Chapter 07: Dangerous Journey

It seems that three days later, once they enter the city, they will take action

He is the great general who looks down upon the world, and he is the only one who can save my people... I bury my head in my arms, curling up with a bitter smile

This journey is headed to Ningshu, and their true objective is indeed not me, but rather Xiao Qi

I got up and walked towards the door

If I can escape from here alive and see the King of Yuzhang, I believe I will ask him for a letter of divorce

First came the thunderous marriage proposal, followed by the abrupt departure on our wedding night, and then being kidnapped, finding myself in perilous circumstances. All these inexplicable misfortunes are attributed to my husband, whom I have never met. I have suffered humiliation because of him, yet where is he now? Does he know of my suffering? ... Is there even a trace of concern ... . ... I fear there is not even a trace.

I close my eyes, and a tear involuntarily slides down... If death were to arrive at this moment, I would accept it with equanimity

A chill ran through my heart, and I involuntarily shrugged my shoulders, but my arm was suddenly seized by someone.

I turned my face away, unwilling to pay him any attention

Taking advantage of her being startled by the flames, I turned around and rushed out the door

"He Lan Zhen is probably having second thoughts now." I chuckled lightly and raised an eyebrow, saying, "You might as well ask him if he is still willing to kill me."

In an instant, a wave of sorrow, bitterness, and a myriad of grievances, along with countless feelings of helplessness, surged to the forefront of my mind

What are you thinking about

My embarrassed and angry demeanor elicited his hearty laughter

I braced myself against the wall of the vehicle, watching him intently with full vigilance

Leaning against the wall, I heard the urgent sound of hooves. In a flash of thought, various past events rushed through my mind, and I suddenly came to a realization

"Awu." I blurted it out, only to immediately regret it

I hurriedly shrank back, coldly avoiding him

Do not move

But what use can I be? Could it be that he still wants to use me as bait to threaten Xiao Qi?

"What does your mother call you?" he suddenly asked

Suddenly, a tightness gripped my neck, followed by the sound of fabric tearing, as he tore open my collar with a swift motion of his hand

"Not even a trivial matter, indeed a scion of nobility." He cast a cold glance at me, his tone laced with sarcasm, yet he took my hand and brought it to his lips

His enemy is Xiao Qi, yet he has kidnapped me—if it were only to vent his anger through humiliation, why then must he be so cautious and hidden all the way

I am frozen

If that is the case, Helan Zhen will likely be disappointed—my life and death, it seems, are of no concern to the King of Yuzhang

I never expected that when I truly set foot on that land, it would be under such circumstances

Regardless, that person will always be my husband

He was furious, grabbed the medicine bowl, and threw it towards the door, shouting, "Get out!"

"Dead whore, what are you looking at? Look again and I will gouge out your eyes!"

The wound on the neck is not deep, yet it still hurts when pulled

I took the opportunity to withdraw, but I heard him shout angrily, "Get out, who asked you to come in!"

This vehicle is filled with private prostitutes, and today we set off for Ning Shuo to sell ourselves as camp prostitutes in the military

What a clever method! This Helan Zhen, with a capricious temperament and profound scheming, is indeed a truly terrifying figure

She laughed heartily, her face nearly contorted with mirth, "With you alone, can you thwart the Young Master's grand scheme of revenge? Xiao Qi has destroyed my homeland, and there is an irreconcilable enmity between him and the Young Master! You two wretched scoundrels must pay with your lives to the Helan clan!"

His icy fingers caressed my face, sending a shiver down my spine

Helan Zhen hurriedly reached out to support me

My heart tightened, and I pushed him away with my hand, only to touch his chest, which was barely covered by a thin garment.

He withdrew the golden hairpin that was embedded in his shoulder and neck, and blood trickled down from his neck.

The closer I get to Ning Shuo, the more anxious and uneasy I become, afraid to think about what awaits me when I set foot in Ning Shuo

Two burly men were waiting outside the door, and together with Xiao Ye, they forced me towards one of the horse-drawn carriages, which was draped with thick curtains, seemingly ready to depart. Suddenly, I heard the weeping and wailing of a woman, followed by the sounds of scolding and whipping.

Suddenly, the carriage jolted violently, throwing me forward and causing me to collide with the carriage floor, prompting an involuntary cry of pain.

A sudden heat surged through my neck, followed immediately by a sharp pain—he actually bent down and bit into the side of my neck

Ah Wu ... ... '' he called me softly, his voice gentle like the warm breeze of a spring night

He trembled with rage, glaring at me with fury, his cheeks flushed with red marks, and with a swift motion of his hand, he struck me down forcefully.

Behind me stood Helan Zhen, dressed in the attire of the Hu people, with a calm expression, gazing at me coldly

In the night, the chaotic sounds awakened me

"Shameless, you are shameless..." She trembled with anger, "Within three days, I will see how you die!"

I ignored her and brought the steamed bun closer to the oil lamp, carefully brushing off the dust that had settled on it

He Lan Zhen and others resided in the left wing, so I disregarded everything and hurried down the right corridor

Helan Zhen, how would he deal with Xiao Qi... A sense of unease suddenly surged within me

I regret not having killed you earlier I met his gaze

In recent days, I have been gentle and silent, no longer resisting, and at times I speak kindly to Helan Zhen.

I fear that they have even greater schemes in mind

This city has crystallized too many tales of blood and tears

Thinking of this, I could not help but smile bitterly, gradually laughing to the point of tears

Let go! I scolded angrily

Xiao Ye's laughter was sharp and piercing, filled with a sense of vengeful delight

Better to remain single for life than to be the Princess of Yuzhang

Xiao Ye was filled with anger, her face flushed red as if blood were about to drip from it

"What a pity, such a good steamed bun." I turned back and smiled at her, suddenly grabbing the oil lamp and throwing it forcefully towards the bed in the corner of the room

Once, they all hated me, feared me, and would chase after me to beat me at any opportunity. He wore a dazed smile on his face and murmured, "Every time, my mother would hold me, crying while applying medicine to my wounds. Sometimes, I would rather let them hit me; if I got hurt, my mother would hold me.

In front of a cart, a young woman clung desperately to the yoke, refusing to get on, while a burly man behind her lashed her with a whip, her cries piercing and heartrending

"How you hurt me, I shall repay you in kind." His hand climbed to my neck, gently caressing, "This scar is my mark, your master, from now on, is Helan Zhen"

He suddenly tore off my nightgown, his hands sliding down my bare skin.

I am wondering, this princess of yours who is famous yet without substance, whether she is still a maiden to this day?" He tightened his grip on my chin and leaned in closer.

As soon as the curtain is drawn, the carriage begins to move forward with a clatter

The pain, akin to shattered bones and torn muscles, causes cold sweat to break out all over my body

As the days pass, we are heading north, and Ning Shuo is gradually approaching

This young master Helan possesses an exceedingly eccentric temperament. When he is frail and unwell, he elicits a sense of pity; however, once his spirits improve, he becomes increasingly unpredictable and capricious, with his moods shifting erratically. At times, he may remain taciturn for an entire day, appearing oblivious to those around him, while at other times, he can be extremely irritable, erupting into anger without any apparent reason

After a while, he coldly said, "My mother has been deceased for a long time"

Someone ran past me, and coming towards me were firefighters carrying buckets of water.

Only Xiao Ye's hostility towards me has grown increasingly intense, and at the slightest opportunity, she would hurl harsh words at me

"Do you want to kill me?" His voice grew hoarse, and the murderous intent in his eyes gradually dimmed

I was startled

Three days! A tremor ran through my heart; could it be that they are about to take action so soon?

I lowered my head in silence, hiding my face in the crook of my arm, and closed my eyes as if in a light sleep

Xiao Ye snorted coldly, "You shameless person, if you have any backbone, then don't eat it."

I pulled hard and accidentally bumped into a wooden splinter, leaving a shallow cut on my little finger.

The camp prostitutes sent to the military are, as per custom, transported together with the supplies and provisions.

Xiao Qi commanded an army of 400,000 and had garrisoned Ning Shuo for many years, fortifying the northern border to be as solid as a fortress, unassailable.

I can endure the mockery and humiliation from others, but I cannot bear being abandoned time and again

He tightened his grip on my right wrist fiercely, a murderous intent evident in his eyes

This border town was originally not named Ning Shuo

It has been seven days since the date was counted. I do not know what place this is, as it is still often windy in April. In the past two days, the wind has been particularly strong and the rain heavy. A cold breeze seeps in, and the window gaps are somewhat loose. I reach out to close the window, but my sleeve gets caught on a slanted wooden strip, leaving me momentarily stuck there

I remained silent, simply closing my eyes, ignoring whatever he said.

He smiled, his long eyebrows slightly raised, and the gloom in his eyes instantly transformed into shimmering spring water

I have been kidnapped for more than ten days now, and my parents are far away in the capital, unable to help. Yet he, as a great general guarding the northern border, cannot even protect his own wife. I endure humiliation and bear the burden, waiting for someone to come to my rescue, but to this day, I see not a glimmer of hope

He stared at me for a long while, his hand tightening as he lifted my chin.

Before I could turn back, a pair of arms wrapped around me from behind, unfastening the caught cuffs and seizing my palm

Shameless! I struggled with tears in my eyes, my hair disheveled, hairpins and ornaments scattered. Suddenly, I grasped a pearl hairpin with my hand turned back. In a mix of shame, anger, and despair, without a moment's hesitation, I tightened my grip on the hairpin and, gritting my teeth, thrust it down with all my strength towards him

Carrying a woman, what could be safer than infiltrating a private prostitution ring run by traffickers

How will you treat me again

He drove Xiao Ye away, yet still seemed unsatisfied, becoming increasingly agitated and restless

He looked down at me coldly, the smile at the corner of his lips sending chills down my spine, "I would like to see how the Princess of Yuzhang upholds her three virtues and nine chastities!"

At that time, General Xiao Qi of Ning Shuo had once achieved a great victory over the Turks here, gaining fame in a single battle and bringing an end to years of warfare in the northern borders, his reputation resonating far across the desert. The local populace, in gratitude, renamed the city Ning Shuo.

In an instant, the courtyard of the post station was filled with a cacophony of voices, descending into chaos.

Suddenly, there was a sharp pain in my arm as he forcefully pulled me back

Young master... Is there something you need?The door curtain was lifted, and Xiao Ye leaned in to ask. His laughter startled her, causing her to feel a mix of surprise and concern.

I stared at him in a daze, unsure why he suddenly spoke of his childhood memories, yet I gradually felt a pang of sorrow

Someone shouted, "The water is coming!"

The steamed bun hit me and rolled off the table.

Who could have imagined that after they kidnapped the Princess of Yuzhang, they would brazenly deliver her right under the nose of the Prince of Yuzhang

My expression changed suddenly, I turned my back, yet I could not suppress the chill in my heart

The oil lamp on the table flickers intermittently, and the bed nearby is mostly shrouded in the shadow of the corner wall, with a disheveled quilt piled haphazardly.

I was momentarily stunned, unable to distinguish between the gentle man before me and the irritable, capricious young master; which one truly represents the real Helan Zhen

Food has been delivered from outside; today it is minced meat and chive porridge. I walked to the table and had just picked up the wooden spoon when Xiao Ye swiftly knocked it out of my hand

Even the Turkic cavalry could not shake Ning Shuo in the slightest, yet with just over ten people led by He Lanzhen, they dared to venture straight into the tiger's den

What kind of sinister plot did he set up to take revenge on Xiao Qi

"Stop your nonsense. Your man sold you to me and received a handsome sum of money. You should honestly conduct business for me. After ten or eight years, who knows, you might even be allowed to return. Otherwise, I will kill you right now!"

He also fell silent, no longer entangled, simply watching me quietly

The man's warm breath brushed against me, causing me to shudder and hurriedly turn aside to avoid it

The ancestors were aware! He laughed loudly and said, "The Helan clan has regarded me with shame for twenty years; what harm is there in adding one more day to that today!"

Xiao Qi, will we meet under such circumstances

She threw two cold steamed buns at me, saying, "You think you deserve to drink meat porridge? The buns are meant for you!"

"Get in the car, or I might have to whip you too." He said with a half-smile, pulling me onto the carriage

In recent days, his injuries have improved rapidly; although he has not fully recovered, his spirit and vitality have returned to a significant extent

I retreated to the corner of the room, remaining indifferent, merely watching him with indifference

His outstretched hands froze in mid-air, and a bitter smile tugged at the corners of his lips

Xiao Ye screamed and pounced on the burning quilt, striking it fiercely.

Helan Zhen suddenly reached out to lift my chin, and his tone inexplicably softened.

I was furious and raised my hand to deliver a resounding slap.

Most of the people around are dressed in a manner typical of those from outside the borders, and some even wear attire similar to mine, resembling that of the Hu people

His hand paused in front of my chest, his handsome features gradually contorting, his eyes burning red with fury

The gold hairpin pierced into the flesh, I could already feel the softness of the texture, yet it could no longer penetrate deeper—my wrist was tightly gripped by him, and under the excruciating pain, the hairpin slipped from my hand

"Did I tell you to leave?" he said coldly

She stood up abruptly, her face flushed with anger, unable to contain her rage, "Shameless little harlot, even at death's door you still dare to seduce the young master!"

I picked up the clothes she threw, but it was a set of colorful Hu clothing

Am I truly so detestable?" He lowered his head and smiled mockingly

I want to find another bowl, you just broke one again. I remained expressionless

After getting dressed neatly, Xiao Ye personally took action to braid my long hair into two braids that hung down over my shoulders, and then draped a vibrant headscarf over it, covering most of my face

Thinking of Helan Zhen still sends chills down my spine ... That day I narrowly escaped his humiliation, yet I was bitten on the side of my neck ... ! ... This person has truly gone mad. ! I do not know what methods he will devise next to torment me; he hates Xiao Qi, yet he pours all his malice onto me.

Before my eyes, everything is blurred, and there is a searing pain on my face

The last time I fled in a panic, I did not have the chance to observe my surroundings. Although it was night, the area was brightly lit. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be quite a lively encampment, with a few bonfires burning in the distance, surrounded by simple earthen houses. Nearby, several horse-drawn carts were parked, and people were bustling about in all directions.

Tears welled up in Xiao Ye's eyes as she turned and ran out

"You have never served Xiao Qi in this manner, have you?" He stared at me, a smile that was neither a smile nor a frown.

How will he respond to the revenge of these Helan people

I was stunned, a reprimand caught in my throat, and suddenly I found myself unable to speak

They disguised themselves as brokers operating private brothels, mixing me in with this group of camp followers, with the intention of infiltrating Ning Shuo City

I tremble all over, "I am the wife of Xiao Qi. If you are a man of honor, then face him openly on the battlefield! To humiliate a woman is not true revenge; if the ancestors of the Helan clan were aware, they would surely be ashamed of you!"

His pupils gradually constricted, and the depths of his eyes felt icy, as if filled with endless sorrow and boundless disappointment

He remained silent

The cellar door opened, and Xiaoye quietly entered, throwing the clothes in her hands onto me

"Alright, you may proceed with the extraction," I said with a faint smile. "It would be best to present my eyeballs to Helan Zhen and see how your young master rewards you."

The climate in the northern region is dry, and cotton fluff ignites upon contact with fire, making it difficult to extinguish. In the midst of the struggle, the flames licked at her clothing, causing the hem to catch fire. Xiao Ye hurriedly tossed aside the quilt, and the flames danced wildly, reaching the tables and chairs, causing the fire to suddenly intensify

The sky faintly brightens, revealing a hazy light, with a chill that penetrates to the bone, likely indicating that it has passed the fifth watch of the night

"Sleep, do not catch a cold." He leaned back against the wall of the carriage, lazily stretched out his legs, and closed his eyes to rest.

Along the way, it was only Helan Zhen and I who were alone together, and we got along quite well. The burly man with the curled beard drove the carriage in front, while the others followed in the horse-drawn carts behind. Whenever we stopped at a relay station to rest and feed the horses, Xiao Ye also pretended to be a camp prostitute, closely following me without leaving my side

I quietly bent down and picked up the steamed bun from the ground

Perhaps, Helan Zhen is not his match and will inevitably be defeated by him, allowing me to be saved

He raised his eyes to look at me, his gaze hazy, "That day, you fed me medicine... I thought it was my mother who had returned."

"I beseech you, great sir, to show mercy. My child at home is still weaning, and without their mother, I fear they cannot survive. I implore you to allow me to return home. I bow my head in supplication..."

Whenever I smile brightly, Helan Zhen also reveals a rare joy, showing a threefold kindness to the subordinates.

Change your clothes! She stared at me fiercely, as if she wanted to carve two holes in my face and would not stop until she did.

Xiao Ye pushed me out of the cellar and led me all the way to the door

Ningshuo, I have seen this place countless times on the imperial map of the rivers and mountains.

For two consecutive days and nights, I was locked in the cellar, and I did not go out again. Apart from the delivery of meals, no one else came in.

I felt my face flush, lowered my head, unsure of how to respond, "Is your esteemed daughter also in Ning Shuo?"

The window paper rustled loudly in the wind, almost as if it would tear apart, while the sound of the wind outside grew increasingly sharp and howling

On that day, I was insulted by Helan Zhen, and my clothes were already tattered beyond recognition, relying solely on a robe to cover my body

I slowly raised my gaze to look at her

This is the final opportunity; I no longer have the time to observe and wait, and I can only risk my life for one last effort

He raised his head, wiping the bloodstains from his lips with the back of his hand, a cold smile on his face, his gaze intense.

Xiao Ye stood by the door, her expression one of shock and confusion

In order to ensure that the supplies can be transported smoothly to the front, there are special passes issued by the Ministry of War along the route, eliminating the need for inspections

Is that so? It's a pity you have never seen it with your own eyes, otherwise you wouldn't know who is deluding whom I cast a faint glance at her

"Going to Ning Shuo will fulfill your reunion as a couple, are you not pleased?"

I remain vigilant everywhere, yet I do not even have the opportunity to signal for help, let alone to seek a chance to escape

I lowered my head and took the opportunity to run wildly in the chaos

As night fell, thick fog enveloped the mountain path, making it even more difficult for the heavily laden carriage to navigate the rugged terrain. The group had no choice but to rest at the Changfeng Post ahead.

As soon as the carriage stopped, Xiao Ye immediately took me into the room, watching over me closely without leaving a step.

Suddenly, I felt a warmth as his outer robe was draped over my shoulders

After passing this post station, it will take another half day's journey to reach Ningshuo

The oil lamp fell onto the quilt, spilling oil, and the quilt suddenly ignited.

If I am not mistaken, she should be infatuated with Helan Zhen