Bian Ruohan burst into wailing sobs, her sharp crying so piercing that it made the eardrums of those standing nearby ache.
“Why, why! He never treated me sincerely, so why should I have to bear the consequences of his mistakes now that he’s dead! You say I enjoyed his privileges—when did I ever enjoy them? How can you people be so unreasonable!”
Pang Xiao was too lazy to argue with a woman and turned to leave.
Huzi let out a mocking snort: “Tsk, tsk, what kind of fool is this? Winner takes all, loser pays the price. You’re just the family member of a defeated general—what right do you have to reason with us?”
This remark drew hearty laughter from the surrounding Elite Tiger Guards, making Bian Ruohan tremble all over with rage.
Huzi still remembered how this woman had bullied the princess consort during her arrogant days. He crossed his arms and glared at her: “If you ask me, that Family Head Lu was truly pitiful! His bones aren’t even cold yet, and his widow is already thinking of betrayal. You say you never enjoyed his privileges? You once lived in silk and brocade with golden slaves and silver servants—did you think all that money fell from the sky? Without Family Head Lu’s protection, someone like you would have died eight hundred times over in the Tatar military camp, and not by any clean method either! Yet you show him no gratitude at all, ready to betray him at the first opportunity. With character like yours, what kind of family raised you? I’d say even the old man who collects night soil is more noble than you!”
“You! How dare you!” Bian Ruohan stamped her feet in fury.
Huzi sneered coldly: “You still think you’re the family head’s wife? Take her away!”
The Elite Tiger Guards swarmed forward and unceremoniously stuffed Bian Ruohan into the prison cart.
Inside the prison cart, Bian Ruohan could only half-crouch with her neck and wrists firmly locked to the cart’s roof. She immediately began crying and wailing, shouting things like “Prince Zhongshun’s troops are mistreating female prisoners!”
But within the Great Zhou military camp where 480,000 troops were stationed, it would take her another hour just to leave this section of the camp. Moreover, besides the Pingnan Army, Longxiang Army, Huben Army, and various loyalist forces, a large portion of the people were common folk from various northern towns who had come to join the army specifically because of Pang Xiao’s reputation.
They harbored bone-deep hatred for the Tatars. Having followed Pang Xiao to avenge their families, their hearts were filled with gratitude toward him. When they heard a woman shouting and screaming outside, everyone was initially puzzled. But when they inquired and learned it was the wife of Family Head Lu—the very Lu who had committed treason by leading the Tatars into Great Zhou—everyone became enraged.
Bian Ruohan, an obscure boudoir woman, was fortunate enough to receive the same high-level treatment as Tatar Khan Si Qin. Before the convoy even left the military camp, she had already been pelted with mud all over her face and body, leaving her dazed and rigid in her cage, unable to summon even half the strength to continue her outcries.
Si Qin stared ahead with a rigid expression. If only he couldn’t understand the Great Zhou language, but unfortunately he could. After years of living above ten thousand people, he had grown accustomed to such a life. Now as a prisoner, it felt as though all his strength had been drained away.
Recalling the scene of personally witnessing Lu Heng’s suicide moments ago, Si Qin shuddered all over.
Throughout his life, he had killed countless people and could kill even those who shared his pillow without hesitation. When he watched A’na Ri stop breathing in despair, he had even felt a trace of satisfaction.
But now, Lu Heng’s blood splattering before the prison cart filled his heart with fear.
Perhaps Lu Heng’s choice was correct. Such an intelligent person would naturally choose the most straightforward and least painful method of death.
In the season of crimson pomegranate flowers and rain-soaked green willows, Qin Yining’s party finally circled around the capital and arrived at the towering peaks located at the former border between Zhou and Yan.
“Tianji Valley should be somewhere around here.” Xie Yue looked around, comparing with the map in his hands. “But Tianji Valley has never welcomed outsiders, and they’ve set up mystical formations in the surrounding area. If we want to enter the valley, we’ll need to wait for the right opportunity.”
What was this opportunity? Naturally, it meant waiting for disciples of Tianji Valley to discover them and permit their entry.
Qin Yining adjusted the cloud-patterned cape on her shoulders and nodded: “There’s no need to rush. This is, after all, Tianji Gate’s territory. However mysterious they may be, I believe their eyes and ears are quite sharp. We’ll find a nearby village to stay temporarily. I’m sure we’ll eventually encounter people from Tianji Valley who come out to make purchases.”
“Yes.” Everyone responded in unison and turned to look for temporary lodging.
Ji Yun said quietly: “The princess consort’s intention to pay respects to Tianji Zi is well-meaning, but I fear the people of Tianji Gate will shut us out.”
Qin Yining smiled, unconcerned: “That wouldn’t matter much. Even if the people of Tianji Gate won’t allow us to pay respects to Tianji Zi, we still have someone living in Tianji Valley.”
“Yes!” Bingtang’s smile was filled with anticipation and excitement. “It’s been so long since we’ve seen Xiao Zhou. I wonder how she’s doing.”
“Young Master Mu’s arrangements are never wrong. Tianji Valley won’t mistreat her.”
Qin Yining sighed somewhat: “Originally sending Lian Xiaozhou into seclusion was a desperate measure. Now with the court situation changing by the moment, I had hoped Xiao Zhou could live peacefully for life, but now I must trouble her.”
“This can’t be helped.” Bingtang consoled: “Living in chaotic times, how easy is it to live a completely peaceful life? Besides, Xiao Zhou is of that status. Xiao Zhou is a sensible person who has learned at Your Highness’s side for many years. She regards you like a real sister—she’ll understand your position.”
Qin Yining’s delicate brows furrowed slightly, with a helpless bitter smile at the corner of her lips: “Even if she doesn’t understand, there’s no choice. But I will explain everything clearly to Xiao Zhou.”
“Princess Consort, there’s a large village ahead.”
Jingzhe, acting as scout, reported back after investigating.
Qin Yining said: “Then let’s go.”
The group advanced quickly and soon reached the village.
There was a spacious main street here with numerous shops lining both sides. The villagers all had smiles on their faces—clearly, this place had completely emerged from the shadows of disaster and was full of vitality everywhere.
However, after walking through the entire village, they discovered that despite its size, there wasn’t even an inn.
Xie Yue smiled: “If we hadn’t deliberately come here, I imagine few people would visit this remote mountain area. It doesn’t matter—I’ll go inquire whether we can find lodging somewhere, or better yet, rent a courtyard for temporary residence.”
Xie Yue was of medium build with kind brows and gentle eyes. Rather than appearing shrewd, he had a very agreeable and benevolent appearance. When arriving at a strange place, a face as amiable as his was most likely to gather information successfully.
Qin Yining and the others stood at a distance waiting.
For this journey, besides four secret agents, Qin Yining was accompanied only by Xie Yue and two maidservants. Due to matters involving Tianji Valley and Lian Xiaozhou, she had specifically arranged for Liao Zhibing and Meng Qin to provide nearby support, not intending to involve the Azure Sky Alliance unless absolutely necessary.
Before long, Xie Yue returned with a smile: “We’ve come at a good time. People from Tianji Gate should emerge from the valley to purchase grain and daily necessities within the next couple of days. There’s no courtyard to rent, but everyone in this village has sizeable homes. I’ve learned that whenever people from Tianji Gate enter the village, they always come from the east. We should find a family on the eastern side to lodge with.”
Bingtang couldn’t help but praise: “With Master Xie taking action, nothing counts as a difficult matter.”
“Indeed.” Qin Yining also nodded approvingly. “Fortunately we invited Master Xie to come along—only then could our journey proceed so smoothly.”
Xie Yue waved his hands hastily: “Please don’t embarrass this old man. Actually, I’m just running errands. I’ve always been convinced of Your Highness’s strategic wisdom.”
Qin Yining smiled: “Master Xie is wholeheartedly loyal, skilled at planning and decision-making. I rely on you greatly. With your great talents, why diminish yourself unnecessarily?”
Everyone highly recognized Xie Yue’s abilities and character, so they all nodded in agreement.
Xie Yue’s old face flushed with embarrassment, but his heart was pleased. The group went to the eastern end of the village, where Xie Yue took the lead in finding lodging with a family that had a large estate but only housed an elderly couple.
Because they paid generously, the old couple were very enthusiastic about receiving outside guests and specially cleared out a side courtyard for Qin Yining’s group to stay in.
Seeing that the leader of this group was a young lady beautiful as a celestial being, with two maidservants who also looked like immortals beside Guanyin Bodhisattva, the old couple were simply amazed.
“Amitabha Buddha, this old woman has truly opened her eyes to see such fairy-like figures.”
Bingtang giggled: “Grandmother, what is your surname? How should we address you?”
“My husband’s family name is Cui. Little girl, how old are you?” Grandmother Cui asked with a smile.
Bingtang stuck out her tongue: “I’m already twenty-two, hardly in my teens anymore!”
“Twenty-two?” Grandmother Cui clicked her tongue. Looking at Bingtang’s fair, round little face and big eyes, she couldn’t help shaking her head: “You’re definitely from a wealthy urban family—eating well and living well. The twenty-two-year-old women in our village don’t look like you. You look about fourteen or fifteen at most.”
Bingtang had always looked young for her age. Previously at fourteen or fifteen she looked twelve or thirteen; now in her twenties she looked fourteen or fifteen. That bastard Huzi always called her an “unchanging potato sprite” whenever he saw her—she was used to it.
Bingtang chatted with Grandmother Cui while borrowing use of the kitchen stove. Old Man Cui smiled honestly as he bid farewell to Xie Yue and Jingzhe before returning to his own courtyard.
Qin Yining and Ji Yun returned to their room. Ji Yun set down the bundle and took out the existing bedding to air dry. When Qin Yining removed her cape to help, Ji Yun quickly stopped her: “Please don’t move around! The wound on your shoulder isn’t fully healed yet. This injury severely damaged your vitality—it made little Bingtang so anxious she started scolding people. Do you dare move carelessly again? Be careful not to reopen the scabbed area, or Bingtang will throw another fit.”
Thinking of Bingtang’s nagging manner made Qin Yining laugh. She said helplessly: “I should have brought Hanxiao and Ziyuan along to help you.”
“Though Hanxiao and Ziyuan are good, they’ve seen limited aspects of the world after all. Since this journey involves Tianji Valley matters, it was right not to bring them. Besides, I’m not that exhausted—folding quilts and making beds are small tasks that aren’t troublesome. With all my martial arts skills, can’t I even do this little work well?”
While speaking, Ji Yun had already finished airing the bedding and went out with a wooden basin to fetch water before returning to clean efficiently.