CHAPTER 324: CHAPTER 321: FATHER AND DAUGHTER UNITED

Chang Yue knew who Xie Shao Yuan was, as Miss Xie had already clearly told him her parents’ names before he came.

However, he didn’t expect that the one trapped in Lingqiu was indeed Miss Xie’s father.

Chang Yue greatly admired Miss Xie. After all, as the mistress, she had such heavy burdens yet could still face everything calmly. Now he couldn’t wait to send the news back, and Miss Xie would certainly be delighted upon hearing it.

Chang Yue said, "Without seeing Miss Xie, Xiao Xingzong won’t act. Tomorrow, Miss Xie will secretly come to Lingqiu, revealing her whereabouts to Xiao Xingzong. Since Xiao Xingzong’s target is Miss Xie, he will dispatch troops to capture her, and by then, we will seize the chaos to rescue Old Master Xie."

Liu Ji understood and slightly opened his mouth: "Do you mean to use Liangchen as bait? How can that be? Tell Shao Yuan; he will never agree. He’d rather die at Xiao Xingzong’s hands than let Liangchen take the risk."

"Miss Xie is the same," Chang Yue said, "When Miss Xie was not certain of the identity of the person trapped by Xiao Xingzong, she made these arrangements. If she knew it was Old Master Xie, she would not stand by indifferently either."

The father and daughter are very similar in some ways and would act the same in each other’s shoes.

The situation was urgent, and Liu Ji took a deep breath: "Then what should I do?"

Chang Yue said, "Before leaving Dai State, our General, to prevent any sudden moves from Xiao Xingzong, specifically left some troops and guards. The villagers in Dai County opened a path through the mountains directly to Lingqiu, and tonight the troops will reach Lingqiu through that path."

"Now it’s not a real confrontation between two armies, it depends on who seizes the initiative first. When we act, please lead us to find Old Master Xie, and we’ll try to rescue everyone trapped by Xiao Xingzong."

Liu Ji couldn’t help but say, "Do you know that the Liao has sent more troops?"

"We are aware," Chang Yue responded, "So this battle is inevitable, for Old Master Xie, and for the people of Dai State."

After all, the Liao’s troops are not few, and even if Song Xian left people behind, it would be difficult to keep the pass secure, and the ones who will suffer then will be the innocent people.

"Our General will come," Chang Yue was determined, "As long as we hold on until the General arrives, he will surely drive the Liao away."

Chang Yue never had much confidence in his master, except when it came to leading troops in battle; there was no one on earth who could rival his master.

Liu Ji looked at the Song Family’s House General’s determined expression, yet he was half-doubtful in his heart. Tasked with capturing the Pseudo King, how could Song Xian abandon the battle there to bring troops to Dai State? Once everything calms down, Dai State might no longer be able to hold on.

Worried in his heart, there was no other solution.

Although the father and daughter had not yet met, they didn’t delay in working together to overcome the challenges.

...

At dawn, Xie Liangchen was already dressed and came out from the military tent.

As soon as she went out, she saw Village Chief Wang and Hu Zi.

Hu Zi’s eyes were red; the child didn’t know what Miss Xie was going to do but understood it must be very dangerous.

Hu Zi stepped forward and tightly grasped the corner of Xie Liangchen’s clothes, and Xie Liangchen was reminded of her little brother, just as worried, just as afraid, yet equally sensible and obedient.

Xie Liangchen reached out and patted Hu Zi’s head: "You have to be good and listen, when Sister comes back, she’ll make you something delicious."

"No need for something delicious," Hu Zi said, "just as long as Sister comes back."

Xie Liangchen agreed: "Okay."

Village Chief Wang had nothing to say; he wasn’t kept in the dark about what Miss Xie intended to do, and he also knew that the Song Family’s House General had instructed people to take that small road to Lingqiu.

After running around all night, it was only when dawn approached that Chang Yue returned.

Xie Liangchen nodded to Village Chief Wang and, together with Chang Yue and others, went straight in the direction of Lingqiu. When Chang Yue returned, he told her the news about her father.

Xie Liangchen was filled with joy and bitterness... all kinds of emotions mixed together. She did not lose her composure for long and forced herself to regain her calm, only then could she bring her father home.

...

Lingqiu Military Camp.

Xiao Xingzong received news that Xie Liangchen had disguised herself as a peasant woman and took a small road from Dai State all the way to Lingqiu.

Xiao Xingzong smiled. After waiting so long, things finally turned out well. His troops were all mobilized, just waiting for Prince Guangyang’s granddaughter to come forth.

Xiao Xingzong stood up and looked at the map. He already knew where the assassins were hiding, and since Xie Liangchen would definitely go there, he didn’t need to wait for the two to meet; as soon as Xie Liangchen entered his troop’s reach, he would act.

"Before capturing Xie Liangchen, don’t alert those set to assassinate," Xiao Xingzong said, "lest we alert them prematurely."

Since actions were being taken, Xiao Xingzong looked to Hu Gu: "Let the Third Prince arrange troops to attack the Dai State Pass, and those stationed in Ying County and Shuo County under Gao Yu will also head there."

Hu Gu and others responded and went to make arrangements.

Xiao Xingzong donned his armor, led the troops out of the camp, scouts continuously reported Xie Liangchen’s movements.

Xie Liangchen moved cautiously, without riding a horse to conceal her tracks, making her actions especially slow. If it weren’t for someone patient, they would have acted long ago.

Xiao Xingzong could still bear it, but Hu Gu and others began to grow impatient.

"It seems like they’re taking the wrong road," Hu Gu said, "it’s as if they’re deliberately going in circles."

Xiao Xingzong calmly replied, "For caution’s sake." Though he hadn’t seen Xie Liangchen with his own eyes, he already knew of her cunning and prudence.

Hu Gu sent people to further investigate: "She hasn’t yet left the Dai State Pass." The pass guarded by the Song Family Army, if Xie Liangchen detected any signs, she would immediately escape back, and all efforts would be wasted.

Xiao Xingzong said, "Wait a bit longer." At such a moment, one needed to have enough patience.

Whether it was Xie Liangchen overthinking or being too cunning, it was as if a beast was about to step into a trap, but suddenly changed direction, constantly probing around the trap.

Xiao Xingzong’s troops prepared several times but failed to act successfully.

Xiao Xingzong was also patient. Since Xie Liangchen was about to come face-to-face with him, why not try extending his reach a little further: "Five more miles forward."

With eyes fixed on Xie Liangchen, unknowingly, Xiao Xingzong moved further away from where the assassins aiming for him were.

On the other side, Liu Ji looked up at the sun above. The appointed hour with Miss Xie had arrived. He decisively moved forward, slipping into the dense forest, skillfully finding Xie Shao Yuan hiding there.

Liu Ji grabbed Xie Shao Yuan’s arm: "It’s time to go."

Xie Shao Yuan’s palms were full of sweat, and he nodded. When Liu Ji told him that Liangchen would take a risk to save him, he felt a mix of emotions, not expecting that his plans had long been known by Xiao Xingzong. Not only did he fail to help, but his daughter had to risk herself for him.

Liu Ji’s fingers closed in, telling him: You must go back to see Liangchen, you must go back to see your daughter, she is waiting for you.

Xie Shao Yuan’s eyes were red, his throat itched, and he couldn’t help but cough. After finally calming his breath, he looked towards where Xiao Xingzong was, decisively heading east, where Song Xian’s troops were waiting for him.

Having never received Xiao Xingzong’s "command to act," the Liao scouts stationed around watched, as the "assassins" disappeared into the forest.

"Something’s off; these people seem to be fleeing," someone sensed something amiss, "quickly report to Mr. Xiao."

No need for the scouts to report, Xiao Xingzong had already sensed something was wrong. Wasn’t Xie Liangchen moving too slowly? Wasn’t she afraid he’d already left for the camp? Wouldn’t that miss the best opportunity to assassinate him?

Xiao Xingzong ordered: "Go capture them now."

Hu Gu complied and motioned for the troops to proceed, but before the hooves could move, several cries of pain rang out, followed by the sound of feathered arrows slicing through the air.

A wave of feathered arrows flew straight towards Xiao Xingzong.