Chapter 319 Fake Death

Although the Yanyang Caravan managed by Fang Shijie was not the largest caravan in the Great Sheng Dynasty, it was the caravan that had the most frequent dealings with the Great Yu Dynasty.

Jiang Ling's actions of providing grain and cloth to the Dayu Dynasty on several occasions caused quite a stir in the Dayu Dynasty, and naturally, they investigated the matter thoroughly.

Although Qin Qian had found reliable caravans to cover up the subsequent shipments of grain to the border, it was during a famine, and such a large quantity of grain would naturally be discovered by anyone who wanted to investigate.

It was just the three pills given at the beginning that triggered this long chain of butterfly effects.

What follows will be an even greater disaster!

Jiang Ling even began to feel disoriented, wondering if coming into this world was the right or wrong thing to do!

The pavilion fell silent.

Only the wind howled, and the scattered lights of the distant post station flickered in the darkness.

Jiang Ling looked at him for a long time before slowly standing up, her face revealing neither joy nor anger.

"It's late, Lord Fang. I should take my leave now."

After saying that, she turned around, walked steadily out of the pavilion, and disappeared on the winding path leading to the post station.

Fang Shijie did not stop her, but sat alone in the pavilion, looking at the cup of tea that she had never touched and which had gone cold.

After a long while, he murmured almost inaudibly to himself:

“You will understand, Jiang Ling. Only here can you truly… be without any inhibitions.”

Jiang Ling didn't remember how she got back until Cheng Jiaojiao held her hand and called her name several times before Jiang Ling came back to her senses.

"Sister Jiang, what's wrong? Your face is so pale and your hands are so cold. Don't scare me..." Cheng Jiaojiao held her hand tightly, her eyes full of worry.

Jiang Ling composed herself and comforted her, "I'm fine, I just misunderstood for a moment."

She looked around to make sure the doors and windows were closed, then lowered her voice even further, "Don't worry, we'll proceed as planned tomorrow."

The mission proceeded as planned the following day.

Just after noon, the delegation carrying out the marriage alliance finally emerged from the border.

Yanxia Pass is the largest region in the Great Sheng Dynasty, yet its urban development is among the worst; apart from a central circle, the rest is mostly wasteland. It will take nearly two days to reach the next continent.

The procession stretched out in a long line, filled with the sounds of wheels crushing gravel, horses' hooves clattering, and flags fluttering in the wind.

The procession moved slowly, enjoying the pleasant scenery along the way; it really did look like they were there for a spring outing.

As planned, Yanxia Pass Gorge was the designated place for the "fake death escape," where another group of mission members, disguised as mountain bandits, had been waiting for a long time.

Cheng Jiaojiao and Jiang Ling rode in the same carriage.

Inside the carriage, she had already removed her elaborate princess attire and changed into a simple gray-blue cloth dress that looked no different from that of an ordinary palace maid. She had also made simple makeup on her face to conceal her overly fair complexion and delicate features.

She sat close to Jiang Ling, her palms sweating, her other hand instinctively resting on her waist.

There was a stun gun that Jiang Ling had given her; it could easily knock someone unconscious if they touched it at close range.

Jiang Ling gave her one last whispered instruction, "Remember, if chaos breaks out, take advantage of the smoke and immediately crawl into the box under the carriage. Xiao Ran will be waiting outside. The lock is specially made, and you can open a crack from the inside to breathe. No matter what happens outside, do not come out until you hear three long and two short knocks."

This carriage was modified by Jiang Ling, and it carries a large wooden box underneath that can accommodate one person.

You can jump down directly by lifting the seat.

At that time, Xiao Ran will pull the box out from the side, and he will also disguise himself as a bandit and push the box into the forest on a cart.

At this moment, sitting in the princess's seat was a female assassin whose figure was seven or eight parts similar to Cheng Jiaojiao's, wearing a veil and gorgeous clothes.

She will play the "princess" until the very last moment.

The moment the gunpowder detonates, the people inside will be blown beyond recognition.

No one will know that the real Cheng Jiaojiao has already left.

The fact that the princess of the Great Yu Dynasty died within the territory of the Great Sheng Dynasty will become an indisputable fact.

Cheng Jiaojiao nodded vigorously, her lips pressed together until they turned white.

Jiang Ling patted her hand, then looked out the car window.

At the very front of the procession, Zhao Jingxing and Xiao Yuanshan rode side by side.

Xiao Yuanshan possessed an innate sense of keenness. Upon arriving at this place, he always felt a vague unease in his heart and would occasionally look up at the towering cliffs on both sides.

"General Zhao, the terrain here is treacherous. Is there anything wrong with it?"

Zhao Jingxing's expression was solemn, his right hand remaining resting lightly on the hilt of his sword. He deliberately pretended not to have guessed his meaning.

"The mountains and rivers of the Great Sheng Dynasty are magnificent and unique, each with its own charm compared to the scenery of my Great Yu."

Xiao Yuanshan looked at him with a puzzled expression.

Am I just overthinking things?

Fang Shijie led a troop of cavalry from the Great Sheng Dynasty, escorting several large carts loaded with extra supplies, and followed at the rear of the column.

His gaze never left the carriage where Jiang Ling was.

The conversation last night had already made things clear, but Jiang Ling didn't seem too happy about it.

If she didn't want to stay in the Great Sheng Dynasty because she had no relatives or friends, now that Hongxiu and Cheng Jiaojiao are around, she can't be considered to have no relatives or friends anymore.

As long as she is willing to stay, he can bring all the people she cares about in Jishui Village to Dasheng Dynasty.

I guarantee it won't be worse than living in Jishui Village.

The Great Sheng Dynasty needs her, and the people of the Great Sheng Dynasty will respect and love her just like the villagers of Jishui Village.

At this point, the group reached the middle of the canyon, where the mountain walls on both sides became increasingly steep, blocking out most of the sunlight and making the valley floor dimly lit.

Suddenly, a sharp whistle shattered the silence!

"Whoosh—smack!"

It then exploded in the sky, creating a cloud of murky yellow smoke!

"Ambush! Be on guard!" Xiao Yuanshan reacted quickly, shouting sharply as he drew his long sword from his waist, his expression grave.

Although he was a civil official, he had practiced martial arts for decades!

Swords, spears, bows, and arrows are no problem for me!

"Boom—!"

No sooner had the words been spoken than a dull rolling sound came from above the right cliff. Dozens of rocks of varying sizes were pushed down, carrying dust, and crashed down toward the road at the bottom of the ravine!

Zhao Jingxing had already acted according to plan, and loudly ordered, "Protect the princess! Form a defensive formation!"

The well-trained guards of the Great Yu Dynasty quickly retreated, their shields rising like walls to protect the princess's carriage and several other important carriages nearby.

After a brief period of chaos, the cavalry of the Great Sheng Dynasty, under the shouts of their respective officers, attempted to control their frightened horses and fired arrows at suspicious spots on the cliff.

Fang Shijie's eyes darkened, he drew his sword, and rode forward from the rear of the column.

"Brothers, the gold and silver treasures are all down there! Kill them all! Kill—!"

"kill--!"

Along with the falling rocks came all sorts of rough roars! They came from several directions, both front and back!

Suddenly, a large number of "bandits" dressed in black and wearing black veils emerged from the bend in front and the road behind, wielding various weapons and shouting as they charged forward!