50 Northbound

"I earnestly hope that you will do everything in your power to protect the land and rivers of Daliang."

The residence of the General of the Cavalry.

Tomorrow, Shen Suqin will escort the coffin back to Fuliang Mountain.

Xiao Pingchuan spent one last day keeping vigil with her.

He didn't mention asking Shen Suqin to go north with him or anywhere else; he no longer had that right.

If he hadn't presumptuously pulled Chen Suqin to side with the Crown Prince, none of this trouble would have happened, and she wouldn't have lost her parents.

He knew very well how much the Shen couple loved their daughter, and he also knew how much Shen Suqin longed for their love.

"General, go and rest. You are still injured," Shen Suqin said.

Even the strongest person can't withstand Xiao Pingchuan torturing them like this.

Xiao Pingchuan shook his head: "I'll go with you."

It was the last day, and he wanted to stay with her.

Shen Suqin didn't try to persuade her anymore. She vaguely looked at the mourning hall and said softly, "Do you think they wouldn't have died if I hadn't come to the capital and caused all this trouble?"

Xiao Pingchuan looked at her and said gently, "You can't think like that. If you hadn't come to the capital, they wouldn't know how wonderful their daughter is. They are very proud of you."

In just two days, Shen Suqin lost a lot of weight. Her mourning clothes were loosely wrapped around her, making her look even more forlorn.

“So I can’t let them die quietly like this; I want the aristocratic families to pay the price,” she said, enunciating each word clearly.

Xiao Pingchuan sensed the deep hatred in her words and asked her with some concern, "What do you want to do?"

You'll find out later.

Shen Suqin raised her eyes and looked at the memorial tablet.

She can now call out "father" and "mother" without hesitation, but sadly they can no longer hear her.

"Sir." Shi Ye arrived at some point.

Shen Suqin turned around.

"I have issued an imperial edict posthumously conferring upon Lord Shen the title of Grand Master of the Palace and upon Lady Shen the title of First-Rank Imperial Lady."

In Daliang, only the principal wife is granted the title of Lady of the First Rank. Shi Ye is indirectly helping Jiang Yao to become the principal wife and gain legitimacy.

Shen Suqin stood up, gave a sincere curtsy, and said, "Thank you, Your Highness."

Shi Ye gently helped her up, saying, "I'm just taking advantage of the fact that the Crown Prince hasn't been deposed yet. I haven't properly apologized to you, nor have I offered incense to Madam Shen or Lord Shen."

As he spoke, he stepped forward and respectfully lit the incense.

Shen Suqin stood behind him and said, "The general has written a letter of divorce for me, and I will be escorting his coffin south tomorrow."

Shi Ye paused in his incense-lighting hand. After processing her words, he still respectfully lit the incense, bowed twice, and then turned to her and said, "Then I'll give you another clearance document. I'm afraid we won't have the chance to meet again in the future. Take care, sir."

He bowed.

Shen Suqin dodged to the side.

After seeing Shi Ye off, Shen Suqin asked Xiao Pingchuan, "How did you two become acquainted?"

Xiao Pingchuan: "Years ago, he traveled to Daliang. When he arrived at the northern border, he disguised himself and joined the Black Flag Army for a few months. Because of his military achievements, he was recommended to me, and we became acquainted. He stayed under my command for half a year, eating and living with the soldiers, and never complained."

"You've decided on him?"

"yes."

Shen Suqin nodded, "Lend me five hundred men to go to the Shen residence."

Before heading south, she still had some things to take care of.

"I'll go with you."

"No need."

Shen Suqin led a large group of people to the Shen residence. When they were banging on the door, the Shen family steward said he needed to go in to report. Shen Suqin immediately ordered the door to be dismantled.

Once inside, Shen Suqiu and Granny Gui waited in the courtyard, but there wasn't a single servant around.

“You’ve arrived earlier than I expected,” Shen Suqiu said.

Shen Suqin didn't reply to her, but said, "Call Shi Yunzhu out."

Shen Suqiu shook her head. "She can't get out."

Shen Suqin's eyes darkened, and before he could ask why, Shen Suqiu continued, "She's gone mad."

I don't believe it.

That's just how it is.

"Even if you're crazy, hand over the person."

“You can come with me to see, but there’s absolutely no way I can bring her out. After all, she’s a princess, and she has her pride.”

Shen Suqin sneered and ordered the soldiers who had followed him, "Surround the Shen residence. Don't let even a fly get out."

"yes."

Shen Suqin: "Lead the way."

Shen Suqiu nodded and led the person to Shi Yunzhu's bedroom in the main courtyard. "She was acting strangely when she heard the news of her father's death. I thought it was just a shock and she would get over it after a while, but I never expected that she would not recognize anyone now."

"Is what she said true?" Shen Suqin asked the old woman Gui coldly.

"Really." Granny Gui's tone was cold and hard, clearly blaming Shen Jinghe for this.

Shen Suqin glanced at her indifferently and said nothing.

Upon arriving at Shi Yunzhu's bedroom, a pungent medicinal smell could be detected from afar.

Shen Suqiu pushed open the bedroom door, and Shi Yunzhu was sitting inside. When she saw the door open, she looked over with sharp eyes.

At first glance, he seems no different from a normal person.

Shen Suqin walked in, and Shi Yunzhu's gaze followed her.

"Who am I?" Shen Suqin asked her as she approached.

Shi Yunzhu looked her up and down without saying a word. Instead, she tilted her head and said to Granny Gui, who was following behind, "Did the Prince approve of my marriage to Jinghe? Did he refuse? He actually dared to refuse! Even if you break his arms and legs, you still have to carry him into the manor..."

Granny Gui wiped away her tears and came forward, holding her hand with heartache. "My poor princess, your life has been ruined by that man surnamed Shen."

Shi Yunzhu, puzzled, pulled her hand away and pointed at Shen Suqiu behind Shen Suqin, asking, "Who is she?"

Granny Gui burst into tears: "She is Miss Suqiu! How can you not even recognize Miss Suqiu?"

Shen Suqiu stepped forward. "Afterwards, I will send her to a nunnery to recuperate. She will never leave the mountain for the rest of her life. Are you satisfied?"

She asked Shen Suqin.

Shen Suqin: "How can you guarantee that?"

"Under normal circumstances, I don't make promises lightly."

Shen Suqin didn't look at her, but instead raised her eyes and stared at Shi Yunzhu's face for a while.

No one saw how she made her move; all that was seen was a fleeting, incredibly fast afterimage, and then Granny Gui clutched her neck and collapsed onto Shi Yunzhu.

The blood that spurted from Granny Gui's neck drenched her completely.

Instantly, a heavy, nauseating stench of blood filled the room.

Shen Suqiu did indeed cover her mouth and take two steps back, while Shi Yunzhu stared blankly ahead, as if she didn't understand what had happened.

Shen Suqin bent down, lifted her chin, and leaned closer, gently asking, "How does fresh blood taste? Is it very hot?"

"Don't worry, I won't kill you. Killing you would be too easy on you. You'd better pretend to be crazy for the rest of your life, otherwise your precious daughter will be the one bleeding next."

Shi Yunzhu covered her face, breathing heavily as if she couldn't understand what she was saying.

After enjoying her act of madness to the fullest, Shen Suqin straightened up and turned to leave. As she passed by Shen Suqiu, she said, "I received the things sent to the General's Mansion, but one lantern is missing."

“I kept it,” Shen Suqiu replied.

Shen Suqin sneered: "The person is dead, what's the point?"

Shen Suqiu lowered her eyes: "It is quite boring."

Shen Suqin continued walking out.

"I heard you're going to escort the coffin south. If you're going to leave, then leave quickly."

Shen Suqin glanced back at her one last time before leaving with her entourage.

After everyone left, Shi Yunzhu finally cried out in pain. She lowered her head inch by inch to look at the lifeless Granny Gui lying on her lap, tears streaming down her face. She dared not cry out loud, for fear that Shen Suqin would hear the noise and come back.

Shen Suqiu watched quietly for a long time before finally speaking, "I'll take you up the mountain later. You can go to the mountains and lay low for a few years."

Shi Yunzhu gave a soft "hmm".

"Where is she sending the person?" she asked Shen Suqiu.

"I heard it's Fuliang Mountain."

"With Jiang Yao?"

"yes."

"Hehe, he got what he wanted."

“His Highness the Crown Prince posthumously conferred upon Jiang Yao the title of First-Rank Imperial Consort,” Shen Suqiu said. “She is now his legal wife.”

Shi Yunzhu's eyes were bloodshot as she asked, word by word, "What do you mean?"

"It's meaningless. I'd like to ask you if you find it meaningful?" Shen Suqiu turned to leave. "By the way, do you know why I'm unwilling to get married? It's because of you, Mother."

If Shen Suqin has no place in this family, does Shen Suqiu have one?

From childhood to adulthood, Shi Yunzhu only had eyes for Shen Jinghe. To her, Shen Suqiu was merely a tool to compete for Shen Jinghe's attention. She never cared whether this daughter was well-fed and clothed, and she never praised her once.

Shen Suqiu originally thought that if she studied hard and became talented, her parents would pay more attention to her.

Later it turned out to be useless.

Eventually, she stopped insisting.

Shi Yunzhu watched her departing figure, so lonely and thin, and for a moment she vaguely saw her as she was when she was four or five years old, holding the calligraphy her teacher had made her practice, running in with a smile to show her, then dejectedly climbing over the threshold and leaving alone, once, twice, three times...

She looked down at the person in her arms again.

It turns out she really had nothing left.

That night, the general's mansion was suddenly surrounded by tens of thousands of central troops, led by Feng Sanhe.

At that time, Xiao Pingchuan, Shi Ye, and Shen Suqin were all present, as were the approximately two thousand Black Flag Iron Cavalry who had arrived earlier.

Feng Sanhe led his men to surround the area in a grand manner, and the two sides immediately started fighting without any stalemate.

Inside the mansion, Xiao Pingchuan's face was icy cold. He knew very well that Pei Ruhai and his group's intention to ambush the Crown Prince had been exposed. The only way now was to kill the Crown Prince completely and replace him with a new person so that they might not be held accountable for their past misdeeds.

Feng Sanhe's purpose was probably also for this.

Shi Ye stood in the courtyard, looking at the towering flames through the high courtyard wall.

"I never expected them to be so ruthless," Shi Ye said.

Shen Suqin stepped forward and said in surprise, "You still have illusions about these people? You're quite naive."

"I......"

Shen Suqin turned to Xiao Pingchuan and asked, "What do you think?"

"How about capturing the leader first?" Xiao Pingchuan suggested.

Shen Suqin remained noncommittal.

Shi Ye objected, "No, it's too dangerous."

Xiao Pingchuan tightened his sleeves and didn't reply. Instead, he said, "I'll go out and check the situation first."

"You want to take down Feng Sanhe first?" Shen Suqin asked incisively.

Xiao Pingchuan nodded, "It's time to settle my score with him."

"Alright."

"Stay in the manor with His Highness and don't go anywhere."

Shen Suqin met his gaze and after a long while replied, "Okay."

Shi Ye was about to pull him away when Shen Suqin stepped forward and stopped him, saying, "He'll be fine."

"There are so many people outside, you think it's okay just because you say so!"

"Then what does Your Highness suggest we do now?"

Shi Ye remained silent.

After Xiao Pingchuan went out, a deafening battle roared from outside the courtyard wall. Shen Suqin could imagine what Xiao Pingchuan was like now, but unfortunately she had to protect Shi Ye, otherwise she would have liked to go out and take a look.

"Aren't you afraid?" Shi Ye asked.

"What are you afraid of?"

Shi Ye raised his chin. "Die."

Shen Suqin smiled calmly, thinking to herself that she had already died before, but said on the surface, "I'm still afraid."

Shi Ye looked at her expression and clearly didn't believe her.

“I heard from Jin’an that you are quite skilled.”

"Well enough."

"Then you can go," he said, glancing in the direction of the mourning hall. "As for the two elders, I will send someone to take them back when I have the chance. When a person dies, it's like a lamp going out. Try to think positively."

Shen Suqin paused for a moment, then said, "Xiao Pingchuan asked me to protect you."

Shi Ye shook his head, "There's no need. Prime Minister Pei has nearly 200,000 troops under his command. If he wants my life, no one can save me."

"You admit it?"

"No, it's just that there's no need to bring more people with me."

Shen Suqin remained noncommittal. "Let's wait a little longer. The rest of the people will be here soon."

"Those few thousand Black Flag soldiers? Useless, why bother..."

Just then, someone suddenly burst into the courtyard, probably coming in through the back door.

Shen Suqin stepped aside to shield Shi Ye behind her, looking warily at the newcomer.

"It's him! He's the Crown Prince!" the man shouted.

The men were beaming with excitement. "Kill him and we'll get the gold!"

After saying that, the group rushed forward one after another.

Shen Suqin gripped the curved knife in her hand, grabbed Shi Ye's arm with her other hand, pulled him closer, and whispered, "Stay close to my back, don't run around."

Before she finished speaking, her scimitar sliced ​​off one man's neck, and blood splattered everywhere.

Shi Ye was stunned for a moment, and then he saw Shen Suqin cleanly and neatly turn the blade to meet the heart of the person who came, and with another clean slash, kill him instantly.

Only then did Shi Ye understand just how "good" Xiao Pingchuan's skills really were.

On the other side, Xiao Pingchuan carried his heavy sword out of the general's mansion and stood on the steps, facing Feng Sanhe across the sea of ​​people.

At this moment, the two sides were locked in fierce fighting. Although the central army had a much larger number of troops than the Black Flag army, its combat strength was inferior, and it was being suppressed by the Black Flag army.

Xiao Pingchuan chuckled, drew his sword, and charged into the crowd, whereupon a mass of people fell to the ground.

He charged straight at Feng Sanhe, but Feng Sanhe knew very well that he was no match for Xiao Pingchuan, so he hurriedly retreated and summoned his strong generals to defend him.

Xiao Pingchuan didn't even blink, simply using his heavy sword to clear away those blocking his path one by one.

He was born with immense strength, and once he drew his heavy sword, no one could stop him. In just a few moves, he had brought Feng Sanhe to his feet.

Feng Sanhe's eyes trembled. "You, you dare! I command 200,000 troops. If you dare to kill me, don't even think about leaving the capital."

Xiao Pingchuan slammed his heavy sword down in front of him. "To fight or not to fight?"

Feng Sanhe was furious.

Xiao Pingchuan didn't tolerate him and immediately lunged forward, saying, "Today, it's either you or me who dies."

After speaking, he swept his heavy sword horizontally, and Feng Sanhe was sent flying backward.

He quickly caught up and delivered another heavy blow before Feng Sanhe landed.

Those in the central army who wanted to rescue Feng Sanhe were stopped by Xu Youcai and Zhao Chengchun. For a time, Feng Sanhe was completely powerless to resist and rolled and crawled on the ground.

Xiao Pingchuan didn't want to waste time, but Feng Sanhe was slippery and had a first-rate ability to escape.

During the stalemate, the alarm bell on the city tower suddenly rang. Xiao Pingchuan immediately stopped and listened carefully, and everyone else also stopped.

In Daliang, the ringing of the city bell signifies that something important is about to happen, and the bell has already rung seven times, indicating that war is about to break out.

Xiao Pingchuan and Feng Sanhe exchanged a glance, and both of them thought of the northern border.

At this time, the palace would be the first to receive the news.

"Stop! Return to camp," Feng Sanhe ordered first.

Xiao Pingchuan waved his hand, signaling his men to let them go.

Then, Feng Sanhe asked his men for a horse, jumped on it, and ordered them, "Prepare one for General Xiao as well, no, two horses."

Having said that, he flicked the reins, and the horse galloped away.

At the same time, Shi Ye arrived under Shen Suqin's protection and asked Xiao Pingchuan, "Shall we enter the palace now?"

Xiao Pingchuan shook his head and looked at Shen Suqin.

Shen Suqin nodded slightly and said in a low voice, "I just received news that the Shatuo not only crossed the Shule River, but also captured Yiyang County all the way, bypassing Ningyuan and heading straight for Liangzhou."

Beyond Liangzhou lies the capital.

Shi Ye gasped.

"Where are our people?" Xiao Pingchuan asked.

Shen Suqin replied: "The remaining eight thousand people are in Lianghe County, which is less than half a day's walk from here."

Lianghe County is located within Liangzhou.

"Hmm." Xiao Pingchuan looked at Shi Ye. "Your Highness, please come with me to the palace."

Shi Ye nodded.

At the same time, Xiao Pingchuan called Xu Youcai over, saying, "You escort Madam south immediately. If even a single hair on her head is missing, I will hold you responsible."

"Yes, General."

"Zhao Chengchun, come with me to the palace."

"Yes, General."

As winter deepens, the cuckoos and gulls fall silent.

Shen Suqin looked up at the dark sky and knew that her peaceful days were over.

The farce came to an end. As night fell, Xiao Pingchuan returned home, where Shen Suqin was waiting for him by candlelight.

The dim candlelight pierced the thick darkness of the night, leaving a deep imprint on Xiao Pingchuan's eyes.

He tiptoed to meet him and asked gently, "You didn't leave?"

Shen Suqin shook her head. "What did the palace say?"

"I am ordered to lead my men north immediately to meet the enemy."

"What about military power?"

"The same applies: the Crown Prince will retain the power to mobilize troops, while the power to command troops will be returned to me. The Crown Prince will travel north with me."

"Yeah, I guessed that would be the result."

After he finished speaking, the surroundings fell silent for a moment.

"You..." Xiao Pingchuan started to say something, but didn't continue.

Shen Suqin: "War requires supplies. I will go north to help you stabilize the rear. You just need to focus on killing people."

Xiao Pingchuan was stunned.

After a long pause, his voice was low and hoarse, "Then what about Lord Shen and Madam Shen?"

"I feel bad that they have to be buried in the capital for now. I will send them back one day."

Xiao Pingchuan suddenly pulled her into his arms, very tightly, almost as if he wanted to meld her into his body.

That night, the general's mansion underwent a thorough cleanup.

Shen Suqin knocked on the door of the Shen residence in the middle of the night. Shen Suqiu had obviously heard the news of the war and was still awake late at night.

"I'm going north," Shen Suqin said bluntly.

Shen Suqiu nodded, "I will take good care of your father and mother's funeral arrangements."

"good."

After saying this, the two were speechless for a moment.

Shen Suqin turned to leave, but Shen Suqiu called out to her, "The northern border is dangerous, be careful in everything you do."

Shen Suqin paused slightly. "Hmm."

To put it bluntly, she and Shen Suqiu didn't have any deep-seated hatred. All their previous struggles became trivial matters in the face of life and death.

After leaving the Shen residence, she went to the Su residence instead.

Now that Jin Yun Fang is owned by the Su family, the Su family has already offended Pei Ruhai. Originally, they thought that with the Crown Prince as their backer, there shouldn't be much of a problem. But now that the Crown Prince is heading north, Su Yubai absolutely cannot stay in the capital.

"You mean you're going to help Xiao Pingchuan fight?" Su Yubai asked coldly.

"Not really, it was just helping him gather provisions," Shen Suqin replied.

"How are you going to raise the money? Didn't that brat Yan Lin take all the family fortune out of the pass? Where are you going to get the silver?"

"We're not closing the restaurant. We'll also take this opportunity to see what other ways there are to make money in the North."

"Are you crazy! What ways to make money could you possibly find in that godforsaken place, the North? I think you just can't bear to part with Xiao Pingchuan."

"Alright, I just came to say goodbye. Pack your things and leave the city tonight."

Su Yubai gave her a cold shoulder.

Shen Suqin: "I'm leaving."

“Wait a minute,” Su Yubai turned around and carried a small wooden box out of the house. “There are thirty million taels of silver notes in here. Use them first, and we’ll talk about it if it’s not enough.”

Shen Suqin smiled and said, "Okay."

"Don't rush forward if anything happens in the North. I'll come to see you once the fighting has subsided."

"Um."

————

In the winter of the twenty-third year of the Jingkang era.

A heavy snowfall overnight covered up half of the bloodshed in the capital city of Tu'an. The west wind howled, and the cold sun had not yet warmed the city.

Emperor Jingkang, accompanied by officials of the Great Liang, stood solemnly at the city gate, seeing off Crown Prince Shi Ye and General Xiao Pingchuan as they headed north to defend against the enemy.

Following the officials were the common people who came to see them off, a crowd of no less than a hundred people.

Outside the city, there were still refugees who had been temporarily settled. After the riot, the Crown Prince advocated for lenient punishment for serious crimes, and only dealt with a few refugees whose hands were indeed stained with blood. Afterwards, he presided over the court to distribute grain for relief and also demanded that the counties and prefectures not make things difficult for the refugees.

They knew very well that His Highness wanted to do something, just as the owner of Xingyuan Restaurant said, the Crown Prince had the people of the world on his mind.

Scholars from humble backgrounds throughout the Liang Dynasty also knew that with powerful families in power, their only hope of getting ahead lay in waiting.

Shi Ye and Xiao Pingchuan knew that the Crown Prince's journey north was both to defend against the enemy and to escape for his life.

The farewell wine hasn't been delivered yet.

Emperor Jingkang was giving a long speech: "General, this mission carries a heavy responsibility..."

Xiao Pingchuan turned to look at Shen Suqin, who was standing in front of the carriage, her eyes lowered, seemingly lost in thought.

Her reason for going north this time was to accompany the army.

But in reality, she wasn't traveling with Xiao Pingchuan and Shi Ye; she would go directly to Ningyuan under Xu Youcai's escort.

Ningyuan is the capital of Jinzhou and an important hub connecting the northern border. It borders Liangzhou to the south, making the transshipment of goods convenient.

After Emperor Jingkang spoke, it was Prime Minister Pei's turn to speak. Shen Suqin was not paying attention to him. She saw Shen Suqiu in the crowd. Shen Suqiu's face was covered by a cloak, and she looked at her with a complicated expression.

The two stared at each other across the crowd for a long time before Shen Suqiu turned and left.

"The stability of the Great Liang depends entirely on the General and Your Highness. I earnestly hope that you will do your utmost to protect the land of the Great Liang," Pei Ruhai said.

Shen Suqin sneered. Wasn't this the time for him to try every means to kill these two? Wasn't Lei Sheng supposed to be a capable and reliable person? Why did he run away as soon as the fight started, and hasn't shown his face since?

Her gaze swept over the various Liang officials, each with their own thoughts, and she felt sorry for Xiao Pingchuan.

Finally, the farewell wine was drunk, the bowls were smashed, and the army set off.

Shen Suqin helped Ju Tao onto the carriage, and the caravan silently drove slowly into the distance.

The wheels accidentally ran over a pebble, causing the carriage to lurch and the curtain to be lifted. Shen Suqin peeked out, looked at the city gate behind her which was getting smaller and smaller, and let out a long sigh of relief.

She took one last look at the towering eaves and pavilions, the majestic capital city, and the eagles soaring freely in the sky. With a slight smile, she lowered the curtain.

Bare branches shattered the gray winter sky into fragments, crows flew wildly in the small patch of air, fields were desolate, refugees were everywhere, and wherever cart tracks went, there were menacing eyes.

—End of Volume 1