Dimensional Supermarket - Chapter 106

“Madam! This way!” A eunuch waits around the corner.

These eunuchs are “male concubines” given to the Marchioness by Zuotu Zhao Mu. Now, they are the only strength she can rely on.

The eunuch leads the way, hunched over with his arms spread to shield Madam Zhao.

Though the monarchy has changed hands, there is no mutiny in the palace.

However, the monarch’s return at such a time fills everyone in the palace with unease.

Servants hurry in all directions, and even the royal family exits through the front gates.

No one knows where Zhao Mu is, but everyone understands he will fight to the bitter end. If Chen Hou regains the throne, Zhao Mu—and even his entire family—will be doomed.

“Madam, please go ahead. People are waiting up front.” The eunuch bows his head as he speaks.

Just as the Marchioness is about to step forward, she notices a child hidden in the corner.

The child is dressed in girls’ clothes, face smudged with ash, making it hard to tell if it’s a boy or a girl.

“Mother,” the child stretches out his hands as soon as he sees Madam Hou.

She bends down and picks him up.

She looks at the eunuch and asks, “Where will you go?”

The eunuch doesn’t answer, but she already knows—he must stay behind. Otherwise, the two of them will never escape.

She quickly bows and says resolutely, “Once I see my husband, I will find the Yang family’s children and clear their name.”

The eunuch bows deeply. “Madam, your righteousness will achieve what ordinary people cannot.”

With the child in her arms, Madam Zhao pushes through the gate and continues running.

“Madam! Madam, get in the carriage!” Though the soldiers don’t recognize her face, they recognize her clothing. A dozen of them surround the carriage, their faces anxious, gripping their spears tightly.

She first lifts the child into the carriage, then climbs in after him. She pulls the cotton curtains closed and ducks inside.

“Go! Go!” she shouts.

“Madam, hold on!” the soldiers call.

Get out! As long as they leave the palace, they’ll be safe!

As long as she reaches her husband, everything will be fine.

“Someone ahead is blocking the carriage!” a soldier on horseback shouts toward the inside.

Gritting her teeth, Madam Hou yells, “Break through! Under Zhao Mu’s rule, you are nothing but expendable soldiers! But once you get out of the palace, you’ll be heroes. You’ll be rewarded with a hundred gold coins, high ranks, and noble titles!”

The soldiers hesitate. They’ve only agreed to help after being paid by the eunuchs—they never intended to risk their lives.

Just then, the child in her arms stands up. His voice is young, but loud and clear: “I am Chen Rui, crown prince of Chen State! If you aid me now, I will never forget your kindness. When I see my royal father, I will repay your great favor!”

The soldiers exchange glances.

After a moment’s hesitation, the leader finally says, “Madam, Crown Prince, hold on tight. There are many enemies, but we will protect you with our lives!”

“Charge!”

—

Chen Yan is still dueling the enemy general. Ye Zhou has been standing upright, but gradually leans against Zou Ming for support—he no longer has the strength to stay standing.

Maybe because Ye Zhou studies close-combat fighting and ambush tactics, he doesn’t understand much about horseback weapon duels. All he can tell is who has the upper hand.

And it isn’t Chen Yan.

Frowning, Ye Zhou asks, “Chen Yan can’t beat this guy?”

Is Chen Yan too weak? Or is the opponent too strong?

Zou Ming replies, “Chen Yan is too rigid. He’s mastered every move through long practice, but his opponent fights unpredictably.”

Ye Zhou nods slightly. “He’ll lose.”

If he loses, the Marquis of Chen will lose face.

A general of Chen State defeated by a rebel upstart—such a disgrace could become national shame.

This isn’t just about Chen Yan.

“Do you want to interfere?” Zou Ming whispers.

Ye Zhou shakes his head. “It’s their decision. He chose to fight alone—he must bear the consequences.”

The people of Linzi City remain hidden inside their homes. No one dares peek out.

Besides the soldiers, only Ye Zhou’s group watches the duel.

Chen Yan is drenched in sweat. Though his grip on the spear is firm and aimed at the enemy’s face, he can feel it—he is going to lose.

He can’t predict the next strike: from above, below, left, or right?

But he can’t afford to lose. He isn’t just representing himself—he represents Marquis Chen.

If he loses, it’s not just his failure—it brings shame to the Marquis.

“Chen Yan! If you don’t want to die, get off your horse and kowtow to me three times—I’ll let you live!” the enemy general laughs loudly. “Your Majesty, this is your so-called general? A worthless fool like him is supposed to defend the nation? He can’t do it—I can! I should be the Grand General of Chen!”

The general raises his spear and charges.

One more strike will knock Chen Yan off his horse.

“General! General!” Chen Yan’s personal guards cry.

Chen Hou clenches his fists, eyes locked ahead.

He knows Chen Yan is outmatched, but he still hopes—what if?

What if Chen Yan somehow wins?

But as the enemy general lunges, everyone can see—Chen Yan can’t block this blow.

Chen Hou closes his eyes.

And then—

“Your Majesty!” A woman’s sharp voice pierces the air.

A child follows with a cry: “Father!”

Chen Hou’s eyes snap open. He turns to look.

A battered carriage approaches, riddled with arrows. One of the escorting soldiers has been shot twice. The carriage is stained with dried blood.

“Madam!” Chen Hou longs to ride toward them, but he can’t—his general is still dueling. His general is still fighting. As the ruler, he cannot abandon the battlefield.

Madam Hou sees where her husband is. She’s been shot in the shoulder, but suppresses the pain and cries out, “Chen Shou! How dare you block the King!”

Startled by her voice, Chen Shou, the enemy general, looks toward her.

Chen Yan seizes the moment. He thrusts his spear forward and strikes Chen Shou in the left waist.

Though clumsy, the attack has power. Chen Shou is caught off guard and knocked off his horse.

The soldiers know their general just took advantage of a distraction—but now’s not the time for honor. Their mission is to escort the King back to the palace. Fighting Chen Shou was never part of the plan.

So they yell blindly, “Well done, General!”

“General, you are mighty!”

Chen Yan feels ashamed. He can’t bring himself to look at the fallen Chen Shou. He simply says, “You lost. Keep your word and let us pass.”

“Chen Yan, aren’t you ashamed?” Chen Shou raises his head. “You’re unworthy. The king only promoted you because he likes you! A foolish king—I, Chen Shou, will never serve such a man! But I am no oath-breaker. Since I lost, I won’t block you.”

He turns to Chen Hou, once his cousin and friend.

“Your Majesty, take care,” he says with a bow.

Marquis Chen calls out, “Chen Shou! Why can’t you set aside your prejudice and serve with Brother Yan? Can’t the State of Chen have two generals?!”

Chen Shou replies, “No need to say more. Since I lost, I will disappear.”

With that, he mounts his horse and rides off alone, not looking back.

Ye Zhou stares after him, baffled. “He’s just… leaving? No one’s going to stop him? The king’s cousin joined the rebels and he’s allowed to leave?”

Ye Zhou understands—it is compassion, and family ties. But still, it shocks him.

After confirming Chen Shou has gone, Chen Hou immediately rides toward the carriage.

It has stopped. The driver is already dead.

The Marchioness walks with her son, bleeding from an arrow in her shoulder. She hasn’t removed it, enduring the pain until she sees her husband rushing toward her. She lowers her head and tells the boy, “Go. Go to your father.”

The crown prince looks up at her and shakes his head. “No, I’ll stay with Mother.”

Madam Hou smiles. “Good child.”

The boy resembles her more than his father.

“Madam!” The Marquis dismounts midway and runs on foot. Seeing the arrow in her shoulder, his eyes turn red with grief. “Madam!”

She collapses into his arms. But instead of weeping or complaining, she calmly says, “Zuotu is still in the palace. He won’t open the gates. Some eunuchs helped me escape through the south gate. Attack from there and take him by surprise.”

“Madam, your wound—” Chen Hou reaches for the arrow.

She shakes her head. “It’s nothing. But the eunuchs… and the soldiers who helped us… Ten soldiers…” her voice chokes slightly. “Your Majesty must not miss this opportunity!”

She clearly cannot enter the palace with them. All Chen Hou can do is say, “Wait here. I’ll find a doctor.”

He fears the arrowhead is poisoned—not with venom, but with copper rust that could fester and cause lasting pain.

The only doctor he trusts is Zhou Yuanhe.

The only one he believes can save his wife without letting her suffer.

He doesn’t care that Zhou Yuanhe is a man. These days, gender roles are no longer strictly enforced. Noble families still praise chastity before marriage, but that is considered a virtue precisely because it is rare.