RMACAUH Chapter 71
by VolareChu Lingqiao, like a stone statue, craned his neck expectantly for a long while, his heart burning with anxiety.
Feng Chao arranged some subsequent matters and didn’t have time to see Feng Yue. Instead, he went to the Yeting Prison to see Feng Xiao one last time.
Seeing Feng Chao approach, Feng Xiao widened his eyes in horror as if seeing a ghost, but he quickly understood.
“You’re not dead! You and Feng Yue colluded to usurp the throne?!”
Feng Chao lowered his eyelids, gazing at him with contempt. “Your birth mother killed my mother, wasn’t it all to covet the Empress’s position through favor? It’s a pity your mother’s status was too low. Even after killing my mother, she could not achieve her wish.”
Feng Xiao’s eyes were bloodshot, filled with resentment. “It was clearly you! You killed my mother! Causing me to suffer bullying and loneliness since childhood!”
“Those who lack virtue will inevitably suffer calamity. Your nature is so base that even in death, you lack dignity. First, it was the Emperor’s lack of virtue, so usurping the throne isn’t much of a stretch. As for you, may you receive what you deserve in your remaining days, and go where you should. Past grievances are wiped clean today. May we never meet again in this life.”
Seeing Feng Chao about to leave, Feng Xiao’s attitude softened in an instant. He rushed forward and hugged his leg, crying, “Eldest brother! Eldest brother, take me away! I don’t want to be here! I apologize to you. Please persuade Third Brother not to kill me. I really don’t want to die!”
“There is no debt between you and me. You owe it to Third Brother. If you really want to apologize, have your mother go to the Yellow Springs and kowtow to my mother to admit her mistakes! Whether she forgives you or not is her business, and I have no right to interfere.”
Feng Chao shook him off and left without looking back. Feng Xiao looked hopelessly at the dim, damp corridor, resignedly collapsing on the cold ground, his heart as cold as ashes.
Walking out of Yeting Prison, the dampness receded, and the northern wind, carrying ice and snow, rushed toward him, yet he didn’t feel so cold.
He quickly walked away, the smile on his lips no longer restrained.
Hurry!
A little faster!
He started to jog, his sleeves fluttering in the swirling snowflakes. He was like a happy bird, resisting the wind and snow, but with light ahead, his return was in sight, and he was filled with strength.
The palace gate opened, and Feng Chao saw that person standing in front of the carriage, gazing into the distance. His head and shoulders were covered in a layer of white, just like him.
Chu Lingqiao’s worried face finally broke into a smile, and he rushed toward him, “Chao’er!”
“Doctor Chu…”
Chu Lingqiao lovingly embraced him tightly, about to brush the snow from his head and shoulders, but Feng Chao raised his hand to stop him.
“Not yet.”
“Aren’t you cold?”
“No, look, our hair has been dyed white by the snow.”
A pang of sorrow welled up in Chu Lingqiao’s heart. “If we could share the snow together in another life, this life would be considered spent together till old age.”
“The meaning of life is not in its length, but in the present. Today, we have already grown old together,” Feng Chao said with a bright smile, one that Chu Lingqiao had never seen before, lively and relaxed.
“Have you let go of everything inside?”
“Yes, Lingqiao, I’m free. Take me away, anywhere will do.”
Chu Lingqiao tightly grasped his hand, and they smiled at each other, brushing the snow from each other’s hair and shoulders. They boarded the carriage and resolutely left this magnificent cage, disappearing into the wind and snow. The long street was desolate, and they were never seen again.
*
The next morning, civil and military officials who had heard the news gathered outside the Taihe Hall. Almost none of the civil officials who had been on good terms with the Zhao family came.
Several letters of resignation had even been submitted.
Feng Yue hadn’t slept all night, his eyes still bloodshot. He emerged from the Taihe Hall wearing a golden crown and python robe, with Eunuch Yuan and Xu Baobao following to his left and right. Yulin Army Commander Xiao Xuanyi and Chen family army Major General Chen Suian were at his side.
Seeing this situation, Liu Wenyong knew that the overall situation was set and could not be changed. He stepped forward and shouted, “This old minister kowtows to the new Emperor, may His Majesty live ten thousand years!”
Feng Yue looked at him. In his previous life, in this same place, at the same time, Liu Wenyong had knelt here, pleading for the new Emperor inside.
His eyes were filled with regret and heartache, watching the self whose legs had been crippled being sent away.
The scene from his previous life seemed still vivid in his mind, but now, the situation had been reversed, and the world had been turned upside down.
Feng Yue stepped forward, bent down, and personally helped him up. “Teacher, please rise.”
Liu Wenyong looked at him, smiling triumphantly as he nodded. “Good, good…”
The new Emperor held military power, the world was at peace, and the ruler and people were of one mind. The great Yuan Dynasty was poised for a century of prosperity.
Seeing the head of the civil officials kneel and pay respects, and most of the military officials having been promoted by the Zhou and Chen families, no one had any objections. Civil and military officials followed suit, kneeling and paying respects.
The shouts of “Long live the Emperor!” echoed through the heavens. A “snow eye” opened in the overcast sky, instantly illuminating the world.
A timely snow in the depths of winter heralded a bountiful year. At this moment, the late Emperor passed away, and the new Emperor ascended the throne, everything was incredibly smooth, as if it had been predetermined.
To welcome the new Emperor back to the capital as soon as possible, everything was prepared in a hurry. On the day of the Heaven Worship ceremony, the New Yuan Festival had already arrived. Ice and snow were melting, and all things were recovering. The first warm sun of the morning shone on all living beings.
On the way back to the palace from the Heaven Worship ceremony to worship the ancestors in the Imperial Ancestral Temple, an urgent secret letter arrived from Guangling.
After reading it, Feng Yue immediately canceled all subsequent ceremonies, took off his dragon robe, put on his armor, and led 100,000 troops to Guangling.
Not long after Feng Yue left Guangling with two thousand elites, the pirates from Wa (Japan) returned in force, seeking even greater revenge.
There must have been their spies in the city to have such timely information.
At this time, Feng Yue was leading 100,000 soldiers thousands of miles away, unaware of the current situation in Guangling.
After landing, the Wa pirates committed arson, murder, and looting, turning everything they passed into ruins.
“Where is your Guangling King’s consort? As long as you tell me his whereabouts, I will let you die quickly!”
The leader, Bluebeard, looked vicious and evil, grabbing the people in the city and asking them, killing them if they couldn’t answer.
Seeing these people silent, only begging for mercy, Bluebeard, in a fit of anger, killed a few more.
Bluebeard gritted his teeth and said, “Search the entire city carefully! The Guangling King killed my second brother, so I will kill his *fu lang* and children to pay for it with their lives!”
Previously, Bluebeard, unable to find anyone, had already set fire to the Guangling King’s mansion, burning it to the ground.
Ten large ships docked on the coast, all flying the flags of the Wa pirates.
Bluebeard looked at the complete map of Guangling, squinting at Ling Yifu, who was groveling beside him.
“Are you sure the map you brought is complete?”
“We’ve cooperated so many times, how could I deceive you? Besides, this Guangling King has a deep hatred for me as well. I only hope you can find the King’s consort and heir sooner, so I can vent my anger.”
Bluebeard crooked his finger at a subordinate beside him: “Mark all the places that have been searched. Search the remaining unsearched areas one by one, leaving no place untouched!”
Nearly a thousand soldiers escorted the people and Wei Xiaofeng to Misty Valley, named so because of the year-round white mist that swirled around it.
The valley was a depression in the forest, and natural stone caves could accommodate tens of thousands of people.
The large natural lake also had a large number of plump fish that they could catch, but wild animals often appeared in the mountains, so every trip had to be made by at least twenty people.
This place was rugged and easy to defend but difficult to attack. The pirates and Ling Yifu’s lackeys could not find it for the time being.
But so many people and soldiers in the city had to live every day, and they rarely hunted any prey. They hadn’t had a full meal for a long time.
Yun Yu Mu was responsible for taking care of Xuan’er, taking this opportunity to teach him how to use bows and crossbows.
The little fellow was extremely talented. Holding a small crossbow reduced by two times, he lay in the grass for a long time and shot a wild rabbit.
He climbed up nimbly, grabbed the rabbit, and happily raised his hand: “Master, I shot a bunny! Master, what did you shoot?”
Yun Yu Mu dragged a half-grown wild boar out of the grass. “How’s this?”
Xuan’er gave a thumbs up: “Amazing!”
Suddenly, a hawk’s cry came from the sky. Yun Yu Mu looked up and whistled. The hawk heard the sound and flew to Yun Yu Mu’s arm. He took off the message from the hawk’s leg, his brow furrowed.
The hawk brought bad news. Ling Yifu was personally leading Bluebeard and others to search for them, and they didn’t have much time left.
Yun Yu Mu carried the hundred-odd-jin wild boar on his shoulders, and Xuan’er also learned from him, carrying the little rabbit on his shoulder, walking with his little legs to return to the stone cave with his master.
Wei Xiaofeng and Mu Yunhua went to the mountain valley to set ambushes and dig traps, which could delay the pirates from finding them.
Seeing that the sky was gradually darkening, they had to go back.
The fog here was heavy, and if they didn’t go back now, they would have to find a place to stay not far away and wait for dawn.
But this was extremely dangerous. Many beasts came out to forage at night, and if they weren’t careful, they would become food for these beasts.
On the way back, Wei Xiaofeng picked up the bamboo basket and walked back. There were several pheasants in the basket, enough for everyone to share.
Mu Yunhua quickly stepped forward and said, “King’s consort, let me carry the basket.”
Wei Xiaofeng saw that he had done the most work today, with bloodstains from being scratched by thorns all over his face and hands, and the exhaustion between his brows and eyes could not be concealed, so he refused.
“No need, it’s not heavy, and I’m not some king’s consort now. I feel more fulfilled being able to do some things with you.”
During this time, Mu Yunhua had come to know Wei Xiaofeng again.
He had always thought that he was pampered and couldn’t endure any hardship, but he didn’t expect his temperament to be extremely resilient. Not only did he not panic when things happened, but he could also make the correct decision in the fastest time.
For example, he sank the contents of the royal treasury into the lake at the first opportunity, led the people of the city to evacuate temporarily, and minimized the losses.
When they returned to the stone cave, the aroma of food was already wafting. Wei Xiaofeng was so hungry that his stomach was sticking to his back. He found Xuan’er, who was waiting to share the food.
Seeing Wei Xiaofeng return, Xuan’er handed the leftover rice porridge and a large chicken leg to him: “Papa, eat!”
Wei Xiaofeng felt a warmth in his heart as he looked at Xuan’er. He sat down on the ground with them and ate the only dinner of the day.
Yun Yu Mu handed the secret letter to Wei Xiaofeng and Mu Yunhua.
Previously, Wa pirates had infiltrated the royal palace as spies. Naturally, the other side also had their spies lurking among them.
Mu Yunhua looked worried: “The materials and food in the city have been looted by these robbers. We only have more than a thousand soldiers, and many are old, weak, sick, and disabled. In this situation, we can only resist for half a month at most. When they kill in, we will have no power to resist.”
“When the time comes, we can only let the young and strong men in the city follow the army!” Yun Yu Mu suggested.
Mu Yunhua: “Militiamen who have no combat experience and training are probably useless and will only sacrifice their lives in vain. Of course, this is the worst-case scenario. We only hope that the traps we dug can hold them off for a while and buy us more time to wait for the King to return.”
“It’s not too late to start some simple training from tomorrow.”
Mu Yunhua began to accept this proposal. After all, it was a time of need, and in a life-or-death situation, if they fell, these people would not survive.
Counting it, Feng Yue had been gone for more than four months. The last time they heard news was of the late Emperor’s death and the Crown Prince’s ascension to the throne.
The Wa pirates took advantage of this opportunity to join forces with their officers and soldiers to attack Guangling, wanting to occupy the territory and kill all the local people.
Wei Xiaofeng looked at Xuan’er, who was playing with his newly made little friend by throwing stones. His mood was heavy, and he couldn’t help but clench his fists: “We must protect the women and children well. Don’t go out to confront them head-on unless it’s absolutely necessary.”
If everything went smoothly, the letter should have reached Feng Yue’s hands, and he was on his way.
Before Feng Yue returned, he had to be strong and stabilize the situation, protecting the people of Guangling.
With the map provided by Ling Yifu, the Wa people finally found the outer ring of Misty Valley half a month later.
Bluebeard rode his horse to the top of the earthen slope and looked out at the vast mountain basin, a thin layer of mist swirling above it. He raised his chin at Ling Yifu beside him.
“You go, take two hundred people to scout the way.”
Ling Yifu was unwilling in his heart, but he couldn’t disobey his order now. Wanting revenge was true, but wanting to live was also true.
“Yes, sir.”
Ling Yifu brought two hundred people very carefully to the entrance of the valley. Before they had walked two hundred meters, they triggered a trap, and more than twenty or thirty people had already died.
Bluebeard followed behind them, unmoved by the sight of the corpses lying on the ground. Instead, he was very happy and said, “They really are hiding here! Speed up the process!”
Ling Yifu was angry but dared not speak, only smiling and suggesting, “Sir, there are probably still many traps inside. This, this speeding up the process is more dangerous.”
Bluebeard looked contemptuous, “It’s sending you to die, not sending myself to die. What are you talking about?”
“This…”
Bluebeard drew his knife without saying a word and roared, “If you don’t go now, I’ll kill you now!”
Capturing the Guangling King’s consort, occupying their city, and avenging this blood feud, it would not have been a wasted trip.
That day, the bells in the valley rang non-stop. They had triggered the traps and entered the valley.
The valley wasn’t very big, and the thick fog made it impossible to travel at night. It would take two days to get here.
That night, Mu Yunhua gathered a thousand soldiers, ready to fight with all their might, buying more time for the remaining people, waiting for Feng Yue’s rescue.
If they couldn’t wait for rescue…
Then they were likely to die here.
Just as Mu Yunhua was about to set off, he saw tens of thousands of people behind him holding the simplest tools, united in their determination to resist foreign enemies with them.
Looking at their resolute appearance, Wei Xiaofeng was shocked and his eyes quietly moistened.
“The King’s consort has protected us for so long. In times of life-and-death crisis, how can we hide behind, always waiting to be protected and rescued?”
“Yes, now we are sharing life and death, and no one can stand idly by.”
“Being greedy for life and afraid of death only fuels the enemy’s arrogance. They have already destroyed our homes. Now, there is no retreat. Fight them to the death!!”
Wei Xiaofeng’s heart sank, his eyebrows and eyes firm: “Good, then let’s fight as one, break through the encirclement, and never compromise!”
“Never compromise!”
“Never compromise!!”
…
Two days later, Bluebeard led thousands of troops to surround them on all sides, leaving no escape route.
“Hand over your king’s consort and heir, or we will shoot you all to death!”
Bluebeard raised his hand high. Several thousand archers on all sides drew their bows to the full, aiming at the depression in the middle of the valley.
Mu Yunhua said to Yun Yu Mu, “Capture the leader first. I’m fast enough. You protect the King’s consort and heir. I’ll go and grab that Bluebeard!”
Yun Yu Mu nodded.
In a rain of arrows, Mu Yunhua moved incredibly quickly, using the double-edged blades in his hands to split open the surrounding rain of arrows, firmly running towards Bluebeard.
Bluebeard noticed him and pointed at Mu Yunhua, “Send the order, whoever can kill this person will be rewarded with ten thousand taels of silver.”
Immediately, most of the archers aimed at Mu Yunhua. As the rain of arrows came all at once, Mu Yunhua could not stand alone. The rain of arrows broke through his sword momentum, and his arm and right leg were both hit by arrows, slowing his speed a lot.
But he still didn’t give up. As long as he got closer, just a little closer, he would definitely have a chance.
Capturing Bluebeard was their only chance to break through the encirclement.
Bluebeard couldn’t help but be shocked. This person was so difficult to kill. Even with arrows in his shoulders, the speed at which he ran towards him still didn’t seem to slow down much.
He suddenly felt a little scared and roared, “Kill him! Quick!!”
As he spoke, he snatched a bow from an archer beside him and aimed at Mu Yunhua several times, but the arrows in his hand were all shot into the air.
“This madman!” Bluebeard panted, his temples covered in cold sweat. He subconsciously urged his horse to retreat.
At this time, Mu Yunhua was hit by the fourth arrow, in his left chest, almost piercing his heart.
Wei Xiaofeng held Xuan’er in his arms, watching the people around him fall down one by one with screams, the blood almost dyeing the mountain range under his feet bright red.
And Mu Yunhua, would he die?
He turned and ran back into the stone cave, putting Xuan’er and the remaining children together, “Xuan’er, be good. Stay here with your little friends. Don’t come out unless I call you.”
Xuan’er was very smart. Seeing his papa leave him and turn to leave, he grabbed Wei Xiaofeng’s sleeve nervously and fearfully: “Papa, don’t go, don’t leave Xuan’er.”
Wei Xiaofeng took a deep breath, his eyes scarlet: “You are the son of the Guangling King, a proper heir. You must protect your people and your little friends, don’t cry!”
Xuan’er pouted, his eyes filled with tears, but he forcibly held them back.
Wei Xiaofeng rushed out of the cave. Yun Yu Mu came to his side at the first opportunity, using the long sword in his hand to block the arrows that were shot over.
Wei Xiaofeng picked up the blood-stained flag on the ground and waved it forcefully in the air, shouting loudly: “The Guangling King’s consort is here! Stop shooting! I am willing to go with you!”
Ling Yifu’s gaze passed through the wall of people and landed on Wei Xiaofeng, excitedly pointing him out to Bluebeard: “Sir! It’s him, the Guangling King’s consort! He can’t die! If we capture him, we will still have a chance to kill the Guangling King as well!”