Hearing Caiyu's rare exhortation, Song Yinghuai's dark pupils couldn't help but dilate, and his heart raced.
The whole world seemed to brighten up.
He suddenly tugged on the reins, and the horse's hooves clattered.
"Wait for me!"
The mountain path was peaceful, calm as could be.
However, no one could have predicted that those mysterious undercurrents were quietly lurking underground, ready to boil up at any moment and engulf everything.
It was one day before the army entered the valley.
"All generals, listen up!"
In a cave on the mountainside, a handsome man in black combat clothes slightly lifted his well - defined chin. His long, strong fingers pointed at a detailed topographic map drawn on the stone wall. He spoke in a deep voice to the group of Hu cavalry around him.
"I've asked the local villagers about the weather. There's a high probability of snow tomorrow. The mountain path will freeze, and Prince Yan's army will have to rest for at least half a day when they enter the path."
"This is our best time to act. We'll strike at three quarters past the afternoon. The outposts will monitor and report Prince Yan's movements at all times. Once Prince Yan is sent out of the mountain by Caiyu, we'll act immediately!"
"At that time, Duoyong will lead the first squad to set up an ambush under the iron chain bridge at the bottom of the valley. Bian Rui and Fucang will each lead the second squad to ambush on both sides of the mountain path. First, attack the capital troops in the valley with stones and arrows, pretending to be the remaining rebels from the Qin and Jin regions."
"Try not to kill anyone. Just cause panic in the army and make them retreat to the iron chain bridge at the bottom of the valley."
"No matter what the result is, the attack in the valley must be over within the time it takes to burn an incense stick. Do you understand?"
"Understood!" Bian Rui and Fucang nodded and replied in a deep voice.
Sheng Jiangli's finger traced along the western line on the map, then he turned his head.
"Zhidu will lead the third squad to ambush on the road from the mountain path to the river, and cooperate with Duoyong's action. Once chaos breaks out when the 100,000 capital troops retreat, immediately attack Caiyu."
"Note that the attacks should be random. Don't let them see that you're deliberately targeting her."
Zhiyong nodded. "Yes!"
"Duoyong, your task is to prevent the capital troops from chasing us across the iron chain bridge. So once Caiyu falls into the water, you'll immediately destroy the iron chain bridge and the whole army will retreat."
Duoyong, with a dark complexion, nodded heavily and said, "General, don't worry. Your subordinate will surely complete the task."
He paused for a moment and couldn't help but say, "General, the Ru River below is very turbulent. It's almost winter now. It's very dangerous for Miss Caiyu if she falls into the water!"
Sheng Jiangli's heart felt heavy. He remembered the conversation with Caiyu before they parted.
"The Ru River is turbulent, with jagged rocks in it and a huge drop. It's almost winter now. Even if I wait in person downstream to pick you up, I'm afraid I won't be able to save you in time... Shu'er, are you really willing to choose a nine - out - of - ten chance of death rather than stay with him?"
Caiyu looked calm. "I've made up my mind. Although the prince and I love each other, what he gives isn't what I want, and what I want he can't give... Rather than torturing each other and wearing out the remaining love, I'd rather let go. Maybe it's a good thing for both him and me."
"If he knows I'm alive, he'll surely chase me to the ends of the earth. Your plan is just right. If I'm dead, he'll give up his thoughts. Maybe..."
Caiyu's heart ached. "Maybe it's his best choice to marry the princess."
Princess Nan'an will only follow his will and will surely never quarrel with him.
And he won't be jealous and quarrel because of the princess.
This is good.
Sheng Jiangli tightened his grip on her hand. For the first time in his life, he was worried. "But if I miscalculate and can't save you, your life..."
"It doesn't matter." Caiyu seemed to have seen through life and death. "If you can't save me, just let me stay in this beautiful scenery forever. This is also a kind of freedom."
Sheng Jiangli looked at her face.
The delicate and mischievous little face from childhood had turned into a stubborn and charming one. And somehow, the fire in her had gone out, turning into the extremely serene countenance she had now.
His heart ached dully.
Why did his Shu'er have so many worries?
Suddenly, Sheng Jiangli hooked his lips and smiled. "Okay. If I can't save you, I'll give my life for yours. We'll be buried here together. I'll accompany you floating along this river, seeing all of the Great Ye Kingdom before we're reborn."
The memory faded from his mind. Sheng Jiangli looked at Duoyong. "If I can't save Caiyu, you don't have to worry about me. Duoyong and Subude will stay inside the pass and continue to inquire about the Lan family and Young Master Lan. As for the others..."
His gaze swept over everyone's faces one by one and he said:
"I hope you'll secretly return to the pass and act as if nothing had happened. Your general has disappeared inside the pass. You know nothing!"
Under the blood - red setting sun, the towering mountains were gradually being swallowed.
Sheng Jiangli hooked his lips. His demonic face showed an even more blood - thirsty determination.
Caiyu looked up and saw the second cold bird flying across the valley.
She got off the carriage and said to Han Fen, who was cooking with everyone, "Guard Han, move the fire further away. The smoke is drifting towards me and it's making my eyes hurt."
What a spoilt thing to say!
Han Fen immediately got angry. He threw the firewood in his hand, stood up and stared at her fiercely. "What did you say?!"
His eyes were bloodshot, as if hiding a lot of hatred. Caiyu was stunned for a moment.
She didn't know when Han Fen had started to hate her, but she thought it was a good thing.
When something happened to her later, since everyone hated her, no one would save her, right?
Caiyu continued to be unreasonable. "I said the smoke from your fire is too close to my carriage. Move it away!"
"Lan Caiyu! I've given you too much face!"
Han Fen had long harbored deep resentment towards Caiyu because all his brothers in the capital had died in Hainan. Hearing this, he couldn't hold back any longer. He immediately drew his long knife and pointed it at Caiyu, roaring:
"I've put up with you for a long time! You've been torturing the prince every day! What did he do wrong to you?"
"He's planned for you for so long. In the end, for you, he... " He paused, realizing he shouldn't say it, so he had to change the topic sharply. "He's exhausted himself for you and the Lan family. In the end, he even refused the emperor's offer to be the crown prince!"
"And you? You just keep torturing him!"
"The mountain path is so slippery with ice. The army may set off at any time, but you insist that he go into the city to buy food for you! You don't even give him a moment to rest! Are you even human?"
"Yes! He did go too far with you a few times! But there's poison in his body. Sometimes he can't control his emotions. Do you think he practices Buddhism for nothing? It's because Buddhism can calm his mind!"
"As soon as you came, you turned his peaceful life upside down. We all understand your difficulties because you were controlled by the crown prince. You didn't dare to tell him anything before and kept it a secret from everyone. So the prince didn't dare to expose you before finding Young Master Lan!"
"There have been a lot of misunderstandings between you because of this!"
"But now? Since you regained your identity as Lan Jinshu, you've become even worse. You've been finding ways to torture him!"
"I really can't stand it anymore!"
"I want to kill you and be done with it!"
Han Fen's words made Caiyu's face covered with tears.
There were still some things that she was confused about.
She later learned that Song Yinghuai had done a lot for her, and that there had been many misunderstandings between them.
But hearing it shouted out from someone else's mouth, her heart still couldn't help but tremble violently.
In this life, she owed him, and he had hurt her.
The matter between them was already unclear.
It was too late for anything!
Dark crowds had emerged on both sides of the mountain path, holding long bows and wearing the armor of the Qin and Jin generals.
Falling rocks rained down like hail.
The leading general shouted, "Kill Prince Yan and the capital troops! Avenge the kings of Qin and Jin!"