With a whoosh.
The elders turned around with slight surprise, and then unanimously stepped aside, revealing a little girl who had appeared behind them at some unknown time.
With her hair in pigtails, she mustered up the courage to walk over and say those two sentences, but faced with the gazes of the crowd and their solemn expressions, she finally panicked.
She lowered her head, her hands tightly gripping the hem of her clothes. She wanted to go back immediately but was hesitant, so she stared at her toes, her lips slowly pursing.
"without..."
"Your Uncle Yan did nothing wrong."
Wu Li took a deep breath, composed himself, and smiled as gently as possible.
"oh."
"Then...then I'll go first." Hearing this, the little girl raised her head, glanced at Wu Li in a panic, then quickly looked away and turned to leave.
But as soon as she turned around, she looked back at Yan Cheng and stammered:
"Uncle Yan, it's late, we should all go home and sleep."
"Aren't you going home to sleep?"
The words fell.
Yan Cheng, kneeling on the ground, bit his lip tightly, his face almost contorted.
The little girl panicked, glanced at the adults, and then cautiously walked to Yan Cheng's side. She wanted to do something but didn't know what to do. She could only open her mouth helplessly, but couldn't say anything.
But in just two breaths, her small body was embraced.
“It’s late, you should go home and sleep. I’ll take you home so your mother won’t worry.” Yan Cheng gently hugged her, his expression gradually calming down, and then slowly stood up.
He walked forward with his back to Wu Li, and then said:
"Chief, I understand."
"Please... lead us on this journey."
Wu Li and the others stood on the ground with complicated expressions, watching his retreating figure as he slowly walked away.
The moonlight was not bright, and the campfire swayed slightly in the night breeze.
Tears streamed down his bloodshot face, sliding down his rugged cheeks. This tough man was covered in tears, his clothes soaked with sobs.
Only by holding this small body in my arms can I stop my trembling hands.
"Uncle Yan, why are you crying? What happened?"
"Is...another war about to break out?"
The little girl looked at him with a panicked expression, reached out her calloused little hands to wipe away his tears, and asked that frightening question.
Yan Cheng shook his head, freed one hand, tremblingly wiped his eyes, and forced a smile.
"without..."
Nothing happened.
"And we will not fight a war."
"Let's go home and get some sleep. I'm a little tired too," he said with a smile.
"Um!"
The girl leaned down, pressed her hand against Yan Cheng's tear-soaked chest, smoothed his disheveled collar, and then gently hugged him.
The moon casts its shimmering shadows, a gentle evening breeze blows, and sparks of light, like twinkling stars, rise and dissipate into the cool, boundless night.
Yan Cheng walked past the campfire, followed by a group of children who were yawning from time to time, and sometimes playing around. There were people waiting for them at home, and they should all go home.
Perhaps it was because the evening breeze was too gentle, making the grass and trees sway lightly and feel exceptionally fresh. Yan Cheng exhaled a breath of stale air and felt completely refreshed.
But he understood that this was a matter of letting go, and finding complete freedom.
——
——
"What is he doing? What time is it? Why isn't he back yet?!"
The next day, around noon.
In a side hall of the Nanze Imperial Palace, Jin Fengluan looked furious, and Prince Qing below the stage also looked rather grim.
Although the rebels did not immediately attack Nanze after capturing Datong, and seemed to be resting and regrouping, the danger in Nanze still exists. In addition, King Jing, who was sent to the Nanman to seek troops, has not yet returned, nor has he sent back a single message, which is truly worrying.
Logically speaking, they should have returned by now. Even if something delayed them, as long as King Jing got the barbarians to agree to send troops, he should have sent a message back in advance.
It was precisely because of this that Jin Fengluan finally became anxious after waiting all morning.
"Your Majesty, don't worry, he may return later." This was the only way Prince Qing could offer comfort.
"Not anxious? How can I not be anxious!"
"What kind of time is this? The rebels are eyeing Nanze covetously, and the barbarian troops haven't come. How can I feel at ease? If you say you can defeat the rebels directly, then everything will be fine!"
Prince Qing had no reply and could only remain silent.
Jin Fengluan paced back and forth, her brows furrowed tightly. Suddenly, she stopped and said coldly:
"Could it be that after being treated so hospitably by those barbarians, they're still acting like honored guests?"
Prince Qing raised an eyebrow and shook his head, saying, "This... probably not."
"In the current tense situation, no matter what, Pingwu will not forget his responsibilities."
Jin Fengluan's eyes flashed with anger, and she couldn't help but shout:
"I know him all too well!"
"He loves wine the most. Those barbarians once sent me their wine. Although it was of poor quality, it was very intoxicating. I think he must have gotten drunk there! That's why he hasn't returned yet!"
Prince Qing clearly disagreed: "Your Majesty, it doesn't have to be this way."
"No matter what, Pingwu knows his limits and would never let drinking cause trouble at this time."
Jin Fengluan angrily flicked her sleeve, her face growing increasingly grim.
Prince Qing hesitated for a moment, then said in a deep voice:
"Could it be... something happened to that barbarian tribe?" He looked at Jin Fengluan.
Upon hearing this, Jin Fengluan was startled and immediately widened her eyes: "Huh?"
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
