Chapter 209 (1/2)
Chapter 209
Translator: Nyoi-Bo StudioEditor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
She wanted to speak. There were many things she wanted to say, yet she could only utter incomprehensibly, as though she was a mute.
Li Ce, did you know? Mister Wu is dead, Lady Yu is dead. Many others are dead. Yan Xun killed many people. Do you think he will kill me too?
Li Ce, Zhuge Yue is dead too, I caused his death. Did you know? It was my fault that he died.
Li Ce, you were right. Yan Xun is really cold-hearted. His heart, even his promises, has been frozen over.
The world felt vast and hollow as Chu Qiao leaned into Li Ce's embrace and fell asleep, an exhausted look on her face. Li Ce gazed down at her, seeing that she was so pale and gaunt. Even he himself thought that he had gone crazy, thinking about what would have happened had he arrived even a single moment later. Even a single moment later…
The wind blew upon them and he took off his overcoat, wrapping Chu Qiao in his embrace. She appeared ever so skinny and was curled up into a tiny ball, as though she were still a small child. Li Ce lifted his head and looked at the sky filled with snowflakes. He looked at the opposing army emanating an intense bloodthirstiness, then gazed at the towering Longyin Pass. As he looked at the surroundings in front of him, his heart was filled with an anger that could not be suppressed.
Yan Xun, how could you have the heart to do this? How could you be this stone-hearted?
”Your Majesty, Xia has sent messengers to question if Tang intends on interfering in their domestic affairs. How should we reply?” The imperial bodyguard dismounted his horse and rushed forward.
Li Ce carried Chu Qiao and said with a frosty voice, ”Tell Zhao Yang that I have taken her away. If he wants her back, I will be waiting for him in Tang Jing.”
”Your Majesty, I've brought the person here.” Tie You said as he walked up; a middle-aged man covered with tattoos followed behind him. The man was the leader of the group of men that had jumped down from the snowy mountain peak to save Chu Qiao earlier on.
Li Ce's countenance softened a little as he nodded towards the man and said, ”My thanks to you.”
The tattooed man lowered his head and replied, ”Our numbers are limited. If it wasn't for Your Majesty, General Chu would have been in critical danger.”
”Regardless, it was you who delivered help in time. I will remember this debt of gratitude and repay it in the future should the opportunity arrive.”
”I do not dare. I was only acting upon orders.”
Li Ce's eyebrow twitched as he asked probingly, ”Who is your master?”
”My master has already stopped the Yan Bei troops and has arranged for reinforcements at each pass on your way out. Your Majesty, please make haste and be on your way, we will be the rear guard.”
Li Ce slowly nodded his head. With a deep look in his eyes, he spoke with a heavy tone, ”Words can't express my gratitude for the favor you have done. Take care.” As he finished his words, he swiftly departed with the Tang army and the troops from the Xiuli Army.
There were not more than 60,000 soldiers at Longyin Pass. Upon seeing Li Ce and his army of 200,000, they did not know whether to pursue them. The garrison general took some time to think before saying, ”Quick, hurry and ask for instructions from His Majesty.”
The soldiers let out a long breath as they thought: This is a good sign. Once instructions from His Majesty comes, there should be no trace left of this ill omen.
In less than an hour, the contingent made its way to Shichuan Junction. A group of around 2,000 people was waiting quietly for them. Li Ce's men rode up and negotiated with them, whereupon they left behind a horse carriage and left.
Tie You came back and said, ”It's still that same group. They've prepared horses and rations for us ten kilometers ahead. They also left behind a horse carriage and advised Your Majesty to travel inside it, as Yan Bei is cold.”
Li Ce brushed aside the carriage curtain and looked inside. The inside was rather large, furnished with soft bedding made from brocade. There was a metal plate across the large bed, with two charcoal braziers on it. The inside of the carriage was as warm as spring. There was even a small stove in the middle, emitting steam that smelled richly of a medicinal fragrance. When he opened it, a pot of piping hot and nourishing ginseng chicken soup had been placed inside.
”Your Majesty, where exactly did this King of Qinghai come from? He has been so enthusiastic in helping us this time. Does it only stem from a pure desire to do Tang a favor?”
Li Ce stared quietly at that pot of chicken soup for a long time and remained silent.
Chu Qiao laid in the carriage, her complexion pale and wan. As though she felt the warmth from the charcoal braziers, she let out a breath, before shrinking into the embrace of the bed, looking like a rabbit that had fallen sound asleep.
”Tie You, if it was you, who would do these things for you?”
Tie You was stunned and thought for a while before replying, ”I'm afraid only my mother would be able to do it. Not even my wife could do it.”
The corners of Li Ce's mouth rose as he chuckled, ”Indeed, there are not many people who would do such a thing.”