A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 1140: So It Really Was You

Following the intelligence received, Xia Tingfeng made his move.

He positioned twenty thousand infantrymen along the canal, situated twenty li north of Yinshan City.

Yang Chenyi, with his select cadre, lay in wait for the opportune moment to strike.

The canal was of moderate width, flanked by distant mountains and near rocks and weeds.

While the air felt temperate, the sun blazed down, its intense glare inducing dizziness and drowsiness.

Midday was drawing near.

Save for the gentle murmur of water, the whisper of wind through vegetation, and the calls of birds and insects, the surroundings were otherwise still.

The soldiers remained low, motionless, every fiber of their being resisting the urge to succumb to sleep.

To stay alert, it seemed they wished to prop their eyelids open with blades of grass.

Time crawled by.

As noon approached with no enemy in sight, hushed whispers began to circulate amongst the ranks.

"Is this intelligence truly reliable?"

"Indeed, could we be falling into a trap?"

"After all, it originates from a subordinate; can it be trusted?"

The Rat overheard these doubts and was nearly moved to violence against the murmurers.

Fortunately, a nearby comrade restrained him with a firm grip.

"Commander Qian, please maintain your composure!"

"Commander Qian, display some grace and overlook the insolence of those rabble!"

A few judicious words of persuasion managed to pacify Tiger.

Yet, his glare remained fixed upon the doubters, a silent promise of retribution.

His expression conveyed:

You gossips, just you wait!

A palpable chill ran down their spines, silencing them instantly.

The quiet returned.

Just as noon was about to wane, and some were preparing to voice their smug satisfaction, a stir arose from the opposite bank of the canal.

It began as a faint rustling, akin to footsteps on dry leaves.

Soon, the sound of numerous footsteps echoed from all directions around the waterway.

Then, a horde of individuals emerged with haste from behind the scattered rocks.

"Not good! The enemy has arrived!"

Xia Tingfeng, ever vigilant, bellowed the warning.

Instantly, the soldiers snapped into a combat-ready posture: the ambushers assumed their positions, archers drew their bows, and infantrymen readied their bayonets and spears.

Several grenadiers had already prepared their explosives, awaiting the opportune moment to unleash devastation upon the gathered enemy.

"You Western Xia curs, prepare to meet your doom at my hands!"

Tiger was particularly incensed today, his fury ignited by the thought of the Ye brothers enduring torture at their hands.

His heart felt as if it were being seared in a cauldron of boiling oil!

Fueled by a desire for vengeance, he led his men in a charge toward the front lines.

It was as if his charge could somehow liberate the Ye brothers.

The engagement persisted for more than two Shi Chen.

The soldiers of Western Xia attacked relentlessly, in successive waves, appearing thoroughly prepared for this confrontation.

Fortuitously, the Great Chu Dynasty had made ample preparations; their twenty thousand troops stood like an unyielding bulwark.

Despite the ferocity of the enemy's assault, the line held firm.

When the dust settled, Western Xia had suffered a crushing defeat, and the Chu Dynasty had achieved a resounding victory.

The casualties were remarkably light, almost prompting a joyous procession back to camp.

However...

Xia Tingfeng and the other three found no cause for celebration.

"The information was indeed accurate; it must have been relayed by Brother Ye!!"

"I concur!"

They could only surmise that Brother Ye, with his unparalleled kindness, had been the one to pass on the crucial intelligence.

"Eldest Brother, perhaps I could take the men to search for them? Maybe..." Tiger's eagerness was palpable.

"No, allow me to investigate first!" the Monster interjected.

"Let us not act rashly; a careful plan is required!" Rat quickly cautioned.

Xia Tingfeng observed their impassioned debate.

"Cease this bickering!"

"I shall undertake the task!"

The three exchanged glances and refrained from further argument.

In terms of martial prowess and strategic acumen, their Eldest Brother undoubtedly surpassed them.

He possessed the greatest capability to effect the rescue of the Ye Brothers.

...

Within the Crown Prince's opulent tent, amidst music and revelry, an undercurrent of disquiet persisted.

The Crown Prince of Western Xia, Hai Chi, proved to be utterly incompetent.

Under the guise of 'Haitang', this individual had managed to sow discord throughout the Western Xia high command.

The King of Western Xia, having just endured a military setback and now hearing of his son's disruptive conduct, was beside himself with rage.

His nose twitched infuriatingly as he dragged the Crown Prince before him, berating him harshly, nose-to-nose.

"Trash! Utter trash!"

"It is one thing to indulge in women; must you also pester the soldiers!"

"Do you fancy both men and women? How could such a lineage spring from me!?"

Beyond sexual preference, the most significant issue was the inevitability of insubordination among the ranks when such behavior occurred.

Their defiance was met with force; he would strike them down and expel them.

"My soldiers are few; each one is precious. If I cast them out, how shall we contend?"

The Crown Prince, resolute in spirit yet outwardly conforming, declared,

"Father, your son has erred!"

This timid admission only served to further ignite King Western Xia's fury.

"Knowing your wrongdoings, but to what end?! Have you shown any change?"

"Were you even a tenth improved, your current state would not be so dire!"

The Crown Prince stood motionless, accepting the condemnation, offering no further defense.

King Western Xia's tirade continued for a full half a Shi Chen before weariness set in, culminating in a thunderous command:

"Begone, return to your quarters and contemplate your transgressions!"

"Dare to trouble my soldiers again, and I shall cleave you limb from limb!"

The Crown Prince, his spirit subdued, averted his gaze and retreated from King Western Xia's tent, making his way back to his own.

...

The Crown Prince found himself in a foul mood, the weight of his errors pressing upon him.

He dismissed all the women attending him from his tent.

The assembled male soldiers and female attendants stood in stunned silence, keeping a respectful distance of three zhang from the tent's entrance.

Within the tent's confines.

The Crown Prince slowly removed his disguise, revealing a sun-kissed, strikingly handsome countenance.

A lengthy sigh escaped her lips, accompanied by an inexplicable surge of joy.

"Big brother, your message was truly received!"

"You have indeed emerged victorious!"

"Magnificent, simply magnificent! You have avenged my sufferings as well, have you not?"

Her gaze drifted towards the window.

A shroud of overcast clouds obscured the moon, plunging the world outside into profound darkness.

A chill wind swept in, caressing her skin.

A shiver ran through her as she hastened to secure the window.

At that precise moment, a fleeting shadow flickered behind her.

"Who goes there?!"

She instinctively shielded her face and spun around.

Before her stood a figure donned in black, crimson ichor staining his attire, stumbling a few paces towards her.

"It is I... cough, cough! Ugh..."

Xia Tingfeng expelled a gout of blood, his physical strength utterly depleted.

Penetrating the enemy encampment had proven an arduous feat, demanding his absolute all.

"Big brother?"

Recognizing his voice and a closer inspection of his form confirmed her suspicions; Haitang identified him almost instantly.

"Big brother, is it truly you!"

"How did you manage to infiltrate this place?"

Observing his condition, it was clear he had forced his way in.

Her elder brother was incredibly reckless!

She rushed to him, offering support and patting his back with urgency.

Xia Tingfeng clutched at his chest, suppressing violent fits of coughing.

"Cough, cough, there is no time; I merely came to confirm!"

"So it was indeed you all along!"

Tears welling, Haitang nodded emphatically.

"It is I, so you had already suspected my identity!"

From without, the clamor of pursuing soldiers grew louder, their rapid approach signaling imminent danger.

With no moment to spare for further questions, Haitang immediately sank to her knees.

"Big brother, Haitang implores but one thing: may you triumph in battle and secure the rescue of Father and our brother!"