Chapter 370: Chapter 359: Bumping into the Door
When Xie Xun arrived, he was still completely baffled. He had assumed Fengyu was in danger, but instead, he was greeted by Nuanyang. All around him, the city of Yangzhou resounded with constant wails and screams, mingled with the sounds of killing, arson, and looting. Xie Xun’s heart sank slightly. Nuanyang quickly repeated Fengyu’s exact words, and Xie Xun was alarmed: "An epidemic?"
"Yes, it’s already spreading. The movements of the Sannan people remain unclear, and the General doesn’t dare send reinforcements to Yangzhou. Now with the epidemic raging, the situation has worsened. Yangzhou is about to descend into chaos," Nuanyang said. "Master, a few days ago when the port was closed, many disaster victims were already trying to flood into Yangzhou. Now with the upheaval in the city and the epidemic spreading, many will try to flee. I must think of a way to get the young lady out of Yangzhou. You and the cavalry must not take risks. The epidemic must not spread to Jiaozhou — you need to return there immediately."
"You won’t be able to leave. The ships at the port will definitely prioritize officials and their families from the city. Mr. Su is gravely ill, his power stripped away, and Ayu cannot reveal her identity. How could they possibly board a ship?"
"Master, Miss Fang is still in the city. With the outbreak of the epidemic, she’ll surely think of the young lady. Her family will be prioritized for evacuation; they might take the young lady and Mr. Su along with them. The few of us can stay off the ship."
"Are you mad? Fang Lingjun may be trustworthy, but do you know where she’ll sail to after boarding? If Ayu and Mr. Su are on that ship and their identities are exposed, it would be like walking into the lion’s den."
Nuanyang froze, realizing the gravity of the situation.
"Master, the young lady repeatedly urged you: do not bring the cavalry into Yangzhou and endanger yourself," Nuanyang pleaded. "Both of you need to switch back as soon as possible. There’s still much left for us to do."
"What can she do that I cannot?" Xie Xun glanced at the Soul Suppressing Pearl on the desk. Yangzhou was fraught with danger — if so, he would stay in the city in Fengyu’s place and not switch back.
"But what you can do, she cannot. She’s unfamiliar with military matters. If others grow suspicious and she cannot return to her body in time, aren’t you afraid she’ll encounter trouble in Jiaozhou? And what if the epidemic reaches Jiaozhou as well? Would she know how to manage military affairs? She’s never been trained for that; you can’t expect her to know everything."
It was the first time Nuanyang openly contradicted Xie Xun.
He, too, did not want Xie Xun to endanger himself in Yangzhou.
Xie Xun was the commander of the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry, destined to lead them back to reclaim the Capital City. He could not afford to take risks in Yangzhou.
"Nuanyang, if she encounters any danger, you must remove this wretched pearl. That’s an order — understand?" Xie Xun said gravely. Nuanyang was right: Ayu lacked military experience, and many things required his personal direction. But he would not let Fengyu face fear and danger in Yangzhou alone!
"Yes!" Nuanyang nodded.
There was no time for Fengyu and Xie Xun to exchange any words as they switched back again. Xie Xun asked Feiying, "What message did she leave for me?"
"The young lady left you a letter!"
Yangzhou.
Returning to her own body, Fengyu had been worried Xie Xun might act recklessly and refuse to wear the Soul Suppressing Pearl again, which would truly spell disaster. Fortunately, he was rational. If not for the great upheaval of June 6, and if he were not now the commander of the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry, given his former ways as a carefree and unrestrained young marquis, he would never have returned to his own body. He would have undoubtedly stayed in Yangzhou to take risks in her stead.
Pain had matured him, taught him the distinctions between what mattered and what did not.
Fengyu was pleased!
But she had no time to dwell on it and hurried to check on Su Ming.
Su Ming, after a long and jarring journey, was utterly exhausted. Fengyu brought the Su Family’s doctor to give him medicine. Mr. Su, looking extremely frail, said with difficulty, "It’s your grandfather’s fault for dragging you into this."
"Grandfather is a treasure in Ayu’s heart; how could you be a burden?" Fengyu said with a faint smile. "Don’t worry, Ayu will safely take you out of Yangzhou. We’re heading to the West Continent."
Su Ming knew that he would never make it to the West Continent.
He was born in Yangzhou, raised in Yangzhou, and would return to his roots here. Besides, his life was already at its end. He must not hold Ayu back. "Ayu, don’t worry about your grandfather. Go to the port and board a ship. Leave Yangzhou."
Fengyu refused no matter what he said.
Nuanyang and two loyal soldiers went outside to gather information. By noon, they returned with even worse news: the North City Gate had been breached. A frenzy of disaster victims had swarmed the gate in droves. Although the Yangzhou Garrison numbered in the tens of thousands, the epidemic had made people wary, and no one dared get close to the victims. Many showed red rashes on their bodies — a clear sign they were infected. The soldiers, unwilling to contract the disease, abandoned the city. The disaster victims opened the gates directly, and tens of thousands of people poured into the city.
Fengyu’s heart raced. She stashed away the grain and medicine in a hidden chamber. She had chosen this house precisely for its hidden chamber, a place to hide. She also sent Mr. Su, Housekeeper Su, and Chunlu there under her protection.
Inside the city, tens of thousands of disaster victims roamed unchecked, and killing, arson, and looting became inevitable. Fengyu grimly asked, "What’s the situation at the port?"
"All the ships are leaving. Wealthy merchants packed up their belongings early and left Yangzhou at dawn. The port is packed with people waiting to board. It’s impossible to approach now. That area is full of shops, and the disaster victims have already begun looting food there. The roads are completely blocked. Just now, I even ran into Miss Fang." Nuanyang pulled Fengyu aside and lowered his voice. "Miss Fang said a group of disaster victims broke into her house. They killed everyone they encountered. It’s as if someone is taking advantage of the chaos to deliberately instigate unrest — it doesn’t seem like something ordinary disaster victims would do."
"And Junjun?"
"Miss Fang seemed to be alright. They’re leaving Yangzhou. She asked you to meet her at the port to board the ship together, but I fear it’s impossible to get there now."
"As long as she can leave," Fengyu said, her heart sinking slightly.
With chaos ruling the streets and people exploiting the disorder, it seemed safer to remain hidden within Yangzhou. No one knew she was here. She just needed to ride out the storm in silence.
Housekeeper Su suggested, "Young Lady, by nightfall, these disaster victims might start seeking shelter. That’s when we should try to reach the port. The master has a ship there. We can board and leave."
"That’s the only option!"
But the chaos erupted faster than Fengyu had anticipated. The riots and looting had already spread to this area. Nuanyang and the two soldiers retreated to the entrance, helplessly watching as the mob ransacked everything in sight and seized homes by force. The city of Yangzhou had never witnessed such turmoil before. The State Mansion seemed to have collapsed in an instant, leaving no one to take charge!
Fearful for Nuanyang and the soldiers’ safety outside, Fengyu opened the door to let them in, then locked it tightly, waiting in silence.
The mob stormed into the neighboring courtyard, shouting madly about food. A crowd pressed in around that house. The cries of children, the screams of women, and the sounds of men fighting the intruders filled the air.
Nuanyang and the soldiers boiled with rage but dared not act. First, there were too many attackers. Second, their primary mission was to protect Fengyu. Third, they could not risk contracting the disease; otherwise, Fengyu’s situation would worsen drastically.
"There’s someone in this house — open up! Open up!" The refugees shouted outside, battering the door.
Nuanyang and the other soldiers, along with the Protectors, drew their bows. They couldn’t let anyone breach the door. The gate, made of iron and securely barred, gave Nuanyang some confidence. It would take at least a dozen men or specialized equipment like a battering ram to break through.
Chunlu clung to Fengyu nervously. "Young Lady, you should hide in the hidden chamber!"
"If they truly break in, there’s nowhere to hide."
"There’s definitely someone here! Everyone, come over!" In desperation, people became more daring, and dozens of refugees surged forward. Nuanyang frowned and climbed onto the wall. Five soldiers and several Protectors stood alongside him, aiming their bows at the refugees. Fortunately, it wasn’t too large a group. Seeing the bows, the mob quickly backed off, cursing angrily.
Nuanyang drew his bowstring taut and shouted angrily, "We have elders, pregnant women, and children here. Who among you is free of the disease? If anyone dares break in, I will kill them! We’re all just poor folk wanting safety for our families. By looting and pillaging, how are you any different from bandits?"
"You enjoy your privileged lives in Yangzhou, closing the gates and ignoring our suffering. So what if we’re infected? We’ll drag you all to hell with us!" the leader of the refugees shouted, throwing himself against the gate.
A dozen others, equally enraged, joined him in battering the gate.
Nuanyang said, "It was the State Mansion that closed the gates, not the common folk! If you’re angry, take it out on the State Mansion — it’s to the southeast! This is your final warning: back off, or I will fire!"