The spring rain pattered incessantly, but the spring days of the Great Jin Dynasty were not filled with vitality because of the spring rain. Instead, they were shrouded in a heavy layer of gloom. Fortunately, the distribution of porridge in the city had not stopped, and some kind-hearted rich merchants had also joined the ranks of grain donations. The number of city guards in the capital had doubled, and the number of troublemaking refugees had decreased significantly. Other than the fact that life was still difficult, there was no difference from before the flood.
The common people did not have enough to eat or warm clothes to wear, so they would not pay attention to the major events of the court. Even so, the matter of General Guan's victorious return to the court had become the most talked about topic in the streets and alleys of the capital. The brave and skillful army led by Guan Liang Han would reach the capital by tonight.
The Guan Liang Han of the common people was currently happily drinking the freshly brewed Guan Shan Qing Xue in Dong Feng Lou. Mo Cong looked at him and said, "Second Brother, everyone in the capital knows that you are returning to the capital today. Are you really not going to put on a show?"
"Putting on a show," Guan Liang Han snorted disdainfully, "I have already returned to the capital. What's there to put on a show? Besides, it's already night time, who would pay attention to such things? You're just worrying for nothing. "
Mo Cong shrugged, "The rain is so heavy, I don't know where they are now, and whether they will be able to return to the capital on time."
"Don't worry." Guan Liang Han wiped his mouth, "My subordinates are not soft persimmons. It doesn't matter how heavy the rain is. By now, they should have reached Wulin Road."
Wulin Road was not an official road. The official road had been washed away by the rising flood a few days ago, and horses could not pass through. Wulin Road was connected to a large ebony forest, stretching for thousands of miles. The terrain was complex, and the trees were lush and verdant. If one was not careful, it was easy to lose one's way, and there were also wild beasts in the forest. However, there was no harm in the presence of an entire army. Guan Liang Han raised his head and poured wine into his mouth, vaguely saying, "Just wait patiently."
In the Jiang fu, Jiang Ruan was sitting in front of the window, lost in thought as she gazed at the rain. She did not know why, but she had been restless since early in the morning.
Lian Qiao hurriedly ran in and said, "Miss, this servant saw an unfamiliar old woman enter Yan Hua Yuan. When she came out, she seemed very happy, and the people in Yan Hua Yuan were also in a jubilant mood."
Jiang Ruan's eyes twitched, "Did you see clearly?"
Lian Qiao nodded. Jiang Ruan said, "I want to leave immediately. Bai Zhi, Lian Qiao, follow me. Lu Zhu, you stay in the fu. If they ask, just say that I went out with Miss Wen to pick out some jewellery."
Dewdrop nodded and said, "Miss, be careful."
These past few days, Xia Yan had been busy with her own affairs and had had no time to take care of Jiang Ruan. Perhaps she believed that Jiang Ruan would not be able to stir up any waves. Once Jiang Xin Zhi died, Jiang Ruan would be even less of a threat, so she was very lenient towards her. Jiang Ruan's relationship with Dong Yinger and the others had also become closer. Occasionally, she would use this excuse to go out, which was also very convenient.
The three of them went out. Bai Zhi went to look for a carriage outside and the three of them went straight to the General fu. Just as he arrived at the entrance of the General's Mansion, he saw Zhao Yi and Zhao Yuan Feng, along with a group of guards, about to leave. Seeing Jiang Ruan, Zhao Yuan Feng was also slightly taken aback. He then said, "Father's informant in the Xia family sent news that the Xia family people went to Wu Lin Road early this morning." After a pause, he continued, "The Li family is also involved in this matter."
Jiang Ruan raised her eyebrows. Zhao Yi also followed, "It is not convenient for Grandfather to come out, so I will go with Third Uncle. These people are all Zhao family soldiers. Biao Mei, wait in the fu for now. We will definitely rescue Xin Zhi. "
Jiang Ruan shook her head, "I will go with you."
Without waiting for Zhao Yi to speak, Zhao Yuan Feng resolutely refused, "No, it is too dangerous. You stay here."
"Third Uncle, if I don't go, I will never be at ease for the rest of my life. This matter is extremely urgent, Third Uncle should not waste time here. I can protect myself. If the matter is really so dangerous that even I cannot protect myself, it will be even more troublesome. It is also a blessing for me to die with Gege. " Her tone was indifferent, and there was even a kind of indifference to life and death. Zhao Yuan Feng's heart could not help but sink. Looking at Jiang Ruan's determined appearance, he remembered Zhao Guang's evaluation of Jiang Ruan yesterday. He steeled his heart, "Fine, but you must be careful. Swords and knives have no eyes. If something really happens to you, how will I explain it to your deceased mother? "
Jiang Ruan nodded slightly. Zhao Yi hesitated for a moment, but there was no other way. He pulled a horse from behind and asked, "Biao Mei, do you know how to ride a horse?"
Jiang Ruan did not wait for him to finish. She stepped on the stirrup, and with a beautiful flip, she sat upright on the horse. She randomly took a bamboo hat and put it on her head. Her nimble posture made the surrounding guards' eyes light up. In her previous life, there was a beauty from the Western Regions who knew how to ride a horse. Her horsemanship was extraordinarily beautiful, and there was a craze for horsemanship in the inner palace. Unfortunately, no one had taught her horsemanship since she was young. In the end, it was Xuan Li who personally taught her horsemanship. Although it was not particularly outstanding, in order to make him look at her in a new light, Jiang Ruan practiced day and night, and eventually became one of the best. In her second life, she did not expect that her first demonstration of horsemanship would be to save Jiang Xin Zhi.
Bai Zhi and Lian Qiao did not know how to ride a horse, so they could not tag along. They could only wait at the General fu. Somewhat worried, they exhorted Jiang Ruan, "Miss, be careful on the road."
Time was of the essence, and they could not stay any longer. Zhao Yuan Feng whipped the horse, "Let's go!"
The group of people galloped their horses, whipping their whips, and galloped towards the outskirts of the city. The horses' hooves stirred up splashes of water, splashing crisply along the way.
At first, Zhao Yi and Zhao Yuan Feng were still somewhat worried about Jiang Ruan. After all, a girl's body was delicate and delicate, and they were afraid that she would not be able to withstand such a fast and bumpy ride. However, Jiang Ruan did not show any signs of discomfort along the way, so they were relieved. The horses galloped even faster.
Mo Cong and Guan Liang Han had just come down from Dong Feng Lou, and when they saw Xiao Shao below, they greeted him. Just as they were about to speak, they saw a group of people galloping past on horseback. The water that was stirred up splashed onto Mo Cong's body. Mo Cong jumped a step back and angrily said, "Hey, this young master's clothes are dirty!"
Guan Liang Han laughed heartily, "We're all men, what's the point of being so calculative? Eh, isn't that Zhao Yuan Feng, that fellow?"
Xiao Shao was slightly startled, and following Guan Liang Han's gaze, he saw a slender figure among the group of people on horseback. It was particularly eye-catching among the crowd of burly men. Although he was wearing a bamboo hat, looking at Zhao Yuan Feng and Zhao Yi riding beside him, and then recalling the recent investigation of the Jiang family's di daughter frequently entering the General fu, it was not difficult to guess the identity of the person on horseback.
"What are they going to do?" Guan Liang Han muttered to himself.
"The people behind him are the Zhao family army." Xiao Shao reminded him, "They are dressed as imperial bodyguards."
"Privately using troops? Oh, this fellow from the Zhao family is not afraid of death? "Guan Liang Han said in amusement.
Xiao Shao frowned, and suddenly turned to leave. Seeing this, Guan Liang Han hurriedly followed behind him and asked, "Lao San, where are you going? I still have something to tell you."
Xiao Shao walked downstairs to the place where the horses were tied up. As he untied the reins, he said, "We'll talk later."
Guan Liang Han looked at him. "You want to follow Zhao Yuan Feng?"
Xiao Shao did not speak. He only single-mindedly focused on his own actions, which could be considered a tacit agreement. Guan Liang Han suddenly laughed heartily. "Interesting. I also want to see what that fellow from the Zhao family is up to. Lao Qi, bring my horse over." He then patted Xiao Shao's shoulder. "I will go with you."
Mo Cong reluctantly brought Guan Liang Han's horse over and asked, "Second Brother, Third Brother, can you take me with you?"
Mo Cong was not afraid of heaven or earth, but he was most afraid of riding a horse. When he was young, he had once fallen off the back of a horse while riding and had to recuperate in bed for three months. As a result, he was unwilling to ride alone again.
Xiao Shao said, "No."
Mo Cong rubbed his nose and heard Guan Liang Han say, "Just stay here obediently." Saying this, he flipped over and mounted the horse. Without looking at Mo Cong again, he cracked his whip and the horse immediately galloped away. Mo Cong was so angry that his face was ashen, but there was nothing he could do.
The two horses, one in front and one behind, followed the people in front. When Guan Liang Han caught up to Xiao Shao's horse, his expression changed. With a solemn expression, he asked, "Third Brother, do you know something?" Xiao Shao did not have much of a relationship with the people of the General's household, so he could not possibly catch up to them and reminisce about old times. Something must have happened. As a fellow military official, Guan Liang Han was often not in the capital, so he also wanted to know if the Zhao family had any secrets.
Hearing this, Xiao Shao looked at him in astonishment. His beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, and he said indifferently, "They are heading out of the city."
"Yes, what about it?" Guan Liang Han asked. At the moment, there were only refugees entering the capital, and no commoners leaving the city. Compared to the outside, the capital was already much, much better. Moreover, there must be some other reason why Zhao Yuan Feng and his nephew were leading the Zhao family army disguised as imperial bodyguards. What could it be? Although Guan Liang Han was far away at the frontier, as an official of the same court, he was able to understand the temperament of some of his colleagues. Zhao Yuan Feng, the third young master of the Zhao family, was usually rash and impulsive, but he was not a picky eater. Moreover, the Zhao family was strict in its conduct, and the same was true of its military conduct. It was impossible for them to casually use their soldiers for other purposes.
"Your army, roughly where is it now?" Xiao Shao asked.
"The official road has been destroyed. It should be Wulin Road. I came back from Wulin Road. Calculating the journey, I should be passing through Wulin Road very soon," Guan Liang Han said. Immediately, he thought of something and looked at Xiao Shao in surprise, "Third Brother, you can't be saying that the Zhao family is going after my army? The Zhao family and my Guan family army have nothing to do with each other. Now, only you and Seventh Brother know that I have returned to the capital. The Zhao family is definitely not going to Wulin Road to welcome me, and it is definitely not going after me. "
Xiao Shao shook his head, "No, it has nothing to do with you."
"Then what do you mean?" Guan Liang Han was even more confused by his words.
Xiao Shao clamped his legs around the horse's belly, and the horse charged forward like an arrow. He lowered his long eyelashes and said, "I can't say for sure either."
The continuous rain had turned the road along the way into a muddy mess, and the slippery mountain rocks had added a lot of difficulty to the journey. A journey of three days on foot would definitely take them five days to reach their destination. The Guan family army had been on the road for many days, and the soldiers were already showing signs of fatigue. In front of them was Wulin Road. The rain had washed away the official road, and Wulin Road was densely covered with trees. It was easy to get lost, and the road was endless. The army stopped in front of Wulin Road to rest.
Guan Liang Han was not present, so the entire army obeyed Jiang Xin Zhi's command. A soldier warmly called out to Jiang Xin Zhi, "Deputy General, come sit down and eat something."
Jiang Xin Zhi smiled and shook his head, "No need."
The soldier did not say anything more. From a small soldier who cooked food to a deputy general on the battlefield, Jiang Xin Zhi had spent a whole five years. The Jiang family valued literature over martial arts, and he had grown up reading the Four Books and Five Classics, so he had never practiced martial arts. However, it was not until he could not even protect his own sister that he understood the principle of being a useless scholar. Even when he had arrived at the army camp, he had received a lot of cold looks from the beginning. On the battlefield, blades and swords had no eyes. With his aptitude, being able to keep his life was already a blessing from the heavens. However, in the end, Jiang Xin Zhi had still reached the position he had today.
He stroked the horse's head, feeling somewhat timid in his heart. When he had first decided to join the army, it had been a moment of youthful impulsiveness. Later on, when he had entered the battlefield, he had been unable to control himself and had not returned to the capital for five years. Now that he thought about it, it was not a good idea to put Jiang Ruan in the position where the Jiang family ate people. Over the years, he had also changed his name and secretly sent people to bring letters to Jiang Ruan, but there had never been a reply. The closer they got to the capital, the more worried Jiang Xin Zhi became. After so many years, would Jiang Ruan be living well? Would she encounter any mishaps? After Zhao Mei's death, Xia Yan had a sweet face but a bitter heart. Jiang Quan had never liked the siblings, and Jiang Ruan was alone. Would she be bullied by the brothers and sisters of the Jiang fu? The more he thought about it, the more Jiang Xin Zhi's heart gave birth to a strange feeling. An indescribable irritation gradually arose.
As he was lost in thought, the horse beside him lowered its head and nudged his body with its beak, its front hooves pawing the ground. Jiang Xin Zhi smiled and said, "Got it, Hei Feng. I will take you to get some water."
Along the way, there was no water source. The water on the ground was mixed with too much dead animals and mud. For fear of getting sick from drinking it, all the water was given to the weak soldiers and horses. Hei Feng had already been thirsty for a long time. There was a small stream in the forest of Wulin Road. Jiang Xin Zhi instructed a soldier beside him, "I will take Zhui Feng to fetch some water. You let the brothers rest here first, I will return quickly."
The soldier received the order and left. Jiang Xin Zhi leaped onto the horse's back and affectionately patted Hei Feng's neck, "Let's go."
Hei Feng snorted and ran forward. Although it was easy to get lost in Wulin Road, an old horse knew the way, so Jiang Xin Zhi was not worried.
Hei Feng had only run a few steps when he saw a meandering stream appear in front of him. Because they were in the middle of the Wulin Forest, the dense tree branches blocked most of the rainwater. From a distance, the stream was crystal clear, completely unsullied by the mud. Jiang Xin Zhi was delighted, but at this moment, Hei Feng stopped.
Jiang Xin Zhi thought that the horse was tired, so he patted its head, "We will be there soon. Hei Feng, walk a little further."
Hei Feng snorted a few times, raised its front hooves heavily, and put them down again. Unexpectedly, it refused to take another step. Jiang Xin Zhi was surprised, but Hei Feng was already anxiously stomping on the ground.
Hei Feng was a warhorse that had been on the battlefield, so it had some intelligence. Jiang Xin Zhi was suspicious, but he calmly stroked the mane on Hei Feng's neck. Hei Feng felt Jiang Xin Zhi's comfort and gradually calmed down. Jiang Xin Zhi focused his eyes and heard a "whoosh". The sound of something breaking through the air came from the forest. Jiang Xin Zhi suddenly reached out and caught the object. It was an arrow with a red cloth bag tied to it. Jiang Xin Zhi suspiciously removed the red cloth bag and opened it. There was half a piece of amber inside. He stared blankly and clenched his fists tightly.
When Zhao Mei was alive, there were two half-moon shaped pieces of amber. The two pieces of amber were two complete pieces, but they could be pieced together to form a whole piece. The butterflies in the amber also happened to be the butterfly wings on the middle half of each piece. It was completely natural and lifelike. Zhao Mei made a necklace out of the amber and gave one piece to Jiang Xin Zhi and the other to Jiang Ruan. The piece of amber in front of him was clearly the piece on Jiang Ruan's body!
Someone had taken Jiang Ruan's things. Although he didn't know what their purpose was, it was related to Jiang Ruan.
Jiang Xin Zhi's hands caressed the amber on his neck. His eyes narrowed, and in an instant, he emitted a kind of hostility.
The place where the troops and horses were resting was very close, but if they went any deeper, there might be unknown dangers.
There was a rustling sound in the forest. In the depths of the forest, a corner of a robe flashed quickly, heading towards the center of the dense forest.
Jiang Xin Zhi fiercely slapped the horse's belly, "Jia!"
Whether it was a conspiracy or not, the other party had used Jiang Ruan to threaten him, so he couldn't remain indifferent. He couldn't even send a message to the troops. At this moment, Jiang Xin Zhi's heart was full of impatience, as if he had walked through a raging inferno.
Hei Feng felt his anger. Even if it was unwilling to go forward, it still let out a long neigh and rushed into the dense forest.
The terrain of the ebony forest was complex, and it was Jiang Xin Zhi's first time here. Unfortunately, the person in front of him was extremely skilled, and he specifically chose the rugged and narrow path to go forward. Hei Feng followed, and the deeper they went into the forest, the taller the ebony trees became. They almost covered the entire sky, and not a single trace of light could be seen. In the darkness, the shadow of the person in front of him flashed and suddenly disappeared.
Hei Feng abruptly stopped. Jiang Xin Zhi sat upright on the horse, motionless. The forest was strangely quiet. From the time they had left the stream to this place, they didn't know how far away they had been from the troops.
And the disappearance of the person in front of him could only prove that this was a trap.
Who had set this trap, and for what purpose?
Jiang Xin Zhi's expression was calm. After the impatience and worry in his heart dissipated, he actually rejoiced a little.
Since it was proven to be a trap, perhaps Jiang Ruan was safe.
He slowly unsheathed the saber at his waist. When the blade was unsheathed, the three feet long blade reflected his shadow. There was a murderous aura between the young Deputy General's brows. After all, he was someone who had experienced the stench of blood on the battlefield.
With a 'shua' sound, Jiang Xin Zhi's saber moved horizontally forward. At the same time, his body suddenly crouched down, narrowly avoiding the sneak attack of the person behind him. In an instant, he turned his horse around and looked at the group of strangers dressed as imperial bodyguards.
There were a total of five strangers.
Riding Hei Feng, he retreated a few steps, "Who sent you?"
"Young Master Jiang, if you know what's good for you, then leave your life behind so that the five of us can report back," one of them said.
Jiang Xin Zhi sneered, "You don't know the difference between life and death!" As he finished speaking, he suddenly jumped off his horse and aimed his saber at the stranger in front of him.
The stranger was unable to dodge in time. Although he did his best to dodge, his arm was still cut by the edge of Jiang Xin Zhi's saber. The few people did not expect Jiang Xin Zhi's martial arts to be so refined. They looked at each other, and without another word, swarmed forward to join the battle.
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