Who says the prince is weak and can't take care of himself?

Tang Ling didn't answer but asked, "Where's Qinglan?"

"I followed another group to Huangting Town to look for you."

"How is Ye Huai's injury?"

"Although the injury is serious, his life is saved. He should rest for half a year and won't suffer any illness."

Tang Ling breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good."

"Can we talk about the King of Chu now?"

"The King of Chu has returned to Shuoliang. It was my request that you come to Jiwei."

Shen Lu frowned. Had the King of Chu returned to Shuoliang? As far as he knew, the battle in Shuoliang was intense, and the commander-in-chief was indeed needed. But Qing Lan had vowed that the King of Chu would rescue Tang Ling and protect him. If he truly cared about him, why would he agree to send him to Ji Wei to face such danger?

Shen Lu found the thatched cottage today, and what surprised him most was that Tang Ling was alone there, her face smeared with powder to feign illness. It was a good disguise, but how could he leave Tang Ling alone? He didn't know martial arts, so what if it was the Zhanshi Office that came?

What on earth is the King of Chu thinking? What is Tang Ling up to?

"What do you want to do, sir?"

"The Occupation Office has been trying to mess with me time and again. They arranged an assassination at Tiger's Mouth Gorge, and now they're trying to use me to threaten my father. This is intolerable. They need to teach me a lesson, don't they?"

"Just us?" Shen Lu thought for a moment, "burned Fu Shouguang's baggage?"

Tang Ling nodded: "Yes."

Shen Lu thought for a moment, then shook his head slightly and said, "Fu Shouguang has an army of 100,000, and he's just recruited 30,000 more. It's too risky for us to go with just these few men. Even if we can burn Fu Shouguang's baggage and food, I'm afraid we won't be able to get far. The Marquis asked me to come and bring you back. Your safety is our top priority."

"I'm not discussing this with you. I've already made all the arrangements. Just leave your people to handle it, just to be on the safe side."

Shen Lu looked deeply at Tang Ling, his eyes revealing distrust. After a long pause, he said, "Since you are determined to vent your anger, then we will obey your orders. However, there are priorities. Sending you back to the Great Zhou is the most important thing. I will arrange for the burning of Fu Shouguang's camp tonight. Please rest assured and leave it to me."

Tang Ling met Shen Lu's gaze without avoiding it. He knew Shen Lu would find a way to escort him back first; this was the military order from his father, Xun Anhou. Just as Zong Sheng only obeyed Qi Xiao, Shen Lu only obeyed Tang He.

But Tang Ling couldn't leave yet. Qi Xiao was still in the new military camp, so he couldn't leave now.

It's ridiculous to think about it. He escaped from Bashan and deliberately hid it from Qi Xiao. Now that Shen Lu came to pick him up, it was the best opportunity to leave, but he was reluctant to leave.

Indecisiveness leads to disaster.

Tang Ling lowered her eyes slightly and touched her wrist. There were teeth marks left by Qi Xiao. He had bitten so hard and so deeply, almost to the point of exposing the bone. The pain had lasted for days, and even the scab hadn't fallen off yet, so there must be a scar. But even without the teeth mark, the mark Qi Xiao had carved into his heart would never fade.

Tang Ling had been separated from Qi Xiao for four months when she left Bashan, but the pain she felt when she saw him again was far less than the pain she felt when she saw him again, because Qi Xiao wasn't there. But now it was different. Qi Xiao was right there with Ji Wei, even by his side three days ago. How could he possibly abandon Qi Xiao in the enemy camp and return to Great Zhou?! He couldn't do it! He couldn't bring himself to do it anymore.

"If I'm not here, the King of Chu's people won't believe you."

"That's fine. Fu Shouguang is recruiting soldiers everywhere now. It won't be difficult to sneak into the new recruits' camp. Then we can find a way to sneak into Fu Shouguang's camp. Don't worry, sir."

Tang Ling raised her eyes and stared at Shen Lu. When their eyes met, it was as if a flash of swords and sabers appeared in an instant, and neither of them gave in.

"Shen Lu, you are my father's deputy general. I can't order you around. But if I don't want to leave, you can't force me to."

Shen Lu raised his hand and pinched his brow, sighing deeply: "Zi Yi, you never act on emotion."

Shen Lu no longer addressed Tang Ling as "Young Master," but instead addressed him by his courtesy name, Zi Yi, the way an older brother addresses his younger brother. It wasn't until Tang Ling's words that no one could force him to leave Ji Wei did Shen Lu suddenly understand why Xun An Hou had ordered him to personally bring Tang Ling back. He had anticipated Tang Ling's actions, and no one in the Xingluo Guard would dare disobey him.

But Shen Lu didn't want to use force to take Tang Ling back. He and Tang Ling were like brothers, and he knew Tang Ling's temper best. No one could force him, otherwise the consequences would be disastrous.

Tang Ling opened her mouth but was speechless. He was acting on his emotions. The Tang Ling of the past would never make such an unwise decision.

"Ziyi, go home."

"You said it was emotional... If I were really imprisoned, and Fu Shouguang used me to threaten my father to withdraw his troops, would my father still be emotional? After losing my mother, after more than twenty years of regret and pain, could he make a wise decision again?"

Shen Lu was stunned. He knew a little about what happened back then, and he had guessed a little, but he never dared to mention it, and Tang Ling never spoke of it either. Shen Lu could never have imagined that Tang Ling would ask him such a question at this moment.

"...You insisted on staying...because of the King of Chu? He didn't return to Shuoliang, but sneaked into Fu Shouguang's camp, right?"

Is the King of Chu crazy?! Why would a prince risk his life?! He shouldn't! But if that weren't the case, what reason would Tang Ling have to insist on staying with Ji Yu?

Tang Ling pursed her lips and didn't answer.

"You treat him...are you going to compare the relationship between the Marquis and you as father and son?" When Shen Lu said this, his voice was trembling. He was suppressing his anger so as not to stand up angrily and tie Tang Ling up directly.

"I will go back. If I were really so willful, I wouldn't have left Bashan at all. My father ordered you to protect me and take me back. I won't make it difficult for you. I'll just wait a few more days. If everything goes well, we can set off back in two or three days."

Shen Lu was very upset and stared at Tang Ling for a long time without saying a word, but Tang Ling did not give in and just let him stare. Shen Lu could not bear it any longer and slammed the door and left.

The thatched hut was old and shabby. Shen Lu swung the door hard and half of it fell off. The whole hut shook and Tang Ling almost thought the house was going to collapse.

"..." Tang Ling sighed silently. Qi Xiao had asked Tang Ling to leave the new recruit camp first, while he blended in. Did he ever consider that when the Xingluo Guards came, Tang Ling might just leave? Without the Xingluo Guards' help, he also forbade Zong Sheng from contacting the Xuanji Camp. Wasn't he afraid of being isolated and losing his life in vain?

If Zong Sheng and Chi Yue had replaced both him and Qi Xiao that night, Tang Ling should have said goodbye to him and left with Shen Lu.

Qi Xiao wasn't a reckless person. Perhaps he hadn't left the barracks to keep Tang Ling? If he hadn't risked his life, why would Tang Ling be so worried and anxious? If Tang Ling had left without saying goodbye again, abandoning him...

Qi Xiao, testing him again...

Tang Ling had been worried for days and hadn't thought about it carefully at all.

At dusk, the golden sunlight spreads across the mountains and forests, creating a scene of peaceful mountains and rivers and quiet years.

Zong Sheng returned. There was one person outside the thatched hut, and two others were well hidden in the nearby woods. If there hadn't been someone outside, he might not have searched the woods so carefully. He didn't know if there were anyone else inside the hut.

If it was someone from the Office of Occupation or Fu Shouguang, they would have taken Tang Ling away directly. So, it was most likely the Xingluo Guard. If they had already taken Tang Ling away and left someone here to wait and catch him, they should have hidden better.

Zongsheng didn't hesitate and limped slowly towards the thatched hut.

When they reached the door of the thatched hut, Shen Lu met Zong Sheng. He looked Zong Sheng up and down. He was an old cripple, so he must have been pretending.

Zong Sheng stared at Shen Lu without saying anything, and Shen Lu simply kept silent. The two of them were in a stalemate face to face until Tang Ling came out after tearing down the half-broken door.

"Zong Sheng, let me introduce you to Shen Lu, my father's deputy general."

Zong Sheng nodded at Shen Lu and walked past him towards Tang Ling: "Sir, I shot a wild rabbit."

Tang Ling smiled and said, "Thank you. I'll help you."

Shen Lu turned his head to look at the two men, his brows furrowed again. The King of Chu's men were indeed arrogant. He walked over and said, "Sir, the people have arrived. We should leave now."

Tang Ling glanced at Shen Lu and said, "It's getting dark. If you want to leave, go on your own."

"Zi Yi!"

Tang Ling said calmly, "I told you, I'm not leaving."

Zong Sheng understood what was going on between those few words and couldn't help but frown and glare at Shen Lu. Qi Xiao had gone mad when he learned Tang Ling had left without saying goodbye. He had finally found her, but she had gone even crazier. If Tang Ling were to leave like this now, he really didn't know how Qi Xiao would react!

Tang Ling took the rabbit from Zong Sheng and said, "Let's roast it quickly while it's still light. I'm starving." Then she turned to Shen Lu and said, "If you stay, I can give you some dry food."

Shen Lu had no choice but to continue standing at the door as a door god.

While Zong Sheng and Tang Ling were dealing with rabbits behind the house, they said, "Master, I secretly visited Fu Shouguang's camp today. They were organizing their troops and seemed to be preparing to move out."

"Return to help Shuoliang?"

"should be."

Tang Ling thought for a moment and asked, "Can I meet Qi Xiao tonight?"

"I will convey whatever you want to say, sir." Zong Sheng had just found out about the situation in Fu Shouguang's military camp and thought that he must meet Qi Xiao at night to inform him of the situation. If Fu Shouguang was going to break camp, then their chance would only be within one or two days, which would be fleeting.

……

Late at night, Qi Xiao quietly slipped out of the new recruit camp and met Zong Sheng at the agreed location. "If you don't come to find me, I will. I already know that Fu Shouguang will be moving out soon. Fu Shouguang's camp has sent people to recruit men from the new recruit camp, and they will incorporate the young and strong ones into the central army to continue garrisoning. Xun Anhou doesn't know Tang Ling's specific situation now, so he dare not act rashly. He has been ambushing in Liujiang, neither advancing nor retreating, giving Fu Shouguang room to breathe. The situation in Shuoliang is urgent, and Fu Shouguang will lead 20,000 elite troops to support. Chi Yue and I will be able to enter Fu Shouguang's camp tomorrow."

Zong Sheng nodded slightly, but his heart grew even more nervous. He asked, "Entering Fu Shouguang's central camp will certainly be much more difficult. How should we cooperate with him?"

"No need to cooperate. Leave two fast horses here, and we will reunite with you after we escape."

"This is too risky. I will go back for you."

Qi Xiao smiled and patted Zong Sheng on the shoulder: "Don't worry."

"Master, the Xingluo Guards are here. One of them is called Shen Lu, the deputy general of Xun Anhou. They want to take you away. Go back and say goodbye to you."

Qi Xiao's face darkened instantly. He sighed silently, shook his head and said, "I can't stop him from leaving. The current matter is more important."

Zong Sheng looked at Qi Xiao and didn't believe what he said that Tang Ling was not as important as the current matter. If burning Fu Shouguang's baggage and food supplies were more important, and destroying Qi was more important, Qi Xiao would not have abandoned the Yaoshan Army in the first place, and only took him and Chi Yue all the way to Huangting Town without stopping.

"The Master said he would wait for you."

"Did he say that?" Qi Xiao's eyes lit up for a moment, then quickly faded. He didn't know if he could still believe what Tang Ling said. He wanted to believe it, but he couldn't control his worry and fear.

If Tang Ling followed Shen Lu back to Zhou Kingdom tomorrow, what would he do? Hate him? Or forget him? He couldn't do either.

"The young master said that he would wait for you to come back. He wanted to see you safe and sound. He also said that if Shen Lu forcibly took him away, he would leave something for you at Bashan. If you still want to see him after seeing the thing, he would wait."

Qi Xiao chuckled: "What if I don't forgive him and don't want to see him?"

"The young master said that he would do what he promised."

Qi Xiao shook his head and didn't ask any more questions.

"Master, I'll go back to the camp for you. You can go and see the young master off. I see that Shen Lu is very tough and the young master is quite helpless."

Qi Xiao lowered his eyes, but still shook his head: "Let him go with Shen Lu. I'm afraid that if I really go back, he won't want to let him go after seeing him."

"Master..."

"It's getting late. I have to return to camp. Get the horses ready. Tomorrow night at the earliest, within three days at the latest."

"……Yes."

Tang Ling didn't sleep at night, waiting for Zong Sheng to come back. He was also secretly hoping that Qi Xiao would switch with Zong Sheng and come back to see him when he knew that Shen Lu was coming to pick him up.

To avoid trouble, the thatched hut was unlit. Shen Lu was completely immersed in darkness, watching Tang Ling sitting on the bed with her knees hugged, waiting motionless. He held it in for a long time, and finally couldn't help it. He said, "Zi Yi, what are you thinking? Is that person so important? So important that you have to disobey the Marquis' orders and risk your own life? But he... is a man!"

"I don't think I need to explain. You wouldn't understand even if I did. And you're not asking for my explanation, are you?"

"Zi Yi..."

"Brother, not everything we do or ask for will have a result. Take my father, for example. He dedicated his entire life to the prosperity of the Great Zhou and the Tang family. As long as he's alive, he won't let go of this responsibility, even if he sacrifices my mother and maybe me, but so what? Even if my father sacrificed everything, he might not be able to maintain peace and prosperity. Even if there are thousands of people, I will go forward, isn't that the truth? Whether it's bravery or stupidity, who can explain it clearly?"

Tang Ling sighed slowly. Shen Lu didn't immediately refute her, but waited quietly for him to continue. Tang Ling called him brother, which meant she cared about their brotherly bond. He wouldn't be so impatient as to even hear him finish his words.

"I used to think I would be like my father, following in his footsteps... I still think so. However, along the way, I met Qi Xiao. Although I couldn't help myself and couldn't go to him, at least I wanted to stay for him for a while. Even if it didn't work out, I wouldn't regret it. At least, I can keep someone in my heart like my father misses my mother, and silently guard him for the rest of my life."

"...Zi Yi... The Marquis certainly doesn't want you to be like him." Shen Lu shook his head helplessly and sighed deeply, "No matter which path or person you take."