Chapter 71 Betrayal
At dawn the next day, when Ji Lingxiu and Chen Chang'an walked out of the inn, the streets of Fengwu City were already somewhat lively.
When the two once again arrived at the gates of the General's Mansion, the guards recognized them, their expressions changing slightly. They did not dare block the way, quickly hurrying inside to report.
Not long after, it was still Liu Xu who came out to greet them, his face filled with a wide smile.
"Your Highness, you have come so early?" He clasped his hands in salute, his expression as respectful as ever. "Did you rest well in the city last night?"
"Not very well." Ji Lingxiu's gaze was slightly cold as she spoke. "General Liu, last night at the inn, I encountered assassins."
Liu Xu froze for a moment, then quickly showed a look of surprise. "Is there such a thing? Fengwu City has always enjoyed excellent security. How could assassins dare act so brazenly and disturb Your Highness?"
He shook his head and sighed, his tone sincere. "Your Highness must have misunderstood. They were likely just some blind thieves attempting to steal in the night."
Hearing this, Ji Lingxiu's lips curled with mockery. "Oh? Then those thieves had rather discerning eyes, choosing only to strike at us."
Liu Xu let out two dry laughs. "Your Highness jests. How could thieves have such judgment? It was nothing more than a blind cat stumbling upon a dead mouse."
Ji Lingxiu silently regarded him, her fingertip gently tapping against the armrest of her seat. "Is that so? Yet those so-called thieves displayed sharp blade techniques and coordinated seamlessly. They looked more like trained death soldiers."
Liu Xu's face was solemn. "Your Highness worries too much. If there were truly assassins, your subordinate would certainly investigate thoroughly and deliver you an explanation."
"Then I must trouble General Liu." Ji Lingxiu's tone was calm as she continued bluntly, "Might I ask if General Fu is present in the mansion today?"
Liu Xu's smile did not falter, and unexpectedly, he admitted directly. "Your Highness comes at the right time. The General returned last night. At this moment, he is inspecting the camp of the Lingtian Army outside the city."
Chen Chang'an raised his brows, glancing at Liu Xu with a faint smile, though he said nothing more.
"Then I must ask General Liu to lead the way." Ji Lingxiu gave a small nod, her tone calm yet leaving no room for refusal.
Liu Xu bowed low. "Your Highness is too courteous. This subordinate will immediately arrange a carriage."
Moments later, a plain carriage rolled out of the city gates, heading toward the Lingtian Army's encampment.
Inside the carriage, each of the three harbored their own thoughts, the air subtle and tense.
Chen Chang'an leaned lazily against the carriage wall, his gaze occasionally sweeping across Liu Xu. The latter maintained his respectful posture, though at times his eyes drifted toward the window, carrying an elusive meaning.
Ji Lingxiu sat upright in silence, her fingertip gently caressing a jade talisman hidden in her sleeve, her mind surging with thoughts.
The carriage swayed gently as the scenery outside receded into the distance.
Her gaze fell upon the distant banners of the Lingtian Army fluttering in the wind, but her thoughts drifted back to a spring day many years ago.
In the imperial garden, the peach blossoms were in full bloom, pink and white petals falling with the breeze, covering the stone path. At that time, she was still young, tiptoeing to reach the highest blossom, when she suddenly heard her father's hearty laughter behind her.
"Lingxiu, come."
She turned to see her father, and beside him stood a young general. His figure was straight as a pine, clad in light black armor that gleamed coldly under the sun.
With sword-like brows and bright eyes, his heroic bearing was unmatched. When he looked at her, his lips curved into a warm smile as he saluted with clasped fists. "This subordinate Fu Yunlan greets Your Highness the Princess."
Her father patted the youth's shoulder, his eyes full of approval. "Lingxiu, this is the husband I have chosen for you. Are you satisfied?"
Her cheeks flushed crimson, and she lowered her head, twisting her robe, yet she could not resist sneaking glances at him. The young general's smile was pure and radiant, as though it could dispel all the shadows of the world.
That was the first, and the only time, she had ever seen Fu Yunlan.
Later, he was ordered to Qingzhou to command the Lingtian Army and never returned. As for her, over the long years, she gradually let that fleeting spring memory fade away.
"Your Highness?" Liu Xu's voice pulled her back to the present. "We are nearly at the camp."
Ji Lingxiu withdrew from her thoughts, her fingertip unconsciously stroking the jade pendant within her sleeve—the token Fu Yunlan had once sent through another when her father granted the marriage.
After so many years, was that man still as gallant as he was in her memory?\
Or perhaps, the years and reality had long since worn away the edge of that youthful brilliance?
The carriage slowed to a halt, and the gates of the Lingtian Army's camp loomed close before them.
Before her thoughts could settle, Ji Lingxiu suddenly felt her wrist tighten—Chen Chang'an had seized her hand in a sudden grip.
"Brother Chen!?"
She was stunned, and before she could react, her entire body was pulled by him into the air!
"Bang—!"
Two fierce spear glows pierced through the carriage like enraged dragons, cold light exploding as shards of wood scattered in all directions!
"My thanks!" Ji Lingxiu quickly regained her senses. Shocked, her heart began sinking deeper and deeper.
"No need." Chen Chang'an's gaze was fixed below.
Two armored soldiers were slowly drawing their long spears back from the carriage.
Blood energy roiled around their bodies, and the spears shrieked sharply through the air. They were clearly nothing like the assassins from last night's skirmish—these were two peak Tongxuan Realm body cultivators!
No wonder no achievement had appeared. So the real trouble was waiting here. He sighed inwardly.
Fortunately, this place was not as far from the valley as before, so he could still maintain his mid-stage Tongxuan Realm cultivation.
Meanwhile, at some point, Liu Xu had already positioned himself at the camp gates. His cold voice rang out through the smoke and dust. "Her Highness the Princess colludes with the demon race and attempts to assassinate His Majesty! Now she dares come to the Lingtian Army to sow rebellion against the General!?"
"Men, seize her!"
The sound of boots thundered as seven or eight soldiers with equally powerful auras rushed from the camp, instantly forming a tight encirclement.
"Go!"
Chen Chang'an growled lowly, dragging Ji Lingxiu as they streaked like lightning out of the encirclement. She glanced back in haste, through the rising dust, and saw in the center of the camp—
A tall figure, straight as a spear, stood with his back to them, drinking alone before the command tent.
It was Fu Yunlan!
Though it was only a fleeting glimpse, Ji Lingxiu was almost certain.
So it was like this—
In her past life, the one who betrayed her had never been just Li'er alone.
Her heart throbbed violently, but in the next instant, Chen Chang'an had already taken her into the dense forest.
Behind them, the blood energy of the pursuing soldiers surged like a tide, while that figure, who never once turned his head, gradually vanished at the edge of her sight.
…
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