Princess Liang (V)
Mentioning the prefect of Ming Hunzhou, Xi Zhongting knew him like the back of his hand. He reached for the sword at his waist, not missing the simultaneous glances of those who looked up, their eyes filled with shock yet hope. His personal guards were about to step forward, but Xi Zhongting raised his hand to stop them. He then headed alone to the empty main road leading to the city walls and up to the tower.
These people had clearly received orders long ago, yet no matter how they questioned, they only replied, "We've been coerced by the prefect for years." The blood and cries of the dead could not be washed away in the West Flowing Sea outside Ming Hunzhou. This entire city, piled with bones, had survived the chaos of the country. How could they pin the blame on a single prefect, then walk away unscathed just as peace was about to return?
The prostrate civilians lowered their heads and exchanged glances. They watched Xi Zhongting ascend the city wall. A restless young man fixed his gaze on the sword of the halting guard. If they could kill this general, whom their elders had accused of betraying them, wouldn't that avenge the decades of isolation in Hunzhou? Could there still be a glimmer of hope for the prefect?
He clenched his fists and gritted his teeth. At this moment, his frivolous spirit and hot blood were driving him to risk his life and move forward.
"Clang."
Then, Xi Zhongting's action made everyone look up.
He took off the sword from his waist, threw it behind him, and went upstairs bare-handed.
This is a very sincere gesture.
The young man who wanted to take action hesitated because of this move. When she wanted to take action again, her companions had secretly grabbed her and were desperately winking at her.
Xi Zhongting paused for a moment as he stepped onto the city wall. He saw the crude graffiti painted years ago, still uneroded by the wind and frost. Curved lines hung in a chaotic pattern. Back then, the fawn led a group of orphans to pay a visit to the envoys from the capital. One of them, a "thin seedling" who always gave up his food to the other children, yearned for the tall generals. So, the fawn directed the children to line up at the foot of the city wall and carve their heights.
He seemed to hear the crisp sound of the deer still in his ears.
Before he first came to Minghunzhou, he had already inquired about the mother and daughter of the Minghunzhou magistrate. He always thought that these two adults had been tempered by swords and fire, and must be extremely shrewd people. He never thought that he would see such a clear pair of eyes.
Xi Zhongting's hand hanging by his side suddenly trembled.
During the years since His Majesty sent him to the Western Territory, besides Dayu and His Majesty, he had only this one person in his heart. With Hunzhou under closure, he couldn't get any information out, and he was afraid he wouldn't see this person again.
At this moment, what I am more afraid of seeing is this person.
But he didn't pause.
He walked steadily forward, step by step on the stone steps. Minghun Prefecture stood in the sea, and the sea breeze blew from the city wall. He saw a thin figure facing him, who seemed to be gazing at the calm Xiliu Sea.
Xi Zhongting stopped a few steps behind this person.
Hearing the noise, the other party turned around.
After not seeing each other for so many years, at this moment of reunion, Xi Zhongting felt the anger he'd been holding in his chest suddenly crash into his stomach, nearly knocking him dizzy. He was filled with anger and grief, tears that he couldn't let fall in his red eyes. He took a few deep breaths, forced himself to feign composure, and said, "Lan Ye, it really is you."
Chen Lanye was only twenty-eight, but her temples were already streaked with white hair. Her eyes were sunken, her gaze dead, and the bulging veins on her neck were lost in the ill-fitting official robes. Xi Zhongting saw the red crane eyes on the crimson-blue robe and recognized it as the official uniform worn by Chen Lanye's mother.
The prefect is so powerful that he can do anything, commit murder and robbery, but he can't even afford a new official robe?
Chen Lanye didn't have the energy to delve into the meaning of the emotion in Xi Zhongting's eyes. She had long anticipated that the "life-buying money" would one day become a knife stabbing them, but more than a decade ago, she had no other options. She stared at Xi Zhongting's angry expression, recalling his visit to Minghunzhou, and could only avoid the important points and mention the few things she could.
If the other party's betrayal were exposed, would this general, who commanded a large army, become enraged and massacre the city to vent his anger?
She didn't dare to gamble.
Then, with a mixture of sneer and emotion, she said, "So it's General Xi. General Xi is no longer the same as he was before. I remember when I first met him, he was vomiting profusely beside a ship on the Xiliu Sea. Now, he can even lead a navy to capture a city."
Xi Zhongting was hurt by her gaze, but did not avoid it.
“Yes, because someone taught me.”
"Someone taught me how to sail, how to swim, and how to collect pearls in the Xiliu Sea. She once carried me barefoot from the coast back to the capital of Minghun Prefecture. She was the best swimmer in Minghun Prefecture and gave me the most dazzling pearl."
He stared at Chen Lanye motionlessly.
The face opposite her was lifeless and weather-beaten, not a bit like the bright and lively look of her youth. When she lifted herself onto the boat from the Xiliu Sea, she had a bunch of black hair draped over her shoulders, bright eyes and white teeth, like a water goblin. She asked her name.
Chen Lanye's eyes darkened when he heard this, but he didn't think much about it. He just followed his words and said, "She gave you the pearl, so she must have loved you very much. Did the general take her away from Ming Hunzhou then? Is she okay now?"
No matter how much Xi Zhongting wanted to say, it got stuck in his throat.
He didn't know what had happened that Lan Ye had forgotten even these memories.
At this point, Chen Lanye played the "groundless" emotional card. "General Xi, your daughter is from Ming Hunzhou. I'm sure you know that the people of Ming Hunzhou are kind and honest. 'Buying her life for money' was my idea. The city guards are under my control; it wasn't their will. I know the deceased is above. Whether it's exile or imprisonment, I only ask that the elderly, weak, women, and children in the city be spared. Lanye will die as an apology."
Xi Zhongting's eagle eyes stared at her intently. "Lan Ye, can your life alone offset the sins of over a decade? Can you even count how many heads have floated in the Xiliu Sea?"
Chen Lanye had lived like a walking corpse for years, but now, when she looked toward Xiliuhai, the first thing she saw was the corpses of the people of Minghun Prefecture. Even though those bones had been collected years ago, she wondered if they were resting in peace. She offered no resistance, "General Xi, whatever you wish to do, Lanye will do."
The government of Dayu is in a state of disrepair. Could Xi Zhongting really kill all the people in this city and give an explanation to the world?
The imperial court was isolated in the capital. Honestly, who among the various cities wasn't a culprit? They knew that in Hunzhou, no one was distinguished between north and south, and they would kill anyone who came, meaning they wanted to avoid offending anyone. Xi Zhongting was trying to show some mercy, she could see it, and no matter what the reason—it was probably more because the imperial court had no one to rely on.
The current Dayu is no different from a newly founded country. Only those who know the times can survive.
Ming Hunzhou now only needs a "bandit leader" who is guilty of heinous crimes and deserves a miserable death.
Her crime was unforgivable, and there was nothing she couldn't die for.
Xi Zhongting watched her, a feeling of helplessness welling up within him. He sensed Chen Lanye's despair, as if death were the destination she had longed for. But why? She had spoken of her past, of her suing her father to save her mother, of those painful past moments, yet she had never once felt so downcast as to lose hope. He couldn't help but ask, "Lanye, what exactly happened in Ming Hunzhou?"
Chen Lanye was stunned for a moment, a flash of pain and confusion in her eyes. She shook her head and said, "It's just an ordinary disaster. I've forgotten it."
She finally met Xi Zhongting's gaze. "General Xi, you have been ordered to recapture Ming Hunzhou. His Majesty has commanded us to do so as quickly as possible. There are many innocent people in the city. Sparing them will also make things easier for you."
There was nothing left to discuss. Xi Zhongting put aside his emotions and looked down at her with his hands behind his back. "I can't make the decision on this matter. The new imperial envoy is on his way. Everyone in the city is guilty. His Majesty will decide how to deal with them. And you—you claim to be the mastermind behind the 'life-buying scheme.' You must be escorted back to the capital to be dealt with."
Chen Lanye slowly exhaled, "Thank you, General."
Xi Zhongting turned to leave, but after a few steps he stopped and looked back, "I have one more condition."
No one knew what was happening on the city wall. The strangers had been waiting on the shore for several hours. Then, the soldiers, who were well-behaved, approached. One of the lieutenants stood with a sword slung over his shoulder. "The general has issued an order. Since the situation in Hunzhou has not been resolved, all those entering the city must be stationed in the north. Before the city gates are opened, no one is allowed to move around or cause trouble. Anyone who disobeys this order will be executed."
At the end, he flashed the blade and his tone was full of threats.
The people who escaped death nodded their approval and followed eagerly.
Song Jingyan pulled Meng Shizhuang's cloak tightly, covering his face completely. The Liang Palace's men remained behind, and Song Jingyan went forward to speak to the deputy general. "General, the city is in chaos right now, and I don't want to trouble General Xi. However, we are under orders from the emperor, and we cannot stay for long. Please be flexible and tell General Xi to let the Liang Palace's men pass."
The deputy general frowned slightly, remembering Xi Zhongting's instructions. He raised his arm and gestured for everyone in Prince Liang's mansion to settle down first. "Young lady, please stay with Her Highness the Princess and rest. I will go and report to the General."
Song Jingyan nodded in thanks and led the people away in a neither humble nor arrogant manner.
The deputy general took a half step away and saluted the "Princess" on Qiuhe's back. When he stood up, his eyes fell on the skinny arm in front of Qiuhe's neck. Looking forward, he saw a tightly wrapped palm.
Doubts arose in his mind.
He glanced at Song Jingyan who was walking in the front. The embroidery on her dress was so luxurious but not conspicuous. This princess did not look like someone who was raised with care.
But he never imagined that the people in Prince Liang's mansion would be so bold as to use someone else's trick, so this doubt only flashed through his mind for a moment before he put it aside. After the people headed north of the city, he reported Song Jingyan's intentions to Xi Zhongting.
Xi Zhongting had received His Majesty's hint beforehand and had no intention of embarrassing the people from Prince Liang's palace. He ordered, "Prepare boats and supplies for them. Thoroughly inspect the people and their belongings on board. If there are no problems, let them leave the city."
The deputy general should withdraw.
The soldiers led by Xi Zhongting acted quickly and opened another city gate on the third day to let Song Jingyan and others out of the city.
Song Jingyan stood on the deck, saluted and thanked the soldiers who opened the city gates. As the gates closed, she seemed to hear a huge cry of grief from the city. She looked down from the boat, catching sight of the clear waters on the other side of Ming Hunzhou, and sighed slowly. At this moment, Hengbo walked quickly towards her and said, "Sister, that person..."
She was stopped by Song Jingyan's indifferent glance and changed her words: "Your Highness is awake."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
