Shang Ruyi happily showed a smile, stepped forward and called loudly, "Mu Xian!"
Mu Xian and his people probably didn’t expect so many people here, and they were startled. But seeing Shang Ruyi, they were somewhat relieved. They hurriedly spurred their horses forward, and upon reaching Shang Ruyi, Mu Xian jumped off his horse immediately: "Young Madam—Miss Lei?"
Lei Yu looked at him and silently nodded.
Mu Xian’s expression changed rapidly. He glanced at the people behind her, instantly understanding something, and after a moment of silence, he could only nod in acknowledgment without saying much.
Within moments, those following closely behind him rushed up one after another.
Even though the two groups met with a sense of unspoken hostility, because the leaders did not speak or make any moves, the people below, despite their tense emotions, suppressed them, creating a tight atmosphere in the wind and snow.
But at this moment, no matter how tense the atmosphere was, it couldn’t affect Shang Ruyi.
She joyfully said, "You finally came. I was worried something happened in the Eastern Capital, and you might have encountered an accident."
Mu Xian glanced at Lei Yu, complicated emotions in his voice as he said, "Eastern Capital—indeed, something did happen. The people of Wanggang Village collaborated with Liang Shide’s army from inside and outside. Now, the Eastern Capital City has fallen into Liang Shide’s hands, and the defending army is already..."
He couldn’t continue.
And a complicated expression also appeared on Lei Yu’s face, as if delighted, yet a bit torn by some inner conflict.
Shang Ruyi’s heart sank even further.
Even though Lei Yu had just told her everything, truly hearing the news from Mu Xian’s mouth still made her heart ache. What made her more uneasy was how quickly the Eastern Capital City had fallen. What about Princess Xinyue and Empress Jiang?
She looked up at Mu Xian and glanced around, not managing to find Yu Wenye’s figure!
As if knowing who she was looking for, Mu Xian’s eyes flickered at that moment, and Shang Ruyi immediately frowned, asking in a deep voice, "Where is Feng Chen?"
Mu Xian didn’t speak immediately but instinctively looked back.
Shang Ruyi’s heart was delighted again, and she quickly raised her head to look through the wind and snow. Mu Xian led a great number of men; aside from the team right beside him, more men followed, moving through the snow like a black cloud pressing down on them, causing Lei Yu’s subordinates to become increasingly uneasy.
But the next moment, everyone quieted down.
Because in the wind and snow, a single rider approached under the protection of others. The slim and graceful figure on horseback gradually became distinct in everyone’s eyes. Approaching closer, it became clear that it was a beautiful young girl wearing a red wind cloak. Despite her panicked expression, her beauty was captivating, with looks that could cause the downfall of a city.
Her appearance was like a delicate flower suddenly blooming amidst a blizzard, causing hearts to involuntarily skip a beat.
Shang Ruyi’s eyes widened instantly.
It was actually Princess Xinyue, Chu Ruoyan!
She evidently did not expect to meet so many people here. Trembling, she looked around; upon seeing Shang Ruyi, she immediately seemed to find an anchor: "Young Madam!"
These words were almost uttered, but a flash of insight stopped Shang Ruyi, and she immediately switched her words, "You, you’re here."
Lei Yu standing next to her, noticeably had a momentarily disturbed breath.
However, she said nothing, even subtly turned away, signaling to her people not to make rash moves. Those people, upon seeing such an attractive young lady, had their initial killing intent gradually dissipate.
Following closely beside Princess Xinyue was another rider, who was a subordinate of Mu Xian, holding an eight or nine-year-old child—Prince Zhao, Chu Chengfei.
Along the way, he was clearly frightened; even now, his face was pale, unable to utter a single word. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡·𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖·𝔫𝔢𝔱
At this moment, Shang Ruyi understood.
Yu Wenye had led Mu Xian and his men back from Xingluo Granary, likely coinciding perfectly with Liang Shide’s attack on Luoyang City. They had taken the opportunity to meet the princess and Prince Zhao, taking them along on their journey.
She looked around. More and more people were arriving, yet the familiar figure was nowhere in sight. Instead, there appeared to be a more complex and strange expression on Mu Xian’s face, as if hiding something, or maybe, afraid she’d ask something.
Shang Ruyi only felt breathless, with a heavy thump in her heartbeat.
She asked, "Where is he?"
Mu Xian struggled for a long time and finally, in a voice as quiet as a mosquito, murmured, "The Second Young Master, he went to pursue the Empress..."