Chapter 1388 - 1064: Where Did She Go?

Three days later, Yu Wenye beheaded Shan Shiyu at Hulao Pass.

This was not considered a significant event in the army, after all, they had killed not just dozens but hundreds of enemy generals; yet Shan Shiyu seemed different from others. When his head fell and blood spurted into the sky, several generals in the audience showed expressions of reluctance.

But their reluctance was not because of Shan Shiyu himself, but because of Shantong’er, who was never present.

Everyone knew that after Shantong’er woke up, he had immediately sought out Yu Wenye to plead for Shan Shiyu, but no matter what he said or how he pleaded, Yu Wenye did not relent, and by today, as Shan Shiyu was beheaded, Shantong’er was nowhere to see him off.

People thought, maybe he couldn’t bear to witness this scene.

Killing Shan Shiyu also meant that Hulao Pass was entirely under Yu Wenye’s control. He immediately ordered the camp to be moved to Hulao Pass. Mu Xian had long been here to inventory the troops and the weapons in the warehouse, the horses in the stables, and the scant remaining provisions. When he ascended the city wall with the register in hand, he saw Yu Wenye standing at the top, gazing eastward, his gaze deep as if contemplating something, and immediately stopped in his tracks.

He pondered for a moment, planning to withdraw and return later to report.

Just as he was about to turn around, he heard Yu Wenye say, "What’s the matter?"

Mu Xian immediately stepped forward, saluted, and then said, "Your Highness, I’ve summed it up for two days. Under Shan Shiyu, of the five subordinate generals, two have joined us with their troops, totaling forty thousand men. Of the remaining, two escaped back to Luoyang, and one refused to surrender and was killed by us. In total, this comes to nearly one hundred thousand."

Yu Wenye slightly furrowed his eyebrows.

Shan Shiyu commanded one hundred and fifty thousand soldiers to defend Hulao Pass. They captured the pass but recovered less than fifty thousand troops. Although it was a great victory in terms of war casualties, this figure was hardly encouraging.

Moreover, the soldiers who escaped to Luoyang with those two generals were not gone forever. Liang Shide could not wait for them to fortify themselves here and, after reinvigorating, continue attacking Luoyang, because by that time, he would truly have no retreat and would definitely launch the greatest counterattack before Luoyang became an isolated city.

Yu Wenye thought for a moment, then said, "What about the provisions?"

Mu Xian replied, "Our provisions are only enough for a month, but with the consumption of those forty thousand men, I’m afraid it will not last half a month."

"Is there no grain in Hulao Pass’ granary?"

"Less than five days’ worth."

"..."

Yu Wenye took a deep breath, shook his head, and coldly chuckled, "Liang Shide really had Shan Shiyu tightly in his grip."

Not providing enough provisions, and with family and relatives all in Luoyang, no wonder...

At this moment, a slight reluctance surged in his heart, but this reluctance also only flashed momentarily, and the next moment, he recovered his usual calm, turning to look west, where the setting sun gradually slanted to the west, casting sunlight redder and more glaring than the pool of blood at Shan Shiyu’s feet when he fell.

Yu Wenye half-squinted his eyes, then asked, "Is there any news from Tongguan?"

Upon hearing this, Mu Xian’s face slightly stiffened.

Although he did not look at him, Yu Wenye still keenly sensed something and immediately turned his head to look at him, his gaze intense, even more scorching than the blazing sunlight behind him, prompting Mu Xian to lower his head immediately: "Your Highness..."

Yu Wenye’s expression darkened: "Speak!"

Mu Xian also knew he couldn’t hide it, so he softly said, "There is news from Tongguan, the Princess, she has not returned to Chang An."

"..."

In an instant, it seemed to suddenly become silent around.

Although at this moment, the sunset blazed like fire, coating Yu Wenye in a layer of sharp, glaring golden light, he himself seemed to fade instantly, especially his eyes, stern as if a chill exuded even in the sunlight, giving Mu Xian a shiver, and he silently lowered his head.

After a long silence, Yu Wenye spoke again, his voice still calm but devoid of any emotion or warmth: "When did the news come?"

"This morning."

"This morning..."

Yu Wenye’s eyes slightly narrowed.

Before engaging Shan Shiyu, he had sent Mu Xian to dispatch people to Tongguan. The time these days was just enough for a round trip, but Shang Ruyi left Xiazhou at least half a month ago. If she really returned to Chang An, she would surely pass Tongguan, and there would definitely be news returning.

If there is none, it means—

Yu Wenye clenched his teeth: "Why didn’t you say this earlier?"

Mu Xian was drenched in cold sweat and could only muster the courage to say, "I, I was afraid Your Highness would worry."

As he spoke, he immediately lifted his head: "However, Your Highness, rest assured, the Princess is not an ordinary woman. Even if she hasn’t returned to Chang An, she, she certainly wouldn’t be in any danger. The people I sent to inquire returned to say that Your Majesty dispatched many Imperial Guards to accompany her, and each one is a skilled expert, so..."

As he spoke to the end, even his own voice dwindled.

Indeed, Shang Ruyi was no ordinary woman. She went to resolve the crisis in Xiazhou; Yu Wenquan certainly wouldn’t let her go alone and would dispatch people to follow and protect her.

But the problem was, now that the matters in Xiazhou have been settled, why hasn’t she returned to Chang An?

Where did she go?

She had nowhere else to go in the Central Plains; if she did not return to Chang An, the only place they could think of was that the Princess might have come to Luoyang to see King Qin. But the issue was, at least half a month had passed, if she intended to come, she would have arrived long ago, so why was there no news from them at all?

Could it be that the Princess met with an accident on the way?

Just thinking about it made Mu Xian’s legs feel somewhat numb.

Yu Wenye was not someone adept at expressing emotions, or rather, someone who liked expressing emotions. Yet even with his reticence and reserve, everyone could see his deep love and affection for the Princess, a bond like that of a close, loving pair. In fact, Mu Xian had no doubt, Prince Qin, skilled in battlefield command and strategic foresight, had definitely had the invaluable assistance of his capable consort to have accomplished what he did today.

If anything, if Princess Qin encountered any trouble—

Mu Xian did not dare to think further.

Just as Yu Wenye remained silent, the quiet around Mu Xian filled him with chill when heavy footsteps shattered this stillness; someone was rushing up the city wall. Mu Xian turned to see who the unfortunate soul was intruding at this moment, only to find Shen Tu Tai walking briskly towards them, his fierce face showing unusual worry and urgency.

Upon approaching, he saluted Yu Wenye: "Your Highness."

Seeing him like this, Yu Wenye frowned. He had instructed Shen Tu Tai and his men to clear the previous campsite and bring the last batch of people to Hulao Pass. His anxious look now indicated something had happened.

So he asked: "What happened?"

Shen Tu Tai replied: "Shantong’er is missing..."