The sun had barely risen when Li Yuhua and her small retinue began their journey south. The air was crisp, and the early morning mist hung low over the landscape, casting an eerie silence over the road. Li Yuhua's heart was heavy with the weight of her mission, but her resolve remained unshaken.
Lady Zhen, riding beside her, wore a look of quiet determination. Behind them, the contingent of guards sent by General Xu followed in silence, their faces grim. They all knew the dangers that lay ahead. The southern provinces were far from the safety of the capital, and Fang Wei's spies were likely to be lurking at every turn.
As the road stretched before them, Li Yuhua's thoughts drifted back to the palace, to the looming storm she had left behind. The emperor's indecision, Fang Wei's growing power, and the fragile alliances she had worked so hard to build—they were all like pieces on a chessboard, each move critical to the outcome of the game. And now, with the emperor wavering, that game had become more dangerous than ever.
"We should reach the first waystation by noon," Lady Zhen said, breaking the silence. Her voice was calm, but Li Yuhua could sense the tension in her words.
Li Yuhua nodded, her gaze fixed on the horizon. "We must keep moving swiftly. Fang Wei's agents will be watching the roads, and we cannot afford any delays."
They rode in silence for a time, the only sound the rhythmic thud of hooves against the earth. Li Yuhua kept her thoughts focused on the task ahead. The southern governors were the key to maintaining stability in the empire. If they were to fall under Fang Wei's influence, it would tip the balance of power irrevocably in his favor. She could not allow that to happen.
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By midday, they had reached the waystation, a modest outpost nestled at the foot of the southern mountains. The guards dismounted first, their eyes scanning the area for any signs of danger. The station appeared deserted, save for a few tired travelers and a handful of servants tending to the horses.
Li Yuhua and Lady Zhen dismounted, and as the guards made camp, they entered the small inn attached to the waystation. Inside, the atmosphere was quiet but tense. A group of merchants huddled near the hearth, their conversation hushed. A lone traveler sat at the bar, nursing a cup of tea, his eyes darting toward them as they entered.
Li Yuhua glanced at Lady Zhen, who gave a slight nod before approaching the innkeeper.
"We will need food and provisions for the road," Lady Zhen said, her tone polite but firm.
The innkeeper, a portly man with a nervous expression, nodded quickly. "Of course, my lady. I will have my staff prepare something at once."
As Lady Zhen dealt with the logistics, Li Yuhua moved to a corner table, her back to the wall. From her vantage point, she could observe the entire room. The merchants were still whispering amongst themselves, casting occasional glances in her direction. The lone traveler remained at the bar, his posture relaxed but his eyes too alert for her liking.
Her instincts told her to be cautious.
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After a brief rest, the group was back on the road. The mountains loomed ahead, their jagged peaks cutting through the sky like the teeth of a dragon. The path ahead would take them through a narrow pass, a perfect spot for an ambush. Li Yuhua's senses were on high alert, every rustle of the wind, every crack of a branch putting her on edge.
"We must be careful as we enter the pass," she said quietly to Lady Zhen, who rode beside her. "It would be an ideal place for an attack."
Lady Zhen nodded, her face set with determination. "I've already instructed the guards to remain vigilant. But I fear we may not be the only ones aware of the risks."
As if on cue, one of General Xu's guards rode up to them, his face grim. "My lady, we've spotted movement in the hills."
Li Yuhua's heart quickened, though she kept her expression calm. "How many?"
"Difficult to say, but they are keeping their distance for now."
Li Yuhua exchanged a glance with Lady Zhen. "It seems we have drawn unwanted attention. We must be ready for anything."
The guard nodded and rode back to inform the others. Li Yuhua's mind raced. She had expected Fang Wei's agents to be watching the roads, but this close to the capital, an ambush would be a bold move. Still, Fang Wei had proven time and again that he was willing to take risks when the stakes were high enough.
They pressed on, the tension mounting with every step. The path through the pass grew narrower, the walls of rock closing in around them. The air was thick with the scent of pine and damp earth, but beneath that, there was something else—a sense of foreboding that clung to the shadows.
---
Suddenly, a sharp whistle cut through the air, followed by the unmistakable twang of bowstrings. Arrows rained down from the cliffs above, striking the ground around them. The guards sprang into action, drawing their swords and forming a protective barrier around Li Yuhua and Lady Zhen.
"Ambush!" one of the guards shouted, his voice barely audible over the chaos.
Li Yuhua's heart pounded in her chest as she ducked low, her mind racing. She had prepared for this, but the reality of it was more terrifying than she had anticipated. She glanced around, trying to assess the situation. The attackers were well hidden among the rocks, using the high ground to their advantage. The guards fought valiantly, but they were outnumbered.
"We have to move!" Lady Zhen shouted, her voice filled with urgency. "We can't stay here!"
Li Yuhua nodded, her mind snapping back into focus. "Break through the pass! We must reach the open road!"
With Lady Zhen leading the way, they urged their horses forward, the guards fending off the attackers as best they could. Arrows continued to rain down, but they pressed on, pushing through the narrow pass toward the open road beyond.
---
After what felt like an eternity, they broke free of the pass and onto the plains. The attackers, unwilling to leave the safety of the mountains, did not pursue them further. Li Yuhua glanced back, her heart still racing. They had escaped, but not without a cost. Several of the guards had been wounded, and the group was visibly shaken.
"We were lucky to get out alive," Lady Zhen said, her voice heavy with relief.
Li Yuhua nodded, though her mind was already turning to the next steps. The ambush had been a warning—a clear message from Fang Wei that he was watching her every move. But she had survived, and now she knew just how far her enemies were willing to go.
"We'll have to be even more cautious from here on out," Li Yuhua said quietly. "Fang Wei will not stop until he has what he wants."
Lady Zhen nodded. "But we will not stop either. We still have time to turn the tide."
Li Yuhua looked out over the plains, her resolve hardening. The journey ahead would only grow more perilous, but she would not let fear hold her back. The fate of the empire rested on her shoulders, and she would see this mission through to the end—no matter the cost.
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End of Chapter 12
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