Chapter 66
Hearing this, Yuli’s mind buzzed.
How could Xie Yao possibly be missing?
Jingyu and Xiyun were also too shocked to speak.
Zhile continued, “Yesterday, I heard that the Shenwu Army had been defeated, and the Rouran had broken through Huilong City. Everyone is saying that they are going to head south and come to the capital to plunder.”
The few girls were still young, but they had also heard how terrible it was for foreign tribes to invade the Central Plains. This dynasty had not yet experienced it, and they were already terrified.
Yuli had a deeper understanding of this. If the foreign tribes invaded the Central Plains and were driven out, it would be the beginning of a prosperous age. But if there was no one to stop them, and the internal structure collapsed, it would be the beginning of a chaotic period of more than a hundred years.
Xiyun quickly asked her what the situation was outside.
Zhile replied with lingering fear, “The day before yesterday, people from the government office came to the shop and ordered us to close, without saying for how long. This morning, I had just opened the shop door when someone broke in. They were wearing military uniforms, but I didn’t recognize which unit they were from. The one in the lead asked me if there were any strangers in the shop, and then they rummaged through the boxes and cabinets, searching for a while. A few of them secretly took the velvet flowers and cash from the shop. I saw it but didn’t dare to say anything.”
“It’s been more than half a day, and Lizhen and Mr. Ye haven’t come. I closed the doors and windows tightly and stayed in the shop with them. In the afternoon, someone came to knock on the door again. We pretended not to hear. At night, it was even more terrifying. There were people outside holding torches, riding on horses, and searching everywhere.”
Zhile’s eyes were red, and she sobbed, “I’m so afraid that the Rouran have really come. I only thought of you all. Even if I have to die, I want to die with you…”
Xiyun held Zhile to comfort her and asked about the whereabouts of the two apprentices. Zhile replied that they were hiding in another place, and she would go and get them after she had found the residence.
Yuli’s expression was dazed, as if she hadn’t heard what they were saying.
Jingyu was the first to come to her senses and said to Yuli, “The master will be fine. Mistress, don’t panic. We are safe in this residence.”
Yuli thought of what Xie Yao had said before he left, not to believe others’ words, and temporarily suppressed her emotions.
After returning to Mingyue Residence, she was still unsettled.
The court situation was unstable. It was nothing more than the chaos caused by the transition of old and new forces. But this was simple to analyze, but how difficult it was to subvert the class.
The prime minister whom Xie Yao wanted to appoint was not yet devoted to him, which showed that his side had not yet grown strong. And the people under the old order, perhaps he could violently purge the few at the top, but the much larger number of middle and lower classes were difficult to control. Whether from the distribution of benefits or moral choices, they were naturally opposed to him. To be able to maintain a surface of submission was to submit to his military power.
Now that his military power had a crack, they were desperately fighting back, more united than before, and fighting more fiercely than before. They probably wanted to take advantage of his absence to eliminate his forces.
Had he foreseen this when he left?
The war was more difficult than he had imagined. Could he handle it?
Was he really missing, or was it a smokescreen?
Reason told her to believe him. He was the strongest in the book, and nothing could defeat him.
But emotionally, she couldn’t help but worry about him.
What she feared most was that because she had violated the original plot, the plot had changed, his personality had also changed, and the whole world would be turned upside down.
Yuli sat on the swing, feeling a little dizzy.
From the avoidance at the beginning of their meeting to the current concern and confusion, she had really fallen into it.
Yuli smiled bitterly.
But wasn’t this also human nature?
He had not hurt her from beginning to end. What he had asked for at the beginning was just a glance from her. Although it was out of a pathological desire for control, he had given her the most solid protection and the most powerful support.
At that time, he was not even used to smiling, but he had wanted to pretend to be gentle. Later, in order to prevent her from being angry with him, he had even gone crazy and hurt himself. Now that she thought about it, it was actually a beautiful memory that was both funny and sad.
Since Zhile had brought the news from outside, the atmosphere in Mingyue Residence had sunk.
Yuli was a little regretful. Previously, just from the impression of the original book, she had determined that he was wicked and had disliked his cruel and bloody methods, and had never tried to get close to his world from beginning to end.
Now, seeing him in a predicament, she was so helpless that she could only comfort herself that he could do it. As long as she accepted his protection and waited for him to come back, she would have helped him.
It was not just Yuli. Jingyu and Xiyun were also worried.
Jingyu didn’t know much about this brother of hers. She only knew that he was inhuman, disowned his six relatives, and everyone could only submit at his feet. She and Song He were no exception.
In the past, Jingyu had only treated him as a high and mighty, unapproachable, and violent master who could control everything. Later, by Yuli’s side, he had softened a little, was no longer so inhuman, and would smile like a person. Only then did she dare to look at him a few times.
Could it be that because he was like a person, had become soft-hearted, he had been pulled down from the altar and had suffered this calamity?
Xiyun’s thoughts were the most complicated.
She had previously thought that he was an ordinary wealthy merchant, just that his methods were a little cruel and his temper was a little bad, but he was truly doting on Yuli.
Later, she found out that he was the regent, the one who was rumored to be violent and bloodthirsty, who had led the Shenwu Army to exterminate the former king of the Rouran, and had led his troops back to the capital to crush the former nobles, the actual ruler of the world.
Her previous perception was completely overturned.
What was fooling around? What was keeping a mistress? As long as he wanted, all the women in the world could be his for the choosing.
But he hadn’t. He had coaxed Yuli and had brought her home. Although that home was not like a home and was very strange, at least it showed that he was extremely attentive to Yuli.
In the future, according to Yuli’s background, she might not be able to reach the position of the legal wife, but it would be good to be a favored concubine.
But now he was in trouble. If he couldn’t come back, would Yuli be a widow?
It was also good not to be a princess consort, not to have to share a husband with others. But she saw Yuli was sad and knew that she had really fallen in love.
Xiyun, behind Jingyu’s back, comforted Yuli with words that were the complete opposite of Jingyu’s.
She said, “Yuli, look on the bright side. Out with the old, in with the new. We still have Huayan Fang. After this period, we can find a devoted gentleman. We don’t have to share a husband with others, nor do we have to be with a husband in a humble status. What do you say?”
Yuli was a little surprised.
In Xiyun’s mind, Xie Yao was a venerable person and should also have three wives and four concubines.
But he didn’t. He had told her that she could dominate him. Even in his current status, he was willing to discuss political affairs with her. He not only treated her as an equal, but even held her high.
In this era, it would probably be difficult for anyone to do this.
If he were really gone, she would surely not be able to find a second person in this life.
A dense pain spread in Yuli’s heart, as if it were about to surge out of her heart and spread to her mind, to drown her.
In the past, she had despised so-called love and did not understand why the original heroine would ask for trouble for her white moonlight. It was because she had never encountered love.
Now that she had, and had fallen in love, she finally knew what a terrible emotion this was.
No wonder some people lived for it, some people died for it, and some people gained infinite strength from it.
Yuli thought too much and could not calm down.
Before the night was over, she went to find Song He.
“Did he leave any words for you before he left?” Yuli asked Song He.
Song He already knew that Zhile had returned and had let the Mistress know about the chaos outside.
“The master only ordered this subordinate to protect the Mistress well,” Song He said.
“Did he foresee that the capital would be in chaos?”
Song He: “The master did not mention it to this subordinate.”
“Then how many shadow guards did he take with him?”
Song He’s brow twitched. Usually, when he went to the battlefield, he and the shadow guards were all by his side, either disguised as personal attendants or as commoners. There had been no exception for twelve years. But not this time.
Song He paused and said, “He left them all behind.” And he had given a death order that they must guard the Xie Residence well.
Yuli’s face turned pale. It seemed that he had calculated that the capital would be in chaos and had left all the shadow guards to protect her.
Yuli still held a glimmer of hope. “The war in the northern border, is it really that difficult?”
Song He: “For military secrets, Song He has never been present.”
He also only knew the surface. The Southern Garrison had been defeated twice, and the Shenwu Army had been defeated once. This was simply unimaginable before. Now that he had also been defeated, Song He only felt that it was false news, a fantasy.
But the chaos in the capital was real. Even Cui Chengbi’s home had been burned. The ministers who had submitted to him had either died or fled. The Imperial Palace had also mutinied. It was said that the young emperor had been taken hostage by the few great families that had made a comeback.
Now, the capital was in a state of panic, and the common people did not dare to go out.
“The Mistress should just pretend not to know about this matter. The master will surely return safely,” Song He said.
“Does he have any backup plan?”
Song He pondered. “The master is just missing. Even if all the Shenwu Army is dead, the master will surely not die in battle just like this.”
Song He said it with great certainty, thinking that he could comfort Yuli.
But Yuli found it even more difficult to be calm.
So there was such a possibility.
If the Shenwu Army was gone, even if he survived alone, everything he had built would turn into a bubble.
How did it come to this? Wasn’t he very amazing? Wasn’t he still able to find the runaway Song Yi at the first opportunity after his triumphant return?
Was it because she had changed the plot and had really subverted the original world?
For three consecutive days, there was no news of the regent from the border.
Yuli had no appetite for food or drink. She hated her own helplessness.
Song He came every day. There was no news of him, and his expression was very grave.
The various forces in the capital were in a constant state of chaos. Sometimes, a reddish sky could be seen at night. Someone had set a fire.
But Mingyue Residence was still a picture of peace, like a paradise.
All of this was because Xie Yao had left all his shadow guards and had risked his life to create it for her.
If he were really gone just like this, how could she live the rest of her life well?
Yuli’s spirit was stretched to the limit. She suddenly had a crazy and absurd idea.
She was in a novel of forced possession. The karmic law of her fleeing and him pursuing must still be there.
Was it that if she ran away, the original world would be restored, and Xie Yao would really be able to turn misfortune into good fortune and break through all the obstacles to come to her side?
Yuli looked at the quiet little courtyard and the rosy red night sky in the distance.
She would give it a try. If she could really escape, and escape smoothly under the heavy encirclement of the shadow guards, then it would be real.
*
A day later, in the dense forest of the northern foothills of the capital.
The night was thick, and dots of moonlight fell from the sparse branches and leaves.
Countless dark shadows were hidden in it. Cui Chengbi, who was at the head, looked at the vast capital below. Several plumes of thick smoke were rolling, and it seemed that sharp cries could be heard.
Three short and one long whistle came, followed by the sound of running legs parting the grass and leaves.
A scout passed through the many Shenwu Army soldiers ambushing in the dense forest and came to his side.
“The one in the Xie Residence is gone,” the scout said, panting heavily.
“How is that possible?” Cui Chengbi thought he had misheard.
“It’s a message from the leader of the shadow guards, Commander Xie, to the Shenwu Army. He has requested the Shenwu Army to assist in the search,” the scout said.
Cui Chengbi heard it clearly but did not respond for a long time.
This place suddenly became frighteningly quiet.
The master had always been decisive in killing and did not care about anyone’s life. This conspiracy was destined to make the capital flow with blood, and who could survive would all depend on fate.
But before the master had left, he had instructed him to protect the people in the Xie Residence well.
If any ill-intentioned person approached the Xie Residence, he could move his troops in advance.
Although since the master had killed the two beauties who had been presented, no one dared to discuss his private affairs, everyone knew that there was a woman in the regent’s private residence in Xuanping Fang.
He went back to his private residence almost every day. Cui Chengbi was not unaware, but many people knew that the area around the Xie Residence was densely packed with shadow guards. Once, an assassin had planned for three months to get close and had been killed cleanly.
To the old nobles and the new court officials, that place was a forbidden area. They would have to walk quickly when they passed by, and no one dared to stick their head out to spy.
That was why when the news of the regent’s disappearance had reached the capital, the forces of the old nobles had quickly united, trying to take advantage of his absence to regain control of the young emperor and seize the imperial power.
At this time, around the Imperial City, the imperial guards were holding on. Most of the forces loyal to the new dynasty were in the government offices of the Imperial City. That was the main battlefield where both sides were fighting to the death.
No one dared to bite the hard bone of the Xie Residence, which had little meat.
But how could the person inside be missing?
Thinking of that person’s solemn expression that day, Cui Chengbi swallowed. In his panic, he repeatedly asked, “How did she go missing? I can’t show my face, and the Shenwu Army also has to hide. How are we going to find her?”
The scout lowered his head. “Commander Xie only said to ask the Shenwu Army to help find her.”
A drop of sweat rolled down Cui Chengbi’s forehead, reflecting the moonlight.
He was the Grand General of the Shenwu Army. His duty should be to lead the Shenwu Army as the vanguard to carry out a major purge of the old nobles after the master had broken through the encirclement.
Protecting the Xie Residence was secondary.
And only he and the master knew about this conspiracy. Commander Xie should not know that he was in command of the remaining Shenwu Army. He had just turned to the Shenwu Army in a panic.
Since it was Commander Xie who was leading the shadow guards to protect the Xie Residence, and the person was lost, the main responsibility was on him.
Whether he would be implicated would depend on whether the person inside was safe in the end, and also on whether he had performed his duty beautifully.
Cui Chengbi thought for a long time, suppressed his panic, and said in a low voice, “Pick a few of the most capable scouts and send them to Commander Xie for his command. And send a few good hands to Huilong City by fast horse. If there is any news of the Prince, report this matter to him immediately.”
*
Four days later.
North of Huilong City in the northern border.
In the endless expanse of green grass, two armies were facing each other. The battle was coming to an end.
One side was wearing lacquer-black iron armor, the elite cavalry of the Shenwu Army. The other side was wearing leather armor, the elite guards of the Rouran Khan.
There were countless corpses in leather armor on the ground, trampled into a pulp by the horse’s hooves. The smell of blood filled the wilderness, and the people in it could no longer smell anything else.
The sound of clashing weapons and the sound of flesh being pierced were endless.
The flag of the Shenwu Army was flapping in the wind, surrounding the Rouran Khan’s royal carriage, like a death knell, trapping him on his warhorse, unable to move.
Just a few days ago, they had had the upper hand. How had it come to this today? Hadn’t the Shenwu Army rotted away in the gentle lands of the south?
Hadn’t Du Ling gotten lost in the grassland? How had he suddenly appeared?
And when had that cold-faced Rakshasa, who made one’s heart tremble at the sight, appeared before him?
The Khan looked at Xie Yao, who was riding towards him, his whole body steaming. His hands were trembling so much that he couldn’t hold his curved knife.
Xie Yao stood opposite him, wearing a bright gold armor. The armor was covered in blood, and the blood drops were gathering. The black tight-fitting clothes could not be seen, only a greasy sheen would flash under the gloomy daylight.
The red tassel on the spear tip was wet and stuck to the shaft, not moving a single bit in the fierce wind.
His gaze did not have much killing intent, just indifferent and cold, with a luster like raw iron, and also as cold as metal.
That familiar gaze, which treated people like livestock and slaughtered people like sheep.
The young Khan was suddenly filled with fear and almost wanted to get off his horse and kneel down to sue for peace, just like when his father had been beheaded by him that day.
However, he was now the Khan, and he had no way to retreat.
Xie Yao stood still. The Khan launched a desperate attack.
Before he reached the horse, Du Ling’s iron spear thrust out diagonally, pierced his chest and abdomen, and knocked him off his horse.
Xie Yao only moved his horse’s hooves and made way for the Khan’s galloping horse.
The rest of the people were left to his subordinates to clean up. Xie Yao rode his horse to the side of the river he had just passed.
After a battle, his body was soaked in the enemy’s blood, and his whole body was sticky and smelly.
He took off his armor and threw it at his feet. The shallow water was instantly filled with blood.
He walked a few steps into the river, and the blood from his body spread out and was carried away by the current.
He was completely immersed in the river, letting the current wash over him for a moment. He floated on the surface of the water, his face up.
It was only when he smelled the scent of grass and the flowing water that he got up.
When he reached the shore, he suddenly saw a few scouts coming from the south.
The scouts galloped through the puddles, their horse’s hooves splashing water. They reached him and jumped off without reining in their horses.
They knelt on one knee before him. “Reporting to Master, Grand General Cui has a report. The person in the Xie Residence went missing five days ago.”
The water on Xie Yao’s body had not yet stopped flowing, and a cold air invaded his marrow. “Report it again.”