For the people of the Tianshui Earls Mansion the sky had already collapsed.
Tianshui City over there had already fallen. They could not go back. Going back meant death.
The earls mansion in the royal city was also about to be reclaimed and the king had already issued a decree that they must leave the royal city before tomorrow.
In this way the Suo clan had nothing left except a title and an empty position of City Lord of Tianshui.
The world is vast but where is there a place for the Suo clan to settle?
At this moment the people in the earls mansion had already packed all their luggage. Everything was ready with several hundred horses and dozens of carriages.
Originally as soon as day broke they would immediately set off for Tianshui City.
But at this moment it seemed there was no place left for them in the entire world.
Suo Ningbing stood there for more than half an hour without moving as if she had lost all reaction.
She had not expected that happiness would be so brief with only a few days of joy.
Now the nightmare had descended once more and even more thoroughly.
But she quickly calmed herself down. How much worse could the situation get?
Compared to the night her father left and the night when she and Suo Lun were thought to have died what was tonight’s bad news?
She was the oldest in this family and she was the sister so she must stay calm.
As long as Suo Lun was still there and she was still there the Suo clan family had not collapsed.
Where is Little Lun? Suo Ningbing asked.
The young master has gone out. Ye Jingyu said. He went to find Duke Zhiting to ask him to help shelter our family members left in the royal city.
Then Ye Jingyu said the family warrior leaders have important matters they want to discuss with you.
Suo Ningbing nodded and said let them in.
Yes. Ye Jingyu said.
A quarter of an hour later the five family warrior leaders all arrived in the discussion hall.
Now the Suo clan is facing a fatal crisis once again. One slight misstep and we will be completely crushed to pieces. Family warrior leader Suo Mu said. We must quickly decide what to do next.
After daybreak the people from the Internal Affairs Department would come to reclaim the earls mansion. They must leave the royal city. Where should they go? The world is vast but is there a place for them to settle?
Now that Tianshui City has fallen where should they go? They needed to make a decision.
Suo Ningbing said then tell me where you think we should go.
Go find Lord Suo Hanyi. Family warrior leader Suo Mu said. The battle report said that Lord Suo Hanyi was heavily injured by an assassination attempt so Tianshui City fell. Otherwise with Lord Suo Hanyis military talent and martial prowess he would definitely not have lost.
Correct! Everyone present nodded.
Previously thirty thousand rebel troops attacked the city and were defeated by Suo Hanyi in just one day. If not for the enemies being despicable and if not for Suo Hanyi being heavily injured by assassination Tianshui City would not have been lost at all.
Suo Mu said now there is good news. At least Lord Suo Hanyi is still alive. The city guard army has already taken him and escaped. We should go and join up with Lord Suo Hanyi. Once Lord Suo Hanyis body recovers we can then retake Tianshui City.
Correct. Another family warrior leader said. After the young master has a sudden realisation and joins hands with Lord Suo Hanyi they will definitely be able to retake Tianshui City.
Suo Ningbing said those of you who agree to go find big brother raise your hands.
Immediately all five family warrior leaders present raised their hands.
Suo Ningbing said very well. Later I will tell Suo Lun your opinions and then listen to his final decision.
Ye Jingyu said if we are going to join up with Lord Suo Hanyi we cannot take the household servants and maids with us. Apart from weapons and dry rations we cannot take anything.
Suo Ningbing said take out all the remaining gold coins and distribute them to these maids and servants. Let them find a place to settle in the royal city. Once Suo Lun and big brother retake Tianshui City we will immediately send people to bring them there.
Half an hour later.
The servants and maids in the Tianshui Earls Mansion gathered in the courtyard with tears in their eyes.
Because the journey ahead was too dangerous. They did not know martial arts and could not protect themselves so they had to stay in the royal city.
Although they held gold coins that they could not earn in a lifetime their hearts were completely empty. They had been in the Suo clan since they were very young and had long regarded this place as home.
Moreover they had the best master. Although Suo Lun was absurd and flirted with every pretty maid he was very good to the servants.
Now they had no home. Even with money they would become lonely ghosts.
Why are you crying? Do not cry. The steward said loudly. You lads and lasses who have taken the money do not spend it recklessly. We will find a house and everyone will still live together. In the royal city we will help the master gather information. The master will definitely retake Tianshui City. At that time we will be able to go home again.
Yes yes the master and Lord Suo Hanyi will definitely retake Tianshui City. We will definitely be able to go home. The servants shouted loudly to cheer themselves up.
Suo Ningbing said while you are in the royal city Suo Lun will have Duke Zhiting shelter you. You will not be bullied. Once Suo Lun and big brother retake Tianshui City I will immediately send people to bring you home.
Yes… all the servants and maids replied tearfully.
Miss please take care of your health and have Young Master Suo Lun take care too!
Please please do not forget that we will always be waiting in the royal city for the masters summons. If you do not want us we will truly become lonely ghosts…
Instantly Suo Ningbing could no longer hold back. Tears poured out.
Wiping away her tears Suo Ningbing said have all the family warriors finished preparing?
Ye Jingyu said one hundred family warriors have prepared enough bows and arrows. Each has two horses with sharp blades and swords ready to set off and fight at any time.
Suo Ningbing said very well. Every warrior must keep one hand on the reins. As soon as Suo Lun returns we will immediately leave the royal city and go join big brother Suo Hanyi.
Yes. Ye Jingyu said. All warriors keep your left hand on your sword and right hand on the reins. As soon as the master returns immediately mount up and go join Lord Suo Hanyi.
Understood. All the family warriors shouted in unison.
…
A quarter of an hour later Suo Lun dressed in armour walked into the earls mansion and saw the tearful servants in the courtyard.
He had just gone to Duke Zhitings mansion to ask him to shelter these servants.
I have already found a place for you to stay and there is even a shop for you to run. Suo Lun said. Duke Zhiting has agreed to shelter you so no one will bully you. Wait peacefully in the royal city. Once I retake Tianshui City I will immediately bring you home.
Yes. The steward and all the servants said.
Go on. This eunuch lord will take you to the new residence. Suo Lun said.
The eunuch said everyone follow me. You are fortunate to have met such a kind hearted master.
Then the eunuch beside Zhiting saluted Suo Lun and said Lord Suo Lun this servant wishes you success in retaking Tianshui City soon.
Thank you for your trouble. Suo Lun said.
Under the stewards lead dozens of servants and maids knelt and kowtowed three times.
Go and do not cry. The steward shouted loudly. Remember this for me. The master will definitely retake Tianshui City and we will definitely be able to go home.
Then under the stewards lead dozens of servants and maids carrying their bundles and gold coins followed the duke from Zhiting. They left the earls mansion looking back three times with every step and left their master.
Ye Jingyu led a snow white steed for Suo Lun. Suo Lun mounted it and looked at the one hundred fully armed family warriors behind him.
Suo Ningbing also dressed in tight fitting martial attire came over and said to Suo Lun little brother the family warriors think we should go join big brother. What do you think?
Suo Lun said who said we are going to find Suo Hanyi? Follow me and do not ask where we are going.
As soon as these words were spoken all the family warriors present could not help but be startled.
Suo Lun said loudly once more follow me and do not ask where we are going.
Yes. The family warriors shouted in unison.
Finally looking back at the earls mansion once more Suo Lun shook the reins urged his horse forward and said go we are leaving the city!
Then one hundred warriors and two hundred warhorses thundered along the streets of the royal city tearing through the dark dawn and galloping like lightning.
On both sides of the street many windows opened revealing eyes behind them filled with sadness and pity as they watched the backs of Suo Lun and the others leaving.
In their view once Suo Lun left this time he would never be able to return to the royal city alive much less return to Tianshui City alive.
The Suo clan has been destroyed today! The nobles thought to themselves with a sense of shared sorrow.
…
Suo Lun led more than one hundred family warriors and left the royal city through the east gate.
Suddenly on the wide official road ahead a group of snow white steeds appeared.
On them rode a woman.
A woman so beautiful that she seemed to have taken all the beauty of the world a woman so beautiful that she seemed to have gathered all the spiritual energy of the world.
A woman so beautiful that even Zhining and Suo Ningbing could not compare.
An unrivalled beauty that Suo Lun had never seen before or after his transmigration.
She wore a snow white gauze dress held an ancient simple sword in her hand and rode alone towards the royal city of Zhidu.
That cool jade like face those clear water like eyes and that transcendent detached serene and far reaching temperament.
Her appearance made everything around her seem like mere background.
The scene she was in instantly became a painting scroll.
Her beauty made the air around her seem to freeze.
Although Suo Lun did not know her he immediately called out her name in his heart.
Princess Zhiyan the only flesh and blood of King Zhilian and the most powerful successor of the Divine Dragon Temple.
Such a noble person as her was actually returning to the royal city alone on a single horse.
Seeing Suo Luns group Princess Zhiyan gently pulled the reins and moved to the side of the road.
Suo Lun led his hundred riders and swiftly passed by her.
Their eyes also swiftly met in that instant Suo Lun felt as if her eyes were as bright as the stars in the sky.
In the blink of an eye Suo Luns group galloped far away leaving a trail of dust and disappearing from sight.
Yet not a speck of dust touched Princess Zhiyan. She gently urged her horse back onto the road and continued towards the royal city.
Sister Suo Ningbing drew close to Suo Lun and asked in a low voice little brother where are we going?
Suo Lun said we are going to the coastal city to marry Gui Qinshao. At the same time we will repay the great favour that father in law Lord Gui Xingfu owed us more than twenty years ago by borrowing troops money and territory from him.
Suo Ningbing said this this should be very difficult. Many people add flowers to a bouquet but few send charcoal in the snow. Even though Lord Gui Xingfu owes us a great favour.
Suo Lun said when I say I want to borrow he cannot refuse to lend. When I say I want to marry she cannot refuse to wed.
His words were filled with absolute confidence.
Retaking Tianshui City in five months this heaven defying move would begin from the coastal city and from his fiancée.