After listening to Liu Rumei's words, Xiao Qing also nodded. She could naturally understand Liu Rumei's eagerness. After all, who wouldn't rush back when given the chance to return home?
After a hasty meal, the two set off. The cold wind roared along the way. It was the depth of winter, and it was cold even during the day, let alone at night. This time, the two dared to light torches. However, in the fierce wind, the faint light of the torches was truly insignificant, like a small boat on a vast ocean, drifting with the waves.
Meanwhile, falcons were constantly flying out of Qingguang City, and news was rapidly spreading towards the border.
There were no further incidents that night. As dawn broke the next day, Liu Rumei and Xiao Qing finally arrived at the bank of the Xiaoqing River.
Looking at the mist-shrouded Xiaoqing River in the distance, both Liu Rumei and Xiao Qing couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion.
They dismounted their warhorses and rushed to the riverbank, first washing their hands in the water.
The weather was cold, so the river water felt warm.
Liu Rumei even cupped a handful of water to her lips and drank a few satisfying mouthfuls.
After briefly releasing their excitement, the two filled their water canteens and quickly mounted their horses to continue. The Xiaoqing River was unguarded, which was within Liu Rumei's expectations.
At this time, Zheng Hai had already led his men to the vicinity of the border, just one step away from Pingzhou on the border of the Great Tu Kingdom.
Perhaps due to the extreme cold, the guards on the city walls of Pingzhou were huddled in sheltered spots, their heads tucked away.
Not a single person even bothered to stand up and look outside the city.
Zheng Hai and his men carefully and rapidly passed by on a small path about four to five li away.
Everything went smoothly, and they were not discovered.
After they had passed the defensive line of Pingzhou, Zheng Hai let out a long sigh of relief. Just a few more li ahead was the border, and beyond the border, a few li further was Shuozhou.
The dark cloud that had been hanging over his heart finally dissipated.
He began to arrange his follow-up tasks. As he walked, he called over several members of his team and instructed them, "Once we reach Shuozhou, we will hurry to the capital and get to Marquis Liu's mansion to report on Miss Liu's situation. Are you all willing?"
"Willing, willing!" everyone readily agreed, which put Zheng Hai's mind at ease.
As they spoke, they heard the sound of bugles and drums from the distant Pingzhou city.
Zheng Hai's heart tightened. He called out to his men, "Quick, let's hurry!"
Fortunately, they were already very close to the border. With great speed, they crossed the border. As soon as they passed the border line, a group of people rushed out from the distant woods and surrounded them.
"Halt, who are you?"
Looking at the glinting cold steel, Zheng Hai suddenly realized that he was wearing the uniform of a Great Tu Kingdom soldier. It was no wonder that the people of the Great Cang Kingdom had stopped them.
Thinking of this, he chuckled and stepped forward, cupping his fist to the leader and saying, "My name is Zheng Hai. I followed Miss Liu to the Great Tu Kingdom, but we were separated. I was ordered by Miss to bring these brothers back. For convenience on the road, I have worn the uniform of a Great Tu Kingdom soldier."
"Zheng Hai? Which unit did you belong to before?"
"I used to be under General Zhao Guangzong of Jizhou. You can go and ask."
"There's no need for that. General Zhao is still in Shuozhou. Do you dare to come inside with me to verify the truth?"
Zheng Hai nodded and extended his hand. A soldier stepped forward to tie Zheng Hai up. The other soldiers also tied up Zheng Hai's subordinates with ropes and instructed them to form a line and head towards Shuozhou.
In Shuozhou city, Zhao Guangzong heard that someone had sent word saying a man named Zheng Hai had returned from the Great Tu Kingdom. Upon hearing the name, Zhao Guangzong was overjoyed. This was indeed one of his subordinates!
He didn't even have time to put on his armor and rushed out to greet them.
From a distance, he saw a group of people approaching. Walking in front, with his hands tied, wasn't that Zheng Hai? Seeing this, Zhao Guangzong quickened his pace, smiled, and called out loudly, "Zheng Hai, you're back!"
Zheng Hai had also seen Zhao Guangzong. Seeing him greet him proactively, his heart was filled with excitement. With a few quick strides, he ran forward and knelt before Zhao Guangzong with a thud, "General, Zheng Hai, Zheng Hai has returned."
Zhao Guangzong reached out his trembling hand, placed it on Zheng Hai's shoulder, and patted him gently twice. "It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back."
As he spoke, he helped Zheng Hai up. Lowering his head, he saw that Zheng Hai's hands were still tied. He turned to the person beside him and said, "Quickly, untie Brother Zheng Hai."
A soldier stepped forward and untied Zheng Hai's ropes.
Zhao Guangzong gave Zheng Hai a big hug. "Good brother, you're finally back. By the way, have you seen Miss Liu?"
When this was mentioned, tears suddenly streamed down Zheng Hai's face. He said with a choked voice, "Yes, I saw her. Miss Liu asked me to bring the brothers back."
"Then where is Miss Liu? Where is Miss Liu?"
Wiping his tears, Zheng Hai said, "A few days ago, the Xiaoqing River was heavily guarded, and we couldn't get through. Miss Liu went to Qingguang City, saying she wanted to cause some disturbance there to attract the enemy's attention. The enemy fell for the trap, withdrew their defenses from the Xiaoqing River, and that's how we were fortunate enough to return."
"Miss Liu, Miss Liu's whereabouts are now unknown!" As he spoke, Zheng Hai's tears flowed again.
Zhao Guangzong fell silent. Liu Rumei had risked her own life to save the lives of everyone present.
Just then, there was a sound of hurried footsteps. From a distance, a person dressed in ordinary civilian clothes rushed up to Zhao Guangzong. "General, the Great Tu Kingdom on the other side in Pingzhou has suddenly tightened its security!"
"There are soldiers stationed on all the main and side roads!"
Zheng Hai gasped, "General, we just passed by Pingzhou and heard the bugles and drums from within the city, so we hurried over here."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Guangzong nodded. "Perhaps Miss Liu has also escaped, and that's why they have set up defensive lines in Pingzhou. This is an attempt to cut off our retreat."
"Alright, let's return to the city to rest first. We'll discuss the rest later."
Zhao Guangzong settled Zheng Hai there.
Meanwhile, in Wannian City.
Duobang had also made some progress. At noon that day, Duobang ordered a pot of wine and a small plate of appetizers in a restaurant and was drinking alone. At this moment, two people arrived.
Both of them were wearing Imperial Guards' uniforms.
After they sat down, they ordered a pot of wine and two small dishes, and began to talk while drinking.
"Brother, you're not paying attention to the situation, and you've just been scolded by the Crown Prince for no reason."
As soon as the Crown Prince was mentioned, Duobang's interest was piqued. He pretended to be indifferent, looked out the window, but pricked up his ears to listen to the two people next to him chatting.
"Alas, Brother Huang, you can't blame me for this. I wasn't supposed to be on duty. I saw a vacancy and kindly filled in for a while, but this has caused trouble."
"Yes, Brother Diao, I understand what you're saying, but your military bearing was indeed not in order. That's also a fact."
"Alas, you can't give me twenty military strokes for that! If I get twenty military strokes, I'll have to lie in bed for half a year!"