Chapter 1433: Sneak Raid

Wo Xue originally focused on the shadowy figures moving outside. Having been with Shang Ruyi for some time, she had become much more sensitive to the deployment of troops than before, and she knew there would definitely be troop movements in Xiao Yuansui’s camp tonight. Although she could do nothing, she was very concerned.

Hearing Shang Ruyi’s words, she immediately turned back, “It’s true.”

“…”

“When I went to get food for the Princess at noon, I overheard their conversation. King Qi is losing the battle in Luoyang. Liang Shide sent troops to break through the siege to get grain from Huilu Storehouse.”

“…”

“Princess, King Qi is really—”

Before she could finish her sentence, Shang Ruyi’s dark eyes looked at her, gently shaking her head, causing Wo Xue to swallow the words “useless.”

She usually didn’t say much, but now, trapped in the enemy camp, life and death were at stake. If Luoyang could win, it would at least be good news for them. Unexpectedly, Yu Wencheng was so useless, which inevitably caused her to feel resentment. However, Shang Ruyi remained very cautious.

She whispered, “Even outside the palace, we must be careful with our words. If we get used to it, we might speak indiscreetly when we return, which would bring trouble.”

Wo Xue quickly said, “Yes, I know my mistake.”

Shang Ruyi lightly shook her head again and turned to look at the shadowy figures flickering like lanterns on the tent. Wo Xue thought for a moment, leaned closer, and whispered, “Princess, are Xiao Yuansui and the others going to support Liang Shide’s men?”

“It seems so.”

Shang Ruyi pondered for a moment, then murmured, “Since we’ve received the battle report here, Hulao Pass should have heard of it too.”

Wo Xue’s eyes widened immediately upon hearing this, “If they know, what will His Highness do?”

Shang Ruyi said, “King Qin is well-versed in geography and military strategy. Before sending out troops, he already told me about the importance of Huilu Storehouse to this battle. Unfortunately, King Qi did not heed the advice of General Shen Tu and my brother, which led to the prolonged stalemate today.”

“…”

“If he knows, he shouldn’t let Liang Shide easily acquire the grain.”

“…”

“So—”

“So,” Wo Xue suddenly understood something, a chill ran through her body. In a low voice, she said, “Xiao Yuansui might be deploying troops not just to support Liang Shide, but also to confront Prince Qin.”

Shang Ruyi nodded, “If I’m not mistaken, that should be the case.”

Hearing this, Wo Xue became quite restless, her clenched fists were full of cold sweat. Finding it hard to sit still, she got up and paced around the tent, then finally walked to the tent’s entrance and gently lifted the curtain to look outside.

As soon as she lifted the curtain, the shimmering firelight outside flooded into the quiet tent, causing both of them to close their eyes immediately.

Amid the shimmering firelight, the scene of soldiers lined up and strong horses neighing were faintly visible.

But suddenly, two soldiers outside shouted, “What are you doing!?”

Startled, Wo Xue realized that several soldiers were surrounding their tent. The two soldiers guarding the entrance were particularly tall and strong. As soon as they saw her lift the curtain, they shouted at her. Wo Xue steadied her nerves and immediately said, “The Princess is thirsty, I’m going to get her some water.”

“Didn’t we just send a kettle?”

“It’s cold, the water has cooled.”

“…”

The two soldiers exchanged a glance, then looked at Shang Ruyi, who sat quietly in the tent with an exceptionally cold gaze, and said, “We’ll send some in later. Don’t go out. Tonight, no one is allowed to leave this tent!”

With that, they shoved Wo Xue back and pulled the curtain down heavily.

Wo Xue staggered a couple of steps, unhappily returning to sit beside Shang Ruyi, then softly said, “Princess, they’re really deploying troops.”

Shang Ruyi asked, “Who’s leading the troops?”

Wo Xue said, “I couldn’t see. Just as I was about to look, those two stopped me—it’s really annoying!”

“Are there many troops?”

“A lot,”

Wo Xue nodded vigorously, “Although I didn’t get a good look, the firelight outside the camp shines, and I feel a large number of troops have gone out.”

As if to confirm her words, a thunderous rumbling soon echoed outside, the sound of hooves shaking the ground, causing their small tent to tremble. Just then, the tent was lifted, and the soldier who had just been guarding outside brought in a kettle of hot water, placing it on the table in front of Shang Ruyi, nodded, and then said to Wo Xue, “Don’t go out tonight if there’s nothing. Otherwise—we won’t be polite.”

Hearing this threat, Wo Xue bit her lips unhappily but still held her tongue.

The soldier turned and left.

As the curtain lifted and fell, the flickering firelight outside was visible, and the sounds of people shouting and horses neighing were clearly heard, but they gradually faded away as the curtain fell. After a while, the turmoil and noise ceased completely, and the entire military camp fell silent.

Perhaps because of the earlier commotion, the sudden silence felt as if the entire camp had been emptied.

Wo Xue poured a cup of hot water and handed it to Shang Ruyi, softly saying, “Princess, it seems there are not many people left in the camp.”

Shang Ruyi took the cup but didn’t drink immediately, instead just warming her slightly cold fingertips. It was actually just the start of autumn, and it shouldn’t have been so cold. But for some reason, this year’s autumn rain came early and swept away the remaining warmth, especially at night, they felt an inexplicable chill typical of deep winter.

Warm for a moment, Shang Ruyi finally said, “But there are still quite a few people outside.”

Upon hearing this, Wo Xue turned to look at the tent. Without the flickering firelight outside, the shadowy figures were no longer visible. But with her keen hearing, she knew the soldiers outside had not moved. She didn’t know about other places, but around their tent, it was surrounded tightly like a drum.

And these people breathed steadily and forcefully, obviously not weak in skills. With them watching, no matter how skilled she was, it was to no avail.

Shang Ruyi was silent for a while, then sighed, “It seems Xiao Yuansui places great importance on tonight’s action. Not only afraid we might escape, but also worried someone might take the opportunity to raid the camp, so he’s tightened the guard.”

“Raid the camp?”

Upon hearing these words, Wo Xue’s eyes lit up, “Princess, do you mean His Highness might take this opportunity to rescue us tonight?”

Shang Ruyi slightly furrowed her brows, “At least, judging from Xiao Yuansui’s actions tonight, he is prepared for this.”

“Then, will Prince Qin come?”