Chapter 11
The days passed very quickly. Though no one came looking for Hua Zhu Yu, those were not easy days for her. It was very awkward for her to stay in the tent when Zhu Xiang was serving her guest.
Today, having reached the end of her forbearance, Hua Zhu Yu rushed out of the tent. Outside, no Northern soldier was guarding her tent. It seemed that Xiao Yin simply did not care or maybe had completely forgotten about her. This was a good thing, yet also a bad thing. It showed clearly that Xiao Yin determined to wage war against Southern Dynasty.
Judging from the size of the camp, she estimated this time, Xiao Yin brought a force of approximately two thousands men with him. When he came to Xianwang’s rescue, he had already kept precautions in his mind. Apparently Xiao Yin, this man, was not a foolhardy.
It was almost dusk, the sky was dyed with blue and orange. Hua Zhu Yu walked around in the camp. The camp was located below a high mound. Looking at the camp’s surroundings, it would be very hard for her to escape. Moreover, although the red tents were not guarded, there were soldiers patrolling inside the camp. It was not even easy to get out of this camp.
Wandering along the shores of a lake, Hua Zhu Yu immediately caught a patrolling soldier’s attention. After some talk and warning, she went back to her tent.
Back to her tent, Zhu Xiang’s guest had gone. Zhu Xiang sat on her bed, was counting her money and then gave some to Hua Zhu Yu. Hua Zhu Yu smiled and took the money. Since she wanted to flee, she would need money later.
After two days, Hua Zhu Yu already knew the terrain of this camp quite well. From a sergeant who came looking for Zhu Xiang, Hua Zhu Yu learned that Xiao Yin would bring his guards out tonight. Thus, she decided to flee tonight.
She came out of her tent, dressed like a prostitute. She learned from Zhu Xiang that some high-ranking sergeants would not go to red tents, they often called the prostitutes to go to their tents. She could just use this as an excuse in case she was found out by the patrolling soldier(s).
Even though Hua Zhu Yu did not have internal force now, still, she was agile. She successfully dodged two patrolling soldiers and arrived at the stable’s side.
Her eyes roamed the stable and finally settled on a horse. It was a rare, good horse, really well suited to her needs. She wanted to run away so much she actually forgot one a thing. This kind of horse usually recognized its master.
She took that horse out of the stable and when she tried to mount the horse, it suddenly lashed out at her with its hind legs. Fortunately, Hua Zhu Yu reacted very fast, she rolled on the ground to dodge the horse’s kick. Then, she jumped to her feet and was about to approach the horse again to tame it when she suddenly heard a sound of people talking.
Hua Zhu Yu’s heart chilled. She must not be found at the stable or else the excuse she had prepared could not be used and she would immediately be tied back.
Her eyes swept around the surroundings and saw two carts parked beside the stable. On the carts were several barrels, the scent of wine faintly emanated from them. Hua Zhu Yu opened one of those barrels and found it empty. She immediately climbed into that barrel and then closed it after that.
For now, she could only wait for the two people who spoke just now to leave and then get out of the barrel afterwards.
Unexpectedly, they came toward the carts. One of them said hoarsely “This time, the wine is truly worthy of its name, the taste is truly good.”
“Shh, don’t speak carelessly again, if his highness knows we drink this wine, we will lose our heads!” Another man whispered warily.
Suddenly, Hua Zhu Yu felt the barrel in which she was hiding shook. Those men unexpectedly lifted the barrel.
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Chapter 12
While lifting the barrel, the two people chatted. Hua Zhu Yu learned from them that this wine was sent from Northern Dynasty’s capital city. The wine would be brought into the storage tent.
Hua Zhu Yu remained curled up, did not dare to move even a little bit. When the barrel was put down and they went to again take another barrel, that was the chance for her to get out of the barrel.
Soon, the barrel seemed to be placed on the ground. Hua Zhu Yu was waiting for both of them to leave when she heard a sound of footsteps came over and someone asked “Is this the wine that just sent over tonight?”
That man then ordered the two to carry the barrel and follow him.
The wine barrel jolted Hua Zhu Yu, apparently, it was again put down on the ground. The sound of orderly footsteps grew distant, it seemed that those men had retreated.
Silent
No movement was heard, it seemed nobody outside.
Hua Zhu Yu quietly lifted up the lid of the barrel a little, squinted her eyes as she looked outside. It was a big tent. The tent was gorgeously furnished. There was a reddish brown long table with a bronze incense furnace on it. The incense furnace which was engraved with vivid and life-like dragon faintly sent out a wisp of smoke that gently curled upwards.
Whether it was in Southern Dynasty or in Northern Dynasty, besides emperor, only crown prince who could use things carved with dragon. This must be Xiao Yin’s tent. Her heart chilled slightly.
Her eyes swept around and found no one inside the tent. Just when she was about to climb out of the wine barrel, suddenly she heard a burst of multiple footsteps approaching the tent. Hua Zhu Yu hurriedly closed the barrel lid over herself again and listened closely.
The footsteps already entered the tent. Obviously there were several people there but no one spoke, making the atmosphere very intimidating.
“Zhang Xi, bring out the topographic map.” An indifferent voice with a hint of coldness spoke.
Xiao Yin, he returns so soon.
“Yes, Your highness!!” a slightly familiar voice answered.
“Your highness, is Marquis of Ping Xi, Hua Mu, really that difficult to deal with?” A loud, rough voice asked. It was Da Qi’s voice.
“Hua Mu is indeed not easy to deal with, but now he is missing a capable man, his army’s strength weakens a lot. So, we might have chance of winning.” Xiao Yin said lightly.
“Your highness, who are you referring to?” Da Qi asked.
“His highness is referring to a young general in Hua Mu’s army, Silver Face Asura, Ying Shu Xie. A man in his platoon who named Sha Po Lang is a gallant fighter. Moreover, it is said that, along with his 4 guards who called Ping, An, Kang and Tai, if the enemies troops meet them, will never be safe and sound.” again, another unfamiliar voice spoke.
“Is that Silver Face Asura very formidable, let me take care of him.” Da Qi exclaimed.
“I am afraid you don’t have that chance in your lifetime! He was already defeated at the hands of Zhang Xi. He is dead. It is just that, Zhang Xi, I am skeptical, has he truly been killed by you?” that voice said doubtfully.
“Humph, not even able to beat Zhang Xi, what Silver Face Asura” Da Qi scoffed coldly.
“Indeed, he was hard to deal with, I was merely lucky to be able to defeat him.” Zhang Xi said in a low voice. In fact, until now, he still did not quite believe he had killed that white-robed young general.
“Even though he is gone, but his subordinate, Sha Po Lang, a vanguard in Hua Mu’s army, still is not easy to deal with” Xiao Yin said. Changing the topic all of a sudden, he asked “What is that?”
“It is a fine wine which just arrives, it is said that it is newly brewed wine from royal winery, so this subordinate then orders people to bring it over to your highness, does you highness want to try? It is said that it is really delicious.” Zhang Xi explained. A sound of footsteps came toward Hua Zhu Yu.
Hua Zhu Yu’s heart sighed. What a bad luck, really can’t hide anymore. This Xiao Yin, studying topographic map, then just study the topographic map, drink what fine wine?
Suddenly, a bright light hit her eyes, the barrel lid was already opened.
“*surprised* Who are you?” a maid who opened the lid was unexpectedly quick-witted, she pushed the barrel. Hua Zhu Yu had no enough time to stand up, the barrel already fell, she rolled out of the barrel. Subsequently, she heard a sound of swords drawn from their sheathes. Countless swords were already placed on her neck.
“It is indeed a fine wine ah” Xiao Yin’s voice came coldly from behind. Cold, murderous tone could be heard in his voice.
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