248 Bitter Life
In Dang Gui’s memory, her father had always been so tall.
As a child, she used to sit on his shoulder. But now the father in front of her was emaciated. After three years of illness, he was no longer the great general he had been.
His temples were white, and his face was pale. He lay still. His entire body exuded a heavy aura of death.
Dang Gui slowly knelt down and slowly touched Tang Pei’s hand.
In the past, his palm was wide and warm, and there were thick calluses left behind by years of martial arts. Now his hands were very cold. There was no warmth at all.
Dang Gui opened her mouth to call out for her father, but something seemed to be stuck in her throat. She couldn’t make a sound.
Tears rolled from the corners of her eyes and down her face.
Lu Yaoguang walked to her side.
He stared at her familiar face for a long time before he was sure that she was Tang Guixi.
Lu Yaoguang asked, “Where have you been for the past three years? Why haven’t I heard anything?”
As Dang Gui looked up, her eyes were red with grief and anger.
“How did my father die?”
At this point, there was nothing to hide.
“Du Tao poisoned him.”
Dang Gui had expected this answer. She was not surprised. There was only burning hatred in her eyes.
She would definitely kill Du Tao!
Prince Min could not help but urge them again.
“Let’s get out of here. We can talk slowly when we get out.”
Dang Gui wiped her tears and choked.
“Please take my father out.”
Yu Niaoniao asked, “What about you?”
Dang Gui helped her father tuck the loose hair behind his ear. Her voice was still sobbing, but her tone was extremely firm.
“I’d better follow the plan. I’ll sneak into the Eastern Expedition Army’s Camp first. Then I’ll reveal my identity and gather my troops.”
Yu Niaoniao said, “Let me go with you.”
Dang Gui shook her head. “No, you’ve been with me for three years. Thank you for taking care of me for the past three years. Let me face the rest of the journey myself.”
Lu Yaoguang could not help but advise.
“You’re just a girl. Why do you have to get involved in those fights? You’d better come with us. Leave the East Expeditionary Army alone.”
“Don’t worry, even if your father is no longer around, your engagement with my Yunchong still counts.”
“In the future, you can stay at home in peace and live your life peacefully.”
Dang Gui’s eyes were still wet, but her expression had become determined.
She spoke calmly.
“My father has never taken a step back in his life. How can I, as his daughter, get cold feet?”
Lu Yaoguang still could not understand. “But you’re a girl after all. You can’t make a contribution. Even if you save the Eastern Expedition Army, the Imperial Court won’t acknowledge your existence.”
“Although I’m a woman, Father has never restrained me with this. He gave me the freedom to come and go from the barracks like an ordinary man.”
“I can’t let him down. If he could protect the Eastern Expedition Army, he could protect the peace in Liaodong County. This was my father’s last wish and my goal.”
“I don’t care what the Imperial Court thinks of me. I just want my father to rest in peace.”
Lu Yaoguang looked at her in a daze. In that instant, he thought he saw Tang Pei in her face.
The personalities of this father and daughter were surprisingly similar. They were both so stubborn. As long as they made a decision, no one could stop them.
Lu Yaoguang said, “You have to think carefully. You might not be able to come back.”
Dang Gui said, “Since I’ve decided to go, I’m prepared to wrap my body in leather.”
She shouldered the expectations of her father and countless others. She could only advance in this battle. She could not retreat.
Lu Yaoguang let out a long sigh and stopped talking.
Yu Niaoniao was still very worried about Dang Gui’s safety, but she also knew that even if she followed Dang Gui into the military camp, there was a limit to how much she could help.
She might as well stay outside and think of a way to delay Du Tao and buy Dang Gui more time.
“Okay, I respect your decision.”
Lo Pingsha carried Tang Pei’s body.
Dang Gui took one last look at her father.
“Father, watch carefully from above. I won’t disappoint you! What you want to protect, I’ll continue to protect it for you.”
She steeled herself and looked away. She turned away.
Yu Niaoniao said to her back, “You have to protect yourself. We’ll wait for you outside!”
“Yes!”
After saying this, Dang Gui strode in the opposite direction from everyone.
She was clearly alone, but she walked with the aura of an army.
With her photographic memory, Yu Niaoniao remembered the route clearly. She took charge of giving directions and led everyone back the way they had come. Soon they found the exit.
Prince Min could not wait to open the door and be the first to get out of the secret passage.
The others ducked out after him.
Unexpectedly, just as they stabilized themselves, they saw the door being pushed open from the outside.
Du Tao stood in the doorway and looked at them with a faint smile.
“Everyone, you’re finally out. You really made me wait.”
Prince Min hurriedly retreated. “Why are you here?” he said in horror.
Du Tao asked, “If I’m not here, where else would I be?”
He looked at Yu Niaoniao and Lo Pingsha and sneered.
“You deliberately got someone to shout outside the courtyard door to attract my attention before sneaking into the secret passage in the chaos. What a good plan! I almost fell for it.”
Xiao Juan took a step forward and blocked Du Tao’s gaze on Yu Niaoniao.
Seeing this, Du Tao sneered again.
“Since Your Highness is so protective of her, it seems like Your Highness has a deep relationship with this little beauty.”
“In that case, I’ll let you die together so that you can continue to be a pair of bitter lovebirds in your next life.”
Yu Niaoniao stuck her head out from behind Xiao Juan and retorted.
“We won’t know who will win until the last moment.”
“You’re still so stubborn!” Du Tao clapped his hands.
Immediately, a group of personal guards rushed into the house. They held sabers and surrounded Yu Niaoniao, Xiao Juan, and the others.
Du Tao said, “Bring him here.”
Two personal guards escorted Shen Xu to the door.
As soon as he saw Shen Xu, Prince Min was immediately excited.
“Let go of my son!”
Du Tao smiled and said, “So this is the heir of Prince Min’s Mansion. I’m sorry.”
He pulled out the saber at his waist and placed the blade on Shen Xu’s neck.
“All of you, obediently surrender. If anyone dares to move, I’ll make this noble heir bleed on the spot.”
Prince Min panicked. “Don’t kill my son. I’ll do anything you want.”
Du Tao stared at Xiao Juan and asked sinisterly.
“Aren’t you going to surrender, Your Highness?”
Xiao Juan said calmly, “In the past, someone threatened me with Shen Xu’s life. Guess what happened?”
Du Tao didn’t answer.
Yu Niaoniao raised her hand and answered, “I know! Now that person is enjoying the rest of his life in prison.”