Chapter 42 (First published on Jinjiang Literature City)
Chapter Forty-Two
Jizhou fell and was captured by the Pei family's army.
However, after Pei Zan plundered the military supplies and baggage of the prefecture and recruited rebels, he did not send anyone to guard the city or take over Jizhou. Instead, he abandoned the city and left.
Zheng Zhiming was puzzled when he learned that Pei Zan had issued a military order to sound the retreat.
"Grand Commander, now that you have captured Ji Province, why not take it over?"
Pei Zan, seated on horseback, gazed at the desolate plains and mountains from the foothills. He narrowed his eyes slightly and said calmly, "Although Jizhou is the vital strategic location of Wei, it is situated in the central part of the country, making it easy to attack but difficult to defend. If we send troops to garrison this place, it will only make us vulnerable to attacks from both sides by the Wei emperor, needlessly wasting our strength. In that case, it would be better to return to the south to recuperate and observe the war situation, waiting for an opportunity to launch a decisive attack on the capital region."
Zheng Zhiming suddenly realized his mistake. He regretted his underestimation of the enemy and the near fall into the trap. He quickly exclaimed, "The Grand Commander is truly far-sighted. I admire him greatly."
Pei Zan didn't say anything more. He withdrew his cold gaze and turned his horse to descend the mountain.
Mo Yu strides confidently, its four hooves sprinting for ten miles.
A hawk flapped its beak and claws, cutting through the wind and spreading its wings, circling around Pei Zan as he galloped wildly on horseback.
When Black Hawk saw Pei Zan, it seemed pleased, and its hook-like beak emitted a series of piercing long cries.
Pei Zan raised his sleeve to receive the attack, but Ren Xinying's sharp claws suddenly grabbed his wrist guard.
Pei Zan casually tore open the letter, but after a brief glance, his dark eyes suddenly turned cold and deep.
The man's face darkened, and several long, white fingers gripped the reins, the thin skin of his hands revealing several prominent, thick veins.
The atmosphere instantly became tense and solemn. Even Zheng Zhiming couldn't help but feel a chill and asked in a low voice, "Grand Commander, is there a problem with the battle report?"
“No,” Pei Zan said coldly. “This time, when we return to the capital, you will lead the army back to the southern camp.”
Zheng Zhiming often led troops back to the city, and his actions were skillful and he would not make any mistakes. However, judging from Pei Zan's words, it seemed that he would not return to the city with the other generals.
Zheng Zhiming frowned: "Where are you going?"
Before he could ask any more questions, Pei Zan had already whipped his horse and left.
Zheng Zhiming was completely baffled.
However, the great victory in the Battle of Jizhou was merely a matter of leading the army back to the city. There was no need for Pei Zan to remain on the battlefield. Since the Grand Commander insisted on leaving, then let him go.
By the time Pei Zan rushed back to Luzhou, half a month had passed since Lin Rong's escape.
When Uncle Feng saw the tall figure in black robes and armor from afar, he was so excited that he became incoherent.
Before Pei Zan could rein in his horse, Uncle Feng knelt down in shame and begged for forgiveness: "This old servant is guilty! This old servant failed to take good care of the young mistress, causing her to disappear from the Buddhist temple. This old servant deserves to die!"
Pei Zan dismounted and loosened the reins. His palm was covered with scabs from the rough leather rope, a testament to his days and nights of riding back to Luzhou.
The man gently stroked the cold Bodhi seed on his wrist with his fingertips, and asked with a deep gaze, "Report everything that happened that day, down to the smallest detail."
Feng Shu agreed.
"That day, I accompanied the young mistress to Putuo Temple to worship Buddha. Because we brought a private army, we didn't want to disturb the other worshippers, so we waited at the temple gate. It wasn't until nightfall that Bihe, the maid who serves the young mistress, suddenly ran out of the temple and told me that she had drunk a cup of tea and fainted, and had lost the young mistress! She had searched everywhere but couldn't find her!"
"But Putuo Temple is surrounded by lakes on three sides and backed by waterfalls. There are no passenger boats, and only a mountain path leads into the temple... The young mistress is afraid of water and could not have crossed the river to leave. So how could she have disappeared? That very night, this old servant led the army to search Putuo Temple from top to bottom, but we couldn't find her anywhere! Even Miss Wu couldn't find the young mistress!"
Pei Zan raised an eyebrow slightly: "Wu Nianzhen?"
Uncle Feng nodded in realization: "That's right! It was Miss Wu who gave us the invitation to go to the mountain to worship Buddha."
"We searched the mountains for two days but found no one. Later, we went to the city gates and passes to inquire, but we couldn't find any news about a young woman moving away... The young lady just disappeared without a trace."
Pei Zan paused, his long fingers grinding the prayer beads. His deep eyes held a menacing aura, and his voice was chilling: "Prepare the carriage. We're going to the Wu family."
-
The Wu family had known for some time that Pei Zan was coming to their residence for a chat, and the entire household was overjoyed.
The servants filed out, setting out rare and exotic herbs, and preparing fine wine and delicacies to warmly entertain this powerful and ruthless hero.
Even Wu Nianzhen, urged by her mother Liu, specially bathed in a fragrant bath infused with osmanthus dew, changed into a newly tailored pink satin jacket embroidered with rare birds and orchids, and paired it with a light yellow gauze skirt.
The girl's black hair was styled into a bun, adorned with a jade Buddha's Hand hairpin with dangling pearls. From afar, she possessed a unique and captivating charm.
Wu Nianzhen was helped to the flower hall by her wet nurse, and she felt uneasy the whole way.
It was simply because the day Pei Zan visited was rather unusual.
Three days ago, the Wu family learned of the great victory in Jizhou and the triumphant return of the Pei family's troops. Logically speaking, even if Pei Zan returned to the city as quickly as possible, it should have been ten days later.
If that's the case, why would Pei Zan appear in Luzhou?
It's as if he had something on his mind and deliberately abandoned the army to rush back to the south ahead of time!
Wu Nianzhen's palms were sweaty. As soon as she entered the flower hall, she saw the handsome man sitting upright, sipping tea.
Pei Zan had already bathed and changed his clothes. He washed away the fishy smell from his body, removed his blood-stained black armor, and put on a light, yellow-green round-necked robe.
The man's black hair was half-tied up, with a bamboo-bone jade hairpin inserted diagonally in his dark hair. His thin eyelids were slightly raised, and his thin lips were lightly pursed, giving him a gentle and elegant demeanor.
Pei Zan, having held a high position for many years, exuded an indifferent yet unapproachable and awe-inspiring aura that made people tremble and fear in his presence.
"Miss Wu, it's been a long time."
Pei Zan curled his lips, the corners of his mouth slightly curved, but the smile did not reach his eyes, instead revealing a chilling coldness that sent shivers down one's spine.
Before Wu Nianzhen could even offer her greetings, Pei Zan waved his hand, ordering everyone to leave and then closed the hall doors.
As the daylight faded, the dining room dimmed instantly, with only a flickering candle flame, like a green ghost's phosphorescent glow, burning into the man's narrow, cold eyes.
Wu Nianzhen and Pei Zan were engaged. Moreover, Pei Zan held a high position and great power. Since he wanted to spend time with his fiancée in private, no servant dared to stop him. Even Liu Shi and Wu Chong were happy to see it happen.
Only Wu Nianzhen looked up in fear, realizing that beneath Pei Zan's gentle demeanor lay a hidden malice.
In the instant the door closed, she caught a glimpse of Pei Zan's smile fade, his eyes cold and sharp, as if he wanted to peel off her skin and dismember her, to slowly torture her to death!
“Governor Pei…” For some reason, Wu Nianzhen suddenly felt afraid of him and couldn’t help but take a step back.
But Pei Zan's gaze was like a thorn in his back, relentlessly pursuing him.
After only a few slow steps, Pei Zan had already approached and was looking down at her.
"Miss Wu...where is Lin Rong?"
Wu Nianzhen and Pei Zan were only an arm's length apart. In the past, she was attracted by the sandalwood scent on his clothes and longed to be intimate with Pei Zan. But now, she realized how ruthless and terrifying this man was, and all she wanted to do was run away!
"Governor Pei's question is strange. How would I know where Lin Rong went?"
Before Wu Nianzhen could refute, she suddenly heard a commotion on the table, and a sharp pain shot through her hand that was supporting herself on the table!
The stench of blood instantly filled the air, blood droplets splattered, and the scent of blood permeated the vast flower hall.
Wu Nianzhen broke out in a cold sweat.
She looked down and was terrified.
Pei Zan, that madman, actually stabbed a dagger that could cut through iron like mud into the back of her hand!
The dagger pierced deep into her bone marrow, like an arrow, pinning Wu Nianzhen to the dining table!
The sharp blade mercilessly sliced through her flesh and severed her meridians.
Wu Nianzhen's eyes were filled with a shocking red, and gushing hot blood gushed out and dripped onto the ground, leaving her stunned.
Wu Nianzhen let out a shrill and painful scream, but there was no response outside the door, and no one dared to come in to save her!
Upon witnessing such a bloody scene, Pei Zan even managed a smile, carefully reminding him, "Don't move around recklessly. If you break your hand bones, this hand will be useless."
Wu Nianzhen was so frightened that tears streamed down her face, completely losing her former beauty. Trembling, she pleaded with Pei Zan, "You can't hurt me like this! I am a woman of the Wu family..."
"Is that so?" Pei Zan looked at her indifferently, and said thoughtfully, "Wu Nianzhen, guess... even if we kill you, what can the Wu family do? It's just the death of one member of the Wu family. Do you think Wu Chong will stand up for you and declare war on me? You should know that the Wu family is ambitious and wants to form an alliance with me through marriage. How could they risk offending the Pei family's troops for a small gain?"
Having said all that, even the most foolish Wu Nianzhen knew she had underestimated Pei Zan. This man was cold-blooded and ruthless, a complete madman, and all his previous warnings came from the bottom of his heart.
If you provoke him, Wu Nien-chen will truly be dismembered!
Pei Zan was never soft-hearted or lenient with people.
Overwhelmed with despair, Wu Nianzhen, drenched in sweat and enduring the pain, pleaded with him, "Grand Commander, please spare my life... I beg you!"
Wu Nianzhen glanced at the hideous scars on her hand. She knew that if she continued to bleed like this and didn't receive timely help, she would really lose an arm, be tortured and killed, and die a terrible death.
Wu Nianzhen dared not hide anything. She broke down and said, "Lin Rong has run away! She doesn't want to be a concubine. She asked me to prepare horses and money for her. She escaped by crossing the river from Putuo Temple!"
Upon hearing the words "crossing the river," Pei Zan's malice intensified. The man lowered his long eyelashes, suppressing the wicked thought of grinding Lin Rong to dust, and calmly asked, "Where are you fleeing to? Since she has gone out to escape, she must have prepared a travel permit."
Knowing that Pei Zan was a meticulous plan, Wu Nianzhen dared not conceal anything: "It's Shaozhou. I prepared a travel permit for her to visit relatives in Shaozhou. Governor Pei, that's all I know... Please, please let me go!"
Wu Nianzhen had no idea what was written on Lin Rong's travel permit. She only knew that Lin Rong had asked for a travel permit to Shaozhou, so she had someone prepare one for Lin Rong... If Pei Zan hadn't forced her, Wu Nianzhen might not have even remembered that Lin Rong had asked for a travel permit to Shaozhou!
Pei Zan raised an eyebrow and approached with a flick of his sleeve. He tightened his grip on the dagger with his long fingers, showing no mercy as he swiftly pulled out the sharp blade.
Pei Zan casually brushed away the crimson stain on the cold blade. "Congratulations, at least you've survived."
Wu Nianzhen was so frightened that she almost lost her mind. She covered Bobo's bleeding arm and collapsed to the ground with a huge sense of relief.
A crack was opened in the door, and light streamed into the house.
Wu Nianzhen thought Pei Zan was leaving, and her heart filled with hope. Overjoyed, she wept.
But just then, the door slammed shut again.
It fits together perfectly.
A loud bang startled Wu Nianzhen, leaving her frozen in shock.
She looked up, trembling, and watched Pei Zan turn around and step back.
Pei Zan lowered his head and looked down at Wu Nianzhen with a contemptuous gaze, as if she were an ant.
“You’re not stupid…you wouldn’t let my concubine go on your own. If that’s the case, why did you suddenly have the kindness to help her escape? Wu Nianzhen, I know you’re vain, greedy for wealth, jealous, and petty…how could you be swayed by Lin Rong’s few pleas?”
Wu Nianzhen: "I..."
Pei Zan's patience ran out: "Wu Nianzhen, I'll give you three breaths. Tell me, what other deals are there between you? If you lie, I'll chop you up and feed you to the dogs."
At that moment, Wu Nianzhen's beautiful eyes widened.
She was confused. How could she have been bewitched by Pei Zan's beautiful appearance and fallen in love with him? Pei Zan was not a gentleman at all; he was clearly a demon in human skin.
Wu Nianzhen huddled together, knowing she had nowhere to retreat.
Wu Nianzhen moved her parched lips, hesitated for a long time, and finally stammered out: "The... the infertility drug... Lin Rong is willing to drink the infertility drug in order to seek a way out..."
"So that's how it is."
A medicine for preventing the birth of offspring, what a wonderful medicine for preventing the birth of offspring.
Wu Nianzhen deserves to die for making Lin Rong drink such a poisonous soup!
"Did you force her to drink the medicine?" Pei Zan's thin lips moved slightly, uttering a few horrifying words.
Wu Nianzhen hurriedly defended herself: "No, no! It wasn't me! She wanted to drink it herself! She didn't want to get pregnant with your child, she wanted to drink it, what does it have to do with me!"
Pei Zan would not believe Wu Nianzhen's one-sided story.
"Whether it was Lin Rong's request or your coercion that made her drink the soup, since you are determined to cut off my concubine's offspring, as her husband, I should repay you in kind."
Since Wu Nianzhen has committed evil deeds, she should swallow the bitter consequences.
Pei Zan was always fair and impartial, and never showed any favoritism.
Pei Zan clapped his hands and called out, "Someone come here!"
The door swung open, and several burly old women barged in.
Working together, they pinned Wu Nianzhen's arms down to the ground.
"Brew a bowl of 'soup for childlessness' and feed it to Miss Wu." Pei Zan lifted his eyelids slightly and stepped out the door.
Upon hearing these words, Wu Nianzhen felt her vision go black and nearly fainted.
Wu Nianzhen cried out helplessly, "Governor Pei! Pei Zan! You can't do this to me! Pei Zan!! I can't be childless!!"
Pei Zan ignored him, walking further and further away, cruelly fading from Wu Nianzhen's sight.
Wu Nianzhen was unable to resist. She couldn't understand how anyone could force her to swallow such harmful medicine when she was giving birth to her own child!
Wu Nianzhen was terrified of the cold. She tried to run away, but as she stood up, someone grabbed her shoulders and pressed her down heavily.
Wu Nianzhen was unable to move. She looked desperately at the bowl of hot soup that had been cooked, which was then slowly brought to her lips...
Pei Zan ultimately spared Wu Chong's feelings; despite his murderous intent, he did not kill Wu Nianzhen.
After all, it was the Wu family's fault for failing to properly educate their daughter, and Wu Chong should handle such family matters.
It's likely that the Wu family will give Pei Zan a satisfactory answer in order to appease him.
Two days later, news spread from the Wu family that the engagement had been dissolved.
Although the marriage between Wu and Pei Zan was called off, Pei Zan adopted Wu's fourth daughter as his sworn sister and married her to one of his trusted generals. In this way, he could be considered to have a kinship relationship with Wu and form an alliance through marriage.
Although Wu Chong felt regretful, he was also relieved that at least the Wu family hadn't fallen out with Pei Zan.
I only hate that Wu San Niang, that fool, for always causing trouble.
Now look what happened, everything's gone, I didn't even get the wife's position, I really regret it!
Back at the government office, Pei Zan picked up his brush and painted a portrait of a beautiful young woman. He not only issued a warrant for her arrest but also commissioned painters to make thousands of copies of her portrait, offering a reward of ten thousand taels of silver to be posted throughout the country, hoping to find the fugitive as soon as possible.
In addition, Pei Zan issued an imperial edict ordering the six prefectures in the south to thoroughly investigate all refugees and civilians who had passed through ferry crossings and passes within the past month, especially the official roads and waterways from Luzhou to Shaozhou.
For any suspicious stranger, regardless of gender, even if their appearance is not right, the birthmarks on their shoulders and neck should be checked.
Those born with plum blossom birthmarks were imprisoned and closely guarded until Pei Zan personally went to the prison to verify the appearance of the fugitives.
Pei Zan pressed his temple and ordered his subordinates in a deep voice: "When verifying the true identity of a fugitive, no man may approach; only women may undress to examine him... In addition, we must investigate the canals and waterways of all prefectures, from large passenger ships to small fishing boats, and make sure they are all accounted for. Also, send people to the local government offices and private brokers to keep watch and see if any newcomers have rented houses this month. Even those who have stayed in the homes of relatives or the refugees who have stayed in abandoned temples must be investigated one by one."
It's a pity that Shaozhou is not under Pei Zan's jurisdiction, so it would be very inconvenient to carry out any actions there.
But it doesn't matter, he will fight wherever Lin Rong runs.
"Lin Rong, I told you."
Pei Zan's phoenix eyes held a fierce look, his expression chilling. The suppressed anger burned intensely in his chest, threatening to incinerate him.
Her slender fingers flew across the blade, deftly manipulating its gleaming edge.
"If you flee... I will definitely kill you."
Author's Note: This is Thursday's update. I'm going out on Thursday, so Friday's update will be before midnight on Friday. [hugs]
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