Military Camp 102

The soldier carried Dujuan as if she were a bundle of weightless cotton, his feet moving as if greased, walking with remarkable speed. Chen Yage worried that Li Bai and Du Fu might return to look for her, so she drew a crescent shape on the ground. She did not know if Li Bai and Du Fu would see it, or if, upon seeing it, they would realize it was her work. But there was no time to think about such things now.

She followed the soldier for about half an hour until they reached the military camp. Without hesitation, the soldier carried Dujuan inside. Chen Yage stopped in her tracks. She was, after all, a fugitive; if discovered now, escape would be nearly impossible. Yet to sit and wait for death was out of the question—Dujuan could not afford such delay.

Just as Chen Yage, anxious and at a loss, wondered what to do, Li Bai and Du Fu appeared. They followed behind Princess Yuzhen, their faces expressionless. Chen Yage waved at Li Bai as energetically as she could, yet dared not be too conspicuous, watching in distress as Li Bai and Du Fu gradually walked away. She slumped to the ground in disappointment. Suddenly, a hand covered her mouth, and before she could struggle, a heavy blow to her neck knocked her unconscious.

When Chen Yage awoke, she was startled by the close-up of a face before her. Dujuan was leaning against her shoulder. Chen Yage called out a few times, but Dujuan did not respond. Only when she moved did she realize her hands and feet were bound, unable to move.

Chen Yage softly called Dujuan’s name several more times, her voice hushed for fear of attracting the guards. On the tenth call, Dujuan finally stirred, blinking sleepily. Seeing Chen Yage, she wanted to embrace her in joy, but was forced to sit quietly beside her by the ropes binding her limbs.

“Dujuan, how did you end up tied up?” Chen Yage scooted closer to Dujuan.

“There was someone in Princess Yuzhen's room. I had just hidden behind the screen when I was knocked out. Until you woke me, I knew nothing. Sister Yage, how did you get here?”

Chen Yage recalled the conversation between Yuzhen and Abbess Jikong in Yuzhen’s room. Life outside the palace was far from idyllic for Yuzhen; she could not escape intrigues and schemes.

“I followed the soldier who tied you up. Got knocked out outside the camp.”

Dujuan’s eyes clouded with sorrow. “I wonder how Youhuan is now. It’s all my fault. If I hadn’t been so reckless, I wouldn’t be trapped in this wretched place, and Youhuan wouldn’t have to suffer so much.”

Watching Dujuan berate herself, Chen Yage felt somewhat relieved. She was deeply remorseful about everything that happened in Peach Blossom Spring. It was she who had brought Dujuan out of a carefree life into this turbulent world, she who caused Dujuan to lose her mother, her brother, and the beloved Midnight—all in a single night. Now, with Youhuan caring for Dujuan, Chen Yage felt a measure of comfort. She didn’t know Youhuan intimately, but his character was beyond doubt. She believed he would take good care of Dujuan.

“Youhuan will surely be fine. Princess Yuzhen has already gone to the camp to demand their release. So right now, the most important thing is to figure out how to escape.” Chen Yage pressed herself closer, her back against Dujuan’s. “Help me untie the rope. Hurry.”

Dujuan was momentarily stunned, but quickly set to work. In no time, she had freed Chen Yage’s hands. Chen Yage stared in astonishment. “How did you...?”

Had she not witnessed it herself, she would never have believed Dujuan possessed such extraordinary abilities.

Dujuan gave a shy smile. “It’s really nothing. Nothing can keep me trapped if I want to leave. Iron cages and locks are useless. But why would Princess Yuzhen help us? And how do you know she's already at the camp?”

“I saw it with my own eyes. Princess Yuzhen, along with Brother Bai and Brother Du, entered the camp. That was the moment I was knocked out.”

Chen Yage dusted off her clothes while Dujuan worked on the ropes binding her legs. Suddenly, two guards entered. Chen Yage quickly sat back, letting Dujuan lean on her shoulder, both closing their eyes to feign rest.

The guards approached, one kicking Chen Yage. She suppressed her anger and remained silent. The guard said, “How hard did you hit them? It’s been ages and neither one is awake.”

The other replied, “I held back, actually. It’s just these women are too delicate—touch them and they collapse.”

“You really don’t know how to cherish beauty. They’re women, after all. Shouldn’t you be gentle?”

“Cherish beauty? Look at this face—how am I supposed to cherish anything?” The guard grabbed Chen Yage’s chin, his tone full of disdain.

Chen Yage cursed him inwardly thousands of times, waiting for him to finally release her. But then he seized Dujuan’s chin, as if he’d discovered an oasis in the desert. “This one’s not bad. I was too tense in the princess’s room to get a good look. Now that I see closely, this little lady is quite a beauty.”

“Really?” The other perked up at the mention of a pretty girl, scrutinizing Dujuan and offering praise after praise.

“Don’t do anything stupid. If the higher-ups find out, you’ll be expelled from the camp at best, or beaten to death at worst.” Seeing his companion’s eyes linger on Dujuan, the other guard quickly warned him. Dujuan silently offered her thanks.

“Damn it, this is ridiculous. We’ve been here two months, haven’t seen a single woman. Finally, when we do, we can’t touch them. When the palace is finished, I swear I’ll spend three days and nights at the Drunken Blossom Pavilion, one girl in each hand, living it up.”

Their banter grew livelier, completely oblivious to the fact that the ropes binding Chen Yage had already been undone.

Just then, a higher-ranking officer entered. The two guards immediately straightened up and bowed in deference.

“Lord An ordered that you take good care of these two. If anything goes wrong, your lives are forfeit.”

“Yes sir, we’ll do our utmost,” they replied in unison. Chen Yage couldn’t help but admire their transformation—from bullies to lapdogs in a blink.

Soon, all three left the room. Still, Chen Yage dared not speak; her intuition told her the guards had not gone far. She helped Dujuan untie her hands, gesturing for silence.

“Should we fight our way out now?” Dujuan whispered as quietly as she could.

Chen Yage pondered for a moment, then nodded. She had to save herself. No matter the time or place, self-preservation was always essential.