Quick Transmigration: The Villain Is Too Pampered and Alluring - Chapter 85

“… It was right in front of the battle lines when the military supervisor Pei Zhong sent by the court, along with his subordinates, ambushed the Commander. By the time we rushed over, the Commander was already… already on the verge of death.”

“The military formation was thrown into chaos, and Great Liao counterattacked, breaching the city… By the time we drove the Liao soldiers out of the Yanyun Pass, countless lives had already been lost in the city.”

“The foolish ruler sent people to seal off the news. Apart from Pei Zhong’s men, no one was allowed to leave Yanyun Pass…”

Xue Nan wiped away his tears and said, “Pei Zhong, that dog thief¹, publicly declared that the commander had committed treason, and even wielded the imperial sword granted to him, claiming the right to act first and report later…”

“In the chaos within the army, I led a team of brothers to sneak away, crossed the Beimang Mountains, and took a detour to return to the capital, hiding under a cart used for transporting manure to enter the city.”

Xue Nan randomly wiped his face and said, “Because I need to deliver the commander’s final words to Your Lordship.”

Xiao Dingcheng clenched his hands into fists, the veins on his forehead bulging, looking like a vengeful ghost from hell.

He slowly spoke, “What did Father leave for me?”

Xue Nan replied, “The commander said to remind Your Lordship not to forget what he told you on your birthday last year.”

“I understand. You all go wash up and rest in my room first. There’s food in the kitchen, eat something before we talk…”

Xue Nan and the others, weary and hungry from travel, knew Xiao Dingcheng likely had things to do. They nodded in response, wiped their tears, and kowtowed heavily before the spirit tablet before turning to leave.

When only he remained before the spirit tablet, Xiao Dingcheng slowly rose and walked aside.

Confirming that no one was around, he took out a jade pendant that he had kept close to him… it was a birthday gift from his father last year.

At that time, his father said this pendant had accompanied him for twenty years!

And the time that the Zhenbei Army existed just happened to be twenty years…

Xiao Dingcheng recalled that at that time, there were whispers in the capital about his father’s great achievements causing alarm to the throne, yet his father only smiled it off, saying to him, “I, Xiao Ceyuan, have devoted my loyalty to the throne and have protected my country all my life. If one day my loyalty is misplaced, I wouldn’t mind facing the consequences, even if it means being shattered like jade…”

Xiao Dingcheng expressionlessly smashed the jade pendant against the wall, causing two objects to roll down.

One was a military token… the other was a folded piece of silk the size of a thumb, with writing on it.

After a moment, Xiao Dingcheng collected the military token and silk, and summoned Xue Nan and the others.

“What are your plans for the future?”

They were effectively traitors, and there was no way they could return to the army.

Xue Nan and the others ate and washed their faces, then knelt in unison before Xiao Dingcheng. Xue Nan smiled and said, “My mother has already passed away, and I’m all alone, with nothing to fear… Now that I’ve fulfilled my duty to deliver the Commander’s message, I’m going to join these brothers to kill that dog thief, Pei Zhong!”

Xue Nan gritted his teeth, “I only regret that I can’t storm into the palace and slay that tyrant king with my own hands!”

Xiao Dingcheng remained calm. “If you go to kill Pei Zhong, regardless of success or failure, you will die!”

Xue Nan didn’t hesitate. “The Commander has treated us with great kindness, so we should repay him with our lives!”

Xiao Dingcheng looked at them quietly, and after a moment, he slowly said, “If you die, you won’t be able to do anything. Pei Zhong is just a lapdog. To take revenge… killing Pei Zhong alone isn’t enough.”

Xue Nan looked at him in a daze.

Xiao Dingcheng continued, “After I settle my family members tomorrow, I need to leave for a few days. Brother Xue, can you help protect my family while I’m away?”

Xue Nan was slightly stunned, then cupped his fist, “We will certainly risk our lives to protect them.”

Xiao Dingcheng looked at them, speaking softly, “Stay alive and wait for me to come back…”

The next day, before dawn, Xiao Dingcheng and Xue Nan hid his father’s coffin in an inconspicuous ancestral hall on the outskirts of the city. They then took the family women to change residences.

Xiao Dingcheng explained that he was worried about possible plots against them. Except for Sheng Nuan, no one knew what had happened, and based on previous experiences, no one opposed the idea.

Xiao Dingcheng took the Old Madam’s last golden bracelet and had Xue Nan disguise himself to rent a concealed but sufficiently large house. They moved in that afternoon and then stocked up enough food and daily necessities in batches.

Before leaving home, he visited each member of his family, including Liu Rumian, and earnestly instructed them not to leave the courtyard until his return, emphasizing that it was a matter of life and death.

Liu Rumian felt anxious but was uncertain why. However, she was naturally pleased to have a better residence.

Only Sheng Nuan knew what was happening.

Before leaving, Xiao Dingcheng met with Sheng Nuan and held her hand tightly. “Nuan Nuan, if I can return, I will repay you for all that I owe you.”

After a pause, he added, “If I can’t come back…”

Sheng Nuan immediately interrupted, “Husband will definitely return safely. I’ll wait for you.”

Xiao Dingcheng’s eyes reddened, and he nodded heavily, “Good…”

That night, Xiao Dingcheng disguised himself and left the capital…

The Old Madam and Princess Consort had begun to recover, and when they had nothing to do, they could walk out of the room and move around the yard.

Their attitude towards Liu Rumian had improved significantly, after all, given the state of the family, Liu Rumian was carrying Xiao Dingcheng’s child.

The Old Madam rarely took the initiative to visit Liu Rumian… but Liu Rumian’s mindset was no longer the same as before.

In the past, when the Duke of Zhenbei Manor was still standing, if the Old Madam took the initiative to visit her, she would have been flattered. But now, she was just an old woman from a fallen family.

Moreover, thinking back to how the Old Madam had treated her coldly before, Liu Rumian couldn’t hide her resentment. Thus, when the Old Madam came to visit, she didn’t even get up from bed and maintained a very dismissive attitude.

Gui Momo, standing next to the Old Madam, couldn’t stand it and wanted to lash out, but the Old Madam raised her hand to stop her.

After the Old Madam left, Liu Rumian sneered, “Now you know to be attentive, where were you earlier?”

In the end, she called Wen’er over and had her buy some preserved fruits to eat.

Pregnant women often have a loss of taste and crave these kinds of foods.

Wen’er hesitated, “Madam, the Young Master said not to go out.”

Liu Rumian thought for a moment, then said, “It’s fine. Just don’t go too far. Find somewhere nearby to buy and come back. Nothing will happen!”

Wen’er still looked troubled, “But those men are guarding the door look so fierce.”

Liu Rumian dismissed it lightly, “It doesn’t matter. I’ll distract them, just be smart about it…”

Sheng Nuan was preparing medicine for the Old Madam when customer service suddenly reminded her, “Host, Wen’er has been sent out by Liu Rumian to buy preserved fruits and has encountered someone from the Ninth Prince’s residence.”

Sheng Nuan was slightly startled, then muttered a low curse.

With a frown, she contemplated for a moment before calling Xue Nan over.

Before leaving, Xiao Dingcheng had instructed Xue Nan and the others to follow Sheng Nuan’s orders regarding everything at home.

Sheng Nuan maintained her composure, directing Xue Nan to escort the Old Madam, the Princess Consort, and Gui Momo away… If they hesitated any longer, it would be impossible for anyone to escape.

Xue Nan understood the gravity of the situation and, without hesitation, accepted the silver Sheng Nuan gave him. He instructed a few of his brothers to gather their things and take the Old Madam and the Princess Consort away.

Both the Old Madam and the Princess Consort understood the situation well. Without asking questions, they hurriedly departed…

Before long, Wen’er sneaked back inside. As she entered, she cautiously looked around and, seeing that those men were absent, sighed in relief and quickly slipped into Liu Rumian’s room.

In less than an hour, Sheng Nuan learned from the system that this courtyard was being watched.

If she had hesitated even a moment longer, none of them would have been able to leave…

That evening, she continued cooking and preparing medicine in the kitchen as usual. Afterward, she brought food and medicine to the Old Madam and Princess Consort’s room, deliberately speaking loudly to remind them to rest well.

In the southern wing, Wen’er and Liu Rumian chatted while eating the food Wen’er had prepared.

Wen’er expressed some suspicion, “Where did those men suddenly disappear to?”

Liu Rumian chuckled, “There’s no need to pay them any mind. They’re just a few uncouth ruffians…”

After tidying up, the master and servant lay down early… Just before dawn, a loud sound shook the earth.

Liu Rumian bolted upright in shock, “What’s happening? What’s going on?”

Wen’er was equally bewildered.

Soon, the outside was filled with noisy commotion… Liu Rumian and Wen’er huddled under the quilts, trembling and too scared to make a sound.

In the eastern wing, Sheng Nuan was sitting on the bed with a calm expression.

She knew that Xiao Dingcheng had brought back the Vermilion Bird Army from the camp…

1. dog thief – someone who is treacherous, deceitful, or a scoundrel. ↵