Chapter 201 - 199. The Beginning of the End II

Third-person POV

The news that Huayun just reported to Hong er made Hong er couldn't stand properly. Ming Yu and Huayun swiftly grabbed Hong er and helped her sat on a nearby chair. Hong er took a deep breath and quickly gained back her composure.

Hong er: "Explain everything to me."

Ah Tong kneeled down and passed the letter he received not long ago.

Ah Tong: "Senior Jian's disappearance was the start of everything, we lost all contact with him and his badge showed that he was dead.

Master and Senior Tao were suspicious of his sudden death and sent someone to inquire about Senior Jian's whereabouts but they couldn't find any trace of Senior Jian in Da Chu Royal Palace.

Later they found Senior Jian hiding deep in the forest with critical condition. He passed us a letter before he went into a coma."

(A/N: Senior Tao is Song Tao, he is Xu family's head butler and Xu Tingfeng's former teacher. Appeared in chapter 47.)

Hong er: "What did he write?"

Ah Tong: "You Zei." (There is a traitor)

Hong er clenched her hand into a fist.

Hong er: "And?"

Ah Tong: "Just as Master got this news, the imperial army surrounded the Xu residence and arrested Master and Madam under the decree of the DC Emperor."

Hong er: "Uncle Tao?"

Ah Tong: "Also arrested, even the lowest servants were captured. It was Uncle Shu who sent us this letter, the other elite forces were hiding in Eldest Master's place, Spider Lily."

(A/N: Uncle Shu is Shu Huatuo, Shu Zhiruo's grandfather.)

The reason Shu Huatuo wasn't captured together with the Xu family was that in front of the public eyes, his connection with the Xu family was neutral. Just a physician and his patient relationship.

Hong er: "What did they accuse Xu family for?"

Ah Tong: "Illegally produces weapons, illegally trained army, and an attempt to rebel against the royal family."

Hong er: "Where are Father and Mother captivated?"

Ah Tong: "Imperial dungeon in Ping An." (Ping An= the capital city of Da Chu.)

Hong er: "How are father and Mother condition?"

Ah Tong: "No injury but their appearance was a bit disheveled because of the unattended dungeon."

Hong er inhaled a mouthful of cold air and slowly exhaled. She caressed her belly hoping that it could prevent herself from killing the Long family (Da Chu's royal family).

Hong er: "Send 4 thousand of my soldiers and 10 of my elite forces to assist father."

Huayun: "Your Majesty Empress, please think this more thoroughly. If you send half of our elite forces to Da Chu, then who will protect you if something happens? The situation in Da Qi is also not very good."

Ah Tong: "This servant agrees with Huayun, Your Majesty Empress. To send three-quarters of your soldiers, Chang An will lose a quarter of its power."

Just as what Ah Tong said, Hong er's soldiers were mainly located in Chang An and responsible to covertly protect Chang An and three cities around Chang An. By sending three-quarters of her soldiers, Hong er already lost the additional defense around Chang An. With that, it would be easier for the enemy to infiltrate Chang An.

How could Hong er not know the consequences of her own action? She would always consider the pros and cons of every decision that she made, but for this time, she had to take a big risk.

Hong er: "Father just lost over 6 thousand of his soldiers! And the remaining soldiers were also captured, do you think that emperor would just let our Xu soldiers live?"

Ah Tong and Huayun lowered their heads because they exactly know what was going to happen to their fellow brothers who had fought alongside them on many battlefields.

Ming Yu doesn't have any knowledge about strategy and military, she is just a highly skilled seamstress. But she understands one thing from listening to their conversation. No matter what they do, they would be in a tight corner.

Hong er: "Just send them, the remaining 11 of you stay with me."

The two felt hopeless in persuading Hong er because of her stubbornness.

Ah Tong: "Yes, Your Majesty Empress."

Ah Tong was about to walk away when Hong er stopped him. Hong er asked Ming Yu to bring her paper and writing tools. Ah Tong patiently waited for Hong er to finish writing her letter. She dried off the ink and passed it to Ah Tong.

Hong er: "For Meiyun."

.

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On the other side, the Di family was busy investigating and cleaning up the site where the tsunami happened about a week ago.

Meiyun: "We found another one in here. Team one!"

Team one: "Yes!"

A group of young men with various tools in their hands ran to Meiyun's side. Meiyun was helping the team take an autopsy on a corpse beneath the snow when she heard a bird's screech. She looked up to the sky and saw a white owl flying towards her.

She extended her arm and the white owl landed on her arm that was padded with leather and fur. Meiyun opened the little tube that was tied to the owl's foot and took out a small rolled paper.

'I commanded 4 thousand of my army and 10 elite forces that were with me to help father. I'm pretty sure you had got the news. I want you to lead the army with General Di. I trust you.'

Below the letter was a little map that was drawn by Hong er and at the corner, there was Hong er's seal. Meiyun slashed the letter with her wind magic until it was impossible to reassemble the letter. She released the owl and told the team to continue the examination without her.

She approached Di Shang who was also busy giving orders to his subordinate.

Meiyun: "Shang Tang."

Di Shang: "Hm?"

Di Shang glanced at Meiyun and saw her serious expression. He gave out his orders in a few words and dismissed the group. Without a word, Meiyun walked towards their tent which Di Shang silently followed behind her.

As soon as they entered the tent, Meiyun immediately cast a soundproof barrier and made sure no one was near their tent. Seeing how Meiyun acted, Di Shang also got serious.

Di Shang: "What is wrong?"

Meiyun: "Her Majesty Empress asked us to lead 4 thousand troops to assist Master."

Di Shang: "En. Where is the meeting point?"

Meiyun: "1 thousand soldiers from Chang An and 3 thousand soldiers from southwest (The city that they battled before). The meeting point is here."

Meiyun pointed at a red dot on the map in front of her. Di Shang nodded his head in agreement as it was the best and quickest way to gather everyone and plan it out.

Just when Di Shang was about to ask Meiyun a question, Meiyun suddenly lost all of the energy in her body and caused the soundproof barrier that she cast to automatically break.  

Before her body could touch the ground, Di Shang swiftly caught her and wrapped her cold body with his fur coat.

Di Shang: "Call the physician!"