The heavy snow had been falling continuously for two days, and the snow on the official road had piled up thicker and thicker, seriously affecting the progress of the wedding procession.
Uncle Li sighed inwardly. The original half - month journey would probably be delayed for a long time due to this snowstorm. It was uncertain whether the procession could return to Xiliang before the Spring Festival. Maybe they would all have to spend the New Year on the road.
Li Mingyang was shocked to hear that the Fifth Princess had caught a cold and was bedridden. Every day, he showed great concern for her, acting extremely solicitously in front of everyone.
When they marched until late afternoon, the Xiliang envoy came to report that the snow on the mountain road ahead had turned into ice, and the carriage wheels were slipping, making it almost impossible to move forward. He suggested taking a rest on the spot and continuing the journey the next day when the wind and snow were less severe.
Li Mingyang looked very embarrassed. The Xiliang soldiers were used to the cold climate, so it would be okay for them to set up camp and huddle for warmth in the wind and snow. But the Fifth Princess, a delicate and precious person, was sick with a cold. Camping outdoors might aggravate her condition. Moreover, the two teams of the Heavenly Dynasty's imperial guards couldn't adapt to such harsh weather. They were already shivering like beaten dogs.
After discussing with everyone for a while, Li Mingyang finally decided that the imperial guards would escort the Fifth Princess's carriage to cross the mountain first. They should try to reach the post station on the other side before midnight so that she could rest and recuperate.
Uncle Li and the others had heard Wei Dongling coughing non - stop for the past two days and felt sorry for her, so they agreed to Li Mingyang's arrangement.
So, Li Mingyang took a small number of his trusted followers and went into the mountain first with Wei Dongling's imperial guards.
The biting cold wind blew in through the cracks of the carriage. Wei Dongling felt the cold wind attacking from all directions, making her shiver all over and feel cold to the bone.
Wei Dongling was extremely thirsty. Cui Huan took out the sheepskin water bag warmed by her body temperature from her clothes and fed her water little by little.
Ruan Niang saw that Wei Dongling's face was flushed and her forehead was burning hot. She was drowsy all the way as the carriage swayed. Ruan Niang sighed silently in her heart. A person who needed to keep warm and rest quietly had been exposed to the wind and rain all the way and caught cold repeatedly. How could she get better anytime soon?
The sky gradually darkened. Suddenly, there was a noisy commotion outside. Li Mingyang reined in his horse and stopped. He asked in a deep voice, "What's going on up ahead?"
A servant stepped forward and reported, "Your Highness the Second Prince! It's bad! We've encountered mountain bandits! They are numerous and have blocked our way!"
Mountain bandits?
Cui Huan was shocked. It was only a three - day carriage ride from the capital here, yet there were robbers daring to rob on the official road? Were the robbers so bold as the New Year was approaching?
Li Mingyang looked at his few trusted followers beside him and sighed worriedly, "Most of my guards are at the foot of the mountain. You must protect the Fifth Princess and the other noble guests together with the imperial guards!"
"Yes!"
Not far ahead, a conflict had broken out between the mountain bandits and the imperial guards. Uncle Li gave Jing Zhe a look, indicating him to protect Wei Dongling well. Then he himself went forward with Luo Xunlong and Yu Haiming to help. There were only two teams of imperial guards in the wedding procession. If they all died, wouldn't it only boost the arrogance of the Xiliang prince?
Li Mingyang didn't go forward to help. He just stood beside Wei Dongling's carriage with his hands behind his back, watching from afar as Uncle Li and the others fought fiercely with the mountain bandits.
There was a scream from behind. Jing Zhe and Cheng Hao quickly turned around to look. They saw a large group of mountain bandits rushing towards the Fifth Princess's carriage with shiny long knives in their hands.
Ruan Niang lifted the curtain and looked out. She saw Li Mingyang looking calm and composed, seemingly not worried at all about the current predicament. The few trusted followers beside him were more like guarding the Xiliang prince himself rather than the Fifth Princess's carriage!
Ruan Niang began to suspect secretly. Could this drama have been staged by Prince Mingyang himself? Most of his Xiliang guards were at the foot of the mountain. If anything happened to the Fifth Princess at this time, could he absolve himself completely?
Ruan Niang exchanged a look with Cui Huan and didn't dare to leave Wei Dongling for a single step.
A robber leaped onto the carriage. The maids outside the carriage were so frightened that they screamed. The robber ignored Li Mingyang beside him and directly stabbed the long knife into the carriage and hacked wildly.
The long knife stabbed into the carriage and almost hurt the sleeping Wei Dongling. Cui Huan got angry. She wrapped Wei Dongling tightly, picked her up, and leaped out. Ruan Niang quickly followed and protected her on the side.
Behind them, six or seven tall mountain bandits chased after them relentlessly. Their purpose was quite obvious: to take Wei Dongling's life.
Ruan Niang and Cui Huan fought while retreating, trying to get closer to Uncle Li and the others. The six or seven mountain bandits surrounded them. Ruan Niang stepped forward to fight with them, protecting Wei Dongling and Cui Huan behind her.
The opponents were numerous and their martial arts were quite good. Ruan Niang soon fell into a disadvantage. The remaining bandits took the opportunity to entangle Cui Huan.
Jing Zhe and Cheng Hao soon noticed the predicament here. They wanted to come and help in a hurry, but unfortunately, the mountain bandits were so numerous that they were unable to spare themselves to come to the rescue for a while.
Wei Dongling was jolted awake by a severe bump. She opened her heavy eyelids and quickly realized the current predicament.
Li Mingyang swooped over in time, took Wei Dongling from Cui Huan's arms, and said loudly to his trusted followers behind him, "You should quickly assist the girls in fighting the enemy. I'll protect the princess and leave first!" With that, he carried Wei Dongling and turned to leave.
"Wait a minute!" Cui Huan screamed and stepped forward, grabbing Wei Dongling's arm and refusing to let go.
Wei Dongling quietly took out a small crossbow from her clothes and winked at Cui Huan, indicating her to be calm.
Li Mingyang's trusted followers stepped forward and surrounded Cui Huan. Cui Huan's face changed greatly. Li Mingyang took the opportunity to carry Wei Dongling and leap away.
There were many mountain bandits in the distance. Uncle Li, Luo Xunlong and the others had already fought with red eyes and didn't notice Wei Dongling's current predicament.
Ruan Niang and Cui Huan were surrounded by people and could only watch the departing Xiliang prince anxiously.
Li Mingyang carried Wei Dongling to a quiet and secluded part of the forest. The white snow on the ground was already knee - deep. Wei Dongling knew that there was a cliff on the other side of the forest. She nestled gently in Li Mingyang's arms, secretly anxious. Her hand holding the small crossbow trembled slightly.
Wei Dongling endured her fear and weakly called out, "My husband, I need to relieve myself. Could you please avoid me for a while?"
Li Mingyang looked down at her without answering. He was secretly thinking that throwing her off the cliff directly would probably be the best way. Then he could just say that they were chased by the mountain bandits and got lost, and accidentally fell off the cliff.
"My husband?" Seeing that Li Mingyang didn't answer, Wei Dongling called out softly. She began to cough violently.
"Okay." Li Mingyang finally answered. He carried Wei Dongling to a tree and gently put her down. In this position, he only needed to give a gentle push, and she would roll off the cliff and disappear without a trace. Then, there would be no more Fifth Princess Murong Wanlin in the world.
Wei Dongling tightly grabbed Li Mingyang's arm, looked up at him tenderly, and said pitifully, "I'm so weak. Could my husband help me untie my clothes?"