At first, I thought it was a lackey sent by the Cui family or the Zhou family. When I turned around, it turned out to be Li Datian, a first-class bodyguard under Luan Zhong.

Li Datian saw my injuries and was extremely angry, asking me who did it.

I didn't have time to explain and hurriedly asked him what had happened.

Li Datian slammed his fist against the stone wall, "The Imperial Censor Chang has come to our Songyang Prefecture. The Cui family accused Second Brother Luan of abducting respectable women, and Zhou Xuezheng went even further, claiming that Second Brother often had close ties with the bandits in the wilderness, suggesting rebellion. But we, as escorts, how could we not have contact with these people! This afternoon, the officials raided the escort agency, behaving no different from bandits, smashing and looting. They arrested all the escorts and managers in the agency. I took the opportunity to escape over the wall when nobody was paying attention, saving my life."

Li Datian was furious, "Miss Ji, Second Brother was plotted against by villains this time. We must save him! Should I organize some skilled individuals to go with us to raid the prison? Second Brother is highly respected on the road; there will surely be people willing to help."

I advised Li Datian to calm down. If we really raided the prison, it would only confirm the accusations of rebellion against Second Brother.

Li Datian was frantic, "Are we going to watch him suffer? These officials can fabricate charges even if there are none."

I took a deep breath and looked at Li Datian, "If you trust me, please escort me out of the city. Let's go find someone."

Li Datian nodded firmly, "I trust you!"

Because Luan Zhong's name carried weight in Songyang Prefecture, some brothers on the road also knew that Second Brother had been schemed against by evildoers and were willing to help me and Li Datian.

Even though the officials had sealed the city gates, Li Datian and I were still able to leave the city smoothly.

I couldn't ride a horse, so I was led by Li Datian, accompanied by a dozen or so strong brothers from the transport gang, escorting us eastward.

The biting cold wind pierced through my sleeves, almost freezing my hands and feet.

Several times, Li Datian saw that I was not in good spirits and suggested that I rest for half a day to recuperate from my injuries.

I declined his kind offer. I could stop, but Second Brother couldn't.

Finally, after traveling for two days and three nights, we saw the army of the Northern Expedition.

Li Datian asked me what to do, whether to force our way through the army to see the Prince of Qin or to use money to pass on a message.

I said, "No need."

I dismounted and knelt directly on the official road.

If I couldn't see the Prince of Qin, I wouldn't give up.

Before long, the scouts of the Prince of Qin's army rode up, seeing me kneeling on the ground and the ten or so strong men including Li Datian, they sternly shouted, "Where did these troublemakers come from? Leave quickly and don't block the Northern Expedition army!"

I prostrated with my hands on the ground, "I am Ji Wanwan, a lonely girl from Songyang Prefecture, with grievances seeking the prince's judgment."

In my impression, these court officials and soldiers were all high and mighty, most likely to drive us away.

I was prepared to be persistent.

Who knew that the leading scout, upon hearing my self-introduction, paused, then burst into laughter, "Ji Wanwan from Songyang Prefecture, the woman who donated thirty thousand taels of inheritance to the army? What a coincidence! The Prince mentioned passing through the territory of Songyang Prefecture and wanting to meet this extraordinary woman. Come with me."