At first, Wei Dongling didn't take Yu Zixi, a playboy, seriously at all. Even later, when she discovered that he wasn't actually such a person.
After that, watching him go to great lengths to make her happy and laugh, gradually, Wei Dongling got used to and enjoyed his favoritism. Her heart was slowly captured bit by bit.
With him around, she slowly began to have expectations and look forward to the days to come.
However, those who differ in their goals cannot work together. Yu Zixi ultimately chose a path that she couldn't accept. This was destined to make them part ways one day.
As the sky was gradually getting dark, Shangguan Yun was dragged and pushed into Wei Dongling's room by Aunt Fang, who then slammed the door shut.
Wei Dongling had been sleeping with her head buried all day. Thinking it was Cui Huan coming in to call her for dinner, she stretched out her slender hand from under the quilt and waved it around casually, indicating not to be disturbed.
Seeing Wei Dongling on the bed with disheveled hair, looking decadent and dejected, Shangguan Yun felt heart - ache. He walked step by step to the bedside and looked down at her profile. Her originally small and delicate face was extremely pale at this moment, with her moth - like eyebrows tightly knitted and her thick fan - like eyelashes gently closed.
Shangguan Yun cleared his throat and softly called out, "Dongling, eat something before going back to sleep."
Hearing Shangguan Yun's voice, Wei Dongling slowly opened her eyes. Her eyes were blood - shot and swollen red, which gave Shangguan Yun quite a shock. Wei Dongling forced out a smile that was uglier than crying. Her voice was low and hoarse. "Prince Yun, I want to go back to the capital. I want to go home..."
Wei Dongling didn't want to witness the countless casualties in the battle between the two armies. She didn't want to see the city of Hanzhong filled with the moans of the suffering. And she especially didn't want to see the person she had been longing for, Yu Zixi, wielding a sword and killing!
Go back to the capital? Shangguan Yun's heart skipped a beat. He reached out and gently grabbed her small hand. His cold and clear voice showed a bit of agitation. "Okay! You eat something first. I'll pack up our things and take you back right away!" He let go of Wei Dongling's hand, got up and walked out of the room.
Not long after, Cui Huan came in with mutton soup. She helped Wei Dongling sit up against the head of the bed and fed her spoonful by spoonful.
After swallowing a few mouthfuls, Wei Dongling looked up at Cui Huan weakly and called out, "Huanhuan, let's pack up and leave. I want to go back. I miss home."
Cui Huan gave Wei Dongling a bitter look and sighed. "The battle between the two armies started three hundred li away."
What?
Wei Dongling suddenly sat up straight, her heart in a complete mess. She asked in a trembling voice, "When did this happen?"
Cui Huan lowered her eyes and said, "At noon. Aunt Fang told us to pack up our stalls and tried very hard to persuade us to leave quickly. She said that the Xue family's army had less than fifty thousand people left and couldn't fight against the well - prepared Iron Cavalry Army!"
They had come from afar and at least had a way back to the capital. But Aunt Fang could only stay where she was and was reluctant to abandon the old house left by her ancestors.
"At noon?" Wei Dongling felt heart - ache. No wonder Yu Zixi had emphasized last night that she should take everyone and leave early this morning. Maybe he didn't want her to see such a scene!
Cui Huan's voice was filled with misery and she choked with sobs. "Brother Long and Jingzhe rushed over to help after they heard the news, but they haven't come back yet."
Luo Xunlong and Jingzhe?
Wei Dongling's heart trembled. She said anxiously, "How could you let them go to the battlefield? Why didn't you stop them?"
Tears streamed down Cui Huan's face. She sobbed, "They were determined to defend their country. How could we stop them? Prince Yun was knocked unconscious by Pinhao and dragged back."
Wei Dongling was extremely anxious. If she had known this, she should have left early! She would rather leave early than face Yu Zixi on the battlefield. But now, Luo Xunlong and Jingzhe had gone to fight the enemy and hadn't come back yet. They were probably in great danger!
Wei Dongling threw off the quilt and hurriedly tidied up her clothes. She said anxiously, "No, I have to go and find them!"
Cui Huan gave her a resentful look and asked, "With Brother Long's temper, do you think he would listen to anyone?"
Wei Dongling quickly put on her shoes and socks and walked out of the room. As soon as she opened the door, she saw Ruan Niang, Shangguan Yun and Pinhao standing in a row. Wei Dongling waved at them and said, "I'm going to bring Uncle Luo and Jingzhe back."
Everyone stood still, looking at each other without saying a word.
After a long silence, Pinhao snorted rudely. "With your skills, what can you do there? Swords and arrows are merciless. Do you think the battlefield is a joke? People who know you'll think you're going to find someone. People who don't know will think you're eager to get yourself killed!"
Shangguan Yun gave Pinhao a meaningful look. Pinhao shut up and turned his face away unhappily.
Wei Dongling was left speechless for a long time.
Ruan Niang beside her advised, "Pinhao does have a point. It's definitely not a good idea for you to go there rashly! Let's wait and see first. If they still haven't come back by night, we'll find other ways to find out about them."
Wei Dongling had no choice but to nod.
Each with their own thoughts, they sat around the round table in Wei Dongling's room, drinking tea and anxiously waiting for news about Luo Xunlong and Jingzhe.
Wei Dongling looked up at the moon outside the window and paced back and forth in the room.
Seeing that she couldn't stop for a moment, Ruan Niang sighed. "Take a break. You're making our eyes dizzy."
Wei Dongling had no choice but to sit down helplessly. After thinking for a long time, she said softly, "If our army is at a disadvantage in the battle, we must defend the city gate of Hanzhong and protect the people in the city."
Ruan Niang poured a cup of scented tea and handed it to her. She nodded and said, "You're right. We can't just watch the Iron Cavalry Army break through the city of Hanzhong. We'll go to the west city gate tomorrow morning to see if we can help."
Wei Dongling nodded and sipped the scented tea gently. A faint fragrance filled her throat. Not long after, she felt dizzy. When she realized that there was something wrong with the tea, it was too late. Her body went limp and she fell forward.
Ruan Niang gently helped Wei Dongling onto the wooden bed and covered her with a quilt. She bowed to Shangguan Yun and said, "There's no time to lose. Please, Prince and Pinhao, guard the west gate tonight. I need to go and bring Brother Long and the others back."
Thinking of Luo Xunlong's whereabouts being unknown, Cui Huan felt extremely nervous. She pleaded, "Ruan Niang, I want to go with you."
Ruan Niang patted Cui Huan's shoulder and said, "The young lady can't be in any danger. There can't be the slightest risk. Take her to guard the west gate tomorrow morning! If there really comes a time when we can't resist, please, no matter what, take the young lady back safely before the city is broken! Old Su can't lose her again!"
Seeing Ruan Niang going alone to look for someone, Shangguan Yun was worried and wanted to go and help. But Ruan Niang was stubborn and refused. He had no choice but to get up and take Pinhao to the west city gate.
The moon was above the treetops. The soldiers guarding the city were shocked when they saw the jade token on Shangguan Yun. They knelt down in a large group. When the general heard that the royal prince had come to assist in person, he quickly stepped forward to pay his respects. He immediately felt more at ease.
Shangguan Yun stood on the city wall and watched as Ruan Niang on her horse disappeared into the vast moonlight. He felt a bit uneasy in his heart.