Perfect Match – CH 073

Chapter 73

Zhu Huang brought news from Meng Zhao.

He said he had just arrived in Ningxia and, before he could find anyone, encountered the Prince Enhua’s mutiny. He hid in someone’s house, but the entire family was killed by the rebels. He escaped by hiding on the roof beam, but after several days, he had no food and had to go out to search again. Finally, in the chaos, he was found by Meng Zhao’s men.

“But once I entered General Wang’s Mansion, it was sealed off. Madam Meng said it must have been deliberately done by Prince Enhua’s men to keep the madam from receiving any news and to make him anxious. Because I am rather small, she helped me crawl out through a narrow tunnel, and that’s how I got here!”

He said Meng Zhao told him to tell Deng Ruyun that she was alright.

“Indeed, many people in the Wang Mansion have fallen ill, but Madam Meng is strong and healthy. She recovered after three days of medication, specifically the madam’s Lingqiao Detoxifying Pill. Madam Meng even asked me to bring quite a few over to the madam!”

He took out two purses from his pocket. He was covered in dust, but these two purses were clean, filled to the brim with pills.

Deng Ruyun could not help but ask, “Since so many members of the Wang family are sick, is there enough medicine? Why not keep some?”

Zhu Huang replied that there was enough. “Madam Meng said that the madam’s medicine is more effective than others. She originally thought it would not be enough, but the servants have been taking it for a few days and are gradually improving, so she asked me to quickly send the medicine to Madam. Because Prince Enhua controls the pharmacy, this is all the medicine Madam Meng can get.”

Some of Teng Yue’s personal guards had also fallen ill, so the pills arrived just in time.

Deng Ruyun asked a few more questions about Meng Zhao’s condition and was relieved to learn that she was indeed alright.

But Zhu Huang then reported this to Teng Yue.

“General Teng, Madam Meng instructed me to inform you.”

“What is it?”

Zhu Huang lowered his voice. “Madam Meng’s people made contact with General Wang’s men sent into the town from the south, but they could not make direct contact. I wonder if the General could send someone to meet them?”

Upon hearing this, Teng Yue’s gaze sharpened.

He had been thinking that Wang Fuxiang’s men should have already entered the town, but he was being watched and suspected by the Prince Enhua’s Mansion, which had hindered his actions. Now that Zhu Huang had brought news, Teng Yue was delighted.

He immediately summoned Tang Zuo and instructed him to send someone quietly to the south of the town to quickly find and make contact with Wang Fuxiang’s men.

Zhu Huang explained everything, including the medicine, and, following his master’s instructions, met with Madam Deng.

Seeing that Deng Ruyun was alright, his eyes reddened.

“This Ningxia Town is so unstable! I’d only been in the town for less than half an hour when there was a mutiny, and now I am living in fear and have not even had a meal…”

Deng Ruyun: “…”

Teng Yue: “…”

This child was really unlucky.

Deng Ruyun quickly wrung out a damp towel and handed it to him so he could wipe his face. Seeing how thin he was, with only his two large, red eyes standing out, she felt a pang of heartache. She then gave him a plate of snacks, urging him to eat something.

“It’s alright, it’s alright. You can stay at the Teng Mansion from now on. You do not need to run around anymore. There’s food and clothing here; you will not go hungry again.”

As Deng Ruyun spoke, Zhu Huang’s eyes welled up with tears.

“Madam…”

Deng Ruyun thought to herself, “Before, Bai Chunfu pretended to be poor and did not give him enough meat, and he was so hungry. This time in Ningxia Town, he’s been starving for days; I wonder how much the child has suffered.”

She patted Zhu Huang on the shoulder and poured him a cup of tea. “You can go back after Ningxia Town settles down. Stay here for now.”

Zhu Huang nodded but said, “It’s just that Sixth Young Master in Xi’an is still worried about our madam. He does not know about the Ningxia rebellion yet. If he did, he’d be even more alarmed.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he saw General Teng’s unfriendly gaze fall upon him.

He wanted to suggest that his madam find an opportunity to send a message to Sixth Young Master, but he dared not say it now. He could only hold the plate of snacks and lower his head.

Deng Ruyun turned her head slightly and also saw Teng Yue’s unfriendly gaze.

She said softly, “Do not frighten him. After all, Zhu Huang has done a great service this time.”

Seeing her protecting Sixth Young Master Bai’s apprentice, Teng Yue remained silent for a moment before speaking again.

“What did I say that scared him? You are being too protective of him.”

This kid always knew how to play the victim, just like his master.

However, Zhu Huang had genuinely done a good job this time, so Teng Yue did not hold it against Sixth Young Master Bai for specifically sending someone over.

He asked Zhu Huang, “Are there many people infected outside?”

Zhu Huang said, “I’ve been coming all the way from Xi’an Prefecture, and there are infected people in various parts of Shaanxi Province. These past two days, at Madam Meng’s place, I heard that the number of infected people in Ningxia Town is increasing, but the mutiny has delayed medical treatment. All the newly made Lingqiao Detoxifying Pills from various pharmacies have been taken by Prince Enhua’s men. No one else can get any; only Madam Meng can get some.”

Teng Yue pondered for a moment upon hearing this.

At this rate, the soldiers and civilians infected in Ningxia Town would be dragged down to death by Prince Enhua. Prince Enhua had the pills to cure his soldiers, but others did not. Before long, the people in the town would not have the strength to rebel against him.

The matter of exonerating them must be resolved as soon as possible.

… …

That very day, Teng Yue secretly sent someone to the south of the town to try to contact Wang Fuxiang’s men. Unexpectedly, a reply arrived the following afternoon.

After Deputy Commander Wang Ying led his troops across the river to Lingzhou, the Lingzhou garrison immediately reported the Ningxia mutiny to the Shaanxi Military Command.

A mutiny by a prince was no small matter.

The news caused an uproar in Guanzhong. The Military Command was greatly alarmed. The Shaanxi General Commander, while urgently reporting to the court, personally led his troops straight to Ningxia.

Wang Fuxiang, who had been gathering scattered soldiers outside the town, also received the news from across the river. He went to great lengths to bring them into the town, thus enabling him to make contact with Teng Yue.

The news reached Teng Yue steadily, and he understood the situation.

The Shaanxi General Commander’s army had arrived, and Prince Enhua summoned Teng Yue to his mansion for three consecutive days to advise him. He left, and Deng Ruyun went to hide in a narrow, secret passage of the mansion. Zhu Yijiao, however, did not cause any more trouble.

The army swiftly arrived at the east bank of the river. Wang Ying had already steered all the boats to the other side, preventing Prince Enhua from crossing. Instead, he risked being overrun by the Shaanxi general’s forces.

He asked everyone what to do, his gaze sweeping over them before finally settling on Teng Yue.

Teng Yue stated bluntly, “The only way to secure Ningxia’s safety is to force them to a standstill on the other side of the river.”

He looked at Prince Enhua, saying, “I can lead the troops to meet them.”

However, upon hearing this, Prince Enhua did not agree. Instead, he saw hesitation in Prince Enhua’s eyes.

Teng Yue knew what he was hesitating about.

He was afraid that if he led his troops across and engaged the Shaanxi general’s forces, they would not just fail to kill the enemy but would instead turn against him.

At that time, Prince Enhua’s forces would suffer heavy losses, and if the government troops crossed the river, they would only face certain death.

Seeing his hesitation, Teng Yue took the initiative to speak.

“If Your Highness is worried, you can send someone else. I am still recovering from my injuries and should rest for a few more days.”

He voluntarily withdrew, no longer mentioning leading troops. After returning from the Prince’s Mansion, he went straight home to continue recuperating in seclusion.

The next day, Prince Enhua’s heir sent over tonics and medicinal herbs. He claimed to be resting in bed and did not see anyone, but instead played backgammon with Deng Ruyun in his room.

Deng Ruyun noticed that he was much more composed than in the past few days.

However, with the government troops pressing in, Prince Enhua was clearly unable to remain calm.

Then, one evening, someone suddenly arrived at the Teng Mansion.

Deng Ruyun retreated to the passage, and Teng Yue personally went out to greet the visitor. The person who came was none other than Prince Enhua, Zhu Zhenfan himself.

Seeing Teng Yue personally come to greet him, with no breach of etiquette, and considering that he had remained secluded at home for the past few days, he felt reassured.

Although he dared not risk having Teng Yue lead troops into battle, he maintained a courteous demeanor, visiting him that night to inquire about Teng Yue’s plans.

“Minister Teng, what do you think we should do to ensure our safety in this situation?”

Teng Yue said that complete safety was difficult to guarantee, “But if Your Highness wishes to protect Ningxia, it is not a problem. All you need to do is seize the ferry crossing.”

His gaze briefly swept across Prince Enhua’s face, and he sighed.

“When Your Highness first started the uprising, you should have seized the ferry crossing first. If you had, you would probably have already crossed the river south by now.”

He sighed repeatedly, and Zhu Zhenfan knew perfectly well that what he said was crucial.

At the time, they were only focused on controlling Ningxia Town and attacking Wang Hongbao, but they had not expected Wang Ying to react so quickly. After the battle ended in a draw, Wang Ying fled to the ferry crossing to Lingzhou, even sending all the boats to the other side.

That hasty defeat at the time foreshadowed their current predicament.

Prince Enhua also sighed deeply, but he had limited elite troops, especially a general as intelligent and brave as Teng Yue—he could not find another like him.

Yet, he did not dare to fully trust Teng Yue and could only seek his advice.

“Do you think the only solution right now is to seize the ferry crossings?”

Teng Yue nodded repeatedly, no longer mentioning the previous setbacks, only saying, “Your Highness should send more troops to capture the ferry crossings at the two dams, one large and one small. This is a matter of life and death. Only by holding this pass and stabilizing Ningxia Town can we proceed cautiously.”

As he spoke, seeing Zhu Zhenfan nod, he added, “You must not be stingy with your troops; this is crucial. With you in command, it does not matter if all the town’s troops are mobilized!”

… …

Prince Enhua left the Teng Mansion shortly afterward.

When Deng Ruyun returned, she asked Teng Yue about it, and Teng Yue told her exactly what he had said.

Deng Ruyun listened, blinking rapidly.

“What you say makes sense. For the Prince Enhua’s Mansion, as long as the government troops do not cross the river, Ningxia Town can be saved.” Her delicate eyebrows furrowed. “But if the government troops do not attack, how can we get out of this predicament?”

She asked, “Do you intend for both sides to remain locked in a stalemate at the ferry crossing, waiting for Prince Enhua’s supplies to run out, allowing the government troops to easily take the town?”

Teng Yue smiled at her words and flicked the small lamp on the table.

He said that was one way, “But who knows how long that would take? I do not have that much patience. It does not matter if the government troops cannot break in from the outside.”

As he spoke, the lamplight flickered, and Deng Ruyun saw the glistening flame leap in the man’s eyes.

He said, “We can easily fight our way out from the inside.”

After he finished speaking, Deng Ruyun looked at him and took a deep breath.

Teng Yue smiled knowingly in the flickering firelight.

… …

The day after Prince Enhua sought advice late at night, he dispatched his trusted confidants with a large army to seize the river crossing.

He had followed Teng Yue’s advice and mobilized almost his entire force to prevent the government troops from crossing the river.

Even the manpower for searching the town was greatly reduced, with only Wu Liang and a few others remaining to guard the streets and town gates.

Prince Enhua felt his forces were insufficient and wanted to continue recruiting.

He had previously used his proclamation listing the crimes of the eunuchs to gather many “ambitious men,” and now he simply went south out of the town to set up an altar to offer sacrifices to Heaven, ostensibly to purge the court of corrupt officials, but in reality to attract more soldiers to his ranks.

The news of the sacrifice naturally reached Teng Yue’s ears.

When Deng Ruyun heard the news with him, she saw his hands, which had been behind his back, clench tightly.

Prince Enhua invited him to go with him, but Teng Yue still insisted on resting and refused to leave his home.

Prince Enhua and his son knew they were only half-trusting and half-distrustful of Teng Yue, and Teng Yue was well aware of this as well. Zhu Yijiao, in particular, disliked him and had even ordered Wu Liang to search Teng Yue’s mansion, which inevitably displeased him.

They had few capable men left. Teng Yue was a general, and since Prince Enhua and his son had gone out of the town to offer sacrifices to Heaven, and Teng Yue refused to go, they considered having Zhu Yijiao visit him to apologize as a way of making peace.

However, Zhu Yijiao refused outright, saying, “I see he harbors wolfish ambitions and is not truly loyal to Father. What use is an apology?”

Since she would not go, the father and son had no choice but to summon Wu Liang, instructing him to go to Teng Yue’s Mansion the next day, adopt a humble attitude, and try to make peace.

Wu Liang was unwilling, and even more so, did not want Teng Yue to gain the upper hand under Prince Enhua. However, since both the Prince and the Heir Apparent had spoken, he could not refuse any longer.

That day, Prince Enhua was offering sacrifices to Heaven outside the town. Teng Yue, as usual, remained in his courtyard. Wu Liang arrived with gifts.

Upon arriving at Teng Yue’s mansion, he found Teng Yue looking unwelcoming, refusing even to come to the courtyard to greet him.

He inwardly scorned Teng Yue, thinking he was simply relying on Prince Enhua’s favor to act arrogantly.

Years ago, he was the one who first fell for Princess Rongle, Zhu Yijiao, but Zhu Yijiao preferred Teng Yue. Teng Yue, however, refused to marry her, and when the Prince’s household pressured him into marriage, he even confronted the Prince’s household.

This, ironically, earned him praise from the Prince as a man of principle, and now the Prince had repeatedly sought his advice and shown considerable favoritism.

Wu Liang had witnessed all of this.

Today, the Prince and the Heir Apparent had specifically ordered him to apologize to Teng Yue. He saw Teng Yue refusing to meet him, wishing he could turn and leave immediately, but leaving would mean failing the Prince and Heir Apparent’s orders.

Wu Liang could only endure it, thinking to himself that he would remember this and settle accounts with Teng Yue later.

He said, “General Teng, if you are unwell, do not get up. I will go check on you in your room; it will be the same.”

Having said this, Tang Zuo and the others could not stop him any longer and could only awkwardly follow him into the room.

Unexpectedly, the moment Wu Liang stepped into the room, a chilling aura surged up.

He immediately sensed something was wrong, but it was too late to escape.

A cold, gleaming blade slashed straight at his face. Beyond the cold light, he saw Teng Yue’s cold, stern face.

His own blood splattered all over Teng Yue’s face, but Teng Yue, amidst the splattering blood, narrowed his eyes. Teng Yue…had rebelled!

But Wu Liang realized this too late.

He fell to the ground with a thud, Teng Yue’s boots stepping right over him.

Deng Ruyun, hiding in a corner of the courtyard, saw the man, covered in blood, stride out.

All of Wu Liang’s men in the courtyard were captured, while Tang Zuo and Tang You, carrying silver armor, strode forward.

The sun cast a golden glow on his silver armor. Tang Zuo helped him don the armor, and Tang You fitted him with a longsword. He stood tall amidst the blood-soaked ground, like a solitary mountain rising from the earth.

The sounds of fighting raged outside. For some inexplicable reason, Deng Ruyun watched him, her heart pounding like a drum.

The low neighing of the steed echoed outside the door, as if urging its master to don armor and fight his way through the blood-soaked battlefield.

The man’s steps were already leading him outside.

Waiting for him outside were countless swords and blades. In that instant, Deng Ruyun could not help but call out to him.

“General…”

Teng Yue turned at the sound, his gaze momentarily fixed on her.

He looked at her tense face and smiled gently.

“Do not worry, I will be alright.”

He said.

“Wait until I take back Ningxia Town, wait until I wipe out the rebels, and wait until I return!”

His words were firm and resolute.

He gave her one last look, then, urged on by the steed’s calls, strode out the door.

“Kill the traitors! Take control of Ningxia!”

The sound of galloping hooves suddenly rang out, his shout carrying over the brick wall. A chorus of echoes resounded in response, and his personal guards, following the sound of his hooves, charged out together.

Deng Ruyun only heard the sound of hooves fading into the distance, eventually merging with the chaotic clamor of the town. She could no longer hear his voice, only her own heart pounding loudly.

The streets erupted into chaos. The remaining personal guards of Teng Yue guarded the gates of the Teng Mansion.

Deng Ruyun inexplicably could not sit still. She stood before the gate, listening to the growing sounds of battle outside.

The blazing sun seemed fixed high in the sky, scorching the fighting crowds within the town.

Deng Ruyun had long forgotten the time. When she noticed her shadow had shifted, the sounds of battle seemed to subside slightly.

She heard a personal guard riding back from outside, relaying the message. “The general has slaughtered the Prince’s Mansion and now controls the town!”

Upon hearing this, the entire household cheered.

Deng Ruyun’s heart pounded even faster. “Where is he?”

“The general led his troops out of the town to join forces with General Wang’s assembled army to capture the rebel prince!”

Just then, the urgent sound of hooves approached.

Before Deng Ruyun could even see the rider, she heard her call out.

“Sister Deng, is everything alright at home?!”

Deng Ruyun looked in the direction of the voice and saw a fiery red figure riding towards them—none other than Meng Zhao.

She showed no fear of the chaos in the town; instead, she led her troops out of the gate and checked on Deng Ruyun’s safety.

Deng Ruyun responded, “Sister Meng, I am fine! Why did you come out?”

Meng Zhao laughed upon hearing this. “Wang Mang has returned, and I’ve come to welcome him!”

This statement left Deng Ruyun somewhat bewildered. Wang Mang? She only knew one Wang Mang, the new Emperor of the Han Dynasty. Which one was Meng Zhao referring to?

Before Deng Ruyun could even ask, someone cried out and leaped onto her horse, right in front of her.

“Oh dear, my wife! I told you not to call me that outside! Anyone who does not know better would think that the one rebelling is not Prince Enhua, but me, Wang Fuxiang!”

Deng Ruyun saw a burly man leap onto the horse—who else could it be but General Wang?

Upon hearing this, Meng Zhao burst into laughter.

“You reckless fellow, and your surname is Wang; what else should you call yourself but Wang Mang?!”

The two began arguing on horseback.

Deng Ruyun’s tense nerves suddenly relaxed a little.

Unable to argue with his wife, Wang Fuxiang told Deng Ruyun, “Sister-in-law, hurry home and wait. My men have already captured Ningxia’s town defenses. I am leaving now to help Teng Yue capture that rebel prince as soon as possible!”

As he spoke, he spurred his horse and rode away.

Meng Zhao did not chase after him but watched the direction Wang Fuxiang had gone before jumping off her horse.

She suddenly asked Deng Ruyun a question.

“Has Zhu Yijiao come to bother you?”

Outside, rebel soldiers were still fighting like cornered beasts.

Deng Ruyun quickly called her inside. After closing the gate, she asked, “Zhu Yijiao? She did not come. Why do you suddenly ask about her?”

Meng Zhao frowned. She said she had seen Zhu Yijiao hurriedly passing by on the street earlier.

“She did not go out of the town with her father and brother to offer sacrifices to Heaven, nor was she killed by Teng Yue in the palace. It seems she escaped, but the town gates are closed, and she cannot leave. So she’s still inside. I am afraid she holds a grudge against you and will come seeking revenge.”

Deng Ruyun did not see a trace of Zhu Yijiao.

Just as she was about to say that everything was alright for now, the sound of unidentified hooves surrounded the entire Teng Mansion.

“Listen up, everyone! Teng, the traitor, rebelled against my father. He’s that eunuch’s lackey; he’s against the people of the world. If we capture his wife, we can control this traitor!”

From outside the courtyard wall, Zhu Yijiao’s shrill voice shouted, “Capturing Deng is the greatest achievement!”

Someone rammed the gate from outside the courtyard, attempting to break it down.

Fortunately, Teng Yue had left behind quite a few men, and now there were also the men Meng Zhao had just brought.

Together, the crowd held the mansion gate shut. Amidst the crashing sounds, Deng Ruyun and Meng Zhao exchanged glances.

Zhu Yijiao, she really had come!

Meng Zhao immediately counted the mansion’s men. Seeing that they were well-represented, she declared she had nothing to fear.

“How many men does Zhu Yijiao have? Besides, her father and brothers are probably already captured by the general. As long as she cannot break through, what trouble can she cause?”

Her voice was loud, almost directed at Zhu Yijiao’s men outside.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yijiao shouted for her men to pound on the gate even more fiercely, her voice filled with hatred.

“Wang Fuxiang’s wife is also in this courtyard. If we capture these two women, we can retake Ningxia Town!”

At this, Meng Zhao practically burst out laughing.

“Retake Ningxia? With your abilities? You’d be better off thinking about how to escape!”

The two shouted across the wall, but for some reason, Zhu Yijiao did not respond immediately. Instead, the pounding on the gate lessened considerably. Deng Ruyun did not think she would leave, and Meng Zhao raised an eyebrow as well.

At that moment, faint smoke began to drift in from outside.

The next instant, Zhu Yijiao, outside the door, gave an order, and burning bundles of firewood rained down from the sky, instantly scattering sparks and filling the Mansion with acrid smoke.

Everyone in the Teng Mansion was suffocated by the smoke and fire; some were even hit by falling bundles of burning firewood, and their clothes caught fire.

Deng Ruyun frantically ordered people to bring water to extinguish the flames, but Zhu Yijiao, surrounding them, had more than just fire.

The sound of bows being drawn and arrows being nocked rang out from outside, and a volley of arrows pierced through the burning firewood and flew in.

The Teng Mansion’s guards, hearing the noise, all took cover, but some were still wounded by stray arrows.

Perhaps Zhu Yijiao also realized she had no way out, and her attacks grew wave after wave, determined to capture Deng Ruyun and Meng Zhao.

Meng Zhao shouted angrily, “Why are you so ruthless? The situation is already decided. If you capture us, you will not survive either!”

Zhu Yijiao sneered from outside the door, “If I, Zhu Yijiao, do not survive, I will drag you two down with me to be buried with my father and me!”

As soon as she finished speaking, another barrage of rockets shot in. The sun was blazing, and the air was dry; the firefighting efforts at the Teng Mansion could not keep up with the rockets’ destructive power.

Meng Zhao could not help but say, “It’s no use! We cannot hold on any longer. Should I lead some men out and fight them to the death?”

She was about to go when Deng Ruyun tightly grabbed her arm.

“Sister Meng, do not risk it. We can hold on a little longer; perhaps reinforcements will arrive soon.”

But whether anyone would care about them, Deng Ruyun did not know.

Just then, the sound of familiar hooves suddenly reached her ears.

Deng Ruyun heard someone galloping forward and shouting.

“Prince Enhua has been captured! Everyone, lay down your weapons and surrender! Otherwise, you will surely die!”

It was Teng Yue.

The moment his voice carried over the crowd and the courtyard walls, Deng Ruyun almost rushed out the door.

He was back!

He had quelled the rebellion of the prince and returned to the town!

*

Author’s Note:
This plot was adapted from and heavily modified from the rebellion of the princes during the Zhengde era of the Ming Dynasty. Prince Anhua, Zhu Zhifan, hastily raised an army under the pretext of eliminating treacherous eunuchs, but was quelled by the famous Ningxia general Qiu Yue. The rebellion ended in eighteen days and was known in history as the Prince Anhua Rebellion.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_of_Anhua_rebellion