(*) Shiyi, the ancient na of the county, was located in the southeast of Huilu County (now called Luquan District) in Hebei Province, in the western part of present-day Shijiazhuang City.
Xiao Qiao could barely open her eyes because of the wind. She was spinning on the horse, unable to distinguish between north and south, struggling to save herself out of an instinct, when a voice ca to her ears: Man Man! Its !
This voice sounded familiar.
Xiao Qiao stopped struggling. The man returned her to a normal position on the horse. She opened her eyes and see a handso face revealed under the bucket hat.
Liu Yan, the Heir of Langya!
She was surprised. Xiao Qiao never dread the person who appears and kidnaps her would be Liu Yan!
Man Man, dont be afraid! The carriage is waiting just ahead. I will explain to you when we get to a safe place!
Liu Yan looked nervous. He glanced back behind him from ti to ti. After comforting Xiao Qiao with a few words, he clamped the horses belly hard. Gave it a heavy whip, and the horse let go of its hooves to run forward.
Xiao Qiao reacted.
Heir Liu! I wont go with you! Please let go back!
But Liu Yan didnt listen. Instead of stopping, he whipped his horse harder.
A mouthful of icy wind filled her mouth, swallowing her voice, and Xiao Qiao choked and coughed.
There was a carriage parked on the roadside in front of them. The white horse carrying the two of them sped up to the front. Two people ca down from the carriage. Liu Yan flew down from the horse, forcing Xiao Qiao, who was still coughing, into the carriage, followed by himself. After the door was closed, the carriage turned and headed east.
When he got on the carriage, Liu Yan looked relaxed and saw Xiao Qiao still lying there coughing. His face showed pity, with one hand around her shoulder and the other hand patting her back, whispering: Man Man, did you get scared? Dont be afraid. Ill take you away. We will never be separated again!
Xiao Qiao stopped coughing and straightened up her body, avoiding his hand that was circling her.
Heir Liu! You cant take away like this! I must go back!
Liu Yan was stunned and looked at Xiao Qiao for a mont, then smiled, his gaze bitter.
Man Man, could it be that after two years of not seeing , you have beco unfamiliar with ? In the past, you wouldnt have called like that.
mories surfaced in Xiao Qiaos mind.
Liu Yan ca to the Qiao family at thirteen, returned to Langya at eighteen, beca engaged to her the following year, and now he is twenty-one.
In the five years he lived in the Qiao family, he was treated with courtesy by the Qiao family, despite his fallen reputation. Qiao Ping hired the best riding instructor for him, searched for military books for him to study, and treated him with the courtesy of a guest. Xiao Qiao and he were in love, and the marriage was a perfect match.
If she were still the old Xiao Qiao, she would know how to face her forr lover, Liu Yan.
But she is not the old Xiao Qiao anymore.
The deepest impression Liu Yan left on her was not his talent or love, but the nightmare that tornted her for so long in the last monts of her previous life.
In her previous life, Xiao Qiao and Liu Yan, as a pair of emperor and queen, had died together, and it was reasonable to say that they were faithful.
She can understand about Liu Yans harem.
But the gaze of the thirteen-year-old Consort Liu staring at her before she died still makes her shudder every ti she wakes up from a dream.
She might also understand the way Liu Yan disposed of his harem, which was taken for granted in this era. But she couldnt agree.
She also sympathized with Liu Yan, the sad emperor from her previous life, but she could no longer give the sa affection to him as Xiao Qiao did before.
She could not afford to be held hostage by Liu Yan, and that was the only thought in her mind.
Heir, uncle broke our marriage contract and married off. It is our Qiao familys fault to you. But today is not the sa as before, I am not the old Xiao Qiao. I am already a married woman. I can only rember your deep love for , and I wish you all the best in the future. Please send back or let go down nearby. General Wei should look for soon.
Xiao Qiao said.
Liu Yan remained looking at Xiao Qiao and reached out his hand again and clasped her hand.
What are you talking about? I know they forced you to marry that Wei Shao. It wasnt your original intention! Now I take you away. Isnt that good?
Xiao Qiao shook her head, Heir, its still the sa words. I appreciate your feelings. But Im not the old Xiao Qiao. Besides, if you take away like this, how can Wei Shao let it go? Where will you take now?
Since I decided so, I have no intention of returning to Langya. The position of the heir apparent is not a priority for either. People who ca with are devoted to . The sky is far away. I will take you where no one can find us, and we will never be apart!
His expression beca excited as he spoke.
Xiao Qiao withdrew her hand from his, pulling it out.
Im sorry. Im afraid Im going to disappoint you. I wont leave with you like this. Please let go back.
The redness on the two cheekbones that flushed from excitent faded away from Liu Yans clear and handso face.
He just stared at Xiao Qiao, not moving and not speaking, as if he was decided.
The carriage was speeding along the road. Their bodies bouncing as the wheels rolled over, and the bumps were very strong.
The look in Liu Yans eyes made Xiao Qiao feel a little uneasy.
Heir.. she called him.
Liu Yan seed to co back to his senses, and a smile reappeared on his face, said: Man Man, you must be frightened so you talk nonsense. Dont be afraid, listen to . I have arranged everything. We will live well in the future.
Heir Liu! Giving up everything you have now for is not worth it! I wont go with you either. The past is the past. Please let go!
Liu Yan stared at her, the smile on his face disappearing once again.
Man Man, you have confused and made disappointed.
He said word by word, with a deep voice.
You understand my heart, the sun and the moon can witness for three lifetis! I have not seen you for two years. I miss you almost all the ti in Langya. Last year, I take advantage of your uncles birthday to go to the East County. I was hoping to see you. I did not expect you to avoid it. Ive been waiting for the wedding date, but your Qiao family sent news about the termination of the contract. How can I live with myself? Even though I am incompetent, I cant bear such a hatred of losing my wife! Two months ago, I was already on my way, but I never had the chance. Today, even the heavens helped , allowing to take you back again. I just dont understand. Whats wrong with you? Do you have unspeakable secrets, or have you changed your heart and reneged on our forr vow?
Man Man, I know you have a lot of concerns. But you just co with . No need to think too much. After so ti, you will figure it out. Have you forgotten what you said to in the past?
His tone beca gentle again.
Xiao Qiao closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
Heir, I
She opened her mouth with so difficulty, and before the words fell, the carriage, as if it had t with so accident, suddenly slowed down. Because of montum, Xiao Qiaos whole body fell forward, and Liu Yan grabbed her.
What happened?
The carriage ca to a halt. Liu Yan probed out of the window and asked in a stern voice.
He froze.
A few feet ahead, in the snow, a line of horse archers crossed the middle of the road. They blocking the way. They already stretched their bow strings out, ready to be shot.
Liu Yans expression changed and ordered the driver to turn around. In the snow behind him, the sa seven or eight horse archers caught up with him. Then a horse ca out of the side. On the horse sat a young general dressed in armor, holding a painted halberd. With a wild posture, pointing his halberd at the carriage, and laughing: I am Chen Rui of Bingzhou! Heir Liu, leave Wei Shaos wife. I respect you as a Han family, will not make things difficult for you!
Chen Rui, the third son of Chen Xiang, the ruler of Bingzhou, is a ruthless man. The people of Bingzhou are afraid of him. Because he was born with a feminine face, they gave him the nickna Jade-faced Rakshasa.
A month ago, in the battle of Boling, Wei Shao defeated Zhang Jian, the general under the command of Chen Xiang, who lost his troops and was forced to retreat west. Chen Rui escaped from the defeat with Zhang Jians brigade, and was escorted by his own soldiers. After breaking the encirclent, he was left with less than 20 n.
He was young and vigorous. Competitive and ritorious and favored by his father. He had been displeased with Wei Shao for a long ti. And in this battle of Bo Ling, he volunteered to lead the vanguard of the lieutenant, boasting that he would capture Wei Shao alive. Unexpectedly, he lost Bo Ling and ended up in such a ss. He was ashad to go back and stay in the vicinity.
He heard that Wei Shao had recently gotten married and his wife was a Yanzhou woman, and the weather was getting colder. He thought he could not take advantage of the situation if he stayed any longer, so he was going back to Bingzhou. The next day, Wei Shao sent his wife to Youzhou. When he got the news, Chen Rui followed him all the way. He was afraid of Wei Liangs strength and courage. He did not dare to co closer and make a rash move. It surprised him that today Wei Liang was a little negligent. He let Liu Yan succeed first. He could not let go such an opportunity. And he imdiately chased after him, so he picked up a big bargain. How can he not laugh?
When Chen Rui saw there was no movent in the carriage, his face sank. He made a gesture, and the horse archers imdiately released arrows. There was a scream from outside the carriage, and Liu Yans followers were hit by arrows and fell to the ground injured.
When the carriage stopped, Xiao Qiao thought Wei Liang had arrived, but suspected he could not have chased her so quickly. At this mont, hearing the groaning outside the carriage, Liu Yans face was extrely ugly. Shielding Xiao Qiao behind him. With one hand, clutching the handle of his longsword. The back of his hand with bulging veins, and his heart couldnt help but shiver.
The Chen family of Bingzhou and Wei Shao were enemies, and she knew they had just fought in Boling last year.
If she knew she was going to fall into the hands of the Chen family, she would rather go with Liu Yan.
A footstep is near, and the door of the carriage is pulled open. Ca a fair jade face, twenty-five or twenty-six years old, with a golden crown on his head and a lion barbarian sash around his waist. His eyes saw Xiao Qiao behind Liu Yan and imdiately fixed, motionless.
Liu Yan was furious and pulled out his sword, pointing it at Chen Ruis face, and said, General Chen, Langya and Bingzhou have always been at peace with each other. What is the reason for your obstruction?
Chen Rui also heard of Yanzhou Qiao girls beauty, but did not expect she was beautiful to this extent. Once he saw her, he almost lost his soul. He saw Liu Yan pulling out his sword and pointing at himself, then he ca back to his senses. He was not annoyed and pushed the sword away with his finger. Raised his chin back, said: Heir Liu, the number of people behind is several tis more than you. If not because you are a Han family mber, how can I leave you alive today?
Chen Ruis horse archers surrounded him, and a dozen full-bowed arrow clusters were aid at Liu Yan in unison.
I advise you to know whats good for you. This beauty does not belong to you. Therefore, it is not wrong for to take her away. You should co down and leave the carriage for the wife of Marquis Yan. The weather is cold. I cant let her freeze.
Chen Rui grabbed the longsword from Liu Yans hand, and several horse archers climbed onto the carriage and dragged Liu Yan down from the carriage by force. Chen Rui took one more look at Xiao Qiao. Laughed loudly, closed the door of the carriage with a bang, turned on his horse and said, We cant stay here for long! Lets go!
Chen Rui! If you dare to touch her, I, Liu Yan, and you will fight against each other
Liu Yan chased after him but he could not catch up. He could only watch as a group of people and horses sward around the carriage and sped away in the snow.
He ran wildly forward. Chasing out dozens of paces away. His feet stumbled and finally fell to the ground.
For a long ti, he slowly raised. Half kneeling in the snow, looking in the direction where the carriage disappears. Trembling with his eyes red, looked like he was crying and laughing.
When Wei Liang chased until here, the blood on the ground and the ruts of the carriage had been covered up by the snow. Only from a few arrows that are still stuck in the snow can be deduced what probably happened a few monts ago.
A passerby had delivered a ssage to him, saying that soone had asked him to convey the wife of the Marquis of Wei had fallen into the hands of Chen Rui in Bingzhou. Wei Liang wanted to ask more, but the passerby said he knew nothing else.
He had sent soone to report to Wei Shao as fast as possible, and he should receive the news in a day or two.
Wei Liang is blaming himself, while anxiously looking into the distance.
The people who had been sent out to gather news of Chen Ruis carriage and horses returned, and so had seen them going to the southwest.
From experience, he deduced Chen Rui should have taken the lady with him to Shiyi, hundreds of miles away. It was the closest city to the border between Wei Shao and Chen Xiangs territory, and had a large contingent of Chen Xiangs n and horses.
T/N: The author keeps changing between Marquis Wei and Marquis Yan. Its the sa though. Yan is the title and Wei is the surna.
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