Chapter Forty-Seven: Storming the Village for Grain
The Crown Prince rose to his feet, his expression grave, and clasped his hands in salute. “So I must trouble you once more, Miss Yu, to stay here and keep watch over my sister and the remaining provisions. Chang’an and I will take some men to the bandits’ lair and seize back the grain.”
“No!”
Gu Li immediately shook her head in protest. “Those mountain bandits are cunning and treacherous. You’re injured, and unfamiliar with the terrain. How can you rush in so recklessly?”
Her words made sense.
All the more so, given the Crown Prince’s unique status—how could he venture alone into a den of thieves?
Lie Chang’an said solemnly, “I’ll go alone.”
“No!”
“No!”
The words left both Gu Li and Yu Yang’s lips at the same time. They exchanged a glance, and for a moment the atmosphere grew strangely silent.
The Crown Prince coughed awkwardly and hurried to explain, “Indeed, it’s not possible. It’s too dangerous for you to go alone. If you’re surrounded, you won’t be able to fend them off or escape.”
Yu Yang raised her brows slightly and spoke calmly, “In that case, I’ll go with Chang’an.”
Gu Li froze, her hand at her side unconsciously tightening.
When had Yu Yang started calling him Chang’an as well?
Although Lie Chang’an felt it was no trouble to go alone, seeing everyone object, he realized that going with Yu Yang was, indeed, the best arrangement. He no longer insisted, and nodded. “Very well. You, young master and miss, stay here. Miss Yu and I will go to the stronghold to scout things out. We’ll take part of the soldiers to wait at the entrance, and the rest will remain here to protect you.”
Having given his instructions, Lie Chang’an gathered some of the rested soldiers, and together with Yu Yang, followed the tracks left by the wagons up toward the bandit stronghold.
Gu Li stood by the carriage, watching the pair—man and woman—walking shoulder to shoulder as they gradually disappeared from sight. She suddenly hated herself for never learning martial arts alongside her brother, the Crown Prince, when they were children. At such a crucial moment, not only could she not fight by his side, but she became a burden.
For the first time in her proud and noble life, the princess felt a deep sense of dejection.
Lie Chang’an and Yu Yang did not return, not even as sunset approached.
Gu Li was filled with anxiety, unable to sit quietly in the carriage, and instead stood with the Crown Prince under the trees, gazing in the direction they had gone.
“Brother, do you think they’ll be all right?”
Gu Li clutched her handkerchief tightly, biting her lip, her delicate face drained of color.
“They will. Don’t worry, both are highly skilled in martial arts. General Chang’an has fought on the battlefield and faced enemy troops—he can surely handle a few bandits.”
Though the Crown Prince spoke to soothe his sister, as time slipped by, he too became increasingly uneasy.
After another quarter of an hour, finally there was a commotion in the distance. Soon, a soldier came running over to deliver a report.
“Your Highness!”
The soldier knelt on one knee and saluted. “General Chang’an and Miss Yu have captured the bandit chief and his lieutenant. They are now escorting three thousand dan of grain back here.”
The Crown Prince and Gu Li were overjoyed at the news, both sighing in relief. Jasmine and the two maids who had been waiting with bated breath could not stop themselves from clutching one another’s hands in delight, their tears turning to smiles.
“Release our chief and his lieutenant, now!”
At that moment, an angry shout rang out from ahead. Gu Li and the Crown Prince looked over, and saw General Chang’an and Yu Yang each holding a sword to the bandit chief and a burly, bearded man, escorting them back. Meanwhile, the soldiers pushed carts laden with grain toward them.