Ye Jiao stared blankly at the gaping, pitch-dark chasm before her, too stunned for grief, panic, or fear.Li Ce had said… he had only a few months left to live? And he'd asked her to guard the entrance?And then? The signal flare—he'd told her to light it!Do the task first. Fulfill his instructions first.
The flare shot into the sky and exploded with a deafening boom, dozens of meters above the ground, bursting into crimson flames.When the fire vanished, thick white smoke lingered, drifting in the air like a colossal reed swaying in the wind.This was military smoke—used to call for rescue, warn of danger, or mark a location.
Only after the signal smoke had been released did Ye Jiao descend into panic.She was so overwhelmed she could hardly stand. Slowly crouching, just as her fingers touched the edge of the cave, another explosion erupted.The entire mountain quaked violently. Rocks tumbled from above, sealing the entrance.
Had the tunnel collapsed?That water-diverting tunnel had long been eroded by flowing currents—how could it withstand such destruction?
Ye Jiao grasped the rock face, trembling from head to toe.She didn't know the other eighty people trapped inside—not by name, not by face.So although she could feel anxious and enraged on their behalf, her heart did not break for them.
But Li Ce was in there.Delicate in health but unyielding in will; insignificant in rank but courageous in spirit; powerless in the court, yet burdened with the fate of the realm.
That same Li Ce who had once been trapped in a tomb of utter darkness, who had nearly died in its narrow passageways—How had he summoned the courage to grope his way through this abyssal mountain tunnel to rescue others?
Tears welled in Ye Jiao's eyes, fell with a pat-pat, and soaked into the pale stone."What use is crying?!" she stomped her foot and began searching through the dust for branches."What use is crying? It only wastes time!We have to pry the rocks open—If he is to live, the entrance must remain unblocked!No panic, no fear…"
She searched around the stone cave.In the bleak, early winter forest, her crimson skirt flared like a lantern lit at the doorstep, guiding a soul yet to return home.
Not far from Yangquan Mountain ran a government road, constructed specifically for the imperial guards' drills.It was broad, made to accommodate the constant movement of troops, provisions, and heavy supplies.
"What was that sound?"A soldier named Zhu Yan, from the Northwestern Army escorting the Tibetan envoys back to the capital, suddenly turned, retreating a few steps to gain a clearer view. He looked toward the northeast.
"A signal flare," murmured General Ye Changgen, lifting his head to gaze at the lingering trail of white in the sky, his expression stern.
"It really was a signal flare!" Zhu Yan laughed."I just remembered—that's Yangquan Mountain! The imperial guards are training there, right?Are flares part of the exercises this year?"
Then he shook his head again."No, can't be. Anyone can light a signal flare. Unless…"
Unless something had gone terribly wrong.But with a camp of a hundred thousand elite guards stationed there—What could possibly have gone so wrong that they would send up a signal for aid?
Ye Changgen clearly had the same thought.
"Make camp here!" he ordered."Captain Zhu, stay and hold this position. I'll go investigate Yangquan Mountain myself."
He could reach it in less than an hour on horseback.Only by seeing it for himself could he rest easy.
"General…"A gentle voice called out.
A maid lifted the carriage curtain, and Princess Gelsang Meiduo of Tibet stepped out, holding the maid's hand as she slowly approached.
"Where is the general going?" she asked softly, her voice carrying a note of timid concern.
Ye Changgen bowed politely."Your Highness, I go to inspect the signal from Yangquan Mountain ahead.It is a standing order in the Tang military—upon seeing signal smoke, one must respond with the urgency of receiving an imperial command.I must investigate, or I cannot be at peace."
"But…"Gelsang Meiduo glanced around, then took a step forward and looked up at him, her eyes tender."I do not trust the others to guard me. Only with you do I feel safe."
Follow him? But how could he take a princess on such a dangerous journey?Ye Changgen hesitated.
First came the distant rumble, then a flare burst in the sky, and the entire imperial camp looked up as one.
Soldiers turned to each other in confusion."All's quiet here—why the signal?""Has something happened on your end?""Nope. Where's the general? Go check the general's tent!"
But the general's tent was empty.In one corner, a pool of blood stained the ground.
"Could this be related to the King of Chu's attempted rebellion? Go! Search for him now!"
Earlier that day, the King of Chu had stormed in with several dozen men to seize the military seal.He was captured by the general and locked in the mountain prison, awaiting judgment from the court.
Treason had always been the gravest taboo of emperors.A drawn bow cannot be unstrung—those who attempt such risks often stop at nothing.
Of course, they hadn't brought everyone.Yangquan Mountain was low in elevation, with gently rolling hills. It was easy to enter and exit, but not suited for full mobilization.
Two deputy generals led three hundred troops to the site of the flare.Just as they rounded a low hill, they saw Yan Jide engaged in fierce combat with a man.
It was Qingfeng—one of the King of Chu's followers.
"Stop!"The deputy general raised his blade to intervene.
Qingfeng, bloodied and gasping, cried out, "Yan Jide wants to blow up the mountain!"
They had been fighting for some time without a clear winner.
Yan Jide gave no explanation. He merely pointed at Qingfeng and ordered, "Seize him!"
Qingfeng was bound tightly, and Yan Jide stepped on his face, demanding,"How did you escape?The mountain gate cannot be opened from within. If you got out, there must be another way."
Qingfeng clenched his teeth and said nothing.
Suddenly, someone in the group pointed into the distance and shouted,"Look!"
From the direction of an ancient riverbed, dozens of figures were crawling out of a cave.
Yan Jide's face darkened like scorched coal.He stared at the escapees and commanded coldly,"Traitors have broken free—rebellious beyond forgiveness. Slay them all!"
The deputy general hesitated.
The emperor had not yet issued a decree. Their task was only to detain the fugitives, not execute them.
Killing them would be easy—but among them was the emperor's own son, the prince officially titled King of Chu.No minister had the authority to make such a call.If the emperor questioned this later—how would they explain it?
But Yan Jide had already reached the point of no return.
As long as these refugees lived, the emperor could uncover their true identities.Li Ce could clear his name—And Yan Jide would be punished for falsely accusing a royal.
Now that things had come to this, he had no choice but to silence them all.
"Kill them all!" he roared again."Whatever comes of it, I will bear the consequences!"
The laws of Tang were strict.Orders were absolute.
"Yes, sir!"The deputy generals responded in unison, drew their swords, and charged down the slope.
"Quick, hurry!"Ye Jiao's voice cracked with desperation—So this was what it meant to scream until your throat went hoarse.
She dragged one person after another out of the cave.Finally, Yan Yun emerged, supporting a wounded Li Ce.
His arm was injured, roughly bandaged with a torn strip of his robe.Yan Yun's hand bled freely—whether it was his blood or Li Ce's, no one could tell.
The refugees sighed in relief under the open sky, then turned curious eyes to the girl who had appeared so suddenly.
Red skirts, pale skin—so striking they dared not look directly at her.
Was this young lady angry?
She—she was glaring at the Prince of Chu?
Ah! She even raised her hand, about to strike!
They quickly averted their eyes. Best not to watch.
Ye Jiao didn't strike Li Ce directly—Her hand landed squarely on his drooping sleeve, the fury in her heart blazing.
"You didn't die in there? You didn't die in there?!"
With each word, she slapped once.
"Jiao…"Li Ce's lips moved slightly. He tried to restrain himself, guilt flickering across his face.
"I'm sorry… I made you worry."
"Your Highness!"Yan Yun interrupted, urgency in his voice."Yan Jide is here!"
Yan Jide was approaching fast with three hundred soldiers.
The refugees were about to scatter in terror, but Li Ce turned to face the riverbank, his expression hard as iron.
"My people should be arriving… now."
And they did.
From the hillside and riverbed came a thunderous roar, like the charge of ten thousand troops.
It wasn't truly ten thousand—not even a thousand—But hundreds of men burst forth suddenly, wearing the clothes of common folk.Yet they moved with disciplined might, their presence fierce and resolute, closing in around Li Ce.
"Protect the people!"They shouted, surging toward Yan Jide's forces.
These men's hands—