Wu Siyuan was out of breath. “Reporting to General Chiyun, I went to go negotiate compensation with that family like you ordered yesterday, but they refused to settle in peace. Not only did they tie up Du Youtian and take him to the local government, they even beat him and raised the compensation amount to 100,000 silver taels.”
Upon hearing the news, a dangerous glint flashed in Chiyun Yuexuan’s phoenix eyes. “So they are forcing me to come out to handle this myself? Very well. Help me change clothes. I'll see what kind of family they really are.”
Dressed in a white brocade robe with cloud patterns, Chiyun Yuexuan looked quite scholarly and elegant and not at all like a general who was used to holding heavy weaponry. He told his men to protect Murong Zhining well before riding his horse away with Wu Siyuan.
With a worried face, Luo Siyao helped Murong Zhining wash up and dress. “Oh dear… I’m worried that with his violent temper, General Chiyun might just tear down
In the eastern suburbs of Songyang County, at the start of Hog hour. A servant of the Bai family pushed forward Cai Sang, whose hands were tied up, along the road, before stopping at a certain spot on the roadside. The hillside around hid fifty archers dressed in armor, ready to shoot the exchanger to death after the exchange was complete. The servant who hauled Cai Sang along waited and waited until it was the mid-Hog hour but there was no sign of anyone. He started to grow a little impatient.Bai Xianwu paced back and forth in the Bai Estate’s study. It had already past the beginning of Rat (11pm – 1am), and no one had brought Bai Hongkai back. Bai Xianwu was burning up with anxiety. Mid-Rat hour, a servant delivered a bloodstained letter. Bai Xianwu unfolded the paper with trembling hands and read it.‘Since Old Mister Bai has failed to act in good faith and set up an ambush, you cannot blame me for being cruel. The blood on this paper came from your son, but rest ass
Xu Jiantao nervously turned around to see Bai Xianwu standing behind him with eyes wide open in rage. “Close the gates and don't let anyone out.”The entrance guards immediately closed the gates of the Bai Estate.Xu Jiantao looked at Bai Xianwu. “Now is the only chance to save Hongkai and the entire Bai family. Please stop being headstrong, father-in-law. If we hand over this girl, we still have a chance to get a lighter sentence from General Chiyun.”Bai Xianwu viciously spat on the ground. “I have had my way around Songyang for decades and never lost to anyone before, ever! You think I need that greenhorn general to give me a lighter sentence? I shall make him pay a heavy price for what he did; otherwise, how can I hold my head high in Songyang in the future? Because I was afraid to bring trouble to you lot – my son-in-laws, I even gave up my own son's life, yet you, you join hands with outsiders to deal with this old man!”Seeing Bai Xianwu insisted on be
Murong Zhining leaned back against Chiyun Yuexuan’s chest. Behind them, the carriage followed in a leisurely manner.In the carriage, Luo Siyao poked fun at Cai Sang, “You must have been scared. If it weren't for General Chiyun, you would have been a concubine in the Bai family by now. Are you still gonna call him beast this and that from now on? “Cai Sang mumbled, “Him saving me is a completely different matter from the crime he committed against Princess, alright? In any case, I still won't forgive him.”Luo Siyao pinched Cai Sang hard. “Keep your voice down. Her mood just barely got a little better. If she hears you, it’s all ruined. Can't you stop mentioning the things from the past? General really saved you for nothing.”There was a worried look in Cai Sang’s eyes. “Princess is already like this, but General Chiyun is facing the death penalty for resisting the decree. What will happen when they return to Huayan? I'm really worried for Princess.”L
Feng Wenbin snapped, “What are you so frightened for? General Chiyun is about to depart, there must be no delay. Besides, if this disturbs his family, I’ll have you punished.”Chiyun Yuexuan waved his hand. “Just handle your camp’s affair first, General Feng. It’s fine to move back our departure a little.”Feng Wenbin asked the soldier with a face full of anger, “Say it, what happened?”The soldier gasped for breath, “I was on duty last night. When it was time to change shifts, I passed by the area of the army slaves and saw the sinned slave of the Zhuang family was hanged on a tree outside the tent, I mean that old woman who had a silly son.”Chiyun Yuexuan creased his brows. “That wicked woman used to bully my wife before, but my wife never held her accountable and instead forgave her. She was fine when she left last night. Why would she hang herself? Have it investigated and see if it was a murder. Otherwise, I might have to bear the bad reputation of carr
Murong Zhining sat dispiritedly in the tent lost in thought. Cai Sang had arranged a meal for her, but she wasn’t in the mood to eat. Cai Sang urged her in a low voice, “Princess, eat a little bit at least. If General comes back and sees you’ve starved yourself thin, he’ll blame me. At least for the sake of your servant, please eat.” Murong Zhining woke from her trance. “Mm, did the fool eat? Tell Siyao to bring him over and eat together.” The fool walked happily into the tent. “Wife... hungry...” Cai Sang threatened menacingly, “Fool, if you don't want to die, don’t ever call Princess that again, you hear me? General will get angry and kill you. You must call her Princess. Come on, try it, princess.” The fool said with difficulty, “Pri... Prin ... Princess...” Murong Zhining let Luo Siyao help the fool to eat, but the fool seemed to be eating very well on his own and there was nothing to worry about
The people in commoner’s clothes ran all the way to Chiyun Yuexuan’s area. An old man knelt on the ground and cried, “Reporting to Grand General, those Shangxia soldiers are doing whatever they want in the city, robbing and plundering at will. My daughter and daughter-in-law were also captured by those animals and insulted in their barracks. They want me to relay to General that they’ll kill one person every day. I beg you, please save this city!” Chiyun Yuexuan's eyes burned with hatred. “General Feng, send someone to stabilize them and tell them not to hurt the civilians. Investigate these people and confirm their identity, set up another camp for their temporary shelter.” Heeding the order, Feng Wenbin had the soldiers take these people out. Chiyun Yuexuan’s heart was extremely heavy. If Murong Zhining hadn't repeatedly reassured him, he would have broken into the city alone and fought Yao Shilei to death. Chiyun Yuexuan tried to calm his
Hearing the soldier’s report, Chiyun Yuexuan was furious. “This Yao thief is truly a shrewd fox. He’s very difficult to deal with. If your plan doesn’t work out, just how many people will die by his hand? I can't stand it.” With a confident smile, Murong Zhining comforted the worried Chiyun Yuexuan, “General, go arrange a delicious meal for General Huyan and the soldiers tonight. Don’t let anxiety come over you, I’m worried just watching. Can’t you believe Ning’er for once?” Chiyun Yuexuan still paced anxiously. “You say, should I expect your plan to work or hope that it wouldn’t? Even a battle-hardened general like me is at my wit’s end in this situation. If my wife really wins the city, how am I going to face people?” Murong Zhining gave his chest a light punch. “Is this the time to care about something like that?” Chiyun Yuexuan grimaced. “Goodness! I’m just worried that Ning’er will despise me for being useless, alright?”
Little Ling’er looked at nanny whose face was slightly red from excitement. “Can we really get out of here? I’m scared of those bad guys, they’re always so mean.” Nanny gently caressed the girl’s fuzzy little head. “Don't worry, nanny will take you out of here tomorrow. Look what I’ve got, this is the Illusion Fungus, a very rare mushroom. In the folktale, this mushroom was stained by devil's saliva. My teacher once told me that as long as someone swallows a little bit of this stuff, they’d see the things that you guide them to think or hear of. Once those animals eat this, I’ll be able to take my Little Ling’er out of this evil den.” Nanny showed Little Ling’er a blue mushroom with red spots. Nanny hummed a tune as she cooked with a smile on her face; one that Little Ling’er hadn’t seen in a long time. Nanny prepared several dishes and brought them into the dining room in a good mood. Curious and also tempted for a new taste, Little Ling’er secretly scoo