Alou looked at the soldiers from the Northern Yong army lying on the ground throughout the courtyard, her legs turning to jelly from fright.
"My lady, what should we do now?"
Feng Yun did not utter a word, quickly went back into the room to wrap the Zhanjiao Sword in coarse cloth, and stuffed it into Wen Xingsu’s arms, "Big brother, run for it!"
Wen Xingsu understood her thoughts.
As the governor of Xinzhou and the General of Northern Yong, falling into Pei Jue’s hands ant that death was actually the best outco, as living would be worse than dying.
But how could Wen Xingsu abandon Feng Yun?
He frowned slightly, "Yao Yao, co with ."
Feng Yun shook her head, not bearing to look into Wen Xingsu’s eyes, and turned back to shout, "Xing Bing."
Wen Xingsu was injured and could not leave Andu on his own. Xing Bing took down a door panel, had two of his n lift Wen Xingsu onto it, and then wrapped him to the door panel with cloth strips to prevent him from falling off during the bumpy ride.
Feng Yun said, "I have prepared a small boat. The eight of them will escort big brother across the river, directly back to Tai City. After that, they won’t return here. We’ll see about fate after the war is over."
The eight n who’d received the order had red-rimd eyes as they responded in low voices.
"We will not fail the trust the lady has placed in us."
Feng Yun nodded, "Head east to Shiguan County, and do not go back to Xinzhou."
Though travelling to Xinzhou might seem close and was guarded by the Qi Army, there would inevitably be many soldiers from the Northern Yong army patrolling along the way, making it more dangerous. The Shiguan County had an unbroken trade route with Andu City, and there were more civilians coming and going, so this route was the safest.
Seeing that Feng Yun had planned everything, Wen Xingsu felt a pang in his heart and reached out his long arm attempting to pull her, "Yao Yao, either I stay, or you co with !"
With a smile in her eyes, Feng Yun looked at him, "Big brother, I can’t go back. Once you get back, don’t co here again. Take good care of your injury. And if there’s war again, don’t push yourself too hard. Take care of your health..."
"No!" Wen Xingsu’s pupils shook, his fingers gripping the door panel tightly as he tried to struggle to get up. But Xing Bing had wrapped him up tightly with the strips, and a blanket was laid on top of that, leaving only his arms to move. How could he overpower the restraint of four iling n?
"Yao Yao!" Wen Xingsu roared lowly.
The air was filled with an indescribable sadness.
Ti was of the essence, and Feng Yun waved her hand, "Go."
The four iling n carried Wen Xingsu, moving swiftly out of the manor.
Feng Yun followed them out of the main gate, and as the figures got farther and farther away, she gave Xing Bing more instructions.
"Take a few n and follow them at a distance to ensure big brother’s safety."
Xing Bing saluted with his sword, "Understood."
There was a small river less than two miles outside the estate, a tributary of the Changhe River from Huaxi Village. Heading east would lead directly to Shiguan.
By the ti Ao Qi awoke or Pei Jue realized what had happened, Wen Xingsu would have already left the northern bank, and pursuing him would be impossible.
"Big brother, take care!"
Feng Yun stood under the golden cascading sunlight, looking out over the endless fields, her face calm while her heart surged like tumultuous waves.
In her previous life, Wen Xingsu was torn apart by horses ordered by Pei Jue...
Knowing the fate that lay ahead, how could she willingly let history repeat itself and just watch him die?
Of course, she never thought this matter could be hidden from Pei Jue, and it surely couldn’t be.
But she believed that in consideration of the two hundred thousand stones of grain, Pei Jue wouldn’t easily take her life. However, to gain Pei Jue’s trust again would probably require so more effort.
Perhaps even unavoidable sacrifices...
With these thoughts, Feng Yun called for Alou, "How have the concubines been doing recently?"
Since Feng Yun arrived at Huaxi Village, Alou had been devoting all his attention there. With the new steward’s vigor, Alou kept a watchful eye on everyone in the house, and no movent escaped his sight.
Hearing Feng Yun’s question, he said, "My lady can rest assured, I’m keeping my eyes open."
Feng Yun beckoned him over, and Alou imdiately leaned in to listen to her instructions. His eyes widened in surprise, and it took him a while to exhale, bowing respectfully.
"I understand."
—
Inside the blue-tiled house in the western part of the estate, several concubines had finished their al, but instead of taking a nap as usual, they sat by the window with complex expressions, waiting.
None of them had expected Feng Twelve to dare poison the Northern Yong army soldiers.
Not only did she act, but she also did so with such ease, seeming utterly unafraid, leaving the concubines with their own thoughts. So were looking forward to how furious the Great General would be when he saw what had transpired, while others feared being implicated.
For a ti, they looked at each other...
"Will the General forgive Shi’er Niang?"
Soone asked, and another answered.
Huan Jiao hesitated, nodding uneasily.
"Perhaps. The General has always favored Shi’er Niang."
Lin E scoffed, as if she had heard a joke, her head bowed as she rubbed the calluses on her fingers, her gaze filled with resentnt.
"What a grave cri it is to poison soldiers! Do you think the military law of Northern Yong is just for show?"
Suddenly struck by a thought, she laughed softly, "Even if the Great General is willing to spare her, wouldn’t the emperor and the Empress Dowager still have a say? Would they forgive her too? Feng Twelve, this ti you’re done for."
All the concubines looked towards Lin E.
These days, Feng Twelve hadn’t been easy on them, but gradually they got used to it, and so even felt settled, thinking it wasn’t so bad.
To work in order to eat was only natural.
Feng Twelve conducted all her affairs openly, without any of those unseemly and dark tactics that people said were commonplace in the households of the wealthy.
So, so began to say, "If sothing truly happened to Shi’er Niang, could we... still rely on her to protect us from the storm? Might we be sent to another household, to be slaves or concubines..."
Lin E glared at them, "Is that all you aspire to? Having been ordered around by Feng Twelve for a few days, do you really think of yourselves as her slaves? Despicable things that can’t see the light of day!"
She had always been the dominant one among this group of people.
Once she turned fierce, nobody else made a sound.
Lin E then sneered, "Without Feng Twelve, you and I would have the chance to serve the General. If we sisters unite our hearts and serve the General well, why worry about a lack of a good future? Look at your skin; look at your hands. Do you still think Feng Twelve is a good person?"
The group of courtesans felt ashad by her words and lowered their heads.
—
Before the beginning of autumn, the sumr heat was intense, and the sun blazed like fire.
Having stood outside for a while, Feng Yun felt as if she were about to roast, drenched in sweat. Upon returning to the estate, she asked Xiaoman to prepare so water.
Xiaoman, not giving it much thought, happily went off to do so.
Daman followed, her brows betraying a hint of concern.
"The General is coming later. You go sweep and tidy up the lady’s room, replace the bedding. I’ll prepare the water."
Xiaoman didn’t understand, "If the General cos, why should we tidy up the lady’s room?"
Daman looked at her simple appearance, sighed, and gestured towards the soldiers of the Beiyong Army who had been dragged under the straw shed to avoid the heat after fainting outside.
"The lady is in a tough spot. If things go wrong, both you and I might lose our heads."
Xiaoman suddenly realized the danger and beca anxious, "What should we do?"
Daman glanced at the room, "The lady must have a plan. Just follow orders and you’ll be fine."
This estate was prepared by Feng Yun for a long stay, and had been thoroughly tidied up inside and out in the past few days. The floor of the clean room had a new layer of wooden boards, which felt very clean underfoot.
She liked this feeling.
The air was filled with moisture, enveloping a gentle, warm fragrance.
Newly-made skirts hung on the wooden rack, specially prepared by Daman for her.
Feng Yun glanced at them without saying much.
She understood Daman’s thoughts.
Sending away Wen Xingsu was a capital offense.
Daman wanted her to trade her body for a chance to live.
Feng Yun smiled, calm and composed.
"You can go now; I don’t need attendance here."
She slipped off her outer garnt, and amid the hazy mist, slowly walked towards the bathing tub, dragging the hem of her skirt. Her alabaster skin and luxuriant black hair made her look as exquisitely beautiful as a figure lifted from a painting, so much so that even Daman and Xiaoman couldn’t help but be moved by her beauty and feel ashad of themselves.
"Yes."
The pressure of her extre beauty made them hold their breath, as if unwilling to make the slightest noise for fear of disturbing sothing.
As they left the clean room, Xiaoman exhaled in relief.
"The lady is exceedingly beautiful. If I were the General and had won her over, I’d see no value in any other concubine..."
As soon as these words slipped out, she noticed Daman’s unhappy expression.
"Big sis, I wasn’t talking about you. You’re also very beautiful..."
Daman laughed softly, "You’re not wrong. With Shi’er Niang’s peerless beauty, who else could catch the General’s eye?"
Xiaoman blinked.
"I know big sis is fond of the General. If the lady chooses to find concubines for him later, I’ll recomnd big sis."
Daman was shocked and wide-eyed.
"Where did you hear such gossip? When have I fancied the General?"
Xiaoman pouted, "Big sis can deceive others, but not . I saw it in your eyes, full of love when watching the General practice his sword under the moon that night in the camp..."
Daman suddenly squeezed her arm, "Little wench, don’t talk nonsense. Do you want to get killed..."
"Ow, it hurts. I haven’t told anyone else." Xiaoman removed her hand and then whispered consolingly, "After all, the General’s house won’t always have only the lady. As long as big sis serves faithfully, there will always be more opportunities than other concubines have, right? The lady will promote you..."
"Shut up imdiately!" Daman’s cheeks flushed with her words, feeling as if the scorching sunlight piercing through the bamboo curtains was nearly suffocating her.
"I’ll go add water for the lady."
She turned and walked away quickly.
Xiaoman, knowing she was embarrassed, bent down smiling and picked up a clod of dirt. Just as she was about to throw it at the sparrows on the eaves, a rapid sound of horse hooves ca from outside the estate...
Oh no! The General was here.
Why did he arrive so quickly?
Xiaoman’s heart skipped a beat, turning and running inside. Just as she called out "Lady," she collided with a pale-faced Daman coming from the other direction.
She seed to have been greatly frightened, her face white and her voice changed.
"The lady is missing!"
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