Chapter 6
A mist in the mountain had dimmed vision, yet Hua Zhu Yu’s mind was suddenly crystal clear like a bright mirror.
This was obviously a killing conspiracy.
The relationship between Southern Kingdom and Northern Kingdom had not been harmonious. After taking control of West Borderland (Xi Jiang), perhaps emperor already intended to conquer Northern Kingdom. Unexpectedly, Northern Kingdom proposed a marriage alliance to establish a peace between the two kingdoms which would hinder emperor’s ambition.
Common folk longed living in peace, if there was no reason for war and the emperor insisted to engage in a war, he would lose support from them.
However, if she were a.s.sa.s.sinated once she was out of Southern Kingdom boundary, this would surely stir a huge uproar. Undoubtedly, Southern Kingdom would point the finger at Northern Kingdom. At that time, it was justifiable to dispatch troops to war with Northern Kingdom.
She was not replacing someone to marry, but to die.
Initially, Wen Wan was selected by Northern Kingdom’s envoy to be the bride, later someone should have known the emperor’s ploy, not willing to let Wen Wan die, thus she, Hua Zhu Yu was made a sacrificial lamb.
The person who knew the emperor’s ploy was perhaps Chancellor Ji Feng Li.
In Southern Kingdom, Hua Zhu Yu was known as a young lady who was unvirtuous, talentless and unappealing. If people were given a choice to choose between Wen Wan and Hua Zhu Yu, certainly they would choose Wen Wan, the first best young lady of Southern Kingdom.
Furthermore, she was daughter of Marquis of Ping Xi, Hua Mu. If she were to die, her father undoubtedly would be furious. He would lead a punitive expedition of Hua household’s army into Northern Kingdom to revenge her death. The fighting on the battlefield would be even more bold and fierce.
Hua Zhu Yu really admired this scheme of Emperor and Ji Feng Li.
It was not that she held no hatred in her heart but she did not have free time to think about this at the moment. She needed to think how to deal with her imminent a.s.sa.s.sination conspiracy.
After figuring all of this out, Hua Zhu Yu’s eyes were limpid and cold, not only she showed no sadness, but she looked even calmer. She, Hua Zhu Yu, was not just sitting and waiting for death type of person.
“Jin Se, you tell the guard who is driving the carriage at once that I am somewhat feeling unwell and need to take a rest, get him report to Xian w.a.n.g, do not let the troops enter canyon, rest for a while.” Hua Zhu Yu said to Jin Se in a low voice.
Jin Se went and did as she was told. Before long, the troops halted, turned out they stopped just right before the canyon entrance.
“Miss, what is the matter with you actually?” Jin Se asked, her eyes full of concern.
“Jin Se, don’t panic, there is someone wants to kill me, we must escape from here” lowering her voice, Hua Zhu Yu said. “Lend your arm to support me, we get off, don’t let anyone follow us, for a moment think of a way to look for a hiding place, hide first”.
The only idea for now was to hide.
Since the Emperor had determined to kill her, the Sergeant of Northern Kingdom certainly unable to protect her, because the Emperor was perfectly clear about number of Northern Kingdom troops a.s.signed to escort the bride. The number of a.s.sa.s.sins sent certainly sufficient to work smoothly. Moreover, that grizzled, bearded Xian w.a.n.g was not skilled in Martial Arts.
Hearing that, Jin Se was startled, her face went pale white, almond-shaped eyes opened wide, she did not say a word, took Hua Zhu Yu by the arm and a.s.sisted her down from the horse carriage.
Thinking that Hua Zhu Yu needed to relieve herself, the guard let them go and tactfully did not follow them since this was not the first time they asked him to watch over and they went by themselves.
Jin Se supported Hua Zhu Yu while they walked a few paces, they turned toward cliff, Jin Se bent down, carried Hua Zhu Yu on her back and used her qing gong. The summit was covered with lingering snow throughout the year. A creaking noise sounded as they stepped on it, cold wind hit their faces. Mountain road was rugged and craggy, icy air chilled them to the bones.
The snow below their feet suddenly slid, the two people were rolling down the hillside.
They heard a sound of horses neighing coming from behind. In this dark and gloomy night, the sound was particularly ear-piercing. There was a scent of blood on the night wind, drifting from a distance. Clearly, the a.s.sa.s.sins who were hiding in the valley before had started moving.
Jin Se got up from snowy ground, was about to carry Hua Zhu Yu on her back and run again.
“Jin Se, don’t run, the moonlight is clear and bright tonight, they will discover us right away, find a place to hide first.” Hua Zhu Yu raised her eyes and looked into the distance, only to see steep mountain roadside, there was a patch of short shrubbery next to it.
Jin Se looked at a thick snow mantle before her eyes, bit the bullet, all of a sudden, her hand reached out and started taking off Hua Zhu Yu’s clothes.
“Jin Se, what do you want to do?” Hua Zhu Yu asked sternly.
Jin Se did not say a word. She again reached out her hands to remove a phoenix coronet on Hua Zhu Yu’s head.
Hua Zhu Yu suddenly understood what Jin Se wanted to do but she was powerless, unable to stop her, could only looked on helplessly as Jin Se changed her own clothes with Hua Zhu Yu’s wedding dress.
“Jin Se, don’t be stupid…” before Hua Zhu Yu could finish her protest, Jin Se sealed her mute acupressure point.
The night grew later, full moon was hanging upon the horizon, its light was clear and bright like water, enfolded Jin Se who wore head-to-toe red. She smiled slightly, her eyes were misty, she sniffed back the oncoming tears.
“Miss, that time, if it were not for you, Jin Se would have been abused to death by the rogues earlier, all these years Jin Se have been taken under your care. If miss encounters difficulty, Jin Se certainly should help. Hiding in the mountain can only avoid them temporary, not escape the a.s.sa.s.sins’ pursuit. Only if Jin Se disguises as Princess to die, they will stop the pursuit.” Jin Se slowly said, took a pendant off her neck and put it around Hua Zhu Yu’s neck.
“Miss, Jin Se has been wearing this thing since I was small. It is a family keepsake. Jin Se’s greatest wish is to reunite with my family. This wish, Jin Se asked Miss to fulfill it for Jin Se.” Jin Se said as she carried Hua Zhu Yu into a deep gully. Then, she continuously scooped some snow and sprinkled it on Hua Zhu Yu’s body. In a moment, Hua Zhu Yu was buried in deep snow.
Icy chill in the air was often overwhelming, yet it could not be compared to cold despair and desolation of her heart.
Jin Se
Jin Se…
Hua Zhu Yu’s lips kept opening and closing, trying to call out that name but no sound was coming out.
A clump of snow fell into her slightly opened mouth, trickled down her throat, seeped into her heart. She felt suffocating pain as if an invisible hand had grabbed her heart. She tried to reach out her hand, wanted to brush away the snow covering her body but it was futile.
Amidst a sound of chaotic footsteps could be heard faintly someone shouted “over here, the woman is over here!”
Howling wind, sound of people fighting, sound of swords clashing, soon after followed by a nasty laughter.
“Boss has given us a pretty good task ah, look at this delicate skin and fair complexion, look at these charming eyes, tonight we are really lucky.” A boorish man said.