Repairing the Past

Chapter 13

A few days later...

One of the shadow bodyguards brought quite a shocking news. They found Rong Li dead on the border. They have also managed to track down Ah Zheng's whereabouts thanks to peach blossom hairpins.

"So Ah Zheng was already secured to the city of Nian?" Chu Yao asked Mo Yan.

The man nodded. A reddish gush had covered that maskless handsome face, as if there had never been any sign of pain there. Although Chu Yao knew a few days ago, her personal bodyguard was lying in quite a severe pain state but her vitality was now getting better. It can even be said to be in very prime condition.

"Do you know who destroyed Rong Li?" Chu Yao tapped her fingers sorting out every person she suspected with various considerations.

"There's no trace of anything left there." Answer Mo Yan.

"Do you think they are experts?"

"Can be. Looking at precisely such careful calculations and movements. I think they're trained people."

"There's no way they were sent by stepmothers or Chu Ling..." Chu Yao muttered, "although I know they hate me so much, they are not the type of people who dare to kill a human. Isn't all their gestures always in my calculations all this time..."

".. If they wanted to eliminate all traces, they should have not let Ah Zheng live in the first place. It wasn't even killing Rong Li who didn't have such an important role.."

"... I guess this isn't as simple as I thought. Don't-don't..."

Chu Yao looked at Mo Yan and the man returned to reply sternly, "It is true that miss expected. The real suspect is not Miss Xun. I think all this time he was just made a pawn by someone so that our suspicions are focused on him."

Mo Yan spread out a paper that was quite wide. He wrote some writing on it. His face was so serious that it caused a small wrinkle between his two sword-like eyebrows.

"Try miss see this. We begin to draw the line from the beginning of the victory of General Chu and the captives of the land of Merva. There were some breaks in time where he and the late concubine Meng did not know each other. But suddenly for some reason the general wanted to marry the concubine Meng who was then one of the captives to be executed by the emperor.."

"... "

"... Despite knowing the risks obtained, but the general still pleaded with the emperor.  And, the emperor allowed even to reward the marriage on the basis of the dedication and sacrifice of the general during this time. This is the first awkwardness we've found. Is it that easy for the emperor to release prisoners of execution who could have great influence if he released him?"

"True, with the harsh nature that His Majesty possesses, it is impossible for father to be easily granted permission to marry a mother with the status of the most dangerous prisoner of war. Wouldn't it be if His Majesty just let go of mother anything else until married to the father who is a general. The owner of several chalices and soldiers who have no doubt of their loyalty, is it not feared that there will be a problem of rebellion in the future?" Chu Yao muttered.

Their eyes rub against each other. A momentary silence encompassed their growing curiosity. Chu Yao who had been standing across the table from the start had now closed herself up beside Mo Yan.

" Let's draw the second line after the wedding. There was a time lag in which concubine Meng had not been blessed with children. After some time, Lady Xun as the second concubine entered the Chu residence. She was pregnant with the young master and not long before Meng's concubine was pregnant with the lady.. In just a few years he was exiled to a cold pavilion on charges of infidelity with one of Merva's businessmen and died. Of all the track records of Concubine Meng's life so far, isn't this like a plot that has been arranged in such a way?"

"You mean, you're deliberately resigned to eliminate someone?" Guess Chu Yao with a rumbling heartbeat.

"This is just my guess." Reply Mo Yan.

Chu Yao sat down slowly, trying to calm down and dive into the storm-like sea of her thoughts. He closed his eyes. Recollecting pieces of memories with his parents.

Although it was faint, yet the memory was still imprinted on his head. As he remembered, his mother and father did have an unusual relationship. Although already a husband and wife, but the treatment of the father to his mother does not reflect the treatment of a husband to the wife he loves.

Whether it was just his feelings or indeed because of the limited memory of Chu Yao who was still a child, the relationship of his two parents was like just a respect polished in such a way in front of a crowd.

In fact, the mother never showed any objection to the excessive romance that Madame Xun and the father showed. Often the mother took Chu Yao away when Madame Xun approached the father. He invited Chu Yao to look at the stars and say something over and over again.

'Little boy, never hate anyone and anything. Just remember that mom loves you very much.'

Chu Yao rose. His hands are clenched strong. Her pretty face looked at Mo Yan with great confidence, "No. I don't think it's just a guess. There are all the red threads that are interconnected. Although there is no bright spot yet. I'm sure one day we'll find her."

"We need to see Ah Zheng. I want to ask him directly. Can you take me there?" Ask Chu Yao.

Mo Yan did not refute. He even nodded at the employer's question.

"Mo Yan's. Find me a horse. We don't have to use the train. I want our trip this time to be inconspicuous. Let not our actions make the enemy more vigilant." Chu Yao's Order.

"Good!"

"Be prepared! Tomorrow, early in the morning we're gonna have to be out of town."

Mo Yan bowed respectfully then disappeared like lightning. The eagle-eyed man immediately contacted some of his comrades. He swiftly prepared all the things they needed to travel.

While Chu Yao was only preparing some silver money, a few bottles of medicine and a pair of daggers that she always put under her sleeves.

At three o'clock in the morning, Xier was ready with a bundle of cloth in his hand. He was no longer surprised by his master's habit of going out without explanation. He was getting used to the wild nature of the master. Chu Yao who had changed into all-black clothes with her hair bound freely without any female attributes seemed so different.

The woman took the cloth that had been handed over by the servant and placed it on her shoulders.

"Remember. If anyone asks, tell me to go to the mountain with Mo Yan looking for herbs. Don't know when to return." Light Chu Yao.

"OK, miss. Don'worry. I will keep my mouth shut even to Hui's aunt or Tong's uncle." Answer Xier loudly.

Chu Yao smiled. He glanced at the young man who had been standing next to him. With a slight gesture, Mo Yan carried Chu Yao and instantly swung, leaping over the window and disappearing in an instant.

Although the sky was still dark but Mo Yan's trained steps seemed to be smooth treading without the slightest hitch. It was as if he had fused with the blackness of the firmament.

Chu Yao tightened her grip on Mo Yan's neck. Although the air felt a little cold but did not dampen his spirit to open the way for his anxiety so far.

Not far from a few blocks of the road there was a man dressed all in black like them. The man used a cloth cover on his face. He held the straps of a horse with him. Mo Yan approached her. While bowing in greeting, he gave the horse to Mo Yan. Without much communication, the person disappears like smoke.

Mo Yan walked up to Chu Yao, the stiff man tightened the bonds of the robe that wrapped Chu Yao's body. He then hung a hairy hat until part of the girl's face was covered by it. With a gentle gesture he raised the girl on the horse, followed by a light leap by her. They drove without delaying time. Through the darkness of the night with moonlight.

I do not know how long they were in the footsteps of horses who were running fast. No more seeing the urban silhouette with its brilliant light. Occasionally Chu Yao looked up at Mo Yan's breathing gusts that formed a small puff of smoke overhead.

Every now and then their gaze met but with a flat face, the man continued on his way. As if just to ensure the condition of humans in his arms. There's no question. There are no complaints.

Long enough for the dark horse's footsteps to slow down. Chu Yao pulled her hood and looked around. He narrowed his eyes as sunlight slapped his face from the eastern horizon.

"We're far from town." Said Mo Yan who had already jumped down. He led the horse slowly, "preferably miss a short break here."

Chu Yao descended with the help of Mo Yan. The man pulled the horse and tied it to a shady tree. The tail of her eyes kept an eye on the girl's steps without exception.

The girl sat on a big rock. His nose cup widened to breathe the morning air so fresh. He opened the package of cloth prepared by Xier and found some bread in it.

Chu Yao thrust out a loaf of bread when Mo Yan returned. The man simply took without eating any bread. He was just looking at the face of the master. There were signs of fatigue there.

After they had enough rest, they resumed their journey. Along the way there are only shady forests with trails. Just enough to be passed by a horse. Naturally, this was a shortcut that only Mo Yan and his comrades knew.

They must cut the route so that the duration of the trip is not too long. A normal route would take a week. This time with all the calculations mature, they will arrive at the destination approximately three days and three nights.

Before sunset, they arrived at a small village with a population that could be counted on fingers. Mo Yan led the way and found a small inn on the outskirts of the village.

After the reservation, the young man escorted Chu Yao to rest in the room while waiting for the waiter to prepare dinner.

"Tonight, Miss slept here. I'll stand guard outside." Mo Yan handed a room key to his master.

Chu Yao accepted it without asking much. He then closed the door as the symmetrical-faced young man disappeared down the steps of the stairs.

I don't know how long Chu Yao has been asleep. He opened his eyes as his name was called out repeatedly by the familiar heavy voice.

"Come in." Said Chu Yao as she rose from her bed.

Mo Yan opened the door. His flat face lowered respectfully, "dinner is ready."

They walked out of the room towards the hall below the inn. In the right corner there is a table that has been filled with several food menus. They sat facing each other preparing to eat the dishes that were already available.

"What's wrong?" Chu Yao asked when she saw Mo Yan stop holding the chopsticks and switch to holding the sword beside the table.

Before long appeared a large group of men entered the room. Some of them hit the table and threw some furniture in the inn.

Although the inn guests were not so many yet some of those whom Chu Yao was certain of were merchants seemed to be unable to hide his fear. Their faces paled and their hands trembled.

The bodyguards they hired were seen gulping with sweat droplets running down their faces. It seemed like those bodyguards were not an expert like Mo Yan.

Except the three who sat in the corner opposite them. That unusual calm was only possessed by trained people.

"Tu, sir. Forgive us who are here." Said the innkeeper whose collar had been pulled by one who had a long scar on his face.

"Ampune? Hand over all the money you have or one by one you will feel the sharpness of my cleaver!" The man screamed and split a table with the big machete he had.

"They're robbers." Said Mo Yan with high vigilance. He pretended to eat half the food in his bowl.

Chu Yao nodded, "we should not deal with them." Whisper Chu Yao who continued her dinner quietly.

The people laughed out loud and forced the innkeeper to take out all the dishes they had. After eating the dishes, the robbers combed into each room and found several young women.

The women were gathered in the middle of the room sobbing in fear.

"Where else are the young girls hiding? Quick search!!!" The leader of the robbers shouted as if dissatisfied with the appearance of several young women in front of him.

"Close the face of the lady." Mo Yan shifted his sitting position to cover the vision of the robber leader.

But it is very dear that one of the limp-legged men found Chu Yao's figure.

"There's another one here, brother!" His roar.

The leader walked over and laughed, "baguuusss! Baguuuuss!! Her face is so pretty. I was almost fooled by the clothes he was wearing."

Chu Yao who from the very beginning did indeed wear male clothes felt that praise was like a humiliation in her ears. But he still tried to calm down. He did not want his reckless actions to destroy his calculations and take innocent lives.

Mo Yan who had been holding himself back since then looked even colder with tightly gritted lips.

As if there was telepathy, Chu Yao and Mo Yan rose up together. Chu Yao nimbly scratched the neck of one of the skinny robbers nearby with a dagger tucked away on one of her sleeves.

As for Mo Yan, it immediately strangled the neck of the limp-legged robber to make him break. Both men died instantly.

As soon as Chu Yao and Mo Yan's lunge began, instantly a few people dressed in unknown black helped them attack the remaining robbers. No exception were three men sitting across the table.

The fight is inevitable.

Chu Yao directed those who could not martial to go avoid the situation. Mo Yan nimbly pulled the sword from its sheath and slashed down mercilessly how many robbers were together.

His face was so cold it was scary. It's not like giving a second chance to the robbers there.

Hysterical screams and splashes of blood filled the room. Chu Yao who accidentally saw that there was a robber who wanted to attack Mo Yan instantly threw a dagger and hit right at the heart of the robber.

Feeling their position was threatened, the robber leader was furious and filled with anger. He immediately ran towards Chu Yao and pulled the girl. The tip of his sword locked onto Chu Yao's motion.

"Don't move! Or this girl I'm killing now!?" His roar towards Mo Yan and the three young men who had been fighting with them ever since.

Mo Yan did not budge. He lowered his sword. His gaze was so sharp with a killing aura that it was so thick.

"If you advance again, this woman's head will roll towards you!" Threaten the robber leader.

"Master, don't act rashly!" The sizzling of the innkeeper hiding behind the cashier table towards Mo Yan.

One of the three young men dressed in white glanced at two of his friends. The two men retreated but remained in a position ready to attack.

Chu Yao who from the beginning still had a dagger on one of her sleeves slowly readied herself. He waited for the leader's position a little off guard.

He followed the pull of the man's hand without fighting back.

"Sir, if I go with you, can my life be saved?" Chu Yao asked with full gentleness. He pretended to be weak and made a resigned gesture in the chest of the big man.

The leader of the robbers who was easily tempted by the seduction of the spoiled girl laughed arrogantly, "of course! I'll even get you married! You can live a good life, eat delicious food at all times as long as it's ready to serve me!"

"Then take me, sir! I don't want to be with that ice face! Look how scary his face is without a smile. Different from the master who is so stunning. Take me, Sir!"

Chu Yao could not believe such words of seduction coming out of her lips. If it wasn't for the role demands, he wouldn't have pretended like this.

Really, he wanted to vomit because of it!