Leap Forward Comics: Watch How I Become a Villainess

Chapter 72 First Clash! A New Ally

Sure enough, in a narrow alley, the entourage that had come to propose marriage was surrounded.

It was the Jinwu Guard; it must have been the Duke of Chengde who used some connections to get the Jinwu Guard transferred.

It was Yao Bing, another Lieutenant General of the Golden Guard, who led his troops to intercept the group.

When Princess Chengde came to Chao Huaiyuan's door with the jade pendant that Lu He had given her, she said that Chao Huaiyuan was being held at home and was about to be forced into marriage. She specifically asked the princess to come and tell him that he should stop the Chao family from going to the Nie family to propose marriage, no matter what.

Without saying a word, Yao Bing picked up his long sword and led his Imperial Guards to obey Princess Chengde's orders.

Yao Bing and Chao Huaiyuan were sworn brothers, and this matter was of great importance. He had always known that Chao Huaiyuan was in love with An Linqing and would never ask to marry another woman so soon after An Linqing's death.

"You audacious Imperial Guard! Do you know whose carriage you've stopped?!" the head steward shouted angrily.

"We received a report that at Chenshi (7-9 AM) today, rebels disguised as a merchant caravan infiltrated the city. It is our duty!" Yao Bing ignored the other party's clamor and ordered, "Open all doors and search!"

Just as everyone was about to step forward, the steward hurriedly shouted, "Stop! Stop! This is the Minister's carriage! Yao Bing, you are just a fourth-rank official, how dare you touch the carriage of a first-rank official! You are simply audacious!" The steward was very clever. This betrothal was supposed to be done discreetly. He would announce it loudly when they arrived at the Minister's residence. In order not to alert the enemy, he lied and said that this was the Minister's family's convoy. In this way, they could go straight to Minister Nie's house without any problem.

After all, this was the Imperial Guard. If they said it was the Prime Minister's convoy heading towards the Minister's residence, the Imperial Guard would probably report it to the Emperor in no time.

His shout caused the Imperial Guards to stop advancing and turn to look at Yao Bing, since the position of Minister was indeed higher than that of General of the Palace Guard.

"Then who are you?" Yao Bing remained calm and composed, his composure radiating an imposing aura.

"I am the Minister, the steward of Lord Nie's household..." Upon seeing the other side stop, he immediately revealed an arrogant and domineering demeanor.

"Oh, so that means you're just a lowly servant with no rank or grade, yet you dare to talk back to an official of the imperial court like this!" Yao Bing interrupted the steward directly. "You're the one with a lot of guts! You're showing contempt for the imperial court!" The charge was thus pinned on him.

"You!" The manager's face turned ashen instantly.

"Guards! Give them fifty lashes on the spot!" Yao Bing wouldn't tolerate these lackeys.

"You! How dare you!" The steward could only scream frantically as he was pinned to the ground. To be fair, this servant was sensible; even in this predicament, he didn't reveal the Prime Minister's name.

Lu He heard the screams from afar. She walked to the end of the alley, where Liu Xiao had already hired people to disperse the crowd. No one would come to this street anymore, just to give Princess Chengde's people enough space to cause trouble. Without anyone's authorization, they could do whatever they wanted.

There, a martial arts expert arranged by Liu Xiao was waiting for her. They exchanged a secret signal, and the expert said, "Excuse me." Then he picked up Lu He around the waist, leaped across rooftops, and disappeared into the shadows.

They quickly found a place with a good view and where they could hear clearly, and the two hid there.

At this moment, Yao Bing held the long knife in his hand, looking majestic and imposing. The steward had been beaten half to death and could no longer utter a sound.

"These people are the Imperial Guards of the capital city," the expert explained to Lu He.

Lu He turned to look at this serious-looking guy. He actually had commentary work to do. It seemed that Liu Xiao had offered him a pretty high price.

"What's your name?" Lu He blinked, looking at this folk expert.

"I am Bai Yu," he replied earnestly.

How much money will I give you for this trip?

"Ten taels of silver." He remained serious and calm.

This Bai Yu looks to be about the same age as Chao Huaiyuan, but his martial arts skills are truly exceptional. If only I could recruit him...

"If you are willing to be my personal bodyguard from now on, I will offer you ten taels of silver every day. Are you willing?" Lu He offered a price that the other party could hardly refuse.

"Ten taels a day?" Bai Yu's eyes flickered, clearly very tempted, but then he hesitated.

"Too little?"

"No, sir, how could that be? This is already a lot," he hurriedly waved his hand to prove that he was not a greedy person. "It's just that I have a younger sister at home. If I were to be your personal bodyguard, I would have to stay by your side every step of the way. How could I possibly take care of her?" Bai Yu said, his expression fluctuating slightly.

It seems his sister is very important to him; he probably earns money for her.

"Are you stupid? Isn't all the money you've earned enough to hire a maid to take care of your sister?" Lu He thought he was just used to being poor and had a complete blockhead.

Bai Yu's eyes lit up immediately. That's right, how come he hadn't thought of that? Moreover, a maid could take care of him more conveniently and meticulously than he, as her brother, after all, there are differences between men and women. "What you say is absolutely right, sir! Then I'll take this job!"

"Who's there!" Yao Bing shouted angrily when he heard what sounded like someone spying nearby.