Chapter 1418: Young Madam

Chapter 1418: Chapter 1094: Young Madam

“General Shi!”

Upon entering the main tent, Shang Ruyi heard a familiar voice. Though it seemed familiar, she hadn’t heard it for several years. Something must have happened during these years to make Xiao Yuansui’s voice sound slightly hoarse, as if altered by excessive excitement.

However, it’s not surprising if he was excited, considering capturing herself posed a considerable threat to the people at Hulao Pass.

Shang Ruyi looked up and met those familiar, dazzlingly bright eyes.

Xiao Yuansui sat in the main tent, and when he saw them enter, his gaze swept across them without lingering on Shang Ruyi before he said to Shi Yuxin, “Thank you for your hard work!”

Shi Yuxin bowed with a hand salute to him, “I dare not.”

She then stepped forward, speaking in a deep voice, “This subordinate voluntarily led eighty thousand troops westward to Chang An but encountered obstruction midway, delaying our timing. Chang An has already received reports of the battle, so the opportunity for a surprise attack is lost, and we have returned without success. I request Great General’s forgiveness.”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuansui’s gaze flickered slightly.

This flicker seemed tinged with disappointment, but the next moment it was overshadowed by a faint, indistinct smile. He raised his hand gently and waved, “This plan was jointly devised by you and me, aiming for a surprise attack, but battlefield situations are ever-changing, beyond human control. General Shi, there is no need to blame yourself.”

At these words, Shi Yuxin’s eyebrows knitted slightly.

She had grown up in the military, knowing well the importance of military authority and orders. Indeed, this plan was devised jointly with Xiao Yuansui, each executing their own attack, one to assault Hulao Pass to secure Yu Wenye, and the other to seize the opportunity to advance on Chang An to relieve Luoyang’s siege. If the plan failed, it was partly due to their inadequate consideration. But fundamentally, it was she who executed the plan against Chang An, which nearly ended in total failure, representing a significant blunder in military terms. Xiao Yuansui might spare her on account of capturing Princess Qin, but he shouldn’t let her off so lightly without a single harsh word. Where is the military authority?

Throughout these days, she knew very well Xiao Yuansui’s capability in military affairs; it shouldn’t be so lax.

Just as she was somewhat surprised, a flash of insight occurred in her mind, recalling the observations as she entered the military camp—she hadn’t seen her brother Shi Yutao, nor any of the soldiers under his command within the vast camp.

Shi Yuxin said, “Thank you, Great General, for your forgiveness.”

Xiao Yuansui nodded, and the next moment, Shi Yuxin suddenly asked, “Great General, do you know where my brother is now?”

“…!”

At this moment, standing behind her with a heavy heart yet hesitant to speak, Shang Ruyi keenly sensed the atmosphere in the tent become tense.

Xiao Yuansui’s breathing seemed to sink a bit, and his facial expression showed a subtle twitch. He paused for a moment, then said, “This is what I was about to tell General Shi.”

Shi Yuxin’s heart dropped, as if a sense of foreboding was turning into reality: “Did something happen to my brother?”

Xiao Yuansui spoke solemnly, “He was captured by the people at Hulao Pass.”

“What!?”

Shi Yuxin was startled, incredulously stepping forward, “How could this happen?”

Xiao Yuansui then recounted the events to her—just as Shen Wuzheng had previously predicted. Early in the morning, upon learning Shi Yutao had taken his troops to fight at Hulao Pass, Xiao Yuansui sensed something was wrong and immediately led his troops to provide support. As they were about to leave the camp, they encountered the messenger dispatched by Shi Yuxin.

He was taken aback as well.

Meanwhile, someone reported that the soldier who had come to deliver the message earlier in the day had commandeered a horse and sneaked out of the camp.

Xiao Yuansui understood everything too late at this point.

He immediately dispatched Hua Ziyang, leading a team to Hulao Pass. Halfway along, they encountered the two thousand troops who had returned in a panic, only to find out Shi Yutao had been forcibly captured by Shen Tu Tai from the midst of a large force. These panicked troops returned to deliver the news. Xiao Yuansui was furious, but it was too late, so he temporarily detained these two thousand soldiers, awaiting Shi Yuxin’s return before deciding further.

Upon hearing this, everyone else might be calm, but Shang Ruyi’s heart raced turbulently.

Shen Tu Tai was the one who acted at Hulao Pass, and it seemed Yu Wenye hadn’t shown himself the entire day. If I’m not mistaken, he must have heard the news and led troops to Hu Yang Valley to rescue her. Unfortunately, she hadn’t held out until his arrival, and their forces had missed each other.

And on this side of Hulao Pass, evidently someone knew Shi Yuxin had captured her and deliberately sent word ahead, provoking Shi Yutao into being captured by Shen Tu Tai. This tactic was remarkable and dangerous, truly ingenious.

Was it Shen Wuzheng?

It had to be him; besides him, Shang Ruyi couldn’t think of anyone with such wisdom and boldness to devise a counterattack in such a “desperate” situation.

Thinking this, amidst her hidden panic, Shang Ruyi felt a slight warmth rising in her heart.

No matter what, while she fought for the Dasheng Dynasty with blood, her husband hadn’t given up on her, and her brother had tried everything to save her. Even if she were to perish here, what regret could she have?

At this moment, she even felt a bit of ‘The people are not afraid of death; why threaten them with death?’ courage, standing in the main tent, she felt not so oppressed and heavy anymore.

Standing before her, Shi Yuxin was clearly not as at ease.

Her brows furrowed into a knot, her breath gradually heavy as if a stone pressed on her heart — she could never have imagined that she captured Princess Qin, yet her brother sent himself into Hulao Pass; this coming and going equaled out, leaving her battle gains almost entirely negated.

Yet, the gains were a minor issue.

Shi Yutao being captured, how would the enemy treat him? On the way, she treated this Princess Qin with great courtesy, if not extravagantly, ensuring no one bullied this captive, even letting her ride a horse when walking was difficult; now, she stood here unharmed, all due to her benevolence.

Would Shen Tu Tai and his men be so courteous?

This was yet a minor issue, Shi Yutao’s reckless actions, letting him suffer was a lesson; but the people of Hulao Pass capturing Shi Yutao was clearly to counter her capturing Princess Qin, or simply put, to exchange for Princess Qin.

Yet Xiao Yuansui, would he agree?

This time, she returned from Chang An with no achievements; the reason he didn’t get enraged and punish her was clearly because she captured this invaluable Princess Qin. Since she was invaluable, would he easily let Shang Ruyi go to exchange for her brother?

Shi Yuxin took a deep breath, stepped forward and knelt with hands clasped, saying, “It was my brother’s reckless deployment that led to this defeat, I ask Great General to impose punishment.”

Xiao Yuansui raised a hand, halting her from continuing, saying, “General Shi, your accomplishments are yours, his failures are his, my army has never employed collective punishment.”

“…”

“Moreover, even if punishment were due, it should wait until matters are resolved.”

“…”

“Stand up.”

“Thank you, Great General.”

Only then did Shi Yuxin rise, her expression heavy, saying, “Then, what does Great General plan to do with this matter?”

Xiao Yuansui watched her for a moment, then said, “This matter concerns Little Shi General’s life and death, naturally we cannot act rashly. This General intends to wait for you to return and discuss strategies together.”

“Yes.”

“However, you’ve just returned and must be tired from travel, better to rest first.”

“…”

“Later on, we’ll discuss the strategy.”

Upon hearing this, Shi Yuxin did not immediately respond but turned her face to look at Shang Ruyi behind her and suddenly felt something.

Before her father Shi Yutao and Xiao Yuansui allied, she had already heard of Xiao Yuansui’s past feats, and inquired much about him; besides Zuo Family’s rebellion, seizing Wanggang Village, Xiao Yuansui’s battles in recent years, like Xingluo Granary and the dissolution of Wanggang Village, seemed all related to Yu Wenye.

Within them, there seemed to be traces of this Princess Qin.

Seeing Shang Ruyi walk into this tent without any hint of fear, she appeared to share some obscure relation with Xiao Yuansui, who clearly needed to clarify these matters before deciding on the current issue.

Thinking this, Shi Yuxin said, “In that case, I shall leave first.”

Xiao Yuansui gestured with a hand, “Go on.”

Shi Yuxin clasped her hands in salute, turned to look at Shang Ruyi, their eyes meeting with a glint of complex emotions in both their bright eyes, Shi Yuxin did not say much, she exited.

Once she left, the tent immediately fell silent.

Shang Ruyi could sense the breathing of another in the tent becoming heavier, this wasn’t their first time alone, nor her first time captured and presented like prey before him, thus she lifted her head to look at Xiao Yuansui, not waiting for his punishment but for him to take the first step.

Xiao Yuansui also looked at her, his gaze somewhat distracted.

In his distraction, it seemed they had returned to Xingluo Warehouse City, the same captive by his men, the same enemy territory. Compared to last time, Shang Ruyi seemed calmer, even her breathing and heartbeats remained steady, as though she was merely a calm adversary waiting for him to make his chess move.

Xiao Yuansui’s lips slightly drew together, saying, “Young Madam.”

“…!”

Upon hearing these three words, Shang Ruyi’s brow immediately furrowed, she looked at Xiao Yuansui’s deep and dark eyes, gravely saying, “Have you mistaken something?”