“Yan Zifang, let him go first.” Seeing Yan Zifang was about to speak, Sheng Chumu cut him off. “You brought so many people and there are only two of us. Don’t be a coward.”
Yan Zifang had always been proud. He could not stand being looked down by Sheng Chumu. Once he made arrangements, he agreed to release Sheng Chuling.
Sheng Chuling walked to the middle of both of them and Sheng Chumu automatically threw the scroll over. As soon as Yan Zifang opened the scroll, Sheng Chumu threw the firestick he was holding as well.
Although it was obvious that Sheng Chumu had missed, the scroll suddenly caught on fire. Yan Zifang realised that there were traces of fire powder on the scroll and quickly threw it away. He watched it burn to ashes. At the same time, he heard a loud sound behind him. He turned back to look and had yet to figure out what was going on when he saw Sheng Chumu pull Sheng Chuling and rush to the side of the cliff.
“Grab the rope. Go!” Sheng Chumu shouted.
Yan Zifang had a sudden realisation and grabbed a firestick from his subordinate and threw it forward. The light from the fire clearly illuminated a line suspended in midair. Sheng Chumu had made preparations. A steel arrow had been shot from the opposite mountain and formed a link with the rope.
Yan Zifang shouted, “Catch them!”
Sheng Chumu stayed behind and fought with Yan Zifang’s troops that surrounded him. Sheng Chuling was being brought away by the rope and turned back. “Elder Brother, let’s go!”
Sheng Chumu finally managed to get Yan Zifang’s men to retreat slightly. He turned back to grab the rope. Unexpectedly, an arrow shot and pierced his back. Because of the sudden pain, he missed the rope and fell down the cliff.
“Elder Brother--” Sheng Chuling was horrified but he was moving further and further away. He was slowly engulfed in darkness.
Fu Shui held onto a bow and walked out of the darkness. He stood shoulder to shoulder with Yan Zifang. They both gazed out to the bottomless abyss.
Sheng Chuling’s miserable cry echoed for a long time.
Prince Qin and Xiao Lu were sitting at the same table. Their heads were down as they tore at their food. They played for the entire morning, looking for new things and were starving.
“Eat slowly.” A pair of chopsticks picked up a huge amount of meat and placed it in Prince Qin’s bowl. Madam Sheng was smiling. “I personally marinated this dried meat. Chujian really likes…” She suddenly stopped talking. She then raised her spirits. The dining table was also vibrant with children around.
Seeing the way the two of them ate, Madam Sheng recalled when Chumu and his brothers were still young. At that time, all four children sat around the huge table. Every meal was like a war and caused her to have headaches. However, now as she thought back, she felt like that was the happiest time. Her eldest daughter and her youngest son were gone. A parent sending off their children. Although she was not going to cry now, her heart hurt.
Prince Qin suddenly placed his chopsticks down.
“Your Highness, why aren’t you eating?” Madam Sheng was concerned.
“Is Sister Xinnan...really dead?” Although Duke Lu Residence looked peaceful, they were actually keeping a tight watch on the palace. News spread to them very fast. Prince Qin was young but he was sensitive.
Madam Sheng’s eyes were kind as she kept quiet.
Prince Qin believed that she was silently agreeing and was upset. He changed the topic, “Does Imperial Father not want me anymore?”
Fu Rou did not want Prince Qin to worry so she did not tell him the details. She only said that the Emperor was ill and Prince Zhou was in control. He should stay in Duke Lu Residence for a few days. When the situation in the palace was clear, she would fetch him back to the palace.
Madam Sheng did not know how to explain that at this very moment, the palace was full of traps and everyone was in danger.
“The Emperor dotes on you the most. Court Lady Fu said that while the Emperor is sick, we should stay at Duke Lu Residence. Your Highness just has to pray for the Emperor every day. The Emperor will then recover and call you back.” Xiao Lu was candid and Prince Qin cheered up.
All of a sudden, the housekeeper rushed in frantically. He said that the imperial guards had arrived at Duke Lu Residence.
“Why are you panicking!” Madam Sheng slammed the table and stood up, a heroic look on her face. Her gaze was calm and confident. “Xiao Lu, bring Prince Qin to hide at the place I showed you before.” She was prepared for this day to come!
Xiao Lu pulled Prince Qin away.
Madam Sheng instructed the housekeeper, “Go and ask everyone to gather at the main hall!”
The housekeeper left. Madam Sheng returned to her room, she had to prepare.
Chapter 95.2: Loyal Traitor
Zhong Yutang led a huge group of people to Duke Lu Residence. Since they could not find Prince Qin in the palace, there was only one other possibility. Fu Rou did not bring Prince Qin back to begin with. And there was only one place outside of the palace that could safely hold Prince Qin. It was here!
The shops along the street near Duke Lu Residence have been watched over by Duke Lu Residence. When they saw this aggressive group, they were all deeply concerned and came up to see what was going on.
Zhong Yutang waved his hand. “Knock the door!”
His subordinates immediately ran forward. Their palms had yet to hit the door when the door opened by itself.
Two rows of white-haired servants, made up of men and women, walked out with their heads up high and chests stuck out. The last two servants carried the grand chair and placed it in the middle of the formation. Madam Sheng wore a Lady Gaoming Court Attire. She held a long pole and a broadsword in her hands. She sat in the grand chair with a startling aura.
Zhong Yutang was momentarily stunned. However, he remembered that he had Prince Zhou and Concubine Yan supporting him and immediately stood straight. “I came today on Prince Zhou’s orders to search for an escapee. Madam Sheng, you are a first grade Lady Gaoming, you should understand your duties and cooperate with me.”
Madam Sheng made an oh sound, “Back then, when I followed the Duke to fight wars all around the country, I could recognise quite a number of generals. Now in peacetime, I have been enjoying the peace in my home and don’t know a lot of junior generals. May I know your name?”
Zhong Yutang’s rank was lower than Madam Sheng and he had to be polite. “I am the Imperial Guard Commander, Zhong Yutang.”
Madam Sheng seemed to recall something. “I do know someone else with the surname Zhong. He is called Zhong Yuman. He was the Duke’s soldier and was later promoted to become a military official at Ji City. It is a pity that he died from illness at a young age.”
Zhong Yutang chuckled blandly, “Zhong Yuman was an elder brother of my clan.”
“There is another one with the surname Zhong. Back then when the Duke was fighting in battles, he was fighting alongside as well. He wields a long spear well. Unfortunately, he got shot by a shower of arrows. When he was buried, the Duke personally placed the long spear in his coffin…”
Zhong Yutang’s expression froze. “He was my uncle.”
Madam Sheng looked astonished before expressing delight, “Oh you are one of us then! We have to treat you well!”
As soon as she finished her sentence, someone carried a table and chair out and placed fruits as well as snacks on it. They even brought out a jar of wine.
It was only then that Zhong Yutang had a chance to speak, “This...Madam, you don’t have to be courteous, I came today--”