Chapter 302: 166 His son (Three more)_2
The officer asked, “Is there only one basement? What’s over there?”
The innkeeper replied, “Over there is also a basement, very small, used for storing miscellaneous items.”
The officer looked at the chaotic scene and asked, “Is there anyone in the small storage room?”
The first maid impatiently said, “How could there be anyone there?”
Had she checked it thoroughly?
The second maid tugged at her sleeve, hinting that she had spoken out of turn.
She cleared her throat and said, “Stop dawdling! Our lady’s suffering down there, can’t you hear her struggling to speak?”
The fact that she was struggling to speak meant that she could still talk.
Indeed, although she was buried underneath, she was not injured and could slightly move.
Gu Jiao in the small storage room, was in a much worse situation. Two slabs of stone formed a wedge that pinned her in the middle, with a massive slab sitting on top of the wedge.
Because of the weight of the slab, the two smaller stones were being forced sideways, making the wedge larger. Once it becomes a right angle, the huge slab will completely crush her, reducing her to pulp.
This massive stone slab, one end pressed on Gu Jiao, the other end on the crown princess.
Lifting the entire slab might be too hard, it will take too long, the best plan is to lift one end and rescue the crown princess.
But doing so would destroy the small storage room completely.
The officer said, “If you are sure there is no one, we will start hoisting the slab.”
Xiao Liulang, leaning on his crutch, approached them.
The officer frowned, “Who let him in?”
The guard at the entrance was helpless, they didn’t pay much attention to him because he was a cripple, but he managed to sneak in while they were not watching.
Xiao Liulang said solemnly, “There’s still someone down there.”
The first maid said, “You’re talking nonsense! There’s obviously no one there!”
Xiao Liulang said coldly, “If you don’t believe me, listen.”
The officer signaled everyone to keep quiet.
He crouched down, put his ear to the ground and listened, indeed there were faint sounds, like small stones knocking against the wall.
The officer hesitated.
If there was indeed someone underneath, this method was a choice between two lives, it was too cruel.
The first maid said, “What are you waiting for? Save her now!”
Time was of the essence, any more delays and they risked the crown princess getting injured and earn suspicion from the palace.
The officer sighed, “Miss, it’s not that we don’t want to save people. There are two people down there. If we act recklessly, one of them may be crushed to death!”
The two maids exchanged a glance.
That small storage room was secluded and should be unoccupied. If anyone was there indeed, it should be an enemy spy waiting to harm the crown princess!
Such a person deserves to be crushed to death!
They wanted to prevent this person from damaging the reputation of the crown princess!
The first maid said, “Who said it must be a person down there? Maybe it’s just a cat or a dog? Ask the innkeeper, has anyone ever been to that small storage room?”
The innkeeper naturally said no.
The officer was in a dilemma.
From the rhythmic knocking noise, it was unlikely to be a cat or a dog. It was likely to be a person, and the situation seemed to be critical.
“Do you have a better solution?” The first maid asked.
The dilemma the officer felt deepened.
Of course… he had none.
The first maid pinched her fingers, whispering with her companion briefly, and then decided to reveal their identity from the East Palace.
She presented the token.
Upon seeing the East Palace token, the officer was so frightened that he prostrated on the ground.
The first maid said, “Let me tell you the truth, the person trapped below is from the East Palace. If she’s harmed under your watch, I assure you, the crown prince will make each one of you accompany her in death!”
From the tone of her voice, it could be deduced that the person trapped had a high status in the East Palace. She could be a favorite concubine, a precious loved one, or even possibly—
The officer did not dare to consider the possibilities further.
One was the East Palace’s young master, the other was a commoner. It was self-evident who should be saved.
The officer ordered his men to prepare ropes to lift the slab off the crown princess.
Xiao Liulang’s eyes narrowed coldly, “What do you think you’re doing? Are you disregarding the life of the other person?”
In fact, he wasn’t sure if the person trapped below was Gu Jiao or not.
He didn’t dare take that risk.
The officer said earnestly, “Young man, I understand your compassionate heart, but the one trapped under there… is a member of the imperial family. We cannot afford to compensate for the life of a royal.”
Xiao Liulang had heard such talks more than once, but it was at this moment that he truly felt the importance of one’s status and identity.
Sometimes, even if one does not strive or compete, it doesn’t guarantee peace.