"Giddyup... giddyup... giddyup..."
"Protect the Princess, go! Go quickly!"
Within Youzhou City, a carriage sped towards the west gate, Shengjie Gate. Dozens of Fierce Fire Camp knights tightly surrounded the carriage, fending off the rebellious troops as they galloped.
Inside the carriage was the mistress of the Left Worthy King's mansion, the wife of Murong Bole, and the mother of Murong Huiying, Lady Helou.
Inside, Lady Helou tightly held her three-year-old grandson, Murong Lin, the youngest son of Murong Ya. Tears welled in her eyes as she looked back at the Left Worthy King's mansion with great reluctance.
Thick smoke billowed into the night sky above the Left Worthy King's mansion, like a monstrous beast devouring everything in its path.
The Empress Dowager Murong Qing of the Great Yan Kingdom had suddenly made her move, allowing the rebel soldiers to storm the Left Worthy King's mansion. Murong Bole and his son had fought valiantly, and it was presumed they were in grave danger. Lady Helou and Murong Lin, under the protection of dozens of loyal and brave Fierce Fire Camp warriors, had broken out of the mansion amidst the chaos, heading for the west gate of Youzhou to seek refuge elsewhere.
Murong Ya had three sons and one daughter. Lady Helou had only managed to rescue her youngest son, Murong Lin.
At this moment, Lady Helou was consumed by unbearable grief and regret.
Her husband, her son, her grandsons and granddaughters, her entire world, had all turned to ashes. How could she not be heartbroken? If it weren't for Murong Lin's young age, the need to preserve Murong Ya's bloodline, the existence of another son and daughter outside, and the desire to avenge Murong Bole and his son, she would surely have followed them to the grave.
"Emge, don't cry," Murong Lin said, wiping Lady Helou's tears. "When I grow up, I will avenge Ebuge and Abu!"
Although Murong Lin was young, he was exceptionally intelligent. He understood what had happened at the mansion tonight. Far from being scared, a desire for revenge had taken root in his young heart. He was truly the son of a general.
"Lin'er..." Lady Helou choked out, holding Murong Lin tightly. "Your uncle and aunt will handle the revenge. You must live well now."
Speaking of Murong Chi and Murong Huiying, one was in the west and the other in the north. Of her eldest son and daughter, Lady Helou worried most about Murong Chi. Murong Huiying was with that cunning Han general, so she would likely be safe. That general would surely protect her. But Murong Chi, with his fiery temper, might do something rash upon hearing the terrible news. Therefore, Lady Helou needed to reach Murong Bole's fiefdom, Changshan Commandery, as soon as possible to discuss revenge with Murong Chi.
Of course, the prerequisite was escaping Youzhou.
"Who goes there? Stop your horses and dismount!"
As Lady Helou pondered, the carriage and dozens of lightly armed Fierce Fire Camp warriors had arrived at Shengjie Gate. The gate of Shengjie Gate was, of course, closed, the heavy locks already drawn, and countless Yan soldiers guarded the vicinity of the gate.
For tonight, and indeed for a long time to come, Youzhou City would be under lockdown until the situation stabilized.
A Yan general waved his hand, ordering the carriage to stop. Behind him, torches blazed, and rows of spears and arrows were aimed, ready to unleash a volley at the slightest misstep.
"Protect the Princess and the young master well. If necessary, break the locks and force the gate. Ensure the Princess and the young master escape the city," a Fierce Fire Camp captain whispered instructions to his men before spurring his horse forward. He raised a token high and shouted back, "We are from the Ti Ya Office, on official business outside the city."
"Ti Ya Office, on official business?" The guarding Yan general sneered. "What office's orders matter tonight? By the Empress Dowager's decree, no one is to enter or leave the city. Those who force the gate will be treated as rebels and killed without mercy! Dismount quickly and surrender, or you will die on the spot!"
At this moment, raised swords, spears, and arrows glinted menacingly in the firelight, sending a chill down one's spine.
Lady Helou tightly clutched Murong Lin and murmured, "Lin'er, remember what Emge says. Don't make a sound. After escaping the city, head northwest. You must find your uncle."
The burning torches illuminated the Youzhou night sky as if it were day. The imposing Shengjie Gate was heavily guarded by Yan troops, with strict security. Escaping through here seemed as difficult as reaching heaven. Thus, Lady Helou planned to reveal her identity, allow herself to be captured, and hide Murong Lin in the carriage, hoping to slip out of Youzhou City.
The Fierce Fire Camp warriors clenched their hidden weapons, knowing it was a fight to the death, but determined to protect Lady Helou and Murong Lin.
"Dismount and surrender quickly, or face immediate execution if you resist!" At this point, the guards at the gate raised their weapons and advanced.
"The Ti Ya Office's orders don't count, but does my word?" Just then, a middle-aged Yan general in his fifties, leading several hundred cavalry, arrived. He stopped before the guarding Yan generals and asked.
"Tengge Bubu? You... why are you here?" The man was Murong Tengge, and the guarding general was his old subordinate and a member of Murong Tengge's tribe. Thus, he dared not be disrespectful and asked with surprise.
Although Murong Tengge's abilities were mediocre and his official position neither high nor low, he had never entered the imperial court's inner circle. However, he was of royal blood, and his tribal influence was considerable. Even high-ranking officials and ministers in the court had to show him some respect, let alone these mere guards.
Murong Tengge's non-involvement in court struggles was a significant reason for this.
"They are on official business. Let them leave the city," Murong Tengge said to the guarding Yan general.
"Tengge Bubu..." The guarding Yan general hesitated. "But the imperial order... this humble general cannot bear the responsibility..."
"Who asked you to bear it?" Murong Tengge glared at the guarding Yan general. "I will bear it. Let them leave the city. At worst, I'll let you arrest me."
"We dare not, we dare not..." The guarding Yan general said, then ordered his men, "Quickly open the city gate and let them pass."
What enmity did Murong Bole have with them? They deeply respected the pillar of the Great Yan, Murong Bole. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
The Yan soldiers at the city gate were only blocking Lady Helou and her group on orders. Now that someone was taking responsibility, why wouldn't they do them a favor?
Thus, the Yan soldiers at the city gate opened the gate, and the carriage, accompanied by dozens of Fierce Fire Camp warriors, sped away, soon disappearing into the night.
...
"Princess Helou, where do you intend to go?" Murong Tengge, leading his own men, escorted Lady Helou and her group out of Youzhou City. Ten miles from the city, Murong Tengge reined in his warhorse and asked Lady Helou in the carriage.
"Uncle, where else could I go but to Chir'er's place?" Lady Helou lifted the carriage curtain and replied from inside.
Gratitude shone in Lady Helou's eyes.
Although Murong Tengge was under Murong Bole's command, their relationship was merely ordinary. Moreover, Murong Bole was of Yan royal blood, as was Murong Tengge. Normally, they had little contact, maintaining a polite distance. Yet, Lady Helou never expected that at such a critical juncture, Murong Tengge would risk his entire family's repercussions to help her escape the city. After escaping, Lady Helou and her group had temporarily evaded danger.
While grateful, Lady Helou also worried about Murong Tengge.
What Murong Tengge had done might lead to his own downfall.
"Princess Helou, do not worry. I have my own plans," Murong Tengge said, seeing Lady Helou's concern, and waved his hand. "The northwest is too far. Princess Helou, why not head northeast?"
"To the northeast? What do you mean, Uncle Tengge?" Lady Helou asked.
Murong Tengge was Murong Bole's cousin.
"Your son-in-law, has already led troops to the capital," Murong Tengge replied with a smile.
"General Zhou? Yingying?" Lady Helou asked, surprised and delighted. "Why is General Zhou leading troops to the capital?"
Her father-in-law had met with misfortune, he wouldn't stand idly by, would he? Lady Helou thought to herself with a hidden joy.
"I don't know the specifics," Murong Tengge said, shaking his head. "Princess Helou, no matter where you wish to go, hurry. It will be too late if you delay."
"Yes, Uncle, take care!" Lady Helou nodded.
"Princess Helou, take care. I will do my best to handle matters within the city," Murong Tengge also nodded.
Lady Helou looked at Murong Tengge with deep gratitude.
Dozens of Fierce Fire Camp warriors then escorted Lady Helou's carriage towards the camp of Murong Bole's several thousand soldiers outside Youzhou.
Murong Bole had led five thousand elite troops to the capital. Upon reaching Youzhou, he was only allowed to bring a thousand guards into the city. If all five thousand elite troops had been within the city, the Left Worthy King's mansion would not have suffered such a tragedy.
The Great Yan Kingdom was ruined! Murong Tengge watched the receding figures of Lady Helou and her group, sighing inwardly.
For the sake of the throne, for the struggle for power and profit, such a tragic fratricidal conflict had erupted. It was truly a time of sorrow for loved ones and joy for enemies. If this situation were to be quelled, the Great Yan Kingdom would be severely weakened. With the Great Yan Kingdom weakened, would not the surrounding wolf-like forces seize the opportunity to invade? Thus, the Great Yan Kingdom would face extreme peril.
Murong Tengge was not a high-ranking official in the court and did not wish to be involved in these affairs. He was almost retired. Although he deeply resented this incident and felt sorrow and indignation for Murong Bole and his son, he was powerless.
Why had Fugui returned? Who had asked him to return? Murong Tengge suddenly thought of Zhou Fugui.
Zhou Fugui's return at this time was by no means good, but bad. Such a major event had occurred in Yan Capital, such a great disaster had befallen the capital, that even the Yan royal family members were in fear for their lives. How much more so for him, a Han general?
Murong Tengge was also aware of the relationship between Zhou Fugui and Murong Huiying. Therefore, it was impossible for Zhou Fugui to stay out of it at this moment.