Chapter 79 I Want Yuzhou

Lu Qibai looked at the guards carrying knives and guns with vigilance, and gripped the handle of the short knife at her waist tightly, making sure that she could immediately fight back if the other party made any move.

She didn't think that Princess Fuguang was a kind and righteous person. It was very dangerous for them to come to her like this.

She must protect her elder sister's safety and retreat immediately if anything goes wrong.

However, Zhu Dafeng's behavior towards the Jinwu Guards was very different from hers. He looked calm and spoke in a relaxed tone, as if he was certain that Princess Fuguang would meet them.

In fact, Zhu Dafeng didn't know whether Princess Fuguang let them escape on purpose. She just had an intuition that told her that Princess Fuguang had no ill will towards them.

At this time, the guard who went to report came back, and Lu Qibai immediately stepped forward and blocked Zhu Dafeng behind him.

Guard: "The princess agrees to see you, but you cannot bring weapons into the camp."

Lu Qibai looked displeased. They were not even allowed to bring weapons. Wouldn't it be easy for Princess Fu Guang to kill them?

She was about to retort when Zhu Dafeng grabbed her hand and said, "Hand over your weapon."

As she spoke, she took off her sword and handed it to the guard. Lu Qibai had no choice but to hand the sword to the guard.

The guards took the weapons and searched them again to make sure they had no hidden weapons before letting them in.

The two followed the guards all the way inside and saw the gray tents rising and falling like waves in the mountains in the dark night. The surroundings were silent and dozens of guards were patrolling back and forth with torches.

In just a few dozen steps, they were stopped and questioned twice.

Lu Qibai was secretly amazed. He didn't expect that the Jinwu Guard, which was composed of women, had such strict discipline. Unlike their village, which was just a group of makeshift people.

Suddenly, an idea popped up in my mind: it would be great if they could be pardoned and join the imperial army. In this way, they would no longer have to live in fear of their future and could lead a stable life.

But she also knew that this was a delusion and quickly let the idea go.

At this time, they came to a tent that was obviously taller and more luxurious than the surrounding tents. It was obvious that this was Princess Fuguang's residence.

The guards led them into the tent, which was brightly lit. Three people sat at the head of the table. Before Lü Qibai could take a closer look, the guards whispered to them, "Kneel down quickly and kowtow."

Lu Qibai didn't want to kneel down and kowtow to the princess, but when he thought about asking her to save his third sister who was captured by soldiers, he knelt down anyway.

Princess Fuguang's voice was gentler than during the day, "Get up."

Lu Qibai supported Zhu Dafeng and stood up. Then he raised his eyes and looked up, taking a quick look.

Princess Fuguang was seen sitting in the middle, wearing a short gray jacket with arrow sleeves, a tight belt, a short musket at her waist, and a scarlet cloak. She had a round face, but there was a bit of heroism between her eyebrows and eyes. She had a smile on her face, and looked much more approachable than during the day.

Sitting on her right was a young woman, dressed simply and wearing a flat scarf on her head. She also had a gentle gaze and an elegant temperament, which made people feel close to her at first sight.

The person sitting on her left was obviously the general of the Golden Crow Guard. He was wearing silver armor, with a sword on his back, his eyes were sharp, and he looked very imposing.

Lu Qibai couldn't help but feel respect, and the resentment he had before entering the tent dissipated a lot.

Zhu Dafeng knelt before Zhao Mingyue willingly, "Thank you, Princess, for saving my life."

Zhao Mingyue smiled slightly, not denying it. She looked at them and asked, "I heard from General Zhao that the reason you blocked my way during the day was to ask to see me. I wonder what you wanted to see me for?"

Zhu Dafeng then told the story of how the women from Liujia Village were captured by soldiers.

After saying this, his voice deepened a bit, and he said seriously, "Princess, please help save their lives. I, Zhu Dafeng, have no other abilities but my own life. If the princess doesn't mind, I am willing to do anything for her, even if it means risking my life!"

"Big sister!" Lu Qibai looked at Zhu Dafeng in surprise. Although asking for help requires humbleness, no matter how incompetent Zhu Dafeng was, she was still their leader. How could she belittle herself like this?

Besides, Princess Fuguang might not look down on these bandits. Besides, as a princess married to Xiqi, why would she need them to do things for her?

Unexpectedly, Princess Fuguang agreed, "Okay, I can help you, but I have one condition. You must obey my orders from now on."

Lü Qibai was stunned, then reacted. Fearing that Zhu Dafeng would agree, he quickly interrupted, "The princess wants to go to Xiqi. Do you want us to follow you there too?"

She doesn't want to go to where those barbarians live!

"What makes you think I'd marry Xiqi?" Zhao Mingyue stood up and walked in front of Lu Qibai, staring at her intently. "It's okay to tell you, I'm not going to Xiqi. I want Yuzhou."

What? She wants Yuzhou?

Lu Qibai was completely stunned. She was just a princess, how could she be so arrogant? Did she have the guts to rebel?

Isn't Princess Fuguang afraid that they'll tell others? Is she sure that these bandits are isolated and helpless, and that she has no other choice?

Lu Qibai looked at Zhu Dafeng. Did he really want to agree to her request? This was no small matter.

However, they have always been living under pressure and may die at any time. Perhaps following Princess Fuguang can provide them with a way out.

In fact, what the sisters in their village feared most was not death, but the lack of hope. This world did not provide a way for women like them who had made mistakes to survive.

Although my eldest sister has not read much, she is a smart person and can obviously think of this.

Therefore, Zhu Dafeng didn't think for long before agreeing to Zhao Mingyue's request. Perhaps she had already made this plan from the moment she decided to meet Zhao Mingyue.

"Then let's not delay any further. I will send people to rescue them now." Zhao Mingyue was very straightforward. After negotiating the conditions, she began to work on the rescue.

She turned to look at Zhao Yuzhang, "Aunt, who do you think can do this?"

Zhao Yuzhang thought for a moment and said, "We can let Mei Junrong go."

"Okay, then have Mei Junrong select 200 guards and go with Sister Zhu to rescue them. Remember, don't alert Xie Qinjian's men, and don't reveal your identity."

"Okay." Zhao Yuzhang accepted the order, stood up and walked out of the tent.

Zhu Dafeng and Lu Qibai were about to catch up when Zhao Mingyue called out, "Wait, stay with me. I want to know more about your village."

Lu Qibai looked at Zhao Mingyue pointing at him, and his brows immediately frowned, "Me?"

Zhao Mingyue smiled and nodded, and Zhu Dafeng asked Lu Qibai to stay, lifted the curtain, and walked out of the tent first.

Looking at Zhu Dafeng's back as he simply left, Lu Qibai's heart broke.

Sister, how can you be so cruel to leave me here as a hostage!

She was filled with indignation and turned back to see the elegant military advisor beside Zhao Mingyue handing her a blank booklet. "How many people are there in your village? What are your names? Where are you from? Why did you become a bandit? Please register them all."

Lu Qibai crossed his arms across his chest, showing resistance. How could I tell you such important information so casually?

Even if her elder sister agreed to work for Princess Fuguang, she couldn't give up her trust immediately. She had to leave herself some way out.

Lu Qibai smiled and said, "I'm sorry, I'm just a country girl, I can't read. I don't know the answer to your question."

Xue Qi continued to smile gently, "I am somewhat literate. If Sister Lu doesn't remember, then I can only visit her in person and ask the sisters in the village one by one."

Lu Qibai gritted her teeth. Did he even have to find out the location of the village? She snatched the booklet away and said, "Then I'd better not trouble you, sister."

Just write it, it’s okay if you write randomly!

————

Laoya Mountain is the gateway to Yuzhou City. It is magnificent, with steep slopes and deep valleys. From a distance, one can only see heavy fog. The rising sun shines obliquely on the top of the mountain in the east, shining brightly, while the back of the mountain appears increasingly gloomy and dark.

The official road wound through the mountains. On the road, a group of people were walking towards Laoya Mountain in a disorderly manner.

This group of people were the officers and soldiers from Yuzhou, about a hundred of them. Among this group of male soldiers, there were about two hundred women, all of whom were tied with straw ropes and driven forward.

Wang Ba and his men brought this group of women all the way here without any mishaps, which made him in a good mood.

This mission is simple and can please the governor. How many people want to do it but can't get it. He finally got this good job, so naturally he doesn't want to make any mistakes.

Fortunately, he could already see the top of Laoya Mountain. Once he completed the task, he would have completed it perfectly.

Wang Ba sat on his horse and turned to shout to his slow-moving men, "Hurry up! We'll be at Old Crow Mountain soon. When we finish this errand, I'll treat you to dinner, wine, and women. Enjoy yourself!"

The male soldiers immediately burst into laughter and exchanged obnoxious glances with each other.

Someone asked excitedly, "Captain, we worked so hard to bring these women here, can we have a taste of them first?"

"Don't worry, there are so many women, there must be one for you."

The male soldiers immediately burst into triumphant laughter.

The women were terrified when they heard the laughter, but with swords and knives pressing in from behind, they could only tremble as they moved forward, knowing that hell lay ahead.

Liu Lanhua, who was walking in the team, frowned, and a hint of murderous intent appeared in her eyes, but she quickly concealed it by lowering her eyes.

She tried to pull the straw rope on her wrist. The rope had been worn down to half by her last night. With a little force, she could completely break it.

But you can't escape now. You have to wait until you reach the turning point in front. There are dense forests on both sides there, which is very suitable for hiding so that you won't be caught easily.

Slowly, the crowd walked to the bend, with dense forests on both sides that were deep and unfathomable.

Liu Lanhua pulled the rope on her hands with all her strength, reached out to pull her second aunt, and was about to run with her on her back when she heard a "squeak" and a signal arrow shot out from the woods.

What's going on? Liu Lanhua was shocked, and without thinking too much, she immediately carried her second aunt on her back and ran towards the woods.

A woman's shout came from behind, "Someone escaped, Liu Lanhua escaped!"

Then there was the sound of male soldiers chasing after him, "Stop right there!"

Liu Lanhua naturally would not stop obediently. Her second aunt was thin and the person on her back had no weight at all, so even with a person on her back, she could still run very fast.

At this moment, a volley of arrows suddenly shot out from the forest, and one of them flew straight towards Liu Lanhua. She was so scared that her breathing stopped.

The next moment, the arrow grazed the corner of her clothes, and with a thud, someone fell to the ground behind her.

Liu Lanhua turned around in surprise and saw the male soldier chasing her kneeling on the ground with his back facing the ground, with a large wolf-tooth arrow piercing his chest.

Not far away, Wang Ba and his group of male soldiers were shot by arrows and fell to the ground wailing in pain. The rest of the people immediately lost their composure, and naturally no one came to chase her.

"There's an ambush!"

"Help! Run!"

The male soldiers held their heads and screamed in fear, loosened the ropes holding the women, and fled in all directions like rats with their tails on fire, and the whole place suddenly became a mess.

Liu Lanhua looked at it and her eyes widened instantly.