Chapter 513: Chapter 349: Splitting into Two Groups (Part 2)

"The Prince, being blessed with great fortune, will surely be fine," Zijin accompanied Gu Lan, still accustomed to calling Gu Lan ’young master’, "Young Master, did you achieve your goal by entering the palace this time?"

Gu Lan nodded, then shook his head, reminiscing about the matter with Xia He: "My status is now publicly acknowledged, and I’ve learned everything from back then, so it’s a wish fulfilled. But knowing some things too clearly inevitably brings disgust and revulsion."

Zijin seemed pensive. After a while, she returned to the room, bringing a new hand warmer for Gu Lan, with a delicate rosewood box in her hand.

"What is this? What did Zijin make for me that’s so delicious she had to sneak it out in the dead of night?" Gu Lan asked, full of interest.

Zijin gently said, "I know the Young Master’s thoughts; this is a gift from me to the Young Master."

Gu Lan opened the box, lightly caressing the contents with his fingertips, momentarily lost in thought.

At this moment, a few bunches of fallen snow scattered from a withered tree, and a small figure jumped down from the wall.

"Bao’er?"

Upon recognizing who it was, Gu Lan quickly handed his hand warmer to the little girl.

"Why are you the one delivering the message? Where is You Ying?"

Bao’er was a young apprentice Du Changning had taken in over the years of traveling the world, possessing some martial arts skills.

Breathless, Bao’er said, "Brother You just, just received a message from the Prince. He immediately led the people from Crow Building out of the city. He wanted me to tell you, the Prince is returning to the capital with a large army, but the main force is behind. Over a hundred light cavalry are accompanying the Prince as the vanguard, and they should arrive in Mu City by tomorrow. He’s worried that the imperial guard might set an ambush on the Prince’s way back, so he’s going to assist the Prince."

"Tomorrow?" Gu Lan’s eyes widened, abruptly standing from the chair.

She knew Rong Heng would return swiftly, but did not expect him to be this quick.

Gu Lan instinctively looked at Zijin: "I..."

Zijin’s expression was solemn, without any sign of hindrance or reluctance, bowing: "Young Master, the entire Dingyuan Marquis Mansion awaits your return."

"Rest assured, I’ll be back home." Gu Lan nodded. Just about to put down the box, her fingers paused as she instructed, "Bao’er, since the message has been delivered, stay and rest at the Marquis Mansion. It’s so late; it could be dangerous for you to return."

Bao’er hesitated: "Then, what about Sister Lan? Are you also going to find the Prince?"

"Yes." Gu Lan replied, holding the box, returned to her room.

After a while, she emerged again, having changed into light armor and a gray-blue cloak. Uncle Li also appeared in the backyard, bringing a similar message to Bao’er’s.

Gu Lan gently caressed the scabbard of the Longquan Treasure Sword, as if feeling the trembling of the sword inside. Was it excited as well?

Her expression became serious. She slung the sword around her waist and also took the Azure Gold Spear brought by Uncle Li.

Gu Lan looked up at the sky, where a waning moon hung, her gaze determined and profound, her red lips parting slightly: "Let’s go, to find someone first."

The corners of the youth’s lips curled into an unrestrained smile, like a glorious night-blooming flower captivating the world in the night. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

*

"Hiya!"

The horse hooves stamped on the thick snow, leaving a trail of black prints stretching from afar.

The steed galloped as fast as lightning, almost catching up with the faint line of dawn on the horizon.

"My Lord, you haven’t rested for two days; please take a break."

Mu Jun, clothed in the black armor of the Dingyuan Army, looked at Rong Heng beside him with admiration and complexity. His voice was hoarse, as the cold wind pierced his heart and lungs, bringing a burning pain.

These days, Mu Jun had shared meals and lodgings with Rong Heng, waging battles side by side, completely awed by this young Prince Xiang. The more he understood Rong Heng, the more he admired his indomitable spirit.

Rong Heng gazed into the distance at the streak of dawn on the horizon, pulled the reins, his voice as calm and serene as ever:

"We rest here for half a two-hour period, everyone have some dry rations."

"Yes, rest here for half a two-hour period."

Rong Heng bent down, his cheek resting against Mo Feng’s long mane, his eyes showing a hint of tenderness.

These ten days have been hard on this thousand-mile horse. The endless journeying dulled its once glossy coat.

He unfastened the water pouch hanging on Mo Feng, drank large gulps to soothe his dry, hoarse throat, then dismounted, letting Mo Feng eat the hay it carried, while he leaned against a withered tree to sit.

After a night of rapid travel, the blue-gray sky’s edge grew bright with the sun about to rise.

He brought back five thousand Pingnan Army and five thousand Dingyuan Army to the capital, but since the Pingnan Army consisted of infantry, no matter how elite, they could only march slowly behind. Likewise, five thousand Dingyuan Army would be too conspicuous, so Rong Heng had them both march together.