Chapter 290: Isn't he afraid of what might happen to him?
Shang Ruyi was stunned for a moment.
Just as she was still somewhat dazed, a gust of wind swept in, carrying a snowball the size of a fist, which slammed into them. Shang Ruyi was hit on the face with a slap, and the snowflakes scattered. The cold sensation brought her back to her senses.
Shang Ruyi remained silent for a long while, then said softly, "He... went to chase after Empress Jiang?"
Mu Xian said, "Yes."
Shang Ruyi was silent for a while, then looked at him and asked, "He... went alone?"
Looking at the expression on her face, which was neither happy nor angry, but gave off a chilling and oppressive feeling, Mu Xian couldn't help but shiver. He could only reply, "I only brought a few people - the Second Young Master brought a small number of people in order to catch up as quickly as possible."
"..."
"He told us to meet up with the young mistress and then hurry to Taiyuan."
"..."
"Luoyang has fallen, and soon the surrounding area will be under Liang's control—" He paused, glancing cautiously at Lei Yu, and then said, "They will all be their forces. We are neither friends nor enemies with them, so just in case, we should hurry back."
Shang Ruyi was quiet for a moment, then said, "Is this what he said?"
"yes."
"Isn't he afraid of what might happen?"
"..."
Mu Xian couldn't answer.
The answer to this question was something he couldn't figure out no matter how hard he tried along the way; in fact, the very existence of this question was something he couldn't understand.
He could only say, "Young Madam, you should still—"
He didn't continue speaking, because in the chaotic wind and snow, he saw that Shang Ruyi's expression was solemn, completely different from her usual demeanor when facing emergencies.
Just then, they heard the neighing of horses behind them.
Turning around, she saw Lei Yu already mounted her horse, her hands gripping the reins tightly. Her beautiful yet sharp face appeared even more resolute and unyielding in the wind and snow. She looked down at Shang Ruyi and said, "I have to go about my business, Shang Ruyi—"
Shang Ruyi looked up at her.
The two stood facing each other in the wind and snow, their eyes seemingly filled with unspoken words, yet unable to utter them—or rather, there was no need to. Lei Yu remained silent for a long time before finally letting out a long sigh and saying in a deep voice, "Take care of yourself."
Shang Ruyi said in a hoarse voice, "Take care of yourself too."
Lei Yu nodded to her, then spurred her horse and rode off with her entourage. But after riding a short distance, she stopped again, turned back to look at Shang Ruyi's somewhat confused eyes, and after thinking for a long time, she said, "Remember what I told you before."
After saying that, he turned and left without looking back.
Watching her figure disappear into the vast snowstorm, Shang Ruyi remained in a daze for a long time, feeling colder and colder, as if the biting wind had taken away the last bit of warmth from her body.
Watching the group leave completely, Mu Xian finally breathed a sigh of relief.
He turned to look at Shang Ruyi and said in a deep voice, "Young Madam, are they all Liang Shide's men? Then what should we do now—"
How long has he been gone?
"Um?"
Upon suddenly hearing Shang Ruyi's question, Mu Xian was taken aback for a moment, then realized she was asking about Yuwen Ye. He then said in a deep voice, "We met Her Highness the Princess and Prince Zhao at Chenchu. After explaining these matters to us, the Second Young Master left..."
The more he spoke, the softer his voice became.
Because Shang Ruyi's eyes became increasingly deep and unfathomable.
Just then, Princess Xinyue slowly dismounted from her horse. Those around her rushed forward to help her. Her steps were unsteady, and her legs felt as heavy as lead, clearly worn down by the horseback riding. Even if someone of her noble birth knew how to ride a horse, she had obviously never experienced such a long journey and harsh conditions. When she approached, Shang Ruyi could even see that her eyes were red, and her voice unconsciously carried a tone of grievance.
She said softly, "Young Madam..."
Shang Ruyi looked at her for a while and said, "Your Highness, it's so good that you're safe. There may be a difficult road ahead, so I hope Your Highness can be patient."
Princess Crescent bit her lower lip in grievance, but still nodded.
She continued, "My second brother went to rescue my mother. She said that once my brother and I are safely out of danger, she will go to Jiangdu to be with my father and fulfill her responsibilities as empress..."
As she spoke, her voice choked with emotion, and Shang Ruyi felt a tightness in her chest. After a long while, she managed to say, "Is that so?"
Princess Crescent Moon continued, "Second Brother said that it was too dangerous, so we had to go and rescue her. But I... I think I saw someone chasing after them in the city."
"..."
"Young Madam, I'm so worried about them..."
Shang Ruyi clenched her fists subconsciously, but her expression remained calm, even calmer than when she first heard the news. She said, "Don't worry—Feng Chen knows what he's doing. As long as he takes action, things won't fail."
Princess Crescent looked at her with sparkling eyes: "Really?"
Shang Ruyi nodded: "Really."
Princess Crescent breathed a sigh of relief and forced a smile, saying, "This is wonderful."
"..."
Looking at her innocent and blank expression, Shang Ruyi felt a pang of pity for a moment, but then she couldn't tell who this pity was for. She was so confused that she didn't even know where this pity came from.
She sighed softly, then looked up at her surroundings.
Now, the two groups have joined forces, and Princess Xinyue and King Zhao have been safely escorted out. In a way, their operation can be considered a success.
Except for—
At this moment, Mu Xian walked up to her and said in a low voice, "Young Madam, we are relieved to have entrusted the two princes to you here. Next, I would like to take some people back to help the Second Young Master."
Shang Ruyi looked up at him: "Oh?"
Mu Xian said, "The Second Young Master didn't take many people with him. If he really runs into Liang Shide's men, he won't be able to escape easily. We have to go back and help him. We can't let him be in danger."
"..."
Shang Ruyi glanced at him and nodded.
Then he said, "I'll go with you."
Upon hearing this, everyone around was stunned. Jiang Kesheng and Tu She'er both stepped forward to dissuade them, and even Chang Wan advised, "Young Madam, that's too dangerous. You should stay here."
Shang Ruyi glanced at them, then at Princess Xinyue, who was clearly still caught in a panic, her eyes filled with confusion, unsure of what to say. She calmly said, "You don't need to worry. I'm not being unreasonable. I know what I'm doing. Jiang Kesheng, you take your men and escort the two princes back to the estate first. Don't come out without our orders."
Jiang Kesheng hesitated for a moment, exchanged a glance with Mu Xian, and could only nod: "Yes."
Shang Ruyi then said to Tushe'er and Woxue, "You all take good care of the two princes."
Tushe'er stamped her feet anxiously: "Miss!"
Shang Ruyi said, "Be obedient!"
She revealed a slightly stern expression, and no one dared to say anything more. Shang Ruyi then turned to Princess Xinyue and said calmly, "Your Highnesses—from now on, you can no longer refer to yourselves as Your Highnesses. You'd better conceal your identities and wait for me to meet Feng Chen and return so we can leave together."
Princess Crescent nodded.
Having explained everything, Shang Ruyi finally took a deep breath, turned around, mounted her horse, and called out in the biting cold wind, "Let's go!"
Immediately, they split into two groups and sped off into the snowstorm.
Since leaving the manor yesterday, heading north, and after evading the emperor's troops, she returned to meet Mu Xian's group. For two days, Shang Ruyi had barely slept or rested. Her back ached terribly, and the insides of her thighs were rubbed raw, swollen, and numb. Even though she had experienced hardship in her childhood, she had never suffered like this.
But she knew in her heart that these things were nothing.
Because what truly tormented her wasn't physical, but rather the vague, unsettling confusion in her heart that seemed to never find a foothold.
Perhaps today, she will get an answer.
Just as she was feeling a bit dazed, Mu Xian's voice rang out beside her: "Young Madam, up ahead!"
Shang Ruyi hurriedly looked up and saw a hazy light and shadow suddenly appear in the almost pitch-black night. As they got closer, a huge shadow emerged from the light and shadow. The familiar outline pierced everyone's eyes. Along with the icy snowflakes that were blown by the wind, there were also faint sounds of screams and cries.
That is the Eastern Capital!
The Eastern Capital, a city they once lived in and knew so well, was now right in front of them. In the dead of night, it was almost brightly lit, and in some places, flames could be clearly seen shooting into the sky, with thick smoke billowing like roaring dragons straight up to the heavens!
The Eastern Capital has indeed fallen!
Shang Ruyi gasped instinctively and hurriedly ordered, "Quickly put out the torches!"
Upon hearing this, the people around who were holding torches to light the way immediately plunged their torches upside down into the thick snow by the roadside, extinguishing the flames and plunging them into even deeper darkness.
The only thing you can see is the city bathed in red light ahead.
Mu Xian was also extremely nervous at this moment, and said in a low voice: "Liang Shide's men have indeed occupied Dongdu. Young Madam, if we want to meet the Second Young Master, we have to go around Dongdu and avoid their people."
Shang Ruyi asked in a trembling voice, "Is it possible that Feng Chen has already been—"
"Absolutely not!"
Mu Xian said decisively, "Even if the Second Young Master is alone, he will definitely be able to break through the encirclement and will not be easily captured."
"..."
Hearing him say that, Shang Ruyi seemed to relax a little.
She said, "Okay, then we—"
Before they could finish speaking, a sudden gust of cold wind swept in, making them sway on their horses. In the wind, they could faintly hear the rapid, menacing sound of horses' hooves.
And then, a strong smell of blood!
Shang Ruyi felt a chill run down her spine and quickly raised her head, staring wide-eyed ahead!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com