Chapter 730: Chapter 472: Baihua Village
The evening sun tilts westward.
On a dirt road within the Huai River path, a gray donkey snorts, flicking its tail, leisurely pulling a cart laden with thick straw.
The leather collar on the donkey’s neck has worn a circle of fur, and the brass bell it holds gently shakes.
Zhao Douan wears a straw hat, flicking a whip, resembling a rustic villager. Behind him, on the piled straw in the cart, sits the only female emperor in the six hundred years of the Great Yu dynasty.
"...Thus, at the critical moment, Eunuch Hai appeared with men to block the pursuing soldiers, and only then was I able to escape," Zhao Douan recounted the story in a low voice, wearing a pained expression:
"I should have met with Your Majesty by noon, but... I accidentally got lost in the mountain forest, went in the wrong direction, and had no choice but to take a big detour to catch up.
Along the way, I even passed through a small town, thinking of buying a carriage to hurry along, but couldn’t find one at all, so I had to spend some silver to get a donkey cart."
Xu Zhenguan, wearing men’s clothing, sat on the donkey cart with a smile on her lips, showing no sign of disdain.
Listening to Zhao Douan’s tales of escape in the forest, her palms were quietly sweaty. Learning that Hai Chunlin had arrived and that Zhao Douan got lost, she inexplicably burst into laughter.
"In this way, waiting a little longer proved to be a wise decision," she said with a smile, somewhat proudly.
It was as if squatting by the wall for an entire day was a glorious, wise decision.
Zhao Douan cheerfully echoed: "Your Majesty is wise and powerful, blessed by heaven. It’s also thanks to Eunuch Hai and the others holding the line behind us that we can catch a breath. Now that we’re entering Huai River, the pressure should be a bit less."
Xu Zhenguan seriously cautioned him, urging restraint:
"Prince Huaian might not be searching for Us, but many local scholarly families along Huai River have probably long sided with Prince Jing, Mu Prince, and others. We must not be careless, be wary of these scholarly families informing the rebels."
"I understand," Zhao Douan nodded, knowing well enough that entering Huai River did not mean safety.
At most, the pressure of fleeing was slightly lessened.
Moreover, there was one thing the two subtly avoided mentioning:
If the Eight Princes had rebelled, would the "Li Party" officials left in the Capital still behave? Li Yanfu might become the most unstable bomb in the Capital.
However, the Capital still had Yuann Li, Xue Shence, and other "Imperial Faction" members to keep it in check, preventing chaos for the time being.
The sunset gradually extinguished, and the dark night spread ink-like hues across the sky.
Xu Zhenguan suddenly said, "The journey is long, and the dangers like today will not be rare. Next time, you are not permitted to foolishly leave me behind and risk yourself."
Zhao Douan did not turn back and said calmly and seriously while driving the donkey cart, "Alright."
After a pause, he added, "However, if that day does come, I shall surely die before Your Majesty."
The Empress fell silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Why?"
Zhao Douan smiled, "Your Majesty is the ruler, and I am the subject, is it not ordained by heaven?"
This time, the Empress’s silence was longer than usual. Just as the world was entirely shrouded in darkness, sitting at the back of the donkey cart, she softly said:
"Is it just ruler and subject?"
Unfortunately, the voice was too quiet, almost like a mosquito’s hum, drowned by the long bray of the donkey, and Zhao Douan did not hear it clearly.
...
...
Within Jiancheng Road, there stands the Big Buddha Temple named "Cold Mountain."
A few days ago, the Bodhisattva of the Divine Dragon Temple’s main altar in the Capital climbed the mountain alone to take over the assets left by the "Da Jing Master" who defected to the Western Regions.
In the temple, hundreds of monks warmly welcomed the Bodhisattva.
The elderly nun took residence in the temple, managing one by one the accumulated temple affairs.
When the news of the Luoshan Sealing Ceremony mishap, the Empress and Zhao Douan’s disappearance, and Prince Jing’s uprising reached the temple,
the Bodhisattva Bodhi could not hide her astonishment and immediately announced the closure of the temple, forbidding the monks within Jiancheng Road to descend the mountain, striving for self-preservation.
She was not yet aware of the disgraceful role Xuan Yin played in this affair, but instinct and logic made her sense a great unease.
On this day, while feeding golden carp in a water tank within Cold Mountain Temple, the Bodhisattva learned of Prince Jing Xu Wen personally climbing the mountain for a visit.
"What brings Prince Jing to this humble temple?"
Clad in nun’s robes with hair loose, one hand holding a Jade Purifying Bottle, the plump and fair Bodhisattva Bodhi looked slightly wary as she gazed at the uninvited guests entering the inner courtyard.
To her surprise, Prince Jing Xu Wen was in full battle regalia!
Cloaked in brand new armor, with a treasured sword at his waist, appearing every bit the Great General about to set out on an expedition, followed by a team of strong fighters from the army.
"Hahaha... Why, is the Bodhisattva unwelcome to this prince? Or does she think that a worldly man like me should not taint this place beyond the world?"
Prince Jing, radiant and rejoicing, laughed loudly, his gaze subtly condescending!
The geographical advantage and harmony built up over years, coupled with the timely disappearance of the Empress, allowed Prince Jing to swallow Jiancheng Road with great ease!
Facing almost no resistance, he secured a path in the name of entering the Capital to rescue the king.
Most of these days, his energy was spent "digesting" the territory, yet Xu Wen knew he was not the only contender.
So, though still in haste, he was ready to personally lead troops north. Before setting out, he came to Cold Mountain Temple.
"You jest, Prince, but our Divine Dragon Temple never involves itself in royal power struggles," Bodhisattva Bodhi calmly said, her nearly translucent eyes fixed on him, "Or are you seeking personal revenge because I traveled with Junior Guardian Zhao a few days ago?"
Prince Jing laughed again, waving his hand:
"You jest, Bodhisattva! You have never been an enemy to this prince, so why would I vent such trivial displeasure upon your temple? This unannounced visit is first to burn incense at a Buddhist temple before the expedition, to pray for fortune; second, all under heaven know that Bodhisattva Bodhi studies the Medicine Buddha and can heal all living beings... On my march north, my soldiers may inevitably get injured. Should the Bodhisattva accompany this prince and lend aid, I can promise to help the Bodhisattva advance further. How about it?"