When the lieutenant of Zhao Chuanyi saw the soldiers scattering in all directions, he was shocked. Looking at Zhao Chuanyi in trepidation, he pleaded in a low voice, "General! Let's retreat first. Saving our lives is the most important thing!"
Zhao Chuanyi turned pale looking at the miserable scene before him. Only then did he nod and agree to the lieutenant's proposal. Surrounded by his men, he returned to the military camp for treatment.
Three days later, several urgent letters were sent out from the post station on the border of the Celestial Dynasty, spreading the news far and wide that Princess Five, Murong Wanlin, had drowned in a lake on her way to marry into Xiliang.
At the same time, Zhao Chuanyi, who was lying in bed recuperating from his injuries, received a secret letter from the Xiliang prince. The prince severely condemned him for acting on his own and openly harming the princess consort. He also said that he was now on his way back to Xiliang and asked Zhao Chuanyi to wait at the border for punishment.
Wei Dongling felt dazed. Chills kept creeping over her, and her hands and feet were extremely cold. The cold made her bones tremble slightly.
Fortunately, there was a warm body holding her tightly all the time. The embrace was warm and soft.
"Lord Yun... Lord Yun!" Wei Dongling suddenly woke up with a start. She sat up abruptly and shivered in the cold wind.
Cuilan quickly picked up the quilt and wrapped her tightly, asking softly, "Miss Wei, are you awake?"
Wei Dongling, looking haggard, turned to look at Cuilan with red - rimmed eyes. Her nose twitched, and she stepped forward to hug her tightly.
Seeing that Cuilan was safe and sound, she felt a little better.
Wei Dongling's eyes were slightly red. After choking for a long time, she asked, "Lanlan, what about Lord Yun..."
Cuilan hugged Wei Dongling tightly and sobbed in a low voice, "We searched everywhere for a long time, but we still couldn't find him..."
Wei Dongling's head buzzed. Tears streamed down her face, and she sobbed uncontrollably.
Seeing her like this, Cuilan felt heart - broken. She rushed forward and hugged Wei Dongling to comfort her, "I know you've done your best! None of us wanted this to happen! Miss, don't be sad!" The doctor had said that Miss Wei's current physical condition was extremely poor and she must not be stimulated in the slightest. But how could they hide the matter of Lord Yun from her? And how could they possibly hide it?
Wei Dongling covered herself with the quilt and cried loudly. She cried until her head was dizzy and her voice was hoarse and she had no strength left. Then she collapsed on the bed, sobbing softly.
Cuilan stayed with her all the time, silently shedding tears and holding Wei Dongling's hand tightly.
If she had known that Miss Wei would have to endure so much suffering, she should have introduced her to Lord Yun herself when Miss Wei was still recuperating in the prince's mansion with her lame leg not yet healed!
Cuilan regretted it deeply. She had clearly seen that Lord Yun was interested in Dongling when they first met. If she had taken action at that time, maybe there would be no such regret today?
Hearing the commotion in the room, Pinhao kicked open the door violently. With a stubbly beard and a ferocious face, his eyes were filled with flames of hatred. He glared at the two people in front of the bed and roared, "Wei Dongling!"
Wei Dongling, with tears in her eyes, lifted the quilt and turned to look at him.
Seeing Pinhao full of killing intent, Cuilan quickly got up to stop him, "Pinhao, don't be in a hurry. Listen to me..."
Pinhao pushed aside Cuilan who was blocking him. He stepped forward and grabbed Wei Dongling by the neck, roaring, "Are you satisfied with what has happened now?"
Wei Dongling's eyes were red, and tears kept streaming down the corners of her eyes. She choked and couldn't say a word.
Pinhao's eyes were filled with a fierce light. Gritting his teeth, he scolded, "I've said it before! You're a bad omen! But he just refused to listen to me! He always carried that shabby brocade pouch you gave him with him! He knew full well that you're a flirtatious woman and had probably given brocade pouches to countless men! But he was just wishful - thinking! Wei Dongling! You heartless and ungrateful woman! Why don't you just die? Why wasn't it you who drowned?"
Pinhao was in tears as he tightened his fists. He was choking Wei Dongling so hard that she rolled her eyes.
Seeing this, Cuilan was extremely anxious. She quickly rushed up to beat Pinhao's arm, begging him to let go.
In the end, Pinhao managed to control his out - of - control emotions. He trembled as he let go of Wei Dongling's neck and turned around to leave.
For three whole days, Pinhao spent a lot of money to hire people in the vicinity to break the ice and search in the lake day after day, but they still found nothing.
To avoid future troubles, Zhao Chuanyi had already sent the killers from the Zhao Mansion into the territory of the Celestial Dynasty to secretly search for news of Wei Dongling. Pinhao had no choice but to stop and quickly hide his tracks.
The group didn't go to the post station. They only took shelter in an old and abandoned yard at the foot of the mountain. Cheng Hao and Cuilan carried the unconscious Wei Dongling around secretly looking for a doctor. Finally, they found a respected old doctor's house and nursed her for two days before saving Wei Dongling from her high fever.
Jingzhe came in and saw Wei Dongling, whose eyes were almost blind from crying. He felt very sorry for her. But he could only tell the truth, "Miss Wei, it's not suitable for us to stay here for long. We have to find a way to leave earlier." This abandoned yard was drafty everywhere and couldn't keep out the cold at all. Cooking and boiling medicine were very likely to attract prying eyes! Several groups of Zhao Chuanyi's minions had been wandering around nearby, but he and the secret guards had joined hands to kill them one by one.
How could Miss Wei recuperate and recover her health in peace here?
Pinhao's accusations had made Wei Dongling's heart as dead as wood. But she also knew that the others couldn't bear any more pain. She said weakly, "Then let's go!"
The group discussed and immediately packed their things and carried Wei Dongling away.
The forest path was covered with ice and frost and extremely difficult to walk on. Jingzhe carried Wei Dongling, slipping every few steps as they headed east.
Cuilan wrapped all kinds of clothes and felt blankets around Wei Dongling so tightly that only her two nostrils were left for breathing. Even so, Wei Dongling still felt that her hands and feet were numb, and the cold wind made her bones ache.
Before nightfall, the group finally found a village. They asked an old blind couple for a room to rest. They roasted the fire, boiled medicine, ate some noodle soup to fill their stomachs, and managed to sleep until the third watch. Then they put out the fire and got up to continue on their journey.
Pinhao was listless. He and the secret guard followed behind Wei Dongling all the way.
The death of Lord Yun had made him extremely heart - broken! But he had no choice but to follow the order and protect that heartless woman all the way.
On the second night, the disguised group finally arrived at a nearby small town. They found a remote inn and ordered a lot of steaming food to gobble up and replenish their strength.
The mutton soup was stewed soft and delicious. Cuilan fed Wei Dongling most of a bowl bit by bit. Seeing that she still looked haggard and frowning, Cuilan coughed lightly and said, "Miss Wei, tomorrow is New Year's Eve. Why don't we stay in this town for a few days and wait until your physical condition improves before going back to the capital!"
She didn't know where Brother Long and the others were now or if there was any news about Old Su. Cuilan was full of worries but didn't dare to show it at all for fear of making Wei Dongling sad.
New Year's Eve?
Wei Dongling murmured to herself, "It's so soon?"