Crossing the Mountains

Chapter 92 Speaking freely
Tan Huaike felt something and followed him out.

I saw a group of Zhenxi Army and county magistrate's soldiers walking on the snow. The leader was a general of the Zhenxi Army, and the man next to him was wearing a green robe and a black cloak. He was the only one who was not wearing military uniform and armor, and was quite conspicuous.

——Shentu Zhuo is finally here.

For the past few days, Tan Huaike had been alone with the seriously injured Zhou Wencong, appearing calm but in reality terrified. She worried about assassins pursuing her, about encountering bandits who would make matters worse, about the Third Prince's collapse... As the night deepened, the splattering blood and burning ashes in the river valley gradually overlapped with the scenes in the warm room, leaving her feeling as if she were still trapped in that nightmare, unable to awaken forever.

It was not until this moment, when she saw that familiar figure, that she dared to truly relax her taut nerves.

Before the galloping horse stopped, Shen Tu Zhuo had already turned over. His cloak drew an arc in the air and was taken off by him, and he casually draped it over Tan Huaike.

He asked anxiously, "Are you okay? Are you hurt?"

Tan Huaike shook his head, and his eyes suddenly turned red, just like when he was bullied as a child, and he felt relieved with his grandparents comforting and loving him, and his brother helping him. All the grievances were released.

Shentu Zhuo looked warily at Fufeng who was leaning against the door.

Tan Huaike suppressed his surging emotions and introduced, "This is Doctor Fufeng, who came with the caravan from Wuxu. He bravely saved the life of the Third Prince."

Fu Feng waved his hands and said in poor Daxuan language: "I am not a righteous person. I charge consultation fees for treating patients. You still owe me a hundred strings of silver. Don't think of evading your debt."

With just these words, he transferred Tan Huaike's debt to the government, which was really a gesture of justice to her.

Shentu Zhuo nodded at him and said, "Doctor Fufeng is so kind and righteous. I will definitely double the consultation fee."

At this time, the general had also arranged the camp and guards and came to greet them. Shen Tuzhuo also introduced them: "This is Ling Chuan, the captain of the Zhenxi Army. I am here to meet His Majesty the Third Prince."

Fu Feng interrupted sarcastically, "Oh, aren't you here to welcome the bride?"

"What wedding?" Shentu Zhuo was stunned.

"When I received the order, I didn't believe it. The marriage party had really entered the pass?" Ling Chuan reacted, "We bumped into each other. It saved me a lot of trouble."

Upon hearing this, Shentu Zhuo realized that the Zhenxi Army was hiding something. While he came out to look for the Third Prince, he was also tasked with other unspoken tasks.

Everyone was talking about their own things. Seeing this, Tan Huaike quickly welcomed everyone into the house and sat down to discuss in detail.

The Pu couple had never seen such a scene before, and were so frightened that they were silent. Mrs. Pu almost knocked over the goat milk tea she was holding. Tan Huaike took over the work in her hands and motioned them to wait in the next room, as she would take care of things here.

After a cup of tea, everyone finally understood the whole story.

Zhou Wencong sat on the couch, his face still sickly. Hearing that Aisha was missing, he couldn't help but frown. "The replacement marriage party has just arrived, and at this critical moment, the envoy is missing again. Have they searched the city thoroughly?"

Shen Tu Zhuo sighed, "We're still searching. He's probably in hiding. If an assassin succeeds, they'll definitely make it public and we'll completely give up hope. No news would actually be a good thing."

"No, I have to get back to the city as soon as possible to deal with the aftermath," Zhou Wencong said. "No," Fu Feng pointed at his leg and said, "You'll have to wait a while before you can move your leg. Otherwise, the wound will break and rot again, and I won't have enough flesh to cut out."

Tan Huaike advised, "Why not wait until your injuries are almost healed before returning to the city to avoid suffering in vain? The marriage party is here anyway, and Captain Ling is here too, so we can make more preparations and just make it clear that we are coming out to welcome the bride."

Shentu Zhuo looked at her meaningfully, but Tan Huaike looked back and didn't understand what he meant.

But she soon understood what Shentu Zhuo wanted to remind her.

Ling Chuan said, "It seems that everyone here knows the truth, so I won't beat around the bush. Princess Mo He is dead, and I personally collected her remains. If the Third Prince came to greet her personally, then what exactly did he come to greet her?"

Fu Feng spread his hands and said, "I'm just a doctor accompanying the team. It's no use telling me. We have to wait for our envoys to make a decision. Anyway, the troops, dowry and tribute are all ready. The only thing missing is a princess."

Ling Chuan was a straightforward person. Hearing this, he sneered, "Yeah, all we're missing is a princess. Why don't you send us a princess? After all this trouble, the most important link is missing?"

"From what I know, Princess Mohe has been playing dumb, pretending she didn't know what went wrong with the marriage. Naturally, she won't look for another princess," Fu Feng said indifferently. "I'm also surprised. I didn't see any princess in the caravan. I thought the eldest prince had found one here."

"Have you found one?" Ling Chuan's eyes fell on Tan Huaike, and suddenly he understood. "Oh, I was wondering why there was a young lady waiting in this wilderness. She must be the princess candidate arranged in advance by the Mo He envoy and His Highness the Third Prince. I blame myself for being blind just now. Upon closer inspection, she does bear some resemblance to Princess Mo He."

"No, she is not!" Shentu Zhuo and Zhou Wencong said at the same time.

"Don't be rude." Zhou Wencong added.

"Ah?" Ling Chuan was stunned after being refuted. He looked back and forth at everyone in the room and said belatedly, "Oh, right, I just said that this is the sister-in-law of the Second Master Shentu. Doesn't that mean she is the widowed new wife of Captain Shentu? But is she really..." Receiving Zhou Wencong's reproachful gaze, Ling Chuan went out with his sword slung over his shoulder, "Well, I'll go see if they've set up camp, and then send someone to give the Third Prince some money and herbs."

"I'll tell you what's missing." Fu Feng also went out at the right time, leaving the house to the other three.
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There was silence in the room.

The charcoal basin was burning brightly. Shen Tu Zhuo pretended to be busy and poked the charcoal with an iron rod. He was the first to break the deadlock: "Captain Ling is my brother's comrade-in-arms. He has a straightforward personality and is slow to react, so he can be a bit outspoken."

Zhou Wencong also said to Tan Huaike: "I promised you that I would never bully you or drag you into danger."

Shentu Zhuo added, "This matter has nothing to do with you. No matter how much Aisha threatens you, you don't have to pay any attention to him. Even if this marriage fails, so what? The Grand Herald should be the one to settle the matter with Mo He. Why should an innocent young woman from a foreign race be held responsible? Besides, you are the victim. Both Daxuan and Mo He should compensate you!"

Looking at the sparks rising from the burning charcoal, Tan Huaike pondered for a long time and smiled with relief.

Shen Tuzhuo said nervously, "What are you laughing at?"

Tan Huaike said, "You've come all the way from the city. I want to ask you, after the assassination in the warm pavilion that day, what happened to Lady Bai? Did she say anything?"

Not knowing why she suddenly brought this up, Shen Tuzhuo replied, "She is suspected of being the one who leaked the secrets. Although she has requested to defend herself, because Aisha and the Third Prince are both in danger and the matter is of great importance, the county governor has temporarily placed her under house arrest pending an investigation."

Tan Huaike nodded: "Is it because of those incense pills?"
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　Next chapter: Really? Why don't I feel like it's good for me?
　　(End of this chapter)