Expedition

Two days later, just as he had said, Gu Jin found an excuse and had Yuan Jing escort Gu Yu into the East Depot's dungeon where prisoners were held, carrying some warm clothes and food.

These people should have been detained by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, but because the case of selling official positions involved too many people, the Embroidered Uniform Guard was already full of people.

The dungeon was dark, damp, and cold, and a sour, tooth-grinding stench, warmed by body heat, permeated the air once more.

The candles burning on the stone wall crackled, and the prisoners locked inside huddled together, shivering from the cold.

The food in the prison was bad, and the prison uniforms were extremely thin. They had long lost the strength and the will to cry out for justice. They just stayed numbly in the corner, trying to get through the winter by relying on each other's warmth.

Although they were born into lowly social classes, they lived a better life in Yunxian Pavilion than ordinary people, and had never suffered such hardships.

Gu Yu instructed the jailer beside her to open the cell where the women of Yunxian Pavilion were being held. The clearly audible sound of the locks closing attracted their attention.

Yuan Jing placed what she was holding in front of the door. Their numb gazes fell on the elegant young lady in the light and shadow, and no one dared to step forward.

"These are the things I prepared for you. You and Qingning are like sisters, and it's heartbreaking to see you all implicated by corrupt officials." Gu Yu's eyes showed compassion, but she didn't show any disgust.

Tang Qingning? Most people have forgotten this name.

But this doesn't prevent them from knowing that they've encountered a kind-hearted bodhisattva rather than someone who kicks them when they're down.

"Share these things among yourselves and get through this winter."

Looking at them, Gu Yu felt so happy and pleased that she couldn't help but laugh.

These indifferent guests have finally received their just deserts.

They turned a blind eye when it didn't concern them, refusing to show any kindness or let innocent people sully even a scrap of their clothes. Now it's their turn to fall into the deepest hell.

Are they pitiful? Perhaps, but that's none of her business.

If Yu Zhu's death and her death can be attributed to something as mysterious as fate, then why shouldn't these people have such a fate?

Although courtesans were of low social status, they were still human beings. Feng Miaolian clearly had so many ways to protect them, but she didn't care about their deaths, and she didn't even have the pretense of kindness after their deaths.

Feng Miaolian bribed a coroner to fabricate various deaths of illness for the women who died unjustly, in order to handle the funeral arrangements for the nobles. Unexpectedly, at this critical juncture, those in power did not care about the life or death of a tool like her.

She was just a vicious ghost, how could she possibly feel any pity for them?

"You're just being implicated; you won't be beheaded. At most, you'll be exiled."

Even though they were exiled, they could still live. Although the barbarian lands were bitterly cold and life was worse than death, they would still live.

But her jade bamboo died...

"Which one of you is Miss Zisu?"

She recognized Zisu, a beautiful girl who had tried every means to curry favor with Sun Gu.

Originally, Feng Miaolian wanted to transfer her to be her maid, but she refused. After that, Zisu resented her for not giving her a chance to advance her career and made things difficult for her at every turn.

However, she was only focused on revenge and paid little attention to unimportant people, and was unaware that she had contracted syphilis.

“...I am.” A weak voice rang out. The person had been tortured, and his prison clothes were stained with blood.

Gu Yu immediately noticed Zisu, who was being ostracized on the outermost edge of the group because she was sick and no one wanted to associate with her.

She picked up a cotton coat and approached Zisu, saying in a voice only the two of them could hear, "I know you have syphilis. How about we make a deal?"

Guan Yiyun's conviction was handed down yesterday. He went from being a principal offender who was destined to die to an accomplice sentenced to exile.

If that's the case, he won't die!

Gu Yu sneered inwardly, but saying anything about making him wish he were dead would not be enough to quell the resentment in her heart.

She said in a seductive tone, "You should know Lord Guan, right? He will be going to the same area as you. I don't care what means you use to infect him with your disease. I will send people to watch over him. If he dies, I will send a large sum of money to your family. Your parents, your brother, and your sister will be very grateful to you."

Gu Yu stroked Zisu's face, which, despite its haggard appearance, still retained some beauty. "He loves beautiful women, so you must take good care of your face."

Zisu nodded blankly. She hadn't really made a choice, had she?

Even without the Yunxian Pavilion being implicated, she would still die. By then, she would be a womanizer, reviled by everyone, and would gain nothing.

"Okay, I promise you, Miss."

"Miss Zisu, you must live well." Gu Yu raised her voice so that everyone could hear her.

He should at least live until the day Guan Yiyun is also dragged into hell, right?

She covered her mouth and nose with a silk handkerchief and quickly walked out of the dark dungeon. Just as she turned out of the dungeon, she ran into an acquaintance.

Beneath the jade crown, the man's gentle features held a smile, his dark eyes fixed on her. He called out to Gu Yu, who did not want to linger, "Miss Gu."

"Young Master Xu, it's been a long time. I have some matters to attend to at my residence and cannot stay any longer. I hope you will understand." Gu Yu intended to use this excuse to appease him and then leave immediately.

Yuan Jing looked at him with some apprehension, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

"I heard Miss Gu came to deliver something to the prisoners. Miss Gu is truly kind-hearted." His smile remained unchanged as he looked at her leisurely. "And it hasn't been that long since we last met. Just a few days ago..."

“It seems that Young Master Xu is not busy today. Why don’t we have a word in private?” Gu Yu interrupted him.

She then turned to Yuan Jing and said, "Wait for me a moment. I've met Young Master Xu a few times, and he seems to have something to ask me."

Gu Yu led Xu Qiu to a secluded corner. Seeing that no one was around, she lowered her voice and asked, "Xu Qiu, what do you want to do?"

"What did you take from Yunxian Pavilion that day?"

"This seems to be none of your business." Gu Yu looked at him coldly. "I gave you a great favor, and you helped me out. We're even now. Or rather, what do you want to shut your mouth?"

"It's not entirely even yet. You still owe me a message, don't you?" His eyes were no longer stagnant, but full of interest in her.

Gu Yu felt that this person had a more human presence compared to their first meeting.

She closed the distance between them, tiptoed, and whispered in Xu Qiu's ear, "Does Young Master Xu not know that if you care too much about a woman, you might fall in love with her..."

The white mist exhaled in the cold winter gently enveloped Xu Qiu's thin red earlobe. "To you, I am nothing more than a pawn you want to win over. What if you really fall in love with me and then can't bear to abandon me?"

"Miss Gu, you're joking."

Xu Qiu looked down into her clear eyes. Her way of life seemed so out of place with her thin and frail body.

"How does Miss Gu know that we aren't the same kind of people?"

"You want to take action against the Shen family?" Although he was asking her, he already had the answer in his heart. "Are you going to start with Shen Changqing?"

Gu Yu took two steps back, widening the distance between them. "I can give you that information now—find an excuse not to participate in this year's imperial examination. Otherwise, you'll gain far more than you lose."

If you become a useless piece, Master Xu may no longer value you.

"Aren't you afraid that if you tell me now, I'll thwart your plans?"

She looked at him coldly. "You've ruined my plans. I'll die, and then you'll gain even less. Young Master Xu is a smart man. You know my secret. If I live, your value will be greater, won't it?"

“Then I should wish you good luck, Miss.” Xu Qiu nodded, seemingly agreeing with Gu Yu’s statement. “If the Shen family falls, would Miss Gu be willing to give me a chance… perhaps we could be on the same path.”

"We'll talk about that when the time comes. I'm tired, I want to go home."

Xu Qiu has repeatedly appeared outside of her plans, and Gu Yu is very wary of this variable. If he really wants to obstruct her, she doesn't mind finding a way to get rid of him first.

After all, he doesn't hold any official position yet; he's just a minor scholar.

She had someone collect all the rumors about Xu Qiu in Shengjing City.

Xu Qiu lost his parents at a young age and was sold into the palace as a eunuch by his relatives. However, because he was literate and had a photographic memory, Xu Shanhai began to cherish his talent.

That's why they adopted him as their godson and raised him outside the palace, hoping he would enter officialdom and become the mouthpiece of the eunuchs.

If Shen Changqing is a child prodigy, then Xu Qiu might just be another monster.

He lay low in Shengjing City for a long time, gradually gaining Xu Shanhai's favor. He used ruthless methods to help the Eastern Depot solve many problems, making him a very useful tool.

Gu Yu thought of the look Xu Qiu gave her and wondered if she could turn him into her weapon. Although she might not be able to completely control him, mutual exploitation might not be a bad way out.

*

In the chilly February winds, Gu Jin mustered his troops and prepared for battle.

The Northern Di people lived in a wild and untamed place in the north, where the land was unsuitable for cultivation, so they almost never farmed.

However, they have abundant pastures to feed livestock such as cattle and sheep. But once they encounter a white disaster or drought, the pastures cannot support a large number of livestock. Once these livestock die, they lose their only livelihood.

Therefore, when food was scarce, they would often march south and seize the land and food of the people in the north.

Some tribes would keep some people from the border areas as slaves, giving them a certain amount of food every day. After the harvest, in order to conserve food, they would kill these people.

When they raid south again, they will capture another batch of slaves.

The barbarity and despicable nature of the Northern Barbarians was only heard occasionally by the people of Shengjing City; none of them felt it as deeply as the soldiers who had witnessed the actual scenes.

"We will not return until we defeat the Northern Barbarians!" Gu Jin stood on the high platform of the training ground, looking at the dark mass of soldiers, and solemnly shouted.

"We will not return until the Northern Barbarians are defeated!!"

"We will not return until the Northern Barbarians are defeated!!!"

The soldiers below were greatly encouraged and their morale soared.

On one side were high-ranking officials who came to see them off.

Gu Yu stood far below, watching the dim light sweep across his handsome face.

As he mounted his tall horse, his gaze briefly fell upon Gu Yu, then quickly looked away before turning and heading north without looking back.

The day before her departure, Tang Nan, who had grown taller very quickly, returned to the mansion to see Gu Yu.

"Sister, I want to go to the northern battlefield with General Gu." Tang Nan was already taller than her, but she still preferred to call her sister in private.

She was like a blade of grass, originally withered and thin, on the verge of death, but after receiving ample nourishment, she grew wildly and recklessly.

Gu Yu wanted to pat the fourteen-year-old girl's head, but after hesitating for a long time, she withdrew her hand. Gu Yu had always had her own selfish reasons for being kind and gentle to her; she needed a guard who would risk his life to protect his master.

But now this pawn has her own ideas; she knows that if she tries to persuade Tang Nan to stay, he will definitely stay for her.

Gu Yu quietly looked at Tang Nan, who had matured a lot due to the hardships she had endured. Her skin was dry and cracked, and her cheeks had gained some flesh, finally no longer looking like just a skeleton.

The palms of her hands, which were clasped together, were now rough with calluses.

Gu Yu thought that A Nan must have hesitated for a long time before coming to find her.

She tried her best to eat, practice martial arts, and grow; was she destined to become nothing more than a pawn in her hands?

"Sister, the general said I have good physique and am a good prospect for martial arts. I'm even stronger than the average soldier now." Tang Nan had a genuine smile on her face and her eyes were full of light.

"I heard from Lao Xia and Er Gou about the scenes of the Northern Di people slaughtering civilians they witnessed. The Northern Di people are truly despicable. I want to go and help those people..."

"It's like my older sister helped me."

Gu Yu lowered her eyes, her heart, adorned with innocence but actually blackened by resentment, trembled slightly. That slight tremor led her to make a decision.

Pieces can be found again, but Anan's mother has already paid the price for her daughter.

She looked up at her, her clear gaze like the moonlight melting into water, "Since you've made up your mind, then go ahead and do it."

"Anan, be careful," Gu Yu cautioned. "Until you have enough experience and military merit, don't let anyone discover that you are a woman, not even my brother."

She is no longer her pawn, nor will she be a useless piece. She will become a majestic general, guarding the border and protecting the people.

"Okay, sister, I know." Tang Nan scratched his head, grinning foolishly, and quickly hugged Gu Yu before leaving, taking advantage of her inattention.

Once Tang Nan learned to read, her mind, which had suddenly been enlightened, became crystal clear.

The inspirational stories about loyalty to the emperor and serving the country were chosen for her by Gu Jin. During their leisure time in the military camp, the experienced veterans would always share their experiences in their tents.

Tang Nan learned very quickly and learned many principles that she did not know before.

She wanted to protect her sister, and staying by her side as her bodyguard was one way, while earning military merits and titles on the battlefield was another.

She had also heard many stories about General Gu, and her natural intuition led her to choose the second option.

There are stories of female generals in previous dynasties, so why doesn't she become that female general who can defend the city and protect the land?

At that time, her sister will be proud of her, and her strength will be even greater.