Chapter 24 The End
Sun Wei looked at Sun Zhi with a serious look.
"You mean, you also voted for Lu Qiuyan?"
"Not only me, but also the city's defenders," Sun Zhi said. "Although Sima Jun has won several battles, the vast world outside still belongs to Lu Qiuyan. The more cunning of his men have already been secretly colluding with Lu Qiuyan. Sister, have you heard what's going on outside?"
Sun Wei did hear it.
The noisy sound of swords and weapons could be heard through the high walls. The palace was experiencing chaos.
"Jiangzhou has stood firm only thanks to Sima Jun alone," Sun Zhi said. "East Gate General Wu Dayi and several other high-ranking generals have already surrendered the city. Just watch, sister! Not only the palace, but the entire Xunyang City will fall tonight."
As Sun Wei listened, she felt a chill running down her spine.
"If we are the first to offer Sima Jun's head, not only will we be spared from death, but we will also be granted fiefdoms..."
With a "slap", before Sun Zhi could finish his words, a loud slap landed on his face.
"Villain!" Sun Wei said angrily.
Sun Zhi touched his face and smiled.
"Villain? I'm really confused. In the past, I've always been profit-driven, but now I'm actually discussing face with you, brother?"
After saying that, he drew the sword from his waist and put it on Sun Wei's neck.
"Since you can't let it go, don't blame me for being ruthless."
Although Sun Wei was frightened, he knew that since he came to lobby for him, he would not dare to act rashly.
"Brother, you're not being too optimistic," she said. "You know I've already lost His Highness's heart. If you try to ambush him by holding me hostage, I'm afraid you'll fail. You're right. You're the only relative I have left. If you still treat me like a sister, then let me go."
Sun Zhi smiled.
"It seems my sister doesn't know Sima Jun very well," he said. "How about we make a bet? He will definitely come."
Sun Wei wanted to buy time and make some plans. Just as he was about to say something to ask Sun Zhi to let him escape, he heard the sound of fighting outside.
"General!" A subordinate rushed in and said, "The palace guards are coming to attack us, and General Luqiu's reinforcements haven't arrived yet. I'm afraid we can't hold out here!"
Sun Zhi cursed, looked around, and said, "Retreat!"
After saying that, he took Sun Wei hostage and walked out of the side gate.
Passing through a garden, one came to the palace road. There was turmoil in the palace, and from afar one could see a blazing fire on the tower above the palace gate.
The palace corridor was filled with panicked eunuchs and palace servants running around. When they suddenly saw this group of people holding knives, they quickly dodged.
Sun Zhi and his entourage, carrying Sun Wei with them, were able to travel unhindered.
Suddenly, the sound of horse hooves came from behind.
Before Sun Zhi and the others could see clearly, the iron horses rushed over like a torrent. The swords of the people on the horses flashed coldly, and wherever they passed, there were screams and falls to the ground.
Sun Wei was also terrified. Seeing that he could not hide, Sun Zhi hurriedly pushed her away and fled. Sun Wei stumbled twice, and the next moment, she was picked up by the waist and sat on the horse.
"Hold on tight!" Sima Jun's voice came from behind.
Against her back was his strong heartbeat.
Sun Wei hurriedly grabbed the horse's mane with both hands and sat firmly.
Fires erupted throughout the palace and Xunyang City, and the streets were filled with the burning and slaughter of rebels and fleeing crowds. The blinding flames, mingled with waves of heat, transformed the once tranquil night into a sinister, gaping maw.
Sima Jun led his personal guards and charged all the way.
However, the roads were blocked, and faced with a continuous influx of rebels, they were ultimately unable to fight their way out of the city. Finally, Sima Jun brought Sun Wei to the last peaceful place in the city.
This is a section of the palace wall, which merges with the wall of Xunyang City. Below it is the pitch-black moat.
When Sun Wei followed Sima Jun up to the city wall, he suddenly discovered a dark red spot on Sima Jun's arm with the help of the torches in the soldiers' hands.
"You're hurt!" she exclaimed in surprise.
Sima Jun said nothing and took her to the edge of the city wall.
I saw a rope ladder fastened to the battlement and already lowered.
"There's a secret passage right below the city wall, built by my father. It goes under the river and leads directly to the other side. I had someone explore it earlier, and it's still usable. Go ahead."
Sun Wei stared at him blankly for a moment, then asked, "Why did you come to save me?"
Sima Jun didn't answer, but just said: "Let's go and live well."
After saying that, he waved his hand and asked the servant to let Sun Wei go.
Sun Wei knew this was not the time to talk, and was about to go down when he suddenly heard the sound of killing.
In the firelight, shadows were visible. A group of rebels were rushing up the wall and fighting with the remaining servants around Sima Jun.
"Go!" Sima Jun roared, turned around and drew his sword.
Sun Wei watched him rushing towards those people, and felt as if something was stuck in his throat, and he couldn't speak.
"Princess!" the attendant urged, "Hurry up!" After that, he hurried to protect Sima Jun.
Sun Wei's hands were clinging to the battlements, and the night wind, carrying the smell of fireworks, blew towards him.
She couldn't help but look back.
The last two guards had fallen, and Sima Jun had been stabbed several times, with blood staining his leather armor and his body sluggish.
A group of people surrounded him.
In the firelight, he stood in front, still waving the sword in his hand vigorously, his body casting a long shadow on the ground.
Sun Wei gritted his teeth, turned around and rushed over.
"Think carefully!" She picked up a knife from the ground, blocked Sima Jun behind her, pointed at the rebels and shouted, "Who will reward more, the living Prince of Yuzhang or the dead Prince of Yuzhang?"
As expected, after these words were spoken, those who had gathered around began to hesitate.
"You..." Sima Jun's voice was deep, and Sun Wei quickly turned around and supported him.
His body was really heavy. Soon, Sun Wei held him and sat down against the broken parapet.
The rebels were about to come forward, but she said viciously, "If you come any closer, I will fall from the city wall with His Highness, and you will gain nothing!"
They stopped again.
During the confrontation, Sima Jun made a low sound, as if laughing.
"I underestimated you..." he said, "Why didn't you run away?"
Sun Wei lowered her eyes to look at him, the firelight reflected on his bloodstained face, and his eyes were still shining.
Just like when they first met.
"I just asked you why you saved me, but you haven't answered yet." Sun Wei said, "If you hadn't turned back to save me, you could have escaped from the city!"
Sima Jun shook his head: "You are my wife, how can I abandon you... Besides, they have already taken the emperor to Luqiu Yan, and all the counties have rebelled. There is no place for me in the world..."
My nose felt sore and tears started streaming down.
"Me too," she said softly. "Even if I ran away, where could I go? You know, I'm a person who craves fame and fortune. I can't live with no food or clothing, hiding from place to place."
A smile appeared on Sima Jun's lips again.
"Is it too late to bring up the matter of my marriage?" Sun Wei asked.
"It has nothing to do with you... I never intended to associate with such a villain..." Sima Jun's voice became weaker and weaker, but his hand kept clutching Sun Wei's sleeve. "You know... lately, I keep dreaming about the time when we first met... I took you on a horseback ride, running and running... I felt happier than ever before..."
He was babble-like, like a child's babbling.
Tears fell and hit his face.
He seemed to be trying hard to open his eyes, but he couldn't.
"Your Highness..." Sun Wei choked up, "In the next life, if Your Highness meets me, you must stay away from me... Do you understand?"
Sima Jun still had a smile on his face, as if he had heard it, yet as if he hadn't.
"Awei..." he said, "I'm tired... Go ahead... Live well..."
Sun Wei wiped her eyes vigorously, gently stroked his face with her fingers, and said, "Go to sleep if you are tired."
And there was no response to this.
His breath dissipated, and finally he returned to eternal silence in silence.
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