The experts were stunned. They weren't given a chance to introduce themselves as Li Amm continuously explained the situation.
"I need your help to get the two children out of Lin city. They are freezing and hungry out there. I will prepare a carriage for you." Li Amm stood up and went to her wardrobe to get the thickest coat she could find.
" You can find them in the farthest house in the west alley of Lin city. You need the two of them to get here before they were caught up in the war. I bet you already know the situation we have here." Li Amm continued speaking as she prepared coats for the children. The ride would be cold even they were in a carriage.
"I want to come with you, but I am afraid that if things go south then I will become a great nuisance for my husband. "
"H-hold on, Madam." One of the experts finally understood what was going on.
"You want us to sneak out in the Emperor's camp?" Even though he understood the situation he still asked for confirmation. It looked like the Madam knows that there would be an uphill later on in the two cities and the capital. But he still looked bewildered that he was hearing it right now.
"Oh, so you knew what's happening, that's good. But Lin city doesn't have any army there. As far as I know, only the city next to ours is taken." Li Amm then passed the coats to the expert who first spoke.
"M-madam. Wait. Our order is to protect you here. We can't go out-"
"How many experts are here?" Li Amm suddenly asked.
"Four, including me and him." It was the other experts who answered.
"Then that's fine. The other two experts can protect me here." Li Amm said.
"Madam! You don't understand. This whole play is not about attacking the city. But it's about attacking the Ren household." The expert who was holding the coats spilled out what they have heard from their master.
Li Amm stilled. 'The Ren household?'
It clicked on her.
The guards pretending to be commoners in the next city was covering themselves. Why? Guards could fight the war. But they could not commit crimes that were against the law of the Ren Empire.
They were not there because of the face-off that she was thinking about. They were there because their mission was to attack the capital. And based on what the expert was saying, their main target was the Ren household.
But...
"The Emperor should have known about this. The two cities had been evacuated by Ren Shou...No." Li Amm suddenly remembered what the old man said.
The plague.
That's why Ren Shou used the rumors of the plague. It was to evacuate the city under the pretense of the plague.
"But still, the Emperor would still suspect the disappearance of the two cities. Two cities evacuated in a short period of time was surely something to be suspicious of."
"Madam is wise. It is true that the Emperor might have known about this. That's why he might send all his men to Lin city and staged a war there." The expert explained in awe. He was impressed of the Madam's observation.
Li Amm nodded. It was clear to her now.
"And the people who might attack the Ren household had no choice but to aid in the war in Lin City. I bet those are the people we have seen in the other city."
The expert nodded. He found it marvelous that he did not need to explain what was happening and just hear everything from the Lady's mouth. Truly, their master found a wangfei that could match their master's caliber.
"Ren Shou would use this chance to infiltrate the palace while the Emperor's forces are in Lin City. Killing the Emperor in the process." Li Amm deduced.
Then she looked at the two dazed experts.
"Then there's nothing for me to worry about. If Ren Shou planned to attack the palace he must have men in the capital. So borrowing you two would not be a problem."
The expert's expression of admiration turned sour. He thought that the lady was understanding their situation.
"Madam. Anytime, war can happen here. Master told us to make sure that you will be safe. That is our only order."
Li Amm nodded. She clearly understood it.
"I know. That's why I'm not going anywhere and I will stay here. That's why I'm asking you two to get the children from the Lin city while the war is not starting yet. And I'm sure the Emperor's men in the next city could not get here if Ren Shou's men would face them head-on. So please, get the children for me."
The experts looked at each other. The two children were not worth it for them to risk their life or alerted the enemy.
"Madam, we can't-"
"Please, you only need three hours-no two hours at most. I promised the children I will come back to them. They are cold and hungry out there." Li Amm pleaded.
"Madam-" The other expert was about to reject her again when the other expert stopped him and answered Li Amm.
"We will do our best, Madam. In turn, please stay here."
Li Amm looked at the man's eyes. Her dark orbs were studying each and every corner of the expert's face. The man who last spoke gulped as he could feel an overwhelming aura from her.
'What's that?'
Martial Artist experts have sharp senses. He saw a bone-chilling coldness flash by in her eyes before they disappeared. Her black orbs turned to calmness that made the expert frowned in confusion.
"Thank you. I will keep my promise if you keep yours." Li Amm looked away and let the men out of her room.
Xiao Min had just prepared the tea when she meets the two men in the door.
"Leaving already?" She could not help but ask.
"Yeah." The expert answered her.
The other expert who was holding the coat was still dazed. He could not help but shudder on the coldness he had seen. For a moment, he thought she saw right through him.
Xiao Min looked at their leaving back before she entered the room.
Her lady was facing the window and was looking at the dark sky.
"Young Miss, your warm tea is here."
"Leave it. You may take your rest Xiao Min. This day must have been exhausting for you." Li Amm said with her back on Xiao Min.
Xiao Min distinguished that this wasn't her usual carefree master. She thought that maybe her master was tired that's why her master was not in her usual self.
"Alright, just call me whenever you need me, young miss."
Li Amm turned to look at her. She was smiling and her eyes were playful like always.
Seeing her master's usual smile, Xiao Min sighed in relief and bid good night.
However, as soon as the door closed, Li Amm's smile faded away. Her eyes turned serious as she looked at the snowflakes that were falling to the ground.