Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law-Chapter 484: Yue Ruyan: Heading South to Yu State

Chapter 484: Chapter 484: Yue Ruyan: Heading South to Yu State

When Yue Ruyan woke up, she was in a carriage within the Yuezhi Clan, being cared for by the maid.

Outside the carriage was the sound of horse hooves, "da da".

"Miss, you’re awake." The maid said happily, hurriedly lifting the curtain of the carriage and calling out, "Patriarch, the miss is awake."

Yue Ruyan looked around blankly, wanting to sit up, but as her throat itched, she began to cough violently, as if to cough up her heart and lungs.

The maid hurriedly helped Yue Ruyan to sit up, gently patting her back, and said, "Miss, the doctor said you were shocked, causing a disturb of energy and blood, but there’s no major issue."

Upon hearing this, Yue Ruyan immediately became clear-headed and remembered what happened before she fainted. Just as she was about to inquire the maid, the carriage halted, and a woman entered, after which the carriage resumed moving.

"Ruyan, are you feeling better?"

"Mother."

Yue Ruyan called out to the woman, then urgently asked, "Mother, I’m fine, but what about those common people?"

"The common people..." Yue Ruyan’s mother remained silent for a long while before saying, "Ruyan, your mother knows you care for the people, but under those circumstances, it was impossible to take care of them all. The barbarians were in hot pursuit; if we forced to evacuate with them, we would all be dead."

Yue Ruyan’s face went pale, sitting dazedly in a trance, looking dejected, as if lifeless.

Sympathy for the common people was part of it, but more so, the reason the Yue Family could dominate in Longyou was due to the hard work and dedication of these common people, who for generations were "household servants" of the Yue Family, integral to its success.

These people were the foundation of the Yue Family.

Without them, instability might arise within the Yue Family’s troops, and the family would find it difficult to continue developing in one place.

Most importantly, before her great-grandmother passed away, she entrusted the Yue Family to her, yet it hadn’t been long before the family was in this state.

Yue Ruyan’s mother felt heartbroken seeing her daughter like this, aware of the importance of these common people to the Yue Family, as she pondered how to console her.

Suddenly, Yue Ruyan spoke, "Mother, how long have I been unconscious? What’s the current situation?"

"Two hours have passed, the Jin Xia Barbarians are still pursuing us, General Gongsun plans to cross the Wuxing Mountain Range," her mother replied.

"What, to cross the Wuxing Mountain Range?"

Yue Ruyan exclaimed in shock.

It’s known that to go from Longyou to the Western River Land, there’s only one road, which is to take the official road through Qin Pass, also known as the West Corridor.

The West Corridor was opened more than two thousand years ago and has been maintained over the dynasties, becoming very well-developed, with smooth roads.

Whether for commerce or military march, this main road is used.

In terms of map distances, Longyou is not far from the Western River, but in reality, several mountains block the way, forming the Wuxing Mountain Range.

The West Corridor is a main road constructed around the Wuxing Mountain Range, with a pass connecting it to the Western River Land known as Qin Pass.

Although seemingly farther by circling around the Wuxing Mountain Range, it is actually more efficient in terms of time and effort.

"Where is General Gongsun? I want to see him."

...

Yue Ruyan indeed was unharmed, and after donning her battle armor, she mounted a horse and caught up with Gongsun Yan who was ahead, as they rode side by side.

Yue Ruyan said, "I heard General Gongsun intends to lead the army over the Wuxing Mountain Range?"

"General Yue has awakened, are you alright?"

Gongsun Yan first asked with concern, and upon learning she was fine, he replied, "Correct, currently the West Corridor is definitely impassable; the barbarians have ambushed there. To return to Chongzhou, we must cross the Wuxing Mountain Range."

"But does General Gongsun know how treacherous the Wuxing Mountain Range is? It’s filled with miasma, and if we get lost, with so many of us, it will be disastrous. Moreover, even without losing our way, crossing over isn’t an easy matter?" Yue Ruyan said with a frown.

"General Yue need not worry. From my knowledge, before the West Corridor was opened, the ancients of Longyou used to cross the Wuxing Mountain Range to reach the Western River Land, and there must be ancient trails left by them. Although troublesome, it will help us shake off the pursuing barbarians," Gongsun Yan said.

The ancient paths within the Wuxing Mountain Range were something Yue Ruyan had heard of. She said, "But the West Corridor has been open for over two thousand years, and no one has traversed them; they’re already deserted.

Even if intact, it would take at least two to three months to get through, and it’s already October, almost winter. If changes occur, we all might freeze in the Wuxing Mountain Range."

Hearing Yue Ruyan’s concerns, Gongsun Yan said sternly, "I understand what General Yue is saying, but since the West Corridor is now impassable, without crossing the Wuxing Mountain Range, how do we return to Chongzhou? If caught by these barbarians, we face death just the same?"

Yue Ruyan lowered her eyes and said, "Then let’s not go to Chongzhou."

"Then where?"

"Head south to Yu State," Yue Ruyan said.

Upon hearing this, Gongsun Yan narrowed his eyes, "Isn’t General Yue joking with me?"

"At a time like this, how could I be in the mood to joke with you."

Gongsun Yan: "..."

Seeing Yue Ruyan was serious, Gongsun Yan said, "But there has been no contact between us and Chen Mo, and don’t forget, General Yue, Chen Mo has issued a call to arms against the Yuezhi. Do you really expect him to shelter us?"

Yue Ruyan understood this point clearly; if there were other options, she wouldn’t head to Longyou.

She took a deep breath and said, "Times have changed, and I find him to have a good sense of propriety and overall situation. With the external invasion and the country and family in peril, we should unite against the outside. Besides, if one lip dies, the teeth will feel cold. With Longyou fallen, the next target of the Jin Xia Barbarians is sure to be Yu State, and our strength isn’t weak; there’s no reason for him to turn us away."

Gongsun Yan couldn’t find a rebuttal as Yue Ruyan seemed to make a rational argument.

After a long pause, Gongsun Yan finally said, "Isn’t General Yue afraid he might annex you?"

Yue Ruyan glanced at Gongsun Yan, her lips moved, wanting to say that even at Chongzhou they would still face possible annexation, but since he had once shown great kindness towards the Yuezhi, she refrained and said, "It’s good enough if we can survive."

Gongsun Yan remained silent.

The Yuezhi had lost Longyou, and were now without roots, so attaching to Chen Mo was of no harm.

But his roots were in Chongzhou, how could he venture into Yu State?

"I cannot agree to General Yue’s statement," Gongsun Yan said.

Yue Ruyan understood his concern, and after a long silence, said, "Then I’m afraid I must part with General Gongsun here. In gratitude for your great favor, later I will lead my troops to distract the pursuing Jin Xia Barbarians, and the wealth carried by the Yue Family, half can be divided for General Gongsun. Take extra care afterwards, General Gongsun."

Gongsun Yan: "..."