The crowd erupted in chaos, and she thought she heard the bald Hu man’s roar. Wei Shubin fell forward, clutching the horse’s neck, unsure whether she had dodged An San’s blade or if he hadn’t managed to strike in time. But this didn’t mean she was safe. Amidst the chaos of voices, horse neighs, hoofbeats, and jolting, she heard the sound of a blade cutting through the air toward her mounted form.
An San had truly abandoned concern for his own life. Seeing Wei Shubin escape on horseback, he had thrown his blade. At such close range with such a large target, it shouldn’t miss. But without a hostage and having thrown away his weapon, he couldn’t fend off Li Yuangui’s group rushing to surround him.
On horseback, Wei Shubin closed her eyes, waiting for the blade to pierce her body.
A loud metallic clash rang out in the air and behind her.
Wei Shubin looked back to see sparks explode in the night sky as two similar-sized blades tangled and spun through the air before disappearing into the dark mist, finally clanging to the ground moments later.
“Bastard!”
The thunderous shout made Wei Shubin’s ears ring and startled her mount to rear up, nearly throwing her from the saddle. She clung desperately to the horse’s neck, ignoring the commotion behind while trying to calm her mount. Footsteps approached as several people rushed over, struggling to control the horse by its reins.
“Afen!”
Hearing that familiar voice, Wei Shubin’s legs went weak and she slid from the horse’s back, falling into waiting arms.
Li Yuangui caught her, first laying her on the ground before kneeling beside her, frowning as he examined her wounds:
“Your injuries…”
They were far from the torchlight now, in complete darkness. Wei Shubin could barely make out Li Yuangui’s face but could feel his presence.
Suddenly she felt the sharp pain in her arm and shoulder, her body too weak to support itself. She managed to say “It’s fine, just flesh wounds” a few times, but her voice cracked with tears, so she quickly fell silent.
Li Yuangui took the dagger from her hand and tore off half his robe sleeve with a rip, binding her arm and shoulder wounds. Sitting on the ground, Wei Shubin looked past his shoulder toward the torchlight, where figures moved about. An San appeared to be subdued and bound, while an exceptionally tall figure shouted something in a loud voice.
“Why… why am I not dead?”
Wei Shubin’s confused mumbling made Li Yuangui chuckle:
“You’re lucky… someone appeared nearby and threw a blade to deflect An San’s knife… quite skilled.”
“Quite skilled” was his assessment of that person’s throwing accuracy – coming from His Highness Prince Wu’s typically proud and aloof manner, these four words were high praise indeed. Wei Shubin choked out a laugh, but her cheeks were wet as tears flowed freely despite herself.
She faced the torchlight, which illuminated her face enough for Li Yuangui to see clearly. He instinctively raised his hand as if to wipe her tears.
But his fingertips paused before touching her skin, instead gently brushing aside some loose strands of hair from her face.
I must look as ugly as a ghost now, Wei Shubin realized. Her veiled hat was torn off hastily, her hair disheveled and loose, face and body covered in blood and tears, makeup surely a mess – even worse than when she first met him outside Ganye Temple’s side gate. They truly seemed fated to meet in the worst circumstances…
“…It’s you!”
A shout suddenly came from the torch-lit crowd, followed by booming laughter. Li Yuangui exhaled as if waking from a dream, helping her slowly stand while walking toward the crowd, frowning as he said: “That person who appeared from the warehouse looked quite familiar…”
Indeed familiar. Wei Shubin’s legs grew weaker as Li Yuangui supported her right arm. The approaching broad-shouldered figure with a thick beard visible even from behind looked increasingly like…
As the man turned his head slightly, Wei Shubin and Li Yuangui simultaneously gasped. They both recognized him.
“…Many thanks, General Cheng!” came the Bei surname man’s grateful, respectful voice as he bowed deeply. Amid the noisy discussion and shifting shadows, Yang Xinzhi’s tall figure quickly left the crowd to meet Li Yuangui and Wei Shubin, speaking in a low voice:
“Don’t go forward. That’s Governor Cheng… Cheng Yaojin.”
The man her parents had arranged to marry her to with a dowry of 50,000 silk rolls – Pillar of State, Duke of Su, Left Guard General, and Governor of Yuanzhou, Cheng Yaojin.
Wei Shubin suddenly stopped in her tracks. Li Yuangui likewise stood still, his supporting hand twitching as if to withdraw, but seeing her weakened state, he ultimately kept it in place. Yang Xinzhi extended a thick arm to guide them as the three turned to walk toward the warehouse district gate.
“…General Cheng received His Majesty’s summons to report from Yuanzhou to Chang’an, bringing some fine horses as tribute. He just arrived in Xianyang today and wanted to rest here for a few days to get the horses in prime condition before presenting them to the palace stables for His Majesty’s pleasure. He said the Hu horse traders here were unreliable and stingy with feed, so he took it upon himself to inspect their stores at night, only to find a damned Hu servant taking a Han lady hostage, completely outrageous…”
As they walked, Yang Xinzhi quietly relayed Cheng Yaojin’s explanation. In Zhenguan’s sixth year, Cheng Yaojin was appointed Governor of Yuanzhou while retaining his position as Left Guard General – everyone knew the Emperor was developing the northwest and sent him as an advance guard. During these three years, General Cheng would return to the capital around the Winter Solstice and New Year for reports and ceremonies. Wei Shubin had secretly glimpsed this rough man once at home. Li Yuangui and Yang Xinzhi should be more familiar with him.
“Did he recognize you?” Li Yuangui asked Yang Xinzhi.
“Seems… he did.” Yang Xinzhi replied worriedly, “He stared at me and was about to greet me, but Bei Er’s conversation distracted him. I realized this wasn’t good and quickly withdrew… if he recognizes Fourteenth Young Lord too, that would be even more trouble.”
They were still fugitives, Wei Shubin suddenly remembered. Cheng Yaojin was a close imperial advisor who would surely have an audience with the Emperor within days of entering the capital, and likely learn that the Imperial Guard was searching for Prince Wu Yuangui…
“Word from Da’an Palace is that Zhang Shigui failed in his guard duty, and the Imperial Guard commander may be replaced,” Li Yuangui sighed. “General Cheng being recalled now might be to replace Zhang Shigui.”
And then be responsible for capturing them, the male and female fugitives… At this thought, Wei Shubin took a sharp breath, feeling her wounds hurt even more as her legs grew too heavy to lift.
An arm wrapped around her waist, supporting her with greater strength and pulling her closer.
She couldn’t just collapse here… Wei Shubin’s face flushed, but she abandoned thoughts of pushing Li Yuangui away. No longer lost in worried thoughts, she lowered her head and silently leaned against his side, letting him guide her through the pitch darkness.