The direct path from Yuzhou to Yanzhou.
The encampment of the Dragon Riders suddenly found itself under a light drizzle, the fine rain raising a hazy layer of dust from the ground…
It was the precise moment when a group of Dragon Rider guards were changing shifts. Their shoes and socks were soaked, and they had finally endured until this point, looking forward to a peaceful sleep.
It was precisely during the brief interval between the two shifts of guards that a slender figure clad in black slipped through the camp gate.
She moved stealthily towards the location of the main tent…
With a flash, she leaped through the tent flap and into the interior.
She carried a weapon but did not draw it immediately. Instead, she searched near the bed within the main tent for Lu Yu!
This main tent was indeed Lu Yu’s command post.
“Where is he?”
“Why isn’t he here!”
A soft murmur escaped her lips. Suddenly, the flame of the candle in the black-clad woman’s hand flickered. With her keen sense of smell, honed by years of martial arts practice, she immediately realized someone was behind her.
She swiftly drew her sword, a cold glint piercing the darkness. It clashed against Dian Wei’s twin halberds, creating sparks in the gloom with a clang.
Dian Wei’s halberd techniques combined strength and agility, his attacks fierce. The black-clad woman’s swordplay was equally nimble. Sword light and halberd shadows intertwined in the candlelight, brilliant as flying snow.
“For a young lady to dare attempt to assassinate the Marquis of Southern Hunting, your courage is truly audacious.”
“I am not attempting an assassination! I merely…”
Dian Wei and the black-clad woman exchanged a few words… but the woman seemed to have something unmentionable on her mind.
Dian Wei held his twin halberds across his chest, casually blocking the woman’s fierce attack. Uncharacteristically, he remained on the defensive today!
“Heh…”
Dian Wei sneered, his tone chilling, “The Marquis foresaw your arrival. Go back, lest your identity be revealed and both you and the Marquis be embarrassed!”
With a twist of his wrist, Dian Wei abruptly shifted from defense to offense, thrusting at the black-clad woman again.
The woman did not linger to fight. Seeing that Dian Wei had intentionally let up, she gracefully turned and fled the scene.
However…
She noticed that a small scroll of “paper” had somehow appeared on her wrist. Dian Wei had slipped it to her during their earlier exchange!
A moment later…
The area fell silent again. Torches were lit outside the tent… a young gentleman, escorted by a group of Dragon Rider guards, slowly entered.
“Commander Lu!” Dian Wei said with a cupped fist salute…
“You gave her the note?” Lu Yu inquired.
“Yes!”
“Did you harm her!” Lu Yu asked again.
“Rest assured, Commander Lu. However, I observed that the woman did not carry any weapons when she entered the tent, suggesting she wasn’t here to assassinate His Highness. In that case…” Dian Wei scratched his head, “Then… why doesn’t His Highness sit down and talk with her? Perhaps… the misunderstanding could be resolved.”
This…
Dian Wei’s words gave Lu Yu pause.
But in the end, he still shook his head.
“This misunderstanding might be difficult to clarify!”
Lu Yu sighed helplessly. Ma Teng was assassinated, and recently, Ma Tie had also met with misfortune. All fingers pointed towards Great Wei, towards the King of Wei…
What explanation could he offer?
Furthermore, considering Lu Yu’s and Ma Yunlu’s identities, a hasty meeting would only increase their mutual awkwardness!
Only time could prove everything…
At least, Lu Yu had already dispatched Yang Xiu to investigate the matter.
Yang Xiu was intelligent, astute… and also resolute and bold. He was likely to uncover any clues related to this incident.
“Alas…”
Lu Yu sighed deeply. Unifying the world… it seemed, was not as simple as he had imagined.
Just as he was thinking this.
“Report…”
A Tiger Guard soldier burst into the main tent, cupping his fist and presenting a letter. “Urgent dispatch from Xudu, sent by Miss Cai…”
Miss Cai?
Sister Zhaoji?
Lu Yu was taken aback. If it were a letter from anyone else, he wouldn’t have been so nervous. But a letter from Sister Zhaoji at this time immediately… Lu Yu quickly unfolded it.
And the more he looked, the more it…
Upon reading it, his brows furrowed instantly.
Two matters…
First, his wife, Xiahou Juan, had gone to gather firewood in Rang Mountain and had not returned, she was missing!
Second, the one carrying his child was not Xiahou Juan, but… but… Sister Zhaoji!
Wait…
How could it be Sister Zhaoji?
Clearly… clearly it was only once… no! It was only once or twice… Is this too accurate!
Subconsciously, Lu Yu bit his lip.
Not only accurate, but also coincidental… Could it be mere coincidence!
Tension…
Complexity…
With so many things happening, even the usually calm and collected Lu Yu couldn’t help but feel tense, his expression becoming complicated.
Meanwhile…
The black-clad woman, who had fled far away, removed her black robe, her clear and refined face appearing beneath the sky.
Who else could it be but Princess Ma Yunlu of Xiliang!
She found a place to shelter from the rain and unfolded the note…
There were not many words on it, only one sentence: I need some time to find out the truth!
Time, truth?
Ma Yunlu bit her lip. At least… at least, this note could prove that Lu Yu was unaware of this matter…
Her father’s death, her brother’s misfortune, might not have anything to do with him.
“It seems… there’s no reason for him to harm my father, is there?”
Ma Yunlu murmured softly…
She had been guarding here for many days, not to assassinate Lu Yu. He was her former husband. Without uncovering the truth, how could she rashly act against her future husband?
She only wanted to know how much Lu Yu knew about her father’s assassination and her brother’s ambush…
If he knew nothing about it, then… who else knew?
However…
These series of questions, it seemed, the note did not help her discover the truth. Da Feng Novel Network
Time…
He needed some time to… to find out the truth?
Gritting her silver teeth, at this moment, it seemed… besides Lu Yu, Ma Yunlu had no one else to trust!
…
…
Rang Mountain.
The faint morning light shone on the cliff face… a sturdy hemp rope was being pulled up.
At the end of the rope was a rattan basket, and within it, a minor official’s eyes were wide open.
“How is it? What’s below this cliff?”
The one speaking was Yang Xiu. Naturally, he wouldn’t risk it himself, but the official bureau was not short of brave individuals. After half a day of preparation… and half a day of action, the minor official had finally reached the bottom!
And what the minor official saw was…
“Officer Yang, this cliff is very high, perhaps several dozen zhang. But the bottom is not a sheer cliff face, but… but a body of river water. I have lived in Rang Mountain for many years, but I never knew there was a lake at the bottom of Rang Mountain…”
Hearing it was lake water, Yang Xiu’s spirits lifted. If it were lake water, then there was indeed… a possibility of survival.
However…
Rang Mountain was too vast, and there were no detection instruments in this era. To search the entire mountain range would be a monumental undertaking.
“Then how does this lake flow?”
Yang Xiu immediately asked… He asked this to narrow down the search area.
The minor official explained step by step, roughly outlining the lake’s flow direction.
Yang Xiu’s eyes narrowed into slits…
If that were the case, then…
“While the rattan basket was descending, you also saw a small path, didn’t you?” Yang Xiu continued to ask.
“Yes!” the minor official replied truthfully. “Just along the riverbank, there is a small path overgrown with weeds. Because it is in a mountain valley, few people come here…”
“Good!”
Yang Xiu seemed to see hope and immediately commanded, “Send me down!”
Ah… this…
The minor officials were stunned. In the official bureau, Yang Xiu’s position as a minister, though not particularly high, was… because he was Lu Yu’s disciple and entrusted with important tasks… all the minor officials regarded his status as comparable to that of “Guo Jia,” “Ju Shou,” or “Xu Shu.”
For such a distinguished person to rashly sit in a rattan basket and descend a cliff was very dangerous…
“Minister Yang, how about…”
“Didn’t you hear what I said? Send me down!” Yang Xiu’s tone was firm…
In history, he was able to make Cao Cao exclaim, “This talent’s thinking surpasses mine by thirty li.” In history, he also, in order to “surpass the King of Wei by thirty li,” supported Prince Cao Zhi in a struggle against Sima Yi…
Resolute, wise…
As long as he cast aside his arrogance, Yang Xiu was capable of being entrusted with great responsibility.
“Cough cough…”
A short while later, the rattan basket moved downwards, and Yang Xiu sat alone within it.
He sneezed abruptly; it was indeed a bit cold.
However…
Gradually, as the rattan basket descended, he could hear the sound of water from the lake, and he could see… a new, rarely frequented path on the shore.
Finally… the rattan basket landed. Yang Xiu tried to climb onto the path and, following it… he walked swiftly on his own.
Here, the mountains were like painted eyebrows, and thin dew drops continuously fell, creating ripples in the lake. The gentle flow of water and the shade of tall trees provided a natural sound that was a hundred times more ethereal and pleasing than the mundane world!
The winding path led to a secluded spot…
Finally, Yang Xiu found a farmhouse.
Who would have thought that within Rang Mountain, there was such a farmhouse built in a valley, truly a hidden paradise!
It seemed there was no one in the farmhouse, and the door was not locked. Yang Xiu walked straight in. Despite being a farmhouse, it was filled with blooming flowers and the tinkling of a waterwheel… Suddenly, a “Ah…” sound broke the silence.
He looked towards the sound…
But there was no sign of anyone?
Yang Xiu looked around, still no sign of anyone… That voice from earlier?
Just then.
“Ah…”
Another sound rang out.
Yang Xiu then noticed that the sound was coming from a corner of the courtyard, and there… yes, there lay a cow!
To be precise, it wasn’t a cow… but a cow’s hide!
As for… the human voice?
Yang Xiu was startled at first, then he became certain that there must be a person hidden inside this cow’s hide!
Quickly stepping forward, Yang Xiu took out a dagger from his waist and cut open the cow’s abdomen. A foul odor wafted out. Within the viscous liquid, a middle-aged man was curled up and softly groaning.
Yang Xiu instinctively covered his nose, but when he clearly saw the man’s face, Yang Xiu froze.
He… isn’t this… isn’t this Ma Teng, Ma Shoucheng of Xiliang!
He… why is he here?
And why in a cow’s belly?
What… what exactly happened?
Just as Yang Xiu was filled with countless questions…
“Who are you?”
A gentle voice came from behind him. Yang Xiu instinctively turned and saw another familiar figure.
Before him… this…
Isn’t this his teacher’s wife, the noble lady of the Xiahou family—Xiahou Juan!
She… why is she here?
A flood of more questions appeared on his forehead.
But… physically, with a “thump,” Yang Xiu knelt down. “Disciple Yang Xiu pays respects to Teacher’s wife!”
…
…
Under the midday sun, the Dragon Riders escorted the carriage into Xudu City.
The Marquis of Southern Hunting, Lu Yu, had returned. There was no welcoming reception from officials, nor the beating of war drums. Lu Yu’s return was very low-key.
Of course…
Originally, he had planned to go directly to Rang Mountain to see Sister Zhaoji.
After all… Sister Zhaoji’s pregnancy and Xiahou Juan’s safety were constantly weighing on his mind… But… upon reaching Xudu City, Lu Yu heard a special piece of news.
This was news reported by Lu Yu’s father-in-law, Xiahou Yuan.
He had initially thought it was related to Xiahou Juan’s disappearance… but unexpectedly, it was… it was Xiahou Yuan’s wife, Dingxiang, who had a premature birth.
Speaking of which, the news of Xiahou Juan’s disappearance reached Dingxiang’s ears. Being more than eight months pregnant, she had been agitated and had spotting, forcing her into premature labor.
Originally, a premature birth… was not a big deal.
Families like Xiahou Yuan’s had already prepared midwives… and doctors.
Moreover, Xiahou Yuan was accustomed to childbirth. From Xiahou Heng, to Xiahou Ba, Xiahou Cheng, then Xiahou Wei, Xiahou Rong… Dingxiang had already given birth to five children. Plus one who died prematurely, this was her seventh child. By all rights, it should have been routine…
But precisely, a piece of news shattered all the silence.
The fetus was positioned with its feet facing downwards!
It is known that normally, the fetus is positioned with its head downwards, which allows for a natural birth. If the feet are downwards… this is a difficult birth… In ancient times, with limited medical technology, it was often difficult to save the child.
And childbirth for women in ancient times was like a trip through the gates of hell…
Even more so for a premature birth, and even more so for an eight-month pregnancy…
It is said, “Seven months live, eight months do not”—this refers to… premature babies born at seven months being more likely to survive, but at eight months it becomes difficult. Even in later generations… it requires considerable effort to save them…
Let alone in ancient times!
Thus…
Lu Yu, as the contemporary “Medical Immortal” and Xiahou Yuan’s son-in-law, was naturally the first person Xiahou Yuan thought of.
Immediately, without bothering to go to Rang Mountain, Lu Yu rushed to the Xiahou residence with Hua Tuo.
Fortunately, on this trip back to Xudu, Lu Yu had been thoughtful enough to bring Hua Tuo along…
It was to guard against unforeseen circumstances, and he never expected… it to turn out this way.
“What happens if the feet are downwards?”
Dian Wei asked while driving the carriage.
This was a blind spot in his knowledge.
Hua Tuo stroked his beard. He glanced at Lu Yu and softly uttered two words: “Greatly inauspicious!”
Indeed…
With the feet downwards, it would inevitably be a difficult labor, and in ancient times… difficult labor was a great omen!
“Commander Dian, a little faster!”
Lu Yu’s tone became more urgent…
It is said that blessings never come in pairs, but misfortunes never come alone… For him now, it was more than just misfortunes not coming alone, it was… a brewing storm!
Nothing was peaceful!
“Hoo…”
Lu Yu let out a long breath. He also turned his head and solemnly asked Hua Tuo, “Divine Physician Hua, the method I mentioned to you before… you have tried it, correct?”
This…
Hua Tuo frowned. “I have not tried it on humans, but on pigs, I have tried it a few times… it seems to be the same principle as when I performed surgery on Guo Fengxiao!”
Opening the belly…
Precisely, it was this principle that was needed.
…
…
Within the mountain villa in the secluded valley of Rang Mountain, wisps of smoke rose from incense, like mist.
Yang Xiu was kneeling before Xiahou Juan.
Speaking of which, Xiahou Juan recognized Yang Xiu. Ancient people especially valued respecting teachers and valuing righteousness… As Lu Yu’s disciple, Yang Xiu had naturally paid his respects to both of his teacher’s wives!
And… just now!
Xiahou Juan recounted how she discovered Ma Teng while gathering firewood in Rang Mountain?
How she heard people chasing him?
How she quietly transported him to this hidden farmhouse, and how, according to the theories in her husband’s *Compendium of Materia Medica*, she stuffed the dying Ma Teng into the cow’s belly. She recounted these details eloquently.
Yang Xiu listened with disbelief.
Especially the medical method of stuffing a person into a cow’s belly, which miraculously saved Ma Teng…
These made Yang Xiu’s eyes widen, and he marveled at it!
“Madam, you are amazing!”
“Since Dezu has found this place, please ask Dezu to find a way to take Commander Ma back…” Xiahou Juan also learned Ma Teng’s identity for the first time… and knew his safety was of great importance!
Who would have thought that her mere kindness would lead to such a great merit.
Originally, the matter should have ended here…
As long as Ma Teng was successfully taken back, everything would conclude.
However…
“Madam, we cannot take Commander Ma back to Xudu City yet!”
“Why is that?” Xiahou Juan quickly asked.
“The stage has been set. If we take him back now, it will be too uninteresting!” Yang Xiu’s lips curled, revealing a faint smile.
At this moment, he seemed to understand… Sima Zhongda’s stratagem!
He wanted to eliminate the hidden danger in Xiliang in one fell swoop!
Regardless of Ma Teng’s life or death, Great Wei could not allow a Xiliang… to become a constraint on the Three Commandery regions!
—Heh heh, Sima Zhongda, so this is the plan you had up your sleeve!
…
…