Her guards

Chapter 253 As She Expected

The night sky gradually turned white, the stars dimmed, and slowly disappeared from sight.

Wei Jiao, sitting in the open field, stretched, exhaled, and looked back to the west.

Wangyang Pass is already behind us.

He looked ahead and saw a city faintly visible on the horizon as the night faded.

That is Qin'an City.

Wei Jiao's lips curved into a smile. When they went to pick up the bride earlier, this short distance took them two or three days to travel. It was really slow.

"Captain, shall we enter Qin'an City?" a man in embroidered robes asked from the side.

That bastard sent him to deliver a message, and once he crossed the border of Longxi, he had someone meet him and take him away.

Qin'an City is already under the control of the imperial court, and the Yunyang Army is stationed there.

They sent the code there and just waited for the bastard's people to come and pick them up.

This was the same plan we discussed at home.

At home, this thought flashed through Wei Jiao's mind. She hadn't felt disgusted by the mention of going home before, but now, the word "home" made her feel a little nostalgic.

Wei Jiao chuckled self-deprecatingly, looked up at the night sky, and saw that once there was light, the darkness faded quickly; the starry sky that had been dim just moments before had now disappeared.

"Wei Jiao, remember to look at the starry sky."

“My husband, although we are in different places, we see the same starry sky.”

The woman's voice seemed to echo in my ears again.

Wei Jiao scoffed.

That bastard makes it sound so nice, but she definitely doesn't look at the stars; she sleeps soundly every night...

How have they survived all these years with such a lack of vigilance?

The thought flashed through my mind, then I paused for a moment.

Perhaps it was precisely because of the hardships of those years, and the lack of a peaceful night's sleep, that I was able to... only when he was by my side.

Wei Jiao coughed lightly.

As night fell, the women in embroidered robes standing to the side could see the changing expressions on Wei Jiao's face.

Wei Jiao used to have little expression; she was always smiling. Her smile could express everything, and it also concealed everything.

At this moment, his voice was sometimes mocking, sometimes sneer, sometimes raised an eyebrow, and sometimes, it seemed, there was even a soft sigh...

What is he thinking?

Moreover, he was distracted and hadn't responded to the question he was asked earlier.

The women in embroidered robes exchanged glances, their expressions slightly uneasy.

Is the captain about to have another attack?
Or, the illness doesn't recur, but other problems arise...

Since arriving in Longxi, the captain has been using excessive amounts of medicine.

"Captain," a woman in embroidered robes couldn't help but speak again, "You..."

well enough?
Wei Jiao looked up at him.

“I’m not going to Qin’an City,” he said.

As he spoke, he stood up and looked back at the border of Longxi once more.

Although Wei Cui released him.

Although the Yunyang Army was stationed in Qin'an City.

However, Wei Cui was suspicious, and Qin'an City had been under Wei Cui's control for many years. In just one year, the court was not able to completely eliminate the spies in the city...

"Let's talk about it after we get past Qin'an City."

Without asking any further questions, the women in embroidered robes began packing their bags, mounting their horses, and the group galloped away in the morning light.

After passing Qin'an City and three other cities, Wei Jiao finally settled in a small town.

As before, they drove away the officials and occupied the county government office.

The night before they moved into the county town, they had already sent out a few fireworks as a signal under the cover of darkness, and now they were just waiting for her people to arrive.

Unexpectedly, the person who came was Zhu Yunxiao.

……

……

Zhu Yunxiao was passing by with his troops when he heard that Wei Jiao was there. Since they knew each other, he came in to greet him.

The two men, one a well-regarded disciple from a noble family, the other a hostage with a mental illness and a notorious reputation, had no contact in the capital.

Upon meeting him, Wei Jiao ignored him and instead kept his head down, fanning himself with the official documents from the county government office on the table.

"His Majesty previously transferred me to the Yunyang Army. I happened to be passing by with my troops when I heard that the Commandant of the Guards had arrived, so I came to inquire after him."

Zhu Yunxiao didn't care about Wei Jiao's attitude. He didn't show any fear or avoidance, nor did he try to please him. He greeted him calmly and took the initiative to greet him.

Wei Jiao scoffed upon hearing this.

I knew Zhu Yunxiao was coming when I went to pick up the bride earlier; he said he was there to escort the bride on behalf of the Duke of Ding'an.

Why send a gift when we're not even related?

Another coward. He was supposed to be escorting a bride, but he didn't dare leave Qin'an City.

But he kept an eye on Longxi, knowing that once he saw him come out, he would immediately come to investigate and then go around claiming credit and showing off his achievements.

When did Zhu Yunxiao get involved with this Miss Yang?
Wei Jiao couldn't help but think.

He hadn't paid attention before, but he still knew what he needed to know, since the Embroidered Robe was investigating all information.

It seems the earliest version of the story was that Miss Yang took a liking to Zhu Yunxiao, and then she got involved with the Jiang family's daughter...

That's ridiculous. How could that bastard fall for someone like that?

"Captain."

Seeing that Wei Jiao treated him as if he didn't exist, the noble young master raised his voice.

Wei Jiao looked up at him, her eyes cold: "Get lost."

Zhu Yunxiao's face stiffened, his eyes revealing undisguised malice, but a hint of mockery also flashed in them.

In the past, if the Embroidered-Robe Commandant had told him to get lost, he, the heir of the Valiant Earl, would have had no choice but to endure the humiliation and leave.

But now, not only does he not have to leave, he can also give this Embroidered-Robe Captain... some humiliation.

"Captain." He stepped forward, looked at the young man in black with an unfriendly expression, and said softly, "You can give me the information about Miss Yang now."

Then he saw fire suddenly burst forth in Wei Jiao's beautiful eyes.

There was shock, anger, and resentment.

I think so.

Perhaps he misread it.

He never imagined that a madman could have such a rich array of expressions.

He didn't look at it much after that, because its eyes and entire face were shrouded in ferocity.

The next moment, someone was about to pounce on him and tear him to pieces.

Zhu Yunxiao didn't dare to experience the triumph of humiliating others again, and this time he really stepped back.

After all, this madman is capable of killing.

"Captain, I have proof. It was given to me by Miss Asheng." He said hurriedly, taking out a letter from his sleeve.

……

……

Miss Asheng.

Wei Jiao's anger subsided instantly.

Yes, it wasn't that bastard who used Zhu Yunxiao, it was the real Miss Yang...

And Zhu Yunxiao, that idiot, can't be compared to him.

Zhu Yunxiao had no idea that the girl he was talking about, Asheng, was actually Miss Yang.

"...Miss Asheng asked me to assist Miss Yang..."

"...Miss Yang said that she would send a message, with fireworks as the signal."

"...I've been waiting here, I never expected it would be you, Commandant, in person..."

"...But I'm not surprised. His Majesty treats you like his own son, and now you're Miss Yang's husband. No one else but you could help Miss Yang like this..."

After provoking him, the coward began to fawn over him, fearing he would be killed.

Upon hearing this, Wei Jiao smiled.

Zhu Yunxiao, who was standing not far away, was startled by the laughter again.

Seeing Wei Jiao angry is frightening, but seeing Wei Jiao smiling is even more frightening.

"Alright." Wei Jiao didn't lay a hand on him, but looked at him with a smile. "Get lost."

Zhu Yunxiao's expression froze.

"Captain, this matter is of great importance. Miss Yang instructed me..." he said again.

Wei Jiao slammed the booklet he was holding onto the table, interrupting him.

“This matter is of great importance, I will personally deliver it to the capital,” he said, waving his finger. “I don’t need you, get lost.”

……

……

As dusk fell, the embroidered-clad figures, shrouded in black clouds, escorted Wei Jiao away from the city and headed towards the capital.

Zhu Yunxiao stood on the main road with a somber expression.

Wei Jiao didn't give him the message he wanted to pass on, but he wasn't in a hurry.

He did his best; it was Wei Jiao who was disobedient.

I will write to Miss Yang and she will hate Wei Jiao.

Moreover, he saw through Wei Jiao.

The reason he did this was simply out of jealousy. He was jealous of the favor Miss Yang had given him, and he was also afraid that his credit would be stolen.

Zhu Yunxiao smiled.

"Go on, go on," he muttered to himself, watching the dark clouds drift away, his smile turning mocking. "Once you're in the capital, don't even think about coming out again."

Even if he is Miss Yang's husband, even if the emperor treats him like his own son, he is destined to be a hostage because he has Wei Cui's blood in his veins. In the future, when the two sides clash, Wei Jiao will be killed as a sacrifice to the flag!
Miss Yang
Yes, he must have rescued Miss Yang from Wei Cui back then.

"Prince——"

The sound of horses' hooves came from behind, interrupting Zhu Yunxiao's reverie. He turned around and saw his attendants.

The entourage approached, panting heavily.

"You've come at the right time. Send a message to Xiao Wu and tell Miss Yang..." Zhu Yunxiao whispered, about to give the order.

Xiao Wu was the attendant he sent to Longxi, who was mixed in with the dowry procession.

The attendant interrupted him: "Young Master, Xiao Wu just delivered another message from Miss Yang." He then leaned down and whispered, "Go to Wucheng."

Wucheng?

Having read the name aloud, Zhu Yunxiao was already very familiar with the map of Longxi and immediately knew its exact location.

Wucheng is remote; further west lies the land of the Western Rong.

What are you going there for?
Wei Cui was not there.

Zhu Yunxiao considered his options, but for now, obeying Miss Yang's orders was still the greatest merit he could gain.

"Alright," he replied immediately, waving to the guards who had retreated to the side, then turned his horse around and led a troop of soldiers westward.

……

……

Night covers the earth.

On the desolate land, Mo Zheng lay on the ground, gazing at the night sky.

There aren't many stars tonight.

"...So Wei Jiao didn't give the letter tube to Zhu Yunxiao; he took it to the capital himself."

The person next to him whispered the message that Zhu Yunxiao had sent.

"...Wei Jiao sent a letter to Longxi City, using the excuse of being broke, saying he had incurred debts while passing through and asking Wei Cui to send someone to pay it..."

Then someone whispered the news about Longxi City.

Hearing this, Mo Zheng smiled.

She knew that Wei Jiao was telling her his whereabouts.

He was supposed to return after delivering the letter in Qin'an City, but now he's heading to the capital.

"Everything is as you predicted, young master," the people around him said softly.

Mo Zheng looked at the scattered stars in the night sky.

Yes, just as she expected.

She anticipated that Wei Jiao would not believe Zhu Yunxiao.

She also anticipated that he would personally go to the capital to deliver her bamboo tube directly to Yang Luo or the emperor.

“In that case,” she said slowly, “General Feng no longer needs to find a way to trap him.”

General Feng cannot contain him.

And the distance is too short.

Let's go to the capital.

The journey is long, and the emperor's power is immense. No matter how intelligent or capable Wei Jiao is, he cannot escape being controlled.

She looked at the night sky.

"Zhu Yunxiao went to Wucheng, didn't he?"

A response came from beside me.

Mo Zheng lifted her hand that was resting on her neck, and she sat up as well.

"Let's keep going."

The figures around him rose one after another, and with the clatter of horses' hooves, torches were lit, and the fire snaked across the open field westward like a fiery serpent.

(End of this chapter)