Hong Yide’s real motive was to catch the Grand Emperor and Empress. As he saw them leave, he immediately ordered his men to give chase. Lu Qi wanted to stop them but was surrounded by Hong Yide and his men. He was dragged into a bitter fight.
Lu Qi was frustrated. That morning, they were supposed to wait for the army to gather before leaving. However, Grand Prince Liang was impatient, having lost his potential wife, and kept on rushing him. Lu Qi thought that he could show off his abilities and left half the army to pack up while he led the other half first. Now, Hong Yide had more men than him and they were all ready to fight to their deaths. He looked at their horses leaving without the men.
With Lu Qi distracted, his opponent managed to take the advantage and aimed their long sword at his ribs. When he found out, it was already too late.
Bam! Another sword slashed in, sending the long sword flying. A figure appeared behind him.
Lu Qi looked behind. “Sheng Chumu!” He never thought that it would be him!
Sheng Chumu did not look at him as his sword continued to slash. He was only concerned about one thing. “Where is Rou’er? Where is she?”
Lu Qi was disgruntled. “As soon as you open your mouth, you ask about your woman. Why don’t you ask about the Empress?”
“She is most likely with the Empress. By asking about her, I am asking about the Empress.” Sheng Chumu did not hesitate.
Lu Qi scoffed, “They have escaped.”
Sheng Chumu asked, “Which direction did they go? I have to rescue them.”
“Get through this obstacle in front of us first before talking.” Lu Qi did not want to lose someone that could fight at this point in time.
With their backs against each other, they did not allow anyone to get through to them. Despite attacking for a long time, Hong Yide did not manage to succeed and the local army managed to send assistance. Seeing that he had lost his advantage in numbers, he waved and ordered for his men to retreat, abandoning those that had been captured. He led the remainder of his men into the forest.
Lu Qi noticed that Sheng Chumu was glaring at him. “What? Are you waiting for me to thank you?”
Sheng Chumu did not say a word as he lifted his leg and kicked Lu Qi.
Lu Qi fell onto the ground before hopping up. “You bastard…”
Sheng Chumu was fuming. “If not for you, this would not have happened today. You instigated Grand Prince Liang and bullied Rou’er, all to get back at me. I have been wanting to settle this score with you.”
“So what if it was me? You and Fu Rou have been hindering my family. Don’t think I'm unaware!” Lu Qi threw a punch.
The two men that had just fought back to back were now tangled in a fight.
* * *
1. Given in ancient times by Emperors to pardon his ministers of any crime.
Chapter 45.2: Secret Tunnel
The light from the firestick was swallowed by the darkness. Amongst the cold and wet stone walls, the light barely illuminated the four figures. In order to lose their pursuers, they had abandoned their carriage and ran into the old forest. At the critical juncture, she found this cave and ran in without caring. Although they managed to lose their pursuers, they were currently lost in this deep cave with numerous forks. They could not find their way back.
The Grand Emperor believed that this was the Death Maze of the Cangshan Mountain.
The Cangshan Mountain had many caves and they were all linked. The route was, however, complicated like a huge maze. During the Sui Dynasty, when the citizens were being extorted, many chose to escape into the caves in the Cangshan Mountain to hide. Unfortunately, they often got lost in the caves and were trapped, eventually perishing from starvation or dehydration. Hence, the name Death Maze was formed.
Empress Zhangsun was very positive. At every fork, she used a copper coin to choose whether to head left or right and proceeded slowly.
However, after going through fork after fork, they reached a dead end and had to turn back to reselect. This journey was extremely tiring, especially for the Grand Emperor, who was much older, and Empress Zhangsun, who was still slightly sick.
Fu Rou was smart and made markings along the way they had gone. It was not futile. Moreover, she had arranged the bones of those that died in the maze out of kindness and accidentally found a mechanism to open a hidden door.
Behind the hidden door, were two stone rooms. There was a simple stone bed, stone chair and some equipment. There were even some oil lamp flints. It was obvious that someone had lived here. Although this was not an exit, it allowed the four of them to have some rest.
Fu Rou then thought that if someone could live here, it meant that they probably figured out how to get through the maze. They might have even left a map in the stone rooms.
Empress Zhangsun and the Grand Emperor agreed with Fu Rou and started to search the entire place.
The Grand Emperor saw that Grand Prince Liang was not moving. “Grand Prince Liang, don’t just stand there. Help us search.”
Grand Prince Liang suddenly fell to the ground and did not get up. Everyone was frightened as they lifted him onto the stone bed. Fu Rou realised that he had a wound on his back and the wound was turning black.
Empress Zhangsun thought back. “He must have gotten hurt while fighting those evil men. I am afraid that their weapons may have been coated with poison…”
The Grand Emperor shook Grand Prince Liang. “Grand Prince Liang, wake up. You can’t abandon your father. Hurry and wake up!”
“Grand Emperor, do not be anxious. Grand Prince Liang is young and strong, he must have fainted temporarily. Let me see…” Empress Zhangsun reached out to touch Grand Prince Liang’s forehead. However, the Grand Emperor shoved her hand away.
“Get lost! You cannot touch him! You...you all are evil!” The Grand Emperor shouted.
Empress Zhangsun was stunned. “Grand Emperor…”
“Why can’t you just let us go? My Jiancheng and my Yuanji were all killed by you people. That Emperor of yours knew that the Sui Officials were catching people and escaped in the night by himself. He left my fourteen year old son, Zhiyun in Hedong, causing him to be beheaded by Yin Shishi. I am already old and only have Grand Prince Liang left. Why can’t you just let us go? You people have already gotten the throne and Great Tang. You have the whole world. Isn’t that enough? Must you push me to the edge before you all are satisfied!” The Grand Emperor was losing reason as his eyes tinged red.
“Grand Emperor, you are getting confused. The one who escaped by himself in the night, leaving Fifth Brother at the old house in Hedong was not His Majesty. It was the Crown Prince Yin, Li Jiancheng.” Empress Zhangsun did not want her husband to be misunderstood.
“Jiancheng?” The Grand Emperor’s gaze slackened. “Right, my Jiancheng is dead as well. Even his children, my obedient grandchildren, are all dead. Emperor Qin, Li Shimin. You are despicable! I am your father and they were your biological brothers. They were also your niece and nephews! Emperor Qin! Emperor Qin! Emperor of Great Tang. You have killed so many of my children and grandchildren. Are you still trying to take Grand Prince Liang away? Good, good! I cannot bear this any longer. If it is not you that will be dying today, it will be me! I am going all out!”
The Grand Emperor suddenly pounced onto Empress Zhangsun and strangled her.
As Fu Rou saw this, she did not care anymore and picked up a pot and smashed it over the Grand Emperor’s head. The Grand Emperor immediately lost consciousness.
“Your Majesty, are you alright?” Fu Rou was shocked. She never thought that the Grand Emperor would bear so much resentment against the Emperor. They were father and son.