CHAPTER 10

Yi Huan lived on Qi Huang Mountain.

Since childhood, her health had been frail, and she would cry endlessly when she was born. A Taoist passing by the Lord’s residence said, “The young lady’s fate is in conflict with the Lord’s residence. She must be raised outside in order to grow up safely. Once she reaches sixteen years old, she can be brought back.”

The old Lord Yi originally didn’t believe this, but later the Taoist left without taking a penny. If he were a fraud, he should have asked for money, but he took nothing, which seemed to show genuine goodwill.

Reluctantly, Lord Yi and his wife sent Yi Huan to Qi Huang Mountain.

It was strange, but once Yi Huan arrived at Qi Huang Mountain, she truly stopped crying and grew up peacefully. Because of this, when Shaji was attacked, Yi Huan survived.

The Yi family was left with only Yi Qiancheng and Yi Huan, who depended on each other. Yi Huan’s health was delicate, and Yi Qiancheng was very protective of her.

Now that Yi Huan had turned sixteen, Yi Qiancheng decided it was time to bring her back to the residence. Things were different now; he had the power to defend the city and protect his sister.

If he were to go to Yingdong, he needed to ensure Yi Huan was well taken care of.

Yi Qiancheng agreed to go to Yingdong, but it was certainly not because of the seven-day return visit. He married Lian Sheng to secure Yingdong. Of course, he had to admit that marrying a Lian family girl for revenge was rather satisfying.

Especially since Lian Sheng was enduring it, forcing a smile on her face. It was truly... just to his liking.

Mr. Fu Yi had discussed with him the best time to take Yingdong. In truth, he could have acted sooner to help Yingdong, but that was clearly not the result he wanted.

Only when someone is in the most desperate situation will they truly appreciate those who help them.

He planned to wait until Yingdong could no longer hold on, and then he would lead his forces to attack the Western Qiang.

Yi Qiancheng was surprised that Lian Qi had held out for so long, it seemed the people of Yingdong weren’t completely useless. The war had come too suddenly, and Yi Qiancheng hadn’t had time to place his own spies in Lian Qi’s army. He didn’t know exactly what the situation in Yingdong was, and by the time Yingdong fell, it would be too late for him to arrive with his forces. Inserting spies would take time, and the best method was to go and see the situation for himself.

Even though he didn’t want to see the Lian family, seeing them beg for help didn’t seem too bad.

He hoped that every member of the Lian family would be as sensible as Lian Sheng.

The one thing Yi Qiancheng couldn’t let go of was his sister Yi Huan. He had calculated the time it would take for Fu Chengyu to return to Shaji, and he figured he could bring Yi Huan back just in time for Fu Chengyu to protect her.

Fu Chengyu was eccentric but highly intelligent, inheriting the wisdom of his father, Fu Yi, yet with a bit more of an edge.

But for now, Fu Chengyu was the best person to protect Yi Huan.

Yi Qiancheng stood beside the carriage waiting for Lian Sheng, and she didn’t make him wait long. After Lu’er helped her get ready, the three of them left.

Lian Sheng was exceptionally beautiful, her steps graceful.

As they walked, several servants couldn’t help but stare at her, dumbfounded, forgetting even to salute.

Xi Yu felt a sense of pride, thinking to herself, “This is how they treat our young lady!” She was eager to see the general’s reaction when he saw Lian Sheng. Lian Sheng’s beauty wasn’t delicate or soft; instead, it was mesmerizing and breathtaking.

Lian Sheng had been raised in the Lord’s residence, receiving the education of a noblewoman. With such a figure, she managed to blend dignity and propriety, never coming across as frivolous. Even other women couldn’t look away, Xi Yu mused, not to mention men.

“Husband,” Lian Sheng curtsied, adhering to her manners in some aspects. She didn’t care about flattering Yi Qiancheng with words, yet her actions had an unconscious sense of distance.

At least, to Yi Qiancheng, if she truly liked him, her actions should match her feelings. Aside from the occasional small gesture, she appeared to the outside world as a standard noblewoman. Her demeanor made him want to tear apart her facade. No one understood better than he did just how thick-skinned Lian Sheng was.

Yi Qiancheng shifted his gaze away from her, suppressing his chaotic thoughts.

His eyes lingered on her face for a moment before quickly moving away, and his heart filled with a bit more annoyance toward the Lian family. With a face that could bring disaster to the nation, he wondered who she would harm next.

Xi Yu, sharper than most, didn’t dare openly observe the general’s expression. She only felt that the general had quickly turned his eyes away and then quietly ordered, “Let’s go.”

Xi Yu was puzzled. Was the general really blind?

When Lian Sheng and Yi Qiancheng had married, their faces were revealed during a blessing ceremony, and soon after, everyone in Shaji knew that their new lady, a Lian family girl, was as beautiful as a goddess.

Thus, during this outing, many of the citizens were eager to catch a glimpse of the lady’s beauty, craning their necks along the road.

The general leading the way was none other than Song Yuan, who didn’t think highly of Lian Sheng. At first, he was stunned by her beauty, but soon he shared his master’s opinion — she was enchanting, a harbinger of disaster.

At this moment, because the citizens were so eager to see Lian Sheng’s beauty, they clogged the road. He couldn’t harm the people, so he had to patiently redirect them, causing a significant delay. Song Yuan couldn’t help but feel even more disgusted with Lian Sheng.

Fortunately, once they reached the outskirts, the crowd had thinned, and their journey sped up considerably.

The forest was quiet, and inside the carriage, Lian Sheng and Yi Qiancheng sat in silence.

Lian Sheng thought for a moment and asked Lu’er, who was outside, to bring her some pastries. The pastries were packed in a small, delicate food box, still warm, containing three-colored delicate cakes—red, white, and purple—blended into one pastry, looking exquisite and unique.

“Would you like to try some, husband? Lu’er made them, and they’re much better than mine. I’m sure they’ll suit your taste.”

“Move it away.” Yi Qiancheng opened his eyes and spoke indifferently.

Lian Sheng was used to being rejected by him, so she simply ate by herself. The journey to Qi Huang Mountain was long, and if they could pick up Yi Huan before dark, it would be a success. As for the “seven days” return visit, neither Lian Sheng nor Yi Qiancheng truly cared about the time. One was concerned about Yi Qiancheng heading to Yingdong to offer assistance, while the other was interested in learning about the war situation in Yingdong.

When they reached the mountain path, the carriage suddenly jolted and came to a halt.

Yi Qiancheng furrowed his brow and lifted the curtain. “What happened?”

“Reporting to the general, the scouts ahead said that a large group of people dressed in black are heading up Qi Huang Mountain,” Song Yuan replied.

“Bring the scouts here. I’ll question them myself.”

“Yes.”

Yi Qiancheng was always cautious, and whenever he traveled, two soldiers would be sent ahead on fast horses to scout.

At this moment, without needing to speak, the scouts carefully reported their findings.

“Reporting to the general, I spotted a large group of people in black halfway up the mountain. They killed the guards at the halfway point, and their movements were swift and organized. I sensed something was wrong and returned to report to the general immediately.”

“Chase them down immediately. Kill them on the spot,” Yi Qiancheng ordered without hesitation.

Lian Sheng was startled by his ruthless tone, then quickly analyzed the situation. A group heading to Qi Huang Mountain? Since only Yi Huan was there, their target must be her.

Yi Huan was just a frail girl, and capturing her was likely a threat to Yi Qiancheng. No wonder Yi Qiancheng had immediately ordered to pursue them and kill them on the spot.

No one would tolerate their family’s safety being threatened.

To catch up with the group of black-clad people, they could no longer use the carriage. They had to abandon it and ride horses instead.

Yi Qiancheng mounted his horse and extended his hand to Lian Sheng. “Get on!”

“Am I going too?” Lian Sheng was a bit surprised that he would bring her along at this time. Oh, no—he had remembered her. How rare.

“The terrain of Qi Huang Mountain is unique, with many twists and turns. I don’t want you to become a threat to me,” Yi Qiancheng said.

Lian Sheng was held tightly in his arms, and the crisp, masculine scent behind her made her feel uncomfortable. The intensity of the scent felt almost invasive, making Lian Sheng want to lower her body and move away.

One of his arms was wrapped around her waist, pulling her back into his embrace, while the other hand held the reins.

“Go!”

The horse galloped wildly. This man rode with a wild energy, and the wind whipped against Lian Sheng’s face. The speed was so fast that she had no time to think of anything else. With a resigned heart, Lian Sheng leaned into his embrace, deciding to accept the situation.

Well, at least she could block some of the wind.

“Stay away from me!” Yi Qiancheng suddenly snapped, his voice sounding a bit strange and awkward. The arm around her waist seemed to want to push her away, as if, if they weren’t on horseback right now, he might just throw her off.

Lian Sheng thought Yi Qiancheng was strange; his temper was so unpredictable. He was the one who had pulled her into his arms, yet now he was telling her not to be too close.

The general’s thoughts were impossible to guess. She bit her lip and straightened her back, trying to move further away from him to avoid the possibility of him suddenly losing his temper and throwing her off the horse.

“Don’t move!” His voice carried a hint of irritation.

Lian Sheng was starting to get angry. He told her to get on the horse—stay away from me—don’t move. What kind of orders were those? They were completely contradictory and nonsensical! And this man, with his authority, just loved to lose control, yet she couldn’t do anything about it.

Lian Sheng thought her patience was probably even greater than that of a turtle. At least when a turtle is poked, it knows to bite back. But with her, she had to ask for help, and she couldn’t even bring herself to bite Yi Qiancheng.

If one day their roles were reversed, she’d make him feel the kind of suppressed frustration she was feeling now.

But for now, she could only think about it. Lian Sheng stiffened her body, not moving or leaning into his embrace. Yi Qiancheng finally quieted down and stopped giving her confusing orders.

Lian Sheng angrily thought, “Thirty years of the east river, thirty years of the west river. If I can turn things around, just wait a few years and see what kind of person he becomes.”