Chu Tong glanced at Xie Linghui, thinking to herself, "While I could kill Xie Linghui and barely escape now, the Yunding Sect would inevitably be crippled, and my subordinates and friends would likely lose their lives as well. This deal is far from worthwhile..." She then nodded and smiled at Xie Linghui, saying, "Young Master Xie, I heard you became the Imperial Son-in-Law of the Great Zhou, and are now enjoying a meteoric rise in rank and wealth." Xie Linghui's gaze was deep, and he looked at Chu Tong without replying. Chu Tong continued, "I'm doing very well now, wearing gold and silver and eating and drinking to my heart's content every day. I've always been afraid of death, and I want to enjoy this comfortable life for a few more days. I think Young Master Xie feels the same way."
Xie Linghui finally spoke, his voice slightly hoarse, "What do you want?"
Chu Tong said, "If you order your men and the traitors of the Cloud Peak Sect to let us leave, I will give you a way out."
Xie Linghui said calmly, "I can command the servants of the Xie family, but how can I order the traitors of the Yunding Sect around?"
Chu Tong said, "Oh? When those rebels attack, have your servants hold them off for a while. Once we're safe, I'll release you." Xie Linghui understood Chu Tong's character far better than most. He thought to himself that this little girl was ruthless, and he had a complicated grudge against her. Who knew if she would betray him once they were safe? But seeing the situation, he hesitated. Yun Yinghuai, at this moment, felt a bit of admiration for Xie Linghui, thinking to herself that this man could remain calm and composed even in the face of death; he was indeed a remarkable person. Wang Lang, however, thought that the Xie family was currently enjoying the Emperor's favor, and with Xie Er's talent and ability, he would surely rise to the rank of Marquis or Earl in time.
Chu Tong clearly saw through Xie Linghui's thoughts and said with a smile, "Young Master Xie, now that I'm in Nan Yan, we're keeping to ourselves. I just want to live a peaceful life. If I break my promise and kill you, with the Xie family's wealth, they'll definitely issue a thousand or eight hundred kill orders to hunt me down. I, Yao Chu Tong, still want to keep my head to eat snacks and sing little tunes; I would never do such a foolish thing. But if you don't agree to let my subordinates help the Yunding Sect with this small favor, then when the rebels from the Yunding Sect attack, I'll send you to meet Buddha first. If I also die in a daze, then we can keep each other company and settle new and old scores along the way, so it won't be lonely."
Xie Linghui stared at Chu Tong for a long time, a faint smile appearing on his lips. "Alright, then so be it..." Before he could finish speaking, Ding Wuhen shouted, "Attack! Kill them!"
Everyone was immediately shocked, but Yun Yinghuai shouted, "Come out, all of you!" His voice, imbued with powerful internal energy, resounded in all directions. As soon as he finished speaking, seven or eight hundred members of the Yunding Sect surged in from all sides, each wielding a weapon and forming a larger circle. The Yunding Sect rebels were thrown into turmoil, filled with suspicion and uncertainty, and the situation instantly reversed. Wang Lang exclaimed, "What a brilliant 'mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind'! No wonder Hero Yun was so confident, bringing only thirty-odd people to the martial arts conference; it turns out he had an ambush."
Yun Yinghuai said in a deep voice: "Listen up, you traitors of the Cloud Peak Sect! I don't know what benefits Ding Wuhen and Zhang Huanqiang promised you that made you dare to betray our sect! But if you continue to follow them now, you will only face death! You are also followers of the Cloud Peak Sect. I, Yun, do not want our brothers to kill each other. If you are willing to abandon the darkness and embrace the light, then all the crimes you committed in the past will be wiped clean!"
Chu Tong was eager for the matter to be resolved as soon as possible, and hurriedly said, "That's right! I, the sect leader, swear here that if you can repent and change your ways, we will not pursue the past! You are all still good sons and daughters of the Cloud Peak Sect, great heroes!"
Silence fell over the crowd. Suddenly, Ding Wuhen roared, "Don't listen to their nonsense! Charge! Kill them!" He shouted several times, but the rebels from Yunding Sect didn't budge. Then, a commotion broke out in the ranks, and some even threw down their weapons and surrendered. Zhang Huanqiang was furious. He raised his scimitar and swung it at the heads of the surrendering men. Just then, he heard a constant whooshing sound and saw more than a dozen arrows shooting at him from all directions. Zhang Huanqiang was startled and hurriedly swung his scimitar to block the arrows, but he couldn't dodge in time. An arrow pierced his left shoulder with a "thud." Zhang Huanqiang groaned and reached out to break off the arrow's fletching, but he felt a piercing pain all over his body. He screamed and fell off his horse. He convulsed a few times on the ground and died.
Everyone was shocked. Yun Yinghuai said calmly, "That's right, the arrows are coated with a deadly poison. If any of you are still stubbornly clinging to your beliefs, then I, Yun, will not be polite."
Zhang Huanqiang was one of the leaders of the rebel party. His death served as a warning to others, and the rebel party immediately collapsed and surrendered. However, a few followers of Ding Wuhen still fought to break through the encirclement, and the scene immediately descended into chaos, with the sounds of fighting filling the air.
Chu Tong glanced at the chaotic scene, then turned to Xie Linghui and smiled, "Young Master Xie, it seems that the Cloud Peak Sect no longer needs the Xie family's help."
Xie Linghui remained expressionless, his phoenix eyes gleaming as he gazed at Chu Tong, his lips tightly pressed together. Chu Tong looked into Xie Linghui's eyes, and in an instant, she recalled the countless days and nights she had spent with him in the Xie family mansion—his tender smiles, his gentle words, his doting affection… Chu Tong's breathing quickened. Suddenly, she reached out and slapped Xie Linghui hard across the face. A sharp "smack" rang out, and five red finger marks immediately appeared on Xie Linghui's fair and handsome face.
The Xie family servants gasped in surprise. Qianying was about to rush over when a guard behind her grabbed her and whispered, "Miss, don't be hasty. Rushing forward might anger them and harm the Second Master." Qianying stopped and clenched her fists.
Chu Tong and Xie Linghui seemed oblivious to the noise around them, their eyes fixed intently on each other. After a long while, Chu Tong slowly asked, "Do you regret it?"
Xie Linghui was slightly shaken, his phoenix eyes seemed to surge with a monstrous wave, his expression immediately became complicated, and his lips moved but he ultimately said nothing.
Chu Tong smiled slightly and said, "Go, I won't kill you today." Xie Linghui was stunned. Chu Tong said, "I won't kill you today not because I have any old feelings for you, but because of Young Master Wang. Go." After saying that, she ordered Shi Yiqing to move the sword in his hand away.
Wang Lang was taken aback by Chu Tong's words, then thought to himself, "That's right. The relationship between the Wang family and the Xie family is delicate. If Xie Linghui dies in Nan Yan, and I not only stand by and watch but also join forces with the murderer, if this matter spreads to the Great Zhou court in the future, it will surely cause a storm between the two powerful families! Chu Tong, Chu Tong still cares about me." He was both gratified and grateful, and glanced at Chu Tong with a smile.
Xie Linghui turned to Wang Lang and said, "In that case, I am truly grateful to Brother Wang."
Wang Lang nodded and smiled faintly, "Brother Xie, you flatter me."
Xie Linghui gave Chu Tong another deep look, his eyes now completely calm, before turning and walking towards the Xie family's entourage. Qian Ying rushed to Xie Linghui's side, took out a box of ointment from her bosom, and applied it to his face. The Xie family's entourage also gathered around. Xie Linghui ordered someone to help Steward Hong onto his horse, then mustered his men, made some brief arrangements, and slowly drove away towards the other side of the bamboo forest.
Wang Lang watched Xie Linghui's every move from afar, and couldn't help but sigh repeatedly, "Xie Linghui can still be so calm and composed! If it were anyone else, with a formidable enemy lurking nearby, they would probably have already fled with their men. But not Xie Linghui! He was slapped by you, lost face in front of his subordinates, lost two capable men, and Chief Steward Hong was also seriously injured, yet he can still be so unhurried and calm. What a fine Xie Er! A true gentleman who upholds loyalty and integrity, a great man who endures humiliation to preserve his integrity. He can endure a moment of anger; only those who can endure can achieve great things..."
Chu Tong pouted and said, "Xie Linghui was sure I wouldn't make things difficult for him again, which is why he left so easily."
Seeing Xie Linghui lead his men away, Ding Wuhen's heart sank even further. He had unintentionally obtained the two boxes in the Prince Ping's mansion, but upon opening one with the seal, he found it empty. He deduced that someone had already discovered the secret of the treasure box, and in his dejection, he encountered Xie Linghui outside. Because the Tonghua Society had allied with the Wang family in the Great Zhou Dynasty and acted as their spies, Xie Linghui wanted to eliminate the Tonghua Society as well. The two, one wanting to become the leader of the Yunding Sect and the other wanting to eliminate the Tonghua Society and Chu Tong, were a perfect match. They plotted together, intending to use the two boxes as a pretext to summon heroes from all over the world and achieve their goals through others. However, Yao Chu Tong intervened halfway through, sacrificing the boxes to save the king. Later, Yun Yinghuai, like a mantis stalking a cicada, laid an ambush, completely disrupting their plans.
Ding Wuhen was both anxious and resentful. Seeing himself surrounded by the enemy, he thought to himself, "Where there's life, there's hope." He took out a gray pill from his pocket and threw it to the ground. With a "poof," gray smoke rose all around. Ding Wuhen suddenly pushed off with his feet and leaped upwards, disappearing without a trace in a few bounds.
Seeing that the situation was settled, Yun Yinghuai breathed a sigh of relief. He turned around and saw Chu Tong looking at him with her big, dark eyes. He walked up to Chu Tong and looked at her for a while before saying in a hoarse voice, "Xing'er, come back with me."
Looking at Yun Yinghuai's handsome face, Chu Tong felt a sharp pain in her heart. She took a deep breath and shouted, "If you don't like me and can't be my husband, then don't call me Xing'er anymore, and don't be nice to me anymore!" With that, she turned and ran, leaving Yun Yinghuai stunned. Wang Lang and his guards chased after her.
General and Protector-General, Iron-Clad in Cold Armor [Adapted Plot]
Spring is fleeting, summer is fleeting, and what I fear most is seeing my white hair reflected in the mirror. My beloved is filled with sorrow.
Thoughts linger, resentment persists, another autumn passes in this lonely courtyard. The waning moon shines on the small building.
A soft, melodious song drifted from the private room of the restaurant. The singer was a young girl of about seventeen or eighteen, dressed in a crimson satin dress with a dark floral pattern. Her bright eyes sparkled, and her cheeks were flushed. She held a pipa in her arms and played gracefully. This girl was named Wanxia, the most famous courtesan in Qinzhou City of Nanyan, and she played the pipa exceptionally well. When high-ranking officials, scholars, and poets gathered, it was considered an honor to have Wanxia play for them. Wanxia was of high status and different from other courtesans. Today, someone invited her to play the pipa at Yingbin Tower. She had heard that the person was not a prominent figure in the area and did not want to come. However, the madam could not resist the lure of a large sum of money and persuaded Wanxia to get into a sedan chair and come to the restaurant to sing and play.
When Wanxia arrived, she realized her mistake. Two handsome young men were seated in the private room: one in his early twenties, with a refined and elegant air, and an air of otherworldly grace; the other looked about fifteen or sixteen, with a youthful face and a mischievous, clever expression. Wanxia, a woman of many experience, immediately knew these two must be people of considerable importance, and quickly became extremely alert. Skilled at reading people, she knew they were refined individuals, so she chose the gentle and melodious "Chang Xiang Si" to sing. The older man closed his eyes in rapt attention, clapping lightly in time with the music, while the younger man simply ate his snacks and drank his wine.
Sitting in the private room were Wang Lang and Chu Tong, who was disguised as a man. After the martial arts tournament, Wang Lang was going back to the Great Zhou Dynasty, and Chu Tong also planned to go to the Fire Lotus Mountain in the Great Zhou Dynasty to search for treasure. So the two of them traveled together, enjoying the scenery along the way. Wang Lang wished he could spend more time with Chu Tong, so the journey was extremely slow, and the journey that should have taken half a month took more than a month.
The song that Wanxia sang just now was full of longing and sorrow, which stirred up Chutong's feelings. She had been cheerful just now, but now she couldn't help but feel a little depressed. Wang Lang noticed that Chutong was unhappy, so he told Wanxia to stop and smiled at Chutong, "Don't just drink. What kind of song do you want to hear?" Chutong shook her head and said, "I'm not interested in listening to any of those quack songs."
Having spent a long time in the world of pleasure, Wanxia was naturally knowledgeable and knew how to appreciate things. She quickly handed the pipa in her arms to the maid beside her and said with a smile, "Why don't I tell you some interesting stories from the martial arts world recently, so that this young master can have some fun?"
Wang Lang nodded and said, "Very good. Is there any interesting story?"
Wanxia said, "A month ago, a martial arts tournament was held in the Purple Bamboo Forest outside Lingzhou City. Almost all the heroes and warriors in the world attended, all for the sake of the Twin Jade Boxes, the sacred artifact of the Yunding Sect. Legend has it that whoever obtains those two boxes can glimpse the secrets of heaven and command the world." Before she finished speaking, Wang Lang and Chu Tong simultaneously opened their eyes and looked at her. Wanxia knew that she had aroused their interest and was secretly pleased. She continued, "After the martial arts tournament, the Twin Jade Boxes disappeared without a trace, but several people became very famous. The first one was Yun Yinghuai, the former head of the Yunding Sect. He was expelled from the Yunding Sect for the infamy of betraying his master and ancestors. However, he was able to put aside his past grievances, strategize and anticipate the enemy's moves, set up an ambush to quell the internal strife in the Yunding Sect, and then impressively defeated the leader of the Nanhuai Sect. Everyone said that he was righteous and a true hero."
Wang Lang glanced at Chu Tong, and seeing that she remained silent, he quickly asked, "Besides this Hero Yun, who else is famous throughout the martial arts world?"
Evening Glow chuckled, “The second one is a female knight-errant, Yao Chutong, the current leader of the Cloud Peak Sect. I heard she’s only fifteen or sixteen years old. Opinions about her are mixed. Some say she’s a rascal and a cunning little devil, while others say she’s witty, resourceful, and has repeatedly thwarted the plots of traitors within the Cloud Peak Sect, making her a remarkable woman.” Chutong thought to herself, “How laughable! I’ve only mastered one move of the Beauty Swordplay, ‘Peach Blossom’ and ‘Lotus Blossoms at Every Step,’ and I’ve already been called a female knight-errant or a remarkable woman. This title is quite easy to come by.”
Wang Lang nodded and smiled repeatedly, "Indeed, Miss Yao is indeed exceptionally talented. Anything else?"
The evening glow said, "The third one is Yun Wuhen, a traitor from the Yunding Sect. He was originally the son of Yun Zhongyan, the former sect leader of the Yunding Sect, but he resented his father for passing the sect leader position to his junior brother Yun Yinghuai, so he changed his name to Ding Wuhen and roamed the martial arts world, earning the nickname 'Jade Hawk'. Later, he colluded with two hall masters of the Yunding Sect to rebel, and plotted a martial arts tournament to wipe out the entire Yunding Sect. Rumors in the martial arts world say that the crime of Yun Yinghuai betraying his master and ancestors was also framed by him, but due to the lack of evidence, it has become an unsolved case."
Chu Tong said, "Ding Wuhen is probably now a rat that everyone wants to beat."
Wanxia nodded and smiled, "Young master is absolutely right. Everyone says he's a despicable villain blinded by greed. He's hiding now, probably too ashamed to stand in the martial world." She paused, then smiled sweetly, "This fourth person is quite special. She's a beautiful woman, delicate and beautiful, who doesn't know a thing or two of martial arts. Her beauty is breathtaking, her demeanor captivating. The heroes who saw her at the martial arts tournament were all mesmerized. Now everyone says this woman is truly the 'Number One Beauty of the Martial World.' No one knows her background, only that her surname is Jiang, and that she's Yun Yinghuai's confidante." Wanxia was halfway through her sentence when Wang Lang, knowing who she was referring to, was about to change the subject, but Chu Tong tugged at his sleeve, and he swallowed his words.
Wanxia covered her mouth and giggled, then continued, "They say, 'A man who isn't romantic in his youth is wasting his life,' and 'Even heroes can't resist the charms of a beautiful woman.' Yun Yinghuai is quite the romantic figure. I heard he and Yao Chutong were deeply in love, even unto death, but now this Jiang beauty has suddenly appeared, and the heroine Yao has stormed off in a huff..." At this point, Wanxia suddenly sighed softly, thinking to herself, "It seems that all men in the world are fickle and heartless; they forget their old flames when they see a beautiful woman..."
Hearing this, Chu Tong was stunned for a moment, then gave a bitter smile, thinking to herself, "Forget it, since my young master and Jiang Meiren are so in love, there's no use in me being heartbroken a hundred or a thousand times. I, Yao Chu Tong, have always been unloved by my family, so it doesn't matter if I'm all alone again. I bear the heavy responsibility of implicating my entire family, so when I return to the Great Zhou, I should part ways with Young Master Wang as soon as possible, lest I implicate him. Alas, I can't rely on others, but I can't help but care for myself. Once I get to the Great Zhou, I'll go to Fire Lotus Mountain to dig up the treasure and enjoy all the riches and glory." Thinking this, she perked up and laughed heartily, saying, "Miss Wanxia not only sings well, but she's also very knowledgeable."
Wanxia laughed and said, "Young master, you flatter me. You two don't seem to be locals. May I ask where you're headed?"
Wang Lang said, "We are going to the Great Zhou to do business."
Wanxia exclaimed, "My lords, the Southern Yan and the Great Zhou have been fighting at Chongmen Pass for more than half a month now. Crown Prince Deming of the Great Zhou has volunteered to personally lead an expedition against the Southern Yan and has gathered a large army. The border is engulfed in flames of war. It is extremely dangerous for you two to go to that chaotic place."
Chu Tong had already learned of the war. When she heard that "the Crown Prince is personally leading the army," her expression turned strange. She thought to herself, "If the Crown Prince goes into battle, Xie Linghui, as the Crown Prince's son-in-law and his most favored man, will naturally have to go with him? Humph, Xie Linghui has wanted to make a name for himself since he was a child. Now is a great opportunity."
At this moment, Bai Jia lifted the curtain and respectfully said, "Third Master, there is an urgent message from home."
Wang Lang took the letter, glanced at it quickly, his expression changing slightly. He waved away the evening glow and whispered to Chu Tong, "My father wrote that he achieved a great victory at Chongmen Pass. Xie Linghui, as a guerrilla general, used ingenious tactics to defeat the enemy, capturing 5,000 and beheading them at Chongmen Pass. The enemy fled in terror. Xie Linghui's reputation as a 'murderer' soared. Seven days later, he led his troops to attack the twelve prefectures of Yan and Jin, capturing more than 3,000 more. His Majesty was overjoyed and bestowed upon Xie Linghui the title of Loyal and Martial General, granting him the right to ride a horse in the palace."
Chu Tong was slightly shocked and said, "Good heavens! Xie Linghui has already beheaded five thousand people on his first battlefield appearance! Five thousand heads, it must have taken a while to behead them all." After saying that, she couldn't help but shiver.
Wang Lang was moved and said, "Xie Linghui's move is brilliant. The weather is getting colder and the war is getting more urgent. If we leave the prisoners behind, we will run out of food and supplies, and the front will be in dire straits; if we release the prisoners, it will be like letting a tiger return to the mountain. Xie Linghui has taken all five thousand prisoners to Chongmen Pass, and with a swift swing of his sword, heads have fallen. This will boost our army's morale and terrify the enemy." After saying this, his beautiful face showed a complex expression as he continued, "Xie Linghui has become famous in one battle, like a sword drawn from its sheath, unstoppable." He then thought to himself, "Southern Yan was terrified by the Great Zhou and had almost no power to resist. Xie Er has boosted our national prestige this time, and the Xie family's favor with the emperor will likely deepen even further. Xie Er's sister, Consort Lan, is also quite favored in the palace. Given time, when the crown prince ascends the throne again, the Xie family's power will surely be at its zenith. Even though the Wang family is deeply rooted, I'm afraid they will be unable to withstand the Xie family's sharpness and their power will inevitably be lost." Thinking of this, Wang Lang couldn't help but feel a headache coming on.
At this moment, Chu Tong clapped her hands and called Wanxia in, then requested a piece called "Entertaining Guests," which Wanxia immediately began to play and sing. Wang Lang clutched the letter tightly, his brows furrowing slightly. The letter contained another message: the Wang family had secured a position for Wang Lang in the court, ordering him to return to the capital immediately to await orders. Wang Lang sighed softly, knowing that his carefree life in the martial world was likely coming to an end.
A pale moon hangs over a small building; who can understand the frown on her brows? A cold pillow keeps her awake.
As night fell, Jiang Wansheng sat before the mirror, removing the hairpins and pearl flowers from her hair one by one. When she pulled out the last jade hairpin, she paused, her slender fingers gently stroking it. The hairpin was simply made, a gift from Yun Yinghuai on her birthday. Seeing it now, she was reminded of him, and couldn't help but sigh softly.
At this moment, Ying Shuang carried in a basin of hot water, lifted the curtain, and said, "Princess, I just heard some gossip outside. They say that you really stole the show at the martial arts tournament this time, and were crowned the new 'Number One Beauty of the Martial World.' Even the Crown Prince of the Great Zhou has heard of your beauty and even imitated Cao Cao, making outrageous statements like, 'My first wish is to sweep away the city of Nan Yan to help my father achieve his hegemony; my second wish is to have the most beautiful woman in Nan Yan, the Number One Beauty of the Martial World, Jiang, in my household. I wish to have a beautiful confidante, a charming young woman, dancing gracefully before me, adding fragrance to my desk with her delicate hands. That would be enough for me!' Bah! Does that lecherous fellow think he's some kind of warlord in this chaotic world? Judging from his military campaigns, he'll surely suffer a crushing defeat, just like the Battle of Red Cliffs in the Three Kingdoms period!"
Jiang Wansheng sighed, "War has broken out again. Southern Yan suffered a major defeat in its first battle, losing more than 10,000 men, and the front line is in dire need of help. In the past two years, Southern Yan's internal affairs have been unstable, and it has also suffered from floods. Great Zhou took advantage of the situation to attack, and now it has captured three thousand of my soldiers alive. I'm afraid they will force Southern Yan to submit."
Ying Shuang placed the basin of water down, took out a towel, perfume, and other items, and said, "Princess, the war has already started, there's no use in you worrying about it."
Jiang Wansheng frowned and said, "The country is in peril. Alas, I only regret that I am not a man. Otherwise, I would have joined the army, died on the battlefield, and served my country and people. That would have been quite a glorious death." She paused and then said, "When I left the princess's residence, I took seven or eight guards with me. Tomorrow, give them some money and let them go back home. Now that I have found Yunlang, I no longer need their protection. It's good... it's good for them to go back and let their parents know they are safe."
Ying Shuang took a large handkerchief and covered Jiang Wansheng's front. After hearing Jiang Wansheng's words, she paused for a long time, then whispered, "Princess, have you thought it through now?"
Jiang Wansheng looked at Ying Shuang's slightly worried eyes and lowered her gaze. Life hadn't been easy for Jiang Wansheng since the martial arts tournament. The entire Yunding Sect treated her with extreme coldness. It was easy to guess why; Yao Chutong was a great benefactor of the Yunding Sect, having saved hundreds of lives; and at the martial arts tournament, she had cleverly thwarted Ding Wuhen's plot, incurring immense favor to the sect, for which everyone was grateful and respectful. Moreover, Chutong was forthright and easygoing, with excellent interpersonal skills; the Yunding Sect had long considered her one of their own and were happy to see her and Yun Yinghuai's relationship blossom. Now, Jiang Wansheng had appeared, ruining everything and infuriating Sect Leader Yao to the point of leaving. Therefore, no matter how beautiful and well-educated Jiang Wansheng was, the Yunding Sect members still disliked her intensely.
What hurt Jiang Wansheng even more was that Yun Yinghuai's treatment of her was no longer as warm as before. Now she couldn't see him all day long. Her expression darkened, and she thought to herself, "I don't care how others look at me. As long as Yun Lang treats me sincerely, I will be content. But now... Yao Chutong, you are a clever one. You let go gracefully and won the sympathy of the world. Yun Lang already had some affection for you. Now that you're gone, he is full of guilt and has developed a grudge against me. I am a princess of Nan Yan. I gave up wealth and honor and a clean reputation. From now on, I only want to follow Yun Lang wholeheartedly. Now I have been given the reputation of being a cuckoo in a magpie's nest."
Ying Shuang removed the bracelet from Jiang Wansheng's wrist, and when she looked up, she saw that Jiang Wansheng's face was covered in tears. She knew that although her mistress was a woman, she was gentle on the outside but strong on the inside, and brave and resolute in character. At this moment, she must be feeling extremely sad. Ying Shuang was startled and quickly took out a handkerchief to wipe Jiang Wansheng's tears, saying, "It was my fault for being so talkative and making the princess unhappy!"
Jiang Wansheng shook her head and said, "Yingshuang, I know the situation all too well. Yundingmen is located in Linzhou. If we want to go back, we should go southwest, but now Yunlang is leading the people of Yundingmen straight to the northeast."
Ying Shuang was stunned and said, "Why go northeast? Isn't the northeast the Great Zhou? Southern Yan and Great Zhou are at war. Wouldn't it be extremely dangerous for us to go there?"
Jiang Wansheng said, "Because Yunlang has been following... Yao Chutong the whole way. Yao Chutong and that young master Wang headed straight for the Northeast, and Yunlang followed behind with the people from the Yunding Sect. He..."
Before Jiang Wansheng could finish speaking, Ying Shuang's eyebrows furrowed in anger, her cheeks flushed red, and she stomped her feet, saying, "Yun Yinghuai... that bastard! I'm going to find him and ask him what happened!" With that, she turned and ran out.
Jiang Wansheng called to her but couldn't get through, so she quickly put on her cloak and chased after her. At this moment, a commotion was already coming from the courtyard of the inn. Jiang Wansheng stopped and looked, and saw Ying Shuang arguing with Chu Yue and Shi Yiqing with her cheeks puffed out.
Shi Yiqing said, "Miss Yingshuang, is Young Master Yun really here? If you have something to say to me, please do so."
Ying Shuang sneered, "Do you think I don't know? You've been following Yao Chutong the whole time! I'm going to find Yun Yinghuai right now and get some answers. He's been so cold to my young lady, and now he's following Yao Chutong around. Where does he think he is to put my young lady?!"
Chu Yue and Chu Tong were close friends. Upon hearing this, Chu Yue's eyes widened, and she said sharply, "Insolence! How dare you interfere in the affairs of the Cloud Peak Sect? Yao Chu Tong is now the sect leader of the Cloud Peak Sect. Even if she runs to the ends of the earth, she is still the sect leader! We subordinates will naturally follow her and protect her safety! Besides, if it weren't for you and your servant, why would the sect leader have left in a huff? If it weren't for Young Master Yun's sake, we would have already..."
Shi Yiqing tugged at Chu Yue's arm and said, "Alright, stop talking." Then he clasped his hands and said to Ying Shuang, "Miss Ying Shuang, we have been following the sect leader all this way. After some time, when the sect leader's anger subsides, we will try to persuade her to come back. Young Master Yun is indeed not here tonight. If you need anything, please go see him tomorrow morning." He paused and said, "My wife was very rude just now. Please forgive her."
Jiang Wansheng quickly stepped forward, bowed gracefully, and said, "Master Shi, I'm sorry. It's my fault for not managing my subordinates properly, and I apologize for making you laugh."
Shi Yiqing cupped his hands in greeting and said, "Miss Jiang, you're too kind." He then pulled Chu Yue away. Chu Yue whispered, "Yao Chutong has shared life and death with the Yunding Sect several times; she's an exceptionally intelligent and unfathomable woman. This delicate beauty before us is just for show... I really don't know what Yun Yinghuai is thinking..."
Jiang Wansheng stood still for a long time before turning to Ying Shuang and saying, "Have those guards check Yao Chutong's residence. I want to see her."
A stream flows gently, a crescent moon hangs in the sky, and the shadow of plum blossoms is painted on the water.
Yun Yinghuai sat silently at the bridgehead, a jar of wine in his arms. He took sips every now and then, his expression extremely cold and stern, his eyes fixed on the small building beside him. After a while, Chu Tong's profile appeared on the window paper, and she blew out the candle in the room. Yun Yinghuai paused for a moment, then sighed softly, picked up the wine jar again, and took another sip.
Just then, a clear voice rang out from behind: "The renowned scholar said, 'The best places to drink wine are under flowers, in bamboo groves, in high pavilions, on painted boats, in secluded halls, by winding railings, in flat fields, and in lotus pavilions; the best times to drink wine are in the spring countryside, when flowers are in bloom, in the clear autumn, when the new green is in bloom, after rain, when snow has accumulated, under the new moon, and in the cool evening.' Tonight, the new moon is rising, and Master Yun is sitting facing the stone bridge and small building, which is quite elegant." As he spoke, Wang Lang stepped forward, cupped his hands, and smiled, saying, "Greetings, Master Yun."
Yun Yinghuai cupped his hands and said, "Greetings, Young Master Wang."
Wang Lang sat down next to Yun Yinghuai, staring at Yun Yinghuai's face with a slight smile, and said, "Hero Yun has been following us for over a month. May I ask what brings you here?"
Yun Yinghuai gave a bitter laugh, took a sip from the wine jar, wiped his mouth, and remained silent.
Seeing that Yun Yinghuai remained silent, Wang Lang looked up at the stars and said slowly, "Hero Yun, hesitation only leads to trouble. Now that you have the beautiful Miss Jiang by your side, don't waver anymore. I will take Chu Tong back to Da Zhou and take good care of her for the rest of my life."
Yun Yinghuai stiffened, her eyes flashing like cold lightning as she looked at Wang Lang. Then she chuckled and said, "How can you take good care of her for the rest of your life? Xing'er has committed a crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations of her family. Returning to the Great Zhou is like walking on thin ice; she could die at any moment. You are a direct descendant of a noble family, and you will naturally be engaged to a daughter of a prominent family. Do you intend to keep Xing'er hidden away like a mistress?"
Wang Lang was taken aback for a moment, but then his expression returned to normal as he said, "I have my own arrangements. If Chu Tong is willing to marry me, I will naturally marry her in a grand and proper manner with an eight-bearer sedan chair." After saying that, he narrowed his eyes and said to Yun Yinghuai with a half-smile, "It seems that you, Master Yun, do you perhaps wish to have both Ehuang and Nüying and enjoy the blessings of having two wives? Tsk tsk, I'm afraid that even if Miss Jiang agrees, Chu Tong would never agree."
Yun Yinghuai lowered his head and said in a deep voice, "I have no such intention." After saying that, he suddenly stood up, bowed to Wang Lang and said, "Young Master Wang, you are a friend of my elder brother Hua Chunlai, and you saved Xing'er's life. Therefore, although you are the son of a high-ranking official of the Great Zhou, I will not kill you. Today, the Great Zhou has invaded Southern Yan and trampled on its land. I will definitely take the lead and defend Southern Yan's dignity to the death! Young Master Wang, we are still friends now, but if we meet on the battlefield one day, we will be enemies!"
In an instant, Yun Yinghuai's murderous aura was fully revealed, and his dark eyes were as cold as autumn water. Wang Lang was taken aback and thought to himself, "What a Yun Yinghuai! Anyone who sees such an aura will feel a chill in their heart!" But he smiled as usual and said, "I understand."
Yun Yinghuai nodded slightly, then turned and left. He quietly slipped into Chu Tong's room, where he found it dimly lit, and Chu Tong fast asleep, wrapped in a begonia-covered satin quilt. Yun Yinghuai sat down on the edge of the bed, gently stroking Chu Tong's face with his long fingers. After a long while, he whispered, "Xing'er, Wan'er and I grew up together, and have known each other for a long time. She is kind, intelligent, and learned. She can compose poems, is skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, understands philosophy and Buddhism, acts with composure and generosity, and is very righteous. Moreover, we are kindred spirits. Now she has abandoned wealth and honor to follow me without hesitation. I fear that even if I were to die, I could never repay this kindness."
After a pause, he continued, "We've only known each other for a year. You're clever and ruthless, mercenary and greedy, opportunistic, and extremely good at reading people. You can endure a moment's anger, but you'll definitely seek revenge. You do things unconventionally and inexplicably, and sometimes you even spout nonsense." As he spoke, Yun Yinghuai slightly curled the corners of his mouth and smiled softly, "You're loyal, know how to repay kindness, and would rather die than betray a friend."
At this point, Yun Yinghuai heard a slight noise at the door, but he didn't pay it any mind. He continued to look at Chu Tong and smiled, "If we're going to judge it that way, it seems that Wanmei has more advantages, don't you think?" After saying that, he looked at Chu Tong and saw that she was still hugging the quilt and sleeping soundly.
Yun Yinghuai sighed and said, "Wanmei is indeed flawless. I have deeply respected her since childhood. When she left me, I was heartbroken, filled with pain and resentment. Later, she came back to find me despite everything, and I was truly happy... But you and I have been through life and death together several times, and our time together has been so joyful. I have never felt this way with anyone else... That day you rode away on horseback by Yuyan Bridge, I searched for you for days and nights, my heart filled with anxiety and pain. I only regretted not catching up with you. I made up my mind that if anything happened to you, I would never again..." I won't marry another woman... During the martial arts tournament, I led Xie Linghui to fight in the bamboo forest, actually to observe from a high vantage point whether reinforcements had already laid in ambush. At that time, the situation was critical; reinforcements hadn't arrived, and the traitors from the Cloud Peak Sect had already arrived. In that moment of impending doom, my first thought was to protect you and ensure your safe escape at all costs... These past few days, I've followed behind you, with only one thought constantly on my mind: I absolutely cannot lose you. If I never see her again in this life, even if I clear my name and become the leader of the Cloud Peak Sect again, this life will have no meaning..."
Yun Yinghuai took a deep breath and said, "Wanmei is intelligent; she probably saw through the situation long ago. I told her that our fate was over and I wanted to send someone to escort her back to the capital or the main gate of Linzhou. Wanmei refused, asking me to stay with her for another month out of consideration for our past relationship... I couldn't bear to refuse, but I knew that with her by my side, you would never come back, so I had no choice but to follow you all the way. Now that the deadline has passed, I originally wanted to bring you back, but..." He paused and continued, "My origins are still unknown, but I grew up in Nanyan and have long regarded Nanyan as my homeland. Now that the Great Zhou has invaded my land, killed my compatriots, and forced Nanyan to submit, I cannot stand idly by. I will fight with all my might and risk my life to defend the Nanyan kingdom!"
After saying this, he reached out and gently stroked Chu Tong's face, saying, "Xie Linghui is now a pillar of the Great Zhou, who slaughtered thousands of my Southern Yan soldiers. I regret my momentary mercy at the martial arts tournament when I didn't kill him. Now I will go and take his head with my own hands. Xing'er, wait for me. If I return safely, I will be your little husband." Then he added, "No matter where you go, as long as you have me in your heart, I will always chase after you and bring you back." After saying this, he leaned down and gently kissed Chu Tong's lips.
Outside the door, Jiang Wansheng turned around, covered her mouth tightly with her hand, and ran forward. Tears streamed down her cheeks. She tried her best to control herself and ran straight out until she reached a carriage on the street. Ying Shuang heard the footsteps and flung open the carriage curtain. Upon seeing her, she exclaimed in surprise, "Princess, what's wrong? Did you see Yao Chutong? You...you were bullied by her?"
Jiang Wansheng shook her head, wearily climbing into the carriage. A voice kept screaming in her head, "So, so Yunlang has fallen in love with Yao Chutong! He doesn't want me anymore! He doesn't want me anymore!"
Jiang Wansheng returned to the inn, dejected, and sat there for a long time. Suddenly, as if she had thought of something, her gaze hardened instantly. She picked up a pen, left a note, and then instructed Ying Shuang to pack her luggage. Before dawn, she quietly left the inn.