Chapter 9
Chapter 9
“Sister-in-law, be careful along the way . ” By the canal, dozens of large ships were prepared to set sail, and the woman dressed in red with her tied up hair tightened her arm guards . She was about to jump on board, but she heard from behind herself the Crown Prince’s warm words .
Jin Bihui looked back and grinned, yet the smile was quite forced . She nodded at the Crown Prince, but her eyes looked to the side at her husband who was seeing her off as if she hoped he would say something . However, Prince Xueya just looked at her like he didn’t know what to say, and only after a long time did he say one thing, “Two days . Go early and return early . ”
She couldn’t help but bitterly smile — At the end of the day, he still didn’t trust her, did he? As a result, they even sent their own Vice General Shen Tiexin to follow her and brought so many men from the left flank . Having said the matter of provisions was of great importance, more manpower was sent to escort her, but frankly, it’s still to prevent her from breaking her promise, right? …Ha, if she, Jin Bihui, were to break her promise, even if they had thousands of men, what could they do to her?
“The provisions are set to arrive after three days . Rest assured . ” But, not wanting to make things difficult for him, she simply responded indifferently . Prince Xueya nodded slightly, his eyes flashed brightly . Jin Bihui no longer looked at him . She cupped her fists toward the crowd of people who were seeing her off and grabbed her clothing as she jumped onto the deck .
The winds of the Dragon Head Plains were powerful . They blew against the red dress of the woman standing at the front of the ship, and her clothing resembled scarlet flames as it fluttered through the air .
The sails ate up the wind, the anchor line was untied, and the boat swiftly went from the dock downstream south . Jin Bihui stood at the bow of the ship but turned her head, no longer looking at the courtiers of Li Country sending her off nor at her husband .
However, as she turned her head to look down the river, she could vaguely hear the sound of a flute, distant and melancholic . Jin Bihui turned back suddenly . Among the sails’ shadows and the flags, she saw the wooden planked platform which quietly extended over the river . A stone rampart at the riverbank . Lanterns swaying amidst the wind and rain — At the ferry crossing away from the river, there stood a person . A white-clothed aristocrat played a bamboo flute while his sleeves billowed .
Tie Yi Han .
The sound of that flute was sorrowful and cold . All of a sudden, she felt an indescribable pain in her heart and only wanted to cry, to curse, to hit someone, but she was unable to say what the reason was— “Imperial Concubine, it’s windy at the front of the ship . Should you not go back to the cabin to rest first?”
Suddenly hearing someone speak next to her, she turned her head and saw Yan Bai’s vice general, Shen Tiexin . There was concern in the eyes of this general who had his entire lifetime in the military . However, the brazen Imperial Concubine abruptly raised her head and coldly said, “So it’s your turn to meddle!”
“Entrusted by the Seventh Highness, the trip requires this humble general to take good care of Imperial Concubine . ” Shen Tiexin saw the red-clothed woman’s stern eyes, yet he only smiled warmly and steadily replied .
Jin Bihui sneered, yet her eyes were unyielding . “What does he care? Anyway, I’ll deliver the food to Ye City in two days and that’s that! —Then we can go our separate ways! Never bother me again with your nonsense!”
Thus, when Shen Tiexin was about to say something again, Jin Bihui stopped him and turned her head sideways as if listening to some sound within the wind . Shen Tiexin also listened carefully with some surprise, however, nothing could be heard .
“It’s already gone . ” Somewhat gloomily, she muttered and then abruptly descended from the deck .
“Imperial Brother… Is Sister-in-law, is Sister-in-law unwell?”
The second day . In the inner room drinking Yun Qi Tea, after a very long period of silence, Prince Xueya suddenly opened his mouth and asked a question .
Crown Prince Chengde’s wide sleeves flicked . The sharpness in his eyes imperceptibly flashed briefly and he smiled lightly . “It’s no big deal, but it seems that she suffered some chills the night before yesterday . In the morning, she said her head was a bit heavy, so I urged her to rest . ”
“Oh,” Prince Xueya only softly responded and turned his head to the side as if he was just watching the thick war clouds in the northern sky . A long time passed before he faintly said, “The weather is getting colder, so you should be mindful of your health . ”
Crown Prince Chengde’s lips revealed a hint of a smile, yet he did not speak . He was somewhat absent-mindedly blowing the froth in his teacup as if he somewhat anticipated something . At this time, the hurried sound of hooves on the street rang out sharply, and a city guard who was panting heavily tumbled off his horse and prostrated as he reported, “Reporting to Crown Prince and Seventh Highness! Outside the city, outside the city…the rebel army, just now they sent Iron Arrow Sun again to call for a battle!”[1]
Crown Prince Chengde’s expression unexpectedly did not look fazed . At that moment, he raised his head and looked past the inner room’s screen . The Chief Advisor Xu Fuyan had already arrived . When he noticed the Crown Prince’s gaze, he simply nodded slightly as he pinched his beard and smiled .
It seems that everything was progressing smoothly according to plan…
“Sun Zhiquan?!” As expected, when he heard this name, Seventh Brother’s eyes, which had always been indifferent and steady, shined sharply as if lightning had shone against a sharp blade . He grabbed the guard and asked coldly, “Who called for battle before the city? Iron Arrow Sun?”
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The guard had never seen the Seventh Prince look so cold and harsh before . He stammered, unable to speak, and just nodded his head desperately .
Prince Xueya slowly released his grip, allowing the guard to stagger back and take large breaths . He muttered to himself, a pent-up exasperation sinking in between his brows . Breathing slowly becoming more rapid, Crown Prince Chengde firmly waited for—
“Imperial Brother, let me go and behead that guy!” Finally, Crown Prince Chengde heard his own younger brother blurting out this plea .
On Crown Prince Chengde’s lips there suddenly appeared a fleeting smile . All along, he had been looking at the inner room . Chief Advisor Xu had just then already slowly strolled out and nodded slightly as he pinched his beard, his eyes as deep as the abyss .
Crown Prince Chengde began to dissuade him, “Seventh Brother, it’s better to stay behind closed doors . ”
“Iron Arrow Sun has again and again frustrated my army and killed my general . Today, I must bring his head back no matter what!” Yan Bai’s hand was clasped tightly, and the gleam in his eyes was like electricity . He muttered and then finally said, “Imperial Brother, let me bring three hundred elite soldiers with armored cavalry and swift horses to resolve it quickly . We should be able to return to the city with his head within the time it takes to brew a cup of tea!”
“Excellent! The Seventh Prince’s wisdom and courage are unparalleled . They have millions of soldiers and isn’t taking the enemy general’s head no easy feat? Behead the enemy first, and then when the provisions arrive, the city’s morale will surely soar!” Crown Prince Chengde had yet to respond, and someone beside him praised before he could speak . Chief Advisor Xu, with his long gown and feathered hat, paced out of the room and said to Crown Prince Chengde, “I request Crown Prince to order the city gates to be open and commence battle immediately!”
“Xueya! Xueya! Don’t leave the city! You must never leave the city!” Deep within the palace, behind the many thick curtains, Zhangsun Wuchen heard the horn blowing continuously outside and the sound of the golden watchman’s rattle resounding everywhere, feeling an unexpected coldness throughout her body .
However, the strength of her arms could not even support her enough to sit up from the embroidered quilt . Struggling with all her strength, she merely rolled off the bed and onto the floor . Without any strength in her four limbs, she moved inch by inch on the floor toward the doorway— Yet, the door to the bed-chamber was tightly closed . All the maidservants serving her were gone, replaced by soldiers with swords .
Outside the window, the cold winter winds of the Dragon Head Plains whistled past like swords slicing apart the window’s covering— The Crown Princess’ hands trembled . She gritted her teeth, yet tears slowly fell from the corners of her firmly closed eyes .
“Xueya, you cannot leave the city…”
Squeak— Creak— The city gates that were extremely thick eventually opened gradually with the combined efforts of ten soldiers and produced a lingering sound . The huge ropes atop the city’s wall slid as the wheels slowly revolved and the drawbridge slowly became level .
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“May the Seventh Highness display the might of our army!” The right flank’s general, Shao Yun, stood at the city’s entrance while he cupped his fists and wished him well with a thunderous voice .
The watchman’s hurried golden rattle, the horses’ long neighs, and the cold iron garments . A group of armored cavalry rushed out from the open city gate . All of a sudden, Shao Yun was startled— Because, at that time, he suddenly realized that the general in silvery-white armor who led the troops out of the city was actually not the Seventh Prince!
“Reporting to General, the Seventh Highness, dressed in light equipment, had already ridden out of the city alone from the side gate— The one wearing his armor is the left flank’s military officer, Fang Mengsheng,” the soldier beside him reported . Shao Yun suddenly realized, “A diversion?”
On the Dragon Head Plains, because of the coming winter, the grass and trees were gray and wilted . The wind and sand were so strong that it nearly split their faces .
Thousands of crowded troops were below the city and they surrounded a general . The banner beside him fluttered in the wind and that one character “Sun” was as eye-catching as blood . The two worthy soldiers carried a longbow as they followed him . That bow was surprisingly taller than a person, forged with black iron, as black as ink, and as thick as a child’s arm . Two strong men carried it as it seemed quite heavy .
“Oh, it’s that Yan Xueya guy who’s coming!” Under the army’s banner, the general with the black cloak gazed fixedly at Ye City . When he saw a group of armored cavalry pouring out of the city and the man in the lead among through the rolling yellow dust, he suddenly heartily laughed, appearing very enthusiastic . “Little Ones, bring the Divine Bow over to this Lord!”
An answer sounded by his side and the two strong men lifted the huge bow onto the horse’s back .
Iron Arrow Sun slightly stretched his muscular arms and grasped the longbow tightly . The bow was not light . Once it was in his hand, the black steed under him suddenly stamped his hoof and gave a few snorts before standing steadily . Sun Zhiquan’s longbow was in his hand as he raised it indifferently and drew a wolf fang arrow from the quiver by his saddle, aiming at the white-clothed general who was galloping out from the city .
“General Sun, before the gong is even sounded to start the war, you want to… This, this is not too proper, is it?” The vice general next to him, thick-browed and red-faced and visibly a bit naive, couldn’t help but murmur a question .
“Hah! Not proper my ass! —Do you know what kind of character Yan Xueya is? If we don’t kill him now, when he runs within thirty meters of us, you and I won’t be able to keep our heads!” Sun Zhiquan did not even look at his subordinate as he sternly rebuked .
No longer answering, he grasped the bow in his left hand and he used his right hand as if holding a baby, slowly pulling it closer to his body . The bow was as taut as a full moon and held alarming power . Iron Arrow Sun’s eyes narrowed faintly, his hawk-like gaze contained a cold light .
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When that group of soldiers was within three hundred meters of him, he instantly let go and the arrow shot out like a thunderbolt . The white-robed cavalryman at the front blocked the arrow with his sword, but the great force of the arrow split the sword in half and the arrow’s force was still unexhausted, striking him on the shoulder and pierced through . The horse still galloped, but the man atop stumbled and fell off .
Sun Zhiquan laughed very loudly, but out of the corner of his eye, he saw the commotion on the left flank of the army—
The lone white-robed man had actually rushed over noiselessly and took advantage of the chaos . He had already approached within the range of thirty meters!
Above Ye City’s bulwark, when the right flank’s vice general Shao Yun saw that the last of the cavalry had also rushed out of the city, scorn flashed in his eyes, and suddenly, he waved his hand, “Close the gate! Put up the drawbridge!”
The surrounding soldiers didn’t react for a short while and were stunned .
Shao Yun’s gaze was stern . He suddenly whipped the soldier by his side and sharply said, “I order you all to close the gate! Are you all fucking deaf?!”
“But, but Seventh Highness he…” The soldier was struck and became a little foolish . He only indistinctly replied a while later with his finger pointed outside the city— There, the Dragon Head Plains with yellow sand and fierce winds, three hundred cavalrymen had left the city only a moment ago . What greeted those hundreds of armored cavalry was the rebel army’s dense troops and below the banner, the Divine Bow with unfailing accuracy held by Iron Arrow Sun!
“Crown Prince has an order: Close the city gate without delay!” Shao Yun whipped the soldier in the face and sternly ordered his personal guards on the city wall— At this time, all the people on duty on Ye City’s wall were the right flank’s men . Shao Yun usually disciplined the army very strictly, and at the moment he gave an order, although it was unreasonable, his subordinates only slightly hesitated . They still silently followed the order .
Squeak— Creak— The heavy gates closed once more, the soldiers on the wall cranked the wheel together, and the drawbridge on the moat was also pulled up bit by bit .
Cold winds whistled and swept along . War was like snow and swords were like frost . On the Dragon Head Plains, the isolated Ye City was akin to a cold snowy mountain as war clouds heavily weighed it down and its armor glinted like golden scales .
Footnotes:
[1] Sun Zhiquan from at the beginning . He killed Yang Ding