Very soon, their group entered the military camp.
In the center was a road wide enough for eight horses to walk side by side, dividing the entire camp into east and west sides. Directly ahead was the Central Army Tent, flanked on both sides by spacious training grounds where several army formations were practicing. Further away were the kitchens and stables for logistics and supplies.
At this moment, several columns of smoke were rising from the kitchens, and the soldiers were just finishing their practice, preparing to rest.
Upon seeing Yu Wenye enter the camp with two women, everyone showed surprised expressions. Seeing the young woman riding alongside Yu Wenye, despite her youth, her riding skills were not lacking. She showed no timidity when facing these soldiers, appearing calm and composed.
Everyone immediately understood that this must be the newly married Young Madam of the Duke Mansion.
At this time, two tall and robust deputies emerged from the crowd. One was in his early twenties, fair-skinned with red hair, resembling a hawk-like barbarian. The other was a middle-aged man with a black face and whiskers, looking extremely rugged. Both saluted Yu Wenye simultaneously, saying, "Second Young Master."
Yu Wenye asked, "Finished practicing already?"
The barbarian deputy laughed, "We got up earlier than usual today, half an hour earlier. Even though the young master hadn’t arrived, we didn’t dare slack off."
Then he turned his head to look at Shang Ruyi and said, "Is this the Young Madam?"
Yu Wenye then said, "They are father’s Deputy Generals, Dabo and Huang Gongyi."
Both immediately bowed to Shang Ruyi, who politely nodded back at them.
Yu Wenye then asked, "What about the remnants of the rebel army we captured yesterday?"
Huang Gongyi replied, "They’re tied up behind the stables."
As he spoke, he grinned, "These people dared to target the Young Madam, and the brothers have already avenged her."
Shang Ruyi was stunned—avenged her? What did that mean?
Yu Wenye calmly said, "Let’s go take a look."
So, they dismounted, and the two deputies led them towards the stables. As they approached, they were hit by the smell of horse manure and urine, making Tushere retch.
The two deputies glanced at her and couldn’t help but laugh.
However, when they looked at Shang Ruyi, they were somewhat surprised. This seemingly delicate Young Madam appeared completely unaffected by the smell, walking with them over the manure-mixed mud with an ordinary expression.
Huang Gongyi softly said, "Was this Young Madam... raised in a horse farm?"
Dabo waved a hand at him, then led the group behind the stables. Indeed, there was a simple fence made of wooden stakes, inside which were tied dozens of captives. Judging by their attire and appearance, they were the ones who attacked Shang Ruyi on the road. Each had their hands bound behind their backs, with faces and bodies devoid of any uninjured flesh, some almost blood-drenched, lying unconscious on the ground. Scattered around them were numerous fist-sized stones.
Upon seeing this scene, Yu Wenye frowned.
Shang Ruyi was also shocked by the situation and said, "How could they be so severely injured?"
Moreover, it didn’t look like injuries suffered in a battle when captured.
Huang Gongyi laughed, "The brothers caught them near Hengling, so I ordered them to be tied to the horse tails and dragged back."
"The brothers had some fun using them as targets."
As he finished speaking, Huang Gongyi picked up a stone from his feet and threw it at one of them. With a thud, it hit the man’s head, drawing blood, and he screamed, waking from his faint.
Shang Ruyi’s face changed.
Yu Wenye looked down at her, "What’s wrong?"