Chapter 19 Chapter 19 Caught in the Crossfire
In the afternoon, as the sun rose higher, only scattered shadows remained of the towering pavilions.
The emperor and empress had not returned, and the Prince of Xiang, drunk, left the banquet with the help of the Prince of Gong.
The atmosphere at the table immediately became more relaxed.
Prince Li Heng of Liang gathered several young men from prominent families to play polo, while many young ladies from noble families played marbles together.
Zhao Rushao, who had been kept under Zhao Bolin's control, found an opportunity and sneaked out behind Yang Songjian.
She lifted her skirt and walked up to the attic, calling out from afar, "Ah Shang! Let's go fight Hammer Balls!"
"You little rascal! Why are you running so fast?"
Xiao Shanghua greeted him with a smile, picked up a handkerchief, and wiped the sweat from Zhao Rushao's forehead.
Her gaze swept over Zhao Rushao's shoulder and caught sight of Yang Songjian's figure, and she was surprised for a moment.
"Why did Brother Qingrang come with Ah Shao too?"
The soft light spilled onto the white jade-like steps, casting dappled shadows.
The young man, not yet twenty, had a face as beautiful as jade, but his narrow, phoenix-shaped eyes held a chilling coldness that made people hesitate to approach him.
He was leaning lazily against the pillar behind him, raising his hand to shield his eyes from the light, and said casually, "The King of Liang invited Zong Ji to play polo, and he asked me to help look after Miss Zhao."
Zongji was the courtesy name of Zhao Bolin.
As if glancing unintentionally behind Xiao Shanghua, Yang Songjian exclaimed, "How rare! That little girl from the Wen family isn't with you guys?"
Pei Ning led Pei Jing from behind and walked over.
“A-Zheng’s fifth younger sister had drunk too much, so A-Zheng accompanied her for a walk.”
"Brother Qingrang, is there something you need to see her about? Why don't you tell us first, and then we can tell her when she returns?"
Having just emerged from the peach grove, Wen Lingxiao's forehead was still beaded with sweat despite the gentle breeze.
She hurried back with her head down, the handkerchief in her hand twisted into a ball. Qingyu, who had been waiting outside the peach grove, hesitated to speak, but ultimately followed her in silence.
The master and servant had just reached the edge of the pavilion when they saw Pei Ning and the others.
Wen Lingxiao stopped in her tracks, her eyes narrowed as she looked at the people on the steps.
The boy was slender and graceful; even the gentle breeze through the pines and the moon reflected in the water could not compare to his refined elegance.
Leaning against the lacquered red pillar, even a fleeting glimpse of his back is unforgettable.
They're both daughters of the Wen family...
Recalling what Wen Tongwen said while drunk that night, Wen Lingxiao took a deep breath and suppressed her resentment.
Xiao Shanghua, with her sharp eyes, spotted Wen Lingxiao and Qingyu at a glance: "Hey? Fifth Miss Wen, why didn't Azheng come back with you?"
Feigning composure, Wen Lingxiao chuckled softly and stepped forward.
"Miss Xiao, don't you know my fourth sister?"
"The sun is getting a bit strong. Fourth Sister said she's going to rest in the back room and will be back in a little while."
Xiao Shanghua had no doubts, only smiled and said, "This Azheng is always good at slacking off!"
Pei Ning looked at Wen Lingxiao, puzzled, but the young lady remained composed and ultimately said nothing.
Yang Songjian chuckled softly, straightened up slightly, and looked down at the handkerchief in Wen Lingxiao's hand.
—Is that a climbing rose?
"Miss Wen, you'd better be careful! Be careful not to hurt your hand."
Yang Songjian's ambiguous smile startled Wen Lingxiao.
She subconsciously shoved the handkerchief in her hand into Qingyu's hand, feigning calmness: "Thank you for the reminder, Young Master Yang. This handkerchief is still dusty, so please don't offend the nobleman's eyes."
Yang Songjian seemed thoughtful but didn't expose him. Instead, he looked at Pei Ning and asked, "A Ning, would you be interested in taking a walk together?"
Pei Ning paused, then replied, "What a coincidence! Jing-ge'er is being too noisy; I was just about to take him to find my second brother!"
As spring light shone softly and the peach blossoms cast dappled shadows, Wen Lingzheng tiptoed and hid in the bushes to the side.
Yao Guang, who had been sent away earlier, saw Wen Lingxiao and her servant walk away before entering the peach grove.
Fortunately, Wen Lingzheng had left her a mark along the way, and soon she followed her in, crouching low. "Miss, where are we...?"
"Shh!"
Wen Lingzheng covered Yao Guang's mouth.
In the quiet afternoon, the sound of footsteps was particularly noticeable in the peach grove, where peach branches dotted the ground.
Wen Lingzheng pulled Yao Guang along, and the two of them were almost lying on the grass when they saw a palace servant carrying a food box coming from the direction of the plum grove.
Perhaps because he was walking too fast and looking around, the palace servant didn't pay attention to the road in front of him and tripped over a peach branch.
As she fell, Wen Lingzheng got a clear look at her face.
It really is her...
Memories flooded back, and Wen Lingzheng gave a self-deprecating laugh, her expression grave.
That spring banquet, she believed Wen Lingxiao's words and waited for her in the peach grove.
She waited and waited, but Wen Lingxiao didn't come. Instead, a little palace maid fell to the ground.
She kindly helped the young palace maid up, and seeing that she had an injury on her hand, she even used her own handkerchief to bandage it.
But no sooner had the little palace maid left than a group of men in black appeared and chased after her.
She was lucky to escape, narrowly dodging the oncoming arrows, and by chance, she encountered Pei Lin, who had come looking for the heir of the Marquis of Xiangyang, thus saving her life.
Late winter has passed, and in March, the plum grove is left with only bare branches. Even when the emperor holds a spring banquet at Lingyuan Garden, the plum grove is not included.
Ordinary palace servants would never have come to this place!
She may have stumbled upon a conspiracy by accident! There's even a 90% chance it's related to the matter of the Marquis of Xiangyang's heir...
But how did Wen Lingxiao get involved in this mess? One wrong move and it could be a crime punishable by the confiscation of her family's property and the extermination of her clan!
Scrambling to her feet, the young palace maid, not bothering to brush off the fallen petals clinging to her clothes, hurriedly ran out of the peach grove.
Wen Lingzheng pulled Yaoguang along, glanced around warily, and the two walked in the direction the little palace maid had come from.
It became increasingly secluded, and the weeds on both sides of the road looked messy, as if they hadn't been tended to for a long time.
In the distance, there is a dilapidated house. After turning two corners, you can see the shadow of the moon gate, and behind the moon gate is the plum grove.
The roof was covered with layers of dead leaves and weeds, and even the open space outside was filthy, with a thick layer of dust covering the old things piled up there.
As soon as Wen Lingzheng and Yao Guang stepped outside the door, they heard something fall to the ground inside, and a strange fragrance wafted out.
The two of them simultaneously took out handkerchiefs and covered their mouths and noses.
Yao Guang tentatively pushed open the door.
The interior was old and worn, and the overly sweet smell was unpleasant. Snacks and drinks were placed on a wooden table with a missing corner.
The ground was a mess.
Spilled wine, shards of porcelain, and years of accumulated ash were mixed together.
Wen Lingzheng boldly walked inside, and Yao Guang quickly followed, trying to protect the girl behind him, but the boy who suddenly jumped out caught them off guard.
His cheeks were flushed an unnatural red, and his clothes were torn in several places. He grabbed Wen Lingzheng's wrist and tried to pull her into his arms.
Wen Lingzheng tried to pry his hands open, but the difference in their strength was simply too great.
The boy's breathing was heavy, almost spraying into her ear.
She tried to hold down the boy's eager hands, but he easily broke free. Even Yao Guang was knocked to the ground by the force, his forehead hitting the corner of the table, and blood seeped out.
The wooden chair next to it was knocked over with a loud bang.
Wen Lingzheng turned slightly to the side, and before the boy could react, she pulled out the jade hairpin from her hair and stabbed it into his shoulder.
Warm blood spread along the patterns on the jade hairpin, and specks of vermilion-like blood fell onto Wen Lingzheng's face.
Feeling dazed, Song Jinghe loosened his grip, and Wen Lingzheng pushed him away.
"Who are you?"
Song Jinghe knelt on the ground, feeling unbearably hot all over. He kept tugging at his collar, asking, "What exactly did you do to me?"
Seeing that Yao Guang was unharmed, Wen Lingzheng turned to look at him: "Prince Song, you should think about why you were tricked into coming here!"
Are you sure this is the place?
"Yes."
Suddenly, a few noises came from outside the door, and the three people inside fell silent.
Song Jinghe seemed to realize something at this moment. He quickly pulled the chair next to him to block the door. Wen Lingzheng took the opportunity to turn around and push open the window on the back side of the house, and mouthed – come this way!
Yao Guang helped Song Jinghe, who was about to fall, while Wen Lingzheng was the first to climb out of the window to wait for him outside.
Outside, a girl dressed in a light-colored palace dress followed closely behind the maid who was leading the way.
Wearing a veil, she reached out from her wide sleeves and grabbed the maid in front of her: "Are we really going to do this?"
The maid was getting impatient.
She stopped, her fingertips tracing the girl's delicate skin: "Miss, you'd better think this through. This is the heir of a marquis's mansion! The master chose you here to be the heir's wife!"
Without further hesitation, the girl strode to the door and was about to push it open when she heard a scraping sound.
The door was blocked.
"Oh no! Quickly report to the master!"
Just as he turned the corner of the moon gate, the effects of the medicine hit him suddenly, and Song Jinghe groaned and leaned against the wall.
Wen Lingzheng and Yao Guang struggled to support him.
Wen Lingzheng: "Are you alright?"
Song Jinghe: "He won't die."
Snatching the jade hairpin from Wen Lingzheng's hand, Song Jinghe plunged it fiercely into his wound.
The dripping blood soaked Wen Lingzheng's clothes. She took out a handkerchief from her bosom and pressed it against Song Jinghe's wound: "Stop the bleeding."
Song Jinghe did not refuse; he took the handkerchief and pressed it against his wound, saying, "Thank you."
Wen Lingzheng didn't reply. She led the way with a sullen face, while Yao Guang helped Song Jinghe walk behind. The three of them ran towards the side room.
The plum grove in spring is pale in color, and the sparse population makes the place seem even more desolate.
The three hid as they went, their footsteps barely audible behind them.
Crossing through the plum grove, the winding covered walkway also began to appear indistinctly.
The footsteps behind them gradually faded away, and just as the three were about to breathe a sigh of relief, they saw strangers walking towards them.
Although they were dressed in the attire of the Great Zhou Dynasty, their eyes and brows revealed a hint of ferocity, like a knife that could kill instantly, only its gleam temporarily concealed by its sheath.
Are they Yue people?
Wen Lingzheng frowned, and the three of them quickly hid in the shadows on one side of the wall, all of them holding their breath.
Wen Lingzheng cautiously peeked out from the shadows.
Walking in the center of the five Yue people was a person of considerable height who did not resemble a woman but was dressed in women's clothing and wearing a veil.
He knocked lightly on the door on one side. The door opened and closed again, leaving only two Yue people outside. Two other well-trained guards came out.
Her expression grew increasingly solemn, and the words 'colluding with foreign enemies' instantly flashed into Wen Lingzheng's mind.
The hatred churning in her chest was relentless, but her remaining rationality told her that she was now surrounded by dangers and it was not the time to act impulsively.
Out of the corner of her eye, Wen Lingzheng caught sight of Song Jinghe beside her, whose face was deathly pale from excessive bleeding. She pursed her lips tightly.
If they returned the way they came, they would most likely encounter the people who had hunted her down in her past life, but the road in front of them was the only way from Merlin to the rooms arranged for the guests to rest...
—If we encounter danger on the way back, I will lead the pursuers away.
Song Jinghe's meaning was clearly conveyed to Wen Lingzheng.
She wanted to object, but at this point she really couldn't find a second viable option.
"Long time no see, Prince Li."
A voice inside the house calling "Prince Li" stopped Wen Lingzheng in her tracks, and Song Jinghe also turned around in surprise.
The royal surname of the Great Zhou Dynasty is 'Li', and there are only three people who can be addressed as 'Prince'.
Wen Lingzheng clenched her fists, as if Xiao Weiyuan's various speculations in the prison had been confirmed at this moment.
Li Heng!
—She almost couldn't suppress her impulse.
Turning back to stare intently out the window, Wen Lingzheng pursed her lips tightly.
Her fists clenched and unclenched, her inner struggle making her face look slightly ferocious.
Reason prevailed in the end. Wen Lingzheng and Yao Guang supported Song Jinghe from both sides and cautiously headed towards the plum grove.
The remaining effects of the medicine returned as the pain gradually subsided and the body became numb.
The three of them had barely crossed the moon gate and reached the corner at the edge of the plum grove when the sudden surge of medicinal power made Song Jinghe pause in his steps.
The bare branches underfoot were already easy to break, and the snapping sound was especially jarring in the empty plum grove.
Separated by only a wall, the people inside were eventually alerted.
In the dimly lit room, a masked man paused in his hand, which was playing with a wolf-hair brush. With a gentle rub of two fingers, the brush broke instantly.
The ink streaks on the brush were sparsely scattered on the painting on the desk.
—That picture is a defense map of Shengjing City.
"Sanqi".
Several dark figures flashed past the door and chased after Merlin.
The Yue man wearing the veil was about to remove it, but then straightened it again: "Lord Li, it seems we can't reach an agreement today."
A cool breeze brushed past Wen Lingzheng's ears, and she felt a chill run down her spine.
Without thinking twice, she shoved Yao Guang and Song Jinghe into a secluded corner.
She gripped Song Jinghe's hand tightly, her voice barely audible, "Don't be reckless! You're both injured. I'll distract them, you go first!"
Yao Guang refused, so Song Jinghe had no choice but to knock her unconscious for the time being.
Under the bright spring sun, the bare plum grove was completely exposed, with not even a single shadow to be hidden.
Having no other choice, Wen Lingzheng steeled her heart and ran towards Fragrant Hills behind the plum grove.
The tall trees blocked out the sun, the road beneath her feet gradually became steeper, and fatigue spread like a tide to every inch of her skin. Her breathing became heavier and heavier, and her vision became increasingly blurred.
Unable to see the road ahead, she tripped several times, and fallen dry leaves clung to her, which she didn't have time to brush off.
Even her throat felt like it was being pierced by blades, and every breath she took carried the taste of blood, yet she dared not cough.
The arrow pierced through the trees, the sound of it cutting through the air sweeping across every inch of the ground beside Wen Lingzheng, becoming clearer as the distance closed.
The approaching danger sent a shiver down Wen Lingzheng's spine.
She dared not look back, and could only quicken her pace.
But her usually obedient legs rebelled this time. She couldn't control her legs and went weak, tripping over the scattered dry branches and weeds and falling to the ground.
She didn't even have time to wipe the mud off her face before she rolled to the side in a disheveled state.
The sharp arrow grazed her left arm, tearing off a piece of her dress. Blood dripped onto the withered branches and leaves like scarlet droplets.
In the empty mountain forest, her senses were amplified infinitely. The sound of the bowstring being drawn rang in her ears once again. Before she could stand up, she saw the silvery white of an arrow tip flashing in the distance.
The biting wind stung her cheeks slightly, but her groggy head made her calmer than she had expected.
Until a pair of hands gently embraced her trembling shoulders.
A note from the author:
----------------------
Guagua's upcoming novel, "On My First Day in Another World, I Called the First Emperor 'Dad'," is available for pre-order.
—The text is as follows—
Mi Yuan was tricked into going home for a blind date right after graduating from university.
She pretended to be crazy and ruined the wedding, which made her father so angry that he collapsed on the sofa.
Mi Yuan, munching on a chicken leg, sat at the other end of the sofa. "Just letting you know, I found a job. I'm going to excavate terracotta warriors."
Old Man Mi, who had spent half his life digging graves, sat up abruptly, his face dark: "Say it again if you dare!"
Mi Yuan refused to believe it: "What's wrong with digging up the Terracotta Army? Who knows, maybe one day our ancestral graves will emit auspicious smoke, and the spirit of my charming ancestor will come to visit me!"
The words came true.
Mi Yuan was woken up by the cold the next day! As soon as she opened her eyes, she found herself lying in the snow, and a corner of black and gold appeared before her eyes.
She looked up in a flustered manner, only to meet the man's gloomy and cold eyes.
She couldn't help but shudder, lowering her head and murmuring—
"Dad."
"It seems like our ancestral graves are really emitting auspicious smoke."
**
Ying Zheng first met Mi Yuan at Huayang Palace.
In the pure, crystal-clear white, the little girl, wrapped up like a rice dumpling, slipped and fell headfirst to the ground.
He was about to help her up, but then he heard someone call out "Dad?"
The ruthless king's face darkened.
This daughter of the Chu family is not only stupid, but also blind.
Her face alone is truly beautiful.
Ying Zheng thought about it and decided to personally train her.
“This Qin seal script, practiced a hundred times.”
Mi Yuan: ...She'll be turned into a calligraphy master by this tyrant sooner or later...
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