Chapter 592

Long Xi Yue's nose felt sour, her eye sockets reddened as she recalled Zi Juan growing up with her since childhood; she felt toward Zi Juan as a sister, and could say Zi Juan was one of the few people in this world she could trust, yet she never expected Zi Juan would betray her.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Things have come to this; we can only make the best of a bad situation, letting her impersonate your identity and take your place heading to Yongdu. Fortunately, few have seen your true appearance. Wu Jing Shan knows Zi Juan is not the princess, but he believes you have met with misfortune and would never dare reveal the truth."

Long Xi Yue let out a faint sigh; the situation's development had long surpassed her imagination. Hu Xiaotian had schemed exhaustively to rescue her, but man's plans ultimately fall short of heaven's; it seems even he did not anticipate things turning out this way.

Hu Xiaotian said: "These two days will be hard on you; for now I'll assign you to follow by my side, handling guard duty and helping me tend the horses. Zhan Peng will secretly protect you. Once we leave Nan Yang Water Stronghold and head to Yongdu, I will look for a suitable chance to help you escape."

Long Xi Yue shook her head and, in a voice only the two of them could hear, said: "I'm not going anywhere."

Hu Xiaotian stared slightly.

Perhaps fearing Hu Xiaotian wouldn't understand, Long Xi Yue added: "Sir, wherever you go, I will follow." She then tossed some dry firewood into the bonfire and whispered: "After all you've been through, you're exhausted in body and mind; better to rest now. Whatever the matter, we can discuss it tomorrow."

Hu Xiaotian nodded; for now that was the only option. The human-skin mask Qin Yutong gave him proved useful—Long Xi Yue not only put on the mask but also took a voice-altering pill; otherwise her soft, delicate voice would give her away when she spoke. After taking the pill, her speech became coarse and gruff. Moreover, she tried to avoid talking to others to avoid suspicion. Before returning to the tent, Hu Xiaotian quietly handed her the remaining Violent Rain Pear Blossom Needles for self-defense in case of danger.

Changing one's appearance is easy, but altering one's behavior and bearing is hard. Long Xi Yue pretended to have an injured ankle, walking with a limp to somewhat conceal her graceful gait. To keep up appearances, Hu Xiaotian sternly assigned her to stand night watch outside. Though she had never endured such hardship from childhood, her gentle nature belied an inner strength; she did not sleep a wink that night. Guarding the fire, thinking of a maiden's thoughts, she stayed awake all night.

Dawn at Nan Yang Water Stronghold came late; the whole stronghold was shrouded in morning mist, the river wind though not strong still found every crevice to slip into collars and cuffs. Long Xi Yue had just dozed off when the piercing cold wind woke her, and she couldn't help sneezing twice in a row.

She opened her eyes and saw that the bonfire before her had gone out, thin blue smoke rising from the ashes. A worn cotton jacket had somehow appeared on her shoulders; lifting the tent flap, she discovered Hu Xiaotian had already left.

Long Xi Yue's heart fluttered in panic as she rose and looked around. She saw Zhan Peng leading Little Gray over; he smiled at her and said: "Sir saw you asleep and threw this cotton jacket over you."

Long Xi Yue's cheeks flushed, her heart swelling with warmth; even fine silks and jade delicacies could not compare to this worn cotton jacket from her beloved. She pulled the jacket tighter and whispered: "Elder Brother Zhan, what do you need me to do?"

Zhan Peng said: "Sir Hu went to find a place to bury our fallen brothers; take Little Gray to graze on some water plants, then walk him a bit, but don't wander far and don't go out of my sight."

Long Xi Yue nodded, took the reins from Zhan Peng's hand, and went to feed the horse.

Early that morning Hu Xiaotian had been summoned by Liu Yun Cai, but Li Chen Zhou had already persuaded Tang Boxi to agree to bury the soldiers on the spot, though not within Nan Yang Water Stronghold's bounds; they needed to find another plot outside, and Tang Boxi insisted it be at least three li outside the stronghold.

In fact, the land outside Nan Yang Water Stronghold is all barren; Hu Xiaotian took Zhou Mo along, they borrowed two horses from the stronghold and rode westward. Three li west of the stronghold they found a dirt mound overgrown with weeds. Hu Xiaotian dismounted, tethering his horse to a crooked-necked pine. Zhou Mo kept pace, and they walked to the mound's summit. Looking out, they saw the Yong River still shrouded in a white mist; Nan Yang Water Stronghold lay not far to the east, but the morning haze obscured its outline.

Hu Xiaotian said: "This will do; it's far enough from Nan Yang Water Stronghold, and on a clear day one should be able to see the opposite bank of the Yong River from here—that is Dakang's territory."

Zhou Mo nodded, his tone heavy: "I don't know when we'll be able to send their remains back home."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Elder Brother, when did you become so sentimental? At least they have a burial place; if we meet with mishap, we might not even find a place to bury ourselves."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Mo couldn't help laughing, clapped Hu Xiaotian on the shoulder, and said: "Given that we're still alive after all this, it proves your luck is immense."

Hu Xiaotian said: "It's not too bad; at least we're alive." If there is any regret, the greatest is that Zhou Mo didn't manage to get Long Xi Yue out safely in time—she was intercepted by the Yong army midway and forced to accompany them to Yongdu.

Zhou Mo whispered: "Someone's coming..." Hardly had his words faded when Hu Xiaotian heard the thud of hooves approaching from afar; soon a group of shadows appeared below the mound—Liu Yun Cai leading a squad of Da Yong soldiers tracking their footsteps.

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "General Liu, are you rushing over because you fear we'll flee?"

Liu Yun Cai said: "Sir Hu is an honored guest of our Da Yong; why would he want to escape?"

Hu Xiaotian chuckled: "Just joking."

Liu Yun Cai said: "General Li sent me to fetch Sir Hu back, saying there is an important matter to discuss."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Good!"

Liu Yun Cai said: "Sir Hu, have you chosen the burial site?"

Hu Xiaotian couldn't help but wryly smile: "Great luck and prosperity—could General Liu this early morning say something auspicious instead?"

Liu Yun Cai laughed: "I'm not good with words; perhaps Sir Hu helped the deceased pick a good grave?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "I think this place will do; it meets General Tang's condition—being three li outside Nan Yang Water Stronghold and on higher ground, so even if the water rises it won't be flooded. The spirits of those brothers buried here can still see their homeland. What do you think, General Liu?"

Liu Yun Cai said: "If Sir Hu thinks it's fine, we'll just let General Tang know when we return."

Hu Xiaotian gave Zhou Mo a look, they mounted up and followed Liu Yun Cai's party back to Nan Yang Water Stronghold.

Just as they entered the stronghold's gate, the sun rose from the east; the morning mist quickly dissipated, the sky clear and Lan like the pure sea, without dust or haze. The pine forests lining the Yong River banks rippled, showing a water-washed clarity; the sunlight was warm, and in the distant horizon one could faintly see wisps of cloud as thin as gauze.

The air reeked of rotting plants and damp mugwort, an unpleasant smell. In many parts of the stronghold, thin cooking smoke curled up, the soldiers lighting fires to make rice.

Hu Xiaotian saw dozens of wooden crates stacked in their camp, all of them dowry items salvaged from the river. The Da Yong soldiers observed strict discipline; no one dared touch what belonged to them.

Dakang's Minister of Rites Wu Jing Shan was on site inventorying the goods; after this calamity, recovering everything was impossible, and these dowries amounted to only one‑third of what they had brought. Hu Xiaotian approached Wu Jing Shan and said: "Sir Wu, how is the situation?"

Wu Jing Shan gave a bitter smile: "We've retrieved some luggage and dowry, but most is still lost; I don't know how to explain this to the emperor later."

Hu Xiaotian smiled faintly: "Wealth is external; as long as the princess is safe, we haven't failed our duty."

Wu Jing Shan wore a grim expression; he knew full well the princess now was a counterfeit, and Hu Xiaotian's move was a risky gambit—if anyone spotted the discrepancy, they wouldn't have enough heads to lose—but for now it was the only option; if they claimed the princess was dead, they'd almost certainly not see tomorrow's sun.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Open all the crates, air them out properly, and then reorganize them."

Wu Jing Shan nodded and ordered the soldiers to get on it right away.

At that moment Li Chen Zhou and Tang Boxi came together; Hu Xiaotian and Wu Jing Shan stepped forward to greet them, clasping their hands in thanks: "General Tang, General Li, thank you for saving our lives."

Tang Boxi's attitude had improved considerably; seeing Hu Xiaotian, he burst out laughing: "Sir Hu, I drank too much last night—please forgive my shortcomings; I'm a blunt man, so don't take my roughness to heart."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "General Tang, you're too modest; I admire your frank and heroic nature, and nothing compares to the lifesaving favor you've shown us."

Li Chen Zhou gave a faint smile, turned his gaze to Wu Jing Shan, and asked: "Sir Wu, are you feeling better?"

Wu Jing Shan replied anxiously: "Much better, though I feel ashamed—old age has weakened me; yesterday my head felt like it would split, so I didn't go see the two generals; I hope they won't blame me."

Li Chen Zhou said: "Sir Wu is a renowned scholar known throughout the world; I have long admired him, and on our journey to Yongdu I will certainly seek his instruction earnestly."

Wu Jing Shan replied modestly: "Oh, I couldn't possibly—General Li is accomplished in both civil and military affairs, and I too have long been known."

Listening to the words, Hu Xiaotian caught Li Chen Zhou's meaning—clearly he intended to join them for Yongdu—and inwardly startled, he smiled and asked: "General Li, are you planning to go to Yongdu with us?"

Li Chen Zhou nodded and said: "I summoned Sir Hu back precisely to discuss this; I just received an order from the Seventh Prince to escort Princess Anping to Yongdu as quickly as possible."

Regardless of whether there are a hundred monthly tickets, the third update has been posted; updates have been slow lately, regaining integrity takes time, Zhangyu understands! I have never left, and I hope you all will not abandon me! (To be continued~^~)