Chapter 12
The man on the city wall looked down and happened to meet Lu Ling's eyes.
Lu Ling looked at those eyes and instantly felt a chill run down his spine.
Why did she feel that he looked like him? Even when that man was torturing her, his eyes were not as terrifying as they were now.
Lu Ling and his companions were placed in a thatched hut in the city. The hut was drafty on all sides and had no shelter, but compared to the hardships of exile, Lu Ling had no complaints.
Soon, several government officials arrived, holding pieces of cloth. One of them said, "This is what the prince gave you. Wrap it around your sides before you go to bed to prevent you from catching a cold."
"This prince is really nice. He's even worried that we might catch a cold." someone said.
"Oh, you think he is good just because of this good point. When you look at a person, don't just look at one aspect of him, you should also look at other aspects." Fang Qianqian said from the side.
Lu Ling was too lazy to listen to them and planned to go out for a walk. She hadn't seen such a lively scene for a long time.
As soon as he reached the door, Lu Ling was stopped by the guard at the door.
"You can only stay here and can't go anywhere."
Lu Ling stopped and walked back.
"I didn't expect that we were still under surveillance after leaving the military camp. I thought it would be better after leaving the military camp." Qingdai complained.
Fireworks flew into the sky, bursting into brilliant sparks. Lu Ling's face was illuminated by the fireworks, sometimes red, sometimes purple.
"It turns out today is New Year's Eve." Lu Ling said as he looked at the fireworks in the sky.
"Yes, it's New Year so soon." Qingdai also sighed.
Last year, I was still worried about what to eat and what clothes to wear, but this year I am living in a shabby hut with neither enough food to eat nor warm clothes to wear. Life is unpredictable.
Qingdai's nose felt sore, and she choked up, "Sister, do you think Shannai is also celebrating the New Year? Is she wearing any nice clothes?"
Lu Ling hugged Qingdai and comforted her, "Shannai is a person who will never let herself down. Maybe she is enjoying a feast right now."
Qingdai nodded and said nothing more.
The fireworks lasted all night, and Lu Ling stared at the sky all night.
Thousands of families are celebrating the New Year, but I am the only one stuck in the quagmire.
*
It was already the second day of the Lunar New Year when the army returned. Bai Puxing's determination to win this time forced the army into a corner.
One by one, the wounded soldiers ran in from outside the city. After everyone entered the city, Xie Heng ordered the city gates to be closed and no one was allowed to enter or leave.
"Ayun, sister," Xie Yuwang walked over and took Su Yun's hand, saying, "Are you okay?"
Lu Ling shook his head and said, "Did you win?"
Xie Yuwang's face was covered in bloodstains, his hair was disheveled, and he said tiredly, "No, Bai Pu sent too many soldiers this time, and we are outnumbered..."
"What should we do now?" Su Yun asked.
Xie Yuwang raised his head, his eyes determined as he said, "I will defend Shuzhou to the death."
"But there are so few of us, I don't know if we can win?" Qingdai sighed.
"Uncle Xie, what do you want?" Lu Ling asked.
"My father said to observe the situation first and then make a decision."
Lu Ling didn't say anything. He sat aside and pondered for a long time. Then he stood up and said to Xie Yuwang, "I have an idea. I wonder if it will work?"
The flags on the city wall fluttered in the wind, still holding their heads high despite the sound of flapping. There was a soldier holding them at intervals. Xie Heng and Bai Xichen stood in the middle of the city wall, looking into the distance.
"It seems that Bai Pu is determined to win this time." Bai Xichen said, looking ahead.
"Hmph! How dare a mere hundred Pu people set foot in the mountains and rivers of Daliang!" Xie Heng said with disdain.
Bai Xichen didn't say anything, but looked at Xie Heng with puzzled eyes.
Xie Heng glared at him and said, "Of course I am confident. I, Xie Heng, never lose a battle."
"father!"
Xie Yuwang took Lu Ling to the city wall and said, "Sister has a way."
Xie Heng looked at Lu Ling without saying anything.
After Lu Ling finished his greetings, he expressed his thoughts.
On this day, everyone in the city was busy. In order to protect their homes, no one dared to stop.
Perhaps because they had just won a battle, Bai Pu was too proud and didn't pursue the victory. This also gave Lu Ling and the others enough time to meet the enemy.
When the Bai Pu army arrived at the city gate, Xie Heng was the only one on the city wall.
Xie Heng struck the drum on the city wall. The sound of the drum was dull, as if preparing for the subsequent attack.
Without further delay, the Baipu army launched an offensive. Thousands of arrows were fired simultaneously, one after another, feathered arrows flew out from the city walls, repeatedly piercing the chests of those who broke through the city.
Under the city wall, one after another, the hundred Pu soldiers fell into the pit that had been dug the day before.
Just as the Baipu soldiers were about to climb the city wall, two teams arrived from the east and west, one led by Xie Yuwang and the other by Lu Ling. The woman, dressed in linen and armor much larger than herself, rode a horse, holding a spear, and charged forward with all her might.
Although the Bai Pu army had a large number of people and was powerful, they did not expect an ambush and were at a loss for a moment.
Lu Ling and Xie Yuwang fought with the enemy for a long time under the city wall, then turned around and separated from Xie Yuwang, and the two rode in two different directions.
Lu Ling rode into a valley and stood on a hill with a group of soldiers, watching the army approaching from a distance.
Everyone held their breath. When those people came closer, Lu Ling made a gesture, and then rocks rolled down from both sides of the mountain one after another, crushing all the Bai Pu soldiers who came forward to the scene to death.
When Lu Ling returned to the city gate, the Bai Pu army had already left.
"Sister, this move is really good. It dispersed the troops and caught Bai Pu off guard." Xie Yuwang praised.
"It just so happened that Bai Pu was slacking off. Otherwise, the chances of winning this battle would be slim."
"But we still won, didn't we?" Xie Yuwang said.
Lu Ling shook his head and smiled: "Yes, I won, and it's all thanks to you."
"No, no, no, this is all thanks to my sister. It's all thanks to my sister." Xie Yuwang said.
As soon as the two returned to the city, Xie Heng said with a smile: "A Ling, that's right. I will submit a letter to report your case to His Majesty when I get back. Maybe His Majesty will pardon you."
"Thank you so much, uncle." Lu Ling said gratefully.
Bai Pu had just been defeated and there would be no further disputes for a while, so Xie Heng decided to return to the military camp. Although the city was luxurious, it also had many inconveniences.
The day before Lu Ling left the city, an uninvited guest came to Shuzhou City.
"A Ling, I have something to tell you."
As Lu Ling walked out of the hut, he was stopped by a familiar voice.
Lu Ling slowly turned his head, his hands and feet seemed to be filled with lead, his whole body was frozen in place, his eyelashes trembled constantly, and a tear flowed from his eye socket.
"Ah, A Ling." Shen Wangyou's voice trembled.
Lu Ling hurriedly wiped away his tears and said in a low voice, "Master Shen, why are you here? How dare a mere slave like me speak to Master Shen? Master Shen, please go back."
After Lu Ling finished speaking, he turned around and was about to leave, but was grabbed by Shen Wangyou's hand.
"A Ling, listen to me."
"Ah..." Qingdai saw Lu Ling standing there and wanted to ask her what was wrong. Just after she took two steps out, she saw Shen Wangyou holding Lu Ling's hand.
Qingdai slapped Shen Wangyou's hand away and said, "Sir, please don't disturb my young lady." After that, Qingdai pulled Lu Ling away.
The two returned to the hut. Lu Ling's eyes were dull and it seemed as if millions of ants were crawling on his hands.
"Qingdai, why do you think he came here?" Lu Ling came back to his senses and asked Qingdai.
"Why bother with him? What does his surname, Shen, have to do with our Lu family?"
"Yeah, it's none of my business."
"Sister, in my opinion, you shouldn't have taken this guy home in the first place. You are such an ungrateful guy. He is half responsible for your current situation." Qingdai said hatefully.
Lu Ling nodded, his eyes clear.
Outside the door, Shen Wangyou was still arguing with the gatekeeper.
"Brother Guard, please let me in. I'll just go in and say a few words." Shen Wangyou said sadly.
"Go away, go wherever you need to go. This is not the place for you." The guard said impatiently.
"I really only have one thing to say, and then I'll leave!"
Seeing that Shen Wangyou stayed there and refused to leave, the two guards took Shen Wangyou outside and threatened him.
"These are all prisoners exiled here from the capital. Who else can you talk to? They might be gone in a few days." The soldier said with a smile.
"What did you say?" Shen Wangyou ran to the soldier and pulled his collar, his eyes dark and murderous.
"I, what I said is true. People who come here are here to work. Many people died because they couldn't adapt. They are just slaves. Who cares whether they are dead or alive?" The soldier said in a trembling voice when he saw Shen Wangyou's eyes.
"Then let me tell you, if one of the people inside is missing, I will definitely take you with me to be buried!" Shen Wangyou gritted his teeth.
"Hey, what's the point? You shouldn't take it out on the people in my house, right?"
A teasing voice sounded from behind.
"I say, it's not necessary, right?" Bai Xichen said.
Shen Wangyou let go of the soldier and turned around and said, "Why is it unnecessary? If something happens to A Ling, then I..."
"Then what do you say?" Bai Xichen asked with his head tilted.
Chen Wangyou didn't explain the reason, and changed the subject, asking: "Why are the soldiers guarding here from your palace? Shouldn't they be soldiers from the barracks?"
Bai Xichen opened the fan in his hand and fanned himself, saying, "The army has suffered heavy losses and has no time to care about your wife."
"Then let me go in and see her." Shen Wangyou did not allow Bai Xichen to refuse.
Bai Xichen grabbed his hand and dragged him away alive.
*
"A Ling, the emperor allows you to come and go freely, as long as you don't go far." Xie Heng said to Lu Ling.
Lu Ling thanked Xie Heng and left the tent.
A few days ago, after the military camp was set up, Lu Ling and others returned to the outside of the city.
Today, Xie Heng called Lu Ling over to tell her about the emperor's "reward" to him.
If it were anyone else, they would be rewarded for their merits for helping the army repel Bai Pu, but Lu Ling's reward was just free time.
And this "freedom" is only limited to an area within five miles of the military camp.
Not pardoned, not leaving, just staying in the barracks and serving others.
Lu Ling's wish was dashed.
One of the ways to overturn my father's verdict has been blocked.
Lu Ling was feeling depressed but couldn't tell anyone else, so she asked the military doctor for a jar of wine and went to the river.
The night was dark and the breeze was cool.
Lu Ling hasn't been here for a long time, and his mood is different from before.
Today is the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the Lantern Festival. At this time of year in previous years, Lu Ling would be visiting the Lantern Festival with Qingdai and Shannai.
The light shone on the girl's face, flickering, and her eyes were full of expectation.
"Ajin, are you doing okay over there? I'm doing fine. A few days ago, Ah Shuo came to me and said that I could leave as long as I said I had nothing to do with you."
The woman's voice was choked with sobs, sounding even more desolate in the cold wind.
"But I don't want it. You'll just have me. I've been getting lazy these past few days. Maybe I'll see you soon."
When Lu Ling heard this, she was startled. She was already a little drunk and she staggered backwards, stepping on a branch and making a noise.
"Who?" Fang Qianqian looked in Lu Ling's direction.
Lu Ling looked up, picked up the wine jug and walked towards her.
Lu Ling forced a smile and said, "It's me, Granny Fang."
"Did you hear everything?"
"I only heard a little bit, not much." Lu Ling said with a smile.
Fang Qianqian sighed and said, "Let them hear it. I never intended to hide it. Many people in the army also know about me."
"Then I'll leave first." Lu Ling didn't want to stay here and stare at Fang Qianqian, even though it was dark at night and he couldn't see Fang Qianqian's eyes.
"If you have someone you like, cherish the time you spend together." Fang Qianqian changed her usual arrogance and spoke in a gentle voice.
"If there's a misunderstanding between two people, resolve it as soon as possible. If there isn't one or if you no longer like each other, then don't dwell on it. Continuing to dwell on it will only hurt both you and the other person."
After hearing what Fang Qianqian said, Lu Ling didn't know what to do.
Lu Ling only felt his heart swell and ache unbearably, as if a stream of water was about to burst out. Lu Ling tried hard to suppress it, but the two sides resisted each other and ended up both of them were hurt.
Maybe it's time to put an end to it.
Lu Ling originally wanted to leave, but when he remembered the wine in his hand that he had not finished, he handed the wine to Fang Qianqian.
"It's a worship, so how can there be no wine?"
Fang Qianqian took the wine jug and poured some wine toward the north.
"He doesn't like drinking, but I don't have anything else to give him," Fang Qianqian turned to Lu Ling, "Thank you for the wine."
Fang Qianqian poured the wine in her hand into her mouth and sat next to Lu Ling.
"When I first met him, he was just a scholar who came to the capital to take the imperial examination. He was simple-minded. When he arrived in the capital, he was cheated out of all his money. I felt sorry for him and brought him back to my house."
Fang Qianqian smiled and continued, "He worked hard and passed the imperial examination, but my family still looked down on him because his family was too far away and poor. They felt that marrying such a poor scholar would be a disgrace to the family, so they didn't allow me to have any contact with him."
"But I still followed him. My family didn't know. We had planned to hold the wedding in his hometown even though my family didn't agree."
Fang Qianqian shed tears as she spoke, "But suddenly someone from the court came and said he cheated in the exam and wanted to sentence him to death. I didn't believe it. I've seen how hard he worked, and he's definitely not that kind of person."
Lu Ling looked at Fang Qianqian and felt pity for her. He also felt that the man was lucky to have such a person.
Lu Ling couldn't sleep that night. She thought a lot. Since the man had followed her here, it was a good opportunity to explain everything to him.
From then on, they got married and had nothing to do with each other.
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