Yi Ning overheard Ye Yan discussing military affairs with one of his companions. She had heard extensively about the military situation on the Datong border during the journey. Lu Jiaxue, having led his troops to Datong, launched a vigorous counterattack, forcing the Tatars out of Yanmen Pass and suppressing Datong. Wei Ling's Xuanfu forces joined forces with Lu Jiaxue to form a powerful force, temporarily stabilizing the border.
The Oirat tribe had suffered a heavy blow last time, and this time they joined forces with the Tatars to fight back, they were extremely angry, otherwise they would not have rushed to Yanmen Pass with such an overwhelming force. So although they had been forced out for the time being, the two tribes were still fierce and would not give up for a while.
Baoger burped softly in her arms. Luo Yining held him upright and patted his back, Baoger's limp head resting on her shoulder, making soft babbling sounds.
Xuezhi sat by and listened to the baby's voice, and put a cloak on the child.
"Xuezhi." Luo Yining patted Bao Ge'er's back and said quietly, "I've always wanted to ask you, is your child really lost?"
Xuezhi was stunned, her heart skipping a beat. Then she smiled wryly. It was true. Her young lady might seem harmless, but she knew everything. How could she not be suspicious?
She looked at Luo Yining's face, a little hesitant. "I lied, but it wasn't entirely a lie. Xingge was indeed abducted by human traffickers, but when the governor found me, he sent Xingge back to me. But when he brought me here to look after you, he told me to pretend the child was gone so I could focus on taking care of you. Don't worry, knowing you were pregnant in Jinling, I'm willing to come and take care of you."
"Has your child been found?" Yining asked again.
Xuezhi nodded: "The governor is very meticulous..."
Yining hummed, feeling mixed emotions.
"Xuezhi, do you want to go back? Since your child can safely stay in Baoding, I'm afraid you haven't fallen out with your husband's family. If you want to go back and reunite with your family, then go ahead," Yi Ning continued. No one doesn't want to be reunited with their family. Xuezhi and her master-servant relationship had long been fulfilled, and now, family was more important to her. Lu Jiaxue had forced her to serve him, which was definitely a coercion.
Xuezhi felt a lump in her throat: "Miss, I came here voluntarily... Please don't say that."
Luo Yining waved his hand: "I understand everything. I'll have Ye Yan send someone to take you back later."
Xuezhi didn't say anything this time, but pursed her lips.
Yining asked Ye Yan to come in and told him to send Xuezhi back to Baoding.
Ye Yan was stunned. He thought Xuezhi had made some serious mistake and was about to speak when Luo Yining shook his head and said, "Just send her back to Lu Jiaxue. I'll go talk to him!"
Ye Yan asked Xuezhi to follow him. Xuezhi had just packed a small package and walked to the door to look at her again. Suddenly, he walked up to her and kowtowed before following Ye Yan.
Luo Yining sighed slightly.
Judging from the situation, this personal maid wasn't kicked out because of a mistake. Ye Yan thought to himself, and asked someone to give Xuezhi ten taels of silver as travel expenses and asked the guards to send her there.
He didn't know what the Marquis was thinking. The border was in danger, yet he asked him to look after a woman. When this woman was originally in the Marquis's mansion, he and the deputy general thought she was just a skinny guy, never expecting her to become the Marquis's wife one day. It was just strange; the Marquis's actions really looked like house arrest. Ye Yan walked back slowly, and when he saw that there was no one in the house, his face suddenly turned ugly.
He casually grabbed the person next to him and asked, "Where is the Madam? Didn't I tell you to keep an eye on her?"
The guard he had captured stammered, "Madam said you agreed to let her go to Mount Wutai, and you took the girl out to prepare. I saw the wet nurse was still with Madam..."
Ye Yan was furious. What a fool! That wet nurse must have been bribed by Luo Yining!
He led his men to chase after them, but he saw two horses galloping on the official road, with dust billowing and red tassels tied around their necks. He immediately ordered everyone to stop.
*
Yi Ning hadn't actually gone far at this point, after all, she was carrying Bao Ge'er. She had indeed bribed the wet nurse, a country girl, in advance. She'd promised to help her by telling her to use harsh words and then make up a tragic story. Sitting in a simple carriage, Yi Ning's heart pounded. She felt this was too risky, and she might not be able to escape. Surprisingly, she was lucky; the guard didn't suspect anything.
But if Ye Yan reacted and chased after him, there would be nothing he could do. Luo Yining told the driver to take a remote road. This carriage was probably used to deliver goods, and there was nothing inside.
They had just arrived at a farmhouse. Inside, a village woman lived alone, keeping a pen of chickens. It was dark. Yining asked the driver to stop and rest.
Yining and her wet nurse went to stay overnight. While the wet nurse was talking to the village woman, Luo Yining heard the clatter of horse hooves. She had expected it, so she remained calm. She turned around and saw Ye Yan and his men approaching. He was accompanied by many people, some of whom were even wearing armor.
Ye Yan knelt before her, still panting. He cupped his fists and said, "My dear Madam, I'm sorry. I didn't come to see you this time just to wait for you to return. The governor previously instructed that if his condition is critical, I should have my subordinates escort you to the Duke of Ying!"
He raised his head, his expression somewhat stern, his tone indescribably heavy: "The commander-in-chief led his troops out of Datong and pursued them deep into the heart of the Tatars, and then disappeared without a trace..."
Luo Yining frowned and asked, "Did something happen to Lu Jiaxue?"
Ye Yan shook his head and said, "It's hard to say, but there has been no news for five days. Normally, it's a sign of disaster, but there's still no news of victory from the Oirat tribe... so no one knows what's going on. The grasslands are complex, and they could be ambushed or trapped. Please get in the carriage, and I'll take you to the Duke of Ying! The Governor-General hasn't secured Datong yet, and Wutai County is also in danger. You'll be safer in Xuanfu."
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