Chapter 449: For the Tiger Tally, there are still survivors from the Wu Wang Rebellion
The shouting and screaming outside became more and more intense, and the carriage was shaking violently, as if it would overturn at any time.
"Mom, I'm scared..." Xuan Ge'er sobbed softly.
Chu Ruohan hugged the two children tightly: "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid..."
Suddenly, the door of the carriage was yanked open and a figure flashed in.
Chu Ruohan instinctively drew the dagger from her sleeve and was about to attack, but saw that the person coming was Song Ruyan.
"Young Madam, come with me!" Song Ruyan said hurriedly, "It's not safe here. The general ordered me to evacuate you first!"
Chu Ruohan quickly stood up, holding Xiao Qingchen in one hand and holding Xuan Ge'er in the other, and followed Song Ruyan out of the carriage.
The situation outside was more chaotic than she had imagined. A dozen men in black were fighting fiercely with the shadow guards.
"Come this way!" Song Ruyan pulled Chu Ruohan and moved quickly towards a woods.
Chu Ruohan looked back at the battlefield and saw Gu Junze fighting with a very skilled man in black. The swords of the two men flashed so fast that their movements were almost invisible.
"The general asked us to go first and he will be here soon." Song Ruyan urged.
Chu Ruohan bit her lip, finally nodded, hugged the children tightly, and followed Song Ruyan into the depths of the woods.
Little Qingchen was awakened by the jolt and burst into tears.
Chu Ruohan hurriedly patted her, but in this emergency situation, she was unable to comfort her effectively.
"There's a cave ahead," Song Ruyan pointed to a cave not far away and said, "Let's hide there first."
The group quickly entered the cave. It was dark and damp, but at least it could temporarily hide from pursuers.
Doctor Qian took out a small bottle from his arms, poured out a few pills, and handed it to Chu Ruohan.
"Give each child one pill to hold in their mouth," Doctor Qian whispered. "It can calm the nerves and soothe panic."
Chu Ruohan took the pills, first gave one to Xuan Ge'er to hold in his mouth, then crushed the other one, dipped her fingertips in water and gently applied it on Xiao Qingchen's lips.
Soon, both children calmed down, and Xiao Qingchen even fell asleep again.
"Are those people coming for us?" Chu Ruohan asked in a low voice.
Song Ruyan nodded. "As the general expected, they did come prepared. The caravan was attacked last night, probably to lure us in."
"Jun Ze he..." Chu Ruohan looked outside the cave worriedly.
"The general is a martial arts expert and has the help of the shadow guards, so he will be fine." Song Ruyan comforted him, but a trace of worry flashed in her eyes.
Doctor Qian: "No one is chasing us for now, but we can't stay here for long."
"We'll make plans after the general arrives," Song Ruyan said.
Time passed minute by minute, but there was still no sign of Gu Junze outside the cave.
Chu Ruohan's heart grew heavier, but she forced herself to remain calm and not let fear affect her judgment.
"I'll go take a look outside." Song Ruyan finally couldn't hold it in anymore and stood up and said.
"Be careful." Chu Ruohan warned.
Song Ruyan nodded and quietly left the cave.
Chu Ruohan held the two children, leaning against the damp stone wall, silently praying in her heart that Gu Junze was safe.
About a quarter of an hour later, light footsteps were heard outside the cave.
Doctor Qian vigilantly drew his dagger and stood in front of Chu Ruohan and the children.
"It's me." Song Ruyan's voice came from outside, and then her figure appeared at the entrance of the cave, followed by a tall figure - it was Gu Junze.
"Jun Ze!" Chu Ruohan called out in surprise, almost crying.
Gu Junze quickly walked to Chu Ruohan and hugged her and the children in his arms: "It's okay, those people have been dealt with."
Only then did Chu Ruohan notice that there was a bloodstain on Gu Junze's sleeve and several small wounds on his face.
She reached out and touched the wounds with a distressed look on her face: "You are hurt."
"It's just some minor injuries, nothing serious." Gu Junze held her hand and comforted her, "The shadow guards have cleared the battlefield, we can continue on our way."
"Who sent those people?" Chu Ruohan asked.
A hint of coldness flashed in Gu Junze's eyes: "Judging from their skills and equipment, they should be the remnants of Qingmo Valley."
"Qingmo Valley?" Chu Ruohan was shocked. "How did they know our whereabouts?"
"There must be an insider in the capital," Gu Junze said solemnly, "but this is exactly what I want. Let them think they have succeeded."
Chu Ruohan thought thoughtfully: "You mean, this is also part of your plan?"
Gu Junze nodded slightly: "I deliberately let the news leak out, just to lure the snake out of its hole. I just didn't expect them to act so quickly. It seems that person can't wait any longer."
"Then what should we do next?" Song Ruyan asked.
"Change the route," Gu Junze said decisively, "The original route is no longer safe. We can take a detour through the mountains. Although it will take a little longer, it will avoid most ambushes."
Chu Ruohan nodded in agreement: "As long as we can reach our destination safely, it doesn't matter if it takes a little longer."
Gu Junze looked at the two sleeping children, with a hint of tenderness in his eyes: "Let the children rest for a while, we will set off later."
Taking advantage of this short break, Dr. Qian treated Gu Junze's wound, applied ointment and bandaged it simply.
Song Ruyan was on guard outside the cave, making sure no enemies were approaching.
Chu Ruohan leaned against Gu Junze and whispered, "Are you really okay?"
Gu Junze held her hand and said, "Don't worry, this little injury is nothing. But you and the children must be frightened, right?"
Chu Ruohan shook her head: "I'm fine, and the children are fine too. It's just..." She paused, "I always feel that things are not that simple. Why are those people so persistent in hunting us down?"
Gu Junze's eyes were deep: "They not only want to take my life, but also want to get the tiger talisman."
"Tiger talisman?" Chu Ruohan's heart tightened, and she subconsciously looked at the amulet worn by Xuan Ge'er.
Gu Junze nodded: "That tiger talisman is of great importance. If it falls into the hands of the enemy, the Eastern Jin Dynasty will have to change its owner again."
"So our trip is not only to avoid disaster, but also to protect the tiger talisman?" Chu Ruohan suddenly realized.
"That's right," Gu Junze whispered, "That's why I want to take you and the children away from the capital. It would be even more dangerous if we stayed in the capital."
Chu Ruohan took a deep breath: "So Qingmo Valley wants the throne?"
Gu Junze lowered his head and whispered in Chu Ruohan's ear, "During the Wu Wang Rebellion, my mother must have shown mercy..."
After a short rest, the group got ready and set off again.
Gu Junze decided to abandon the carriage and ride on horseback instead, so that he could deal with emergencies more flexibly.
Chu Ruohan held little Qingchen and rode on the same horse with Gu Junze, Xuan Ge'er was accompanied by Song Ruyan, and Doctor Qian rode alone.
"Although this mountain road is rugged, it leads directly to the next county town," Gu Junze said, pointing to the mountain road ahead. "Once we get there, we'll transfer to a boat and go downstream to Zheng State."
Chu Ruohan nodded: "Okay, I'll follow your arrangements."
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