Chapter 169 For her, it’s not worth it
'Let me be your support'
The power of this sentence is no less than that of a nuclear weapon. Song Lingyi's breathing suddenly tightened, her thoughts instantly became a mess, and her dark eyes gradually turned crimson.
When he spoke again, his voice was a little difficult: "Lu Qian, you don't have to force yourself for me."
The young master, who had been raised in luxury, found it difficult to adapt to the hardships of military life, not to mention the life-threatening situation of marching and fighting. As long as he stayed in Kyoto, he would have countless resources at his disposal. Why would he choose such a difficult path by joining the army just for her?
What's more, she couldn't give him a response. For her, it wasn't worth it.
"What are you thinking about?" Lu Qian smiled calmly. "It's not just for you. After these few days, I've also figured it out. I can't continue to live such a mediocre life. A few years ago, my second uncle sent me to the military camp for training, but I didn't continue because I thought it was boring."
Those light eyes dimmed slightly as he added, "So you don't have to feel indebted. Even if we're just brother and sister, how could a brother, having made a name for himself, not let his sister rely on him?"
Song Lingyi lowered her head to hold back her tears, her hands holding the wooden tray so tightly that her knuckles turned white.
After a long while, she regained her smile and looked up at him: "Okay, then I will wait for the day when you become successful and famous, and when you return to Beijing, I will hold a grand and magnificent welcoming banquet for you."
The sky outside the window was dim and gloomy. The footsteps of a maid could be heard in the yard, asking if the medicine was ready.
“Here I come!”
Song Lingyi responded loudly, walked to the door, and suddenly turned back.
"When do you plan to go to Youzhou?"
Lu Qian said calmly, "We'll set off tomorrow morning."
Song Lingyi frowned and wanted to say something else, but he raised his hand to interrupt her: "You don't need to inform me of your wedding banquet. I can't go anyway. I don't have time."
"...I just wanted to wish you a safe journey."
"Thank you."
…
Song Lingyi handed the medicine to the maid, and then instructed several skillful maids to prepare some dry food, travel expenses, and thicker clothes. Youzhou is not like the south, and the temperature is not high all year round.
The Song residence was busy, and so was the city.
Huaizhou City, once a peaceful place the day before, was now a scene of desolation and ruin. Thousands of bodies were dragged outside the city gates and burned, and the fire burned continuously for an entire day.
General Yunhui led his troops to patrol the streets of the city. All the criminals who had escaped the net were pushed to the streets and beheaded. The onlookers filled the entire street, and the sounds of shouting, cursing, and crying were endless, venting their grief and anger.
Xiao Mingyi spent the entire day in the yamen, organizing officials and arranging the reconstruction of the city. He only took a break at dusk and rode his horse to the Song residence alone.
Everything is silent, and the stars are shining brightly.
The door to the house was wide open, and two lanterns under the eaves cast shadows in the night wind.
With a neigh, the black horse stopped outside the gate.
At the same time, Lu Qian walked out of the house. It was not intentional to bump into her, it was purely a coincidence.
Lu Qian raised his eyebrows and bowed, "Greetings, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
The two lines of sight met at a distance that was neither far nor near.
Xiao Mingyi sat on his horse, his expression stern. "Young Master, you came to Huaizhou City secretly. Do you know how worried the Duke is about you?"
"Your Highness the Crown Prince is busy with many affairs every day. There is no need for you to worry about such trivial matters." Lu Qian remained calm.
"Not really a worry."
Xiao Mingyi curled his lips indifferently, with a hint of gloating: "Three days ago, the news that the pirates were going to attack Huaizhou City reached the capital in advance. The Duke learned that you were in Huaizhou City and specially entrusted me to send someone to escort you back to the capital."
The word "escort" was pronounced slowly and heavily.
“…”
Lu Qian raised his fingers and rubbed his philtrum, his light pupils turning slightly.
No, if the old man gets angry, he might actually do something like that. We have to leave Huaizhou before the prince sends someone to arrest him.
"Your Highness, there's no need to worry about returning to the capital. I'll be leaving for Kyoto tomorrow morning."
"That won't do. I'm a few years older than you, so I should take better care of you. The journey is long, so to avoid any trouble, I must send someone to escort you." Xiao Mingyi said calmly.
“…” Lu Qian’s eyes froze.
What escort? It was obvious that they were afraid that he would harass Song Lingyi.
While he was pondering, Xiao Mingyi had already dismounted and walked slowly up to him. His voice, as indifferent as snow, was calm and steady: "I've heard about your involvement with the pirates. Young Master, you are bold and careful. If you can focus on the right path, you will surely achieve great things."
These words touched Lu Qian's heart, but he didn't want to drink and talk with his love rival and pour out his heart.
"Your Highness is too kind." Lu Qian curled his lips, with a scoundrel look. "No matter how hard we, ordinary sirs, try, we can never compare to your Highness's divine power."
Faced with the young man's lack of understanding, Xiao Mingyi didn't say much. After all, he was the young master of the Duke's Mansion, and even if he lived a mediocre life, he would still reach a height that ordinary people could never reach in their entire lives.
"I have to thank you for saving Ali. When I return to Kyoto one day, I will hold a banquet to entertain the meritorious officials. You must attend the banquet." Xiao Mingyi said.
Lu Qian nodded respectfully in thanks, then watched the figure in black armor and black robe enter the Song residence. He sighed briefly and walked into the endless night.
…
The candlelight in the Song residence was dim.
Song Lingyi was in the backyard taking care of the sick Hongju. After feeding her half a bowl of her medicine, she suddenly heard a creaking noise in the corridor outside the house. Thinking it was a servant, she asked without turning around:
"How's the situation in the front yard?"
The footsteps stopped at the door, and a familiar deep voice sounded: "Lu Bao was just arranging the repairs to the wall and the door. As for the injured guards, they are all being cared for by the maids and servants, and their injuries and conditions have stabilized."
clatter--
The porcelain spoon fell into the soup bowl, making a crisp sound.
Song Lingyi slowly turned her head and saw the man who had 'disappeared' all day leaning against the pillar outside the door, staring at her quietly.
“Ahem…”
The sound of coughing woke Song Lingyi from her daze. Hong Ju poked her arm and whispered, "Miss, stop being dazed. I can drink this medicine myself. Please get out of here."
Song Lingyi lowered her eyes and came back to her senses. She placed the medicine bowl on the table, then stood up and left the room.
The corridor is dimly lit.
The two stood face to face, Song Lingyi lowered her eyes, her thick eyelashes half covering her dark pupils that were moving uncomfortably.
"Why is Your Highness here?"
"I've almost finished dealing with the affairs at the government office, so I wanted to come and see you." Xiao Mingyi said slowly and gently, "Are you feeling better?"
She cried in his arms for so long this morning. It seemed that the pirate invasion really scared her.
Song Lingyi nodded gently: "Much better, but...how did His Highness appear in Huaizhou City?"
Kyoto and Huaizhou City are thousands of miles apart. Xiao Mingyi arrived so timely. Could it be that he had received the news that pirates were going to invade Huaizhou City a long time ago?
"I have been sending people to patrol the whereabouts of pirates. A few days ago, I received an urgent document sent over 800 miles, claiming that traces of pirates were found in the counties near Huaizhou City." Xiao Mingyi said.
"A few days ago?" Song Lingyi was surprised.
Xiao Mingyi said calmly, "We've been traveling day and night, galloping as fast as we can, and we've finally caught up."
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