Maestro de la ambigüedad

Capítulo 41

Han Xiao smiled, blushing, "The general will surely encounter such a person as well."

Mu Yuan answered hesitantly, "Mm." Han Xiao added, "I must thank the general for remembering me at this time. It's good that I can have something worthwhile to do and contribute to protecting our country." She gave a self-deprecating bitter smile, "In Gusha City, I only had wild thoughts, but it's much better here. Thank you, General."

Mu Yuan smiled wryly: "With City Lord Nie gone, does Miss Han miss him?"

Han Xiao felt a close, almost intimate connection with Mu Yuan and readily admitted, "Of course I miss him when he's not around." Mu Yuan felt a pang of bitterness and murmured, "It's a pity that even when he's by my side, I can only miss him." Han Xiao didn't hear him clearly and was about to ask when a soldier rushed in with an urgent report: "General, the scouts from Qingshan Valley have broken through and returned. They say the old general has been hit by a poisoned arrow and is in critical condition. Doctor Lu isn't confident in his abilities and urgently needs medicine. He wrote a prescription and sent the scouts back at the risk of their lives."

Mu Yuan was shocked. He had just returned from there. The Xia army had completely blocked the area between Qingshan Valley and Yanhun Pass. Mu Yuan had gone to scout the area and found it impossible to get through. The Xia army also knew that Qingshan Valley was difficult to attack and Yanhun Pass was well-equipped, so they used a siege tactic to cut off Qingshan Valley's external support and then use poison to wear down Yanhun Pass.

Now that the poison crisis here has been resolved, the problem lies in how to break out of Qingshan Valley. However, with Old Master Mu injured, the situation is quite troublesome.

Han Xiao took the prescription brought by the scout, examined it carefully, and was shocked: "It's Green Snow." She was filled with doubt and suspicion; this poison could even be Green Frost, as the symptoms of the two were extremely similar. She needed to see it with her own eyes to make a judgment. Having been poisoned by an arrow and also infected by Gu worms, her life was likely hanging by a thread.

Mu Yuan's face was grim. The other party was so vicious. Not to mention that such a poison was extremely difficult to cure normally, let alone in this battlefield where resources and supplies were extremely scarce. Now that the Xia army was completely surrounding them, there was no way to rescue them.

"I can prepare this medicine, and I also have a way to treat it." Han Xiao quickly considered it in his mind: "If your Doctor Lu handles it properly, I can rush over and save him. There is still a chance, General Mu."

Mu Yuan showed no joy: "You can save me, but I don't know how to get you there."

The author has something to say: I've seen some readers asking how much longer the story is. Actually, the plot is already nearing its end. All the mysteries will be revealed, the two of them will resolve their inner conflicts, have a proper romance, and return to Cloud Mist Mountain to live a happy and fulfilling life. That's it.

As for the major conflict, it should be the one everyone knows and anticipates: Han Xiao's argument with Nie Chengyan, after which Han Xiao leaves, and Nie Chengyan has to go through a lot of trouble to find his wife and bring her back. The way Nie Chengyan acts like a rogue and willful character in "Spoiling His Wife" is because he was abandoned as a husband and suffered some trauma. Actually, these plot points in "Spoiling His Wife" are considered spoilers, and I'm revealing them again now.

I'm very busy at the end of the year and don't have much time to update my writing. I'll try my best to write, so please bear with me.

Adventure is imminent

Han Xiao didn't consider how to get through the past; that was beyond her control. She only did what she could. She prepared the medicine and tools according to the symptoms and prescription written by Doctor Lu.

The soldiers captured the Xia soldiers who had used poisonous smoke from the front lines at Yanhun Pass and seized the poisonous herbs. Han Xiao developed a preventative medicinal soup, which was given to all the soldiers in the city. He also boiled the medicine in breathable thin cloths, which the soldiers wore to cover their mouths and noses when going into battle to prevent further poisoning. These measures were very effective, and General Mu Yi, far away at the front lines, even sent a message back with his soldiers to thank Han Xiao.

Han Xiao had spent two days completing these tasks. She had prepared all the medicine for General Mu Yong, but fearing the medicine chest was too bulky, she sewed a cloth medicine bag to hold all the needles, knives, and various medicines. She tied the bag to her body, making it both sturdy and lightweight. She calculated that if Doctor Lu followed her detoxification manual, the old general's injuries should last at least three more days. However, Mu Yuandao could only reach Qingshan Valley in three days, but the Xia army had now completely blocked the passage between the two places, making a direct assault impossible.

Han Xiao learned from Shi Er that if something happened to the old general, it would not only be that Mu Yuan lost his family, but more importantly, Qingshan Valley would be lost, the Xia army's invasion route would be opened, and the defenses of the cities behind would be weak. It was feared that the Xia army would advance all the way north and be invincible.

Even if Han Xiao was unfamiliar with warfare, she now understood the urgency of the situation. She was anxious, and Mu Yuan was naturally even more so. Having just retreated from his failed attempt to break through the pass, he knew how formidable the Xia army's defenses were. He had sent men to scout repeatedly over the past two days, but still hadn't found a better escape route. Most of their forces were led by his father, General Mu Yi, who was busy dealing with the powerful enemy at Yanhun Pass. They didn't have enough men to protect Han Xiao as she broke through, nor could they coordinate a coordinated attack from Qingshan Valley. After much deliberation, they realized that every route they took was extremely risky.

Just when she was extremely anxious, Feng Ning suddenly said that she knew a secluded path. Perhaps the Xia army had not blocked the road. She could take Han Xiao and sneak out through it, while Mu Yuan led his soldiers to fight the Xia army head-on, diverting their attention and creating an opportunity for her and Han Xiao.

Mu Yuan was deeply worried: "How did Madam Long know about that secluded path?" The place she pointed to on the map had no record of a path at all.

Feng Ning said, "I just suddenly remembered, there should be one. Maybe I've walked past it before."

"Maybe? Should?" Feng Ning's answer made Mu Yuan even more worried.

“I went to Qingshan Valley last time based on my memory, and I arrived safely, didn’t I? You can find a way to lead the troops to lure the Xia army away, let the scout who came to deliver the message and Brother He clear the way first, while Xiaoxiao and I will cover the rear. That should do it. The odds of winning are better than forcing our way in with your army.” Feng Ning’s words made some sense, but since this matter involved Han Xiao’s safety, Mu Yuan was not confident and dared not make a decision.

Han Xiao volunteered, "Although this is risky, the safety of General Mu and Qingshan Valley is of utmost importance, and I am willing to give it a try. Although Fengfeng has some memory loss, she is prudent and has superb martial arts skills. Moreover, Brother He is there to protect her, so it is not impossible. General Mu, let's settle on this matter."

Mu Yuan was about to ponder this further when a guard suddenly reported, "General, Princess Ruyi has arrived."

"Princess Ruyi?" Mu Yuan was annoyed. What was she doing causing trouble at this critical juncture? With a dark face, he stomped out of the council hall and said to the princess's carriage outside the door, "Princess, please leave. The war is raging, and it is inconvenient for Mu Yuan to entertain you." His tone was extremely harsh, and he gave the order to leave without asking any questions.

Princess Ruyi lifted the curtain of the carriage and looked directly at Mu Yuandao, saying, "On my way back, I heard that Yanhun Pass and Qingshan Valley were in danger, so I specially turned back to help the general."

Mu Yuan was in a very bad mood and couldn't help but say coldly, "I wonder if the princess plans to stay in the military city to do laundry and cook for the soldiers, or to go to the front lines to fight and serve the enemy?"

The sarcasm in his words made Princess Ruyi's face darken. She pursed her lips, took a few deep breaths as if to control her temper, and finally said in a calm voice, "General, you think too highly of me. I will not do any of the things you have said. The only way I can help you is by being a hostage."

Her words struck Mu Yuan like a sledgehammer, leaving him stunned. A hostage? Could this be what he was thinking?

Princess Ruyi ignored his reaction and continued, "My escape has caused the Xia King to lose face, and now he is using this as an excuse to launch an invasion. The Xia King is narrow-minded and holds grudges. He will be unwilling to accept defeat if I cannot be captured. If the general informs the Xia Kingdom that he has captured the traitorous Princess Ruyi and uses me as a bargaining chip, it will surely be of some use."

Mu Yuan never expected that Princess Ruyi's visit was for this purpose. Before he could think about it, Ruyi said loudly, "I'm tired. Arrange a room for me to bathe and rest, and bring me some good food to fill my stomach." She was used to giving orders and spoke with an air of authority, and the soldiers quickly complied.

Mu Yuan clenched his fists, watching the princess's proud figure leave with her head held high, feeling a mix of emotions. Her panicked pleas for him to stay and protect her still echoed in his ears, and now he was being offered up as a bargaining chip in a deal with the enemy. Mu Yuan could hardly believe it.

He turned back to the council hall, briefly explained the situation, and asked everyone to discuss Feng Ning's proposed method, how the three groups should cooperate, and how to arrange the action plan. This was considered to be an acceptance of Feng Ning's proposal. Everyone should not delay and should quickly come up with a final decision.

After Mu Yuan had everything arranged, he went to settle Princess Ruyi's room. The princess had just finished eating and instructed the servants to serve her tea. Upon seeing Mu Yuan, she paused slightly, then quickly smiled nonchalantly: "General, have you finished discussing important matters?"

Mu Yuan looked at her carefully. After thinking for a while, he had come to his senses and was prepared on how to deal with the princess. He noticed Ruyi's momentary surprise and replied calmly, "We have finished discussing it."

Ruyi clenched her fist, which was hidden in her sleeve, and forced a smile, saying, "When does the general plan to use me to negotiate with the Xia Kingdom?"

"How long did the princess stay in the Xia King's palace?" Mu Yuan's answer seemed unrelated to the negotiation.

Ruyi was unsure of his intentions, so she honestly replied, "Three months and twelve days."

Mu Yuandao said, "The princess remembers clearly. May I ask which palace the princess was in and how many days she spent recuperating?"

Ruyi's hands trembled slightly, and her lips were tightly pursed. She remained silent for a long time. A maid came over to pour tea, but she almost spilled it, nearly dropping the cup. Ruyi suddenly stood up, flicked her sleeve, and slammed the teacup to the ground. The maid was so frightened that she knelt down with a thud. Ruyi pointed at her and scolded, "Useless thing! You can't even do a small thing right! Be careful, or I'll take your head!" The maid was so frightened that she repeatedly apologized and kowtowed. Xi'er quickly came over, cleaned up the cup, and helped the maid away.

Mu Yuan watched this scene quietly, and after everyone had left, he said softly, "If you're afraid, why did you come back?"

Princess Ruyi was startled and turned to glare at him. Mu Yuan met her stubborn gaze and said again, "Does your tantrums and unreasonable behavior make you fearless? This won't solve your problem."

Ruyi stared at Mu Yuan for a long time, then suddenly seemed to lose all her strength and slumped into a chair. Mu Yuan sighed softly, "Princess, don't be willful, go back to the palace."

Ruyi gritted her teeth, her eyes reddening: "The general had a messenger report to my father that day, saying that the Xia Kingdom had no intention of submitting and that sending troops was only a matter of time. He persuaded my father to bring me back to the palace first, saying that the princess's humiliation was a disgrace to the country, and that if our dynasty yielded today, it would surely be trampled on by the Xia Kingdom in the future." She only learned on her way back to the palace that Mu Yuan had given her strong support in this matter.

Mu Yuan calmly replied, "What I said is indeed true. I have evidence that the Xia Kingdom intends to raise an army."

“But my father already harbors suspicions about me. Even if I return to the palace, he can make me marry into a foreign land once, and he can make me marry into a foreign land a second time.”

Mu Yuan remained silent, but Ruyi suddenly smiled and said, "I suppose the general understands as well, otherwise he wouldn't have told me to uphold my duties as a princess. When the general said that I could protect the people of our dynasty, he meant this, didn't he?"

That was indeed his meaning, but he didn't know how to respond. Born into royalty, some fates were predetermined. Ruyi clasped her hands on her knees and said, "I thought about it again and again on the way. If I go back like this, I will inevitably be ridiculed by everyone. If the general is losing the war against Xia, Father will need to come up with a plan to resolve this crisis. And the first thing he will do will definitely be to hand me over, since I have angered the King of Xia."

As Ruyi spoke, she looked up at Mu Yuan. Mu Yuan knew that what she said was true, and he felt a little sorry for her. Ruyi smiled bitterly and nervously twisted her hands: "My life is in the hands of the Mu family army. If I'm lucky and the general wins a great victory, I might be able to live a few peaceful days in the palace. But if the Xia Kingdom is not destroyed, or if other countries also have the intention to disobey, then I will be sent away again. Of course, I can't think that far ahead now, but right now, I heard that there is trouble in both Yanhun Pass and Qingshan Valley. How can I return to the palace with peace of mind? I'm afraid that I will be sent back to the Xia King the moment I enter the palace gates."

Ruyi closed her eyes: "In any case, the final result will be the same. Rather than passively accepting death, I might as well be brave and help the general gain some chances of victory. I have already sent someone to inform my father of this idea, and I think he will not object."

“Princess’s suggestion is indeed good, but Princess should understand that once we hand her over to King Xia, we cannot guarantee her safety,” Mu Yuan said frankly.

Ruyi's hands trembled slightly. She remained silent for a long while before finally saying, "Of course I know that. I've thought it over and over, and I know I'll fall into his hands sooner or later. As long as the King of Xia lives, he will definitely avenge my escape. My father will eventually send me away. When I escaped, I planned to live in seclusion in a remote place and never return to the palace. Now that my plan has failed, I can no longer think about safety." She stared into Mu Yuan's eyes and pulled a dagger from her sleeve to show him. "General Mu, you said that if I was afraid, I should tell myself to be brave. I... I hope I can do that. Let me do my part in eliminating the King of Xia."

While Princess Ruyi was persuading Mu Yuan, Han Xiao, Feng Ning, and He Ziming were discussing their departure for the next day. He Ziming strongly disagreed, fearing that if anything happened to Han Xiao, he wouldn't be able to explain it to his master. However, Han Xiao had Feng Ning and Mu Yuan's backing, and this matter concerned the safety of the nation; He Ziming was merely a guard, and his opinion wouldn't have much influence. He only hoped that everything would go smoothly and that he could safely send Han Xiao back to Gusha City before Nie Chengyan returned.

That evening, the cry of an eagle came from the sky. Han Xiao, who was eating, excitedly rushed to the open space and looked up. A red-headed eagle circled above her for a while before finally flying down and landing on Han Xiao's shoulder.

"Red Head." Han Xiao's eyes reddened as he hugged it tightly, stroking its smooth feathers. Red Head was quite intelligent; it must have come to deliver a message for Nie Chengyan. Sure enough, upon closer inspection, a small letter tube was tied to its leg. Han Xiao's hands trembled as he pulled out the letter, which bore Nie Chengyan's strong and vigorous handwriting. The message was simple: Peace be with you, do not worry.

Han Xiao pressed those four words to her chest, unable to hold back her tears. After all this time, this was the first time he had sent a message, and it was so simple? Had he encountered Xie Jingyun? Had he found the divine doctor? Where was he? He hadn't said any of these things, only writing these four words to send her away.

Han Xiao grew angrier and angrier, bursting into tears. Chi Shou tilted his head, looking at her in confusion. He Ziming, with his keen eye, asked a soldier for some fresh meat and water, put them in a basin, and gave Chi Shou a hearty meal. He was thinking of finding an opportunity to secretly send a letter to Nie Chengyan through Chi Shou, telling him about Han Xiao's trip to the battlefield, so as to avoid being blamed for not reporting it later.

Han Xiao also wanted to write a letter to Nie Chengyan. She had originally written, "Be careful of Xie Jingyun. If someone comes back to life, it must be a trap." But then she thought, wouldn't that make him think she was petty? If it was a trap, he would surely know, right? Han Xiao crumpled up the letter and wrote another one, saying, "Be careful and take care of yourself. I heard the princess say she saw Xie Jingyun." Before she finished writing, she crumpled the paper again. What if he hadn't even met Xie Jingyun? Wouldn't writing this be pushing him towards Xie Jingyun? No, she couldn't write that.

After much deliberation, Han Xiao wrote and crumpled the letter repeatedly until she finally finished it. She wrote: "Avoiding disaster is paramount; self-preservation is the best policy. Mind your own business and stay away from danger." She had been forced to write these two sentences by him many times before, and she knew them by heart. Now, she was returning them to him, hoping he would understand her concern and longing for him.

She didn't mention Xie Jingyun, nor anything else, only these sixteen words to him. Han Xiao thought to himself, although there wasn't a single word of affection in these sixteen words, if he had been sincere when he punished her back then, then seeing these now, he would surely understand what she wanted to say.

If they are truly deeply in love and destined to be together, then their arduous journey to this desert to seek a lifetime of companionship will surely succeed. Past loves, grudges from previous generations, and even war and death will not be obstacles. However, if their feelings for each other are not as profound as she imagines, then this will truly be a test.

Han Xiao placed the letter into the small letterbox on Chi Shou's foot, watching it fly into the sky and disappear into the dark night. Suddenly, a strong sense of loss welled up in her heart, and loneliness and helplessness swept over her in that instant. Tomorrow she would be risking her life to rush to Qingshan Valley to rescue people, and she didn't know where her beloved master was, or if he was also in danger like her, unable to suppress his longing.

Han Xiao suddenly made up her mind. If she could return safely from Qingshan Valley, she would definitely go find him. The reasons—not knowing where he was, the unsafety within Xia Kingdom, the idea that it was better to wait where she was than to get lost—could no longer stop her.

Author's Note: The next chapter will feature Han Xiao, Feng Ning, and Princess Ruyi, three women, going to the battlefield.

Go forward bravely

After speaking with Princess Ruyi, Mu Yuan went to inquire with the guard who had escorted her. It turned out that Ruyi had indeed sent someone back to the palace to report to the Emperor, stating that she was willing to protect the country with her life. Mu Yuan pursed his lips and thought for a long time. This was indeed a good bargaining chip. If used, it could delay the war and buy time for Han Xiao and the others. However, Princess Ruyi might really suffer another misfortune.

After much deliberation, Mu Yuan gritted his teeth and rushed to the front lines to discuss arrangements with his father. Before dawn the next day, Mu Yuan rode back at breakneck speed, woke Princess Ruyi, and said to her, "I sent a message to the Xia army, and they replied overnight. The Xia king has ordered that if you are returned, the marriage agreement will still be valid, and the two armies can cease hostilities and negotiate peace."

"Report back tonight?" Princess Ruyi smiled bitterly. The King of Xia must be nearby, just waiting to arrest her personally. Sure enough, she had burned down the palace and fled on her wedding day, severely humiliating him; he probably hated her intensely. Ruyi closed her eyes and asked, "What are the General's plans?"

Looking at her pale face, Mu Yuan found it difficult to speak, but finally steeled himself and said, "Today, Miss Han will be carrying life-saving herbs to challenge the Qingshan Valley. This is related to the safety of Qingshan Valley's defenses. We need to hold back the Xia army so that Miss Han can pass through smoothly."

Princess Ruyi bit her lip hard, and after a long while said, "So, I have to be handed over today?"

Mu Yuan took a deep breath and said softly, "The Xia army's demand is that if they can receive the princess at Yanhun Pass within three days, they will cease hostilities and negotiate peace." He paused, then continued, "As long as there is a ceasefire, we will have time to prepare our response. Our reinforcements will arrive within ten days. If Miss Han can successfully break through to Qingshan Valley, rescue General Mu, and bring the news from Yanhun Pass, along with the deployment of reinforcements, our annihilation of the Xia army will be just around the corner."

"Hmm." Ruyi couldn't speak, only managing a groan from her throat. The annihilation of the Xia army was imminent, and by then she would be in the Xia Kingdom, where she would likely be slaughtered to vent her hatred. She touched the dagger in her sleeve, and after a long while, she managed to say, "In that case, please make the arrangements, General."

“Princess…” Mu Yuan’s heart stirred. When he met Ruyi’s clear and bright gaze, he seemed to choke up. No matter how many words of comfort he said, it would be useless. Once she entered the Xia Kingdom and fell into the hands of the Xia King, no one could help her.

"General..." Ruyi gazed at Mu Yuan for a long time, and said softly, "If Ruyi is unfortunate and never comes back, please tell Father that Ruyi does not regret being his daughter. It's just that Ruyi is willful and spoiled, and is not a good princess. I have caused Father so much worry over the years. If Ruyi is gone, please remember the good things Ruyi did for me in the past and do not blame me anymore."

Her eyes seemed to hold both sorrow and pain, and Mu Yuan could no longer meet her gaze. He lowered his head, gave a soft reply, and hurriedly turned to leave to make arrangements.

Han Xiao, Feng Ning, He Ziming, and the scout surnamed Li were all ready to set off. Han Xiao was not good at riding horses, so she had to ride at full speed to Qingshan Valley and cross the border within three days. Therefore, Feng Ning rode with her, while He Ziming and the scout surnamed Li each rode on their own.

Feng Ning carried a large sword on his back and a bundle of dry rations on his horse, while Han Xiao tightly tied a medicine bag to his body. The four of them and three horses were waiting for Mu Yuan's order to set off.

Mu Yuan explained the deployment and arrangements, looked at the four of them for a long time, then suddenly knelt on one knee, bowed his head and said in a deep voice, "I entrust everything to you." Li, the scout, nodded vigorously with great enthusiasm. He had risked his life to break through the pass with his companions to deliver the message, and luckily he was the only one who survived. Now he was about to return to the valley with his savior, and he felt his blood boiling and his fighting spirit soaring.

He Ziming pursed his lips and remained silent, while Han Xiao, calm and collected, patted the medicine bag and said, "General, rest assured, Han Xiao will do his utmost." Feng Ning looked around; the soldiers of the entire city stood in formation on both sides, silently raising their weapons in support. Under the thin blue morning light, their faces were filled with anticipation of victory. Feng Ning nodded to Mu Yuan, spurred his horse, and shouted with pride, "Giddy up!" The steed neighed and reared up, charging off like an arrow.

Mu Yuan watched the four people disappear into the dust, his heart heavy. He couldn't describe the feeling as he watched them vanish. The deputy general leaned over and whispered, "General, don't worry. We've already informed the guards. They will cover Miss Han and the others all the way."

"Hmm." Mu Yuan responded, then turned his head and saw Princess Ruyi standing by the street, obviously also quietly seeing Han Xiao off. She was looking into the distance with a calm expression, or perhaps, she should be described as being ready to die.

The lieutenant added, "General, it's time for the princess to depart. Today we must show the Xia army that the princess is indeed in our hands."

Mu Yuan hummed in agreement again, but kept his eyes fixed on Princess Ruyi. As if she had heard him, Ruyi turned around and replied, "Then let's set off."

The deputy general clasped his hands in a fist salute and withdrew to make preparations. Mu Yuan opened his mouth to speak, but didn't know what to say to the princess. Ruyi smiled faintly: "General, I entrust everything to you. Don't let me come all this way for nothing."

Mu Yuan's heart skipped a beat: "Princess, rest assured." Ruyi raised the corners of her mouth slightly, turned her head, and looked again in the direction where Han Xiao and the others had disappeared, and said softly: "General, Ruyi will also do her best."

This day was extremely difficult for any of them. While Han Xiao endured the scorching sun and flying sand, and was jostled about by the galloping horse until her internal organs felt like they were going to burst, Princess Ruyi boarded a large carriage and was escorted to the front lines by Mu Yuan and his army.

After noon, the sun shone brightly, and a sense of tranquility prevailed before the battle. Ruyi had just arrived. Sitting high in her carriage, she looked at the Xia army, which stood ready for battle in the distance. She knew they were all watching her. Mu Yuan and his son rode alongside her carriage, acting as guards on either side.

After waiting for a long time, Xia Bing finally made a move. A deputy general rode up to the middle with several soldiers and shouted, "Send Princess Ruyi over here."

Ruyi suddenly tensed up, her hands clasped tightly together, and she subconsciously glanced at Mu Yuan. Mu Yuan gave her a reassuring look, nodded to his father Mu Yi, and then led the princess's carriage away.

Ruyi's stomach began to clench with nervousness, her fingernails digging into her palms. The carriage slowly approached the Xia soldiers, finally stopping between them. Mu Yuan gestured, and a soldier beside him opened the veil in front of Princess Ruyi's carriage. Mu Yuan announced loudly, "Princess Ruyi is here."

The lieutenant cautiously observed for a long time before reaching for the reins of the princess's carriage. Princess Ruyi's heart pounded in her chest; she was filled with fear and despair, but she forced a blank expression. Mu Yuan twirled his long sword, pointing it directly at the Xia army lieutenant, and said loudly, "You can't take him away now."

The deputy general of the Xia army stared at the tip of Mu Yuan's knife and asked in a shrill voice, "What do you intend to do?"