The rebellion of Zhong Hui was about to begin. And Xu Xinying was going to lead the first assault. Without her husband nearby…it almost made her nervous…especially since her opponent would, technically, be Deng Ai and Wen Yang. Both were formidable opponents, as it was…but if she could convince people that both of them were rebelling and committing acts of treason, hopefully she wouldn't even have to lift a finger in their capture.
Ohh~ Shiji would just love it if I was so successful~!
She wasn't going to count her chickens before they hatched, though…she had to be thorough…but, now was time to begin…for her husband.
Coming face-to-face with Deng Ai to attempt his capture would be the hard part…
She saw Wen Yang, first…it looked like he was heading to Deng Ai…but he spotted her and looked over her curiously, wondering why she had so many troops following her…and…she was wearing black?
"Lady Xu Xinying. Is something the matter? Where is Master Zhong Hui?"
"He's…around, I guess."
"Did something happen? Is he in danger?"
"No, not at all. Wen Yang. I'm here to capture you."
"Excuse me?"
The man quickly stepped back as the brown haired woman drew her blade, staring him down with her cold, icy blue eyes.
"Wen Yang. You and Deng Ai are accused of treason. I am here for your capture."
"Treason? What is your reasoning, Lady Xu Xinying!?"
"Who knows? Depends what my Lord decides to tell everyone."
"You mean…this is Master Zhong Hui's doing!?"
"Aren't you smart? Now…come quietly, Wen Yang."
As she pointed her sword at him, he quickly began to run, alarming the troops that stood behind their lady, as they began to pursue at her signal. While she just walked behind them…
The troops should be ready…Zhong Hui would have spread that the two generals were rebelling. This would be it…
Upon finding Wen Yang, he had gotten to Deng Ai…but it looked like the troops hadn't given him chance to warn him. The muscular man watched as Xu Xinying gracefully walked into the room, her hips swaying as she carried her sword, the blade still out, like she was ready for it to taste blood.
"Lady Xu Xinying? What is the matter?"
"So Wen Yang didn't tell you? How fun. I'm here to capture you for treason. Dead or alive doesn't matter…but I'd prefer you to come quietly. You'd never escape."
"What is the meaning of this?"
"You were rebelling, Deng Ai. And I am here to stop you."
"I know you…you would not act without the command of your husband…Lady Xu Xinying, whatever he has told you, he is using you!"
That was it. Deng Ai had slandered her husband. That was all she needed to hear to want to kill the man in front of her. But she had to hold back, for now…
"And why do you assume this?"
"Lady Xinying, we have done nothing wrong. We have not committed any treason for you to capture us. Master Zhong Hui has lied to you. Your husband is not looking out for your best interests sending you to capture us!"
"…You do not think I could capture you, Deng Ai? How modest of you…"
"Lady Xinying, please! Listen to me! You are my friend. I do not wish to fight you. If Master Zhong Hui is forcing you to-"
"Do not DARE slander my Lord in any way, Deng Ai! I know exactly what my Lord is planning. And that is why I am here to capture you. Slander my Lord again and I won't be taking you in alive…"
He knew she meant that…but if she could ACTUALLY kill him or not was another matter entirely…
"Master Deng Ai…We won't get through to her…we must escape from here…"
"…Yes…sadly, we must use force to get past her…"
Hearing their little whispers, Xinying scoffed, giving a signal to her man, ordering them to surround the pair…but this was short lived as the larger man practically barrelled through the fragile men, followed by Wen Yang. The only one standing in their way now was Xu Xinying…but she had no chance against the larger body of Deng Ai.
Even though her sword was drawn and ready, Deng Ai made quick work of her small frame, tackling her to the floor, before running off with Wen Yang…
She was uninjured, though…Deng Ai was clearly going soft on her. It was clear that this man held their friendship dear…
But that wasn't going to sway Xu Xinying on her choice for follow her Lord. And she would do so until the day she died.
Her men had already begun pursuit as she ran off to find any sign of her lord in the castle. Well…no such luck, just yet, but she did find Jiang Wei outside the castle, lying in wait.
"Jiang Wei."
"Lady Xu Xinying? What is going on?"
"Never mind that. Keep lying in wait for Deng Ai and Wen Yang, just in case they escape. Where is my Lord."
"Master Zhong Hui is still inside the castle. The rumours of Deng Ai and Wen Yang's betrayal has spread fast."
"He won't take long, then. Keep holding out, Jiang Wei. Victory shall be ours, soon enough."
"Of course, Lady Xinying."
He bowed his head to her as she walked away inside another door of the castle gates, quickly searching for her husband in the most obvious spots. Which was lucky…she didn't take long finding him. But her rough exterior quickly faded as he turned to face her, with his usual, coy, smile. The smile faded as she fell onto her knees, though.
"Xinying!?"
At first, he thought she was critically injured, but all he spotted on her was a large bruise forming on her arm as he rushed to her side. But he noted that she was on the verge of crying, forcing herself to hold them back.
"I'm sorry, my Lord…I couldn't stop them. I wasn't strong enough to push back Deng Ai. He's a large man…I-I…"
"Do not say another word."
"I got mad…he kept trying to say you were using me, and-! And…I lost concentration…I'm so sorry."
The man clicked his tongue as he rubbed the sides of his wife's eyes gently, keeping her tears from escaping.
"That man…he will pay for hurting you like this. Do not worry yourself, my dear. Once we capture him, I will make sure he is an example to everyone…"
"My Lord?"
"I will make a show of executing him first. Nobody will hurt you and get away with it, no matter if it's physically or mentally."