The veterinarian cleaned and bandaged Xiaobai and left in the middle of the night.
Yuan Zhao didn't sleep, but discussed with Yuan Heng what to do next.
Yuan Heng brought out the map he usually used, and the brother and sister analyzed where Yuan Zhizhi might be now.
"According to our spies, the place where Ri Duota disappeared that day is a hundred miles outside of Xiaoyue City, and the place Zhizhi drew is still in the desert..."
"It seems that Zhizhi is still in Beiqiang now, and must have been swept away to the heart of the desert by the sandstorm."
Yuan Heng circled a rough area and frowned.
"But to get there, we have to pass through Xiaoyue City... Not only is war imminent, but the people of Duoming have extremely tight control over Xiaoyue City and its surroundings. Many of our spies have been killed there..."
After listening to this, Yuan Zhao thought quietly.
Yuan Heng suggested, "Royal sister, how about I take someone with me..."
"No!" Yuan Zhao interrupted him before he could finish, "The camp in Liangzhou City cannot be left without anyone."
Her tone was firm, and Yuan Heng also knew the importance of it.
Liangzhou is the base camp of the Northwestern Army. It is related to the food and grass on the front lines of the two cities of Yulong, and is also an important pass to the east to the capital.
But now Huo Yan has gone to the front line, and Liangzhou City must be guarded by a general, so Yuan Heng cannot leave.
Then who will save Zhizhi?
Yuan Zhao thought for a moment, then made up his mind and said, "I'll go."
Yuan Heng's first reaction was no, "Royal sister, how can you go? It's too dangerous."
Yuan Zhao looked at the map hanging on the wall with a calm tone.
"Firstly, whether I leave or not doesn't affect the overall situation, so it's most appropriate for me to go and save Zhizhi."
"Secondly, Duota's identity is sensitive. He doesn't trust others. It would be difficult to approach him if we send someone else."
Dota had imprisoned her before, but in the end, he hadn't hurt her.
The current situation has suddenly changed, and Zhizhi is by his side, so she can't just sit there and do nothing.
"But if you encounter someone from Duoming or Huo Pingchang, how will you protect yourself?"
Yuan Zhao pursed his lips and said, "Before leaving, Ah Yan left the secret guards to me, just to help me find Zhizhi and let them protect me in the dark."
Yuan Heng couldn't refute her reasons, so he could only ask,
"Then how do we get through Xiaoyue City?"
"Disguise ourselves... pretend to be a caravan..." Yuan Zhao suggested.
Hearing the word "caravan", Yuan Qiyu, who was originally so sleepy that he couldn't even open his eyes, suddenly became alert and stood up straight.
"Caravan?"
"I want to go with the caravan too!" He raised his hand and said, "Mother! I have experience! Take me with you!"
Yuan Zhao wanted to say it was too dangerous and refused.
But she changed her mind and thought, firstly, Yuan Qiyu was indeed more experienced in this matter than her, and secondly, if she disguised herself and brought a child with her, it would be more credible.
Thinking of this, she did not refuse at the first time.
Yuan Heng's eyes swept between Yuan Zhao and Yuan Qi Yu, and he couldn't help but frowned.
Does the princess really want to take Xiaoyu with her?
Yuan Zhao did not agree immediately, but only arranged,
"Let's wait for Xiaobai's injury to heal first. Then, prepare the supplies for the caravan and the medicinal herbs..."
"As soon as Xiaobai's injury heals, we'll set off immediately!"
…
Hearing that Yuan Zhao was going to rescue Zhizhi, Yuan Nanan also signed up to go.
Her reason was that she could now protect her mother.
And since she is not in the army, she is the most suitable person to go with my mother.
Suddenly, several children were clamoring to go together.
Yuan Zhao was a little overwhelmed, but he finally couldn't persuade them. He sighed in his heart and simply arranged it.
"Okay, Nannan and Xiaoyu will come with me, and the others will stay in the army."
As soon as she finished speaking, Yuan Xuan unexpectedly said, "Aunt, I will stay to accompany the Third Uncle."
Yuan Zhao was slightly stunned. He didn't expect that he would stay on his own initiative. Just as he was about to ask for clarification, he heard Yuan Heng snort.
He glanced at Yuan Xuan with a hint of mischief on his lips.
"Boy, are you planning to spy on me for your father?"
Yuan Xuan's face froze slightly, and he coughed awkwardly, his eyes evading: "No... No..."
Although he did... have some small thoughts...
He was afraid that if they all left, what if the Third Uncle did something...
But I didn't expect Yuan Heng to be so outspoken.
Yuan Zhao heard their conversation, patted Yuan Xuan's shoulder with a smile, and said seriously,
"You keep an eye on your Third Uncle for me. If he does anything wrong, tell me when I get back."
Now it was Yuan Heng's turn to be unhappy, "Royal sister...you don't believe me..."
Yuan Zhao raised his eyebrows at him, "Xuan'er, I'm leaving him to you. If a piece of flesh is missing or a piece of skin is broken, I will not forgive you when I come back!"
Yuan Heng curled his lips and complained while sorting out some commonly used wound medicines in the army for Yuan Zhao.
"Who will take care of me if something happens to me?"
Upon hearing this, Yuan Qiyu immediately came over with a smile, patting his chest and saying, "Uncle San, Xiaoyu will come back to take care of you!"
"Waiting for you to come back?" Yuan Heng sneered and grabbed Yuan Qiyu's head. "By the time you come back, the flowers will be cold!"
"Alright," Yuan Zhao called out, saying to everyone, "Then go pack your bags. Xiaobai has almost recovered. We'll set off tomorrow!"
…
In the sandstorm that day, Yuan Zhizhi was held tightly in Duota's arms. The only sound in her ears was the whistling wind mixed with the whipping of sand, which felt like countless sharp knives cutting her skin, causing her pain.
Her small body was wrapped in his arms, and she could feel his heartbeat, rapid and steady, as if he was using his last bit of strength to protect her.
"Zhizhi, close your eyes, don't open them."
Dota's voice was low and a little hoarse, but he tried his best to comfort her gently.
Yuan Zhizhi closed her eyes obediently, but the wind and sand were pervasive and kept getting into her mouth and nose, making it almost impossible for her to breathe.
Gradually, she found that she no longer heard Dotta's voice.
She called out hard,
[Great Demon King…Great Demon King…]
But there was no response, and her throat was blocked by sand, so she couldn't make any sound.
She was terrified.
She didn't know how Dota was doing now. She could only feel that he was still holding her tightly, but his voice never came again.
Yuan Zhizhi's heart was in a knot, tears mixed with sand rolled down her face. She tried desperately to push his chest with her little hands, but he didn't move.
The wind and sand grew stronger and stronger, and it seemed as if the heaven and earth were going to swallow them up completely.
She was so anxious that she was about to cry, but at this moment, a familiar yet unfamiliar power in her body was suddenly stimulated.
Her heart skipped a beat, and something was slowly waking up.
Then, a faint white light quietly spread out from her body, like a layer of soft gauze, gently covering her and Dota.
The wind and sand swirled around the edge of the white light, but could not get any closer.
Yuan Zhizhi's consciousness was a little fuzzy, her eyelids were getting heavier, and she felt her wrist was slightly hot.
"Buzz—"
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