Allure of a Country Maiden-Chapter 1251 - 1248_1

The twelfth month of the year, the weather was exceptionally cold, and it even started to rain recently!

After discussing with everyone, Shangguan Xuanyi decided to mobilize the troops on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month.

Since Shangguan Ruixi did not return to the Imperial Capital, before Shangguan Xuanyi sent out the troops, he dispatched Feng Sheng to secretly escort Princess Ling’er and Shangguan Wanru back to the Imperial Capital.

To prevent any mishaps, Xiao’er helped both of them apply make-up so well that they were unrecognizable to the average person.

When Xiao’er heard that Shangguan Ruixi had arrived, she harshly berated Shangguan Wanru and even slapped her twice. Shangguan Wanru cried non-stop and after waking up the next day, she stopped talking completely!

Perhaps the shock was too much for her. Hence, she was constantly submerged in her thoughts, refusing to respond to anyone who tried to converse with her.

Xiao’er knew that she was unable to overcome the mental hurdle but hoped that she would sober up and repent, as there were still many people in the world who loved her.

However, who really knew what fate awaited her once she returned to the Imperial Capital?

The person who had stolen their battle plans and provisions was her. Even if they could forgive her, the ministers of the Imperial Court and the soldiers would not!

Even though Prince An had already surrendered his fiefdom as compensation, compensation did not mean punishment could be avoided!

As for Princess Ling’er’s child, after her return, Princess Ling’er, not knowing how to care for a child, accidentally suffocated her. The next day, the child was no more.

Brought to tears by this tragic event, Princess Ling’er became somewhat deranged.

Everyone in this world has their own fate, every step they take paves the way for their future.

...

Di Shaowei led his large army and once again, sounded the call to arms.

Di Shaowei, Shangguan Xuanyi, Shangguan Xuanjun, and Feng Qing divided their forces into four, marching towards Pingyao County for battle.

Not long after they began their siege on Pingyao County, Brother Ri also led fifty thousand soldiers to begin the battle against the soldiers from Nangong Country in Bijiang County.

Xiao’er did not participate in this battle, but news was sent back each day. Xiao’er knew they were doing well.

Shangguan Xuanyi sent Xiao’er a message by carrier pigeon, stating that the army was preparing to capture the city on the twentieth day of the New Year.

The assault on Bijiang County by Brother Ri was also going smoothly. He too planned to capture the city on the twentieth day of the New Year and then return to celebrate New Year with Yun’er.

With New Year fast approaching, Xiao’er remained in Zezhou to not only assist Jinghao with some matters, but also to prepare for the soldiers’ New Year celebrations.

The war against Nangong Country had nearly lasted a year, and the soldiers could not return home for New Year. Naturally, they deserved some form of consolation.

What’s more, if they cannot return home for New Year this year, it’s likely that they will not be able to do so in the next year either. Hence, Xiao’er planned to prepare a grand New Year’s Eve dinner for everyone.

Although there was much meat in Xiao’er’s possession, she needed an excuse to get it. Hence, she planned to go hunting in the forest with others on the twenty-sixth day of the New Year.

When they return from the hunt, it’s likely that Shangguan Xuanyi and his troop would have achieved a victory. This would be a good opportunity to have a celebration.

For the past few days, cold rain had been falling. Finally, on the twenty-sixth day of the New Year, the weather cleared up.

Xiao’er then decided to go hunting in the forest with a few of the soldiers.

When Xi’er heard about this, she insisted on going along. Shangguan Ruixi and Shangguan Xuanyao had both been assigned to guard Zezhou. Upon learning that Xiao’er was going hunting in the deep forest to celebrate the soldiers’ victorious return, they both wanted to join.

Xiao’er did not refuse them as the dense forest was not far away. The forest was teeming with game so they could return quite quickly.

Xiao’er, leading the group, planned on passing through the grassland of death to reach the dense forest.

The Death Grassland was a place where Shangguan Xuanyi had set up formations, but as soon as Xiao’er stepped into it, she knew something was not right. She quickly shouted, "Stop! Don’t go forward!"

"What’s wrong?" Xi’er asked.

"Brother Shangguan had set up formations here before, but they’ve been changed by someone! We need to leave quickly!" Xiao’er turned and started to leave.

In this world, there were very few capable of modifying the formations set up by Shangguan Xuanyi, and Master Gu Xuan was one of them!

The fact that the formations were changed suggested that it was very likely that Gu Xuan had been here! Or perhaps his people had been here!

Bai Tian also piped up, "Master, you must leave this place quickly! Gu Xuan is nearby!"

After the last fight between Shangguan Xuanyi and Gu Xuan, Bai Tian had deliberately memorized Gu Xuan’s aura. Bai Tian could now sense his nearby presence and quickly informed Xiao’er.

Seeing Xiao’er turn around to leave, Xi’er and the others knew something must be wrong and quickly followed.

But before they had even left the valley, Gu Xuan appeared in front of them!

"Princess Rui, I trust you have been well!" Gu Xan looked at Xiao’er and gave a sinister smile: "This time, you won’t escape from my hands!"

"I have always been well, I just didn’t expect that Master Gu Xuan, despite his severe injuries, managed to stay alive! What a pity!" After saying this, Xiao’er turned to the others and said, "You go ahead!"

"No way!" Xi’er immediately shook her head.

What a joke! She had heard about how formidable Gu Xuan was! Furthermore, Gu Xuan had been aiming to take down her sister. How could she leave her sister behind!

Shangguan Xuanyao and Shangguan Ruixi also shook their heads, saying in unison, "We came here together, how can we abandon you and run away ourselves! That’s just not right!"

"That’s right, we’ll face him together! I don’t believe that we, joined forces, are still not his match!" Xi’er echoed after hearing their words.

Xiao’er felt like they were infuriating her. Were they seriously talking about loyalty at this moment?! Together they were most likely still no match for Gu Xuan!

With them here, she couldn’t even hide in the different space! Wouldn’t that be the same as dying together!

"Go now! Get Brother Shangguan to come and save me! The martial arts of you guys are as weak as kittens, if I have to worry about you guys while trying to escape, wouldn’t we all die together! Hurry up and go!"

"Xi’er, you quickly go and find Sixth Imperial Brother!" Shangguan Xuanyao also chimed in.

Despite the fact that the Sixth Imperial Brother wasn’t back yet, he knew that his martial arts skills were superior to Gu Xuan’s, so he brought him up, hoping to make Gu Xuan hesitate!

"You all go back first, I’ll hold him back!" Xiao’er urged again.

Hearing this, Gu Xuan laughed, "None of you are escaping!"

After saying that, Gu Xuan drew a snake-shaped ancient sword and stabbed it towards Xiao’er!

The child of Princess Ling’er was gone, and the whereabouts of Princess Rui’s children were unknown. The only way for him to get what he wanted from her was to capture her and take her back!

Now that Shangguan Xuanyi wasn’t around, it was a perfect opportunity!

Xiao’er quickly side-stepped Gu Xuan’s attack and flung a flying dagger at him.

Seeing that Gu Xuan made a move, Xi’er and the others drew their swords and attacked him.

Gu Xuan quickly used his sword to block Xiao’er’s flying dagger, and swiftly retreated to dodge everyone else’s attacks.

After Gu Xuan dodged the flying dagger, Xiao’er continued to throw daggers at him.

Unfortunately, the gap in abilities was evident, and all of Xiao’er’s thrown daggers were blocked by him!