Chapter 573.1: State of Affairs, Goal, Holy Treasure
“Where’s Fu Rong and Sun Yi Lin? You already took care of them?” Jing Wan asked.
Li Hong Yuan glanced at Jing Wan, his reaction actually different from the past, just a bit indifferent, “No, still locked up.”
Having gotten locked up, afraid it won’t purely just be locking up. Even if not dying, at the very least, will still shed several layers of skin.
“Sun Yi Lin’s body has problems, and Fu Rong also has problems on her.”
“Isn’t this obvious?”
“Ah Yuan, you know what I mean, don’t attempt to bluff your way out.” Jing Wan blankly stared at him.
Being this rational, and this calm, Li Hong Yuan felt that he even somewhat started to doubt the usual Jing Wan that would always comply with him and indulge him. However, his wife being this way right now was also very charming, making him want to have her kneaded into his bones. “They’ll be given to you to handle, alright?” Li Hong Yuan compromised, and seemingly as if sulking, he ruthlessly kissed Jing Wan on the lips.
Jing Wan didn’t have any reaction on the surface, but on the inside, she nevertheless thoroughly softened. She knew how strong this man’s possessive desires were, and also knew that right now, he actually wasn’t that composed, but because it was her, he was willing to control it, putting away all the negative emotions. His true thoughts were perhaps just hating that he can’t have those two, especially Sun Yi Lin, chopped into pieces.
Jing Wan reached out embracing his neck, burying her face in the side of his neck, not saying anything.
At this time, silence prevailed over sound. Li Hong Yuan soundlessly smiled, gentle and soft, yet also cruel.
Jing Wan walked out the door, preparing to slightly exercise her muscles. Afterwards, she keenly smelled in the air a different kind of smell. Jing Wan’s sense of smell was already much sharper than ordinary people’s to begin with, let alone now, where even ordinary people would all be able to smell a trace of abnormality.
Yesterday, when entering this mountain cavity, their people were still in the minority, yet now, seemingly there was just their own people left. Even though she’d already predicted this kind of outcome, but did those people all die? Jing Wan lightly frowned. Those were all true and honest enemies, so she certainly won’t have any pity. “All killed?”
“En.” Li Hong Yuan responded, not hiding from her.
“Then, when will we leave? We’ve been away for quite some time now. Grandmother and them should be worried.”
“Probably still need to wait awhile.” Right now, even if wanting to leave, still won’t be able to leave.
“Is there still a lot of enemies outside?” Jing Wan guessed.
“This place sits near a mountain range by Qi Yuan’s western borders. Further west is a small country, Zhang(章). When the previous dynasty ruled over this land, that Zhang Kingdom was still the previous dynasty’s territory. When the Great Ancestor raised the pole and rebelled, amidst the flames of war, a local official seized the opportunity to rise up, dividing the land and proclaiming himself as king, establishing the Kingdom of Zhang. Qi Yuan at the time had just established, the country still unstable, and this mountain range at the borders was also a natural barrier, making Zhang easy to defend but hard to attack, thus Qi Yuan just ignored Zhang’s existence. Afterwards, the Kingdom of Zhang voluntarily became a vassal state of Qi Yuan, paying tribute. That’s why, in the past one hundred years, it was also quite peaceful. Just, at present, things have changed…………..” Li Hong Yuan gave the answer in another kind of way.
TN: All
“Zhang betrayed Qi Yuan, turning towards Southern Qi?”
“That’s right, although there are mountain ranges by the border, in the early years, a path had already been opened up, connecting with Qi Yuan, forming into an official road. Zhang Kingdom’s tributes every year all took this path. It’s difficult for a large army to travel on, but if just a few hundred people, then it completely wasn’t a problem. Our position right now is merely ten some li from that official road.”
It wasn’t some military fort, so the number of people guarding was quite limited. Moreover, for better or worse, it was the border between two countries, so naturally there exist certain trade and commerce. Coming and going, there will always be that many people. Otherwise, it was just changing routes in advance. Crossing over the mountain ridges in light gear also wasn’t anything difficult.
Jing Wan just knew, it was impossible for them to have chosen such a place for no reason.
“Wan Wan, next, there might be some hinderances, and it probably won’t just be crossing swords, but don’t be afraid, we will definitely return to the capital safely.
Jing Wan lightly smiled, “Why would I be afraid? Don’t worry, even if I’m a burden, I will still have no qualms about being a burden. Wherever is the safest is where I will stay and won’t recklessly run off, and further won’t try to show off.”
“It should be as such.” Li Hong Yuan kissed her, “Moreover, you’re not a burden. You’re the most precious treasure that’s worth using everything to protect.”
Whether or not it was worth using everything to protect her, she didn’t know, but she knows that he will do just this. Additionally, even if he didn’t express anything, in essence, she was still able to sense it. Seemingly because of the previous matter, a certain someone appears to lack a sense of security inside. She can guarantee, even during this period of time where she was asleep, he all didn’t leave her side in the slightest, holding her when he slept, and watching over when awake. In this relationship, the one that was on the passive was actually him. Even for someone as strong as him, there were also times where he was anxious and scared.
Jing Wan touched the corner of his mouth, “Ah Yuan, you can do anything you want, really, no need to endure that strenuously.” In the past, she’d said to him, if not necessary, then don’t cause killing sins as much as possible. But now, these words, she already didn’t want to say. He should ought to live carefreely and unrestrainedly, doing whatever he wanted, needless to wrong himself. They’ve already come to this step now, so what else is there that they cannot accept about one other. Regardless of what he’s like, even if really ill, really abnormal, she will still fully accept. And regardless of the karmic consequences, she will all face together with him.
Upon hearing this, a vicious glint flickered across his eyes, the corner of his mouth lightly hooking. That was truly sinister and unruly, not concealing in the slightest. Grasping Jing Wan’s hand, he kissed the tip of her finger, not saying anything, but it was more than enough to express his joyful mood. As for exactly how it will be handled later, that was a separate matter.
Jing Wan took it in, the thought ‘ah, someone will be out of luck’ flashed through her mind. But, it was also just flashing through, not leaving behind any traces. Regardless who that unlucky person was, regardless whether they live or die, it all won’t be able to arouse her emotions anymore.
Jing Wan just carried on as usual. Gong Jiu had prescribed for her some fetus stabilizing medicine. Even though the conditions right now were limited, but this place was close to a mountain after all. Even without readily available medicine, he similarly can think of a way. And every time before and after taking the medicine, he would all take her pulse. For others, it was taking the pulse once every three days, but for her right now, it was far more than taking the pulse three times every day. Li Hong Yuan’s medicine and bandages were also frequently changed. This kind of wound medicine was actually ready-made. After all, when leaving White Dragon Temple, the road ahead was unknown, not knowing how dangerous, so what they had the most was probably just this wound medicine. Additionally, Gong Jiu had also applied the needles on him, promoting the wound to heal faster.
In the current situation, a robust body was naturally far better than a body carrying injuries. After all, his strength was displayed there. If unable to move because of the injury, what it wastes won’t just be a bit of battle power.
However, he was ultimately injured, and that wasn’t something that can recover in a day.
Did Jing Wan regret that stab? Still no. She would heartache, she would worry, but she absolutely won’t regret.
The situation outside, Li Hong Yuan also didn’t hide from her. When the people below him came to report, she was just listening to the side.
Things were much more severe than expected. It goes without saying that since Qi Yuan’s Jin Qinwang has learned about the Zhang Kingdom and Southern Qi colluding, then considering for the sake of their own safety, eliminating Li Hong Yuan was absolutely necessary. After all, regardless what kind of ambitions and what kind of schemes Southern Qi has towards Qi Yuan, before succeeding, that was all empty talks. And no matter how lacking Qi Yuan was, if determined to sort out Zhang, this traitor, Zhang won’t have the slightest power to resist. That’s why, prior to Southern Qi actually swallowing Qi Yuan——-or at least prior to the large stretches of territory bordering the Zhang Kingdom and Southern Qi become Southern Qi’s, Zhang won’t express that they’ve turned towards Southern Qi on the surface. Having dealings in secret was one thing, but betraying their loyalty on the surface was another matter.
Sorting out Li Hong Yuan was originally just Southern Qi’s plan. The Baiyi clan’s saintess, Ruan Fang Fei, was the main executor. In this matter, the people that worked with her also weren’t few. In short, because of knowing that this Qi Yuan Jin Qinwang’s capabilities were extraordinary, this kind of person, controlling in hand, was far more valuable than directly killing. The odds of success was very high. For certain people in Southern Qi, because of understanding the love-locking gu, they believed that once the love-locking gu is planted in Li Hong Yuan, the matter was already within grasp. The people of Zhang helping out, that was just adding an extra layer of security, simply not believing that they will be used. That’s why, they would that thoroughly expose themselves in front of Li Hong Yuan.
Yet, in the end? Ruan Fang Fei died!
Speaking of which, the gu in Ruan Fang Fei’s body weren’t just one or two kinds. When she died, certain people several thousands of miles away in Southern Qi already knew. The people of Zhang hidden in the forest also knew.
There was nothing left to say. Towards someone that possesses great abilities, since unable to be used by them, then can only thoroughly eliminate.
If one person can’t kill him, then just ten, and if ten is not enough to kill him, then just a hundred. All in all, just can’t let him leave this place alive.
Jing Wan stared in the direction of the mountain cavity’s entrance. Although it wasn’t the only way out of this place, but if they were to retreat into the mountains, it will probably be even more unfavorable. Her body was just the greatest inconvenience.
Lowering her head, she glanced at her stomach. Sure enough, in the very beginning, wanting to wait until everything settled down before having a child was the correct decision. However, this child truly carried a special meaning. Towards him, Jing Wan was filled with expectation, in all kinds of aspects.
The people outside were just certain that they won’t enter the mountains, thus in the beginning, they didn’t go all out in attacking. It was nothing more than just relying on the fact that they have more people, wanting to fight a prolonged battle, draining their resources. However, what they didn’t know was that the people Li Hong Yuan brought out were for the most part all shadow guards. Shadow guards weren’t afraid of prolonged battles the most. They’ve experienced training in various aspects such as endurance and hunger. When the other party won’t increase in number anymore, draining to the end, don’t know who will win and who will lose.
Just, by the time the other party discovers this bit, the tranquility on the surface will probably very quickly be shattered.
From Ruan Fang Fei’s death to now, about thirty-six hours have passed. Some things, the other side should have more or less figured out. Even if their side wants to continue dragging out, the other side won’t continue waiting anymore. As the saying goes, long nights are prone to have many dreams. Even if near the borders, it was ultimately still Qi Yuan’s territory. About ten some li[1] away, there was Qi Yuan’s stationed troops. Even if few in numbers, it was still more than the people that came from Zhang. Once they are startled, the role of hunter and prey will just reverse. Tonight most likely will be a hard battle.
The sky has already darkened. The lights inside were lit, just lighting a small lamp, able to illuminate a square cun[2].
Jing Wan leaned against Li Hong Yuan’s body, not speaking. At this time, there was no need to say anything.
Gong Jiu once again took Jing Wan’s pulse. Actually, Jing Wan felt that it was excessive. In this one day, how many times has it been already. It’s not like she did anything, so what problems can there be. However, her husband insisted on it, and Gong Jiu was also very diligent every time. From the looks of it, letting him take it once every two hours, he also won’t be half-hearted about it. Forget it, just take the pulse.
However, this time, the time in which Gong Jiu took the pulse seemingly was particularly long. Jing Wan had gone on a mental journey for a while and back, yet he still wasn’t finished. Her heart couldn’t help but jump, could it be that there’s some problem?
[1] Ancient unit of measurement, 1 li = ~500m
[2] Chinese unit of area, about ~3.3cm x 3.3cm
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