The Qians reached the army barracks safely. Old Mrs. Qian commanded her son to go and save Xiao Baoshan himself with some soldiers. He must ensure Xiao’s safety and bring him back.
On the way, he met Little Black who was facing a dilemma. Little Black had stopped halfway and was hesitating over whether to go on or to go back. If he went on ahead, Qian Qi would scold him for being a coward. If he went back, he might find that Xiao Baoshan was dead and he would confront the enemies alone.
On seeing Qian Qi, this strapping man couldn’t help crying. “General Qian, I’m afraid General Xiao has…”
Qian Qi knew the situation was urgent and asked immediately, “Where is he? Take me there now!”
But when they reached the area, they didn’t find Xiao Baoshan, but only his horse and several corpses. By the side of this path was a high cliff. They suspected that he had fallen. But the cliff was very steep and also slippery in the torrential rain. Qian Qi couldn’t let his people risk their lives to go down there.
He had no choice but to return to the barracks. Then, he sent many soldiers to look for Xiao Baoshan along another road leading to the foot of the mountain.
…
That day, Baoning city was bustling with life. Staying in the post house, Ye Xiaoxian and her companions also heard the gongs and drums. It was said Qian Qi’s troops were coming here.
The new emperor didn’t blame Qian Qi and instead gave him the title of “West General”. But Qian Qi still didn’t dare to keep too many soldiers except for his initial troops. The reinforcements from other places all returned to their original military bases.
“Little Ye, Little Ye, General Qian’s troops are coming. Let’s go and see whether Baoshan is there!” Li Hongmei was very excited.
Xiao Baozhu and Xiao Baofeng tugged at Ye Xiaoxian’s sleeves with excitement. The other people were also in great delight. But Ye Xiaoxian felt restless and somewhat reluctant. To be honest, she was still a little angry with Xiao Baoshan.
What should she, an abandoned woman, say after meeting him? She hoped that Xiao Baoshan had written the letter of divorce to protect her. But if he indeed wanted to divorce her, she would be very embarrassed to go to meet him. So she said with a faint smile, “I don’t want to go out. You can go there together.”
“Why?” Li Hongmei asked. But then she realized something. Little Ye has regarded herself as a member of the Xiao family and has been taking good care of us. But Baoshan has gone too far; anyone with the slightest self-esteem will be angry about it.
Alas, just let her have her way.
Li Hongmei said, “Okay, you can wait for us here. If I meet Baoshan, I will definitely bring him back and make him apologize to you. Anyway, I will let you sit on the bridal sedan chair again!”
After saying this, she held Baozhu’s and Baofeng’s hands and left. The others followed them out immediately. The post house suddenly became quiet and empty.
…
That day, many locals and new inhabitants crowded at the gate of Baoning city. For one thing, they were curious about what General Qian was like. For another, the arrival of the troops brought them the hope that the city would become more peaceful than ever before.
Li Chengyi and Li Chengru also stood there, ready to welcome General Qian and his troops. Of course, they were also waiting for Xiao Baoshan who had lead a brilliant military success. However, they only saw Qian Qi and a carriage carrying his relatives. Xiao Baoshan was not in the line.
Squire Liu said with confusion, “Why can’t I see Baoshan? Isn’t he a general who should be leading the way?”
“Is he in the carriage? Look, there’s a carriage.”
“That might be General Qian’s relatives. How could Baoshan be there?”
“Maybe he is injured and needs a rest.”
“Don’t worry. If we still can’t find him, we can go and ask Mr. Li, oh, erm, I mean the seventh king.”
Helpless, they could only watch the troops with disappointment.
…
Ye Xiaoxian was very nervous in the post house, feeling as if sitting on pins and needles. She wasn’t in the mood to do anything. Occasionally she had a look out the window where she could see the troops entering the city. Her heart went pit-a-pat uncontrollably.
Leading the line was the sixth king and Li Chengru, followed by several generals, one of whom must surely be Qian Qi. However, she didn’t see Xiao Baoshan. She felt somewhat disappointed.
Why isn’t he returning? Was he delayed by something on the way? Is he sitting in the carriage because he’s injured? If he’s been injured, is it serious or not?
She couldn’t help thinking over all the possibilities.
When the street quieted down, she heard Li Hongmei’s voice. They were back.
Ye Xiaoxian sat down immediately as if she had been sewing single-mindedly.
On entering the post house, Li Hongmei said, “It’s so strange that we didn’t see Baoshan. Has he come back or not?”
The other people also said they had gone in vain.
I’ve known it already, but I won’t let you know I care about it, Ye Xiaoxian thought.
So she said calmly, “Really? Maybe he is delayed by something.”
Li Hongmei said, “I have to ask Mr. Li about this. He must know where Baoshan is.”
But before Li Hongmei went to the palace, Li Chengru came to the post house first.
He had been living in the palace these days and looked no more disheveled. His new clothes flattered his handsomeness and made him distinguished.
But he had been wearing a depressed expression since he entered the post house. He seemed to have something to tell them but find it hard to speak out.
Besides, he cast a sympathetic look at Ye Xiaoxian from time to time.
While Ye Xian could remain calm, Li Hongmei couldn’t bear the silence anymore.
She couldn’t wait to ask, “Mr. Li, oh no, Your Highness, do you know where Baoshan is? He is, well, the one you want to kill. Now you may know he’s not a traitor. The sixth king said he isn’t. The imperial court has also restored his good name. No one will bother him now, but why isn’t he back? Is he trapped in the capital? Or was he arrested halfway?”
Li Chengru looked at them and didn’t have the heart to tell the truth.
After a long while, he finally hardened his heart and turned to Ye Xiaoxian. “Xiao Baoshan met some trouble on the way back. I’m afraid he wouldn’t come back anymore.”
“Ah? What, what happened?” Li Hongmei’s lips quivered involuntarily.
Ye Xiaoxian’s hands were also shaking and she couldn’t stop it. Her mind was in an uncontrollable whirl.
Li Chengru said, “When he escorted the Qians to Da’an county, he confronted an ambush. To protect the Qians, he stayed alone to fight against the enemies and was beaten down the cliff. General Qian has sent soldiers to look for him for two days, but they haven’t found him. No one knows whether he’s alive or dead.”
The Xiaos were all dumbfounded by his words. Ye Xiaoxian’s lips went pale directly.
A terrible wave of anguish swept over her whole body, tearing her heart wildly. Inside her body, something was forcibly removed and sank slowly.
Being an orphan in her last life, she had never felt the love from a family or the pain of parting from someone forever. Before she was transferred to this dynasty, the old director of the orphanage was still alive.
She hadn’t expected that she’d have to part from her husband in this life.
Although he had divorced her, he had loved her once.
She was numb with shock for a long time. She didn’t cry and didn’t know what to do or what to say. So she just stared blankly ahead.
Li Chengru seemed to be saying something to her, but she couldn’t hear it at all. Liu Qianqian also shook her body, but she couldn’t give any response.