Chapter 31 Making a Fool of Oneself
No sooner had she finished speaking than a group of Hu people headed straight for Yu Wanyin.
Large boulders have rolled down the newly opened mountain path.
The shock jolted Qing Song awake from her sleep.
She jumped up immediately, and before she could even lift the curtain, she heard the arrogant sounds of the Hu people attacking outside.
Qing Song didn't dare touch the curtain, and retreated repeatedly, grabbing Yu Wanyin's sleeve. "Madam, this is..."
In fact, Yu Wanyin didn't need to answer; the sounds outside already indicated their current situation.
Yu Wanyin's breathing was slightly disordered.
Before she could speak, the Hu people on horseback deliberately rammed into their carriage!
He kicked the frame!
The carriage shook violently from the impact and crashed into a stone wall.
Yu Wanyin stumbled and fell to the corner of the carriage.
Qing Song had just regained consciousness when she was startled by the sudden chaos and screamed.
The woman's screams only provoked the Hu people outside the carriage.
The wicked laughter of the Hu people rang out from outside the carriage, sending shivers down one's spine.
Qing Song was so frightened that she immediately covered her mouth and dared not utter another sound.
Yu Wanyin calmed down, immediately leaned forward, opened the bedside cabinet, and rummaged through the drawers looking for something.
During a lull in the Deadpool's fight with the Hu people, the Hu people seized the opportunity to provoke them again by ramming into their carriage.
The violent shaking caused the contents of the cabinet to spill all over the floor.
It rolled around on the floor with a gurgling sound.
Yu Wanyin lost her balance and fell onto the bedding again.
Even with the bedding as cushioning, the intense shaking in this cramped space made her feel as if her entire body was about to be shattered, and she couldn't straighten up for a long time.
Deadpool's blade slid across the barbarian's neck, splattering blood onto the carriage curtain. Large patches of dark red blood could be seen from inside the carriage.
The curtains are layered upon layer.
There were even a few drops of blood that trickled down the curtain and spilled into the car.
The car was filled with the stench of blood.
After recovering, Yu Wanyin went to search for things again.
Qing Song quickly stepped forward to help, "Madam, what are you looking for?"
Yu Wanyin examined the porcelain bottle in her hand and handed it to Qing Song, saying, "This is for self-defense."
Yu Wanyin then picked up a bottle of hair oil for combing.
Qingsong opened the bottle and took a sniff.
Before she could even realize what was inside...
The Hu people had already bypassed the dead servants, stood at the front of the chariot, and started fighting with Chao Yue.
The violent shaking caused Qingsong to fall to the ground again.
Chao Yue was slightly better in skill, kicking the Hu man off the carriage and whipping him hard. The carriage sped up instantly, shaking off the Hu men who tried to get on.
They broke through the encirclement.
With Deadpools clearing a path around them, they were outnumbered but managed to hold out for a while.
The carriage sped along the mountain road.
The Hu people followed closely behind.
Yu Wanyin could hear the clatter of hooves as the soldiers arrived.
Frequent and rapid, like dense drumbeats striking her heart.
Suddenly, there was a loud thud from the back of the carriage.
Yu Wanyin turned around and saw a long metal arrow pierce through the wooden plank behind the carriage!
With another sharp "thud," another arrow was nailed to the wooden board. Yu Wanyin had a bad feeling; the sound of arrows flying became increasingly frequent.
The wooden planks at the back of the carriage began to crack from the frequent destructive force, and after another volley of arrows, they became teetering on the brink of collapse.
Immediately afterwards, a metal wolf claw flew straight in from behind, piercing into the interior of the carriage, and then the claws opened and gripped the carriage frame tightly!
A sharp tug followed, causing the carriage to lurch.
The Hu general leading the carriage was about to leap onto it, holding onto a hemp rope, when the rope he was using for leverage was suddenly cut by Chao Yue.
Chao Yue called out, "Qing Song, take the lady and continue on your way."
After saying that, he jumped off the carriage to meet the challenge.
Qing Song quickly replied, "Okay."
Then he staggered to the front of the carriage and took control of the reins.
It was quite difficult for Chao Yue to deal with so many Hu people attacking him all by himself.
Through the crack in the back of the carriage, Yu Wanyin saw that some Hu people were still crossing the Chaoyue River and heading towards them.
Chao Yue tried to stop them, but was quickly dragged to the spot by the surrounding Hu people.
Their goal is clear.
It's her.
The thoroughbred horse pulling the cart hadn't rested for a day and a night, so even if it ran, it wouldn't be able to run fast now.
Yu Wanyin watched as the distance drew closer and closer, and they were about to be caught up again.
The consequences for her and Qingsong, two girls, if they were blocked on the carriage by the Hu people, are unimaginable.
Yu Wanyin paused for a moment, then immediately propped herself up and stepped forward.
They had just run over the cliff and turned into a dense forest.
In the dead of night, the lush forest and dark shadows gathered to form a bottomless abyss.
The carriage was caught by chains and claws again!
Qing Song was not as strong as Chao Yue, and the carriage and the people inside shook violently.
The Hu people behind them used the momentum to get onto the carriage.
Without thinking twice, Yu Wanyin quickly grabbed Qingsong and jumped off the carriage.
It was autumn, and the ground was covered with weeds and fallen leaves.
It's unlikely that you'll get injured from the fall.
Yu Wanyin steadied herself and led Qing Song into the depths of the dense forest.
Qingsong was a step too slow and was grabbed by the arm by the Hu people who caught up from behind!
Qing Song suddenly raised his sleeves.
The porcelain bottle hidden in the sleeve instantly spilled out a large amount of pepper powder.
The Hu man who grabbed him was caught off guard and took a big gulp, his nose and eyes immediately filled with an undeniable spicy stimulation.
My eyes felt like they were being pierced by tiny needles, a sharp, burning pain.
Even breathing felt sharp and painful, and he cursed under his breath.
Qing Song shook off his hand and ran forward with Yu Wanyin.
The Hu people behind them immediately dispersed the choking powder and mist around them and chased after them.
Unexpectedly, the people running ahead were splashed with something wet by Yu Wanyin.
Several men tried to wipe the stuff off their bodies, but the more they wiped, the more it got stuck everywhere.
It even has a faint floral fragrance.
Before they could even wonder...
Yu Wanyin raised her hand and threw a tinderbox over.
The fragrant breeze stirred by the lifted sleeves, mixed with the warmth of the flames, instantly ignited the group!
A gasp suddenly rang out!
"It's oil!"
The fireball shot straight up, burning ever brighter and brighter, connecting with the surrounding withered branches and leaves.
The group frantically tried to extinguish the flames on their bodies, scratching and clawing wildly, and searching for help everywhere.
The soldiers who tried to charge forward were forced to retreat by the flames burning their comrades.
They all tried to avoid the erratic fireballs.
Until someone shouted, "Quick, chase after them!"
Only then did everyone remember their real business.
The Hu people in front, armed with knives, spears, clubs, and swords, drove away their burning companions and fanned the ground to extinguish the flames on their bodies.
The people behind hurried past through the cleared path.
It was completely dark now, and you couldn't see your hand in front of your face in the jungle.
If you run a little further away, you won't easily see it.
Yu Wanyin pulled Qingsong and hid in the mountains and forests.
In terms of physical strength, they were no match for a group of Hu people.
They can only try to take roundabout routes and hide.
This approach is more like a death throes, but they can't just sit and wait to die.
Yu Wanyin ran with Qing Song for an unknown amount of time before she finally had to stop due to exhaustion.
They hid in the shade of a patch of vines and bushes.
Yu Wanyin's chest heaved violently, and she felt short of breath and tightness in her chest. Fine beads of cold sweat covered her forehead.
Such intensity was clearly beyond her capacity to withstand.
Before they could even rest for a quarter of an hour, they could still hear the footsteps of pursuers behind them.
The pursuers' voices were hidden in the mountains and forests, blocked by withered branches and leaves. Although they hadn't found them yet, it was only a matter of time before they were.
After a moment's pause, Yu Wanyin grabbed Qing Song and said, "I probably can't escape with this body."
“They’re looking for me. You’ll only be captured here in vain. While there’s still time, you should leave.”
Qing Song immediately refused, "No way."
“You didn’t leave for nothing. Go out and find the Prime Minister and tell him about our current situation…” Before Yu Wanyin could finish speaking, Qing Song walked away.
Yu Wanyin had no choice but to call out to her, "Listen to me..."
Qing Song leaned out to look at the pursuers' figures. "This time, Qing Song will not listen to Madam."
"I cannot abandon my wife, just as she cannot abandon me."
As soon as she finished speaking, she entered the Hu people's field of vision, trying to draw away the pursuers.
Yu Wanyin was shocked and tried to get up, but she was too weak to stand up straight and could only lean against the tree trunk.
Hearing the commotion, the Hu people pointed in Qing Song's direction and exclaimed, "He's there!"
Immediately afterwards, a large group of people chased after the direction Qing Song had left in.
Yu Wanyin's heart was in her throat, and she was so anxious that she was at a loss.
How could she...?
A large number of troops rushed towards Qingsong.
Soon the area became completely empty.
After catching her breath, Yu Wanyin had no choice but to force herself to stand up.
She had to find someone; she had to find someone quickly to contact Chu Yu so that there was any hope of rescuing Qing Song and the others.
Yu Wanyin took a deep breath and quickly walked outside.
Her steps were unsteady and unsteady.
Qing Song, that silly child, should also know in her heart that her chances of success are far greater than if she went out herself.
But often, people can't be too rational.
They didn't even consider the odds of winning.
By the time Yu Wanyin found the way down the mountain, it was already dawn.
She quickened her pace, and when she saw the exit at the foot of the mountain, she was shocked to find that the exit was shrouded in shadow.
The towering figures of the Hu people, as tall as mountain walls, stretched out at the foot of the mountain, forming a barrier.
The entire mountainous area was surrounded by Hu troops.
Yu Wanyin stopped in her tracks and turned around, intending to go back.
The light and shadow in front of them were once again covered by someone.
Behind her were the Hu soldiers who had pursued her the night before!
Qing Song was tied to the horse's back, her mouth was gagged, and a long knife was pressed against her neck.
It seems like a threat.
The leading Hu general stared at her with unrestrained eyes.
The beauty of Xiao Yu in Shang'an City is better seen than heard of.
With skin as white as ice and bones as white as jade, and a face as beautiful as a flower.
Even while fleeing, dressed in a moon-white robe and covered in dust, she looked like a fairy who had been touched by the dust of the mortal world.
The dust only accentuated her radiance.
It makes you want to make her even dirtier.
His Adam's apple bobbed. "Prime Minister's wife, our monarch requests your presence."
As he spoke, he moved the long sword in his hand up an inch and pressed it against Qing Song's throat.
Before Yu Wanyin could answer, the surrounding soldiers immediately stepped forward and escorted her to the general's carriage.
Yu Wanyin was practically thrown in by force.
She fell so hard that it felt like her bones were about to break.
Soon Qing Song was also thrown in.
Yu Wanyin was not tied up, probably because she expected that weak women like them would not be able to escape from a group of men, even if they had wings.
Yu Wanyin took the opportunity to loosen Qing Song's ropes.
With tears blurring her vision and filled with remorse, Qing Song said, "Madam, I'm sorry."
"It's not easy to get out of here, so it's good that you're alright now."
If you can't escape it, not struggling is one thing, but if you struggle and find that you can't change it, at least you won't regret it.
"Do your best and leave the rest to fate."
Yu Wanyin thought to herself that her fate had always been bad.
Luck isn't something you can claim to be unlucky without doing anything.
They did everything, only to find they were just a bit unlucky.
Therefore, she didn't run away, and she wasn't too disappointed.
Qingsong sat to the side with red eyes, listening to the laughter and conversation of the Hu people outside, which gave her goosebumps all over her body.
It would be a lie to say I wasn't afraid.
Just because things are fine now doesn't mean they'll always be fine.
She had just seen the wolfish gazes of those Hu people.
These men, who were constantly on the march, suddenly grabbed a woman.
A beauty like Madam is still the best.
The general's eyes were practically glued to the lady.
Qing Song dared not even imagine how the lady would be treated once they arrived at the Hu people's camp.
As dawn broke, the flames of war that had raged for a day and a night at Qinggupo gradually subsided.
The valley was littered with corpses, and there were severed limbs and ruins everywhere. Only a few soldiers and armored men were still fighting against the Hu people.
Amidst the bloodshed, the carriages and luggage that had been on their way were scattered haphazardly on the ground.
The carriages and horses around them had been torn apart by the Hu people's attack, and many corpses were hanging on the carriages, right in front of Yu Heyue!
Yu Heyue hid in the protective circle formed by her small carriage and the trees beside her.
The maid's corpse was right next to her, but she dared not move or leave the place.
Yu Heyue was covered in blood and numbly covered her ears.
But all he could hear were the continuous sounds of fighting and the screams of his own people.
There were even low, excited roars from the Hu people as they killed their enemies.
Yu Heyue's body trembled uncontrollably, and she closed her eyes, trying to shut herself out of everything.
But it was all in vain.
This day and night was like a cruel torture, slowly torturing her fragile nerves.
When the incident occurred, Yu Heyue immediately searched for her father and mother.
When she heard someone say that her father and mother had changed their route and left long ago, Yu Heyue remembered the night of rebellion several months ago.
That night was just as bloody and violent.
She followed her father and mother and escaped from the palace ahead of time, but she did not take Yu Wanyin with her.
They abandoned her then.
Just like abandoning myself now.
It turns out I'm nothing special; I'm just something you can easily discard in a life-or-death situation.
Yu Heyue went from being indignant, shocked, and disappointed to feeling utterly hopeless.
She suddenly understood what Yu Wanyin had said.
"With the Northern Chi invasion imminent, it would be quite pointless for us to argue about trivial matters in the backyard."
She never understood that life should be something you earn through your own efforts.
From a young age, she fought for her parents' love from her younger brother. When Yu Shao was naughty, she was obedient.
When Yu Shao was negligent, she was considerate.
She didn't want to end up like Yu Wanyin, abandoned in the backyard, a desolate place where no one even remembered her during holidays.
Even when ill, they receive no care; servants must wait on the master's face to serve him.
The money spent on medicine was used to buy substandard medicine, and the servants embezzled the profits, so Yu Wanyin always took a long time to recover from her illness.
When asked, she said it was her own weakness.
Even if she fights, what good will it do? Even her father would give his daughter highly toxic drugs just to save face, so who would care?
Even the strongest and healthiest people can't withstand such physical strain.
She always felt that in this family, the consequence of not fighting for yourself was that you wouldn't be valued.
Whatever benefits are offered to her father, he will give his daughter away as a favor, and he will give her to anyone.
But she has been fighting for it for over a decade.
What difference is there between everything I've gained and what my elder sister has?
Her current situation is no different from that of her elder sister when she was abandoned in the palace.
She was so glad at the time that she wasn't the one who was abandoned, but now she realizes how ridiculous she was back then.
It's really boring.
But she found out too late.
Suddenly, a sharp gust of wind swept past from the side, directly lifting the curtain of the carriage beside her!
Yu Heyue was startled for a moment, and her body shrank back in shock.
However, she still couldn't avoid being completely exposed to the Hu people's gaze.
The blood-stained knife tip lifted her chin.
Yu Heyue saw a burly, nomadic general looking down at her.
That gaze was unrestrained and arrogant.
*
The Hu troops regrouped at the foot of the mountain.
They gained no advantage from this ambush; instead, they suffered heavy losses.
The Hu general did not show much joy on his face.
Because they all knew that Chu Yu had set up an ambush.
The killing of a bunch of useless court officials and the sending away of the useful ones by Chu Yu may have affected the foundation of Yingzhou, but it did not shake the progress of the relocation of the capital.
The biggest gain was killing Chu Yu and capturing his wife.
But this gain, like the evidence for indictment, resulted in the loss of tens of thousands of soldiers despite accomplishing so little.
The more the Hu general pondered, the darker his face became.
As dawn broke and the sun hung high in the sky, the earth became scorching hot, and even people's tempers seemed to intensify.
Soldiers patrolled the area, checking if the two women inside the carriage were acting strangely.
He simply tore open the collar of his armor and went to the stream to wash his face.
The early autumn heat makes people restless.
His lieutenant, while stealing glances at the woman's icy, aloof beauty, leaned closer with a sly look on his face. "General, can we... have the one we captured tonight...?"
The man, his cheeks still damp with water, glanced at his lieutenant and said, "I'd like to."
The man cursed a few times, his anger flaring even more. "If our expedition goes smoothly this time, we can do whatever we want with them."
"But look at how many brothers we've lost. This is all we can offer the monarch when we get back."
The man let out a heavy sigh, "Give up on this idea. We can keep that beauty for the monarch; she can still help him relieve his pent-up desires."
“If the monarch can make things difficult for her, then we can avoid making things difficult for him,” he tossed the coarse cloth he used to wipe his hands to his lieutenant, “so that neither of us can end up in trouble.”
“She’s already married,” the lieutenant said, still unwilling to give up. “There’s really nothing to see. This is something only heaven, earth, you, and I know.”
The Hu general turned back, pointed at his nose, and said sternly, "You dare to send the monarch someone you've touched? You may not want your head, but I do."
"I'm warning you, don't do anything reckless."
The lieutenant fell silent, and as he watched him leave, he curled his lip in disdain. "His courage is so small, no wonder he suffered such heavy losses this time."
He turned his head and couldn't help but look at the carriages and horses over there. His mouth went dry and he couldn't help but swallow.
Yu Wanyin huddled inside the carriage, her heart tightening with each passing moment.
Prisoners of war have never had a good ending.
Especially women during times of war.
She was even a little afraid of the dark at this moment, and dared not think about what would happen after nightfall.
Yu Wanyin touched her hair and pulled out a plain hairpin.
If something were to happen, wouldn't it be better to end it all?
But she was unwilling to give up.
Why is it that no matter what she does, she remains the same from childhood to adulthood?
She seemed to be swept up in a desolate and chaotic era, insignificant and helpless, unable to change her fate of being swept to the bottom of the valley by the torrent.
Qing Song's eyes were red from crying. She looked up and saw Yu Wanyin staring blankly at a plain hairpin. She then found a hairpin for herself.
If that doesn't work, she should just leave with the lady.
Qing Song then remembered the extremely unlucky fortune slip that Yu Wanyin had drawn at Fengtian Temple, a slip that foretelled the destruction of her family and the loss of her loved ones.
She breathed a sigh of relief.
The current situation is exactly the same as the fortune slip.
The old abbot even tried to coax them, saying that the lady was a virtuous person who could turn misfortune into good fortune and that there would be a way out.
What good are the lady's good deeds? Where is that so-called turning point?
Qing Song remained heartbroken for a long time, when some noise and commotion came from outside.
Interspersed among them was the clear voice of a child from the Central Plains.
"I know the way to Huinan. Do you want me to take you there?"
Qing Song frowned, becoming increasingly uneasy. She secretly lifted the curtain to peek out.
They saw a dusty-faced boy, chatting and laughing with the Hu people.
The boy held up five fingers and said, "If I lead the way, five taels of silver will suffice."
Qing Song was furious. "Don't these people of Yingzhou know that the Hu people are here to attack? Why are they leading the way?!"
"These people can buy off their own people for just five taels of silver..."
Yu Wanyin followed Qing Song's gaze.
When he saw who it was, he suddenly froze.
Yu Wanyin suddenly put down the hairpin in her hand and hurriedly stepped forward to take a closer look.
The young man outside was quick-witted and soon negotiated a price with the Hu people, saying he would take them out of this mountain forest.
“You’ve come to the right place. I live right here, and nobody knows which road is safe and easy to navigate better than me.”
The Hu people praised her for being sensible and handed over the carriages, horses, and compass to her.
The young man accepted it rather obsequiously, and his eyes immediately caught sight of Yu Wanyin in the carriage over there.
The moment she looked over, Yu Wanyin confirmed it again.
That's Azheng.
Azheng only glanced at her before turning back to chat with the Hu people.
The Hu general sized her up. "You brat, aren't you afraid of us?"
"If you pay me, you're the boss. I'll do anything for you." Ah Zheng carefully put away the silver.
The surrounding Hu people laughed loudly at her appearance, saying, "If you get things done, you'll be rewarded."
They sat together and chatted, and A-Zheng quickly became one of them.
When it was time to set off, Azheng volunteered to walk in front, and turned back to fawn over the Hu general, saying, "The road ahead is sunny and will be a bit hot."
"But don't worry, sir. There's a Moon Lake about an hour or two away. It's quite cool there, and you can rest there at noon."
The Hu general agreed.
The mountain road was indeed dry and hot, leaving the soldiers exhausted.
Not long after rounding the mountain, layers of cool mountain shade began to descend.
Azheng led them to rest.
The Hu people praised her for leading the way well.
At lunchtime, the lieutenant was carrying two meals, preparing to deliver them to the carriage.
They had only taken a couple of steps when they were stopped by a Hu general. "Where are you going?"
The lieutenant grinned slyly, "Go and deliver some food to that lady."
"Don't go." The Hu general casually stuffed some food into Azheng's hand. "You're good at handling things. Go and deliver food to the two people in that carriage, and keep an eye on them."
"Okay." Ah Zheng led the way and walked towards the carriage.
The lieutenant's plan was thwarted again, and his face immediately fell. "Was it really necessary?"
He said that and walked away.
When A-Zheng leaned into the carriage, the two people inside were startled.
Qing Song stood in front of Yu Wanyin, "What are you doing?"
"Bringing food, bringing food." A-Zheng placed the food in front of them, then sat down cross-legged. "What can I do?"
Qing Song didn't believe her and subconsciously turned to see Yu Wanyin's reaction.
Unexpectedly, Yu Wanyin remained calm. "What are you doing here?"
Ah Zheng smiled and said, "I fled here because I was with your group a long time ago. When I saw you changed your route, I followed you here too."
Yu Wanyin remembered that some of the common people followed the imperial court's procession.
But I never expected that Ah Zheng was inside too.
Qing Song's gaze swept back and forth between them. "Madam, do you know her?"
"Hey, don't talk nonsense." Ah Zheng peeked outside. "It would be terrible if someone heard us."
However, no one was paying attention to this at the moment.
A-Zheng picked up her rice, took a bite, and whispered to Yu Wanyin, "When I was pursuing you, I saw your husband."
Upon hearing those two words, Yu Wanyin snapped back to reality.
In the heat of the moment, Yu Wanyin didn't think it through and subconsciously assumed it was Chu Yu.
She hadn't felt much affection for Chu Yu before, but hearing his name at this critical moment still moved her. "You really saw him?"
"I saw it from afar, but I didn't dare to recognize it."
“I know where they are. I’ll lead the way, which will help Madam get there.” Ah Zheng never expected that the fierce-looking man was actually a bandit king.
"How could a bandit king have such a weak and feeble wife?" "Don't worry, I will definitely take my wife out and reunite you two as a couple."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com