Chapter 130 Amidst the Clouds (Part 20) Having served in the military for a long time, there are now young people among them…
In late March, the weather in the north was still cold. People dressed in brown clothes walked shoulder to shoulder on the streets, and occasionally a few fast horses would gallop by, their hooves like drums, stirring up a cloud of dust.
Zhi Rou and her group passed through Yuequan Town and rented a courtyard house. The place was not big, but the house was warm and cozy.
The female guards were warming themselves by a fire behind them, sparks flying, accompanied by the two men's chatter.
"You think the Fourth Miss, a young lady from a respectable family, could have a deadly feud with anyone?"
"Didn't Fourth Miss say they were from the North? You forgot, our Miss lived in the North before, who knows if this feud started back then."
"It doesn't seem like it... that person hasn't spoken yet?"
“He’s open,” the woman chuckled slightly, tucking her warmed hands back into her sleeve. “He claims he was sent by our master, so the Fourth Miss wouldn’t dare kill him.”
Ever since Zhi Rou brought him back, no matter how he was questioned, he insisted that it was "Lord Song" who ordered them.
These three words are unique; there are no other words.
Zhi Rou guessed that he was referring to Song Lang, but she wasn't entirely convinced. Qinyang was still far away, and there was still a considerable amount of time to go. She decided to keep him in the group for now, observe his words and actions, and slowly extract information from him.
Apart from the initial group of people, the journey had been quite smooth. However, Zhi Rou dared not relax. She slept fully clothed at night, but was a light sleeper, and the slightest noise would wake her up.
A light rain fell that night, and the sound of raindrops hitting the tiles kept her tossing and turning. After a while, she heard a faint sound, like scraping, and suddenly sat up, got out of bed, and looked out the window into the distance.
Upon seeing the situation, she immediately went downstairs. Perhaps afraid of startling her companions, she lowered her voice and quietly woke them up, saying, "Get your weapons, the bandits are here."
Pei Tongliang and his son were staying in a simple house closest to the courtyard gate. They were also disturbed by the commotion and hurriedly came over. They saw that the Fourth Miss was dressed and making some arrangements.
As soon as their eyes met, she said, "Uncle Pei, you should leave through the back door as soon as possible. Leave everything you can't take behind and make a mess of it. I'll be there soon."
The reason I initially rented this courtyard was because it had a road leading to a stone bridge, beyond which to the west lay a desolate mountain. Outnumbered, it was best to avoid it.
After giving them her instructions, Zhi Rou turned and ran towards the simple house, dragging the northerner out. Pei Tongliang was busy setting up the courtyard in a robbery-like manner. Seeing that the Fourth Miss hadn't left, he knew she couldn't bear to part with the captured man, so he quickly stepped forward and helped her lift the man onto the horse.
The black horse darted out through the back door and disappeared into the darkness.
The night, like a gaping maw, devoured her patience, and her breathing became increasingly heavy.
A tall guard spotted her first and rushed over to meet her. Seeing that the Pei father and son were not following, he asked in a low voice, "Fourth Miss, shall we continue? The road behind is too narrow; the horses can't get on."
Although Pei Tongliang was in the group to show the way, it was Zhi Rou who made the decisions each time. She looked around, dismounted, and said, "Uncle Pei once said there is a low cave here. Let's hide the horses inside and stay hidden for a while."
The guards readily complied.
Pei Tongliang and his companion arrived half an incense stick later.
The surrounding area was completely silent, save for the mournful cries that echoed from the distant Moon Spring Town. Zhi Rou gritted her teeth, telling herself she couldn't turn back.
After brewing a cup of tea, a thunderous sound suddenly erupted outside the low cave, followed by the sound of voices, and the light of torches dimly illuminated the surroundings.
As if sensing danger, the horse's nostrils flared and its hooves trembled. Zhirou reached out to soothe it, and it seemed to sense its owner's composure, gradually calming down.
Unexpectedly, the night birds took flight in fright, fluttering past the cave entrance. The horses accompanying them were startled, suddenly stamping their hooves and shaking their heads, as if trying to flee.
Knowing she couldn't dodge, Zhi Rou subtly took out her bow and arrow from the saddle and aimed it at the cave entrance.
Everyone held their breath, their blood boiling. Judging from the sheer number of the approaching forces, they were likely no less numerous than the bandits in the town.
Sunlight streamed in like the glow of dusk, and after a short while, heavy footsteps approached.
Zhi Rou nocked an arrow and drew her bow. In the moonlight, half of her face was obscured, but the newcomer recognized her the moment he saw her, his tone filled with astonishment and a hint of suspicion: "Zhi Rou?"
She paused, her wrist twisting slightly as she drew the bow, and the arrow fell diagonally. The moment the force was released, the bowstring emitted a low hum.
She had just opened her mouth when she said, "Big brother..."
It had been a while since I'd seen Song Qiyu, and she seemed even more humble than before, making it easy for people to feel close to her.
He had been delayed in Hengzhou due to his previous injury. While passing through this place, he happened to meet an old friend who was ordered to suppress bandits. He had received help from the friend in the past and was grateful. He also wanted to go to Yuyang to stretch his muscles and bones, so he accepted the invitation to go with him.
Who would have thought he would run into Zhirou here?
He had many questions he wanted to ask, but he held back, leaving Changli and a group of people to guard him. Then he turned around and urged the others to move forward.
From beginning to end, he only said one sentence to her: "Fourth sister, stay here and do not move. Wait for me to come back."
As they waited, the last trace of ink disappeared on the horizon, and the first rays of dawn appeared.
After Song Qiyu and his old friends returned from suppressing the bandits, he immediately sent someone to settle Zhi Rou and her party. Seeing that she was injured, he asked a doctor to examine her and did not disturb her any further. She came to see him after lunch.
The weather was getting warmer that day, and a pear tree in the courtyard was in full bloom, its blossoms swaying in the breeze and its fragrance drifting through the air.
Zhi Rou had finished washing and dressing, her black hair tied up high, revealing a beautiful face.
She sat upright by the window, with Song Qiyu opposite her, his handsome eyebrows slightly furrowed: "Last night was so rushed that I didn't have time to ask in detail. Why did Fourth Sister come to Yuanzhou?"
Zhi Rou had never told anyone about her background except Wei Yuanzhan. Upon hearing this, she was at a loss for words. However, the guards traveling with her all knew that she had gone to Qinyang. If he asked them, he would eventually be unable to keep it a secret.
He replied, "I was originally going to Qinyang, but I took the route through Yuanzhou, which is the safest way."
Song Qiyu nodded, his hand reaching under his wide sleeve as he was about to pour tea. But for some reason, his fingertips suddenly stiffened, and he looked at her with a serious expression.
Zhi Rou appeared oblivious, but inwardly she was pounding with anxiety, fearing he would continue to press her for answers.
This is the first time the brother and sister have ever shared a room like this.
Having served in the military for a long time, Song Qiyu already possessed the aura of a young general with just a glance. Zhi Rou inexplicably felt a sense of pressure.
When he spoke again, he asked something else entirely: "What is the background of that man in black?"
When they were being settled last night, a man with high eyebrows and deep-set eyes was still bound beside the Pei father and son. His hands were tied behind his back, and his clothes were tattered and soaked with blood.
It was obvious that something was wrong. Song Qiyu's old friend imprisoned the man and the captured bandits together in the dungeon.
Zhi Rou learned from her brother's introduction last night that the guerrilla general stationed in Yuanzhou was surnamed Zhang, but other than that, she knew nothing about General Zhang. Having him in her hands made her somewhat uneasy.
Zhi Rou recounted the events to Song Qi Yu, then whispered, "Big brother, can you help me bring that person out?"
"You want to interrogate him?" He looked at Zhirou and said, "He doesn't look like he's been tortured. Fourth sister doesn't know anything about this, so why don't you hand him over to me? Your injuries haven't healed yet, and you've been riding fast for days, so it's really not good for you to do any more work."
Upon hearing this, Zhi Rou was taken aback for a moment before quickly declining.
The two talked for a while longer. Compared to before, Song Qiyu's demeanor was no longer that of a cold statue. His words carried a hint of familiarity that only peers could understand.
He gathered his sleeves and stood up, saying to Zhi Rou, "If you need anything, send someone to find me."
Knowing that gentleness is the way to respond.
As soon as Song Qiyu came out, a tall and handsome figure suddenly appeared from the side. He smiled at him and said, "Zhaoyun, how is your sister? Should we find another doctor to take a look?"
He appeared and disappeared without warning. Song Qiyu remained silent for a moment, then glanced at the people below the steps without revealing his expression before shaking his head: "She is fine."
There are no female doctors in Yuanzhou, so it's the same no matter who comes. Song Qiyu continued, "I am very grateful to Brother Zishu for allowing my sister and her companions to stay here this time. I will definitely repay this kindness in the future."
Zhang Fenglin strode up, his waist was slender and his back broad, yet he gave off a feeling as gentle as a spring breeze: "Stop being so formal! I haven't even thanked you for helping me suppress the bandits."
As he spoke, he glanced at the open door, but Miss Song was no longer behind it.
When they first met yesterday, Zhang Fenglin didn't find her particularly outstanding, but her eyes, illuminated by the firelight, seemed to gleam with a bright light. He had never seen such ruthlessness in anyone's eyes before, and it was unforgettable.
Having returned from a fierce battle today, he bathed and prepared to seek military advice from Song Qiyu. However, upon seeing Song Qiyu heading straight for the courtyard in the south corner, he paused and, as if possessed, followed him.
He didn't hear much of their private conversation, only that the man imprisoned in the Song family's team last night was indeed no good. He couldn't help but wonder, "That man in the dungeon looked like an assassin to me. How come he was with your sister?"
Song Qiyu's expression turned slightly cold, as if he did not want to say more about the matter.
Zhang Fenglin had known him for a long time, not in the military, and was already very familiar with his temperament.
Seeing this, he didn't ask any more questions. He put his arm around the man's shoulder and said with a smile, "When are you setting off? If you're not in a hurry, why don't you stay here for a few more days? I'll show you around and let you experience the local customs and culture of Yuanzhou."
Song Qiyu disliked having her arm around someone's shoulder, but she didn't push him away in the end, and walked forward somewhat lazily.
After being taken to the dungeon, the man was locked in a torture chamber. Several torches in the corner cast long, slanted shadows of the torture instruments, and the sound of dripping water could be heard continuously, one after another, like wolves chewing on dry bones in the night.
The man was trapped there, oblivious to the sun and moon, and unaware of the time. His stomach was empty, and the air was thick with the stench of decay and blood. His nausea churned, and he couldn't help but vomit.
During the days he was captured by Song Zhirou, he was never subjected to any torture. Now, trapped in prison, he doesn't know what awaits him, and he can't see Song Zhirou anywhere, only the occasional wails and soft sobs.
Sometimes, even without torture, loneliness and fear are enough to break a person's spirit.
The news first reached Zhang Fenglin's ears, and he became suspicious. He then kept it to himself and went to the dungeon alone.
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