Chapter 413 - 411: I Knew You Would Come

Chapter 413: Chapter 411: I Knew You Would Come

Jiang Yu’s eyes darkened slightly. He waved his hand for the vice general to leave, then looked down at Xu Jing and chuckled softly, "Miss Xu, next time we meet, I hope you take good care of yourself."

Having said that, he gave a quick glance to the vice general beside him, who immediately raised his hand and loudly commanded, "Everyone, listen up! Return to your ranks immediately and continue moving forward!"

"Yes!"

With a steady and robust response, all the soldiers swiftly and orderly returned to their ranks, after which Jiang Yu raised his whip and fiercely lashed the horse’s rump, prompting the army to move forward quickly once more.

As the vice general was speaking, Xu Jing had already retreated to the side. Xiang You and Cheng Xiao immediately came over, shielding her tightly behind them, watching the soldiers in front of them with vigilance. They were somewhat surprised to see that the soldiers really just left swiftly without doing anything.

Not until the last few soldiers disappeared from sight did the faint sound of hoofbeats come from afar once more.

As the sound of hoofbeats quickly approached, everyone realized that this sound was no quieter than the last. Cheng Xiao and Xiang You’s expressions tensed up again, watching ahead with alertness. It wasn’t until they clearly saw the figures swiftly approaching at the front that they exclaimed in surprise, "Lord!"

The one galloping at the front of this troop was none other than Xiao Yi and Zhao Jingming!

Xiao Yi maintained a composed and handsome face, swiftly leaving everyone else behind, racing towards Xu Jing. He dismounted quickly and asked with urgency, "Jing, are you alright?"

Xu Jing looked at his slightly disheveled hair from the journey and smiled faintly, "I’m fine. I knew you would come."

She had sent him a message before leaving the city. If something really happened in the capital, she believed that Xiao Yi would find a way to send reinforcements to her.

Even if Jiang Erlang had truly gone mad and tried to take her away, she was confident she could stall until the reinforcements arrived.

Xiao Yi was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, looking at her smiling apricot eyes, and the anxiety from the journey here finally began to calm down.

They had only exchanged a couple of sentences when Zhao Jingming also arrived swiftly, dismounted, and looked around, asking, "That Jiang fellow clearly came here! Did you see them?"

He glanced around quickly but saw no suspicious figures, then muttered, "It seems you didn’t encounter them directly, which is fortunate. Otherwise, we might not have made it in time..."

Having finally come to his senses, Mr. Yao exclaimed in surprise, "If you’re talking about Jiang Erlang, we did see him. He led the army to surround us, exchanged a few words with Miss Xu, and then left..."

"Left? You’re kidding! He just left and did nothing?"

Zhao Jingming widened his eyes in disbelief, "That fellow would be so kind? Jing is Yanci’s wife, yet he didn’t seize the opportunity to take Jing hostage?!"

Mr. Yao: "..."

How should he put it, not only did the man have no intention of taking Miss Xu hostage, he even came specifically to see her.

He had overheard the entire conversation between Jiang Erlang and Miss Xu, even though their voices were low.

The subtlety in Jiang Erlang’s tone and mannerism when speaking to Miss Xu was quite evident...

Had he not known Miss Xu’s character, he might have thought she and Jiang Erlang had something going on!

But looking at Vice Minister Xiao and Miss Xu beside him, even if he had the courage of a hundred men, he wouldn’t dare voice his thoughts. So he swallowed, saying, "I’m not sure about the specifics, but Jiang Erlang came and then left..."

Zhao Jingming was about to say more when Xiao Yi suddenly turned his head and coldly addressed a tall officer who had caught up with the rest of the soldiers, "Whatever his reasons for doing so, it at least proves that we are pursuing in the correct direction.

Vice General Wu, quickly lead the army in pursuit of Jiang Erlang. Recently, the Jiang Family has been secretly contacting their factions within the military. Jiang Erlang might be going to rendezvous with the rest of their forces. You should assess the situation: if there is a significant disparity in troop strength, do not recklessly expose your position. Instead, focus on gathering intelligence!"

The tall officer responded promptly, transmitted a few words to the soldiers behind him, and then whipped his horse to chase rapidly in the direction Jiang Yu’s troops had departed.

After they left, only Mr. Yao, Xu Jing, and their group remained on the main road, along with Xiao Yi, Zhao Jingming, and a small contingent of soldiers who had stayed behind.

Mr. Yao hesitated for a moment before asking, "Vice Minister Xiao, the Jiang Family... they wouldn’t really..."

Xiao Yi glanced at him and replied coldly, "Tonight, outside the gates of the Western Capital, the Jiang Family’s forces stationed within and around the city suddenly rose in rebellion. They forcibly breached the South Gates One and Two, as well as the East Gates One and Two. Jiang Shaoyan and several lords of the Jiang Family led their troops to escape amidst the chaos, and the Western Capital is in turmoil. To create a diversion for their master’s escape, remnants of the Jiang Family’s forces are setting fires and causing disturbances everywhere."

Mr. Yao’s face turned ashen immediately. Despite having some suspicions after overhearing the conversation between Miss Xu and Jiang Erlang, it was still difficult to believe when confirmed by Vice Minister Xiao.

The Jiang Family has rebelled!

His superiors have suddenly become traitors to be executed!

Most importantly...

Mr. Yao couldn’t help but express his urgency, "I... I need to return to the Western Capital. My wife, children, and elderly mother are still there..."

He spoke as he anxiously moved to mount a nearby black horse.

Xiao Yi stopped him, speaking calmly, "Don’t worry. The Jiang Family’s ambition aims at this nation, and they wouldn’t dare to offend the commoners of Great Chu before realizing their ambitions and tarnishing their reputation.

Therefore, their people are only disturbing various governmental departments in the capital, not yet implicating ordinary citizens.

The Western Capital is unsafe now. If we return recklessly, we will become the targets of their disturbances. It would be wiser to wait until daylight before heading back. They dare only to cause small-scale chaos under the cover of night."

Mr. Yao’s heart skipped a beat. Jiang Erlang had also advised Miss Xu not to return to the Western Capital before daylight...

He sneaked a glance at Miss Xu.

However, hearing Vice Minister Xiao’s words, his heart finally settled.

Xu Jing, hearing Xiao Yi’s reassurance, couldn’t help but furrow her brow, her voice tightening slightly, "What about Chang Xiao? Is he safe?"

"Rest assured. Before leaving the capital, I had Xiang Zuo take him to the Zhao Family. Currently, in the Western Capital, there’s no safer place than the Zhao Family and the palace."

Xiao Yi turned to Xu Jing, his black eyes softening perceptibly. Covering their hands discreetly with his sleeve, he gently touched Xu Jing’s fingers, offering reassurance, "He’ll be fine. There’s a post station not far ahead. Let’s rest there for the night, and return to the Western Capital in the morning."