Chapter 49: The Couple Joins Forces
The faces of everyone in the Protectorate Office changed dramatically in an instant.
When the young generals of the Shen family were still alive, this Tenth Lady was renowned throughout the Western Frontier for her beauty, the brightest jewel of Xizhou City.
She had once danced at dawn atop a mountain, accompanied by mountain birds and mystical beasts. She studied military strategy, tamed fierce horses, and tested her swordsmanship across the land.
After the Shen family’s sons fell in battle, she single-handedly infiltrated the enemy city, publicly beheaded their foes, and reclaimed the heads of her kin. To this day, simply hearing the name “Shen Ten” strikes terror across the western lands.
“It’s really you, Shen Ten!” Yang Wanxiong gritted his teeth, seething with hatred for the Shens.
As the brother of the current Empress, he had accompanied the emperor on campaigns, but the Shen family, arrogant due to their merits, looked down on him. They never allowed him to prove himself in battle, keeping him behind the lines.
They had nearly achieved total victory. On the day the two sides were to sign a truce, the Xichang forces suddenly reneged. In the chaos, the emperor of the Great Qi was captured by the enemy. The Shen family charged to rescue him and were wiped out overnight. To save himself, the emperor ceded territory and later reduced Shen Yi’s military authority.
A new Protectorate was established in the Western Frontier, with Yang Wanxiong as its highest-ranking commander.
But the soldiers stationed there only recognized the Shen family. No matter how Yang Wanxiong schemed or bribed, he could only sway a fraction of them. Holding the military token of the Western Frontier did not grant him command over the Shen troops.
He had waited—three long years—until the Xichang army struck again at Luoyue Pass, the perfect opportunity.
He thought the younger generation of the Shen family was extinct, leaving only the nearly seventy-year-old Shen Yi, who would not survive much longer. The entire Western Frontier army seemed destined to fall under Yang Wanxiong’s control.
Who could have imagined that Shen Ten, a mere young woman now married, would dare travel thousands of miles to the Western Frontier to meddle in the war between the two nations?
Were all Shens born to curse him?
Yang Wanxiong could not swallow this insult. On the surface, he feigned shock and fear, trying to curry favor with Shen Ruojin. “Tenth Lady, you came to the Western Frontier without even a word to me. Why attack at once? Is there some misunderstanding between us...?”
Shen Ruojin replied coldly, “Misunderstanding? My grandfather fought bloodily against the Xichang forces at Luoyue Pass while you, Protector Yang, drank and feasted in the office. What misunderstanding could there be?”
Had she not known long ago that Yang Wanxiong was two-faced, his superb acting might have fooled her.
As the tense standoff unfolded before the hall, a city guard rushed in, panting, “Report! The Shen family troops are retreating, already at the city gates! Protector, shall we open the gates or not?”
Before the words fell, the messenger was stunned at the eerie scene inside the Protectorate Office.
Yang Wanxiong cursed Shen Yi’s entire family in his heart.
The Shen troops were known for their courage and refusal to retreat. How could they now abandon the fight so quickly, retreating outside Xizhou City?
Yang Wanxiong thought for a moment and knew this had to be the doing of Shen Ten. His hatred deepened.
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“It’s time,” Qin Lang said in a low voice, calling out, “Shen Ten!”
Shen Ruojin dragged Yang Wanxiong toward the exit, the others in the Protectorate Office stepping back and circling cautiously.
No one dared make a rash move, nor let her leave so easily.
Near the door, another guard came running, shouting, “Report! The Xichang army is pursuing, fighting with the Shen troops at the gates! Protector, should we sally forth to assist?”
Outside, the clash of battle carried through the wind and snow, the air thick with the scent of blood.
“Support them! Of course, support them!” Yang Wanxiong said, putting on a brave face to keep Shen Ruojin calm, but secretly signaled his deputy.
The deputy put his hand behind his back, signaling the archers on the eaves to target Shen Ruojin, aiming for a fatal shot.
In the snowy night, flickering flames lit the courtyard.
Several archers concealed in the shadows nocked arrows and avoided aiming at the protector, instead targeting Shen Ruojin.
“Whoosh, whoosh,” arrows flew straight toward her.
Qin Lang sprang forward, snatching a sword nearby. His blade moved like a swift, invisible shield, slashing down the arrows midair.
In moments, broken arrows littered the ground.
Only one arrow, shot from an unexpected angle, flew toward Shen Ruojin’s heart. Qin Lang turned instantly to shield her.
Yet Shen Ruojin was quicker still. She shoved Yang Wanxiong forward, using him as a human shield between herself and Qin Lang.
The arrow pierced Protector Yang’s left shoulder, blood splattering onto Shen Ruojin’s clothes. She regarded it as nothing, slowly straightening as she peeked from behind him, her face cold and merciless.
“Stop! Stop shooting! Who told you to fire arrows like this?”
Yang Wanxiong nearly fainted from the pain.
These useless people not only failed to hit Shen Ruojin but nearly killed their protector.
The deputy quickly raised his hand, ordering the archers to cease fire.
Qin Lang watched as Shen Ruojin held Yang Wanxiong before him, then sheathed his sword and couldn’t help but say, “You really are unconventional.”
“If I didn’t catch him, what else could I do?” Shen Ruojin said without looking back. “Using him early or late makes no difference. Once or twice, or many times—it’s all the same.”
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Her disdain for Protector Yang was no recent development.
Three generations of the Shen family had guarded the Western Frontier, pouring their hearts and blood into protecting these people. Yet the emperor handed the military affairs over to a worthless man like Yang Wanxiong.
Such an incompetent man harbored wicked and complicated schemes. Today, the Shen troops at Luoyue Pass were isolated without support.
No provisions.
No reinforcements.
Even the retreat route back into Xizhou City was blocked—undoubtedly Yang Wanxiong’s doing.
Seeing his subordinates powerless, Yang Wanxiong gritted his teeth and pleaded with Shen Ruojin, “General Shen is fighting desperately outside against the Xichang army. Holding me now only delays military strategy. Release me quickly so I can lead troops out to support the Shen forces!”
Shen Ruojin sneered. If Yang Wanxiong truly intended to help, why wait until now?
With no other choice, Yang Wanxiong continued, “Tenth Lady, tell me what you want. If I can help, I will.”
“That’s what you said,” Shen Ruojin replied, pulling the arrow from his shoulder.
“Ah!” Yang Wanxiong screamed in pain, confirming her ruthless nature.
Everyone in the Protectorate Office looked on in shock and fear.
“I’m borrowing your Protector Yang for a while. Whether he lives or dies is his own choice.”
Shen Ruojin casually tossed the bloodied arrow into the snow.
Yang Wanxiong was too pained to speak.
No one dared act rashly.
Qin Lang handed his longsword to Shen Ruojin. “You go first. I’ll cover the rear.”