Chapter 110 On the Road
It was almost noon when Shen Yuexi and Xiao Zhuo rode in a carriage together, driven by a coachman, and drove out of Langya Pass.
In the slightly shaking carriage, Shen Yuexi sat opposite, staring at Xiao Zhuo who was sitting upright, trying to detect a hint of uneasiness or nervousness from his expression or posture.
She couldn't figure out how Xiao Zhuo managed to remain calm when everyone was so nervous.
Before leaving, everyone in the tent had a huge quarrel.
Meng Yue said that the prince of Xiliang had openly threatened him, and his lord must take him with him. If Mei Pu had any evil intentions, he would fight to the death to protect his lord and his wife and escape the barracks.
Not only did Shen Yuexi think this method wasn't feasible, but he wasn't allowed to go. Secondly, Meng Yue was already injured, so he probably wouldn't be able to move much in the enemy camp.
Xiao Zhuo also shook his head in disagreement.
Qiu Liming worried that the Prince of Xiliang had already prepared swordsmen outside the tent. Mei Pu threw a cup as a signal for his master to arrive. Five hundred swordsmen rushed forward, and even ten Meng Yues plus him couldn't protect the master. It would be better to turn the tables and invite them to be guests.
Shen Yuexi thought this method was feasible, but Xiao Zhuo shook his head to express his disagreement.
Song Zhen walked back and forth in the tent for dozens of times and thought for a long time. He decided that the safest strategy was to escape secretly with 500 soldiers before noon.
In the previous battle, we captured many Xirong army horses. We can escape on horseback. Even if the Xiliang army finds us, it will be too late to pursue us. Besides, the Xiliang army is not like the Xirong foreign tribes. They will not embarrass the villagers of Xiaogang Village.
Shen Yuexi felt that a military advisor was a good idea. Xiao Zhuo had previously defended Langya Pass to protect the villagers of Xiaogang Village. Now that Xiaogang Village was no longer in danger, a true man could bend and stretch, and there was no shame in escaping.
Xiao Zhuo still disagreed.
"Yuexi and I will go, you guys stay here, don't worry." He said lightly, then pulled Shen Yuexi out of the tent.
Everyone was stunned.
Xiao Zhuo not only left his sword at home, but also the chain mail made by Shen Yuexi. He only wore a light white robe.
Shen Yuexi was not as calm as Xiao Zhuo. She was very nervous.
After Mrs. Li's narration of Meipu and her story, she understood everything. She didn't want to go, but Xiao Zhuo decided to go, so she followed him without saying a word.
Xiao Zhuo was her protector, a fact she had proven countless times. From escaping on a rainy night, killing a tiger in Daliang Village, to dueling Xiao Beiheng, five hundred versus ten thousand... no matter what predicament she faced, as long as Xiao Zhuo was by her side, she could turn danger into safety.
This was the most powerful man she had ever met. Not only was his fighting ability extremely high, but he was also invincible in battle, with a meticulous plan. Sometimes she even had the illusion that even if she followed Xiao Zhuo into the face of an army of thousands, she would be safe.
This mentality wasn't unique to her; the villagers of Xiaogang Village shared it. Even with the 10,000-strong Western Rong army approaching, Xiao Zhuo's men only numbered 500. Everyone simply trusted their Master Pei, and the outcome was a safe one.
Perhaps this is the powerful charm that a prince should have.
The only thing that puzzled her was how Xiao Zhuo could remain so calm in the face of danger. In her opinion, fear and anxiety were emotions that could not be concealed. Just like now, the tension in her heart was lingering.
She believed that if she paid close attention, she would be able to discern something from the subtle hints in Xiao Zhuo's expression. So from the moment she got into the carriage, she kept staring at Xiao Zhuo until his jade-like cheeks flushed.
Xiao Zhuo glanced at her, lowered his eyes, and entered into meditation like a monk.
Shen Yuexi would not grant his wish and reached out a hand to touch his chest. Xiao Zhuo moved slightly, raised his eyes and said, "Yuexi, what are you doing?"
"Want to see if you're human?"
"Of course I'm a human." Xiao Zhuo's expression was a little helpless. "Why do you have such a strange idea?"
Shen Yuexi felt that her hands were not clear, so she simply leaned forward and put her ear directly to Xiao Zhuo's chest and said, "If it were a real person, we would go to the Xiliang camp. Why aren't you afraid at all?"
Something hard was pressing against her ear. She shifted her position and pressed it against it.
It was Xiao Zhuo's jade pendant. Earlier, when they were escaping, Xiao Zhuo had tried to pawn it for money. Fortunately, she had been able to exchange the tiger skin for silver, so she was able to keep the jade pendant. She had specially tied it to his chest with a thin red silk string.
Xiao Zhuo's chest was heaving, and the clear and powerful heartbeat reached her ears through his clothes.
"I am the crown prince, a role model for all the people in the world."
Shen Yuexi raised her head, wanting to say something but stopping herself.
She could understand what Xiao Zhuo meant. This was also something she had always been reluctant to discuss with Xiao Zhuo. She didn't want Xiao Zhuo to recall these unpleasant memories.
"I didn't use witchcraft to frame my father. I am innocent." Xiao Zhuo reached out and touched the top of her head. "Whether deposed or not, I am the Crown Prince of Dayan. One day, I will restore my original status and return to the capital with dignity."
"Then... why don't you write a letter to the emperor?" Since Xiao Zhuo was willing to talk about these things, she could discuss it in detail.
From what she knew about history, people who had been wronged often wrote letters to seek justice. Some failed, some succeeded, but at least it was worth a try.
"I did think so. But after I knew he wanted to kill me, I gave up the idea." Xiao Zhuo moved his hand to her shoulder and held her in his arms. "Only when I can talk to him on an equal footing can he listen to me."
"I understand, husband."
Shen Yuexi understood everything at once.
Xiao Zhuo came to the borderland not only to avoid being hunted down, but also to use this opportunity to develop his own strength.
If he believed he was wronged and went to see Emperor Yongde regardless of the consequences, he would only be killed. The only way to protect himself was to possess a military force that even the emperor could not underestimate. When the other party could no longer manipulate him, dialogue would naturally become possible.
Going to meet the Prince of Xiliang was an important step taken by Xiao Zhuo.
It is obvious that his words carry no weight if he only relies on the 500 soldiers at hand. The troops of the King of Xiliang are what Xiao Zhuo wants to rely on.
He had previously fought against ten thousand Western Rong troops with only five hundred soldiers, refusing to retreat. This was to prove his strength and build his reputation. If he fled, not only would the local people lose their confidence in him, but the King of Western Liang would also think he was incompetent and look down on him.
Now Xiao Zhuo has the capital to negotiate with others.
"My lord, my lady, we are here." The coachman's voice sounded outside.
"We'll talk about this later," Xiao Zhuo opened the car door and got out first, then stood by the door and stretched out his arm: "Yue Xi."
Shen Yuexi was about to stand up when she felt something was wrong. She quickly picked up the mirror next to her and looked at herself again to see if she had done anything wrong.
She had previously worn men's clothing for ease of use during battle. Now, as she was about to enter the Xiliang Army camp to meet Meipu, she couldn't be too casual. She deliberately changed into a blue dress.
She held Xiao Zhuo's arm and got out of the car, then held Xiao Zhuo's arm again.
It wasn't that she wanted to show off her affection in such an occasion, but the scene before her made her legs go weak.
At the open camp gate, flags fluttered and war drums roared. Two rows of burly men, scowling and holding murderous swords, stood on either side, looking as terrifying as two rows of executioners.
At the entrance to the central commander's tent, at the end of his sight, a general in silver helmet and armor stood there, his hand on the hilt of his sword. A strong wind ripped his blood-red cape off the ground.
He wore a black mask with green face and fangs, which made him look more like a murderous evil ghost.
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