What on earth is happening

Cao Qian and his men were lying in ambush three miles away from the Northern Di army camp, waiting for a signal all day without receiving any. He was unaware that the city was in chaos due to Chi Ying's disappearance, and Baili Zan was almost going crazy, forgetting to send the signal in his anxiety.

His deputy returned from outside, worriedly asking, "General Cao, what should we do now?"

Cao Qian was also deeply troubled. As dawn approached, the longer they waited, the more likely things would go wrong. With a grim determination, he ordered, "All troops, break camp and prepare to march out in half an hour!"

Fortunately, Chi Ying's boiling oil strategy had inflicted heavy casualties on the Northern Di army, especially after Baili Zan ordered the burning of the siege engines, significantly weakening their ability to breach the city. This caused the Northern Di army to hesitate throughout the day, otherwise, with fewer than five thousand defenders, Huben Pass wouldn't hold for two days.

Following Cao Qian's command, the two hundred thousand Yanzhou troops raised the "Left" banner, pretending to be reinforcements sent by the Ganzhou governor. Just as the Northern Di army began a new round of attacks, they launched a surprise assault from behind, catching the unprepared enemy off guard. Cao Qian led two thousand cavalry to charge directly into the center, swiftly surrounding the enemy archers and cutting them down like melons and vegetables. When the Northern Di infantry attempted to reinforce, the Yanzhou troops regrouped and charged forward with full force.

"Left Zhijie of Governor Chen Han, here to assist! Please open the city gates!" Cao Qian shouted according to the script prepared by Baili Zan.

The city gates opened, and the Yanzhou troops retreated while fighting, withdrawing into the pass. The Northern Di army failed to breach the city and suffered heavy losses from being attacked from both front and rear, retreating in disarray, leaving behind a field of corpses.

"Thank heavens! Did General Cao receive the signal?" Xu Cheng rushed down from the city wall.

Cao Qian took off his helmet, wiped his sweat, and replied, "No! We waited all day without any signal. I was afraid of delaying the matter, so I ordered the troops to move out. What happened?"

Xu Cheng, looking grief-stricken, said, "Madam is missing!"

Cao Qian's helmet fell to the ground with a clatter.

While the Yanzhou residence was in turmoil, the Northern Di camp was no better. Their initial probing and two failed sieges left General Lubatu utterly frustrated.

"What on earth is happening!"

He had been sitting in his command tent, drinking fine wine and enjoying the company of dancing girls, confidently awaiting news of victory. However, when the news of defeat arrived shortly after deploying ten thousand troops, he almost overturned the table in rage.

The general who led the attack knelt trembling on the ground, recounting the events. Lubatu's eyes almost popped out of his head. "Reinforcements from Ganzhou? Twenty thousand? How could this be!"

The general prostrated himself on the ground, stammering, "Yes! I heard the leader introduce himself as Left Zhijie, a subordinate of Governor Chen Han. Our troops hadn't even formed their lines when they attacked from behind, our archers were almost annihilated, and our infantry suffered heavy losses!"

Lubatu rolled his eyes and passed out, but fortunately, a dancing girl massaged his chest, helping him regain consciousness. "His Majesty said he had reached an agreement with the Central Plains emperor to cede eleven counties of Yanzhou and eliminate the Wu King's forces. Why are twenty thousand troops coming to aid them? What... what is going on here!?"

The strategist beside him remained calm and bowed, saying, "General, these twenty thousand may not actually be from Ganzhou. Perhaps someone is trying to sabotage our alliance with the Central Plains emperor by posing as Ganzhou troops."

Lubatu thought this sounded plausible and stroked his beard in contemplation. "Should we write to the Ganzhou governor for clarification?"

Lubatu shook his head. "That would take too long. If they aren't from Ganzhou, where else could such a large force come from? Geographically, the only place capable of sending reinforcements to Yanzhou is Ganzhou. Otherwise, it would take months to mobilize troops from the northwest of Great Chu. If they aren't from Ganzhou, where did these twenty thousand come from?"

Could it really be Ganzhou troops? Could the Central Plains emperor have conspired with the Wu King to eliminate the Northern Di? The Northern Di strategist was filled with doubts.

At that moment, a camp soldier entered and reported, "General, a convoy has arrived at the southern gate of our camp, bringing several carts of rice and dozens of cattle and sheep, claiming to be a reward sent by the Ganzhou governor on behalf of the Central Plains emperor."

Lubatu's heart bloomed with joy. "Bring their leader to see me!"

Although delayed by a day, Shan Jian's plan was proceeding smoothly. All that remained was to destroy the Northern Di army's food supplies, ensuring their inevitable defeat.

Meanwhile, hundreds of miles away on the official road, Xie Yong was driving the carriage nonstop. Chi Ying had regained consciousness the previous night but was bound by thick ropes, unable to move. She didn't know where Xiaoqiu was or if she was safe.

Xie Yuchan sat opposite her, eating pastries disdainfully while Chi Ying hadn't eaten anything all day. Chi Ying leaned against the side of the carriage, her mouth stuffed with a rag, unable to speak but her stomach growling incessantly.

Xie Yuchan glared at her contemptuously, and Chi Ying calmly returned her gaze. "Why are you staring at me! Lowly creature," Xie Yuchan spat.

Chi Ying had grown indifferent to her repetitive insults and observed her demeanor, trying to deduce their intentions for kidnapping her. Despite the urgency of their escape, Xie Yuchan maintained her pride as a noble lady, still arrogant and showing signs of eagerness and anticipation. Unable to see outside the carriage, Chi Ying couldn't determine their destination, but she knew it wouldn't be anywhere good.

If Xie Yong was indeed feigning surrender, the most likely scenario was that he was taking his sister back to the capital to seek protection from Cui Jie. Given his role as a spy, Cui Jie would likely reward him with years of luxury. However, this shouldn't please Xie Yuchan, who cared only about Cui Yi and her obsession with him. Taking her away from Cui Yi would be worse than death for her.

What did Xie Yong promise her? That they could reunite with Cui Yi in the capital? Unlikely, given the enmity between Cui Jie and Cui Yi. Perhaps he promised they could flee together? But what about Chi Ying? Would she be handed over to Cui Jie for punishment? This seemed the most plausible explanation. Based on her understanding of Cui Jie, he would likely agree to this arrangement but secretly arrange for their elimination.

Such lies would easily deceive Xie Yuchan.

If her assumptions were correct, the carriage should be heading towards Ganzhou, as Xuanzhou was controlled by the Xie family, and Xie Yong wouldn't dare return there.

She hoped to encounter Cui Yi and Sang Duo on their way back. If she were taken back to the capital, she would surely face death.

As if her prayers were answered, around dusk, Xie Yuchan cried and demanded to stop for a meal. Unable to bear her tantrums, Xie Yong parked the carriage near a wayside inn.

"Why can't you make do while traveling? What about the pastries I prepared for you?" he asked.

"They were all crushed and tasted terrible. I threw them out the window," she replied.

"You—!" he exclaimed.

Chi Ying struggled to sit up, searching for sharp objects to cut the ropes binding her hands. Suddenly, Xie Yong lifted the curtain and asked, "What are you doing?"

Chi Ying wriggled like a worm, trying to say something. Xie Yong removed the gag from her mouth, and she immediately asked, "Where is Xiaoqiu? What did you do to her?"

Xie Yong laughed dismissively, "You're about to die, yet you care about a mere maid? I left her at a farmhouse outside the city. Whether she lives or dies depends on her fate."

Chi Ying gasped, realizing Xiaoqiu was probably injured, possibly beaten by Xie Yuchan. "Don't you beg for mercy now?" Xie Yong sneered, seeing the fire of anger in her eyes.

Chi Ying returned his scornful look. "Beg for mercy? From you? Do you think that by drugging me and taking me to the capital, the Emperor will fulfill his promises? Xie Zichang, you're too naive. You're nothing more than a disposable pawn. Do you really think you fooled us with your false surrender?"

"I didn't fake my surrender!" Xie Yong interrupted angrily. "I truly surrendered to the Prince!"

Chi Ying mimicked his earlier dismissive laugh. "Truly? Do you even possess loyalty? You swore allegiance to the Prince when you first arrived, but then you became a spy for the Crown Prince. Now you claim to be loyal to the Prince again. Xie Zichang, how can you fall into the same trap twice? You betrayed the Prince for the Crown Prince, and now you betray the Emperor for the Prince. Such fickle loyalty, combined with your incompetence, makes you expendable. The Emperor, known for his suspicion, won't spare you."

"Shut up!" Xie Yong couldn't take it anymore and stuffed the gag back into her mouth. "It doesn't matter how eloquent you are! At worst, we'll perish together. I may be insignificant, but dragging you down to hell with me makes it worth it!"

Chi Ying rolled her eyes, finding it futile to argue. She recalled how she had defended him in the capital despite Xie Yuchan's provocations and offered him a chance to redeem himself in Yanzhou. Yet, he betrayed Cui Yi and used Lady Ye's cruelty to drive her to despair. Now, he acted as if she were his mortal enemy, beyond redemption.

Xie Yong breathed heavily, his shoulders shaking with rage. Just as he was about to speak, a shrill scream echoed from the direction of the inn: "Ah—!"