Chapter 104 The Long Night (1) A Chaotic Escape Plan (Author's Note...)
Just as Duan Zhixuan was about to speak, a wave of dizziness washed over him, and he almost fainted. Li Shimin supported him. After a long while, everyone heard Duan Zhixuan's weak voice.
“Let Zhang Liang take the document to Hedong, far away from Henan. We can discuss things further once we get to Jinyang! If you don’t mind, go find my father. He has a habit of harboring fugitives…” Duan Zhixuan leaned against the tree trunk, lost in thought. “I’m afraid I can’t move. Could you two send a message for me?”
"Of course." Li Shimin noticed that the young man was so excited about meeting a kindred spirit that he was talking non-stop until he was exhausted, and he didn't know when he might faint again, so he leaned closer to him and said, "Speak softly, I'm listening."
"Alright, I remember now." Li Shimin suddenly realized, "I also saw that young master Cao when I was watching the Lantern Festival, and he even wrote two silly poems for me..."
“We really didn’t mean to scheme against you. I parted ways with him after we distributed the rice and millet…” Duan Zhixuan said apologetically. “If only we had met you sooner.”
"It's alright. To have met a few like-minded friends like you is enough to make this life worthwhile. I'll go find Young Master Cao now." Li Shimin gripped Duan Zhixuan's hand tightly. "We'll escape in three groups. One will go directly to Hedong using a fake pass, another will hide in Xin'an, and the third will return to Beiman. The government troops should be helpless then. You must hold on!"
"Wait a minute!" Changsun Qingjing said, "What about Lady Li? She can't ride a horse. If Zhang Liang takes her on a flight, they'll easily be recognized."
"This..." Duan Zhixuan hesitated, "I really hadn't thought of that..."
All four looked at Li Fanniang. The resolute young bride, facing a choice between life and death, suddenly choked back sobs: "Where else can I go? Of course I'll go with A-Liang..."
"Wait a minute, I have an idea." Changsun Qingjing drew his shield sword, stuck it into the early spring soil, and slowly revealed his plan.
The three boys realized their previous considerations were flawed and couldn't help but feel a deep respect for Changsun Qingjing.
Zhang Liang choked up and bowed to the crowd, as if to promise in front of everyone that he would return alive and reunite with his wife.
"Let's go!" Li Shimin and Zhang Liang packed their belongings and weapons, ready to set off immediately.
"A bunch of ignorant little beasts, what kind of schemes are you plotting in my forest in the middle of the night! I'll report you all to the authorities and have you arrested!" An old man's voice echoed in everyone's ears.
"Who are you, Your Excellency? Why are you acting so furtively and afraid to show yourself?" Li Shimin roared angrily.
Li Shimin, Zhang Liang, and Changsun Qingjing all stood ready with their swords drawn.
"Wait, don't hurt him!" Li Fanniang hurriedly stretched out her arm to block the three people and the source of the loud voice. "It's Mr. Wei, one of our own! Young Master Duan is saved."
She shouted excitedly into the depths of the woods, "Mr. Wei, Mr. Wei, it's me, Fan Niang! You've come at the right time, please save Zhang Liang's friend!"
"Fan Niang, why did you build your bridal chamber in my woods?" A flash of firelight revealed a familiar face to Changsun Qingjing. "I told you not to marry this little rascal, and now look what's happened, so much trouble on your wedding night."
It's ridiculous! How could Li Keshi's relatives be in this valley? And why are they behaving so rudely?
Li Fanniang glanced around, determined to find someone who could understand Mr. Wei's background. After a moment's hesitation, she leaned closer to Li Shimin and whispered, "Young master, please don't argue with my godfather. Everyone says he's a fugitive from the Yang Xuangan case, or a nobleman who escaped corvée labor. To avoid trouble, he usually keeps to himself. I imagine he was quite brave and fierce in his youth. I sent him an invitation this time, and he sent a generous gift, but said it was inconvenient for him to come, fearing that something might happen and implicate Zhang Liang and me. However, because he has medical skills and can set bones, the villagers near Luoxingyu respect and fear him. When the village official came to the village, everyone covered for each other, saying that Mr. Wei was a mad doctor who fell off a cliff while collecting selaginella once, but miraculously survived and remembers nothing but his medical skills. He treated my younger brother, and I often mended his clothes. He always said I looked like his deceased daughter and treated me very well."
Mr. Wei stepped forward with a torch, smiling kindly at Fan Niang: "I know all about tonight's good show. Several groups of soldiers came here to inquire about your whereabouts. I was frantically searching for you, and I'm relieved now. It's good that you're not injured. As for that scoundrel Zhang Liang, he's dead, he's dead; he's been captured, he's been captured. It's not a pity..." With that, the force of his punch sent Zhang Liang staggering. "There are plenty of young men like him in the world, all eager for a fight. I'll find you another one."
Zhang Liang dared not utter a sound, Duan Zhixuan lay down watching the show, and Changsun Qingjing was trying hard to recall that familiar face. Li Shimin insisted on stepping forward to argue with the old man who was projecting his love for his deceased daughter onto Li Fanniang.
"Grandpa, they finally escaped danger, how could you..."
"Insolence!" Mr. Wei's torch swept past Li Shimin's eyes, sparks and spittle splattering onto his face. "Young man, are you still unmarried? Haven't you ever been beaten by your father-in-law? Look at Zhang Liang, he doesn't even dare to fart in front of me! I'm disciplining my son-in-law, and I need you to stand up for Zhang Liang! Get out of here! You have no right to speak here!"
"You three get out of here and let me take a look at this Duan fellow." Mr. Wei held up a torch and approached Duan Zhixuan. After examining the shoulder injury, he said with certainty, "Don't worry, he won't die. You three quickly carry this kid onto the horse. Fan Niang, don't run around tonight. Go to my house and wait for his accomplices to come and pick him up."
Zhang Liang and Li Shimin followed the plan, lifting Duan Zhixuan onto the horse. After Duan Zhixuan swayed a few times and settled into the saddle, Mr. Wei asked, "I just heard you were planning to send Zhang Liang to Hedong to find someone to fetch this Duan fellow. Who will go and deliver the message?"
“I’ll go with Brother Li.” Zhang Liang felt incredibly embarrassed in front of Mr. Wei.
"You all have to be careful!" Li Fanniang's shouts were swallowed up by the night wind.
The rapid, frantic sound of horses' hooves gradually faded into the desolate mountain path...
“Fan Niang, stop chanting Buddhist prayers…” Mr. Wei sighed. “Chanting Buddhist prayers is not working, and it’s just making me anxious. Cheer up, you have important matters to attend to. Let’s work together to save him.”
Why do Li Dazhi and Li Dahui have portraits of people who look similar to this person? Changsun Qingjing was puzzled. He silently took the reins and followed Mr. Wei to his thatched cottage.
With a torch in his left hand and a knife in his right, Mr. Wei led Changsun Qingjing to the three locust trees he had mentioned, their bark stripped bare.
"No need to look anymore," the elder said, looking up at Changsun Qingjing who was sighing. "It's exactly what you think it is."
"Does the sir know what I'm thinking?"
Lying prone on the saddle, Duan Zhixuan cursed, "A tyrannical ruler! A foolish emperor!"
“Young Master Duan, save your energy. Don’t delay me from treating your injuries later.” Mr. Wei opened the wooden gate, told Li Fanniang to be “careful,” and then said to Changsun Qingjing, “Although I’m an old rogue, I wouldn’t dare to easily take down these soul-summoning banners. I don’t care if I live too long, but I’m afraid that evil spirits who can’t find the ferry will come looking for me… Oh, I’m sorry to offend you all, Amitabha…”
After saying this, this cynical man who forbade his adopted daughter from chanting Buddhist scriptures actually developed a sense of awe towards a few locust trees.
Mr. Wei's words were terrifying, but Changsun Qingjing, observing his words and actions, concluded that this man still possessed a kind heart, and bowed to him in greeting: "Sir, you are benevolent and righteous. This junior truly does not know how to judge the events of the first month..."
The three helped Duan Zhixuan dismount. Although Mr. Wei was the oldest, he was extremely agile. With a little effort, Li Fanniang and Changsun Qingjing placed Duan Zhixuan on his back, and he carried him into the house.
Along the way, Mr. Wei asked Changsun Qingjing, "Young Master Gao, when you go out alone, if your clothes get torn by tree branches, do you mend them yourself?"
Changsun Qingjing mistakenly thought that she had torn her clothes in the woods without realizing it. When Mr. Wei kindly reminded her, she answered truthfully, "Of course."
"That's good." Mr. Wei did not point out the tear in Changsun Qingjing's clothes, but replied with a half-smile.
Author's Note: Four Teenagers Through Mr. Wei's Eyes
Mini-Theater (Part 1)
Mr. Wei: I'm telling you, don't marry that blond guy!
Fan Niang: The fortune teller said this blond-haired guy is different; he'll become a duke someday!
Mr. Wei: Bah! Can you please stop listening to this shaman's nonsense? This shaman is even worse than that blond guy! You'll get what's coming to you sooner or later when I'm dead…
Mini-Theater (Part Two)
Director Fish: Xiao Duan, in the next chapter, focus on healing your injuries. Pay attention to a low-carb diet, and it's best to dehydrate appropriately to maintain your muscles in optimal condition.
Xiao Duan: OK, no problem.
Erfeng: Wait a minute, director, I'm the male lead, the male lead! Isn't the nude scene my responsibility? We've filmed over a hundred episodes and the female lead has never seen me shirtless!!! Do you even know how to act?
Director Yu: Didn't I already arrange a kissing scene for you? What are you still not satisfied with!
Erfeng: Which male lead ended up in the orthopedics ward after filming a kissing scene? And it was a foot injury, no less!
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