Chapter 4, Night Escape in the Wilderness
What the official said is reasonable; my Longwu Xiang army is not without the strength to fight, but how can we prevail against a filthy commander like the cowardly Grand Commander Gao?
At this time, the moral ethics regarding the propriety between men and women had long been cast aside. Moreover, during the Song Dynasty, the social atmosphere was quite open, and interactions between men and women were not very strict. This particular Lady Jingguo was a beautiful widow, having married at the age of sixteen. Little did she know that her husband would pass away within three years. Not long after, her sister was crowned as empress, and shortly thereafter, she was conferred the title of Lady Jingguo. Thus, she became a noblewoman in the city of Bianliang, and her aspirations grew remarkably high, desiring to find a handsome young man to enjoy life with. However, despite her discerning eye, she had yet to find a suitable match, and as a result, after two or three years, she remained in a state of being a 'renowned woman without a master'.
After fleeing into the sparse forest path, An Jing ordered Gao Chong to hold the rear and instructed the "Gao soldiers" to clear the way ahead. He was aware that this woman was skilled and bold, so he was not concerned about her safety. The main worry was that several elite soldiers from the county office were ambushed ahead. With the darkness so thick, he feared they might rush out and mistakenly injure Her Majesty and others. Indeed, they had not gone far when Gao Yingmei suddenly shouted, "... ... Stand down, it is I." With a clang, a steel knife was drawn, and the one who leaped up to strike was precisely one of the ambushed officers.
Gao Chong thought for a moment and angrily said: "The Liao people have secretly attacked our Song Empress, their intentions are sinister, it is likely that the court will have to seek an explanation from them..."
"Here..." Gao Chong clasped his fists and slowed his pace, falling behind. He had no mind to glance at those palace maids and eunuchs who were flustered like frightened dogs.
The sound of hooves grew urgent behind them, and the crowd hurriedly fled, soon followed by the sharp clashing of weapons mingled with the cries of the wounded, suggesting that Gao Chong had engaged in combat with the bandits
An Jingdao: "Father escorted the Empress to retreat along the southern route, solely to disperse the strength of the bandits. These individuals are also important figures within the palace, and we must ensure everything is handled properly..."
An Jing quickly caught up and said in a deep voice: "Shut your mouth. I am blessed with great fortune and destiny. If I were to die at the hands of a thief, what face would I have to meet the ancestors of the An family in the underworld? Lead the way ahead. Keep your eyes open and recognize the path. You must know that it is dangerous to be out at dawn, or I will chop off your head."
After another quarter of an hour, the faint sound of hooves could be heard from behind, leaving everyone astonished. Some began to tremble again, and Gao Chong said: "Perhaps the pursuers have arrived"
A few more people crawled out from the bushes, and two of them, seeing An Jing's graceful steps, supported him on either side. "Be careful inside the yamen... Why did Lord An not come along? Did only these palace maids and eunuchs escape?" One of the soldiers, noticing the absence of the county magistrate, asked aloud, as he was also concerned about the county lord.
A soldier positioned to the right and slightly behind Gao Chou said indignantly: "What Captain Gao said is not false. These Liao dogs are merely relying on their numbers. When our troops from Hejian Prefecture arrive tomorrow, we will surely be able to leave not a single one of them alive, and we will vent our anger from tonight..." Another soldier following behind also agreed.
There is no need for alarm; it is merely a small band of thieves. A few soldiers under the command of Captain Gao can easily thwart them. If they manage to steal a few horses, that would be even better, as those who are severely injured may not be able to escape.
Madam Jingguo felt her legs weaken upon hearing the commotion, and with no choice, Anjing had to extend his long arm to support her waist, half-carrying her as they walked. This brought them even closer together, with two soft and ample forms pressing directly against his side. It was unclear whether Madam Jingguo did this intentionally or unintentionally, but she also rested her delicate head on Anjing's shoulder, her slightly tilted and upward-turned pretty face nearly brushing against his chin, her breath like orchids directly stirring Anjing's heart.
In fact, An Jing, who was not afraid of the pursuers, also had the intention to think about other matters. At this moment, his intimate contact with the 'madam' became the focal point of his thoughts. As his mind concentrated on this, he suddenly felt the lady's delicate fingers gently kneading his slender palm. He was startled and turned his head, only to find that...
Gao Doutu thought this way, but perhaps not everyone thinks the same? Since the alliance at Chanyuan, what benefits has our dynasty gained in the north? Most of the powerful officials in the court fear the Liao like a tiger. Even if the emperor wishes to seek justice for the empress, he is likely to be powerless. Demanding an explanation from them would be tantamount to giving the Liao another excuse to mobilize their troops and invade... An Jing wanted to say more, but then he remembered that the empress was right behind him, so he immediately held his tongue; he had already said enough. Most of the powerful officials in the court fear the Liao like a tiger. Even if the emperor wishes to seek justice for the empress, he is likely to be powerless. Demanding an explanation from them would be tantamount to giving the Liao another excuse to mobilize their troops and invade... An Jing wanted to say more, but then he remembered that the empress was right behind him, so he immediately held his tongue; he had already said enough.
An Jing's knife was lost at some unknown time; at this moment, with a fragrant and alluring beauty leaning against him, he no longer cared about the knife and prioritized helping her first
In the yamen, the Liao people disguised as bandits intended to harm the life of the Empress, which is likely premeditated. This group of bandits is composed of at least 60 to 70 percent Khitan and Xianbei people in disguise. If it were not for the fact that the Grand Minister Gao fled the battlefield, taking nearly half of the troops with him, our elite Longwu Xiang army of the Song Dynasty would not have suffered such a tragic fate at the hands of the Liao dogs, alas
This palace maid is none other than Lady Jingguo in disguise. When An Jing supported her with one arm, her center of gravity shifted towards him, and with her other hand, she hurriedly grasped An Jing's palm. In the darkness, An Jing could not recognize who she was, but he allowed her delicate hand to hold onto him as he helped her walk, saying, "Be careful of your step..."
"Indeed, but please rest assured, young sir... We have traversed this shortcut many times and will certainly not take the wrong path..." The constable clasped his fists in salute and turned to leave.
As long as the officials are at ease, Gao Chong will certainly not let a single thief or prisoner escape. You few should block and kill the thieves from behind, hiding in the sparse woods on both sides
He also did not expose the hidden relationship between Empress Zheng and her sister, Lady Jingguo, mingling among the palace maids, to prevent these individuals from becoming alarmed and anxious. Aside from Gao Yingmei, even Gao Chong was unaware that among this group were the current Empress Zheng and others. Only a few individuals who were in the know were taken away by Song Yun.
Ah, it turns out to be Brother Gao... I almost misfired. You all come out, we are our own people. Brother Gao, our young master is not dead, is he?
The sounds of killing gradually dispersed and weakened... An Jing, obeying his father's orders, led more than ten elite guards, unmatched in bravery, to carve a bloody path towards the small, convenient road in the sparse woods to the east. Among them were a few palace maids and eunuchs, who were somewhat bolder. These individuals supported the 'Three Maids' as they stumbled deeper into the sparse woods to escape for their lives. An Zheng also decided to stay behind with Song Yun to protect the false empress as she retreated, making it more convincing, as he had also been closely watched by the bandits...
An Jing, however, sneered and said: "Do you think the Liao people will sit here and wait for death? They can disguise themselves to come here, and they can quietly leave in small groups."
The young woman could hardly bear the solitude of the night, yet she suffered from the absence of a handsome companion... At this moment, leaning into An Jing's embrace, she allowed him to guide her forward. The wife of Jingguo couldn't help but feel her heart soften, stealing glances at An Jing's handsome face in the moonlight, her heart racing with warmth. Faced with the precariousness of life, and having this young man to rescue and support her... she felt a distinct difference in her heart; no matter how she looked at him, he seemed increasingly pleasing to the eye. Tsk tsk tsk, could this young man be a celestial being descended to earth? How could he be so remarkably handsome... She felt a distinct difference in her heart; no matter how she looked at him, he seemed increasingly pleasing to the eye. Tsk tsk tsk, could this young man be a celestial being descended to earth? How could he be so remarkably handsome...
The palace maids and eunuchs were thrown into a state of panic, with two or three of them stumbling and falling over, which caused a minor commotion. In response, An Jing could only roll his eyes. The maid who was originally being supported by a eunuch lost her balance when the eunuch fell into a pile of straw, and she cried out as she collided into An Jing, who was in front of her. Fortunately, An Da Ya Nei heard the commotion and reached out just in time to steady her; otherwise, she would have plunged headfirst into the straw pile, leaving her in a cold sweat from the shock. As a result, the eunuch fell into the straw pile, and she lost her balance, crying out as she bumped into An Jing, who managed to catch her just in time, or else she would have ended up in the straw pile, startling her into a cold sweat.
The soldier behind Gao Chong said: "We risked our lives to rescue the emperor, yet Gao Qiu dragged that Lord Zheng away, and still had the audacity to say, 'The strong bandits are too numerous to be defeated.' How could the emperor employ such an incompetent old fool? Alas..." Another soldier mocked: "One must know that the filthy Gao Qiu kicked a good ball."
The three maidens, namely Hua Rui, Empress Zheng, and Madam Jingguo, were disguised, and the eunuchs and palace maids dared not breathe a word as they closely followed them. After the high-ranking official Gao Chong caught up, there were still five or seven fierce constables from the county office behind him. Each of these constables was robust, having been personally trained by Gao Chong for over a year, and their ferocity was unmatched by ordinary soldiers. At this moment, they maintained their composure in both advance and retreat, each bearing seven or eight wounds, yet this did not hinder their movements in the slightest. These constables were all strong, having been personally trained by Gao Chong for over a year, and their ferocity was unmatched by ordinary soldiers. At this moment, they maintained their composure in both advance and retreat, each bearing seven or eight wounds, yet this did not hinder their movements in the slightest.
Gao Chong's words clearly caught the attention of the 'Three Maids.' The slightly older familiar maid in the middle let out a soft 'ah,' then bit her silver teeth, secretly cursing Gao Qiu for being cunning and cowardly... An Jing, however, rolled her eyes and turned her head to glare at Gao Chong, who was taken aback...
A group of people, fleeing in disarray, hurried along the narrow path, occasionally stumbling and quickly getting back on their feet, as if the pursuers behind them had been thoroughly eliminated by Gao Chong
Indeed, with little effort, Gao Chong caught up. The black robe he wore was already tattered and in shambles, and this formidable general, known as the enemy of ten thousand, bore numerous wounds from the fierce battle. In fact, he had been absorbing the brunt of the attacks, with bright blades, hidden swords, flying arrows, and thrusting spears all directed at him. The reckless bravery of this group of 'mountain bandits' left a profound impression on Gao Chong. Similarly, the image of the previously ineffectual official, An Jing, grew larger in his eyes.
Upon hearing these words, everyone burst into laughter. An Jing felt embarrassed and did not dare to turn back to look at the expression of Her Majesty the Empress. He snorted and said, "Do not make a fuss; we have not yet escaped danger and cannot afford to be careless... How could the esteemed Grand Commander Gao be someone you can casually criticize? All of you, keep your mouths shut; Captain Gao, you still need to cover our retreat"
"You helped this lady to walk, yet that useless eunuch is truly of no value..." Lady Jingguo was furious; had it not been for the urgency to escape, she would have certainly sought a sword to behead that eunuch for relief. Her soft and delicate body was almost leaning against An Jing, with her two soft mounds pressing against his right arm.