Chapter 53 The Little Fox Drunk with Jealousy
"Go, go fire the meteor bomb!"
Chen Yuan shouted angrily, holding a large ring knife in one hand and grabbing the collar of the person who had rolled in with the other, and dragging him out with all her might, "Go ask Zhang Yan for help! Go quickly!"
A meteor bomb rose rapidly into the sky and exploded in the sky. The piercing red light was like a blooming fire cloud, instantly illuminating half of the mountain range red.
"Boss Shen, someone is attacking us from the east!"
“There are people on the west side too!”
"Boss, there are enemy troops in the south!"
In a flash, the stronghold was under attack from three sides, with the northern main gate remaining unattacked. Judging from this situation, the imperial court clearly intended to breach the stronghold through a surprise attack from the flanks.
Right now, what other option is there except to defend?
Chen Yuan gritted her teeth, her knuckles white from clenching. "Hold this!" She swung the large ring knife in her hand. "Come on, hold this position to the death! Anyone who dares to retreat will be killed!"
Yuan Wangshu and Wang Lanzhi looked up and saw the distress signal rising from the village, and they couldn't help but look at each other.
Following Xie Tingyu's strategy of a three-pronged feint attack, they split into several groups and launched a surprise attack along a hidden path discovered by scouts. A hail of arrows rained down. Wang Lanzhi swung her spear, blocking several bolts and whispering, "Will Zhang Yan come?"
The opponent's counterattack was very fierce.
Stones and wooden planks hurled themselves against the wall. Yuan Wangshu leaped and dodged. Her eyes narrowed, "You're well prepared." The sword in her hand flashed with a cold gleam, and the head of the enemy soldier charging from her right fell off. The blade's edge was as smooth as a mirror, and blood gushed from the neck, splattering the surrounding vegetation with a blinding crimson.
Another rain of locust arrows came.
Taking advantage of the swirling smoke, Yuan Wangshu leaped to Wang Lanzhi's side. She wiped the blood from her cheek and whispered, "The fighting is so intense here. I wonder how things are going over there with Xie Er?" As she spoke, her gaze passed over the chaotic crowd and looked to the north.
The earth trembled, and the sound of horse hooves came from far away like waves crashing on the shore.
"Shen Da, it's Chief Zhang!"
This person, whom she had once wished to kill, had now become her lifeline. Shen Yuan kicked the enemy soldier in front of her over, pointing her bloodstained large ring knife at the source of the sound. "Go, open the gate! Welcome the reinforcements!"
Wang and Yuan followed the sound and saw a rider leading the way in the darkness. His face was hidden in the shadows, his entire figure seemed to blend into the night, and he held a long sword in his hand.
Such heavy weapons were originally used by infantry to defeat cavalry and cut off horses' legs. Ordinary generals would find it difficult to wield them with both hands, but this man held the knife with one hand, as if holding a wick, and while riding his horse at full speed, he was as steady as a rock.
In an instant, dozens of torches suddenly lit up, and the people sent by Chen Yuan to support came like a fire dragon, illuminating the battlefield as bright as day.
Zhang Yan thrust her long sword forward, piercing the enemy's abdomen. Blood flowed from the grooves of the blade. "Sisters of the Black Mountain Army, listen up! Kill every imperial lackey you see!" She swung her sword and roared, the sound echoing in all directions.
The bandits who were originally retreating step by step were as excited as if they had seen their backbone when they saw Zhang Yan. Their morale was greatly boosted and they shouted and screamed.
This battle was not about annihilating the enemy, but about luring them in and testing their will. Yuan Wangshu shouted, "Retreat!"
Wang Lanzhi understood and with one shot, she mowed down three or five pursuers. Blowing her whistle, she led the Great Zhou army through the encirclement, fighting and retreating, quickly disappearing into the dense forest at the foot of the mountain.
Seeing the people retreating like a tide, Zhang Yan did not want to fight anymore. He stopped the Black Mountain bandits who wanted to chase them and returned to the village together.
Zhang Yan glanced coldly at the approaching person. Several knife wounds on Shen Yuan's arms were deep enough to reveal the bone, and blood soaked half of her robe. It looked like she had been in a fierce battle tonight.
Seeing a group of people standing behind Zhang Yan like little chicks, Shen Yuan's face suddenly turned pale and then blue. Even though she was rescued by Zhang Yan's help, she did not feel any gratitude in her heart.
As the melee on this side ended, the war started again on the other side.
Cui Yuanying, following Xie Tingyu's instructions, sent his men to attack from the side, but Xie Tingyu openly beat the war drums and ordered his troops to march straight in through the main gate of the stronghold.
Tonight, the main force of the Black Mountain Army was pinned down at Shen Yuan's camp. Despite the defenses in Shen Yu's camp, they were ultimately lax. The bandits had no time to react, and being no match for the highly skilled soldiers of the Great Zhou, they were quickly breached by the Great Zhou cavalry, allowing Xie Tingyu to steal their home.
Wherever they went, they were controlled by the soldiers of the Great Zhou, sentries were replaced, and important roads were blocked.
Xie Tingyu entered the stronghold's main gate with a swagger, as if entering her own backyard, flanked by guards. She leisurely took the main seat, leisurely pouring herself a cup of tea. Just as she took a few sips, she saw Cui Yuanying stumbling towards her, pushing someone.
The woman's clothes were disheveled, her hair was tangled, and she looked sleepy. Unlike the ferocious appearance of ordinary bandits, she had a delicate and elegant face and a thin figure, looking more like a scholar.
Xie Tingyu raised his eyes and glanced at her. "I thought she was a scholar's wife."
Cui Yuanying scratched her head. "Ah? I asked several prisoners before I found her bedroom." She grabbed the man by the collar and said, "You are Chen Yu, right?"
"Ah, I am." Chen Yu turned her head and glanced at Cui Yuanying. "Please let me go. I've already surrendered, so why be so rude? Is this how the soldiers of the Great Zhou treat their captives?" She shook her head again. "As they say, a benevolent and righteous army is, and you are no more than that."
"You!" Cui Yuanying was so angry that he pushed her hard, and Chen Yu immediately staggered to the ground like a willow in the wind.
Cui Yuanying scratched his head again in confusion. "Huh? Why are you so weak?" Chen Yu stood up from the ground without changing her expression and brushed off the dust on her clothes. "I don't practice martial arts, so I'm naturally no match for you daughters of generals." She bowed solemnly to Xie Tingyu. "You can kill me or chop me up as you please. My foolish sister's subordinates are all reckless and foolish. I have long expected this day to come. I have to die sooner or later, so please be quick with me."
Xie Tingyu couldn't help but laugh. She stood up and walked around Chen Yu three times. "My Great Zhou has always been kind to those who know how to adapt to the times." She winked behind her and said, "We've had a good harvest tonight. Let's return to camp."
In this battle, excluding the casualties among the bandits, Xie Tingyu's troops captured more than 8,000 people and returned home with a full load under the stars.
As dawn approached, Xie Tingyu saw a slender figure standing at the camp gate from afar on his horse.
She rode her horse forward and dismounted, "Master Yuan, why are you here so early?"
Yuan Fuxue looked at Xie Tingyu carefully and saw that she was safe and sound. He finally put his mind at ease after a night of worry. He said frankly, "Since you haven't returned yet, I'm afraid there are injured people who need timely treatment, so I'm waiting here."
From the moment Xie Tingyu passed by, Cui Yuanying stared at their conversation with wide eyes, deliberately rode his horse closer, turned around twice under the two men's puzzled eyes, then pretended to be nothing and slipped away, hiding in the dark and watching secretly.
Xie Tingyu shook his head. "I'm fine. Thank you for your concern. Master Yuan, you should go back and rest soon."
Yuan Fuxue stared at the person before her. Even after a night of battle, her face remained unfazed, her eyes clear as stars. In the dim morning light, she stood against the light, her features gilded with a layer of gold.
His lips opened and closed several times, and finally he said, "Then you should have a good rest too."
Cui Yuanying looked at the departing figures of Yuan Fuxue and Xie Tingyu with a dim gaze, and sensed something different.
Xie Tingyu returned to the tent and asked someone to bring him a basin of water to wash his face.
At this moment, the guards outside the tent loudly reported: "Thank you, Captain Xie, there are three letters."
Xie Tingyu wiped the water droplets on his hands with a handkerchief and took the letters.
These letters were folded, tied with a thin string, with beeswax dripped on the knot, and then pressed with a seal.
Xie Tingyu carefully touched the seal's pressing point; it was smooth and fitted, showing no signs of being opened. She took out a small knife she carried with her, inserted the blade into the gap between the envelope and the wax seal, and with a gentle poke, she was able to open it without damaging the letter.
She unfolded the first letter, a wax seal bearing the family crest of the Chenjun Xie clan. It was from Lord Xie, filled with inquiries about his health and the most thoughtful words from a father to his daughter.
The second letter came from the palace, its wax seal bearing the phoenix-patterned imperial seal reserved for the noble ladies of the harem. It was Xie Helan's letter home, and its contents were identical to Xie's, full of urgings to take care of oneself.
The third letter was somewhat special. The wax seal had a lotus pattern printed on it, and the intricate patterns on it made it look like a personal seal.
Xie Tingyu slowly unfolded the letter. Unlike the previous two letters where she had only glanced at them briefly, this time she read every word.
The handwriting on the letter was vigorous, clear and sparse, and every stroke showed the person's grace. The words were as beautiful as he was.
[From Xie Tingyu]
Xie Tingyu's eyes lingered on these five words again and again. For some reason, she always felt that when Ji Lian picked up the pen, what he wanted to write might not be her name.
To beat the heat recently, the palace's small kitchen has specially prepared mung bean soup and bayberry juice in jade pots, cooled with ice. Drinking this way is gentle on your teeth and won't cause stomach aches. After drinking, I suddenly remembered you're away on the battlefield, wondering if you can handle the heat. I wish I could get these cooling treats to you right away. Unfortunately, the mountains are high and the roads are long. Even if I galloped, they'd already gone sour by the time I got them. So, I'll have to give up.
I also heard that soldiers out in the field often subsist on corn cakes and salted meat jerky. I recall the days when we stayed at the mountain resort together. I saw you always being picky about your food, always complaining that this was too dry, that was too salty. I wonder if you're still picky now?
Then the subject changed.
[I've also heard that Sanlangjun of the Runan Yuan family is often out gathering herbs, so he's quite knowledgeable about food and has mastered the art of transforming coarse grains into delicious dishes. With him by your side, I'm sure you won't go hungry.]
[Although you possess superb martial arts skills, swords are merciless. I heard Xie Guijun mention the other day that although you won't have a general to support you on this trip, you will have to face the fierce bandits head-on. Don't try to be too aggressive. If you get hurt, I—]
The ink here is smudged, as if the tip of a pen has been hanging on the paper for a long time and was finally smeared black.
"If you're injured, I have nothing to worry about. With the skilled doctor Yuan Sanlang accompanying you, I'm sure you'll be fine. With such a capable assistant by your side, I'm sure you'll be fine..."
The last word was never written down, only a trace of ink remained, which sounded like a sigh and a loss.
Xie Tingyu unfolded the second piece of letter paper.
[Do you use the jade comb I gave you every day? It feels cool to the touch, like fine jade in your hand. It also helps to circulate blood and improves health when used to comb your hair. If you don't use it, that's fine. You never take my gifts seriously anyway.]
"But you must always carry that amulet with you. I personally consecrated it at Ci'en Temple, chanting sutras in front of the Buddha's relic. It's the ultimate talisman for warding off evil and warding off disasters. If nothing else, consider it for your own safety. If you keep getting hurt, wouldn't that be a waste of Yuan Sanlang's time? Don't bother this good man any more."
With the flick of his fingertips, the third piece of letter unfolded.
You're leaving for the expedition on July 12th, so I'm afraid you won't be back in time for the Mid-Autumn Festival on August 15th. As it happens, His Majesty, to save money, has canceled the Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet this year and allocated the funds to the Sirong Mansion for military pay instead. Since you're currently serving at the Sirong Mansion, you'll surely be delighted to hear this news.
[It's not that this palace banquet is anything special. If it's over, it's over. It's just some boring singing and dancing. But the moon-viewing thing...]
The ink pauses slightly here.
"If you were in Jiankang, would you be willing to enjoy it with me? Xie Tingyu, I have come to this point. If you dare to refuse, I will never speak to you again."
The last few lines of words are so powerful that they can be seen through the paper.
[I've written three pages of this letter. Will you read it? Will you reply? If you don't, I'll assume you're busy with military duties, and I won't bother you with letters again.]
There was a small water mark on the lower right corner of the letter, I don’t know if it was tea stains or something else.
Xie Tingyu read the letter carefully over and over again, then folded it up and put it back in the envelope. She poured the tea into the inkstone and dipped her brush into ink.
[Likely a sympathetic friend, seeing your words is like meeting you in person]
The heat has been scorching lately, but fortunately, I've found a clear pond not far from our camp. Every night, the moonlight casts a silvery shadow over the lake, and I enjoy a refreshing swim. It's truly refreshing. I keep the jade comb and amulet you gave me close to my left lapel every day.
The battle is going smoothly, and there are no new injuries. Don't worry. Master Yuan is a skilled doctor, constantly visiting the wounded camp, and he's deeply concerned about their treatment. The entire army is grateful for this thoughtful and compassionate medical officer.
May we live long and share the beauty of the moon, even though we are thousands of miles apart. As long as we look up at the same bright moon, this year's moon-viewing experience will not be missed. When I return to Jiankang, we can share crab claws in the autumn and plum blossoms in the winter. I wonder if my dear lover would be willing to honor me with his presence?
The tip of the pen lingered on the word "Lian Lang" for a moment longer, and the ink became slightly darker.
Feeling it wasn't enough, Xie Tingyu felt playful again, sketching a few simple drawings and carefully putting them into an envelope. She sealed it with beeswax and affixed it with her seal. She personally handed the envelope to her personal guard and said, "Hurry and deliver this reply. Don't delay on the way."
When the letter arrived at the palace, it was the hour of Xu. According to tradition, letters should not be delivered at this time, but the post station had received strict orders from His Royal Highness the Emperor that all letters to him must be delivered to the palace as soon as they entered Jiankang City.
Ji Lian, draped in his outer robe, leaned against the beauty's backrest in the corridor. He rested his elbows on the railing, looking up at the bright moon. The lanterns in the corridor cast a dim light, which reflected on his face and cast his lonely shadow on the ground, making it look very lonely.
Suddenly hearing the sound of approaching footsteps, his gaze immediately turned to the letter in Jiangzhu's hand. He straightened up in an instant and stared at it with burning eyes.
"Your Highness, there is a letter for you."
"Um."
Ji Lian responded in a low voice, taking the envelope but not rushing back to the palace. He repeatedly rubbed the seal with his fingertips, and it took a long time before he stood up and went back.
He opened the envelope and saw five pieces of letter paper inside. His eyes sparkled and his heart was suddenly filled with the sweetness of honey.
He read the first two pieces of letter paper over and over again, his eyes lingering on "I wonder if my dear lover would be willing to honor me" many times, and his fingertips gently stroked back and forth on "I hope we live long and can enjoy the moon together even though we are thousands miles apart."
He lowered his eyes and stared at the two pages for a long time without moving.
When I unfolded the third page, it turned out to be a simple drawing. I turned to the next page and saw several simple drawings as well.
The first picture shows a little fox lying on its back on the grass, with an intoxicated look on its face, its eyes half-closed, and one hand resting on its round belly.
"This person." Ji Lian used her fingertips to wrinkle the corner of the letter. "Hateful."
The second picture shows a little fox wearing a peony on its head and riding a blooming lotus, floating on a small lake.
The third picture shows the fox buried entirely in a large vat, with only its tail lazily hanging outside. On the vat is a large Chinese character for "vinegar," with a line of smaller characters next to it.
A little fox drunk with vinegar.
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The author has something to say: I wish we could live long and share the beauty of the moon together even though we are thousands of miles apart - Su Shi's Water Melody
Lianlian and Lianlang are both Xiao Xie's nicknames for Ji Lian.
Xie Tingyu is actually Ji Lian's unique name for Xiao Xie. He always calls her by her full name.
Small Theater:
Ji Lian: Xie Tingyu!
Xie Tingyu: Lianlian, could you please not call me by my full name every time^ ^
(Although I haven’t returned yet, I’ve already thought about what to write about the next emotional tug-of-war.)
When I wrote my first book, from the beginning to the end, the number of collections was no more than 823.
Now the series is approaching 1500 chapters long. How can this not be considered progress? But people are greedy, always wanting more, more, more.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
