Chapter 34 Chapter 34 Jinjiang First Release

Chapter 34

Two days later, the hunting feast ended.

The famous officials and noble ladies who attended the banquet began to pack up their belongings, planning to return to Jianye immediately.

It rained in spring yesterday. The air in the mountains was fresh, the grass and trees were moist, and the mist was lingering around the mountains for thousands of miles, making it seem like falling into a fairyland.

Thick fog obscured people's vision, and the rocks were washed away by rain, causing sand to roll down from the top of the mountain, blocking the mountain path and making it muddy and difficult to walk.

For the safety of the royal family, Cui Jue and his party had no choice but to go around the mountain.

The original one-day trip was delayed by bad weather and had to be stretched into two days.

Ever since she was frightened when she fell into the water that day, Li Muyao often suffered from nightmares in the middle of the night. She would not sleep peacefully unless Cui Jue came to her tent to accompany her.

The Cui family exchanged engagement letters with the royal family, and the marriage between the two families was almost a foregone conclusion. Therefore, no one would criticize Princess Chonghua's etiquette, and just thought it was just the pre-marital fun of the engaged couple.

Li Muyao took calming medicine for a few days, and her symptoms of panic had almost completely healed. However, she still wanted to go down the mountain with Cui Jue in the same car, even though she enjoyed Cui Jue's care and company.

Even though Li Muyao knew that Cui Jue was extremely polite, he would not send the maid away even if he came to stay in her tent for a while, so as not to give people a chance to gossip.

Every time, Cui Jue would order his servants to draw open the door curtains to let in the daylight, and then take out a scroll of Buddhist scriptures bound in Sanskrit pages that could calm the mind and ward off evil spirits, and read it to Li Muyao who was lying in bed.

Li Muyao fell asleep to the sound of clear and gentle chanting. She vaguely thought that perhaps Cui Jue respected her as his wife, so he would not behave in such intimate ways.

This was a good thing, she didn't blame him.

On the day of returning to the city, Li Muyao got on Cui Jue's carriage.

The car was already equipped with thick and warm blankets, as well as the Western salty milk tea that girls love to drink.

On the other side was a desk for official business, piled high with bamboo slips and wooden tablets. It seemed that Cui Jue was very busy with affairs of state, and even if he was going back to the city by car later, he would still be busy with official business.

Before Cui Jue got in the car, Cui Shunying suddenly came over, pulling Su Li.

Cui Jue's eyes were silent as he glanced away.

After thinking for a moment, he did not get on the carriage, but stood under the canopy of the carriage, waiting for the two to approach.

The rain was cold and dense, and the mountains were covered with fog.

The man's hair was tied up with a jade hairpin, and his black hair was slightly swayed by the mountain breeze and spread over his tall shoulders, like snow flowing in the wind.

Cui Jue in front of him was looking at the distant mountains. He stared at the newcomer without any joy or sadness, giving people a sense of tranquility and indifference.

Su Li took a look from a distance.

Cui Jue had a blank expression on his face, and she couldn't tell whether he was happy or angry, but she knew with a little thought that Cui Jue had finally gotten a chance to be alone with Li Muyao, and they were still going to come forward and disturb them. Wouldn't that be like a stick breaking up the couple?

Thinking of this, Su Li pulled Cui Shunying, shook her head secretly at her, and whispered: "Let's not disturb the eldest master... cough cough cough..."

As soon as she finished speaking, Su Li felt an itch in her throat and coughed lightly.

Su Li has been suffering from a cough since she fell into the water. Not only has she had a fever for two days, but her throat has also been swollen and painful. She has been drinking medicine for a long time, but her symptoms have not improved.

She had no intention of pretending to be pitiful in front of Cui Jue, as that would make people think too much and mistakenly think that she was competing for favor with Li Muyao, which would be too embarrassing.

Su Li covered her mouth and forced herself to hold back her cough, but her chest was heaving, and her eyes were moist, making her look even more miserable and pitiful.

Cui Shunying couldn't bear to watch this anymore and said to Cui Jue, "Brother, our carriage isn't spacious enough. Sister Su can't even lie down and rest if she wants... She's very ill and has a fever. Can we go down the mountain with you in the carriage so we can find a place to rest and recuperate?"

Before Cui Shunying could finish her words, the curtain of the carriage was lifted, revealing Li Muyao's beautiful face.

Her eyebrows drooped slightly, and her voice was timid as she said to Cui Jue, "My Lord, I haven't recovered from my cold lately. I feel light and prefer quietness. I don't want to ride in the car with others..."

Cui Shunying looked at Li Muyao's obviously rosy face and knew that she was lying in front of Cui Jue. She was so angry that she wanted to slap her twice.

Cui Shunying was about to speak up when Su Li grabbed her wrist.

Su Li shook her head secretly.

Cui Jue was silent for a moment, then spoke again: "Fourth Lady, Madam Su, we will be returning home in just two days. You two can ride together for this part of the journey. Please bear with me for a while."

Cui Jue declined the two's suggestion to get in the car.

Cui Shunying looked at her brother disappointedly, her lips pouting and her face full of unhappiness.

Su Li was used to it. She smiled and said to Cui Jue, "Okay."

Su Li knew it well. Compared to Li Muyao, she was nothing. It was only natural for Cui Jue to be considerate of his fiancée.

To Cui Jue, she was just an insignificant thing.

Fortunately, Su Li knows her own limitations and will not be upset by Cui Jue's cold words.

Cui Jue stepped onto the carriage, lifted up his robe, and sat down at the table.

Li Muyao, who was standing by, secretly watched Cui Jue. Thinking about how Cui Jue had humiliated Su Li for her, she felt as sweet as if she had drunk honey.

She was filled with joy and asked softly, "Young Master, did I embarrass you just now?"

Cui Jue's expression was cold and gloomy. He said calmly, "Your Highness, you worry too much."

After he finished speaking, he tapped his finger bones again and knocked on the table twice to remind Li Muyao to take the medicine.

The cough-relieving and lung-moistening soup had already cooled down. Li Muyao drank it all in one gulp and frowned.

Then, a delicate hand came over, and the porcelain plate filled with candied fruit was finally handed to her by Cui Jue.

Good medicine tastes bitter, but honey can make it sweet.

Li Muyao felt sweet in her heart. After drinking the medicine, she suddenly felt sleepy and fell asleep in a short while.

Cui Jue glanced at her and knew that her breathing was steady and she had fallen asleep. He twisted his wrist lightly, and a silver needle flew out of the air, piercing into the acupoints on Li Muyao's jaw and between her eyebrows, blocking her vision and hearing.

After making sure that Li Muyao had fallen into a deep sleep, Cui Jue shook off the silver needles and summoned Wei Zhiyan inside.

Wei Zhiyan knelt on one knee and reported to his superior, "Master, your guess is correct. There are indeed three thousand ambushed soldiers on the mountaintop. Although they are dressed like bandits, their walking posture and the way they hold their weapons show that they are undoubtedly soldiers from the light cavalry camp."

Cui Jue paused for a moment and put down the file in his hand.

"The Li family suspected that I only had eight hundred elite soldiers with me, and they intended to kill me within Wutong Mountain. Since that's the case, how could I not return the favor?"

Cui Jue was silent for a moment, as if recalling something. He spoke thoughtfully, "You should proceed according to the plan. There's no need to expose the Cui family's troops. To deceive the imperial family, you can even expose your own weaknesses, lure the enemy deep into the old forest, and then encircle and annihilate the pursuers. Just one thing... when the battle breaks out, you should seize the opportunity to behead Prince Jing Li Zhang in his carriage. Show no mercy."

Wei Zhiyan was suddenly startled and looked up at Cui Jue.

It was just a minor assassination attempt, but Cui Jue wanted to use Prince Jing's life in exchange. Wasn't that too cruel and ruthless? It's also unclear whether Emperor Xuanning, upon seeing his own son killed, would realize the hidden agenda and kill Cui.

But if you think about it carefully, your master has planned everything out perfectly, and Cui Jue must have his reasons for doing this.

After thinking about it, Wei Zhiyan said nothing more. He got out of the carriage and, according to Cui Jue's instructions, dispatched troops and prepared to fight.

Cui Jue sat in the carriage, quietly waiting for a tough battle to come.

Cui Jue should have ordered the secret guards to guard Cui Shunying's carriage, but since he wanted to borrow the Li family's troops to kill Li Zhang, he couldn't let the Cui family's deployment be exposed too early... lest the prince notice the clues and change the assassination plan.

But the risk that comes with it is that Cui Shunying is very likely to fall into danger or even lose her life.

Su Li was also on the carriage.

Cui Jue lowered his thick eyelashes and remained silent.

Those who want to achieve great things do not care about trivial matters. As children of the Cui family, they must be prepared to devote themselves to the family's glory and go through fire and water.

Even if the fourth sister and Su Li were killed because of this, they would certainly understand the plan of the Cui family elders.

Cui Jue's brows moved slightly.

He shouldn't have harbored any selfish desires or feelings, but for some reason, the moment he closed his eyes, he would remember Su Li's profile as she tilted her head to suppress a cough.

Small pomegranate seed earrings are embedded in the girl's plump earlobes.

A little red, shining brightly.

...very beautiful.

-

The sky was dark, the mountains and forests were pitch black, and heavy rain was falling.

Su Li had been ill for a long time and had to travel all night, so she had a fever again.

She drank a bowl of medicine in a daze, sat in the car, leaned against the wall, and before she knew it, the girl fell asleep again.

Su Li didn't know how long she had slept. Her consciousness was hazy until a sharp sound with the force of thunder came quickly.

Crash!

Wood chips flew and smoke rose.

The sharp arrow pierced through the car board, landed across Su Li's cheek, and pierced her flesh.

The blood flowed and the pain woke Su Li up.

Then came the second arrow, the third arrow... Su Li couldn't dodge in time, and her calf was pierced by the sharp arrow, and blood gushed out!

The earth-shaking noise also made her head buzz.

Su Li shuddered suddenly and broke out in a cold sweat.

Looking around again, he found that the lamp had been knocked over at some point and the entire carriage was suddenly on fire.

Not only the walls of the car, but the entire carriage was burned by flames, and black smoke billowed.

The heat in the carriage was scorching, and the boiling air flow almost burned people to death. Even the continuous night rain outside the carriage could not extinguish the heat, and the horses pulling the carriage had already fallen into a state of madness and kept galloping forward.

The carriage was shaking, making people dizzy.

Su Li could hardly stand. Her leg bones were pierced by a stray arrow. The pain overwhelmed her and she suddenly fell to the ground.

Su Li fell in a pool of blood, gasping in pain.

Cui Shunying inhaled too much drugs and huddled in a corner of the carriage, shivering.

The incident happened suddenly, and the young lady was already frightened out of her mind. When she saw Su Li wake up, her eyes were immediately blurred with tears, and she kept mumbling: "Sister Su, Sister Su, I'm scared..."

Su Li gritted her teeth and rushed forward. She knew that the black smoke produced by a fire was poisonous. If she inhaled too much, she would be in danger of suffocation.

Su Li calmed down and took out the only remaining sheepskin water bag from the box beside her. She tore open her sleeves, soaked her robe with clean water, and used it as a towel to cover Cui Shunying's mouth and nose.

"Don't inhale the black smoke. Don't be afraid. The eldest master will come to save you!"

Su Li was very clear-headed. Cui Jue didn't care about her life or death, but he would definitely save his sister.

If Su Li could be rescued, it might be because of Cui Shunying.

Su Li hugged Cui Shunying and stayed in a corner that was not affected by the raging fire, while judging the situation outside through the car curtains blown open by the wind.

She heard the sound of swords clashing in the solemn wind, and smelled the strong smell of blood brought by the cold wind. She understood that the team of noble families returning to the city had encountered an ambush.

I don’t know which group of people are so bold as to dare to mess with the Cui family.

Su Li didn't dare to move.

She knew that they could only wait for Cui Jue to come and rescue them, because the carriage was running too fast and if they jumped out rashly, they would probably be smashed to pieces.

Outside the car, there were constant flashes of swords and sabers, and there were still assassins who had not been suppressed. Once the Cui girl showed up, she would be chopped into pieces of meat by the assassins.

Wait a moment.

Wait a little longer.

Su Li prayed silently in her heart, she hoped that Cui Jue would arrive with troops as soon as possible to quell the rebellion.

Even though she was completely unaware, today's ordeal was well within Cui Jue's expectations.

Su Li hugged Cui Shunying tightly. She endured the high fever on her forehead and comforted her in a low voice.

"We won't die, don't be afraid, Aying."

She didn't know whether to say it to herself or to Choi Sun-young.

She didn't want to die, she didn't want to die here.

She still wanted to live with her grandmother, and she also wanted to escape from her privileged family. She had endured humiliation and hardship for so many years, not to die in an assassination attempt...

Su Li endured the injury in her leg caused by the arrow and hugged Cui Shunying and dragged her along. The two of them climbed tremblingly onto the broken floor of the carriage.

The wooden frame of the carriage had been shattered into pieces, but the injured horses were still running wildly.

Cui Shunying inhaled too much toxic smoke and was made unconscious by the smoke. Only Su Li remained awake.

However, the carriage's horses were going crazy and were rushing towards the cliff with all their might!

There was a loud bang!

Jianma and the carriage in which Su Li was sitting were stuck on the edge of the cliff.

The carriage swayed from side to side and was about to fall.

Now he was able to maintain his balance for a moment, but it was only because the horse was frightened that its body stiffened and did not move.

When the horse reacts and finds that it has no place to stand, it will panic and neigh miserably.

If the horse struggled even a little, the whole carriage would be dragged down by it and fall straight down the unfathomable cliff. At that time, Su Li and Cui Shunying would die.

Su Li was just a weak woman. It was already a great effort for her to drag Cui Shunying out of the carriage despite her injuries. She no longer had the strength to make a desperate move and jump out of the car with Cui Shunying in her arms.

Just when Su Li was feeling desperate and helpless, the sound of hurried horse hooves was heard outside the car.

In a daze, Su Li saw a red shadow.

It's Chixia.

It’s Cui Jue’s mount!

Cui Jue is here...

Su Li looked at the figure coming towards the night fog in the distance.

The man came galloping towards him, holding a sword in one hand and reins in the other.

Wherever the horse's hooves reach, rain waves roll and silver waves flow.

Cui Jue had a solemn and handsome face, his ink-black hair fluttering in the wind, and his wide-sleeved black robe fluttering in the wind, making a rustling sound.

He emerged from a sea of ​​blood and swords, but his whole body was clean of filth and not stained by the blood.

It was not until Chixia approached that Su Li could see clearly that it was Cui Jue dressed in black with the blood of the enemy soldiers splattered on it, blending with the black cloth, so she could not see it at all.

"Master! We are here!"

Su Li understood that the only way out was to wait for Cui Jue to ride forward and lend a hand to her...

However, time was running out and the carriage was unbalanced, so Cui Jue could only rescue one person.

If he chose Choi Sun-young, the weight of the carriage would suddenly increase, and the entire carriage would fall off the cliff before he could save Su Li!

Su Li and Cui Shunying, only one can survive!

Su Li didn't have that much time to hesitate.

If we were a step later, we might not even have a chance to save a single person...

What should I do?

The rain fell, gradually extinguishing the blazing red flames on the carriage.

Su Li bit her lip and used the piercing pain to force herself to stay awake.

The carriage began to shake and the horses began to struggle violently.

But Cui Jue was still far away, he had not arrived yet!

It turned out that she couldn't even wait for Cui Jue's rescue.

Su Li looked at Cui Jue who was approaching from afar and suddenly wanted to laugh.

She felt like she had never had any luck in her life, and she had always been unlucky...

How could someone...live such a hard life?

At the critical moment of life and death, Su Li suddenly made a decision.

She knew, no, she was sure... if Cui Jue had to choose someone, he would definitely choose Cui Shunying.

So it is, so it is.

Su Li held Cui Shunying's shoulders, endured the heart-piercing pain, and stood up carefully.

She was suspended between heaven and earth, with swirling clouds above her head and misty cliffs under her feet.

Su Li held her head high and chest out, and shouted loudly to Cui Jue in the distance.

"Cui Jue!"

This was the first time she committed such a treasonous act that she dared, as a commoner, to call the name of a nobleman.

Her eyes were clear, brave, and fearless, and she was calling Cui Jue.

Cui Jue suddenly heard a firm call in the rain.

The man raised his cold eyes and saw the girl standing in the dimming firelight amidst the boundless mountain mist.

All the pearl ribbons in Su Li's bun fell off, and her black hair was blown high in the wind. Countless graceful hair strands, like white silk drapes, danced wildly behind her, like a group of demons dancing wildly.

Her face, arms, and neck were all covered with scars. A red pomegranate swayed gently at the tip of her ear, like cinnabar branding her heart.

But her almond-shaped eyes were bright, like the cold stars in the winter night, and as quiet as water.

Su Li stood in the clouds that he could not catch, like a fairy concubine about to ascend to heaven.

She didn't know what she was laughing at, and there was a faint dimple on her cheek.

Inexplicably, she shouted again, "Cui Jue!"

So resolute, like a crane spreading its wings to fly.

This time, Cui Jue finally responded.

He looked at Su Li's figure and suddenly felt a pang of fear in his heart.

It was strange that he would be moved by such a weak woman, and his face instantly became gloomy.

The man swung the sword casually, a silver wave appeared, and the sharp blade pierced Chixia's horse's buttocks without hesitation, cutting a wound.

Cui Jue forced Chi Xia to run faster.

He wants to save people.

Chixia felt pain and neighed miserably with its long neck raised. This was the first time it was hurt by its master like this. It was so angry that its mane was swinging around, but its running speed was indeed much faster.

The carriage rocked again.

Su Li knew she had no chance, so she had to do this.

She knew that if she had to choose between the two, Cui Jue would only save Cui Shunying.

No matter what, Cui Shunying is the daughter of a noble family and her life is precious.

Unlike her, whose life was worthless and no one could protect her, she could only find a way to survive on her own...

Therefore, Su Li decided to make use of Cui Jue's remaining kindness.

Cui Jue knew that Su Li was on the verge of death and tried her best to protect his fourth sister. Perhaps he would change his mind about her, or perhaps he would protect her maid Qiu Gui. Qiu Gui knew Su Li's last wish, and she could find Lin Yin and help Su Li save her grandmother.

As long as Grandma didn't run away with Su Li, she would have a better chance of escaping the Su family...

Lin Yin is a thoughtful person who remembers old times and is grateful for favors. He will help her.

Qiu Gui and Grandmother would survive. Together they could travel to the north, see the bitter snow, the sand-covered Gobi Desert, and taste the delicious lamb roasted over the fire pit...

The carriage shook again, and the carriage fell towards the cliff.

Su Li could no longer stand.

Su Li couldn't jump back to the cliff with Cui Shunying.

In this case, she had no choice but to take a risky move.

Su Li said: "Cui Jue, I only ask one thing of you..."

"Cui Jue, I beg you to protect Qiu Gui."

"If she has any wish, please make sure she gets it..."

Of course, help her one last time.

There was a loud crash.

Before Su Li could finish her words, the sand and gravel under her feet rolled down and the carriage began to shake.

At the critical moment, Su Li could only grit her teeth and push the unconscious Cui Shunying to the ground.

The moment she stretched out her hand, the carriage flipped sideways and crashed towards Su Li!

Su Li's body was already hanging in the air, and along with the shattered carriage, she fell off the towering cliff.

"Su Li!"

In a trance, Su Li seemed to hear a cold shout.

Someone was calling her name.

But she couldn't hear clearly.

But none of this matters anymore...

Fortunately, Su Li saved Cui Shunying, and fortunately she did not let this cute and lively little girl die.

Cui Jue will definitely treat Qiu Gui well out of her kindness...that's enough.

The moment Su Li fell off the cliff.

She suddenly felt relieved and felt more relaxed than ever before.

Su Li was hit by the violent fall and was forced to open her arms and look up at the sky.

At this moment, she discovered... how vast the world was.

Su Li's robe fluttered and hit her face, like sharp knives scraping bones and flesh.

For no reason, Su Li smiled softly.

She thought, she finally got what she wanted... to become a free bird.