Chapter 11
The days pa.s.sed very quickly. Though no one came looking for Hua Zhu Yu, those were not easy days for her. It was very awkward for her to stay in the tent when Zhu Xiang was serving her guest.
Today, having reached the end of her forbearance, Hua Zhu Yu rushed out of the tent. Outside, no Northern soldier was guarding her tent. It seemed that Xiao Yin simply did not care or maybe had completely forgotten about her. This was a good thing, yet also a bad thing. It showed clearly that Xiao Yin determined to wage war against Southern Dynasty.
Judging from the size of the camp, she estimated this time, Xiao Yin brought a force of approximately two thousands men with him. When he came to Xianw.a.n.g’s rescue, he had already kept precautions in his mind. Apparently Xiao Yin, this man, was not a foolhardy.
It was almost dusk, the sky was dyed with blue and orange. Hua Zhu Yu walked around in the camp. The camp was located below a high mound. Looking at the camp’s surroundings, it would be very hard for her to escape. Moreover, although the red tents were not guarded, there were soldiers patrolling inside the camp. It was not even easy to get out of this camp.
Wandering along the sh.o.r.es of a lake, Hua Zhu Yu immediately caught a patrolling soldier’s attention. After some talk and warning, she went back to her tent.
Back to her tent, Zhu Xiang’s guest had gone. Zhu Xiang sat on her bed, was counting her money and then gave some to Hua Zhu Yu. Hua Zhu Yu smiled and took the money. Since she wanted to flee, she would need money later.
After two days, Hua Zhu Yu already knew the terrain of this camp quite well. From a sergeant who came looking for Zhu Xiang, Hua Zhu Yu learned that Xiao Yin would bring his guards out tonight. Thus, she decided to flee tonight.
She came out of her tent, dressed like a prost.i.tute. She learned from Zhu Xiang that some high-ranking sergeants would not go to red tents, they often called the prost.i.tutes to go to their tents. She could just use this as an excuse in case she was found out by the patrolling soldier(s).
Even though Hua Zhu Yu did not have internal force now, still, she was agile. She successfully dodged two patrolling soldiers and arrived at the stable’s side.
Her eyes roamed the stable and finally settled on a horse. It was a rare, good horse, really well suited to her needs. She wanted to run away so much she actually forgot one a thing. This kind of horse usually recognized its master.
She took that horse out of the stable and when she tried to mount the horse, it suddenly lashed out at her with its hind legs. Fortunately, Hua Zhu Yu reacted very fast, she rolled on the ground to dodge the horse’s kick. Then, she jumped to her feet and was about to approach the horse again to tame it when she suddenly heard a sound of people talking.
Hua Zhu Yu’s heart chilled. She must not be found at the stable or else the excuse she had prepared could not be used and she would immediately be tied back.
Her eyes swept around the surroundings and saw two carts parked beside the stable. On the carts were several barrels, the scent of wine faintly emanated from them. Hua Zhu Yu opened one of those barrels and found it empty. She immediately climbed into that barrel and then closed it after that.
For now, she could only wait for the two people who spoke just now to leave and then get out of the barrel afterwards.
Unexpectedly, they came toward the carts. One of them said hoa.r.s.ely “This time, the wine is truly worthy of its name, the taste is truly good.”
“Shh, don’t speak carelessly again, if his highness knows we drink this wine, we will lose our heads!” Another man whispered warily.
Suddenly, Hua Zhu Yu felt the barrel in which she was hiding shook. Those men unexpectedly lifted the barrel.