Ning Nan looked helpless, knowing that Da Hei and the others thought he was still under the control of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and dared not let their guard down.

He then pulled out the gleaming gold medal from his pocket, flashed it at Shangguan Xiu, then at Qian Sijin, and solemnly declared, "Imperial Guards, listen to my command!"

"yes!"

Shangguan Xiu shouted with a serious expression, and then Qian Sijin and six other Jinyiwei guards, who were eyeing him menacingly, responded in kind.

"Put away all weapons!" Ning Nan said.

Clang!

Qian Sijin put down his spear, and the other five Imperial Guards followed suit, sheathing their swords as well.

Upon seeing this, the black-faced demon stared blankly for a moment, then visibly relaxed his shoulders and threw the knife to the ground with a series of thuds.

He released Xu Cheng, removed the black mask from his face, revealing a simple and earnest face like that of a craftsman.

"Brother Xu," Da Hei smiled, his clear eyes revealing a set of white teeth, and bowed gently to Xu Cheng, "I apologize for earlier."

……

……

This morning, Li Xing, along with his mother, was taken to Nanjing by Cuicui's wife. First, he went with Sanzhuang to the prison to deliver food to Erlaizi.

After they came out, Cui Cui's wife arranged for someone to take them back to the Ning Mansion, but Li Xing made an excuse that he had something to do, asked for directions, and ran to the Ministry of Works. He spent all the money he had on him—which was the funding for Li Family Village Primary School—to open up the side gatehouse and call out Da Hei, who was working as a craftsman inside.

After Dahei learned about this, he immediately made some arrangements.

First, he went back to the blacksmith's workshop in the Ministry of Works to get a few knives, and then went to the Ning Mansion to call out Sanzhuang.

Li Xing said that he hid his elder brother's musket in the carriage at Ningfu and brought it into Nanjing.

"Well done!" Big Black chuckled and patted the kid on the shoulder.

San Zhuang held a position in the Ning family, so he went inside and retrieved the musket.

Immediately, Dahei ordered Li Xing and Sanzhuang to stake out outside the prison, intending to watch the official verdict.

If it's a beheading, then plan a route, find an opportunity to rescue the eldest brother and the second brother, and then escape Nanjing together.

Pretending to be a remnant of Meng Hao's gang was also part of the plan. This way, Aunt Ning and her sister-in-law wouldn't be implicated... After escaping, the authorities would only investigate in the direction of the Yunhu bandits.

But unexpectedly, after Dahei finished arranging some things and came over, he saw the Imperial Guards picking up Ning Nan from prison.

Li Xing and San Zhuang asked Da Hei what to do. Da Hei gritted his teeth and said, "Let's get this done today!"

"Hmph!" Shangguan Xiu snorted. "You're dreaming. Even if you really save Ning Baixuan today, how will you escape Nanjing?" He glanced at the big man and said with some dissatisfaction.

Ning Nan smiled and looked at Da Hei with great interest.

Just then, the carriage arrived at the end of Huai Shui Lane.

Big Black said, "Please have the driver stop the car."

The group got off the carriage and looked in the direction the big black finger was pointing. There were two small boats moored in the water.

Ning Nan, dressed in a white prison uniform, walked over and took a look.

He recognized the people on the awning boat; those two servants he had signed a death pact with… Du Gui and Wang Xiao.

"Young Master!" Du Gui and Wang Xiao, rowing their oars, stood up abruptly upon seeing Ning Nan, their voices filled with excitement.

The awning boat immediately began to rock violently in the water.

There was another person lying in the tent—Chen the blacksmith, Dahei's master.

Chen the blacksmith was crooked in the mouth and eyes, unable to move his hands and feet, and covered with a blanket. When he saw Ning Nan come in, he grinned and made a "ah ah ah" sound to express his joy.

But the blacksmith glanced at his white prison uniform, pursed his lips, and then called out "Hey hey hey" again, expressing his doubt and concern.

"Don't worry, it's nothing."

Ning Nan stretched out his sleeve to wipe the drool from the poor old man who had suffered a stroke, and said with a smile.

"Your son is fine too."

He then scooped the old man up with both hands and lifted him out of the boat, handing him to the big, dark-skinned man standing on the shore.

"The original plan was for me to lead them away from Taolu Lane, while Sanzhuang and Xingge would take Big Brother to launch a surprise attack, board a boat here, and head downstream to the Qinhuai River. Under the cover of night, we would sneak onto a large merchant's grain ship and hide. When the large merchant's ship leaves the city, the city guards won't be checking it too strictly... If you go with them, you can leave Nanjing safely."

Big Black, holding his light-footed master, slowly headed towards Ningnan.

Hmm... well arranged, but he didn't provide him with a way out... Ning Nan patted Chen the blacksmith's head, who was grinning like a toothless child whenever he saw his son.

"No need..." Ning Nan smiled and patted Da Hei's shoulder again, "I will rescue Er Lai safely..."

He slowly wiped the smile from his face, his tone gradually turning somber. He turned his head, glancing at the waterway, and sped along the Huai River, moving like the wind all the way to the Qinhuai River. Painted boats lined the river, and lanterns were just coming on. After a moment, Ning Nan said in a low voice, "I'll take you to take revenge."

The Ning residence is guarded by a team of Imperial Guards, so it is definitely safe for now.

Sanzhuang knew the way, so Ningnan told him to take two servants and Chen the blacksmith to the Ning residence. Cui Cui's wife would arrange for someone to take good care of Chen the blacksmith.

San Zhuang looked resentful, thinking that Ning Nan was not letting him follow.

Ning Nan said irritably, "Captain Xu will go with you and will bring you to the Imperial Guard Commander's Mansion."

San Zhuang then grinned happily and said he would guarantee to get Uncle Chen there safely.

From childhood to adulthood, he was almost inseparable from his older brother and Erlaizi. Last night, the two of them were imprisoned. The feeling of this day was even more unbearable than the days when he was kidnapped to Black Tiger Mountain by that mute man and locked up.

The carriage tumbled forward.

Li Xing, the little boy, sat to one side, clutching the musket tightly. His older brother said that the musket was a gift to him... but he was given two safety rules: first, the muzzle must not be pointed at people; second, the gun and bullets must be separated, and he was not allowed to load the gunpowder and bullets himself without the orders of his older brother or Big Black Brother.

"Principal Li," Ning Nan joked, "now that you're here, what will happen to Li Family Village Elementary School?"

A smug look appeared on Li Xing's face as he raised his chin and said, "No rush! I've hired a teacher for the school!"

Ning Nan frowned and said, "Is your budget enough to hire a teacher? You still need to save money for your students' meals."

Li Xing chuckled and said he'd met someone who'd gone crazy from studying too much; he didn't need money, just a meal.

"Oh..." Ning Nan smiled curiously.

Although most students treat the pursuit of the path of sages as nothing, there are indeed some who are quietly putting it into practice, thinking of enlightening the world. It's just unexpected that Principal Li would encounter such a person. He has struck gold and can thank him later.

The Imperial Guard Commander's Mansion was located at the foot of Qingliang Mountain. It was heavily guarded and had many gates. The scale of the construction and the amount of bricks and stones used from the foot of the mountain to the middle of the mountain were astonishing.

Ning Nan never expected that the Embroidered Uniform Guard, whom outsiders considered unapproachable, would become his sanctuary today.

He entered a courtyard through a side gate. Shangguan Xiu said this was his residence before the case was solved.

He exhaled and solemnly thanked Deputy Commander Xiuxiu.

They didn't linger long at the Commandant's residence.

After bathing and changing, and enjoying a delicious meal, they boarded a carriage and, under the newly unfolding night sky, led their entourage back to the Jiangning County government office.

He's going to perform an autopsy.