Transmigrated into the Villain's Cannon Fodder Ex-Wife (Transmigrated into a Book) - Chapter 24.1

The barbarian invasion filled the night with the clash of steel, desperate shouts of battle, and the piercing cries of women and children. Flames licked hungrily at the land, spreading like rivers of fresh blood, while heavy snow fell relentlessly, the northern wind slicing through flesh like icy blades.

Amid the chaos, Yan Mingge’s ears rang with echoes from five years ago—the screams and sobs from the night his entire family was executed. His lips pressed into a cold, unyielding line as he stepped into the boundless darkness, a lone wolf prowling through the endless wilderness of the northwest.

From afar, Feng Yan watched the proud, solitary figure disappear into the shadows. His bitter laugh pierced the stillness. 

“Yan Heng, you’ve got guts.”

No one answered him. The courtyard was in complete disarray, servants scrambling to flee with whatever valuables they could carry. Bundles of jewelry, hairpins, and jade trinkets slipped from panicked hands, trampled underfoot as fear overtook the once-orderly mansion.

A beautiful woman in a bright rose satin jacket stumbled onto the scene, her expression frantic. “What’s happening?” she cried.

Before she could get her answer, a fleeing maid collided with her, knocking her to the ground. The maid quickly snatched up her fallen bundle without so much as a glance, then bolted away.

Zhao Shi’s eyes locked onto a gold hairpin among the maid’s stolen treasures. Fury erupted in her chest, and she lunged forward, delivering a sharp slap. 

“You little wretch! How dare you steal from me!”

To her astonishment, the usually meek maid retaliated with a slap of her own, then fled without looking back.

Stunned and humiliated, Zhao Shi could only gape after her. When her shock subsided, she turned to Feng Yan, her wails rising. 

“General! That maid struck me and stole my things!”

Feng Yan’s face was as cold as iron. He stared at his favorite concubine with an emotionless gaze and uttered, 

“The city has fallen.”

Zhao Shi froze, her painted lips parting in disbelief. 

“The city… has fallen?”

The realization hit her like a tidal wave, and her fear turned into hysterics. 

“General, we must flee!”

A maid’s shrill scream shattered the air, followed by the guttural laughter of barbarians and the unmistakable sound of fabric being ripped. Zhao Shi’s face drained of color. With a terrified glance toward the source of the commotion, she turned and hobbled toward a side gate, her bound feet stumbling like a frightened sparrow.

Feng Yan’s eyes darkened. Without hesitation, he picked up a knife and hurled it at Zhao Shi’s retreating figure. The blade struck her back, piercing through white flesh and emerging crimson.

Zhao Shi stumbled, turning back to face him with a mix of disbelief and anguish. Her body crumpled to the ground, lifeless.

Through the chaos of the courtyard, Feng Yan’s cold gaze lingered on her corpse. 

“Better to die by my hand than fall into theirs.”

Another scream pierced the night. Not far away, a barbarian pinned a maid to the ground in the flowerbed, his massive frame covered in rolls of fat.

One barbarian spotted Feng Yan and advanced toward him, a blood-stained knife in hand. Sweat beaded on Feng Yan’s brow as he shouted desperately, 

“I have the military deployment map for Great Zhao’s northwest—”

The barbarian’s comprehension wasn’t required. With a single brutal slash, Feng Yan’s head fell from his shoulders, his words left unfinished.

Jiang Wanxue stumbled into the courtyard just in time to see Feng Yan’s decapitated body crumple to the ground. She covered her mouth to stifle a scream, but the sound escaped her anyway.

Her cry drew the attention of the barbarians, their bloodshot eyes gleaming with malicious intent. They roared like beasts and turned toward her.

Jiang Wanxue turned and ran, but her frail frame was no match for their speed. Within moments, they caught up to her, forcing her to the ground.

Knowing what awaited her, she grasped a fallen blade and held it to her throat. Tears streamed down her face as she screamed, 

“Stay back! Stay away!”

The barbarians laughed, their wicked chuckles cutting through her terror. They moved closer, undeterred.

Her trembling hand lowered the blade. She wanted to live.

The once-pristine snow in the courtyard had been trampled into a muddy, blood-soaked mess. Her white dress was stained and filthy, a reflection of the indelible marks on her soul.

The cries of the barbarians, the stench of sweat and blood, overwhelmed her senses. She clawed at the ground and sobbed uncontrollably, cursing her fate.

If the Yan family hadn’t fallen from grace, she wouldn’t have broken her engagement to Yan Mingge. She would have become the wife of the Yong’an Marquis’s heir, not a mere concubine to Han Zichen. She hated Han Zichen’s cruelty, Yan Mingge’s cold indifference, and Han Junye’s incompetence.

Why? She had schemed so carefully, and yet the heavens denied her peace.

Throughout the night, Qiang City was filled with cries of despair and anguish.

By dawn, the snow began to let up. The city, now blanketed in white, was a graveyard of corpses. Blood seeped into the earth beneath the snow, leaving behind a haunting silence.

At the shattered city gates, an elderly soldier, over fifty, was impaled on a spear and hung above the entrance. He had spent his life guarding Qiang City and, in death, remained a sentinel.

The barbarians, having looted and massacred, moved southward, leaving only desolation behind. Half their forces advanced toward Jintong Pass, while the rest marched to Yao City, a fortress with terrain difficult to conquer.

Lin Chu arrived at Yao City by morning, her horse exhausted from the overnight journey.

Unlike the ruined gates of Qiang City, Yao City’s black iron-reinforced gates stood tall and proud, their strength exuding an unyielding aura. Above the gate tower, a crimson banner bearing the Zhao family crest fluttered defiantly in the wind.

Inside, the city was vibrant and bustling, like a paradise untouched by war.

When the guards at the gate questioned her, Shi Liu stepped forward to answer. 

“We’ve come from Qiang City.”

The guard’s expression darkened as he replied, 

“You’re fortunate to have escaped. Qiang City has fallen—it’s now a dead city.”

Shi Liu, pale and exhausted from the journey, suddenly stiffened, his eyes wide with disbelief. “Qiang City… has fallen?”

The guards exchanged solemn glances. 

“It seems you left before the worst of it. We only received word this morning.”

“You should count yourself lucky to be alive,” another guard added gravely.

Shi Liu’s hands trembled as he murmured, 

“Dead… How could they all be dead? What about my brother? I have to go back and find him!”

Without hesitation, he leaped off the cart, his sudden movement startling the guards and Lin Chu.

“Shi Liu! Shi Liu!” Lin Chu leaned out of the carriage, her voice sharp with panic, but he was deaf to her calls, consumed by despair.

Realizing the danger of his reckless outburst, Lin Chu turned to the guards. 

“Please! Stop him before he does something foolish!”

Though hesitant at first, the guards couldn’t ignore her pleading, nor her commanding presence. They acted swiftly, knocking Shi Liu unconscious and hoisting him back onto the cart.

Lin Chu heaved a sigh of relief, expressing her gratitude to the guards.

“Thank you so much.”

It was rare to see a beautiful woman outside the city, so the guards couldn’t help but say a few words, “That bastard is lucky to have a wife like you.”

Lin Chu said awkwardly, “He’s my husband’s brother.”

The guards exchanged glances, their expressions turning a little strange.

Sensing the need to explain Shi Liu’s emotional outburst, Lin Chu added, “I just wanted to come to Yao City to buy New Year goods, but I never expected such a disaster…”

Her eyes turned red as she spoke, and the guards couldn’t embarrass a woman who had just suffered a disaster.

Lin Chu knew that talking too much would lead to mistakes, so when she saw that she had convinced them, she said no more.

The guards wanted to find a driver for her, but they saw Lin Chu climbing out of the carriage. They saw her holding the reins with one hand and waving the whip with the other, and driving the carriage toward the city.

The guards, who had regarded her as a weak woman, swallowed their saliva silently when they saw this scene.

Well… outside the city, having a tougher daughter-in-law isn’t a bad thing.

The journey into Yao City was bustling with traffic. Compared to the desolation and barrenness of Qiang City, Yao City exuded prosperity at every corner. Lin Chu drove the carriage to an inn and asked the waiter to help move Shi Liu to a guest room upstairs.

She also paid extra for the waiter to take care of Shi Liu and left a message before heading to the city gate.

Even though she knew Yan Mingge should be safe, unease gnawed at her.

Passing through the inn’s lobby, she overheard a group of people discussing the battle in Qiang City.

“When the barbarians stormed the border, they slaughtered and looted everything in sight!”

Sighs rippled through the room.

Another man spoke. “General Feng of Qiang City is known for his bravery. He’s held the city for five years without defeat—how did it fall in less than half a day?”

“What bravery? Feng Yan’s head is already hanging on the city walls!”

“Let me tell you, back when Lord Yan guarded the northwest, the barbarians would shake in their boots at the sight of his banner.”

“There is no more Marquis of Yong’an, Yan Shichang in this world… and the northwest is no longer at peace.”

Someone let out a heavy sigh.

Lin Chu left the inn and made her way toward the city gate. Along the way, she felt people’s gazes lingering on her.

She was well aware of her beautiful appearance and decided it was best to be cautious. Stepping into a rouge shop, she bought a box of rouge and darkened her face and hands. With her features now muted, she blended in better.

To gather more information about Qiang City, she considered heading to the city tower. However, just ahead, she noticed a teahouse next to it. Travelers constantly came and went from there, carrying news from all over.

As she approached, she saw that the streets were now livelier than before. More people walked about—women, children—dressed simply yet neatly.

The teahouse sat close to the city gate, its sign battered by wind and rain, the word “tea” barely visible.

At this hour, the place wasn’t too crowded, and as soon as Lin Chu stepped inside, a waiter welcomed her warmly.

She ordered a bowl of hot tea and, without realizing it, sat there all morning. She listened to the endless chatter about Qiang City’s downfall.

Her heart grew heavier, and her gaze remained fixed on the city gate.

Anyone escaping from Qiang City would have to pass through here.

She waited until noon. The number of people in the teahouse gradually decrease, and Lin Chu suddenly felt a little self-conscious—she had only ordered a single bowl of tea after all this time.

Just as she was about to buy something more to justify her long stay, a few familiar figures appeared at the city gate.

Lin Chu grabbed the hem of her skirt and ran forward. 

“Brother Yuan!”

Yuan San and his group were covered in dirt, their faces exhausted and battle-worn. Clearly, they had fought a brutal battle. They were currently negotiating with the officers guarding the city when a figure, covered in soot and grime, suddenly rushed toward them.

Everyone was stunned.

Fortunately, Yuan San had met Lin Chu several times. Hearing her voice, he hesitated before finally recognizing the person beneath the layer of blackened dust.

“Sister-in-law… you…”

“For convenience while traveling.” Lin Chu brushed off his reaction, scanning the group anxiously. When she didn’t see Yan Mingge, her heart clenched. She glanced back at Yuan San and the others—though covered in grime, their uneasy expressions were clear.

“Where is my husband?”

A pained groan interrupted her. The Sixth Prince, who was practically leaning on Nie Yun for support, let out a low moan. Only then did Lin Chu notice the arrow lodged in his shoulder, his moon-white robes soaked in blood.

“Your Highness, we’ve arrived in Yao City. You’re safe now!”

Nie Yun’s face was smeared with blood. Eunuch Bai was nowhere to be seen—clearly, he had not survived.

The Sixth Prince nodded weakly. When his gaze landed on Lin Chu, his expression shifted. Seeing her darkened face, he looked momentarily startled—then, as if wanting to laugh, he winced instead, pain twisting his features.

Nie Yun, fearing his condition might worsen, snapped at the city guards. 

“If anything happens to the Sixth Prince, none of your heads will be enough to compensate!”

The officers paled. This injured young man was the Sixth Prince?

Moments later, a carriage arrived, and Yao City Lord, An Dingyuan, personally came to escort the prince.

Taking advantage of the moment, Yuan San pulled Lin Chu aside. 

“A group of barbarians chased us on the way here. Brother Yan stayed behind to draw them away.”

Lin Chu’s breath caught.

In other words, Yan Mingge’s fate was unknown.

She told herself that according to the plot, Yan Mingge would be fine. But seeing the battered, exhausted men before her, doubt crept into her heart.

“The Sixth Prince has made it safely to Yao City. I’m going back to find Brother Yan immediately!” Yuan San declared, already calling for a horse from the city guards.

Wang Hu and his men, who had been sprawled wearily against the base of the wall, shot to their feet the moment they heard the commotion.

“You’re going to find Brother Yan? I’m coming too!”

“Me too!”
“And me!”

A moment ago, they had looked like a band of exhausted, battle-worn soldiers, slumped like lifeless clay figurines. But now, their posture straightened, their presence sharpened, and the energy coursing through them was like a pack of wolves scenting prey on the open grassland.

The Sixth Prince had already been carried onto the carriage, but as he observed this scene, he couldn’t help but feel a tinge of admiration. These men were more than just warriors—any one of them could serve as a general. A pity to waste such talent. He said in a measured tone, 

“Generals, the barbarian army is closing in. This crisis affects more than just one person. You must consider the long term.”

Wang Hu, quick-tempered as ever, snapped, 

“If it weren’t for you, would Brother Yan be out there alone in danger?”

The Sixth Prince’s expression remained calm, but a fleeting shadow passed through his gaze.

Yuan San cast him a glance before cupping his fists. 

“Forgive us, Your Highness. My brothers are rough men, unskilled in words.”

“It’s fine,” the Sixth Prince replied, his voice steady but laced with pain. 

“Centurion Yan risked his life to save me. Such a great favor—I will never forget it.”

Nie Yun, standing beside him, grew anxious at the paleness of the prince’s face. 

“Quick, fetch a doctor!”

But the Sixth Prince raised a trembling hand. 

“I’m fine. Nie Yun, go with them. Find Centurion Yan and bring him back safely.”

“But Your Highness—” Nie Yun hesitated. His duty was to protect the prince at all costs.

The Sixth Prince shot him a sharp look. 

“We’re in Yao City now. What harm could possibly come to me?”

Yuan San didn’t waste time. 

“Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness, but I’ll only take a few brothers with me.” His eyes swept over his men. “Tang Jiu, Song Wu, Ma Cheng, Liu Bin, Sun Yaozu—come with me. The rest stay here in Yao City.”

Wang Hu’s face darkened. “Third Brother, why can’t I go?”

“You stay and hold the line,” Yuan San ordered, his tone leaving no room for refusal. “That’s final.”

Wang Hu clenched his fists, his eyes reddening with frustration. But when Yuan San’s voice turned to a bark—”That’s a military order!”—he swallowed his protest and lowered his head. “Yes, sir.”

Yao City’s Lord, General An Dingyuan, stepped forward. 

“The barbarian army is advancing. If you don’t return before nightfall, the gates will be shut, and we won’t be able to let you back in.”

Not one of them flinched. Without hesitation, they mounted their horses, swung their whips, and charged toward the boundless yellow sands beyond the city.

The gathered crowd watched in stunned silence.

The Sixth Prince’s gaze settled on Lin Chu. 

“Mrs. Yan, the winds are harsh here at the gate. Why not wait for your husband at the General’s Manor instead?”

Lin Chu bowed respectfully. “I appreciate Your Highness’s kindness, but I will wait for my husband right here at the city gate.”

She had declined his offer once again, and the Sixth Prince’s expression turned stony. He flicked his sleeve and gestured to General Yao. Moments later, the carriage rumbled away.

As Lin Chu stared out at the desolate, sand-covered road stretching into the horizon, a strange, quiet sorrow settled over her heart.

“Do not laugh at the fallen drunk upon the battlefield—how many have fought and perished through the ages?”

A voice pulled her from her thoughts.

A waiter from the teahouse approached her hesitantly, admiration in his eyes. 

“Madam, why not come to the teahouse with the soldiers? A bowl of hot tea will warm you up.”

Lin Chu glanced at the sky and, after a moment’s thought, decided to join Yan Mingge’s comrades at the teahouse.

The owner of the teahouse was a sharp woman—dressed plainly, a scarf wrapped around her head. She had a warm, plump face and an easy smile, full of hospitality.

“Soldiers from Qiang City, eat to your heart’s content! Fill your bellies, and then drive those barbarians out of our land!”

A chill had settled in their hearts, colder than the northern wind, yet the owner’s words brought them a much-needed warmth.

The soldiers eagerly grabbed the steaming buns, tearing into them with the hunger of men who had spent too many days on the battlefield.

Lin Chu understood how difficult times were. As the men ate and drank, she quietly made her way to the back kitchen, where the owner was busy over the stove. 

“Madam, though I don’t yet know your name, I am deeply grateful for your kindness today. These are hard times, and food is not easy to come by.  You run a business, so please, just let us pay for the buns. Giving us tea is already generous enough.”

She placed a piece of broken silver in the woman’s hand.

The owner turned, startled, and quickly waved her off. 

“No, no, no! These men are from Qiang City—if they hadn’t been guarding the front lines, Yao City would not know such peace today. What are a few buns compared to their sacrifices?” She patted her hands against her apron and smiled. “My surname is Qin. You can call me Madam Qin.”

She flipped some freshly made pancakes onto a plate. “Come, young men! Eat up! The shop won’t take a single coin from you today!”

Just then, a small child ran out from the back room. His head was shaved smooth, except for a tiny tuft of hair at the front. He was small and quick, slipping between tables and chairs without anyone noticing—

Until Wang Hu felt someone tugging at the knife on his belt.

He looked down and saw a chubby little boy trying to pull at his saber. Laughing, Wang Hu lifted him up. 

“Hey, kid, you’re pretty bold! You think you can play with a soldier’s saber?”

The boy stared at Wang Hu’s big, bushy beard, then suddenly grabbed it with both hands and shouted excitedly, “Daddy!”

The whole room burst into laughter.

“Fifth Brother, when did you have a son?” someone joked.

Wang Hu glared at the young soldier. “You brat, stop talking nonsense! I don’t even have a wife, how could I have a kid?”

Another soldier chuckled. “Maybe you forgot. When did you last get paid? Maybe you left a child behind in Yao City!”

“Get lost!” Wang Hu waved them away.

He looked back at the boy. “You’re mistaken, little one. I’m not your father.”

The boy pouted. “No, I’m not! My mother said—if I see a big man with a big beard, that’s my daddy!”

The soldiers roared with laughter again.

“Alright, kid. Then tell us—who’s your mother?”

Before he could answer, the owner rushed over and picked him up. 

“You little troublemaker! I didn’t even notice you sneaking out!”

Though her words sounded harsh, her voice was warm.

The boy wiggled in her arms. “I didn’t cause trouble! I found my daddy!”

Madam Qin rolled up her sleeves and reached for a rolling pin. The child yelped and quickly hid behind Wang Hu.

Wang Hu scratched his head. “Sister, is this your child?”

Madam Qin crossed her arms. “If he’s not mine, is he a mouse’s?”

Wang Hu, still confused, asked, “Where’s the child’s father?”

A brief silence filled the room.

Madam Qin sighed. “He’s gone. He died in Qiang City a few years ago.”

The soldiers, who had been laughing moments ago, suddenly grew quiet.

Lin Chu, worried that Wang Hu might say something wrong, quickly changed the subject. 

“Madam Qin, your steamed buns are amazing! How do you make them taste so good? Mine never turn out this sweet.”

Madam Qin smiled and turned back to her stove. 

“Ah, well, the secret is in how you knead the dough…”

And just like that, the heavy mood passed, and warmth returned to the teahouse.

---

T/L notes:

Hi readers, I decided to divide this chapter into two parts since it’s too long. My normal pricing for advance chapters for this novel is 10 fire coins with a maximum of 2500 characters. For anything that exceeds this, an additional 1 fire coin will be charged per 500 words.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support. Happy reading!