After the favored concubine remarried, the aloof and powerful minister forcibly took her away.

Chapter 205 Shot by an Arrow
The rain intensified, and the mist and rainwater in the valley blurred the view.

Pei Yanzhi wiped the rain off his face and scanned the battlefield with piercing eyes.

The rain not only disrupted Lu Yongkang's plans, but also gave them an excellent opportunity.

The sounds of arrows being fired and the sounds of fighting pierced through the rain. Duan Zhuo rushed over upon hearing the noise, his face showing signs of exhaustion.

"The enemy has begun to retreat. We should not press them too hard. We can rest here for a while."

Pei Yanzhi narrowed his eyes slightly, pondered for a moment, and then nodded.

"Don't pursue too closely. Lu Yongkang is cunning and treacherous; be careful of traps. Clean up the battlefield first to ensure no one escapes."

The two shared the same idea, and Duan Zhuo had to admit that Pei Yanzhi was not only good at investigating cases, but also a master at leading troops into battle.

No wonder Empress Dowager Feng and the young emperor trusted him so much.

I heard the soldiers begin to clear the battlefield in an orderly manner, collect weapons, and treat the wounded.

Meanwhile, Lu Jiamin huddled inside the carriage, listening to the sounds of fighting outside, her heart filled with fear and regret.

She never imagined she would get involved in such a conflict.

Her former wealth and glory have now become her greatest irony.

Lu Jiamin was even more uncertain whether her father would save her.

He was determined to achieve his great and lasting legacy, so why would he abandon everything to save her?

The rain gradually subsided, and the fog began to dissipate.

Pei Yanzhi stood on high ground, overlooking the entire battlefield.

This victory is just the beginning; the real battle is yet to come.

"Lord Pei, Lu Yongkang's main force has retreated, but we found this in his camp."

A soldier rushed over and handed over a secret letter.

Pei Yanzhi took the letter, quickly glanced through it, and frowned.

The letter mentioned Lu Yongkang's secret collusion with the northern barbarians, intending to use the power of foreign enemies to overthrow the imperial court.

"Sure enough."

Pei Yanzhi chuckled and handed the letter to Duan Zhuo.

“Lu Yongkang’s ambitions don’t stop there. He has long been colluding with the northern border, intending to overthrow Daqing.”

After reading the letter, Duan Zhuo's expression turned serious, and he cursed the traitor.

The valley was exceptionally quiet after the rain, and the air was filled with the smell of earth and blood.

Neither of them said another word.

"Master."

Cheng Hua's voice came from behind him, interrupting his thoughts.

Pei Yanzhi turned around and saw Cheng Hua's serious expression, so he asked, "What's wrong?"

Cheng Hua whispered, "Lu Jiamin...she wants to see you."

Pei Yanzhi frowned slightly, and after a moment of silence, nodded: "Bring her over."

A moment later, Lu Jiamin was brought before Pei Yanzhi.

She was soaking wet, pale, and her eyes were filled with fear and unease.

Lu Jiamin was imprisoned in Duan Zhuo's stronghold for a long time. Although Wen Caifu gave her instructions, there were still some people who wanted to bully Lu Jiamin.

The people from the mountain stronghold were forced to go up the mountain, so naturally they wouldn't treat Lu Jiamin very well.

Besides not having enough to eat, she sometimes couldn't sleep well either. In short, that was the life Lu Jiamin lived in the mountain village.

It was the most miserable time she had ever experienced in her decades of privileged life.

“Pei, Pei Lang…” Lu Jiamin’s voice trembled, and she could barely speak.

Pei Yanzhi looked at her, his tone calm: "What do you want to say?"

Lu Jiamin bit her lip and finally mustered up her courage to say, "I...I don't want to die. Can you...can you save me?"

Pei Yanzhi remained silent for a moment, then said calmly, "Your life or death is not in my hands. However, if you are willing to cooperate, there may still be a glimmer of hope."

A glimmer of hope flashed in Lu Jiamin's eyes, and she hurriedly said, "I'm willing! I'm willing to cooperate! As long as you spare my life, I'll do anything you ask!"

Pei Yanzhi nodded: "Tell me everything you know about Lu Yongkang." Lu Jiamin looked somewhat embarrassed, then lowered her head: "My father never tells me these things, I don't know."

"All I know is that my father has an advisor who is from the North, and he is the one who usually delivers confidential letters."

"Pei Yanzhi, will I die?"

Pei Yanzhi listened to her words without saying anything more.

Lu Jiamin's life or death depends on Lu Yongkang's attitude.

If Lu Yongkang is willing to save her, she can live.

But Pei Yanzhi vaguely felt that in Lu Yongkang's heart, Lu Jiamin was not as important as his great achievements.

He wouldn't use what he's doing now to save Lu Jiamin.

No amount of family ties can compare to that throne.

Lu Jiamin trembled and looked up at the man she admired.

His eyes remained indifferent, as if countless details she had overlooked in the past were now magnified by her.

Pei Yanzhi was the most cold-hearted and indifferent person; he had never given her a kind look.

Lu Jiamin collapsed to the ground in despair and was taken away again.

Three days later, Pei Yanzhi and Duan Zhuo's men met up with those who had arrived in the capital earlier.

With the city gates of the capital tightly closed, they could only watch the archers on the city walls from their location on the outskirts of the city.

"Sir, a letter from Lord Zhou."

Cheng Hua rushed over and handed the letter in his hand to Pei Yanzhi.

Pei Yanzhi took it, read it, and smiled.

Lord Zhou has successfully captured Tingzhou and secured the marriage alliance with Princess Liu, the wife of Prince Qing.

Lu Yongkang naturally received this news as well. Now that things have come to this, he also feels that even God is helping Empress Dowager Feng and the young emperor.

But he didn't believe in fate. Now that he had come this far, he was unwilling to give up.

Since he was going to die anyway, he might as well fight back.

Two days later, the two armies clashed in the suburbs, and Lu Yongkang won the battle.

Pei Yanzhi was shot in the shoulder with an arrow while trying to save a general.

The army doctor said the arrowhead was poisoned, and Pei Yanzhi fell into a coma.

Lu Yongkang's soldiers were in high spirits, after all, they had fought Pei Yanzhi and his men so many times, and Pei Yanzhi and his men had won every time.

Xiang Ning has been having trouble sleeping these past two days while staying in the mountain village.

After the rain stopped, the sky cleared and the bright sunshine couldn't dispel the restlessness in her heart.

It felt like something bad was about to happen.

Wen Caifu noticed her mood and offered a few words of comfort, adding that she was worried about Pei Yanzhi.

Xiang Ning could only shake her head, offering no further explanation.

Her relationship with Pei Yanzhi is something she can't explain to others.

That night, Xiang Ning tossed and turned, unable to sleep. When she opened her eyes, she saw flames shooting into the sky outside.

"Xiang Ning, come with me quickly."

Wen Caifu's voice came from outside the room, and Xiang Ning quickly got up and went over: "What is this... cough cough, how come there's such a big fire?"

"Someone has set the mountain on fire; we have to leave quickly."

Hearing Wen Caifu's anxious voice, it was as if a taut string in Xiang Ning's mind snapped.

"Are they Lu Yongkang's men? Aren't Pei Yanzhi and Boss Duan ahead? Their men..."

Xiang Ning held Wen Caifu's hand tightly, and then she saw a troubled look on Wen Caifu's face.

"Lord Pei has been shot by an arrow and is unconscious. Duan Zhuo said the arrow was poisoned. There's some chaos in the army right now, so they probably haven't noticed..."

Was he poisoned?

(End of this chapter)