When Qian Jiaoniang came out, Zhang Zize was still waiting at the inn. She gave him no good face, only telling him to change to another place to speak. Overjoyed, Zhang Zize immediately invited her to one of his secret estates to discuss the grand plan.
Ah Da and Li Qingquan were filled with fury. When had their Commander ever been put in such a position, forced up Liang Mountain by another’s hand? Yet for now they could only swallow the humiliation. All matters would wait until the Commander returned.
The situation was urgent, but Zhang Zize already had a detailed plan. He had learned that tomorrow Xing Muzheng would be transferred from the prefectural prison to Huchang Camp, escorted to Yongan by Xu Hongzu. On the road, when they reached Suolan Bridge, an ambush would be laid. At the same time, ten identical carriages would be prepared to confuse the enemy. Once Xing Muzheng was rescued, they would board different ones and scatter, then regroup once safe, and finally head straight to Yuzhou.
So—it was indeed the scheme of seizing Yuzhou outright, just as Xing Muzheng had foreseen. Qian Jiaoniang sneered inwardly, then spoke Xing Muzheng’s words: “My lord husband says, since matters have come to this, Yuzhou cannot remain in peace. He agrees to let you enter. But before that, he must see your master face to face—to know whether he is truly a descendant of the former dynasty’s imperial clan.”
At this, Zhang Zize hesitated. “This…”
Qian Jiaoniang said coldly: “My lord husband was driven to this plight because of your schemes. He is still a true hero—beloved by the people more than the Emperor of Xie. Is it not exactly because you know he is the War God adored by all, that you slandered him and forced him into your camp? If he truly faces a legitimate heir of the former dynasty, then fine—after restoration he can still be a great general. But if it’s just some stray cat or dog pretending to be royalty, then he would rather die than join hands with you.”
As she spoke, Zhang Zize watched her, eyes rolling. He saw the hidden fury and disdain in her gaze, and the indignation in the faces of the two guards. He realized then that Xing Muzheng truly had resolved to turn to their side. Joy surged within him. If they could ally with the Dingxi Marquis, their restoration cause would be within reach. Xing Muzheng, Great General Dingxi, was a man they desperately sought to win over. With the goal so near, they could not afford to fail. And in any case, their master would one day meet Marquis Xing; since they had framed him thus, they would need to show sincerity to win his full allegiance.
“Madam worries too much. Our master is the third son of Jingqin Wang of the Yue dynasty, cousin to the Emperor of Yue himself. He is, of course, of true royal blood.” Zhang Zize had already formed a plan, but such a matter was far beyond his authority. “Now that we work for a great cause, our master will surely meet Lord Xing. But first let me report to him, and the final word must rest with him. Would that suffice?”
“My husband said: before entering Yuzhou, he must see the man. Otherwise, there’s no need to rescue him tomorrow.”
Zhang Zize gave a bitter smile. “Madam, please be reasonable. Even if I want to report, my master is not in Wuzhou. Even if he wishes to meet Lord Xing, he cannot right now.”
“Even if he is not in Wuzhou, he is nearby.” Qian Jiaoniang’s voice was firm.
Zhang Zize’s face changed slightly. “What do you mean by that, Madam?”
“How should I know what it means? I am merely repeating my husband’s words.”
Zhang Zize shook his head and sighed. “Lord Dingxi is indeed as brave and astute as his reputation claims.”
Qian Jiaoniang sneered. “Brave and astute as he is, he was still framed and thrown into prison by you. Doesn’t that make you even more formidable? Laughable—that he trusted you, only to suffer such disaster.”
At her words, Zhang Zize’s face showed guilt. He had indeed enjoyed good conversations with Marquis Xing. But alas, each served a different master; he truly had no choice. He wondered bitterly if, after this, they would ever again drink together in camaraderie.
With heavy heart, Zhang Zize departed.
The next day, the plan was set in motion. Li Qingquan, Ah Da, and the men sent by Zhang Zize went ahead to ambush at Suolan Bridge. Chunwu stayed to guard Qian Jiaoniang inside the carriage, while Qin Shaoyuan disguised himself as the driver outside.
In the small grove, all was deathly quiet—birds and beasts seemed to sense danger and had long since fled. The horses waited in stillness. No one spoke; they only strained their ears toward the distant sounds.
Suddenly, a signal arrow shrieked through the air, followed by the harsh clash of blades. Qian Jiaoniang pressed her lips tight, her fingernails scraping over her fingertips one by one.
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