On the third day, Yun Jiao received a letter from Jiang Youzhi, which was probably written at the relay station at night.
The letter contained only one page, written with remarkable literary talent. As Yun Jiao read it, she gathered only one aning—that he missed her.
After finishing the letter, Yun Jiao cherishingly placed it into a box, which she kept in the drawer of the bedside cabinet.
Thereafter, every three days, Yun Jiao would receive another letter.
This morning, after reading Jiang Youzhi’s sixth letter, Yun Jiao felt both sweet and lancholy as she headed towards Renxin Hall.
Upon entering, she heard a custor conversing with soone: "I heard the Jin Country people have invaded."
Yun Jiao was startled, halted her steps, and asked the speaking custor, "Uncle, when did this happen?"
The uncle replied: "Just within the past half-month. My nephew in the Forbidden Army told , saying the Jin Country people have already reached Baozhou, not far from the Capital City."
Yun Jiao frowned; have the Jin Country people really invaded? It seed unreasonable for the court to be unaware.
She thought carefully, recalling that in the past few days, when she went to pay respects at the main courtyard, she had not seen the Duke.
And Lady Wu seed to have so concern, hesitating several tis to speak to her.
Perhaps they had long known, but simply hadn’t inford her.
Gu Yuheng also ca to ask Yun Jiao, "Is it true?"
Yun Jiao shook her head, "I don’t know. I’ll inquire when I return."
After having lunch at Renxin Hall, Yun Jiao returned to the residence.
In the afternoon, Yun Jiao specially went to the main courtyard.
Lady Wu was watching Ruru crawl on the mat on the ground.
Seeing Yun Jiao co in, Lady Wu hurriedly waved at her, "Finished your work today? You’re back so early."
Yun Jiao sat beside Lady Wu and asked softly, "Mother, today at the pharmacy, people said the Jin Country people invaded. Is it true?"
Lady Wu sighed, "It’s true."
"Received war reports days ago, Jin Country split into two routes heading straight for the Capital City. Recently, Jin’s Western Army has been blocked outside Liao River, while the Eastern Army advanced rapidly, capturing two cities in just two days."
"Yizhou, just recently redeed, is now guarded by General Guo, who defected from the Great Liao years ago."
Lady Wu paused, "General Guo resisted for several days but has surrendered to Da Jin."
"General Guo is very familiar with our Great Chu’s military defense; now he has led the Jin Country forces past Liao River, bypassed several cities, directly aiming at the Capital City."
"We’ve beco deaf and blind in Great Chu; such a significant event and not a word heard. Only days ago, when Jin captured Baozhou, did the court receive news."
"Currently, Da Jin’s army is only a few days’ march from the Capital City."
Yun Jiao listened in horror, "Is the court just watching, not rushing to find a way?"
Lady Wu said: "The court has already dispatched Marquis Wu’an to lead half of the Palace Guard, forty thousand soldiers, to et the enemy."
"Alas, the Emperor truly made a blunder. eting the enemy outside the city puts us at a disadvantage; it would be better to concentrate our defenses within the Capital City."
She patted Yun Jiao’s hand, "Didn’t tell you because we didn’t want you to worry."
"Although the situation isn’t great, our Capital City in Great Chu has three layers of city walls, twelve gates, and nine water gates. Jin Country can’t break in."
Yun Jiao heard this but was not reassured; instead, she grew more worried.
Is there truly an impregnable fortress? Whether a city can be breached is only a matter of ti.
When the supplies run out, who can defend it!
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