On April 15, when the second princess of the Victorian Kingdom Tingyu got married, she was at the border of Hengguo at the junction of Heng and Yi——

Qi Fan, the commander of Hengguo's light car, led a group of soldiers defending the city to resist the offensive of the Yi army several times, and gradually grasped the initiative on the battlefield, winning several battles one after another. Pen × fun × Pavilion www. ｂｉｑｕｇｅ。 infoThe current situation at the border is not very tense, and Qi Fan has plenty of time to discuss tactics with his subordinates and formulate the next strategy.

Halfway through the battle meeting, Qi Fan's eight subordinates hurriedly walked into the big tent and said:

"My lord, my subordinates have something important to report. ”

"What's the matter?" Qi Fan stopped talking with Qian, Kun, Zhen, and Xun, and turned his gaze to look at Kan.

"There was no news from the people sent to Belvedere last night or this morning, and there was no news twice in a row, I'm afraid it's not accidental, maybe something happened to Belvedere. ”

When Qi Fan heard this, his pupils shrank suddenly, and his expression was a little grim.

"Belvedere is only a day's distance from here, and we will definitely be aware of it if a large group of people approaches. Moreover, the two hundred soldiers sent to Belvedere were all brave and capable, how could they all be wiped out in a day or two?" said Qian, with a flash of surprise in his eyes.

"Unless it's a good general who sends troops and strategizes. Zhen then said.

"Except for Shu You, who has been dismissed by Emperor Jing, no one in Yi Guo seems to have this ability. Tatsumi muttered in deep thought.

"Instead of sitting here speculating, let's go and see what is going on. Kun looked directly at Qi Fan and asked, "My lord, my subordinates are willing to take someone to infiltrate Belvedere to investigate." ”

Qi Fan and Kun glanced at each other, and then said:

"Now that the situation at the border is favorable to our side and the situation on the battlefield is stable, if I leave for three days, the impact will not be great. ”

"My lord, do you mean to go to Belvedere in person?" Zhen asked after hearing the meaning of Qi Sanskrit's words.

"Before I left Hengdu, the second prince told me to take care of Miss Mo Lanhui of the Mo family after I returned to the border gate. If I'm not mistaken, tomorrow is her wedding day, and I'll have to make sure she's safe myself. Qi Fan pondered for a moment, looked around at everyone and said, "Qian, Kun, Zhen, Xun, the four of you stay and fight according to the countermeasures discussed just now." Kan told him to leave, Gen, and Dui to prepare, and immediately went to Belvedere with me to order 3,000 troops. ”

"Yes, sir. Several people replied in unison.

~~~

In the Yi capital, due to the serious illness of Empress Jinghuang, no one in the city dared to raise a loud noise, and the palace was even quieter, and the whole palace was faintly shrouded in a gloomy atmosphere.

After learning the news that the queen was seriously ill, the eldest prince Xiuxi obtained the consent of Emperor Jing, temporarily left the battlefield of the battle with the Hengguo Demon Palace, and rushed back to the palace with Liuchen overnight. At the same time, the second prince Xiuyuan led the army to temporarily take over Xiuxi's military affairs.

After the concubines, princes and princesses came to the queen's bedroom to ask for peace, the queen only left Xiuxi, Xiuxuan and Liuchen to talk in front of the bed, and the rest of the people were dismissed. Xiuyao, the fourth prince who was walking at the end of the crowd, called the fifth princess Xiuyan, who was about to return to the palace, and greeted:

"Fifth sister, I haven't seen her for a few days, and it seems that she has lost a lot. ”

"Fourth Brother Lao is worried. Xiu Yan turned around and bowed to Xiu Yao.

"If my sister is free, it is better to sit at the fourth brother's place, I just got some tea to nourish the body and nourish my body. ”

"Speaking of which, I haven't officially met the fourth sister-in-law, so I'm really sorry not to go. I will listen to the fourth brother today, but I just want to disturb the fourth brother and the fourth sister-in-law. ”

"Where's that. Let's get in the car, sister. Xiu Yao led Xiuyan to the carriage in the mansion, helped Xiuyan to sit in the carriage, and then sat in the carriage himself, and then the carriage drove towards the Four Princes' Mansion.

When Xiu Yao and Xiu Yan arrived at the Four Princes' Mansion, Shu Ning, the daughter of the Four Princes and Taifu Shu Shao, had already greeted each other and greeted Xiu Yan. The two had met a few times on various occasions before, but they were not very familiar with each other, and at this time, with the friendship of their aunt and sister-in-law, their feelings quickly warmed up, and they walked into Xiuyao's study while holding hands and talking.

After making tea for Xiuyao and Xiuyan, Shu Ning said with a light smile:

"Your Royal Highness chatted with the fifth sister first, and I went to instruct someone to prepare ingredients that nourish qi and nourish blood, and the fifth sister should bring them when she returns to the palace. ”

"Hmm. Xiuyao nodded, as if praising Shu Ning's sensible and decent.

Xiu Yan watched Shu Ning turn around and leave, and she didn't feel a sense of disharmony that was difficult to describe. She thought back to the interaction between Shu Ning and Xiuyao, and could see that the two had the same heart and mind, words and deeds were intimate, but compared with the deep affection between Xiuyuan and Sun Xixi, it always seemed that something was missing, and it seemed to be mixed with something else. I don't know if it's an illusion, Shu Ning's smile seems to be a little reluctant, and Xiu Yao's expression is not so natural. And plainly, why did the Four Princes' Mansion buy so many things to replenish qi and blood?

Just when Xiu Yan's mind was ethereal, Xiu Yao's voice blocked her further thoughts:

"My sister seems to have been living in the palace these days, if you have anything on your mind, you can talk to your fourth sister-in-law in the future, don't be depressed alone. ”

"I caused such a big disaster, and my father didn't condemn him, but I always had to think about it behind closed doors. Xiu Yan's eyes were gloomy.

"Is Eagle alright?"

"He's on death row, how can it be good. I only saw him once, and then my father didn't let me see him again...... If it weren't for the queen's serious illness, his father would not have time to take care of Changying, but he was afraid that he would have died several times. ”

"You're very affectionate towards him, aren't you?"

"He is the only one who is always there for me, who loves me more than himself. Xiu Yan's voice was very soft, but she said without any hesitation, "If he dies, I'll go with him." ”

"What are you talking about? The fourth brother won't ignore your affairs, I'll help you find a way. Xiu Yao said comforting Xiuyan.

"I've even thought about robbing prisons, but the other people around me are not as good as Changying. Fourth brother, can you help me and help me save Changying out?" Xiu Yan looked at Xiu Yao's eyes, and hope flashed in despair.

"If I condone such a thing as a prison robbery, it will completely harm you. Xiu Yao paused for a moment, saw Xiuyan's eyes glistening with tears, and hurriedly said, "But I can try other methods." ”

"What is the best way for the fourth brother?"

"I'm not sure yet, so let's give it a try. It's just, Xiuyan, I need you to do me a favor. ”

"Is there anything I can do to help the fourth brother?" ”

"Actually, I envy my sister. I am a concubine, and I was originally not as important as my father and sixth brother. And the father has always liked girls, and among the children born in the concubine, he only favors you and the twelve sisters who are not yet old. In my fourth position, I have an elder brother and a younger sibling, and I don't expect to become a great person or do many great things, but every time I see my father's expectations for my brothers and his love for my younger brothers and sisters, I hope that I can also get more care from my father, just a little bit. Xiuyao's words were sincere, and gradually dominated the direction of the topic, "It's like I want to help you now, but I may not even be able to see my father's face." The next time my sister sees her father, can I speak to my father for the fourth brother?"

"What does the fourth brother want me to say to my father?"

"Now that we are at war with Hengguo, the second brother took over from the eldest brother and rushed to the eastern battlefield, but the western battlefield was almost defeated and in a mess. If Shu is sent to fight, the defeat can be saved, but the deadline of 'one year will not be activated' as mentioned by the father has not yet arrived, and someone needs to hold on to the situation and complete this transition. Although I am not as talented as my two brothers, I am willing to lead the army to fight and share the worries of my father. Can the fifth sister make this suggestion to her father at the right time?"

"I'll do my best. Xiu Yan seemed to be moved by Xiu Yao's words, and nodded again and again.

"And when my father summons me, I can try to move him with affection and take the opportunity to exonerate Changying. ”

Xiuyan thanked the fourth brother for his help in advance. ”

"It's not too late to wait for good news, sister, thank you. ”

~~~

On April 16, when the sky broke, Qi Fan ordered 3,000 men and horses to hide their whereabouts and temporarily stay outside the city, while he sneaked into the city with Kan, Li, Gen, and Dui from the west gate of Licheng. As soon as they stepped onto the streets of Belvedere, several people were shocked by the sight in front of them. I saw that the city was in a mess, several houses in the distance were still filled with scorched smoke, and the alleys on both sides of the road were littered with corpses. Belvedere was slaughtered by the people of Yi Guo, and it was already lifeless.

"My lord, there has been a lot of fighting here, but it seems that the enemy army did not stop in the city, and after some raiding, they retreated. Kan looked around, imagining the tragic battle situation that still had traces to follow, and his eyes showed a little sadness.

"You and Li should take a look around, and there may be enemy troops hiding in the city, so be careful. Qi Fan commanded.

"Yes. "Kan and Li responded at the same time, and then walked quickly.

Qi Fan, Gen, and Dui still walked slowly along the streets, and all the way they saw the same scene, and none of the people who fell to the ground, whether they were ordinary people or the guards guarding the city, survived. Seeing this scene, Qi Fan's right fist was clenched at his side, his joints creaked, and his mood suddenly sank to the bottom.

Belvedere has always been a place of commerce and trade, except for Heng and Yi to trade here, merchants from other three countries often gather here to trade.

On the one hand, the geographical location of Belvedere is special, backed by a number of important military towns and dangerous cliffs, even if the Belvedere is captured, it is difficult to break through to the south; on the other hand, the terrain of Belvedere is flat, and the city itself is easy to attack and difficult to defend, which is really of no strategic significance, so it has never been among the fortresses that must be fought for.

Reflected in the military deployment, the troops here are naturally not sufficient, and there is little actual combat experience. In addition, Belvedere has been in the gap of peace in the wars of various countries for many years, and this city has gradually been called "the city of free from war", so it can be said that the possibility of war here is very small in people's perception, so the sudden attack of the people of Yi is undoubtedly an unprepared blow to Belvedere.

Although Belvedere was not within the scope of Qi Fan's guards, such a tragic incident happened only a day's distance away and could not be stopped, Qi Fan inevitably blamed himself in his heart, and his dignity was consciously challenged. At the same time, he was also worried about the safety of the two hundred soldiers who had arrived in Belvedere earlier and Mo Lanhui, who was supposed to get married on this day.

"We have not seen any casualties yet, and perhaps we don't know what the variables are. Gen knew what Qi Fan was thinking, and said comfortingly.

"In any case, the brothers should be in the same place as Miss Mo. I don't know if Miss Mo's husband's family is ......," Dui then spoke.

"Her husband is the young shopkeeper of the Belvedere family's rice business. Qi Fan looked ahead, his gaze fixed on the plaques of the mansions that were full of lights and preparations for welcoming relatives, and his eyes flashed instantly, "Isn't that the family mansion." ”

"My lord, my subordinates go in and have a look. He said.

"You two go to the side compartment and the backyard to check, and if you find anything, go back to the main hall and join me. Qi Fan nodded, and as he spoke, he moved his steps.

"The subordinates understand. Gen and Dui immediately followed Qi Fan, and the three of them quickly walked to the front door of the house and walked into the front yard along the open door of the house.

Qi Fan walked into the main hall alone, only to see a group of wedding festive decorations in the house, but the utensils were messy, and the wooden frames on both sides of the hall where porcelain and other playthings were placed were damaged or dumped to the ground, and the objects that were originally placed on them were gone.

On the coffee table facing the door, a porcelain teapot attracted Qi Fan's attention. Qi Fan took a few steps forward, holding the teapot in his hand, carefully examining the appearance of the teapot and the tea leaves in the pot, and the tea utensils and tea leaves used by Mo Lanhui to make tea in Hengdu flashed in his mind, which were obviously the same as the things in front of him.

She did come here. Qi Fan thought to himself.

I just looked around again, but I didn't see anything else special.

After a short time, Gen and Dui turned back to the front of the main hall and reported to Qi Fan:

"Lord Qiqi, there are no people in the chambers, and there are no signs of fighting, only some items seem to have been looted. The subordinates guessed that the people in the house should have withdrawn to a safe place to hide before the enemy army came. ”

"My lord, the backyard is similar, except that a shack on the east wall that was originally used to store kitchen utensils has also become empty, and I don't know if it was robbed. ”

"Empty shack?" Qi Fan repeated, asking, "Is there any kitchen utensils scattered around the shack?"

"Some are scattered along the courtyard walls, but not many. There are quite a few of them next to the stove in the kitchen. ”

At this moment, a small flare shot straight into the air, and the three people who heard the sound stood at the door of the hall and looked at the sky together.

"It's the hardships and departures that have been rewarded. Seeing this, Qi Fan temporarily withdrew his thoughts and said, "Let's go over and have a look." ”

"Good. ”

Qi Fan, Gen, and Dui walked out of the house quickly, but in front of the mansion, Qi Fan suddenly stopped, as if thinking of something, and looked down at the road in front of the house, with a thoughtful expression.

"My lord, is there anything wrong?" Gen looked at Qi Fan and asked.

"Hmm...... Let's exchange news with Kan Heli first. Qi Fan shook his head and stepped forward again.

The three of them then walked in the direction where the flare was raised, and as they went, they saw the road gradually drift away from the main road in the center of the city, leading to a forest on the outskirts. Walking to the depths of the forest, due to the cover of the trees, the three of them did not know the direction for a while, and when they were looking left and right, they suddenly found a surprising scene - many men in the uniform of the border garrison were lying on the side of the road. There were a dozen, twenty or so? no, no, it seemed like more.

Just when Qi Fan and the three of them were shocked by the sight, Kan Heli's figure appeared on a fork in the road. The two of them saw Qi Fan's arrival clearly, rushed over in three steps and two steps, and said with grief on their faces:

"Most of the brothers sent to Belvedere have suffered. The two subordinates counted the number of people, and the ...... in this forest There were 140 people in total. ”

When Qi Fan heard this, a touch of pain suddenly appeared in his eyes, his clenched fists trembled, and his confidence in Mo Lanhui's unharmed status was shaken in an instant.

"Out of two hundred, one hundred and forty have been killed...... What about the others?" Qi Fan hurriedly asked.

"I haven't found it yet. Kan replied.

"No signs of enemy casualties were found. "But his subordinates believe that the enemy has also paid a considerable price." ”

"Exactly. There are traces of objects dragging beside tree trunks and on the grass in many places, as if the enemy army has cleared the battlefield and recovered the dead in battle. Kan added.

"What the enemy did was not only to deal with the aftermath, but also to hide information related to their identity. Gen speculated.

"My lord, my subordinates also have a guess. After receiving Qi Fan's eyes, he continued, "Could it be that the men and horses who raided Belvedere all the way were not sent by Emperor Jing of Yi Kingdom, but a certain force in his country for some ulterior motive?"

"Taking Belvedere alone doesn't really make any strategic sense. However, judging from the border battlefield, it can play a role in flanking on both sides, especially the flank of our army. Qi Fan nodded, agreeing with Du's idea, "If the battle of Belvedere was premeditated, then I'm afraid the border pass will also usher in a storm." Time is pressing, and we need to find out the whereabouts of the rest of the brothers, Miss Mo, and those who may know as soon as possible. ”

"But this Belvedere has already been searched, if there is someone who has escaped the catastrophe, will he still be able to go to heaven and earth?" said with a grumbling sigh.

When Qi Fan heard what he said, he recalled the unreasonableness of the road in front of his house, and his previous inference suddenly became clear again.

"Go home. Qi Fan said to the four of them simply and forcefully.