“Li’er!”
As Zhong Li bid farewell to Zeng Fangang and stepped out of the Ministry of Punishment, she saw Hua Yao alighting from a carriage, waving at her. Following Hua Yao was Lan Heng, holding a woman’s outer cloak, as if to tenderly drape it over her in case she felt cold.
“Yao’er, why are you here?” Zhong Li walked towards her.
Hua Yao trotted to Zhong Li’s side, wanting to give her a hug. Then, remembering the wound on her abdomen, she quickly stepped back, took Zhong Li’s hand, and walked towards the carriage. “Early this morning, the Hua family steward reported that the Hua family army had all arrived in Jincheng. Father and… I went to pick up Father. Thinking that Lu Wuxie would definitely be there, I came to pick you up to go together.”
Hua Yao’s cheeks flushed slightly when she said the word ‘Master.’ Zhong Li looked at Hua Yao, recalling past events. It seemed that the matter concerning the Crown Prince was just an interlude. Lan Heng recognizing his own feelings and getting together with Hua Yao could be considered a blessing in disguise.
“Then what are we waiting for? Hurry!” she said.
Hua Yao nodded, pushed open the carriage door, and half-leaning on Lan Heng, said, “Please drive faster, Steward Lan. Sister Li’er can’t wait!” After speaking, she didn’t forget to peck Lan Heng on the cheek.
Everyone knew Lan Heng’s disposition. With a face as red as an apple, he coughed lightly and sternly asked Hua Yao to behave herself. He whipped the horses, quickening their pace.
“Wow, Lan Master is even driving for you. That’s quite something!” Zhong Li teased Hua Yao.
Hua Yao replied, “If he wants to gain my father’s approval, he has to give it his all.” Zhong Li nodded, also feeling that Lan Heng was being very attentive.
“By the way, does your father know about your brother Hua Rong’s situation?”
Hearing Hua Rong’s name, Hua Yao’s normally cheerful smile froze. She lowered her head and shook her head. “Hua Rong is the only legitimate son of the Hua family. Now that something has happened, my father doesn’t know yet. I don’t know how to tell him, which is why Master has been accompanying me.”
“It’s okay!” Zhong Li held Hua Yao’s hand. “Everything will pass.”
“Mm!” Hua Yao leaned into Zhong Li’s embrace and wiped away her tears.
The South City Gate was not far from the Ministry of Punishment. In less than two cups of tea’s time, the carriage had arrived at the city gate. It seemed that all the citizens of Jincheng knew that the Hua family army was returning, and they had gathered at the gate to welcome them. Hua Yao had asked the steward to secure a good spot before they arrived, and the three of them squeezed together, looking out towards the gate. The main contingent could be vaguely seen. In a short while, Hua Xiong’s figure appeared in everyone’s sight.
“Father!” Hua Yao exclaimed excitedly upon seeing Hua Xiong. Lan Heng, fearing she might fall, held her in his arms. Hua Xiong also saw his daughter, a hint of a relieved smile appearing on his weathered face. Zhong Li, not in good health, was recognized by many of the citizens, so they let her stand at the very front. She pulled her clothes tighter and eagerly watched the Hua family soldiers passing by. She was not part of the military; besides a few leading deputy generals she recognized and who greeted her, she didn’t know anyone else. There were over ten thousand returning soldiers. From the leading Hua Xiong to the last private, their entry into the city took the entire morning. Zhong Li waited and watched, but she did not see Lu Wuxie’s figure. Her brow furrowed, and she stretched her neck, looking at the troops that were almost out of sight. She wanted to ask Hua Xiong, but she felt it would be inappropriate as Lu Yuanfeng was accompanying him. Just as she was wondering what to do, a voice came from behind her.
“Miss Zhong!”
Zhong Li recognized the voice and turned around with a smile. Lin Jin, dressed in a tight-fitting outfit, stood behind her.
“Where is he?” she asked anxiously.
As Lin Jin was about to speak, he felt a lump in his throat, unable to utter a word for a long time.
“Where is he? Is he hiding?” Zhong Li was too eager. Her usual meticulous self failed to notice Lin Jin’s abnormality. She looked around behind him, saying, “No one’s here? Mo Cang, stop hiding.”
“Miss Zhong!” Lin Jin closed his eyes, enduring the tears that were about to fall, and through trembling breaths, uttered words that made Zhong Li’s heart ache, “Master, he… is missing. He…”
“What?” Zhong Li was stunned. Her lips trembled for a while before her mind finally processed Lin Jin’s words. “Missing? Can’t be found? Or not looked for? Or…”
“Miss Zhong!” Lin Jin knelt and kowtowed to Zhong Li. “It is my incompetence. Master, in order to capture the Crown Prince alive, led a small team on a surprise raid overnight. Who knew that although the Crown Prince was captured, Master did not return. We received the news and searched the entire battlefield overnight but found no trace of Master… not even a shadow. General Hua even delayed his entry into Jincheng for Master, leading tens of thousands of soldiers to search… but… still no results. General Hua said Master might…”
“Impossible!” Zhong Li roared. She quickly took a letter from her怀 and threw it into Lin Jin’s arms. “He wrote this to me, ‘Wait for me,’ did he lie to me? You’re lying, you’re lying!” As she spoke, she refused to believe it. Seeing the dispersing crowd, she went to a horse tethered at the post station, mounted it, and said to Lin Jin, “You’re lying to me, I’m going to ask General Hua!” With that, she galloped towards the palace, ignoring Lin Jin, who wanted to stop her, cracking her whip.
“Zhong Li is injured and cannot ride a horse!” Lan Heng, seeing this, prepared to lead a horse to chase after her. Lin Jin reacted even faster. He mounted a horse, threw down a sentence, “I’ll go,” and quickly followed. Zhong Li had never ridden a horse so fast. The horse galloped through the streets, and she wildly whipped its hindquarters. It was still a bit cold in Jincheng in early spring. Whether it was the strong wind or something else, she felt that the faster the horse ran, the more her tears flowed uncontrollably. As they were about to reach the palace gate. Hua Xiong knelt on the ground, and Lu Yuanfeng stood in front of him, apparently about to bestow rewards. Zhong Li, unable to bother with anything else, shouted at Hua Xiong, “General Hua, General Hua!” Hua Xiong looked back. After recognizing the person, he sighed inwardly and shifted his gaze to Lu Yuanfeng. Lu Yuanfeng gave a look to the hidden guards behind him. The hidden guards understood and rushed towards Zhong Li at the fastest speed. “Hua…” Zhong Li’s cry was cut short as she flipped her eyes and fell to the ground. The hidden guard intended to catch her. Lin Jin, however, was a step faster and scooped Zhong Li up from mid-air.
“Your Highness!” He placed Zhong Li on the horse, dismounted, and intended to pay his respects. Lu Yuanfeng waved his hand and said, “Lin Jin, no need. Take her back. I chose not to say anything because Master Zhong is injured and cannot get agitated. I have kept this from her for so long; I only hope she can take it well.”
“Mm! Your subject understands Your Highness’s good intentions.” Lin Jin cupped his hands, tightened the reins, and headed in the direction of the Prince Xian’s mansion. All eyes were focused on Zhong Li. She leaned in Lin Jin’s embrace with her eyes closed tightly, seemingly fainted. However, no one noticed that her eyes were once again moistened.