Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

Two days later, the darkness dissipated once again, and dawn broke.

On the Gobi Desert, beneath a patch of dead wood, another fierce battle raged, and several more comrades perished forever, leaving everyone with heavy hearts.

Zhao Sheng walked to Jia Lian's side and whispered, "Second Master, this can't go on. We're getting further and further away from the camp."

The enemy has deployed an unknown number of troops to encircle and suppress them. Despite their extreme caution, they have encountered the enemy countless times in the past two days.

Each time, only men and horses could be left behind to cover the rear.

By this point, Jia Lian had almost no men left besides his personal guards.

Moreover, most of them had injuries.

Zhao Sheng and the others were naturally very worried about this.

"We servants are not to be pitied even if we die, but the Second Master and Her Highness the Princess must not be harmed!"

Jia Lian took a sip of water, glanced at them, and said, "Just say what you want to say, don't hold back."

Zhao Sheng and Zhang Yong exchanged a glance, then Zhao Sheng knelt down and said, "Second Master, please forgive me, this servant has a plan."

"explain."

"This servant wants Miss Aqi to impersonate a princess and be escorted away by this servant and others to attract the enemy's attention."

Princess and Second Master can disguise themselves as herdsmen to confuse the enemy.

While this move cannot be said to be entirely certain, it at least greatly increases the chances of the Second Master and the Princess escaping back.

Once we return to Ganning Pass, we'll be safe!

This was the method Zhao Sheng and the others had come up with, the one they felt was the most effective. However, knowing Jia Lian's temperament and the need to use Aqi as bait, they were afraid Jia Lian wouldn't agree, so they hadn't said anything.

As expected, Jia Lian fell silent upon hearing this, glancing around at the tired yet determined eyes of the people around him.

Jia Lian knew that no matter what decision he made, these people would obey him and follow him without hesitation.

But can he really bring them all back?

The hundreds of people who came to rescue Princess Zhaoyang have been used as a rearguard force for the past two days.

Even though Jia Lian felt reluctant, he knew that the chances of those people being able to fight their way out and return alive were very low.

Looking at the remaining hundred or so men, if they were to encounter the enemy twice more, they would probably all be buried in this desolate Gobi Desert.

At that time, all the previous sacrifices will probably be in vain.

Seeing that Jia Lian did not refuse immediately, Zhao Sheng quickly bowed to Aqi beside him and said, "I humbly beg you, young lady, to grant my request!"

"Okay, but my sister has to come with them."

After being taught by her younger sister for a long time, Aqi was actually able to speak some simple Chinese.

She just doesn't usually like to talk to others.

Zhao Sheng thought for a moment and nodded in agreement. Aqin didn't have much fighting power to begin with, and if it weren't for Aqi protecting her the whole way, she probably wouldn't have made it this far.

The Fairy Tree Romance

Her absence won't make much of a difference.

So Aqi didn't say anything more, walked to the other side of Princess Zhaoyang, and stared intently at Princess Zhaoyang's clothes.

The meaning is self-evident.

Princess Zhaoyang raised an eyebrow. This female guard beside Jia Lian was quite something. She'd heard she was an orphan he'd picked up on the grasslands last time…

"This is inappropriate."

"I think it's great."

Just as Jia Lian was speaking, Princess Zhaoyang stood up.

She looked at the woman in front of her and said solemnly, "If your second master and I survive this time, you will be my savior."

If you return alive, I will certainly not treat you unfairly.

"If you die, I will certainly treat your sister well."

Princess Zhaoyang was always very familiar with the people around Jia Lian.

Seeing that Aqi's gaze softened after hearing this, Princess Zhaoyang didn't waste any words and directly took off her outer robe.

Although everyone was wearing thick clothes at this time of year, the soldiers around immediately turned around and looked outside.

Although Jia Lian frowned when Princess Zhaoyang rejected his opinion and took the initiative, he did not argue back.

In terms of hierarchy, he was the ruler and Princess Zhaoyang were the subject; he should indeed listen to Princess Zhaoyang.

Moreover, aside from Zhao Sheng's suggestion, he really couldn't find a better way.

Continuing to circle around the enemy is certainly not a good strategy.

"Second Master, here you go."

Zhao Sheng untied a package from his horse. Jia Lian opened it and saw that it contained two sets of clothing belonging to Oirat herdsmen, and that it belonged to a man and a woman.

Needless to say, they must have stolen it from some herder's house before. So, they had planned this all along.

He glanced at Zhao Sheng, but the kid just gave a sheepish smile.

Now that things had come to this, Jia Lian didn't mince words. He handed the women's clothing to Princess Zhaoyang, then looked at Aqi. After a long pause, he pulled her into his arms and whispered in her ear, "Come back to see me alive!"

Yes~~

Aqi's voice trembled slightly, but she didn't say anything more.

Princess Zhaoyang saw this scene, the corners of her mouth turned up slightly, and then she pretended not to see it and began to tidy up the coarse linen clothes in her hands.

"Sir, let me pretend to be the princess."

Suddenly, Ah Qin, who had been silent all along, spoke up.

Aqi immediately shook her head. Jia Lian also looked at her with a puzzled expression.

Ah Qin then laughed and said, "First of all, my figure is more similar to that of the princess, making me more suitable to impersonate her."

Secondly, I'm very clumsy and have no skills. If I stay by your side, I'll only be a burden.

We're quite far from our camp now. Even if you and the princess disguise yourselves as herdsmen, we don't know what dangers we'll encounter along the way.

With my sister around, at least she can protect the master and the princess.

So, let my sister go with you.

"No!"

Aqi seemed a little angry, glaring at Aqin.

"Sister, please listen to me. I can't do anything except ride horses."

With Brother Zhang and the others by my side, they can protect me.

But your responsibility is even greater; you must bring the master and princess back safely.

I'll be waiting for you at the camp.

As she spoke, she snatched the clothes that Aqi hadn't put on yet and put them on herself.

Ah Qin naturally wanted to be with Jia Lian.

But after struggling and hesitating for a long time, she still made the decision decisively.

Compared to traveling with Jia Lian, she cared more about Jia Lian's safety.

She knew that if her sister had gone with Jia Lian, the chances of the three of them returning safely would have been much greater.

In that case, she should do it.

The reason why Aqi let Aqin take away the clothes was because of something Aqin said.

She wanted to protect Jia Lian.

In her heart, besides her younger sister Aqin, there was only Jia Lian. Moreover, Jia Lian was the only one she and her sister could rely on.

Therefore, Jia Lian's safety should be the top priority.

She couldn't refute her sister's statement.

Seeing that Aqin had already put on the princess's outer robe, Aqi could only look to Jia Lian and let him make the decision. She knew that Aqin listened to Jia Lian the most.

For Jia Lian, it didn't really matter who followed them. He didn't feel he needed protection; it was Princess Zhaoyang who needed protection.

Since it is destined that someone will be left to impersonate Princess Zhaoyang, it doesn't matter whether it's Aqi or Aqin.

Seeing the determined light in Aqin's eyes, Jia Lian knew that this was something Aqin felt she could consider for him. She wanted to help him, just like her sister.

So he nodded, hugged her back, and said, "Go back and wait for me."

"Um."

"Come on, try this dress on too."

Just as the master and servant were saying their goodbyes, Princess Zhaoyang, who had transformed into a horse-herding woman, very tactlessly put the faded men's herdsman's clothes on Jia Lian and pulled him over to look him over.

Looking at Princess Zhaoyang, who had snatched Jia Lian away from her, Aqin pouted.

I knew this princess had ill intentions towards their master, and sure enough. Putting aside her princess status, she's a vixen too!

……