PMM - 34

Yi Qiancheng’s journey to Fengmu went even more smoothly than planned. Fengmu was one of the most unique cities, with commerce as its foundation. Before Yi Qiancheng arrived, Mr. Fu Yi had already arranged everything. With the merchants’ support and Yi Qiancheng’s army suppressing the city, taking Fengmu was just a matter of time.

The difference lay in the speed of taking the city. Using military force would be fast, but would inevitably result in casualties. Using strategy to conquer the city would make Fengmu submit without a fight, though it would take longer, and there could be unexpected changes.

Yi Qiancheng looked at the starry sky, his dark eyes deep in thought. Fu Yi walked out of the room, “General, what’s on your mind?”

“Nothing.”

“Today, the merchants sent several beauties to please the general. I saw that your expression changed, and I know you are displeased. You’ve always been strict with yourself, but you usually just laugh it off. It’s the first time I’ve seen you so angry today. May I dare to guess, is it because of your wife?”

Yi Qiancheng’s eyes flickered slightly as he coughed lightly, “What are you talking about, Military Advisor? It’s just that I can’t stand their sycophantic behavior.”

Fu Yi laughed and said, “General, with your current power, who doesn’t try to please you? But we’ve never seen you angry before. When I suggested you marry your wife, I hoped to use the least amount of military strength to take Yingdong and also hoped it would help ease your hatred. It seems now that you’ve let go of some of it.”

Yi Qiancheng was momentarily stunned. It was true that when it came to Yingdong, his heart had calmed significantly. Peace was always better than hatred. Even though his resentment felt like an abyss, he couldn’t bring himself to destroy a city over it.

Thinking of Lin Sheng waiting for him back at Shaji City, Yi Qiancheng smiled faintly. But that little ungrateful woman hadn’t sent him a single letter or even offered a word of concern. Yi Qiancheng felt a little sour and aggrieved in his heart.

He had thought about sending a letter back, but as a man, how could he be running off to send letters to a woman while out fighting wars? He’d rather focus on conquering Fengmu and return home with honor.

“General, what’s your plan? Are you going to attack directly, or wait and see if Fengmu will collapse from within?”

“Now is not the time to attack.” Yi Qiancheng thought for a moment. “Before, Xiang Han sent his subordinates to Fengmu. The two young masters of Fengmu were so frightened, they became very cautious. The more someone fears death, the more guarded they become. If we attack now, we will only increase our losses.”

“I still don’t understand Xiang Han’s intentions. I asked Cheng Yu, and he said that Xiang Han hasn’t made any moves recently. Logically speaking, Xiang Han should know the situation in Fengmu by now and shouldn’t be so patient, but so far, all he’s done is send his punished subordinates to Fengmu. He hasn’t taken any further action.”

Yi Qiancheng still couldn’t guess Xiang Han’s intentions. Although the punished subordinate had caused a temporary disturbance and made the two cowardly young masters of Fengmu more cautious, it wouldn’t stop him from taking the city.

The delay in action now, however, was starting to worry him.

“Military Advisor, have Cheng Yu keep an eye on things. Xiang Han isn’t someone who gives up easily. If anything unusual happens, let me know immediately.”

“Yes, General. I’ll take my leave now.”

“Wait! Hmm... any news from Shaji?”

“None so far.”

Yi Qiancheng pursed his lips. “Got it. You may leave now.”

Lian Qi had left Yingdong, heading to Shaji with his personal guards. Yin Zhou had reminded him multiple times to take care of his health, as his previous injury had yet to heal, and this constant travel would only delay his recovery.

Lian Qi was worried. After Yi Qiancheng had taken Lin Sheng back to Shaji, Lian Qi had sent people to inquire about why Yi Qiancheng was so eager to return, but Yi Qiancheng was tight-lipped and there had been no news. Along the way, Lian Qi questioned people while continuing his journey, and he had a hunch—Yi Qiancheng was probably not in Shaji City.

But this does not mean that Lian Sheng is safe. If the news of Fang Mu’s death reaches Shaji, Ah Sheng will become the target. Lian Qi doesn’t know how Yi Qiancheng will react to Lian Sheng, and he cannot take this risk. He must bring Lian Sheng back before Yi Qiancheng finds out.

Yi Qiancheng’s absence from Shaji is the best opportunity for Lian Qi. The forces at the Shaji City Lord’s Mansion have weakened, so he can take this chance to take Lian Sheng away.

When Lian Qi arrived in Yingdong, he had his personal guards lie in ambush while he disguised himself. Upon seeing the tightly guarded City Lord’s Mansion, Lian Qi furrowed his brows. It seemed unlikely that he could quietly take Lian Sheng away.

He said to Yin Zhou, “Send someone pretending to deliver fresh poultry to the kitchen.” No matter how tight the security, they still need fresh ingredients. If someone is making a purchase, there might be an opportunity.

That evening, Yin Zhou returned, his face grim, and shook his head. “The City Lord’s Mansion is tightly guarded, even the purchases are watched by a team of soldiers. It’s impossible to send a message or swap the kitchen staff without being noticed. I didn’t want to raise suspicions, so I sent them back.”

Lian Qi pondered for a moment, then said, “Prepare to act. Tomorrow night, we’ll go directly to the City Lord’s Mansion and abduct her.”

“Young master, do you think Yi Qiancheng will suspect us?”

“It doesn’t matter. Once Fang Mu is dead, Yi Qiancheng will have no reason to show any mercy. He will definitely turn against Yingdong. The longer Ah Sheng stays, the more dangerous it becomes. We need to get her out first.”

They cannot get into the City Lord’s Mansion, and Lian Sheng cannot get out.

Lian Qi’s unease grew stronger. If… if Fang Mu’s death really has something to do with his father, how will she live with it in the future? Just thinking about it made her feel deeply guilty towards Yi Qiancheng. Lian Sheng glanced at the package on the bed, her heart filled with guilt and sadness.

Liu Mama, now aware of what happened, saw Lian Sheng’s troubled expression and advised, “Miss, don’t think too much. General Song has doubts in his heart and won’t allow you to send a letter. It’s too late for anything now. We should wait for the general to return. You need to take care of yourself, the old woman feels heartbroken seeing you like this.”

“Don’t worry, Mama, I’m fine.” Lian Sheng lowered her eyes and handed the package to Liu Mama. “Please put this away.”

Liu Mama sighed and took the package. She felt sorry for the young lady and couldn’t help but blame Lian Cheng. What kind of father would treat his own daughter this way? Lian Sheng has never had it easy in Shaji. Now, just as she was getting along with the general, this incident happens. It’s fine if Fang Mu’s death has nothing to do with Lian Cheng, but if the general finds out that he is involved, how will Lian Sheng ever face him?

Just as Liu Mama placed the package down, loud noises came from outside. Xiyu, who was making the bed, also heard and said, “I’ll go out and see.”

Lian Sheng furrowed her brows, nodded, and cautioned her, “Be careful.”

Xiyu responded and opened the door, but collided with a man in black. The man had his face covered and, with a sharp glance, knocked her unconscious. Liu Mama screamed and rushed to protect the young lady. But the man in black was quicker, and before she could react, he rushed to Lian Sheng, grabbed her, and began to flee.

“Let go!” Lian Sheng was shocked and naturally struggled, yelling, “Help! Help!”

The man in black sighed softly and whispered in her ear, “Ah Sheng, don’t be afraid, it’s your brother.”

“Brother!” Lian Sheng stopped struggling, unsure of what to say. The chaos outside continued, and Lian Qi nodded to his guards, carrying Lian Sheng out.

Breaking into the City Lord’s Mansion was much easier than he had expected. To ensure Lian Sheng’s escape, Lian Qi had also sent someone to Yi Huan’s courtyard. Yi Qiancheng was more concerned about Yi Huan than Lian Sheng, so he hesitated for a moment and took most of his guards to protect Yi Huan.

Lian Qi was enraged. The precious person he held in his hands was treated this way in Shaji! If he hadn’t come today, wouldn’t Ah Sheng have been in great danger?

Lian Sheng felt uneasy about her brother’s actions, but she was both eager to know what had happened in Yingdong and aware that this wasn’t the time for a conversation. She couldn’t let her brother be trapped in the City Lord’s Mansion. Lian Sheng fell silent as Lian Qi helped her onto a horse.

The sound of galloping hooves rang out, and soon Song Yuan and his men gave chase.

“Master, the lady has been abducted, what should we do?”

Song Yuan’s eyes flickered with hesitation, mixed with intense hatred. He closed his eyes, remembering the general’s last instructions to obey the lady’s and miss’s orders before leaving for battle. Through gritted teeth, he said, “Take people to pursue them! We must not let the thief take the lady away!”

The wind was fierce, and Lian Qi held Lian Sheng tighter in his arms, shielding her from the cold.

Behind them, Song Yuan pursued relentlessly. Lian Qi’s eyes flashed with cold intent, and he raised his hand. A group of men in black appeared as if out of thin air, blocking Song Yuan and his subordinates. Lian Qi spurred his horse, and it let out a sharp neigh, galloping away, soon disappearing into the distance.

Song Yuan saw them vanish and felt both anxious and furious, but these black-clad men were truly troublesome. Their goal wasn’t to hurt Song Yuan but to delay him. With him unable to break free, how could he catch up?

...

“Brother, what are you doing in Shaji?”

Lian Qi noticed that her face was red from the cold and gave her a cloak. He answered, “I was worried about you in Shaji.”

Lian Sheng was stunned, then guessed the meaning behind Lian Qi’s words. “You know that Fang Mu is dead, does his death... have something to do with father?”

Lian Qi had already removed his mask, and a hint of guilt flashed across his handsome face. He looked at Lian Sheng and said, “Ah Sheng, your brother isn’t lying to you. Fang Mu’s death is indeed related to our father.”

Lian Sheng felt as though she had fallen into an icy abyss, her body freezing. The worst of her fears had been realized. She forced herself to ignore her sadness and asked with difficulty, “Why... why did father have to kill Lord Fang?”

Lian Qi shook his head. He had rushed to Shaji as soon as he heard the news and had no time to investigate the situation in Yingdong thoroughly. But Lian Qi, being sharp-witted, could still guess part of the truth. With his father’s character and ambitions, if no one had provoked him, he certainly would not have dared to touch Fang Mu.

There must have been a promise of great profit, and they told him that he would be able to break free from Yi Qiancheng’s control, which led his father to decide to abandon Ah Sheng and collaborate with that person to scheme against Fang Mu.

The only one who could make his father go against the agreement between Yingdong and Shaji would probably be the one on the throne. Lian Qi didn’t want Lian Sheng to get too involved with Liang Zhen, so he decided not to share his suspicions with her. Seeing her eyes reddened, he thought she was saddened that their father had disregarded her safety, so Lian Qi said, “Ah Sheng... don’t be upset. Father was just confused for a moment, and I’ll take you home.”

Lian Sheng took a step back, lifted her gaze to look at Lian Qi, and shook her head, saying, “Brother, I won’t go back. Yi Qiancheng... he’s not in Shaji now, and Fang Mu’s death is suspicious. I can’t let him hate Yingdong even more.”

“Ah Sheng, listen to me. Yi Qiancheng will never let Yingdong off once he finds out about Fang Mu’s death. Your father is involved in this. If you stay here, Yi Qiancheng definitely won’t spare you.”

Lian Sheng bit her lip, instinctively defending Yi Qiancheng, “He won’t.”