Ye Xiaoxian knew how formidable Li Chengru and Fengsheng were. After showing up, they leaped out of the carriage and darted nimbly along the trees until they landed unexpectedly in front of the bandits. With several swishes, the bandits collapsed before they could defend themselves.
Every slash proved neat and fatal, striking their throats and hearts. They gave out a last breath, blood springing out from their broken vessels.
The scene was bloodcurdling, but the country folk had become quite numb to all the death around them. Instead, they felt fortunate that it was the bandits who had died, not them.
Ye Xiaoxian was the first to come to reason. She said, “Is anyone hurt? Check the people around you!”
A servant from the Liu family was badly wounded by several slashes. His heart had been penetrated by a sword, blood streaming down even under the bandages. His life gradually withered until he lay still on the ground.
Slightly bruised, another two servants had stemmed their bleeding. Tears burst forth as they watched their sacrificed companion lying dead. Helping and encouraging each other all this way, they had believed that they would be safe by the time they arrived at their destination. However, things turned out contrary to their wishes. One of them had left halfway.
Xiao Tieshu had some two-centimeter-deep wounds in his leg and shoulder and Xiao Tongshu was injured on his arm. Fortunately, they could continue with the journey after dressing their wounds, which were not life-threatening.
Ye Xiaoxian walked up to Fengsheng and Li Chengru and wanted to thank them for saving her life, but Squire Liu interrupted and complimented them on their superb martial arts.
Fengsheng made a monosyllabic sound in reply while Li Chengru simply neglected him. When Fengsheng had begged Squire Liu to save his master, this selfish man just gave him some unhelpful money. It was Little Ye who helped them at that time.
So, Fengsheng turned to her and asked with concern, “Mrs. Ye, are you alright? You were almost killed!”
She smiled and said, “I’m fine. Thank you for your help! By the way, why are you here?”
He heaved a sigh and replied, “A phoenix in distress is worse than a chicken. We planned to go to the capital through Zhengwu county, but the gates were closed even to us. The guards thought we were posing as bigwigs.”
She was amused. “How could you be impostors? Country folk don’t have skin as fair as yours.”
He said, “Oh, you’re making fun of us!”
She glanced at Li Chengru who held a poker face the whole time and gave up greeting him. She turned back to Fengsheng and asked, “Where are you going next?”
“Baoning city. We have a…well, a relative there,” he replied.
“What a coincidence! We’re going there, too.” she said.
Actually, she wanted to invite the two men to go together but didn’t say so. Their journey might be lengthened from 10 to 20 days if they joined the large crowd.
Just then, Squire Liu said, “Fengsheng, Mr. Li, why don’t you join us? This way, we can take good care of each other. We are friends, aren’t we? I need your help this time.”
But Fengsheng had no say in this matter. “It’s up to my master.”
Squire Liu turned to Li Chengru and begged, “Mr. Li, as you can see, we have elders and children in our group. Without your help, we can’t make our destination. Please help us! In return, we can also share our food with you!”
Surprisingly, Li Chengru had a look at Ye Xiaoxian and thought of the porridge she had cooked. Their solid food had been consumed two days ago and money proved useless in this survival situation. Therefore, they had to go hunting in the mountain, which delayed their journey.
Ye Xiaoxian was confused about why he looked at her.
Does he want to ask my opinion?
She said casually, “You can go with us if you don’t mind.”
To her surprise, he nodded immediately. Squire Liu and Fengsheng were pleased about their cooperation. The others were even more so. With these two master-hands, they wouldn’t fear bandits anymore.
Fengsheng missed the porridge so much that he couldn’t wait to ask, “When can we eat porridge?”
She soon understood it was for her food that they agreed so readily. “After we get through the mountain and find a suitable place to have a rest.”
…
When they were setting off, Li Chengru noticed the Xiao family huddling together in their carriage and said to Fengsheng, “Ask those kids over here.”
After a while, Baofeng and Baocheng got on the carriage and sat with him. Wong Mudan and Chen Ju could finally stretch their legs and Xiao Tieshu could also have a rest in the carriage. The considerate act brought the Xiao family much convenience.
…
Baoning city.
The news that Hexin county was taken had reached Li Chengyi. Xiao Baofeng also learned about that. This meant that Qinghe county was the next target.
Xiao Baoshan was anxious to rush back to his family. But he was keenly aware of his inability to save them alone. Only by beating back the enemies could he protect those he cared for and loved. But however uptight Li Chengyi and he were, the reinforcements hadn’t come yet. As such, Qinghe county was bound to be captured.
Xiao Baoshan suggested that Li Chengyi muster the nearby forces and he himself could lead them to defend the county. Every second would count at this critical moment.
But Li Chengyi hesitated over this advice, as it wasn’t a trivial matter to him. If he failed, he would still be a good prince who was concerned about the country and the people. But if he made it, he would be regarded as a scheming man whose intentions had been distorted by some low characters in the imperial court. He would be suspected of being a traitor who let the enemies in and pretended to beat them back so that he could contend for the sovereign position again.
Remaining firm in his proposition, Xiao Baoshan knelt time after time to persuade Li Chengyi.
He said, “I was once a general. Even though I was framed, defamed and hunted, I still try my best to protect the country and the people. As a prince, you shouldn’t turn a blind eye to those struggling lives. Please dispatch troops to protect them!”
Due to his persistent begging, Li Chengyi was finally persuaded.
With limited forces in Baoning city, they had to deploy more from nearby places and draft more able-bodied men. On hearing the news, many refugees signed up immediately. If they joined the temporary army, they could obtain food and land in return. These refugees needed shelters desperately after arriving there, and this was a chance for them.
A fortnight later, Xiao Baoshan led the medley to Qinghe county. The army was trained as they marched forward. More refugees joined it along the way, lengthening the line to an impressive degree.
…
Ye Xiaoxian and the other people were still halfway to Baoning city. The company of Li Chengru and Fengsheng greatly eased their tension. To take care of the wounded, they took a longer rest during the day.
Two days later, they reached Dinghe county. Located in the northwest, it was a small place with only two streets. No one was on guard at the gate, so everybody could go in and out freely. There were inns in the county, but their accommodation prices were unaffordable for poor refugees. They scattered around the county begging or robbing to support themselves.
It was no wonder that Zhengwu county didn’t let them in. Morality was not that important for a starving refugee. Besides, Dinghe county was very poor. Since the refugees came in, the local government would cook two pots of porridge every day. Each refugee could get a small bowl of porridge which couldn’t satisfy their stomach at all.
Ye Xiaoxian and her group settled themselves at an inn after entering the county. Money was all they had at this time. Ye Xiaoxian had taken all her savings with her. As for Squire Liu, money was the last thing he lacked.
Li Chengru and Fengsheng could also afford the accommodation. After such a long time, they could finally sleep on beds, eat around tables and have warm baths.
The women of the Xiao family slept on a wide bed. After bathing, they collapsed on the bed. Wong Mudan said, “Only now do I believe the most comfortable thing in this world is taking a warm bath before having a good sleep!”
Chen Ju said, “My water became horribly black after I took a bath. I’ve never been so dirty!”
Li Hongmei echoed, “Yes, yes, so did mine. Unfortunately, I suspect that I have lice in my hair.”
Though silent, Ye Xiaoxian shared the same feelings.
What a tragic time travel!
Fortunately, she had a warm bed to rest on. The carriages, loaded with their possessions, were taken good care of by the innkeeper. Now, she could finally have a sound sleep. After chatting a while longer, they soon slept like logs.
It was close to noon when they woke up. Ye Xiaoxian learned from the innkeeper that troops had passed the county in the morning. They had been dispatched by the sixth prince from Baoning city.
