Chapter 10: Which Fool Hit Me With A Rock?!

These horses, in Hua Jing, were almost exclusive to the Yang family. Now, as the Yang family gathered their forces and hurried towards the princess’s mansion, they had only one target—

They wanted Li Rong.

With Yang Quan’s temperament, if he didn’t have this chance to marry Li Rong, he wouldn’t even think about it. But now that he had, this madman was capable of anything.

Under normal circumstances, Yang Quan would likely have someone pretend to abduct Li Rong. When the critical moment arrived, he would play the hero, and then he could spend a night alone with Li Rong. Perhaps, Li Rong might develop feelings for him.

Even if Li Rong didn’t have any feelings, Li Ming, an emperor who valued reputation greatly, would marry her off to Yang Quan after such an ambiguous night. If Li Rong resisted, wouldn’t Yang Quan resort to some extreme actions? In that case, for the sake of the royal dignity, Li Ming might marry her off, and after that, take action against the Yang family, settling scores in due time.

Once the Yang family was destroyed, if Li Chuan took action for Li Rong, he would be playing into the emperor’s hands, shifting the blame for Yang family’s downfall onto the crown prince, providing a reason to suggest his removal.

If Li Chuan ignored Li Rong, then based on the Yang family’s reasons, Li Rong could be demoted to a commoner or sent to a convent. The emperor could rest assured that the crown prince would have no chance to use Li Rong’s marriage for political gains.

So, for Li Ming, as long as Li Rong lost her virtue, in any case, she would be married off to Yang Quan.

But where did Yang Quan get the courage?

Pei Wenxuan closed his eyes, recalling the previous life. Not long after, the Yang family had nearly perished at the frontlines. He didn’t believe it wasn’t the emperor’s doing. Yang Quan’s urgency probably stemmed from knowing the precarious situation of the Yang family. Whether he abducted the princess or not, death awaited him.

At this moment, the Yang family urgently needed Li Rong to bind Li Chuan. Once Li Rong married Yang Quan, Li Chuan would be tied to the Yang family. Even if Li Chuan didn’t want it, Li Ming wouldn’t believe otherwise. So, Li Chuan could only be forced into a father-son struggle with Li Ming, and this was the best chance for the survival of the Yang family.

Pei Wenxuan couldn’t help but feel disgusted as he thought more about Yang Quan’s plans. However, he faced a dilemma—should he help, and to what extent?

Helping was inevitable to some extent; at least, he needed to go back and inform Li Chuan, arranging for assistance.

But what else?

If Li Chuan’s rescue was delayed…

Pei Wenxuan hesitated, feeling an unexpected pang of empathy. Li Rong, a person accustomed to pride, enduring such humiliation and being forced into a marriage, would likely carry this burden for a lifetime. But if he decided to help, how could he do it?

He wasn’t a hero capable of saving Li Rong from imminent danger. His only role upon returning would be to delay, offering a slim chance for Li Rong to escape disgrace. Yet, this possibility would come at the cost of his life, and there was a real chance that Yang Quan might kill him.

Was it worth it?

Pei Wenxuan fell into deep thought.

His feelings towards Li Rong, perhaps a hint of fondness in his younger years, had long faded over time. They mutually despised each other, and any emotions that existed were more a result of a long acquaintance than anything else.

For a person like her, not a lover, not even a good friend, sacrificing his life for her wasn’t in Pei Wenxuan’s character. Helping her by delivering a message was already going above and beyond.

As Pei Wenxuan contemplated this, he turned his gaze to a small bowl on the table and then to a nearby box with two layers. He looked at the unopened lower layer for a moment, hesitated, and then opened it, discovering a pile of shiny silver coins.

Before Li Rong mocked him for borrowing a carriage from home, it showed that she was aware of his current difficult situation. Although she ridiculed him, now that they had separated, she also thought for him and prepared some silver for him.

The money dazzled Pei Wenxuan’s eyes, and without even thinking, he shouted, “Tong Yezhan, stop the carriage!”

Tong Yezhan, upon hearing Pei Wenxuan’s loud shout, quickly stopped the carriage, somewhat puzzled, “Young master?”

“You go back now, go to the prince’s mansion and say that the princess is in trouble, someone wants to kill her, and ask them to send someone over quickly.”

Saying this, Pei Wenxuan jumped off the carriage, quickly untied a horse for Tong Yezhan, and turned to him, “You go quickly, don’t delay.”

“What about you?”

Tong Yezhan anxiously asked, “Aren’t you coming with me?”

“I have to go back to find the princess.”

Pei Wenxuan immediately said, “Don’t worry about me, go quickly!”

Tong Yezhan dared not delay. Although he was worried about Pei Wenxuan, he gritted his teeth and rushed back. Pei Wenxuan looked at the carriage pulled by the remaining three horses, jumped onto the carriage, turned it around, and hurried towards another courtyard.

After a while, he realized that it wouldn’t work. If he rushed over now, it was estimated that the place was already filled with Yang family people. If he went over, he might not even be able to pass through the other courtyard.

According to Li Rong’s travel habits, she should have at least twenty hidden guards by her side, which were arranged by the empress. Adding her attendants, there should be at least a hundred people.

The number of people from the Yang family who went over just now was about forty. Those people and horses were extremely fast, with green-banded waist tokens hanging from their waists. According to the Yang family’s customs, the green-banded waist token should belong to reinforcement personnel. Usually, their reinforcement numbers were about half of the total number. So, now the Yang family might have nearly a hundred people waiting in ambush.

Realizing this, after a brief rush, Pei Wenxuan stopped. He roughly calculated the possible location where Li Rong might be abducted and took a few steps back.

He quickly surveyed the surrounding terrain. Along this road, there were reed fields on both sides, with sporadic trees scattered among the reeds. The reeds were tall, making it impossible to see any movement inside.

Pei Wenxuan got on the carriage, searched inside, and found some clothes, flint, knives, and swords. He first unloaded the horse, pulled it into the reeds, tied it to a tree, then came back and dismantled the carriage with the sword, cutting it into several planks.

Using a rope, he connected the planks and placed them on both sides of the road. Underneath the planks, he placed a large stone, collected many stones, wrapped them in clothes, and placed them at one end of the planks.

He set up several of these roadblocks. Finally, he connected them with a single line. As soon as he pulled the line, all the lines on the road would stand up, and the horses would be entangled. After being entangled, the tension on the lines would pull the planks, and the stones at the other end of the planks would be thrown over.

After completing this task, Pei Wenxuan relaxed a bit. As long as Li Rong could successfully run out, with him blocking Yang Quan’s men, it was certain that Li Rong could escape. However, whether he could escape or not was unknown.

But now he didn’t think much about it. Once a decision was made, there was nothing more to think about. He hid in the reed field, lying on the ground, holding the mechanism’s rope in his hand, with a makeshift reed grass ring on his head.

He was waiting for Yang Quan!

While Pei Wenxuan was meticulously setting up everything, Li Rong lay on a rocking chair, rocking it while eating grapes fed by Jingmei. “Someone is ambushing outside?”

She closed her eyes, listening to the report from the hidden guards. The hidden guards knelt on the ground, respectfully reporting, “Quite a few people. His majesty’s men have gone to seek reinforcements. Please wait patiently, princess.”

“Patient?,” Li Rong opened her eyes, “What do I have to be patient about? Anyway, they won’t kill me, will they?”

No one around spoke. Li Rong sat up straight, saying lightly, “But, if we stay here a little longer, those people may attack the other courtyard. We might not wait for his majesty’s men and get caught first.”

“What does the princess mean?” The hidden guard looked up at Li Rong. Li Rong turned her head, somewhat puzzled. Jinglan frowned, “What does the princess want to do?”

“Wait a while, and Jingmei will disguise herself as me. Then, you all ride in my carriage, swaggering towards the official road. Once you’re gone, Yang Quan will undoubtedly go after you. By that time, I can quietly take Jinglan and leave through the back door, isn’t that feasible?”

Upon hearing this, everyone present suddenly understood. The hidden guard nodded, “Princess, you are wise.”

“Do it immediately.”

Li Rong yawned, “It’s no big deal, anyway. If I get caught, sleep a night, and I won’t suffer any losses.”

“Yang Quan looks pretty good,” Li Rong looked at the maid standing nearby, raised an eyebrow, “Isn’t that right?”

The maid she addressed was momentarily stunned, then hurriedly knelt down and said anxiously, “Princess is right in everything.”

Seeing the maid so flustered, Li Rong couldn’t help but laugh, “Why are you so nervous? I won’t eat you. Alright.”

She said lightly, “Get ready. Divide the forces into two groups, and I’ll leave from the back door.”

With that, Li Rong raised one hand, supported by Jinglan, and walked leisurely into the room.

Jingmei quickly went to prepare. In less than half an hour, the first convoy set off in a grand manner from the courtyard.

By now, it was already dusk. Li Rong was still sitting on a small couch, flipping through a travelogue. Seeing her calm demeanor, Jinglan respectfully said, “Princess, it’s time to get ready to leave.”

Li Rong responded with a casual “Hmm” but didn’t move.

After a while, a hidden guard jumped in through the window, knelt on one knee, and whispered, “Princess, the people lurking outside haven’t moved.”

“Indeed,” Li Rong sighed, “I knew Yang Quan wouldn’t have the guts to kidnap me without fear of mishaps. Turns out, there’s an inside man assisting.”

“Jinglan,” Li Rong raised her eyes, looked at her, and smiled, “Put on my clothes, take some people, ride out, go through the back door, go around the back mountain, and stay away from the main road. Be quick, don’t get caught.”

Jinglan was stunned for a moment, then heard Li Rong instruct the shadow guards, “Assign fifteen people to escort Jinglan out, leave five people with me.”

The shadow guards responded, and Jinglan, after saying “Yes,” immediately changed into Li Rong’s clothes and led the people out.

After a moment of leaving, the deafening sounds of battle could be heard. Li Rong immediately got up, changed into a set of prepared guard attire, tied up her hair like a man, and then led the remaining five shadow guards. Taking advantage of Jinglan leading people towards the back mountain, she swiftly rushed towards the main road like an arrow leaving the bow!

The night wind was strong, and the lights of Hua Jing in the distance illuminated the night sky. Li Rong sprinted through the night, oblivious to the stars and moon.

Yang Quan and his men chased Jinglan for a while when suddenly they saw someone galloping on the main road. Yang Quan reacted instantly and shouted, “Chase from the main road!”

Meanwhile, Pei Wenxuan was lying in the mud, waiting.

Li Rong’s carriage had just passed by when Yang Quan’s pursuers were about to catch up.

His heart pounded rapidly as he nervously gripped the rope in his hand. It was at this moment that he heard the sound of galloping horses approaching!

In the darkness, a group of commoners with knives chased after Li Rong’s carriage. Although their faces couldn’t be seen clearly in the night, it was undoubtedly Yang Quan!

Pei Wenxuan counted the distance in his heart, three, two, one!

Pull the rope!

Pei Wenxuan suddenly pulled the rope, causing Li Rong’s horse to stumble and scream. Li Rong fell to the ground, and the shadow guards exclaimed, “Your Highness!”

At the same time, countless fabric-wrapped stones fell, directly hitting Li Rong and the shadow guards. 

Li Rong was hit on the head by a small stone and blacked out on the spot.

Before losing consciousness, Li Rong couldn’t help but think that she had underestimated Yang Quan. Despite his seemingly simple appearance, he was able to set up an ambush here.

As Pei Wenxuan heard the shout of “Your Highness,” he knew things were bad. He looked at the unconscious Li Rong and, after a moment, heard Yang Quan’s angry voice approaching from behind.

Upon hearing these words, the shadow guards immediately drew their swords and rushed towards Yang Quan. Amidst the chaos, Pei Wenxuan quickly crawled out from the reeds, lifted the unconscious Li Rong, and, using the reeds as cover, hurriedly entered the reed field.

When the shadow guards realized and turned back to carry Li Rong and run, they were astonished to find—the princess was gone!

The author has something to say: Li Rong: “I once thought that lord Pei was clever, cunning, and dangerous. Now I realize that I was wrong.”

Mo Shu Bai: “What do you think now?”

Li Rong elegantly adjusts the white fabric on her head: “Now, I think he’s a fool.”

Pei Wenxuan: “Actually, I can explain this…”

Li Rong: “Explain.”

Pei Wenxuan: “In fact, you don’t need to think so much. According to my plan, there is no problem.”

Li Rong: “If you didn’t come, I would have had no problem at all.”

In fact, this is probably a story where the positive outcome is getting negative. Hero saving the beauty? Non-existent.

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