Allure of a Country Maiden-Chapter 1250 - 1247_1

In the carriage, after confirming Yun’er had not bled and had taken medicine to ease her abdominal pain, Xiao’er treated the wounds on her palms and knees—the result of a faltering escape.

"Should you find yourself in such a situation again, Yun’er, do not attempt to flee. Wait for us to rescue you, alright? We will always find a way to your side!" Xiao’er vividly remembered the heart-stopping sight of the blade threatening Yun’er’s exposed limb from her vantage point atop the carriage.

"Indeed! We will assuredly come to your aid! Yun’er, promise us you won’t randomly flee next time. You almost scared me out of my wits! What if we were a moment too late, or had not successfully knocked the dagger away with the darts? Your physical state isn’t exactly conducive for running either. For your safety and the child’s, should such circumstances recur, stay put and wait for rescue, understand?"

Upon hearing this, Yun’er shot back reproachfully, "What are you implying with such scenarios? Are you anticipating I’ll be kidnapped again?"

"No, it’s just an example; it’s really dangerous for you to act like this!" Brother Ri hastily explained after misunderstanding her words.

It was preposterous to him that Yun’er could ever be subjected to such indignity once more!

"I overheard that we were in Jiangzhong County and remembered that Minze Country had already conquered Jiangyang County and Jiangdong County of Nangong Country. Therefore, I reckoned we must not be far from these two counties, and since you didn’t search for me for so many days! Initially, I had no clue when you would finally find me, so I attempted to escape on my own, with the intention of seeking help in Jiangyang County."

She could not bank on Brother Ri’s successful discovery of her whereabouts, let alone exactly how long that would take—whether it be days, months, whole years. She simply had no clue!

Running away in Jiangzhong County was the only course of action she had seen as a feasible way out; thus, she took the risk. Perhaps, her traumatic childhood experience of being snatched away induced an intense sense of insecurity.

She feared waiting too long!

Her despair-filled words, "yet you didn’t find me after so many days", struck Brother Ri with a pang of guilt. Although others may be oblivious to Yun’er’s fear, it was unequivocally apparent to him!

Holding Yun’er tightly into his arms, Brother Ri apologized, "I’m sorry! I arrived too late."

Xiao’er gleaned Yun’er’s fear, feeling a deep burden lay heavily on her heart. "Yun’er, we will undoubtedly find you! Big sister will find you promptly, I promise!" she assured.

Yun’er spared her companions a glance at their grave expressions before hastily assuring them, "I understand! I understand that you would have done your utmost to find me! However, I also had to make an effort, to facilitate your locating of me, right? I doubt you’d know that I have been leaving vague clues for you all along the way!"

Swiftly shifting the subject to ease their discomfort, Yun’er described her escape attempt—how she had made a fuss and took advantage of the distracted kidnappers to discard small items from the carriage as breadcrumbs.

Upon hearing this, Brother Ri patted Yun’er’s head, "Fortunately, you disposed of that handkerchief; otherwise, I definitely wouldn’t have located you this swiftly."

Furrowing her brows deliberately at his remark, Yun’er retorted, "Swiftly, you say? I waited till my belly swelled up! If you had come any later, I was planning to give birth and let the child recognize someone else as their father!"

"You dare!" Brother Ri feigned indignation. freēwēbηovel.c૦m

"Why don’t you put that to the test?" Yun’er challenged.

"I refuse! I won’t allow you such an opportunity!" Brother Ri pledged fervently.

Yun’er let out a tender laugh in response, "Good, just as I hoped!"

Watching their affectionate interaction, Xiao’er could not help but smile.

...

Alas, the carriage rumbled on towards Zezhou.

They purchased an additional carriage at a small town midway. Xiao’er had the responsibility of taking care of the child and thus, one carriage became inconvenient.

Because Yun’er was heavily pregnant, they braced for a less speedy journey home. By the time Zezhou came into sight, it was already December! The weather was getting progressively frigid—though no snow fell, frost graced the mornings, numbing their fingers and toes.

Given the harsh weather and growing concern for Yun’er’s pregnancy, and the impracticality of a long journey back to the Eastern Jin Dynasty, especially coupled with Brother Ri’s upcoming leading of the troops against Nangong, they agreed it would be best for Yun’er to stay back in Zezhou for the time being.

With Xiao’er, Jinghao, and Xi’er’s company, she would have no fear of boredom; their care for Yun’er was a comforting reassurance to Brother Ri.

Thus, even while on the road back to Zezhou, Brother Ri sent a message home. He reported that Yun’er had been recovered but presented signs of a troubled pregnancy, rendering a long journey unfeasible. Thus, the decision was made for her to stay in Zezhou until the next year, when she had delivered safely, before returning to the Eastern Jin Dynasty.

After receiving Brother Ri’s missive, Anyi dispatched several maids skilled in martial arts alongside a nanny to care for Yun’er.

When they finally arrived in Zezhou, the individuals assigned by Anyi had been awaiting their return.

Shangguan Ruixi had also arrived in Zezhou, having decided against taking Shangguan Wanru and Princess Ling’er back to the Imperial Capital, and instead waited for Shangguan Xuanyi.

Upon seeing Shangguan Ruixi, Shangguan Xuanyi questioned, "Why didn’t you return to the Imperial Capital? If you leave now, wouldn’t you miss the New Year’s celebration?"

"The heavy snowfall has blocked the roads; we’ll return once the New Year is over. I heard that you were preparing to hit Jiangzhong County—I’ve decided to stay and help! Also, I wish to exact personal revenge by killing Gong Zixuan," Shangguan Ruixi explained. Rather than the true cause for his stay, he harbored a profound desire to eliminate Gong Zixuan personally!

He was thoroughly detestable! He’d deceived Shangguan Wanru so atrociously that his entire family had almost been dragged into the matter! How could he not harbor a grudge?

Only eliminating his enemy personally could mitigate the deep-seated hatred he felt!

While it was impossible for him to carry out this revenge in the Imperial Capital, having arrived at Nangong Country, he had no desire to leave just yet!

He decided during his departure that he’d return only after the death of Gong Zixuan.

Upon hearing this, Shangguan Xuanyi looked at his brother disdainfully, "You’re no match for him!"

"......" Such belittling of one’s aspirations and crushing of their spirit were not to be taken lightly!

Shangguan Ruixi opted to ignore him, lest he be led to question the meaning of life!

Shangguan Xuanyi subsequently dismissed him, preoccupied with the task at hand.

With the imminent attack on Nangong Country, he was inevitably preoccupied!

Shangguan Xuanyi, Shangguan Xuanjun, Di Shaowei, and Brother Ri gathered in the study for a discussion about military deployment.

The New Year was fast approaching, and winning a battle before ushering it in would be quite opportune!

The men dedicated an entire day in the study to determining how exactly to deploy the troops from Minze Country and Eastern Jin Dynasty.

Once a mutual agreement was reached, Brother Ri immediately returned to the Eastern Jin Dynasty to arrange for the military offensive.

Nangong Country

Upon learning of the Eastern Jin Dynasty’s rescue of the Crown Princess from Jiangzhong County, Gong Qinghua swiftly dispatched a carrier pigeon to inform the Eastern Jin Dynasty’s officials and hasty retrieval of the pledged fifty thousand stones of grain!

However, he was a step too late! Brother Ri had managed to report his side of affairs first!

Gong Qinghua was left vexed over a wasted effort resulting in obtaining not a single grain! Upon receiving Zhuge Jinquan’s secret report about the Eastern Jin Dynasty’s imminent attack on Bijiang County, Gong Qinghua was so enraged that he decided to lead a punitive expedition himself!