Repeatedly broken branches

Deng Yizhi clung tightly to the tree trunk in front of him, glancing down every now and then. He had been afraid of heights since he was a child; even looking down from the city wall made him dizzy, let alone these tall trees. The thin tree trunk under his feet snapped and fell with a creaking sound. His legs went weak, and he looked at Yu Yanjing, who was fighting a guerrilla war with the people below, and said in a trembling voice.

"Aya, you'd better finish this quickly, I'm afraid of heights."

Yu Yanjing raised an eyebrow. He was afraid of heights. This was the first time he had ever seen a man who was afraid of heights. He chuckled to himself. Deng Yizhi not only had a personality, speech and actions like a woman, but he never expected that even his fears would be so womanly.

He impatiently shouted to the people below who were still firing arrows, "My friend is afraid of heights, so I'm not going to bother you anymore. I'm leaving first!" After saying that, he put his arm around Deng Yizhi's neck and easily moved through each tree trunk. In no time, he disappeared from sight.

Those below who were still firing arrows couldn't help but stare in disbelief as they followed Yu Yanjing's figure. It was the first time they had ever seen someone with such superb lightness skills, and they were filled with admiration.

They seemed to have forgotten their mission; for a moment, not a single one of them chased after them.

Yu Yanjing's toes landed on the roof of the dilapidated temple, and she released Deng Yizhi. Deng Yizhi lost her balance and almost fell off.

Yu Yanjing was quick-witted and pulled him back. He thought to himself, "Weak, too weak. If I didn't have a business mind, I wouldn't want to be friends with someone like this."

Deng Yizhi looked at Yu Yanjing gratefully and said, "Thank you, Young Master Ling, for saving my life. I have no way to repay you. If you ever need my help in the future, I will definitely die for you."

Yu Yanjing smiled and said, "You should be more worried about your family..." His gaze drifted towards the city, and he said meaningfully.

Deng Yizhi's heart skipped a beat; how could he not have thought of that?

If Yin Fu'an had already intended to kill him, and had sent someone to assassinate him today, what about his own family? How could Yin Fu'an possibly let his family go?

He's already being hunted down by Yin Fu'an's personal guards, so what about his family...?

He panicked, clutching Yu Yanjing's sleeve, and pleaded in a hoarse voice, "Young Master Ling, please, save me..."

When Yu Yanjing and Deng Yizhi arrived at the Deng residence, it was already engulfed in flames, and the two guards at the gate had their throats slit and lay on either side of them.

Deng Yizhi ran into the courtyard like a madman. The huge courtyard was filled with the corpses of the servants and maids who used to smile. Their faces were now contorted with horror, unable to believe what they had just experienced.

Siwan, Father, Mother.

Deng Yizhi rushed into Deng Yun's study and saw his parents lying on the ground. Deng Yun's eyes were closed, and a line of bloody tears flowed from his eyes. When he died, he was tightly holding his wife's hand. Deng Yun's wife, Pan, had blood spilling from the corner of her mouth, and her eyes were wide open, staring intently at the cabinet.

Where is Siwan? Siwan has disappeared.

Before Deng Yizhi could even cry for his parents, he got up and searched everywhere for his daughter Siwan's small figure, but he couldn't find her anywhere in the entire house.

The most heartbreaking thing is that no one in the Deng family survived. Even the servant's pregnant wife was stabbed in the stomach, and the child in her womb could not escape Yin Fu'an's killer.

Beast, utterly beastly.

Yu Yanjing stood there, his heart filled with mixed feelings. Although he was an emperor and was inherently cold-blooded and ruthless, he could never bring himself to use such methods to slaughter a family. Yin Fu'an was simply disregarding human ethics.

"We can't find Siwan. Where did she go?"

Deng Yizhi couldn't imagine how terrified and desperate a child not even two years old must have felt, witnessing the murder of her entire family of dozens. She didn't even know if she was alive or dead, or where she was.

Deng Yizhi took one last look at his parents before he and Yu Yanjing prepared to go find Siwan.

"and many more."

Yu Yanjing recalled that Pan's eyes had been fixed on the cabinet next to her and she wouldn't close them, so there must be something fishy about it.

He went up and opened the cabinet. Inside, a little figure was sleeping soundly, embracing a rag doll made by his grandmother.

Deng Yizhi breathed a sigh of relief, took Siwan out of his arms, and looked at the child in his arms with pity and heartache. Now, only the two of them were left in the entire Deng family.

The scene of people running around the Deng family's house in the past will never be seen again.

Deng Yizhi knelt before his parents, holding Siwan in his arms, and kowtowed three times. "Father, Mother, your son will avenge you. May you protect Siwan from the afterlife so she can grow up safely. Your son will bring Yin Fu'an's head to pay homage to you... Father, Mother, it is my fault for being unfilial, for dragging you and the entire Deng family of over fifty people into this mess... I am unfilial for not letting you enjoy your old age in peace, I am unfilial for not being married yet, Father, Mother..."

Yu Yanjing coldly interrupted him, "Alright, why aren't you leaving? What if someone else comes? There's no time for sentimentality here!"

Deng Yizhi was heartbroken, unable even to take his parents' bodies with him, leaving them lying there alone, unburied...

He is truly unfilial.

Have you thought about what to do next?

On the carriage heading towards Chaoyang, Yu Yanjing glanced at Deng Yizhi, who was holding a child and looked utterly dejected with empty eyes.

Deng Yizhi shook his head blankly, "From now on, I'll rely entirely on you, Your Majesty."

Yu Yanjing patted his shoulder and comforted him in a low voice, "You have to pull yourself together. Don't you want revenge? I will help you, but I don't want to help someone who is in a daze."

Deng Yizhi forced out a smile that was more like a grimace, his voice almost silent, "But what can I do... what can Siwan do... Your Majesty, how can you help me? He is the emperor of Jiuguang Kingdom."

“He is Xiaozhi’s father’s killer, and Xiaozhi’s father is also my father-in-law, so he is also my enemy. Tell me, should I kill Yin Fu’an? Killing a person is as easy as crushing an ant in my eyes, and Yin Fu’an is nothing.”

Yu Yanjing said through gritted teeth.

Deng Yizhi looked out the window. Could it be Zhou Tingxi next? Zhou Tingxi had already been sent to the desert, and he had no one left to protect him. If Yin Fu'an wanted to make a move, it would be even easier.

I hope his family is safe and sound.

……

"General, I have something to report." Wei Hao stood outside the tent, hesitant to go in and meet Zhou Tingxi. He was uneasy and looked anxious.

Zhen Xun, standing to the side, was also puzzled. Why did Wei Hao rush back from outside without stopping after receiving the message? What had happened that made him so anxious, without even saying anything?

"come in."

Wei Hao lifted the curtain and went in. He stood in front of Zhou Tingxi, head bowed, as if a stone was stuck in his throat, and he couldn't speak.

Zhou Tingxi looked up. "What is it? Tell me."

What could be bigger or more troublesome than his own mother secretly arranging a marriage for him? He's gotten used to it by now.

"Young Master Deng, his entire family was slaughtered, not a single one survived..."

Zhou Tingxi was taken aback, staring at Wei Hao in disbelief, his brows furrowed as he asked, "What did you say? Who slaughtered him? And how is Yizhi now?"

Wei Hao, looking flustered, said, "It's... Your Majesty, Young Master Deng has escaped with Miss and... the Emperor of Chaoyang Kingdom."

Chaoyang Kingdom? Yu Yanjing? Xiaozhi?

He had no idea how Deng Yizhi and Yu Yanjing had come to know each other.

Even Deng Yizhi's unassuming and unambitious nature was remembered by Yin Fu'an. So what about him? He has countless military achievements, holds military power, and guards the desert. Every single one of these things is a major concern for Yin Fu'an.

Stranded in the desert, he was utterly powerless to protect his mother, far away in Jiuguang, and the entire Zhou family. How could he escape? How could he...?

If he goes back now, the news will reach Yin Fu'an's ears before Jiu Guang arrives. What if Yin Fu'an is not ready to take action but has the idea to do so after hearing this news?

“General, Yin Fu’an doesn’t treat you brothers at all. Young Master Deng did nothing wrong, yet he still killed you. I heard he even killed a pregnant woman. He’s a heartless bastard. You might as well use your military power to turn him against us. I will follow your lead!”

Zhou Tingxi sneered, "I only have one-third of the military power left now. The rest has been returned to Yin Fu'an, and I also gave the military seal of the Snow Region Kingdom to Xiaozhi as a wedding gift. What do you think I have left now? I have nothing..."

Upon hearing this, Wei Hao felt a chill run down his spine, but he still confidently declared, "Then take the rest of the military power and march back! This land rightfully belongs to you!"

"Yes!" Zhen Xun, who had been listening outside for a long time, walked in and said angrily, "This is simply the kind of thing a grandson would do. They cross the river and then destroy the bridge. I would rather die than serve such a monarch!"

Zhou Tingxi wavered, but he had to move his mother away first, and the rest of the Zhou family should also be dismissed, before he could do what he wanted to do without any distractions.

As for Ouyang Meixi, she should go where she belongs.

"Wei Hao, Zhen Xun, come here..."

After discussing it with the two of them for a while, Zhou Tingxi told them to go and do what they were supposed to do.

"Lord Zhen, Lord Wei, where are you going?" The soldiers guarding the checkpoint stopped Wei Hao and Zhen Xun, who were riding their horses and about to enter the pass.

Wei Hao stood in front of Zhen Xun, whose face was completely covered by a piece of cloth on her armor. Zhen Xun kept her head down and did not make a sound.

"Lord Zhen has contracted a cough and must return for treatment. This disease is contagious, so the army is in a state of panic. We must take him to the Central Plains for medical treatment!"

The guards were so frightened that they quickly covered their mouths with their hands, but still glanced at Zhen Xun warily. "Lord Zhen, please show me your face. It's just a routine matter."

"Cough cough cough cough cough cough cough." Zhen Xun began to cough violently, so much so that he couldn't straighten up and squatted on the ground.

Wei Hao scolded, "This is a contagious disease. What are you looking at? Don't you think about yourself or the other brothers?"

The other guard was terrified and quickly said to the guard who was about to check, "Yes, yes, Lord Wei wouldn't lie to us. Lord Zhen looks very ill. Let's let them in quickly. We can't afford to delay his treatment."

"Alright, gentlemen, please go in." Although the soldier was still shaken, he let them through.

Wei Hao and his men dared not delay and traveled day and night until they finally arrived at Jiuguang. This was the first time they had come here as deserters, and everything seemed particularly dazzling.

"General, why don't you go in?" Wei Hao looked at Zhou Tingxi, who stood silently at the entrance of the Zhou residence, lost in thought.

Zhou Tingxi didn't know how to bring it up, how to tell his mother that he had deserted and that they should run away together. His family had been in the military for generations, how could he possibly say such a thing?

Xue is also the daughter of a military family. If she learns that Zhou Tingxi has defected, how could she be willing to run away with him? And what about Ouyang Meixi? How should he settle her?

One thing after another was giving him a headache, making it hard for him to breathe. How could he possibly have the courage to step into his house?

"go in."

Zhou Tingxi pushed open the gate of the house. The courtyard was deserted and quiet. There were no servants to be seen, not even a maid.

A chill ran through him. Had Yin Fu'an made his move before he returned? Impossible. He returned as Zhen Xun, and Zhen Xun was the one who impersonated him in the military camp. It was impossible.

"General, why is it so deserted? Where are the others? Where are the old lady and the madam?" Wei Hao asked, looking at the quiet courtyard.

Zhou Tingxi strode to Xue's courtyard, where he saw four people: Xue and Apu, Ouyang Meixi and Jiao'er. The four of them were embroidering handkerchiefs, laughing heartily. Xue was laughing so happily.

He rarely saw his mother smile like that.

"Tingxi, why are you back?" Madam Xue looked at him, her joy deepening. She quickly walked to his side and patted the dust off his clothes.

Looking up, Ouyang Meixi saw that the handsome and spirited young man standing in the distance was her husband, the hero who guarded the desert, Zhou Tingxi. She lowered her head shyly.

Zhou Tingxi remained expressionless and asked calmly, "Why are there only four of you? Where are the others?"

Madam Xue calmly said, "The Deng family is already in such a state, who knows when it will be our turn. Those servants and maids are always living in fear, so I simply dismissed them all to avoid bothering me. Don't worry, Jiao'er and Apu can take good care of us. Why did you come back?... You came to see Meixi, right?"

Zhou Tingxi was taken aback. "No, I came back to take a look." For some reason, he couldn't bring himself to say the rest, and he didn't want to say these things in front of Ouyang Meixi, an outsider. One should always be wary of others.

"You've come back to see Meixi, haven't you?" Madam Xue's eyes brightened a bit, and she called over Apu before turning to go out and do something.

Zhou Tingxi called out to her, "Mother, where are you going?"

“Your mother has her own things to do, so don’t worry about her. Spend some time with your wife; she misses you terribly… Ah Pu, let’s go buy some dragon and phoenix candles, and what else… Oh yes, longan and red dates…” Madam Xue pulled Ah Pu along happily.

Ouyang Meixi and Zhou Tingxi were left staring at each other, speechless. Jiao'er, who was standing nearby, couldn't bear to watch any longer and quickly helped her to her feet...

Half-heartedly, Ouyang Meixi walked up to Zhou Tingxi, mustered her courage, raised her head, and called out in a soft voice, "General."

Zhou Tingxi didn't speak, or even look her in the eye. He just looked at the ground and said, "Go back. I know you were forced by your family. I'll let you go. I'll tell everyone that it was all a farce created by my mother."

His voice was calm, as if it were all the most ordinary thing in the world.

Within a few miles, or even a hundred miles, should we go and see if there are any families where a daughter is sent home exactly as she was after marriage? What do you mean by being forced...? She was willing. Even if her family hadn't forced her, she would have willingly married Zhou Tingxi because he was truly good, so good that even if he didn't have feelings for her, she could accept it.

If she were really sent back like this, she and her family would have no face to live in the world anymore.

General, do you really hate yourself that much?

"General, I am willing... willing to marry you, I'm not forcing you..."

Her voice was so soft that only she could hear it. She was a young woman, and she was thin-skinned. How could she say such shameless things?

Jiao'er couldn't stand it anymore. She looked straight at Zhou Tingxi and said, "General, my lady has never done anything to wrong you. She treats the old lady like her own mother. Why are you so heartless, even though this is the first time you've met?"

Faced with his daughter's accusations, Zhou Tingxi was not angry, and was even unmoved, because he was strong enough. If he could easily feel pity, how could he lead troops into battle?

Moreover, Ouyang Meixi was just a stranger to him. How could he have any special feelings for a woman he had never met?

“I will take all the blame on myself. You are still a pure and innocent girl. There is really no need for you to stay with me. I already have someone else in my heart. I will never marry again in this life! Besides, there is only one person in my heart in this life. It is impossible for anyone else to come into my life. You should leave.”

Zhou Tingxi put down those words, turned around, and prepared to leave. He had said what he needed to say; whether Ouyang Meixi listened or not was up to her.

"General, I don't care!"

Ouyang Meixi's voice was exceptionally loud, so loud that everyone present could hear it clearly. She was a woman who had always spoken softly and weakly since childhood. Now, in front of him, what image of a well-bred lady could she possibly have?