Mu Jingrui led his troops to cover the rear and protect Xiao Yujue's evacuation.
There were constant pursuers behind him, but under his command he was always able to defeat the larger enemy with a smaller one and rarely suffered defeat.
In addition, Xiao Yujue was able to do the work personally most of the time, which greatly boosted morale.
only……
Mu Jingrui looked at the topographic map in front of him and fell into deep thought.
According to the spies' reports, the imperial reinforcements were very close to them and they would meet in two days at most.
By then, we will be caught in a situation where we are attacked from both sides and it will be even more difficult to move forward.
"Jing Rui..."
Xiao Yujue walked in, and Mu Jingrui hurried forward to salute.
"Forget it, forget it. There are only two of us here, so let's not go through all the red tape."
Xiao Yujue's face was full of worry. When he saw the topographic map on the table, his expression became even gloomier.
"Your Highness, why are you still awake so late?"
"I... just received a message." Xiao Yujue hesitated to speak, and looked at Mu Jingrui with eyes full of worry.
Mu Jingrui suddenly had a bad feeling.
"Your Highness, has something happened?"
"There has been no news about the team escorting the Princess and Xiaoyan for two days. Just now, the spies reported that the bodies of the soldiers and guards escorting them were found in Shizigou..."
Mu Jingrui's face changed suddenly.
"What about Ning'er and Xiaoyan?"
"They are not among the corpses. Whether they are dead or alive... there is no way to know..."
Xiao Yujue's voice became hoarse.
Mu Jingrui staggered and there was a moment of darkness in front of his eyes.
Shangguan Wanning and Mu Jingyan are the most important people to him in this world.
If both of them were gone, he would not have the motivation to live.
"Has your Highness sent anyone to look for them?"
"Yes...but..."
Mu Jingrui was very clear about the turn in Xiao Yujue's tone, and the helplessness and sadness it implied.
The two discussed it for a whole night, and the next day, against all odds, decided to take the risk and stay where they were, waiting for news of the people who had been found.
For several days, Mu Jingrui had to deal with the harassment of the pursuers and the questioning of his comrades. He felt exhausted.
He also knew that this was unfair to others.
However, if he were to abandon Shangguan Wanning like this, he would rather die than live.
Mu Jingrui even wanted Xiao Yujue to take his men away first, and he stayed alone to look for Shangguan Wanning.
"General Mu."
The personal guard lifted the curtain of the military tent without permission and rushed in, with an anxious and anxious look on his face.
"What's the matter?" Mu Jingrui frowned, not even having the energy to lose his temper.
"Your Highness asks you to come over. There is something important."
Mu Jingrui's face darkened and he quickly stood up and rushed out.
At dawn the next day, Mu Jingrui and Xiao Yujue were discussing the next battle plan together. Outside the military tent, they heard You Zhenzhen's crying voice.
"Your Highness... Your Highness..."
Xiao Yujue and Mu Jingrui looked at each other and both stood up.
You Zhenzhen's hair was disheveled and her steps were unsteady. As soon as she entered the military tent, she fell to the ground with tears streaming down her face.
“Zhenzhen…”
Xiao Yujue immediately stepped forward, helped her up, let her sit on a chair, then took out a handkerchief to wipe her tears.
"Zhenzhen, why are you back? Tell me quickly, what happened?"
You Zhenzhen cried and told the lies she had made up.
"Your Highness... I'm sorry... The eldest princess, Princess An Ning, and my sister... They were all captured. I... I could only pretend to faint and watch them being taken away... Please forgive me, I really had no choice."
"I know. I don't blame you." Xiao Yujue let You Zhenzhen lean on his arms and patted her back gently to comfort her.
Seeing this, Mu Jingrui led the others to retreat.
You Zhenzhen was so tired that she gradually fell asleep in Xiao Yujue's arms.
When she woke up again, it was already after dark.
She saw Xiao Yujue sitting at a desk not far from the bed, quietly reading a book. His profile made her feel dazed for a moment.
"You're awake. Are you hungry?" Xiao Yujue walked over to You Zhenzhen and sat down. He reached out and touched her forehead. "Are you still feeling uncomfortable?"
You Zhenzhen lowered her head and avoided Xiao Yujue's gaze. "I... am indeed a little hungry..."
"I guessed you would be hungry when you woke up, so I have someone prepare a meal for you. It's heating on the stove."
Xiao Yujue helped You Zhenzhen get off the bed and sat down at the table.
You Zhenzhen took a look and whispered, "Your Highness, I don't have much of an appetite. Can you... ask the kitchen to make me a bowl of soup?"
"good."
Xiao Yujue went out and gave instructions to the servants guarding outside, then came back and sat down opposite You Zhenzhen.
"Your Highness, you must be hungry too. These are troubled times, and it would be a shame to throw away so much food. Please eat something."
"Okay." Xiao Yujue picked up the chopsticks and started eating.
You Zhenzhen has been looking at him intently.
"What's wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?" Xiao Yujue smiled and met You Zhenzhen's gaze.
You Zhenzhen lowered her eyelids and smiled softly, saying softly: "Your Highness, I have been married to you for several years, and I have never looked at you carefully..."
"You and I are husband and wife, and we have a long way to go."
After hearing this, You Zhenzhen was not moved at all, but just smiled bitterly.
"No matter how long the time is, you won't give me too many chances. Ever since my sister came into the family, all of your thoughts and attention have been on her."
"Are you jealous?"
"If I tell you that I don't feel anything about this, I'd be lying to you. But..." You Zhenzhen stood up and sighed softly, "Once you get used to it, it won't matter anymore."
"You seem to... have something to say to me." Xiao Yujue put down the chopsticks in his hand, opened the folding fan and waved it gently.
"Your Highness," You Zhenzhen turned around and stared at Xiao Yujue's face, "When I first married you, I wanted to spend my whole life with you, wholeheartedly. Even when you were demoted to a commoner and imprisoned in the Black Bamboo Forest, I had no regrets. But..."
"Those days were the greatest torment for me. You stayed with Mu Jingyan day and night, but what about me? I was like a maid who was supposed to serve you. Obviously, I was your legal wife."
"I'm sorry I ignored your feelings."
"It was from that time that I felt... that I should make plans for myself."
There was a bit more disdain and mockery in You Zhenzhen's eyes when she looked at Mu Jingrui.
"So...what kind of escape route have you left for yourself?"
"Your Highness, you are like a lost dog now. Don't you feel uncomfortable?" You Zhenzhen walked slowly in front of Xiao Yujue, bent down and whispered, "I want to... help you get rid of it."
You Zhenzhen saw that beads of sweat had already appeared on Xiao Yujue's forehead.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
