Sheng Chumu found someone to question. He found out that Jisun Chenxin had left three thousand elite troops to Douzi Ridge. However, when he thought deeper, he did not think it was possible. All the routes to Douzi Ridge had been cut off.
Lu Qi found it strange as well. “Three thousand elite troops. If they did not go to Douzi Ridge, where could they have gone?”
Sheng Chumu suddenly exclaimed as he ran out. “This is bad. Prince Han!”
He and Lu Qi had attacked from two different routes and the base camp had been left empty. Jisun Chenxin was going to attack Prince Han!
Outside Chang’an, red leaves were blown by the wind, shining in brilliant autumn colours. What was more outstanding than the red leaves were the various colourful tents; they looked like wild flowers that bloomed in the mountains.
The Emperor and Empress were out on an autumn excursion. This was because the Empress’ health seemed to have improved slightly and the Emperor wanted to bring her out to relax. He even invited high-ranking officials to bring along their family members. With the natural stream as a divider, men and women each toured half the mountain range.
Although Consort Han had been invited, she intentionally distanced herself from Empress Zhangsun. She really did not want to see the Crown Princess’ proud face. After the Crown Princess gave birth to a prince, the Crown Prince had gone through the Hong Yide case. There were people surrounding and taking care of the Crown Princess as she had finally made it through all the troubles. However, Consort Han detested that she kept creating obstacles for the Han Mansion behind the scenes as well as in broad daylight. The Crown Princess was selfish and did not care about the relationship between the biological brothers nor between sister-in-laws. She was short-sighted.
In a nearby tent, several noble ladies were talking loudly about Consort Liang. They did not know that Lu Yingying and Consort Han were in the same tent. They spoke about how Consort Liang did not smile nor speak freely and did not know how to flatter others. They also said that she had a strange personality and did not interact with anyone. She was just a duke’s daughter but after she married the Grand Prince, she became arrogant and haughty.
Consort Han heard everything clearly. However, she saw that Lu Yingying’s expression did not change in the slightest. She praised Lu Yingying in her heart. In her position, she should not care nor be wavered by what others thought about her.
After a while, Lu Yingying stood up.
“Consort Liang, where are you going?”
Lu Yingying’s face remained cold. “It is a little stuffy sitting here. I am going to take a walk.”
Consort Han nodded. “That’s good. Remember that there will be an acrobatics show soon and the Empress might summon us.”
Lu Yingying acknowledged before walking out.
The water in the stream was so clear, the bottom could be seen easily. Lu Yingying squatted by the side as she saw little fishes fighting to swim upstream. She just wanted to be washed away by the current and float right out of Chang’an, all the way to Guangzhou and into the vast ocean.
She did not blame anyone, including Grand Prince Liang. However, if she could choose, she would have chosen not to listen to her father back then when he asked her to become the Crown Princess. At least her days would have been peaceful.
A shadow of an eagle appeared across the water. Lu Yingying turned back and found Yan Zifang standing behind her. She immediately stood up and spoke accusingly, “The beginning of autumn is celebrated by a hanging curtain as a boundary between men and women. How dare you cross over?”
One corner of Yan Zifang’s mouth turned up. “I am a man that likes to cross over. I thought you knew that.”
“I know that you are a cowardly man.” She walked away as she said this.
“I heard the Grand Prince Liang has been mistreating you.”
“Yes.” She halted in her steps and answered honestly.
“Do you need my help?”
“Yes.” She might as well.
“How can I help?” He would try his best.
“Leave everything behind and take me away. I want you to not hesitate even if we would be homeless, have to resort to begging and are chased by Grand Prince Liang’s men to the ends of the earth and were to die horribly.” She suddenly smiled.
“...I can’t do it.” She knew he would not be able to do it, so why did she smile?
“Then castrate yourself and not go near any women for my sake. Only if you cut off having children and grandchildren then can I feel comforted.” She smiled even deeper.
“...I can’t do that.” She was playing with him. He could tell.
“Men…” She continued walking forward but he suddenly hugged her from behind. Ignoring how she was struggling, he lifted her hand as her sleeve rolled down, exposing the various bruises on her skinny wrist. It was cruel.
Yan Zifang was stunned. At the same time, anger rose within him!
Lu Yingying took the chance to escape as she turned around and slapped him. “How dare you!”
The corners of his lips split open as Yan Zifang tasted blood. He did not move to wipe it away. “You hit really hard.”
Lu Yingying slowly neaten her outfit as she glanced at him loftily. She looked aloof and untouchable. “Yan Zifang, let me tell you the truth. Now that things have come to this, you are not worthy of me. I am now Grand Prince Liang’s wife and shall die along with him.” She turned sharply and walked away without looking back.
Yan Zifang stood on the spot. For the first time ever, he felt as if his heart had been cut by a knife. It was a completely different feeling from when he had been rejected by Fu Rou. The feeling was foreign and made him feel helpless.
Chapter 61.2: Victory
“Brother-in-law!”
Prince Han was sitting unstably on his horse. As he watched his guards get killed one by one, he had lost hope on escaping. However, when he heard this call, he came to a sudden realisation. When fighting wars, capable people like Sheng Chumu were needed. What capable people could do that incapable people could not, was to make a fatty a main commander.
“Chumu! Chumu! You are finally here!” Prince Han was so overwhelmed with emotions, he almost cried. However, when he turned back he realised that Sheng Chumu was alone on his horse. Eh? Where is the huge army? Where are the elite troops? And what about the small group of soldiers that Sheng Chumu always brought around with him? Why were they all missing!
“Where are the rest?” Okay, maybe he did not understand military strategy and could not decipher this strategy.
“It is just me.” Sheng Chumu cut off an enemy’s head with one strike. He was even smiling. “Brother-in-law, thank goodness you are alright.”
“No, why is it just you?” Was this brat trying to test the limits? The previous time, he used over a hundred soldiers to defeat a few thousand soldiers. Was he going to go solo this time? Even then, don’t bet on his life!
“My horse is the fastest one.” Alas, the thousand-mile horse that he stole from Lu Qi was useful.
“Aiyo! You are alone. Why did you barge in and die with me? I am very touched but what is going to happen to your sister? She can’t lose both her husband and her younger brother!”
He had to at least ensure that Prince Han returned home safely. As the saying goes, a wife follows her husband after marriage. As the younger brother, he could take a step back.
“Brother-in-law, don’t say such unlucky stuff!” Sheng Chumu seemed to be laughing as he spoke. However, he fought with no mercy as his actions were faster and fiercer than anyone else. Soon, he fought through a bloody path. How could the soldiers keep up with him? As they tried to fight, they were soon left behind.
“Very good, come at me!” Sheng Chumu fought his way out. When he turned back, eh? Prince Han was still surrounded. He had no choice but to fight his way back in. “Brother-in-law, be more swift.”