Chapter 88: Fallen before my eyes, etched in my heart

The city towers of Wuhuan are shrouded in a hazy shadow by the yellow sand against the sky.

Shen Mingshu's troops had retreated outside the city, and without his order, no one dared to make any rash moves.

A howling north wind swept across the city wall as a group of armored men, armed with swords, restrained a slender woman.

With her hands tied behind her back and something stuffed in her mouth, Mingying couldn't utter a single word. Through the vast twilight, she could clearly see the people sitting high on their horses in the army ahead.

Shen Mingshu's face was gloomy, and his sharp eyes seemed to be brewing a storm. Upon seeing her, he had to suppress his anger, clench his fists, and order his troops to retreat.

If someone threatens him with Mingying, he has no way to do anything about it.

Mingying's eyes were wet, and tears were streaming down her face. It was unclear whether she had been forced to swallow the poison pill, which caused her heart to throb with pain and grow cold inch by inch.

She kept shaking her head at Shen Mingshu, hoping he would understand her and not save her.

She was already prepared to die and did not want to become a bargaining chip to threaten anyone. She did not want the court to withdraw its troops because of her, the Wuhuan people to succeed, and the sins they committed against the people of the Central Plains to be wiped clean!

My gaze slowly descended, looking at the majestic city wall. If I could jump off from here, wouldn't that be a kind of liberation?

But she was firmly restrained by the hand behind her, unable to die.

Outside the city, Shen Mingshu clenched his fist, gazing at his sister standing on the city wall, his eyes reddening.

He always tried to protect her, but he never managed to ensure she could live a truly peaceful life. He also never had the chance to give her much care. Everything she had was earned through her own tenacious spirit.

She had never had a good life, and he was heartbroken with guilt; how could he bear to watch her die?

"General, please reconsider! We've fought our way to the city walls; we can't retreat!"

"Yes, General, why don't we wait for His Majesty to arrive before discussing whether or not..."

"Retreat." Shen Mingshu wouldn't listen to his subordinates. Although he often taught his generals that they should put aside personal feelings on the battlefield, when it came to himself, he admitted that he was not a saint and could not be ruthless.

His subordinates clasped their hands in a gesture of respect and said, "General!"

"I said, retreat!" Shen Mingshu shouted, his eyes bloodshot.

"Who dares to back down?!"

In the distance, the thunderous sound of hooves echoed as a man rode up, parting the flying gravel.

This resounding statement, like a drumbeat, rallied the morale of all three sides.

Covered in dust, Pei Xiaoyun reined in his horse and stopped. With a sharp "whoosh," his longsword was drawn and pointed at Shen Mingshu's chest. His narrow, sharp eyes swept over him. "Did I appoint you as a third-rank general in the Northwest just to see you abandon your armor and flee the battlefield for a woman?"

Shen Mingshu was speechless, not flinching at all, meeting his eyes, and said in a low voice, "She is my sister, I can't bear it."

He understood that Pei Xiaoyun had forgotten her. In his eyes, she was just an ordinary woman. She was his sister, but no one to Pei Xiaoyun.

Pei Xiaoyun might not save her at all.

"Is there any way to save her..." He had no other choice. His mind went blank, and he couldn't even hold the sword he was so proud of. He could only lower his head to Pei Xiaoyun, hoping that he could save her.

Pei Xiaoyun glanced into the distance and saw a woman's white dress fluttering in the wind atop the towering city wall. Her face was so clear, so vividly etched into his eyes.

His eyes were suddenly pierced, blood surged through his chest, and a bitter taste rose from his throat to the back of his tongue.

who is she……

He gradually withdrew the sword from his hand.

Why would he ride swiftly to chase after her upon hearing of her misfortune, and why would he uncontrollably spur his horse back upon hearing of her capture by the enemy?

Mingying took in the scene below the city wall and was taken aback when she saw Pei Xiaoyun arrive.

Fortunately, he wouldn't remember their past. When she saw him draw his sword and point it at her brother, she was genuinely relieved.

I hope he can persuade his brother not to save her, but to storm the city gates and avenge her. That way, she can die without regrets.

"So it's His Majesty the most esteemed emperor of the Central Plains." Ning Yimu stood on the city wall, laughing wildly with a crazed expression. "Does His Majesty, like General Shen, also want to save this woman?"

As he spoke, he used the snow-white blade to trace inch by inch across Mingying's face, from her cheek to her neck, every stroke filled with threat.

Mingying closed her eyes, cool tears welling up at the corners. She stopped looking at the people below the city, afraid that meeting her brother's gaze would soften his heart.

Why couldn't this knife in front of her be plunged directly into her chest or sever her neck?

"Don't hurt her!" Shen Mingshu sat on his horse, his body leaning forward violently, as if he wanted to clench his fists.

Pei Xiaoyun felt a sharp, intense pain in his chest, his breathing was low and disordered, and as he watched her being held by a knife, a fire ignited in his eyes.

My mind was a jumble of thoughts, so chaotic I couldn't find a beginning or end. It was as if a million bizarre and fantastical images were violently breaking through the shackles that bound them, all rushing out at once.

He gently touched his forehead, his posture somewhat unsteady.

Shen Mingshu's voice was hoarse, each word piercing with emotion: "Please save her, I beg you, I can't watch her be in danger."

He must have a way.

If all else fails, he will retreat first to rescue Aying, and then lead his men to attack again. He is willing to pay the price, even if it costs him his life.

Pei Xiaoyun's features were tightly furrowed, and her expression was extremely painful.

"General Shen, I also want to release her; I don't want to hurt anyone." Seeing that they were at an impasse, Ning Yimu knew that she had captured the right woman.

The wind carried his rough voice: "But your emperor doesn't seem very keen on saving people."

As soon as he finished speaking, the knife pressed against Mingying's neck, going even deeper.

"Ning Yimu!" ​​Shen Mingshu shouted, "Your brother died by my blade back then. If you want revenge, I will pay for your brother's life. I will lay down my armor and come forward. We will exchange one life for another. You must release my sister!"

Mingying suddenly opened her eyes, her gaze filled with tears. She stammered out a sentence: "Leave me alone..."

Her broken words reached Pei Xiaoyun's ears like a key unlocking the last shackle, severing the fetters. Blood rushed to his throat, and he turned his head, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, what's wrong?"

The generals standing side by side all crowded forward, and even Shen Mingshu was stunned for a moment. Why did he suddenly vomit blood?

The weight that had been pressing on his heart was finally lifted, and Pei Xiaoyun breathed freely. All his memories flooded his mind like sunlight, and everything became clear and bright.

"We should always give it a try, even if there's only a one in ten thousand chance."

These are the words she once said to her.

What lingered in his mind's eye was her cold and ruthless expression when she said those words, and the image of her personally tampering with his medicine...

She poisoned him, causing him to lose his memory of her.

But he wouldn't allow that one in ten thousand chance to happen.

A strange smile appeared on his face, his shoulders trembled slightly, and he didn't wipe the blood from the corner of his mouth. He raised his head slightly and waved his hand to indicate that he was alright.

"Hahahaha!" Ning Yimu never put down her knife and said to Shen Mingshu, "I don't want your life. If you want to save her, there is only one way: retreat."

Pei Xiaoyun's sharp eyes regained their former deepness, as if washed clean by water, becoming pure black, only softening slightly when he looked at Mingying.

"Release her, and I'll come and be your hostage." His voice was steady and resonant, echoing throughout the city walls and even stunning everyone present.

Upon hearing this, everyone was momentarily surprised.

Shen Mingshu was surprised. Why would he say such a thing? Did he remember everything when he vomited blood just now?

Mingying was also puzzled. He had just drawn his sword against his brother, so why...?

Across the vast distance, she met his gaze slightly. His deep, dark eyes were like two sandalwood beads, frighteningly black, clearly reflecting his unwavering infatuation.

Compared to the knife pressed against her neck, his gaze made her spine tremble even more.

It seems so, I remember now.

Ning Yimu was also taken aback, and her eyebrows furrowed.

Everyone knows that the emperor of the Central Plains is ruthless and would not give up his great cause for a woman, but Shen Mingshu is not necessarily so, because this woman is his own sister.

He wanted to see one of them desperately trying to save the woman and retreating, while the other didn't care about her at all. The two sides would be locked in a stalemate, brewing hatred, and he hoped they would start fighting first so he could reap the benefits.

Unexpectedly, Pei Xiaoyun was actually trying to save people. Was this just a delaying tactic?

If they refuse to withdraw their troops, at worst the country will be destroyed and the city will perish, but he will not let them off easily.

"It is truly an honor for our Wuhuan people that His Majesty the Emperor has come to our city." Ning Yimu said, taking out a porcelain bottle containing a single poison pill and then tapping Mingying's face with a knife. "However, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. Our dynasty is famous for its poisons and Gu poisons. Miss Chen is standing in our city because she has taken this Gu poison called Twin Gu. There is still one pill in here. Whoever takes the other pill can come into the city to exchange with her."

"What did you feed her? You are despicable and shameless!" Shen Mingshu roared, like a howling trapped beast.

Pei Xiaoyun stared at the porcelain bottle in Ning Yimu's hand, her eyes wide with fury, her face ashen.

twin.

He had heard He Lianqing mention this poison from the Northwest, and of course, he knew what it would do when it took effect and what the antidote was.

If she was truly forced to take this stuff...

She ended up in the hands of Ning Yimu and his men because she was delivering the antidote to the army.

Looking at her frail body and helpless expression, he felt as if a piece of his heart had been ripped out with a knife.

“I’ll eat it.” Shen Mingshu gritted his teeth and said to Ning Yimu first, “After I eat it, you release her. We’ll go into the city at the same time, one of us will go in and the other will go out.”

"Ugh..." Mingying's eyes widened, wanting to speak up to stop her, but her mouth was tightly covered, and she could only whimper.

Hearing her voice, Shen Mingshu suppressed his resentment and glanced at Pei Xiaoyun out of the corner of his eye, giving him a meaningful look.

The idea is to wait for him to go in, then have Aying come out. If they find her and ensure her safety, they should immediately lead the troops to attack, regardless of his life or death.

Pei Xiaoyun didn't even glance at him, let alone heed his suggestion.

"General Shen is so straightforward!" Ning Yimu threw down a porcelain bottle and tossed it down the city wall.

Shen Mingshu had no choice but to catch it. The porcelain bottle curved in the air, and in a flash, Pei Xiaoyun reached out and caught it, and the item landed steadily in his hand.

Shen Mingshu missed his target and looked at Pei Xiaoyun in surprise: "You—"

“How about I take her place?” Pei Xiaoyun suddenly spoke up, addressing both him and Ning Yimu, “I will take this and come into the city to exchange for her.”

"Once I enter the city, you will lead your men to launch a full-scale attack." He murmured in a low voice, speaking quickly and deliberately, and only Shen Mingshu could hear him.

He hated coercion more than anything else in his life, yet Ning Yimu dared to threaten him like that.

The incident happened so suddenly that neither he nor Shen Mingshu had any other way to save Mingying but to gamble with their own lives.

He was absolutely certain that even if he entered the city alone, he could take Ning Yimu's head and tear him to pieces!

“I don’t need you to do it, just give it to me.” Shen Mingshu held out his hand to him, stubbornly saying.

He never wanted to owe anyone anything, but he came to save his own sister.

Pei Xiaoyun sneered: "I haven't settled the score with you for withdrawing your troops without permission yet. Do as I say."

After a cold laugh, his expression turned serious. He stroked the cold porcelain bottle in his hand, suddenly lost in thought: "You've done enough for her. This time, it's my turn to save her."

So what if they are twins? He felt a sense of comfort. If they were both afflicted by this spell, wouldn't they be a match made in heaven?

He would be willing to risk his own life and use his own blood to detoxify her if he could save her.

He uncorked the bottle, took out a white poison pill, and swallowed it in one gulp right in front of Ning Yimu.

Shen Mingshu held his breath, his hands trembling.

Mingying's brow twitched violently, her pupils contracted, and her thoughts froze at that moment.

Her biggest worry was that her brother would fall for their trick and take the drug.

She could hardly believe that Pei Xiaoyun would take poison for her sake.

"Your Majesty the Emperor is a man of his word. We, the Wuhuan, welcome you." Ning Yimu clapped his hands, signaling for the city gates to be opened.

"Let her go first." Pei Xiaoyun raised her hand and pointed at Mingying.

Ning Yimu sheathed her knife, ordered her men to release Mingying, and said in a voice that carried far: "I will count to three, and you will all step in at the same time. You come in, and she will leave."

He thought to himself: Once Pei Xiaoyun enters the city, I will immediately close the city gates, capture her, and then have the archers hidden in the shadows shoot the woman to death with an arrow.

Even on his deathbed, he wanted to take a few people down with him, so he wouldn't be alone on his journey to the underworld!

He was extremely pleased and counted out the numbers using his fingers:

"three--"

"two--"

"one--"

No sooner had he finished speaking than a guard beside him suddenly raised his head, drew his curved sword, and stabbed him viciously in the back.

Ning Yimu tried to dodge, but the move was too unexpected. He was stabbed in the waist and abdomen. Clutching the bleeding wound, he glared fiercely at the person who had hurt him.

This person isn't one of his!

The crowd below the city wall all had slightly frozen expressions, not expecting the scene before them. Pei Xiaoyun stopped in her tracks, her heart pounding in her throat, her palms sweating profusely.

Mingying's head throbbed, her thoughts abruptly halted, and upon seeing the person's face, a look of utter astonishment appeared in her eyes.

It was actually Lin Xian.

Ning Yimu realized he had been tricked. Ignoring all the agreements, he drew his longsword and slashed at the person who had injured him and Ming Ying.

Lin Xian looked into Ming Ying's eyes, didn't have time to say a word, rushed towards her, grabbed her arm, and leaped off the city wall.

With a loud thud, the two fell to the ground.

Dust billowed up, instantly extinguishing the light and shadow...

In an instant, all eyes were drawn to them.

Lin Xian fell backward onto the ground, but held Ming Ying tightly in her arms, ensuring she was unharmed.

Mingying opened her eyes and saw that the bloodstains beneath her were spreading in large patches like crimson flowers, so bright that she could not see anything but red.

Unbeknownst to her, warm tears fell like broken beads onto his face.

She called his name incoherently.

Lin Xian simply held her in his arms. This time, he finally saw her face clearly, and it was exactly the same as he remembered.

That portrait was created on a snowy night. They sat facing each other, she embroidered a sachet for him, and he painted her portrait.

They spent three years together. He wrote music for her, and she used her hands to play the most beautiful melodies in the world.

They have traveled through many mountains and seen many rivers. The beauty of nature is ever-changing, and the fleeting moments of romance and beauty reside in their eyes and hearts.

Not an old friend, but better than an old friend.

He loved her and never forgot her.

He smiled slightly and raised his weak hand to wipe away her tears: "Aying, I remember now."

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Author's Note: [Crying uncontrollably][Crying uncontrollably][Crying uncontrollably][Crying uncontrollably]