Chapter 766: Your Highness Won't Return
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
Under Shen Yungan's arrangements, Shen Twenty-Seven had been confined indoors since being rescued from the ship that day, suffering from a severe chill. On the day of the operation, Shen Yungan deliberately selected someone with a similar build to Shen Twenty-Seven, dressed them in a cloak with a hood covering most of their face, and sent them aboard the ship.
The vessel was a large ship privately built by the Qu family, unknown to outsiders. Not only did Zha Pu and others accompany and guard it, but Shen Yungan also dispatched a large contingent of guards to board the ship for protection.
Watching the ship sail away and disappear into the night, Shen Yungan glanced up at the moonlit, starry sky, a meaningful smile flickering at the corners of his lips.
After waiting another half-hour, Shen Yunnan boarded a small boat, trailing the westward-bound ship. Only Shen Six, who was rowing the boat, accompanied him. No one knew that he had silently slipped into the water midway.
On the small boat, only Shen Six and a straw dummy dressed in Shen Yungan's clothes remained. They traveled discreetly, as if afraid of being detected, even detouring at open stretches of the river to avoid exposure on the vast waters...
All this information was swiftly relayed to Xiao Changyan by the Shadow Guard he had sent to infiltrate and spy!
Xiao Changyan mobilized a large force and set sail promptly, pursuing the westward-bound ship.
Meanwhile, on the large ship, the men Shen Yungan had dispatched gathered in the cabin before stealthily slipping into the river, one by one abandoning the ship.
Shen Yungan had already returned to the eastward-bound ship. They had calculated the distance and travel time precisely—this narrow section of the river was the only place where they could quickly swim to the other side. Missing this spot would mean the two sides drifting further apart.
Shen Twenty-Seven, who had been waiting on the ship, handed Shen Yungan the prepared ginger tea. Shen Yungan drank it in one gulp and quickly changed into dry clothes.
Their ship moved slowly forward. About half an hour later, they encountered patrolling official vessels—only three or four ships. Sitting in the cabin, Shen Yungan heard a familiar voice: "Routine inspection! Stop the ship and dock!"
It was the voice of Yu Xiang's trusted deputy. Shen Yungan exchanged a glance with Qu Hongying.
Unlike the westward ship, this one was legitimately flying the Qu family merchant flag. Qu Hongying, following Shen Yungan's instructions, went out to manage the situation, obediently following the official ships to the nearest docking point to await inspection.
Yu Xiang personally led the search. Qu Hongying guided him to a room where Shen Twenty-Seven and Shen Yungan were seated, leisurely sipping tea.
Yu Xiang's heart sank.
As if oblivious to Yu Xiang's ashen expression, Shen Yungan said nonchalantly, "General Yu is indeed true to your word, coming personally to receive me."
"You..." Yu Xiang felt as if his throat had been tightly choked, unable to utter a single word.
Only one thought echoed in his mind: They had fallen into a trap!
Pretending not to notice Yu Xiang's panic, Shen Yunnan feigned confusion, "Is General Yu so overjoyed that you've lost your composure?"
With a light laugh, Shen Yungan added, "It's too early to celebrate now, General. You must grant passage for me and Worldly Son Bu. Only when Worldly Son Bu crosses the shore and enters Shu will it be a true cause for joy for all."
"Wishful thinking!" Yu Xiang's retort burst out almost reflexively.Shen Yungan let out a scoff, then clicked his tongue and remarked, "General Yu truly lacks foresight. If I were in your position, given the current circumstances, why not follow my lead and secure some advantage?
But now, General Yu insists on tearing off all pretenses, forcing me to show my true colors. Ah—"
He ended with a long, heavy sigh, as if he were deeply reluctant and compelled by circumstances.
"Do you really think you can escape unscathed?" Since the facade was shattered, Yu Xiang abandoned all pretense. "Guards—"
His shout echoed, but the expected rush of soldiers never came. He spun around swiftly, only to be blocked by Shen Shiwu. Yu Xiang retreated defensively, one hand gripping the sword at his waist.
"General, do not act rashly. Perhaps you should look outside," Shen Yungan said calmly, his gaze fixed on the ship's window.
Yu Xiang followed his line of sight and his pupils contracted. This was the most secluded room on the ship, but it faced the pier's walkway. There, he saw a man dressed exactly like him leading his subordinates ashore.
As if sensing something, the man suddenly turned and looked their way. Yu Xiang staggered back in horror, his face ashen—the man was his exact double!
The Crown Prince was skilled in disguise, and his subordinates were naturally talented. Shen Yungan had specifically requested a few to learn from, and now it proved useful.
Earlier, when Yu Xiang boarded the ship, Qu Hongying had deliberately lowered her voice and whispered to him alone, "The Worldly Son requests your presence."
Though no name was mentioned, Yu Xiang knew it must be Shen Yungan. He followed alone, leaving his men outside.
The room was deep inside, with a turn in the corridor. His men were ordered to wait beyond the bend, and Yu Xiang, without much thought, had given Shen Yungan an opening.
Shortly after Yu Xiang entered the room, the impersonator had walked out silently and taken his men away.
"Do you think this is enough to coerce me?" Even at this point, Yu Xiang refused to yield.
What did disguises matter? The military deployments, the Military Tally, and the tokens were all on him.
Shen Yungan poured another cup of tea, spinning the cup lightly between his fingertips. "General Yu, do you know why Prince Jing is gambling everything to pursue westward?"
Though unsure of the reason, Yu Xiang knew it must be one of Shen Yungan's schemes. He remained silent.
"And do you know why I led Prince Jing westward?" Shen Yungan asked patiently, undeterred by Yu Xiang's lack of cooperation.
Yu Xiang had heard a rumor: there were hidden reefs to the west. Prince Jing had sent scouts to investigate and had not kept it from Yu Xiang.
"Hidden reefs alone would not cripple Prince Jing. Once he realizes neither I nor Worldly Son Bu are there, he will turn back to pursue us. If you hold your ground here, General, and wait for Prince Jing to return, you could still capture us, couldn't you?"
Shen Yungan laid bare Yu Xiang's thoughts. "With two hundred men outside and this being the Qu merchant ship, if we dare make a move, you can release the Signal Flare to summon the garrison. The Qu merchant ship would suffer collateral damage. You think I wouldn't dare risk mutual destruction with you."
Hearing his plans laid out so plainly, Yu Xiang felt his heart sink further. This was the arrogance of someone who feared nothing!
Sure enough, Shen Yungan suddenly smiled with unfathomable depth. "General Yu, your Prince will not return. You should start thinking about your retreat. Is it truly wise to confront me head-on?""Can't come back?" Yu Xiang didn't believe it.
Shen Yungan raised his eyebrows: "The wind has picked up."
Outside the boat, a fierce gale raged, and in the distance, the churning river could still be seen—truly describable only by the phrase "stirring up trouble."
(End of Chapter)
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