"What are we going to do, Miss?" Xiao Qing asked, jumping up.
"If they come to our home and toy with us again, we won't be so polite. We must leave immediately." Su Dan Novel Network.
Liu Rumei, with Xiao Qing, led their warhorses to the south of the village and gave them a firm slap on their hindquarters. Since the warhorses couldn't be taken up the mountain, they might as well be set free. Whoever caught them would consider it a lucky prize.
At this moment, Wang Long had already led his men to charge into Hetou Village like a whirlwind. They searched everywhere but found nothing, enraging him to curse under the big locust tree.
"Just as Cui San said, the villagers of Hetou Village are all utter scoundrels."
"I'm not going to kill you, so why did you all disappear? I can't even find a guide."
A副将 (fùjiàng - deputy general) next to him clasped his fist and asked, "General, what shall we do?"
Wang Long waved his hand. "First, set up camp in the village and search for the path into the mountains to see if we can find anything."
Meanwhile, Tian Wen, along with Ma Han and others, returned to Qingniu County, covered in dust. Seeing the continuous military camps outside the city, he was startled. How could so many troops have arrived in just a few days? Upon entering the city, he saw posters seeking guides familiar with the Qingniu Mountain route.
This sight made Tian Wen ponder. Had the Princess, unable to find her master, mobilized troops in anger? Unlikely. The Grand Marshal Zhu Meng was known to be an associate of the Grand Tutor Sun Yuliang; this was an open secret, and the Princess couldn't possibly command him.
Then there was only one possibility: Sun Yuliang had sent troops. Had Sun Yuliang allied with the Crown Prince? That was clearly wishful thinking.
Arriving at the Ma family courtyard, someone hurried forward. "Guard Tian, a few days ago, someone came looking for you with a Plum Blossom Palace token, claiming to be on the Princess's orders."
Hearing this, Tian Wen's heart tightened. Oh dear, could it really be the Princess? If so, then Zhu Meng leading troops... could it be related to the Princess? Recalling the posters he saw upon entering the city, he suddenly had an idea.
"Ma Han, when it's dark, you go and enlist. Say you know Qingniu Mountain and are willing to be their guide."
Ma Han waved his hands repeatedly. "No, no, how can I do such a thing? Zhu Meng isn't the Princess's man."
Tian Wen frowned slightly. "Precisely because he's not the Princess's man that you must go. Only then can we ascertain their intentions."
"Qingniu Mountain has only a few key points: a steep slope, the Dragon King River, and an iron chain bridge. The rest of the places aren't particularly perilous. You can lead them around, collect some reward money, and figure out their plans. Isn't that killing two birds with one stone?"
Hearing his words, Ma Han nodded. "I've got it. I'll go at dusk, and tomorrow I'll lead them up the mountain."
Tian Wen nodded with satisfaction. "Alright, get some rest. I need to go back to the restaurant. By the way, if anything happens, come find me at Zui Xian Lou."
Tian Wen went to the backyard of his restaurant. Seeing no one around, he leaped over the high wall and landed inside. He entered his room, retrieved the fake beard hidden in the drawer, and carefully attached it. Looking in the mirror, he appeared no different than before. Then he changed into clean clothes. He then quietly slipped out again, circled back onto the street, and returned to the entrance of his restaurant.
Chen Liu saw Tian Wen return and, with a beaming smile, hurried forward. "Ah, Shopkeeper, you're back."
Tian Wen nodded, surveyed the interior, and seeing that everything was normal, he finally relaxed. "How has business been these past few days?"
"Very good, very good. Shopkeeper, since you've just returned, you should go back and rest."
Tian Wen nodded, about to go inside when Chen Liu added, "Oh, Shopkeeper, a young woman came looking for you a couple of days ago."
"I took her to the Ma family courtyard."
Upon hearing this, Tian Wen remembered what he had heard at the Ma family courtyard. It must be someone sent by Princess Zhaoning.
"Also, have any carrier pigeons returned these past two days?"
Chen Liu shook his head. "No, I check the cage every day, but it's always empty."
Tian Wen returned to his backyard and checked again. The cage for the carrier pigeons was indeed empty. The Princess had not replied. This meant the Princess was no longer at Plum Blossom Palace. Then there was only one possibility: she had come to Qingniu County.
Now, the situation seemed very complicated. The Crown Prince was in Qingniu County, the Princess had arrived, and Zhu Meng had also brought a large army. After analyzing the situation, Tian Wen quickly reached a conclusion: under these circumstances, the Princess was highly likely to ally with the Crown Prince to deal with Zhu Meng first.
Tian Wen's analysis was correct. The atmosphere on Qingniu Mountain became suddenly tense upon learning of Zhu Meng's army's arrival. Xiao Jingyun and Princess Zhaoning, Xiao Jingfeng, ascended the peak of Qingniu Mountain, overlooking the vast mountain range.
Xiao Jingyun pointed into the distance and said to Princess Zhaoning, "Xiaofeng, look there. That is the Dragon's Eye, the crucial point of the entire dragon脉 (lóngmài - dragon vein)."
Hearing this, Princess Zhaoning was slightly surprised. She hadn't expected her brother to proactively reveal the location of the Dragon's Eye. What Xiao Jingyun said next moved her even more.
"If anything happens to me, you must protect the dragon vein. This is the prosperity of our Da Cang kingdom, and it is also the prosperity of our Xiao family."
This sounded a bit like making final arrangements. Princess Zhaoning felt a pang of sadness for no reason, and tears welled up. "Brother, don't say such things to me. I don't want to know where the dragon vein is. You are the Crown Prince; protecting the dragon vein is your duty."
Xiao Jingyun looked at Princess Zhaoning, feeling a bit strange. Didn't you also want to ascend the throne? Why are you being so courteous to me today? However, at this moment and in this situation, these words were inappropriate to say. He fell silent for a moment, then pointed in another direction.
"That is where we came from. All supplies will be delivered before dark, and the iron chain bridge will be dismantled. We don't know how long we'll have to stay here."
Hearing this, Princess Zhaoning also felt a sense of sorrow. "Brother, it doesn't matter how long we stay here, but I'm worried if we stay too long, what will happen in the Imperial Palace? Can Father Emperor hold on?"
This question made Xiao Jingyun fall silent again. Indeed, how much patience would Grand Tutor Sun Yuliang have in the Imperial Palace? But these were no longer things he, Xiao Jingyun, could control. Everything could only be left to fate.
Unknowingly, the sun began to set, and the supplies were transported. As Chen Xiaobei, along with a few village protection team members, prepared to cross the iron chain bridge, a shout rang out from behind. "Is that Xiaobei Ge ahead?"
Liu Rumei. It was Liu Rumei's voice. Hearing it, Chen Xiaobei inexplicably felt a sense of warmth. He turned back and instinctively replied, "Rumei, is that you?"
A warm greeting filled Liu Rumei's heart. But to her surprise, Xiao Qing, standing beside her, couldn't help but step forward and sternly point at Chen Xiaobei. "You scoundrel, is that how you address Miss's name?"