The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 1)

Chapter 75 - Catching the Turtle

Just after the hour of Wei, Lady Fang and Lady Xiao received word from their spies that the people from the Song family were preparing to descend the mountain. 

Lady Fang had people probe further and confirmed through the monk in charge that the First Lady had indeed gone to the abbot to donate some money for oil lamps and had asked to descend early, no longer willing to wait for Master Yuankong.

Fortunately, news came from Marquis Pingyang, Xiao Ding, that they were fully prepared, with everyone in place, lying in wait along the rugged ten-mile slope. Deputy Commander Fang Deng had also deployed a hundred men along the route, ready to capture the Song family all at once.

Finally, the moment had arrived. Lady Xiao trembled with excitement, glancing back at Lady Fang and asking uncertainly, "Should we head down the mountain right away?"

The two of them hadn't considered what to do afterward; as long as they could capture Song Chuyi, the First Lady would be dead, and the Song family would be thrown into disarray. By that time, Prince Duan would have already smoothed over any traces.

"It's too early to go now," Lady Fang replied, glancing at her before turning toward the guesthouse of the Song family. "We should go over and see if they're really about to leave."

It was important to see things through; otherwise, if the Song family hadn't descended, they would be left with nothing.

As Lady Fang and Lady Xiao approached, they saw the Song family members moving the girls' bedding and gifts outside, and they greeted them hastily. A competent maid approached, somewhat embarrassed, to apologize, saying, "The First Lady just took the Second Lady and the young ladies to the carriage; I'm afraid we can't receive you two."

Lady Fang shook her head with a smile and, looking over the threshold, saw the First Lady flashing her splendid attire as she entered the carriage, her smile even broader. She turned back and said, "What are you talking about? We also came to bid farewell. Master Yuankong still hasn't had the time for us, and we have urgent matters at home. We didn't expect the Song lady to leave before us; it's our fault for not sending word in advance."

The maid exchanged a few more words with her before hurriedly urging people to prepare to get on the carriage. She then led several other maids to their respective carriages, and the group descended the mountain in a grand procession.

Lady Xiao let out a sigh of relief, her heart finally settling back in her stomach. Xiao Ding had at least three to five hundred men, and with Fang Deng leading a hundred more, they had nearly six hundred people—enough to trample the Song family's few dozen members to death.

When the disparity in strength was so vast, some worries became unnecessary.

She exhaled deeply, envisioning the scene after the Song family's defeat, and imagining how Xiao Ding would rise in rank, perhaps even becoming Prince Duan's right-hand man, soaring to greater heights. This thought brought her much satisfaction.

By that time, there would be no need for Fourth Young Lady Xiao to marry far away; they could humiliate Song Chuxuan however they pleased, without having to run to the Song family like last time and get slapped in the face!

The two of them took a carriage back to the capital together and decided to gather at the Marquis of Pingyang's residence to await news.

The weather in early April began to warm gradually, and a crescent moon hung high in the night sky, illuminating the rugged mountain path as brightly as day.

Marquis Pingyang, Xiao Ding, patiently waited for the conspicuous lanterns to gradually enter his encirclement before raising his torch and leading his men in a rush.

He was convinced that the Song family members should be screaming and fleeing in all directions at this moment. However, what awaited him was the cold sneer of Song Jue.

"I've been waiting for you for quite some time, father-in-law." Song Jue looked at him with a mocking smile, as if he were gazing at prey that had been long awaited and was about to be captured.

Xiao Ding's heart skipped a beat, but he had no time to think further, not even daring to meet Song Jue's gaze, and loudly ordered his men to apprehend the fugitives.

He had no way to retreat and could only desperately capture all the members of the Song family.

Just then, an unexpected turn of events occurred. With a slight wave of his hand, armed soldiers suddenly emerged from the fifteen carriages of the Song family.

According to the information Xiao Ding had originally received, all those sitting in the carriages were defenseless women from the Song family!

He widened his eyes in disbelief, feeling that the situation was far too unbelievable. For a moment, he panicked and didn't dare to advance.

What shattered his mind even more was when the door of the leading carriage opened, and out stepped Song Chengru along with the King of Zhennan!

Song Chengru, looking strong and vigorous, leaped down from the carriage unaided, stroking his beard as he gazed at Xiao Ding, emotions welling in his eyes. After a long moment, he let out a sigh.

This sigh left Xiao Ding pale and speechless.

The Song family was actually prepared!

"Don't go throwing eggs against a stone," the King of Zhennan slowly surveyed the group, his gaze finally landing on Xiao Ding. "The emperor has issued an edict, sending me to capture Xiao Ding, commander of the Five City Military Division, for dereliction of duty and abuse of power!"

The emperor has issued an edict?! Song Chengru had actually escalated this matter to the emperor's attention!

How dare he?! How dare he?!

Xiao Ding's face turned ashen, and his expression was as grim as possible. He slowly tightened his grip on his sword, stealing another glance at the sea of heads before him—there were not many, probably only two or three hundred.

On his side, however, there were a full six hundred men. In a direct confrontation, he might not be without a chance. But if he truly surrendered, what awaited him would be the Tongtian Prefecture or the secret prisons of the Jinyiwei...

He gritted his teeth and made a resolution. Turning back to his subordinates, whose faces were flickering in the twilight, he summoned all his strength to raise his voice to the highest level: "Don't listen to their nonsense! We are here on orders to apprehend fugitives! They are all fugitives! Brothers, take them down, and you'll be heavily rewarded!"

At this point, if Xiao Ding still insisted on stubborn resistance, he would likely find himself trapped with no way out.

Song Chengru and the King of Zhennan exchanged glances, reaching a consensus.

Fight!

The King of Zhennan inherited the bravery of his grandfather and father, and the soldiers under his command were extremely strong in combat, well-trained, and capable of following orders with precision.

In contrast, the troops of the Five City Military Division were usually lax in training, and it quickly showed as they began to falter.

Xiao Ding charged to the front, personally slaying two enemies and gritting his teeth as he glared at Song Chengru and the King of Zhennan. He could not surrender, nor could he admit defeat. If he won, he could easily frame these people for crimes. They had been waiting here for most of the day, and without seeing any other carriages pass by, the women of the Song family were surely still in the temple. Once they returned to the temple to capture those women, everything would be resolved.

However, if he failed, he would face certain death, and the Marquis of Pingyang's residence would be finished.

The King of Zhennan coldly observed the scene, waving his hand to signal his soldiers to step back while the archers in the back row took their place, aiming their bows coldly at Xiao Ding and his men.

"Fire!" With the King of Zhennan's command, a rain of arrows was unleashed.

People fell one after another, and within a short tea break, nearly a hundred of Xiao Ding's men had been killed or wounded.