Chapter 60

Chapter 60

Lin Shuyun's vision was obscured by the stray strands of hair falling at her temples, making it impossible to clearly see the approaching figure. She curled up, shielding her swollen abdomen as she scrambled backward.

In the pitch-black night, her peripheral vision caught sight of a man in tribal attire striding toward her with heavy, purposeful steps.

Lin Shuyun's heart lodged in her throat, and her body trembled uncontrollably. She dared not speak, lift her head, or even move another inch.

Her entire body felt stiff and icy cold, while tears of terror welled up in her eyes.

Suddenly, the sharp "clang" of a sword echoed beside her ear.

Her long-bound wrists abruptly fell free. Lin Shuyun's eyes widened as she looked up, but before she could clearly see the man's face, he had already swept her into a tight embrace. A familiar, hoarse voice whispered in her ear.

"I'm sorry. I'm too late."

Lin Shuyun's nerves, stretched taut like a bowstring, snapped instantly. Tears streamed down the corners of her eyes as she sobbed like a trapped animal in Lu Yu's arms.

Lu Yu quickly scooped her into his arms. "We can't stay here. I'm taking you home."

At the same time, a goshawk tore through the gloomy clouds, swooping down from the sky and flying straight into Su Bibo's tent.

"Strategist! The grain storage outside the camp is on fire!"

Su Bibo listened to his subordinate's report, his brow slightly furrowed. He turned his gaze to the goshawk preening on its perch, then casually retrieved the secret message tied to its leg.

He unfolded the letter, his lips tightening into a thin line as he read the description of Princess Ding'an's appearance. Abruptly, he stood up.

Suddenly, he noticed the blaze outside the tent. After a brief pause, he nodded thoughtfully, a mocking smile tugging at his lips.

"He's here."

The tribesman, who didn't understand the language of the Central Plains, asked quietly, "What did you say?"

"All elite troops, equip your bows and arrows! Head to the sheep pen immediately! A thousand taels of gold to whoever brings me Lu Yu's head!"

The tribal camp erupted in chaos. Torches were raised as they roared and charged toward the sheep pen.

Su Bibo smiled and turned back into his tent, confident that victory would soon be his.

This was the border between the Yuan Kingdom and the grasslands. The only way for Lu Yu to return to the Yuan Kingdom was to cross the southern slopes.

The Zhenbei Army had already advanced deep into the royal grasslands. Lu Yu had only a few hundred personal troops left. To his subordinates, capturing Lu Yu would be as easy as taking candy from a baby.

Just as Su Bibo sat with his arms crossed, waiting for good news, a middle-aged man in ritual garments hurried over.

Before he could speak, soldiers rushed into the tent.

"Strategist, the fire has been extinguished. We searched the area but found no trace of Lu Yu."

Su Bibo's brow furrowed. He clenched his fists and slammed them heavily on the table. "Impossible! How could he have slipped through our net?"

"Third Prince, why are you still obsessed with the people of the Central Plains? Return to the royal court quickly. Your brothers need you."

"People of the Central Plains? If it weren't for my collaboration with the old emperor back then, how could Marquis of Xuanping Lu Yan have died in the grasslands beyond the border? How dare you enjoy ten years of peace?"

Su Bibo stood up and roared.

"I don't want to be any Third Prince! I want every last one of them dead!"

The most dangerous place is the safest.

Instead of fleeing south with Lin Shuyun in his arms, Lu Yu took the chance to hide outside the largest tent. After all, no one would expect them to still be here, and no one would dare search this tent.

Lin Shuyun's nerves were stretched taut as she huddled tightly in Lu Yu's arms. She noticed his grip around her growing tighter.

Lu Yu... seemed to understand the tribal language.

The argument inside the tent continued. Though Lin Shuyun couldn't understand the words, Lu Yu's eyes gradually turned bloodshot. He lowered his gaze abruptly, a single tear sliding down the corner of his eye.

Suddenly, a rare clap of thunder echoed across the sky. Within moments, thick, swirling snow blanketed the withered yellow grasslands.

Lin Shuyun felt her belly growing taut. Her stiff fingers gently stroked her belly as silent tears instantly soaked the fabric of her clothing.

"Hey! What are you doing here?"

A harsh shout made them both tense up. Lu Yu gripped his sword tightly, ready to strike the moment the tribal soldier approached—he would slit his throat without hesitation.

As the footsteps drew nearer, Lin Shuyun grew increasingly nervous. When they were just two steps away, the tribal soldier turned and left.

Lin Shuyun let out a soft sigh of relief.

Seizing the opportunity, Lu Yu unfastened his robe and pressed Lin Shuyun against his warm chest, wrapping the garment tightly around her.

The camp was still in chaos, and Lin Shuyun didn't dare speak. She simply looked up at Lu Yu's increasingly gaunt cheeks, her fingers gently brushing against the stubble on his jaw.

Lu Yu lowered his head, lightly rubbing his stubble against her forehead while his hand gently caressed her swollen abdomen.

At that moment, the child kicked fiercely right where his palm rested.

Lin Shuyun's eyes reddened instantly as she gazed silently at Lu Yu.

The night grew deeper, and the snow fell harder.

Su Bibo, unable to find them, had descended into frenzy. But the tribal soldiers, having learned that the royal grasslands had been breached, were disheartened and gradually retreated to their tents, ignoring orders.

The bonfires slowly died out, and the camp fell into silence.

Lu Yu's gaze sharpened. He bent slightly, lifted Lin Shuyun horizontally, and stepped out from the haystack. From the bag behind him, he pulled out a tribal robe for her and drew up the hood.

He gripped her hand tightly. "Wanwan, do you trust me?"

Lin Shuyun clasped his arm firmly and nodded.

Like two patrolling soldiers, they moved along a predetermined route within the camp, gradually approaching the main gate.

Lin Shuyun's heart grew increasingly tense. Clutching her sleeves nervously, she followed closely behind Lu Yu.

As they passed the guards at the gate, they were stopped instantly.

Lin Shuyun couldn't understand what the guards were saying. Just as she was frozen in anxiety, Lu Yu responded fluently in the tribal language. He shared a boisterous laugh with the guards, and moments later, they walked out of the camp.

At the same time, a pair of hawk-like eyes locked onto their departing figures before transforming into a shadowy streak and flying straight into Su Bibo's tent.