Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside Chapter 1562: Scared Off

The villagers said the rumor originated from the neighboring village.

When the soldiers went to inquire at the neighboring village, the villagers there claimed the rumor came from another village: "Officer, we all heard it from the people of Old Shigou. You should go investigate there."

The soldiers, frustrated to the point of madness, made their way to Old Shigou, only to be told by the villagers there: "We are innocent, Officer. It wasn’t us who spread it; we were just repeating what the people from Daniu Village said. You should go ask them."

The soldiers were on the brink of insanity, unable to uncover anything at all.

Not only did they find nothing, but Chief Commander Hu was also assassinated.

His death was similar to Vice General Ye’s; both of their heads were severed and hung on the city gates.

The soldiers guarding the gates were terrified, and within two hours, rumors spread through Yongcheng Prefecture that a malevolent ghost was targeting the Kangrong Soldiers.

Everyone was scared to death, hastily setting up incense altars to pray, hoping the ghost would bypass them and target the Kangrong Soldiers instead!

Duan Changling, upon learning of Chief Commander Hu’s murder, was utterly frightened. A chill ran from the soles of his feet to the top of his head, and his legs were so weak he had to hold onto a table to stand... A malevolent ghost, the Juntian Guards were indeed as the rumors described—killing silently and invisibly!

"Prepare the carriage, head to the Dai separate yard!" Duan Changling’s legs were too weak to ride a horse, so he had to travel by carriage to the Dai separate yard.

General Dai had already awoken, not by a doctor’s hand but naturally after two days of unconsciousness. The doctor explained: "The one who poisoned him is a master; the poison and its dosage must be a secret combination, making a person wake up after two days of unconsciousness."

However, what kind of poison General Dai had suffered from, the doctor still couldn’t figure out.

Yet, the more it remained a mystery, the more Duan Changling believed the one who tried to assassinate General Dai was indeed the Juntian Guards.

"Only the Juntian Guards have such skills, and only the Imperial Family possesses such poison. The Emperor is dissatisfied with us, warning us surely! You must quickly issue orders; we will break camp and set off today!" Duan Changling revealed that the Emperor sent the Juntian Guards to assassinate them out of dissatisfaction.

General Dai was so frightened upon hearing this that he almost fainted again, but he was quite displeased: "Since the Emperor is displeased with us, why poison only me and leave you unharmed?"

Damn it, it’s unfair, he was unhappy!

Duan Changling got angry: "At a time like this you still nitpick with me? You’re the Chief of Staff Dai’s own nephew, and your status matters. If the Emperor wants to warn someone, it’s natural to choose you. And the Emperor merely drugged you unconscious, you aren’t dead!"

So, I was targeted because I’m significant?

General Dai had little skill to begin with, and Duan Changling was harsh. After getting scolded by Duan Changling, he was completely at a loss. Then Housekeeper Dai said: "General, regardless of whether this is true or not, we ought to set off to Long’an Prefecture promptly; we can no longer stay in Yongcheng Prefecture."

If it’s false, it’s fine; but if it’s true, the Emperor has warned us verbally, and if we continue lingering in Yongcheng Prefecture, it would mean opposing the Emperor, endangering the entire Dai Family!

General Dai’s staff also advised him on the severity of the situation, scaring him into agreement: "Quickly, issue the orders; break camp and set off immediately! Set off!"

"Yes!" Housekeeper Dai and the deputy generals hurried to comply.

Duan Changling also rose to leave but was grabbed by General Dai by the arm, who asked: "Brother Duan, once we leave the city, will we be shot?"

Seeing the Emperor so enraged, and knowing the Emperor’s fondness for killing when angry, General Dai was utterly terrified.

Duan Changling withdrew his arm and replied: "Rest assured, General Dai. If the Emperor wanted us dead, we’d already be dead. He merely sought to warn us. As long as we set off immediately, the Emperor likely won’t hold this against us any longer."

Then, lowering his voice, he added: "Besides, with the current need for soldiers against the Rong people, the Emperor wouldn’t easily have us killed."

General Dai was delighted to hear this: "Brother Duan is right!"

"General Dai, gather your things quickly; we will assemble and depart at the city gate in an hour." Duan Changling said and promptly left for his residence.

The servants had already packed everything. The wealth and materials accumulated during this time were also packed, set to be sent back to Duan Changling’s mansion in Central State in batches.

Magistrate Weng, upon learning they were breaking camp and setting off, was overjoyed, cursing in the government office: "Two ignorant scoundrels, they should have left long ago."

The steward advised: "Lord Magistrate, they have soldiers; the future remains unknown. You mustn’t speak such words."

Great Chu was in turmoil; those with soldiers were likely to declare themselves kings. Magistrate Weng knew this well; hence, after a curse, he fell silent.

The steward continued: "My lord, it’s best to part amicably. Bring the rites and see them off."

If they didn’t, and bore a grudge, and one day Yongcheng Prefecture fell, or those two declared themselves, Magistrate Weng would suffer.

Magistrate Weng pondered and agreed, saying: "Very well, let’s see the generals off and make good relations."

In reality, it was like spending money to see evil spirits off!

The steward replied: "Yes."

Magistrate Weng and his people, after bustling around for more than half an hour, set off with two carts of gifts to see Duan Changling and his group at the city gate.

After waiting for half an hour, Duan Changling and General Dai’s convoy finally arrived at the city gate.

"Vice Magistrate Duan, General Dai, you’ve both worked hard. This office wishes you a triumphant return and promotions to the capital!" Magistrate Weng said with a beaming smile, though inwardly adding, hoping they might die on the battlefield.

Magistrate Weng had been bullied by the two for a while, but since they had soldiers and backing, he hadn’t dared to openly confront them.

Duan Changling and General Dai, seeing the gifts sent by Magistrate Weng, were relatively satisfied and said: "Magistrate Weng, we’ve been a bother these days. Rest assured, we will repel the Rong people & ensure no harm comes to Yongcheng Prefecture."

The words were spoken, and luckily Magistrate Weng’s endurance was commendable, else he’d laugh out loud.

"We fully rely on you two generals." Magistrate Weng bowed deeply, appearing quite respectful and sincere.

"Set off!" Duan Changling shouted in advance, and at his command, the soldiers immediately got moving, setting off mightily from Yongcheng Prefecture.

Once they were far off, the townsfolk, who initially came to watch the commotion, dared to sneer: "Ha, scared them off, thought they’d occupy the city and rebel, turns out they fear the Lord Emperor."

"That Juntian Guards are too merciful, how didn’t they poison the Dai one to death? Can such a general really defeat the Rong people?"

"Shut up! Are you seeking death? Speak such treasonous words again and this office will throw you all into the government office!" Magistrate Weng actually found these comments satisfying, but as a magistrate, he had to reprimand them to prevent the remaining servants at the separate yard from reporting to Minister Dai.

The crowd, hearing this, fell silent.

But after Magistrate Weng left, they boldly gossiped about how Duan and Dai feared death, all the while praising the Juntian Guards.