The Wife of a Loyal Servant - Chapter 38

Ling Yu was woken by Cheng Shaotang. She groggily opened her eyes and heard him whisper, “Go wash up. We’re about to set off.”

She yawned slightly, leaning sleepily against him, and murmured, “It’s not even dawn yet. Are we really traveling in the dark?”

Cheng Shaotang, rarely seeing her so reluctant to get out of bed, smiled slightly, leaned close to her ear, and whispered, “Still reluctant to get up? Your son will laugh at you.” His warm breath brushed her earlobe. She rubbed her ear, turned her head, and sure enough, saw Xiao Shitou tilting his head, looking at her curiously.

Startled, she instantly woke up. Looking around, she saw Zhao Yun and Chu Liang, the master-servant pair, already up and glancing at her.

She blushed deeply, and taking advantage of no one noticing, secretly glared at Cheng Shaotang, whose lips still held a smile, and whispered, “Why didn’t you wake me sooner?”

“Seeing you sleeping so soundly, I couldn’t bear to,” Cheng Shaotang replied helplessly.

Ling Yu deftly straightened her hair and clothes, washed her face quickly with the water he had brought, and said, “Alright, let’s set off!”

Cheng Shaotang nodded, then walked over to Zhao Yun and respectfully asked, “Your Highness, may we depart?”

Zhao Yun gave a low “hm” and was about to stand, but accidentally touched his wound, causing him to gasp sharply in pain. His face paled noticeably.

“Master, be careful!” Chu Liang reached out to support him, but his own injuries were no lighter. Such a sudden movement caused the carefully bandaged wounds to tear open.

Cheng Shaotang hurried forward, intending to check their injuries, but Zhao Yun gritted his teeth and said in a low voice, “No need. It’s not deadly; getting on the road is more important.”

Chu Liang also shook his head unconcernedly. “I’m fine. We should leave first. If their men catch up again, it could cause even more trouble.”

Seeing their insistence, Cheng Shaotang didn’t argue further and said, “The nearest town is called Longwan Town. If we spur the horses, we can reach it in about half an hour to restock food and medicine. The carriage is damaged, and you’re injured. In my opinion, it would be safer to rent a boat downstream along the Nanling River toward Yongzhou to reach the capital. Your Highness, what do you think?”

Zhao Yun frowned, thought for a moment, and finally nodded. “That’s fine.”

Although traveling by water was slower, it was far safer than the land route. While he appeared indifferent, only he knew that his injuries were unsuitable for a long journey; the boat would provide a chance to recuperate.

Ling Yu’s expression changed when she heard the words “Longwan Town.”

In her previous life, hadn’t the Crown Prince died in Longwan Town? His death had caused countless officials across its county, prefecture, and province to lose their posts—and their heads. Calling it a night of blood flowing like a river wouldn’t be an exaggeration.

Although this life had two extra variables, herself and Cheng Shaotang, she still had no real confidence that they could safely pass this so-called “land of death.”

The thought made her finally voice her worry: “What if they’re lying in wait in the town? Wouldn’t we be handing ourselves over? They can probably guess our situation too, so maybe we should…”

Zhao Yun lifted his eyes toward her. Instinctively, she shrank behind Cheng Shaotang before silently berating herself. They were all in the same boat. Was he going to eat her alive?

“We know what you’re saying,” Cheng Shaotang replied, rubbing his son’s head as the little one clung to his legs. He picked him up. “But without supplies, we won’t last long. Even if we adults can tough it out, Xiao Shitou definitely can’t.”

Ling Yu looked at her son, who already lacked yesterday’s energy, and her heart clenched. She immediately changed course. “You’re right. Then to Longwan Town it is!”

Zhao Yun lifted his gaze at her once more.

This woman… she probably has no idea what “a ruler guides his subjects” even means.

This time, however, Chu Liang hesitated. “Master, what if they really are lying in ambush…”

“I have a sworn brother who lives in Longwan Town. If Your Highness and Commander Chu are uneasy, there’s no need for you to enter the town yourselves. Allow me to contact him. He can rent a boat and procure rations and medicine on our behalf.”

“No need for all that trouble. What’s meant to come will come. We’ll follow the original plan. Head into town for supplies, then rent a boat and go south through Yongzhou City to return to the capital.” Zhao Yun’s decision was final, and whatever Chu Liang meant to say died in his throat.

With the matter settled, no one hesitated further. They packed up quickly and boarded the carriage, with Cheng Shaotang once again taking up the reins.

Xiao Shitou leaned weakly against his mother’s chest, speaking in a soft, sticky little voice. “Mommy… are we going home? I miss Grandma and Uncle.”

Ling Yu stroked his cheek gently. “Does Xiao Shitou not like being with Daddy and Mommy?”

“I do… but I also love Grandma and Uncle.”

“How about Daddy and Mommy take Xiao Shitou to a very big, very beautiful place for a few days? Then we’ll buy lots of delicious treats to bring back for Grandma and Uncle. How does that sound?” Ling Yu coaxed softly.

Xiao Shitou blinked his big eyes, thought about it seriously, then nodded. “Okay…”

A moment later, he lifted his chubby fingers and began counting like he was reciting precious treasures. “And we need lots and lots of sweet cakes! For Grandpa and Grandma, Uncle, Auntie, Cousin, and Grandma Sun, and Uncle Cui…”

“Alright, whatever Xiao Shitou says, Mother agrees to,” Ling Yu said with a smile, hugging him closer.

Zhao Yun listened to the mother and child without a shred of expression, thinking only that this woman could lie through her teeth without the slightest guilt. Though, admittedly… she was very good at coaxing children.

Cheng Shaotang, driving the carriage, heard their conversation from behind. Even with the heavy worry weighing on his heart, he couldn’t keep a smile from tugging at his lips.

He thought, even if it cost him his life, he would protect the two of them no matter what.

Just as that thought crossed his mind, the galloping horse suddenly let out a sharp neigh. Before anyone could react, its front legs buckled, and it crashed to the ground with a heavy thud, sliding forward a good distance under momentum.

“It’s a horse-trip line!!” Chu Liang shouted, yanking Zhao Yun upward in a leap to avoid being thrown from the carriage.

But Cheng Shaotang was even faster. The moment the horse neighed, he hurled the reins aside and swept up the still-dazed Ling Yu and her child as he leapt off the carriage.

The moment their feet touched the ground, five black-clad men suddenly appeared and attacked at once. Four of them surrounded Zhao Yun and his servant, while the other thrust his sword toward Cheng Shaotang.

Cheng Shaotang dodged the strike and rushed in to meet the fierce blade. In an instant, the once-silent mountain path rang with the sharp clang-clang of clashing weapons.

Ling Yu pressed her son’s face into her arms and carried him to a safe spot. Heart pounding, she watched Cheng Shaotang fighting not far away, glancing around from time to time in fear that more enemies might suddenly appear.

“Be careful!!” Seeing the black-clad man’s sword about to pierce Cheng Shaotang’s throat, Ling Yu screamed. But the next moment, she saw the attacker take a heavy blow to the abdomen. He collapsed to the ground, struggling for a long moment before he could even move.

She had barely exhaled when Chu Liang suddenly leapt into the air. His sword fell in a single, clean stroke, and the man Cheng Shaotang had knocked down earlier couldn’t even let out a sound before his throat was slit. Blood sprayed outward, and he lay completely still.

Her mouth hung open. Her breath nearly stopped. It felt as if the blood in her veins had frozen, her pupils contracting in sheer terror.

K-killed… someone…

Yesterday, when she was being hunted, night had already fallen, and she had been fleeing in all directions. She knew people had collapsed around her and the stench of blood lingered in the air, but she had never experienced anything like this moment—watching someone’s throat being slit right before her eyes and dying instantly.

“Womanly compassion!” Chu Liang wiped the blood from his sword onto the dead man in black, shot a glance at the pale-faced Cheng Shaotang, and with a sharp clang, slid his longsword back into its sheath.

Cheng Shaotang pressed his thin lips together, his hands clenching unconsciously.

“What are you standing there for? Aren’t you going to help deal with the bodies? Or do you plan to leave the corpses lying on the road?” Chu Liang barked when he saw him frozen in place.

Cheng Shaotang’s chest rose and fell rapidly. It took him a long moment to steady himself. When he turned, he met his wife’s snow-white face. A flicker of pain crossed his eyes, but he lowered his head and joined Chu Liang in quickly clearing the traces of the fight.

The carriage was gone, the horse was injured, and they had walked straight into an ambush. Chu Liang strongly opposed continuing toward Longwan Town.

Cheng Shaotang remained silent, as if he hadn’t heard Chu Liang trying to persuade Zhao Yun.

“My mind is made up. We’ll continue toward Longwan Town according to plan. Don’t worry—this time they only sent five men. It shows they’re short-handed and won’t be able to launch another assassination attempt for now. Let’s go,” Zhao Yun said firmly.

With no other options, Chu Liang could only agree.

Cheng Shaotang seemed not to hear a thing. He only stroked the injured horse gently, patiently bandaging its wounds before cutting away its reins. “I’m sorry,” he murmured, “it seems we must part here. Take good care of yourself…”

Ling Yu bit her lip. Seeing the sorrow clouding his face, a wave of confusion washed over her.

Would they really survive long enough to reach the capital?

“Let’s go. Whatever happens, I will protect the two of you.” Cheng Shaotang took their son from her arms and wrapped her hand tightly in his, as though making a solemn promise.

“Shaotang, remember this: only if you stay alive will our son and I have any chance of survival. So don’t keep thinking about using your own body to shield us.” Ling Yu held his hand in return, her voice soft.

“…I understand.” Only after so long that she thought he wouldn’t answer did his quiet reply finally come.

Zhao Yun cast the couple a cool glance, lowered his sleeve to hide his injured left arm, brushed aside Chu Liang’s offered support, and took the lead toward the town.

Chu Liang hurried after him.

Cheng Shaotang carried his son and held his wife’s hand as they followed the others into town in silence.

He brought his family to a roadside noodle stall for a simple breakfast. Watching his son eat with delight, and his wife devour her bowl, his gaze darkened, unease rising quietly in his heart.

Whether intentional or not, escorting the Crown Prince back to the capital would make slipping away later anything but easy. If it were just him, what fear could life or death possibly hold? What haunted him was the thought of dragging his wife and child into it.

“Why aren’t you eating? Once we’re done, we still have to rent a boat!” Seeing him sit there in a daze, not even lifting his chopsticks, Ling Yu hurried him along. She thought for a moment, then lowered her voice. “It’s already come to this. We can only take things one step at a time. Whatever happens, we can’t go hungry. You don’t know—hunger is the hardest thing in this world to endure.”

Cheng Shaotang blinked, then nodded solemnly. “You’re absolutely right.”

He polished off his own bowl with a hearty slurp and then accepted the rest of his son’s. As he ate, he noticed Zhao Yun at the next table frowning, stirring his chopsticks through the big bowl in front of him. After a long struggle, he finally forced down a few bites before putting the bowl aside again.

“Doesn’t even know if he’ll keep his life, and he’s still picky? The rich really are dramatic,” Ling Yu muttered beside him. Shaotang turned and shot her a reproachful look.

Only then did Ling Yu realize she’d spoken her thoughts aloud. She smiled at him in apology, and he shook his head helplessly, lowering his voice. “You…”

“Is the sworn brother you mentioned living in town, Xiao Mu?” Ling Yu suddenly remembered his earlier words and asked.

Cheng Shaotang nodded. “After the escort agency shut down, Xiao Mu went to Longwan Town. He’s now working as a long-term laborer in the estate of the local gentry.”

“If Xiao Mu lives here, it would be easier to ask him for help renting a boat, but I’m afraid that person may not agree,” Ling Yu said quietly.

Cheng Shaotang naturally understood that the “that person” she referred to was Crown Prince Zhao Yun. “I was inconsiderate.”

Zhao Yun wouldn’t even allow anyone to notify his own followers, let alone involve someone like Xiao Mu, whom he had never met and knew nothing about. He had simply taken things for granted.

He suspected that the Crown Prince’s deep distrust was either part of his nature or the result of being betrayed during the assassination attempt.

Whatever the reason, the Crown Prince likely trusted no one now except Chu Liang, his loyal companion in life and death.

Perhaps he himself could barely be counted as “temporarily trustworthy,” since he did still have two hostages in his hands!

The group bought some dry provisions for the road, Chu Liang picked up medicine at a pharmacy, and Cheng Shaotang, guided by a noodle stall owner, arranged to rent a boat from a middle-aged couple.

Only once they were safely seated on the boat did Ling Yu finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Now that they had left Longwan Town unharmed, had the Crown Prince avoided the deadly fate tied to that place?

It was Xiao Shitou’s first time on a boat. He ran excitedly across the deck, nothing like the droopy, listless child from before.

“Children forget things so easily. Once they’re full, all their worries vanish,” Ling Yu sighed, taking a few quick steps to catch the little rascal.

“Young lady, keep a close eye on the child—the boat’s about to leave!” the middle-aged boatman reminded her with a smile.

Ling Yu thanked him, then, holding her struggling son, returned to sit beside Cheng Shaotang.

Cheng Shaotang gently held his son’s little arm and said sternly, “Don’t be naughty.”

The little boy pouted and grumbled, but didn’t dare cause any more trouble.

“We didn’t come home all night. I wonder how worried they must be. We should’ve found a way to send them a message earlier,” Ling Yu murmured.

Cheng Shaotang sighed and said quietly, “Once we reach Yongzhou City, we’ll find a way to send a message home. We can’t stay here long.”

He glanced discreetly at Zhao Yun and his servant as they bandaged their wounds and whispered, “Earlier, I already found a way to ask Xiao Mu for help.”

Ling Yu was startled. The joy on her face rose and quickly faded again, and she gave him an approving look.

Cheng Shaotang set his son on his lap, letting the little boy play with his hand.

“Wow, they’re so big! Daddy, when I grow up, I want my hands to be as big as yours!” The boy placed his tiny hand in his father’s palm. The striking contrast made him exclaim, drawing the attention of Zhao Yun and Chu Liang.

Cheng Shaotang acted as though he hadn’t noticed, chuckling as he pinched his son’s cheek. Ling Yu smiled and said, “If you stop being picky about food and eat fewer sweets, you’ll grow up just like your father. But if you stay picky, that might not happen.”

The little fellow frowned in distress, then, after a moment, with the resolve of someone who had burned all bridges, shouted, “Okay! I won’t be picky anymore, I’ll eat whatever Mother gives me!”

Cheng Shaotang laughed and held his chubby arm. “A real man keeps his word.”

The little boy thumped his chest boldly and answered loudly, “I’ll do what I say!”

Ling Yu watched father and son with a smile, but as she watched, her heart suddenly lurched as she thought of a problem that would give her a terrible headache.

Who had her son learned these swaggering, roaming-hero gestures from? She already had one “loyal and righteous man” at home who made her worry day and night—if a “little loyal and righteous man” appeared in the future, wouldn’t she be driven mad?

Zhao Yun watched the family of three with cold indifference. After a moment, he let out a mocking snort. “Not only is this family bold, but they’re also carefree.”

Just moments ago, they had looked lifeless and utterly despairing, and in the blink of an eye, they were chatting and laughing again.

Chu Liang’s lips unconsciously curved into a smile. “Your Highness is absolutely right!”

Zhao Yun snorted again and cast him a cool glance. “You should tend to your own injuries.”

“Yes!” Chu Liang bowed and stepped aside to treat his wounds.

“Does it hurt a lot? When Mother spanked me last time, it hurt really, really bad.” A soft, clear child’s voice suddenly sounded beside him. He looked up and found a frightened, worried little face staring at him.

“It doesn’t hurt.” He quickly finished bandaging the wound. Seeing that the couple was no longer in the cabin and even his master had gone up to the deck for air, he knew the little guy must have slipped back while his parents weren’t paying attention.

“Can I touch your sword?” the little boy asked, pointing at the longsword beside him, his eyes full of hope.

Chu Liang hesitated for a moment, then shook his head. “No.”

“Oh…” Xiao Shitou looked a bit disappointed, but brightened up again quickly. “My daddy and Uncle Cui also have swords this long and big! Uncle Cui said that when I grow up, he’ll give me one too.”

Looking at the tender little face before him, Chu Liang’s expression unconsciously softened. He asked in a hoarse voice, “What’s your name? How old are you?”

“My name is Xiao Shitou, and I’m three years old!” The little guy proudly held up three tiny fingers.

Chu Liang couldn’t help laughing and ruffled his hair. “Xiao Shitou is your nickname. What’s your real name?”

Xiao Shitou stared at him blankly, his big eyes blinking.

“What an idiot—you don’t even know your real name.” Zhao Yun had walked in at some point. Upon hearing this, he snorted, sat down, and beckoned to the child. “Come here.”

“I’m not an idiot!” Xiao Shitou glared at him angrily, then ran out and, shouting, “Daddy, Mommy…”

Zhao Yun had never been defied and ignored like this before. He froze, and when he saw the little boy run out, he said in disbelief, “Did he just glare at me? Outrageous! What, is he running off to complain to his parents?”

Chu Liang couldn’t help a laugh. Afraid Zhao Yun would notice and become even angrier, he quickly lowered his head to hide it.

Zhao Yun sulked for a while, feeling even more like a tiger fallen on hard times.

When Ling Yu and Cheng Shaotang walked in with their son, they found the Crown Prince’s expression looking even worse, but they paid it no mind. They knew well enough how unpredictable his moods could be.

Zhao Yun’s face darkened even more, his handsome features nearly black with frustration.

Chu Liang kept his head lowered as always, standing there like a wooden pillar.

As dusk deepened, the boat traveled safely for most of the day, and Ling Yu’s tightly wound nerves gradually eased.

When night fell, Cheng Shaotang and Chu Liang took turns keeping watch. Since Chu Liang was injured, Cheng Shaotang took the second half of the night.

The couple lay on the bedboard, listening to the rushing river. She was already exhausted and sleepy, but for some reason, Ling Yu just couldn’t fall asleep.

“All those years you were away… have you ever killed anyone?” she suddenly asked in a low voice.

Cheng Shaotang shook his head.

“True, killing is no amusing matter,” Ling Yu murmured.

Cheng Shaotang knew she was thinking about what had happened these past two days. He had been thinking about it too. Bitterly, he said, “To be honest, what happened these past two days has made me feel that all this talk about the value of human life, murderers paying with their lives, and the law has become nothing but a joke!”

Ling Yu fell silent.

For him, now a law enforcer, human life being treated so cheaply was truly hard to accept.

But wasn’t that how the world worked? ‘The emperor is punished the same as the common folk’—whoever believes that is the fool