The Slender Waist-Chapter 232 - 164 - Sudden Change_2

Wen Xingsu did not notice the movement inside the carriage, or perhaps he did but chose silence.

Walking beside Ye Chuang, he glanced at the quiet street under the night sky and asked Ye Chuang in a low voice.

"How many men did General Pei take out of the city?"

Ye Chuang, his hand on the hilt of his waist sword, reined in his horse to ride alongside Wen Xingsu, answering, "The Great General took most of the city’s forces, leaving probably only five or six thousand men to defend the city. Most of them belong to Deng Guang’s Orange Crane Army. The Great General originally ordered him to stand by..."

Wen Xingsu replied, "That is to say, Deng Guang will soon be able to take control of Bingzhou City..."

Before he finished speaking, a clattering of horse hooves suddenly came from up ahead.

At this moment in Bingzhou City, the people had their doors shut, and other than soldiers guarding the city, no one else would be about.

Wen Xingsu furrowed his brows, "They’re here."

As his words fell, a shout came from ahead. "Who goes there?"

In the silence of the dark night, there suddenly burst forth a fierce blaze.

Feng Yun’s heart tensed up, and she slightly lifted the corner of the curtain to see Deng Guang’s dark, ruthless face among the approaching crowd.

They quickly surrounded her, intercepting Feng Yun’s party in the middle of the street.

Ye Chuang bellowed with indignation, "General Deng, what is the meaning of this?"

Deng Guang, looking at the carriage before him, chuckled and counter-asked:

"Where is the young lady headed at this late hour?"

He did not address Feng Yun as "Madam," like the others, clearly not acknowledging the wedding.

But he did not turn hostile and arrest her outright either, obviously not wanting to expose his private intentions just yet.

Feng Yun half-lifted the curtain, peering out with half her face visible.

The street lamps on both sides were dimly lit.

Feng Yun couldn’t see Deng Guang’s expression clearly.

Gently, she smiled and said, "General Deng, I heard the war is going unfavorably, and I am planning to head north of the city to seek refuge..."

Deng Guang gazed at the radiant and beautiful face behind the curtain, narrowing his eyes slightly.

"My lady, don’t be afraid. Right now, Bingzhou City is entirely under my control, and even if the Qi Army attacks until dawn, they might not be able to breach it. With me protecting my lady, there is no danger at all..."

Feng Yun frowned.

If Deng Guang was speaking as a subordinate of Pei Jue, his words were indeed too ambiguous.

Presumably, everyone else caught on as well.

Ye Chuang wore an angry expression, while Wen Xingsu remained silent.

Yet, Feng Yun laughed, "How does General Deng intend to protect me?"

Deng Guang, listening to her languid, proud voice, felt an inexplicable itch in his heart.

Beautiful ladies and concubines become trophies during wartime.

Of course, a concubine of Pei Jue would be no exception.

An hour ago, Deng Guang was actually hesitating.

Life and death, destiny, one wrong step could lead to irreversible disaster...

To betray Pei Jue or not, he had pondered much, but when making the most crucial decision, he unexpectedly recalled the scene of Feng Yun walking out of the room that day.

Her skin like snow, her beauty like jade, captivating and stunning.

Such a concubine, as soon as Pei Jue died, he could possess her...

For what do men seek to achieve glory and establish a legacy?

Isn’t it all for the thrill and the liberation? When a great man acts, he should not be held back by hesitations.

"My lady need not panic." Deng Guang caught Feng Yun’s suspicion, but he did not take the initiative to tear the veil of civility, and with a calm demeanor, he instructed, "Someone, escort the lady’s carriage back to the separate residence."

Then he offered Feng Yun a bow, with thorough courtesy.

"In these troubled times, the lady would do well not to wander around."

Feng Yun smiled faintly.

He didn’t know how Deng Guang managed to communicate with others under Pei Jue’s watchful eye; he only knew that she wouldn’t be able to get away with it unscathed.

Deng Guang led a large troop, heavily armed.

They totaled less than fifty people, and even fighting to the death might not guarantee their escape.

"Alright," Feng Yun weighed the pros and cons, and said with a bitter smile, "I’ll follow General Deng’s arrangement."

She was quite adaptable.

Hearing that laughter, Deng Guang’s ears tingled uncomfortably. He waved his hand, signaling his personal soldiers to escort Feng Yun and the others back to the separate courtyard.

Along the way, he saw many soldiers coming out from the city walls and the barracks.

Most of them had no idea what had happened, hesitating and looking bewildered.

For the ordinary soldiers, following their superior’s orders was enough; other matters were difficult for them to decide...

The wedding joy banners still hung at the gate, as if nothing had changed.

Yet, when Feng Yun returned, her status had already changed.

Deng Guang stopped in front of the gate.

Seeing Feng Yun about to steer the horse carriage through the side gate, he seemed to suddenly remember something and shouted loudly.

"Wait."

Feng Yun indifferently lifted the curtain to look at him.

"Does General Deng have any further instructions?"

Deng Guang rode over.

Still a zhang away (approximately 3.5 meters), Ye Chuang drew his waist sword, glaring at him fiercely.

Deng Guang chuckled coldly, stopped, and gave a salute to Feng Yun.

"Please, young lady, hand the hostage over to me to deal with."

Feng Yun laughed.

He wished too beautifully.

In a battle between two armies, she could use Xiao Rong to save her life or threaten Xiao Cheng with Xiao Rong to obtain greater benefits. Why should she hand over such a strategic chess piece so readily? Moreover, she still hadn’t figured out who was really behind Deng Guang.

"General Deng, I must apologize for not being able to comply."

Feng Yun’s voice was very slow, very leisurely, even somewhat tender.

"The Princess and I have been close friends since childhood. Her life is my life. How can I abandon her?"

Xiao Rong moved her hands slightly, lips slightly parted, looking at her without making a sound.

Deng Guang observed this.

The beauty behind the curtain looked pitiful.

He suddenly laughed.

"Young lady, it’s better for you to obey."

Feng Yun said, "Is General Deng trying to compel me?"

Deng Guang looked at her calm face, pursed his lips, and his eyes flashed with a wolf-like gleam.

"Even if Deng forces you to do the difficult, so what?"

Feng Yun’s hand on the curtain tightened slightly. She glanced at Deng Guang, then at the increasing number of Beiyong Army soldiers coming this way, and suddenly burst into laughter. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"Do you think you’re worthy?"

Deng Guang’s expression changed. Suddenly, he heard Feng Yun lower her voice.

"Gentlemen—"

The suddenly elevated voice was incredibly loud.

She sat still behind the curtain, unmoving, gazing coldly at Deng Guang’s followers behind him.

"I am but an insignificant woman, and my death would not matter, but you are the iron-blooded warriors who followed the Great General through thick and thin, brothers in life and death. How can you be so sure the Great General won’t come back to Bingzhou and slaughter the traitorous General under his horse?"