Chapter 255

I've seen a ghost.

none.

How did Fuzouzi run off to An Nan again?

Moreover, how did this letter only reach her hand on the day the troops were dispatched?

In that case, there's no time left to prepare......

Forget it.

No matter why Fuzouzi went to An Nan, it's their own business.

If they wish to give a heads‑up, that's a favor; if they don't, it's simply their duty.

They have neither sworn allegiance nor are they bound; on what grounds can they not speak now?

Du Shanü sighed inwardly, and trusting Chen Weifang, she didn't bother to check those two letters, then rose straight away and said:

"Then I'll go prepare right away with Chinu; the troops have been drilling for over a month, the horses were previously purchased in a batch, and the rattan armor is readily available from the armory......"

"Although the treadle crossbow hasn't been mass‑produced yet, the Yuanrong crossbows are ready at hand; with light cavalry and few soldiers, we'll go ahead to scout, seeing whether amid the mutual ruin of An Nan and Zhoufu we can fish in troubled waters."

Having prepared for war for over a month, when it actually happened, none of them were particularly surprised.

Chinu also rose, preparing to set out.

Who would have thought that just as the two rose, Chen Weifang spoke up to stop them:

"No rush; earlier I said there were two major matters, and I've only mentioned one so far."

Du Shanü halted her steps, turned her head, and saw on Chen Weifang's face—still bearing the charm of an ancient moon—a fleeting shadow that vanished in an instant.

Chen Weifang fell silent for a few breaths, then said:

"Earlier, the Wise Lord brought back a man named Chen Er from Zhoufu, letting him settle with his mother in Cang Cheng; do you still remember him, Wise Lord?"

Du Shanü had a vague recollection, but not knowing why Chen Weifang brought him up, she immediately responded:

"I remember; I was short‑handed before, thought he'd be handy, so I sent him to Chong'an to help me gather news......"

"And now, has he come back?"

Figuring it carefully, the trip from Yongzhou to Chong'an takes over two months; he really should have returned by now.

Afang's expression like this—could it be that the other side has uncovered something crucial......

Chen Weifang's face darkened, and she lowered her voice:

"The news is secondary; this person has brought back someone who shouldn't have been brought."

"Someone who shouldn't have been brought?"

Du Shanü heard this and was completely baffled, asking:

"Who?"

"Could it be another relative of Yu Baobao?"

In the next instant, Du Shanü understood Chen Weifang's expression——

"I'm afraid, it really is."

Du Shanü took a deep breath and asked:

"Who is it this time?"

Chinu turned her gaze, Chen Weifang half‑closed her eyes, and sighed:

"...... the Deposed Crown Prince Huan, uncle of the Young Emperor, elder brother of the Taizong."

"Deposed, the Deposed Crown Prince Huan?"

Du Shanü was truly dumbfounded this time.

Before, she had used this person's identity, claiming he was her birth father, but precisely because rumors said he had been living in seclusion all along!

Being in seclusion, he inevitably couldn't hear outside news, nor let the outside world verify the truth......

How come, just saying he'd come to Yongzhou, he actually came to Yongzhou?

That's practically a total giveaway, isn't it?!

This news was too great; it shocked Du Shanü so much that her barely improved abdomen and legs suddenly spasmed with pain for no reason.

Du Shanü had no choice but to sit back down, asking:

"What on earth is going on?"

Chen Weifang also shook her head, the two letters held before Du Shanü's face still not lowered:

"The Wise Lord asked me, but I truly don't know."

"This letter, written in Chen Er's tone, recounts how he chanced upon someone calling himself Zhu Huan in Chong'an, who insisted on following him back. The two avoided populated areas and battles, finally entering Yongzhou in mid‑February. It should have been only the last leg, but when the Deposed Crown Prince Huan passed through Tancheng, he unexpectedly felt pity, gave alms, and was attacked by starving civilians, accidentally injuring his legs. Thus Chen Er found a place to stay, wrote this letter, hoping someone would come to escort them."

"Chen Er is clearly illiterate, yet this hastily written letter shows brushwork that penetrates three inches into the wood, the strokes are quite smooth, bearing a touch of a master's hand......"

"I suspect it was Chen Er speaking, with the Deposed Crown Prince Huan holding the brush."

Du Shanü rubbed her brows, remaining silent.

The room fell into dead silence at once; after a long while, Du Shanü pushed the letter back gently and said softly:

"Afang has already read it, so I won't look...... just tell me what it says."

Chen Weifang hesitated only a few breaths, then spoke truthfully:

"Chen Er set out from Cang Cheng, and this letter was meant to be sent back there, but now the acting administrator of Cang Cheng's prefectural office has taken charge in spring, so it naturally ended up in his hands."

"After opening it, he realized the matter was serious, so he sent someone to deliver the letter to me. The letter was sent out on the 18th, but with the courier stations around Tancheng cut off, it took several days to reach Cang Cheng, then another day and a half to transfer from Cang Cheng to Dun Cheng, and only today did it come to my attention...... the timing is already rather late."

Too late.

Of course it's too late.

Sent on the 18th, today is the 24th—six days have already passed.

If the leg injury were any worse, even a god coming couldn't save them.

Du Shanü rubbed her forehead, trying to calm her mind.

Names: Du Shanü.

Chen Weifang went on to advise:

Names: Chen Weifang.

Dun Cheng is utterly deserted; if we muster troops and march on the prefecture, hoping to catch the moment when both An Nan and the prefecture suffer mutual losses, then we cannot go searching for the Deposed Crown Prince Huang.

Names: Dun Cheng, Zhoufu, An Nan, Deposed Crown Prince, Huang.

This person has followed us all the way to Yongzhou; Chen Er is willing to bring him along, perhaps there is some hidden motive, and besides, we still don't know about the Chong'an affair—we really need to meet in person before making a decision...

Names: Yongzhou, Chen Er, Lofty Peace.

Wise Lord, let Chinu take care of the prefecture's affairs; I'll immediately send someone to fetch the Deposed Crown Prince Huang. When he arrives, you can decide his fate based on the circumstances.

Names: Wise Lord, Zhoufu, Chinu, Deposed Crown Prince, Huang.

This is naturally the best solution for now.

No names.

But she and Chinu cannot avoid being separated like this.

Names: Chinu.

Du Shanü was momentarily stunned; she has kept her eyes open ever since, and aside from scouting Cang Cheng the previous night, she has truly not been apart from Chinu even for a moment.

Names: Du Shanü, Cang Cheng, Chinu.

Their public and private lives have long been intertwined; every time they recall that earlier separation, it feels heart-wrenching and agonizing.

No explicit names (though refers to them). No new.

Not to mention...

No names.

Not to mention, even thinking with your toes, you know this trip will surely involve actual armed combat!

No names.

Chinu, even though he's a jack-of-all-trades, what if he gets injured?

Names: Chinu.

If he's not around, what if she wants to find someone to consult?

No names (pronouns refer to Du Shanü and Chinu but not explicit).

This world is truly neither fair nor permitted.

No names.

Why can't we just spare her all of it?

No names.

A breath quietly approached; Du Shanü's hand, rubbing her forehead, froze, and Chinu leaned to her ear and whispered softly:

Names: Du Shanü, Chinu.

"Wife Master pities A Nu's hardship, but A Nu isn't suffering at all."

Names: Wife

Wife Master pities A Nu's hardship, but A Nu isn't suffering at all.

Anyway, today is rough; Wife Master should head back and rest, and A Nu will soon return to attend to her—don't call anyone else to serve.

Names: Wife Master, A Nu. Also maybe other people not a name.

These words left Du Shanü's heart and spirit near breaking.

Names: Du Shanü.

However, the last seven words once again clearly reveal Chinu's jealous nature.

Names: Chinu.

But what can be done?

No names.

But what can be done?

No names.

He's willing to charge into battle and die for her, but she can't, while his fate is unknown, also summon another to take his place.

No explicit names (pronouns refer to Chinu and Du Shanü). No new.

That would be really too inhumane.

No names.

Du Shanü sighed, stepped forward, and kissed the corner of her Guai Nu Nu's lips.

Names: Du Shanü, Guai Nu Nu.

"... No, go early and come back early."

No names.

Chinu seized the moment, turning that light kiss into a deep kiss entwining lips and teeth in myriad ways.

Names: Chinu.

That kiss was extremely deep and long.

No names.

Moreover, it's unclear if this is Du Shanü's illusion, but it still carries the reluctance and lingering attachment of someone facing death.

Names: Du Shanü.

Du Shanü felt ill-omened, and noticing some difficulty breathing, she gave her Guai Nu Nu a push.

Names: Du Shanü, Guai Nu Nu.

"Go away."

No names.

Chinu still ended up leaving.

Names: Chinu.

Walking away with his back to the light, his silhouette was resolute.

No names.

Du Shanü stayed seated in her original spot, watching him go, and remained silent for a long time.

Names: Du Shanü.

Chen Weifang also felt some emotion and said:

Names: Chen Weifang.

"Wise Lord need not worry; Chinu's martial skills will surely......"

Names: Wise Lord, Chinu.

That just makes things even more ominous!

No names.

Usually, those who say they'll definitely return mostly don't make it back!

No names.

Du Shanü was startled back to her senses, wanted to speak up to refute, but felt a bit listless.

Names: Du Shanü.

"No need to say that; the important matter is at hand."

No names.

You help me go summon a few people, I'll go fetch Chen Er and... that person who is nominally my 'birth father'.