Chapter 67 (End of Main Text)
Chapter Sixty-Seven
Pei Jiashu had only been recovered from his illness for a few days when the Kingdom of Kucha fell into chaos.
Fortunately, the Wei people who had lived in the Kingdom of Kucha for a long time were mentally prepared. They sold their cattle and sheep early on, exchanged the money for silver, and rushed to the Western Wei with their families.
Lin Rong originally intended to go to Shule Kingdom in the Western Regions, but seeing that the Northern Rong's movements were not quite right, and with Pei Zan's advice: "Go back to Liangzhou first. If you don't want to return to the palace, then stay in Yumen Village... I entrust Yu Nu to you. You can instruct Du Heng on everything. He will protect you and your child. Apart from Du Heng, even if the Zheng family or the Wu family comes to welcome you, you cannot agree to their request."
Lin Rong wasn't stupid; she immediately realized that even if Pei Zan outwardly maintained good relations with his subordinates, he would be more cautious when it came to important family matters and wouldn't completely trust them.
Lin Rong obeyed Pei Zan's arrangements.
Night had fallen, but Pei Zan did not stay overnight in the earthen house. Seeing that the man was about to leave after giving instructions about his family affairs, Lin Rong hurried a few steps and called out to him through the vast expanse of white snow, "Young Master!"
Pei Zan stopped and turned around.
The snowflakes were blown by the gale, covering Pei Zan's head with white fluff, and making his cold eyes appear even more solemn.
Lin Rong thought for a moment, then walked over. The woman's slender fingers hooked around Pei Zan's belt and hung the sachet filled with fragrant grass and embroidered with the words "Peace" on his waist.
The sachet could bring good fortune, ward off disease, and avert disaster; she hoped Pei Zan would return in triumph.
"I can't protect Yu Nu... You must come back safely."
This is the truth. If Pei Zan were to get into trouble, and Pei Jiashu were the crown prince of Western Wei, it would be extremely difficult for Lin Rong, a widow and orphan, to find a peaceful place in this chaotic world.
But Lin Rong knew that Pei Zan was resourceful, brave, and skilled in battle, and that he would surely be able to defeat the enemy as he had before.
Pei Zan lowered his eyes, his long, slender fingers stroking the bright red silk ribbon. His expression softened. He used to be fearless, but now that he had a family, he felt a little attached and reluctant to leave.
She thought of the words Pei Zan had said to Lin Rong, "Wait for me to come back," many times, but she always ran away and never kept her promise.
Pei Zan couldn't help but scoff, but he still said, "Rong'er, wait for me to come back."
This time, Lin Rong nodded sincerely: "I will."
The next day, Lin Rong, carrying her still sleepy son and Da Huang, boarded the carriage back to the capital.
Sesame couldn't squeeze into the carriage, but it was used to running up and down with Lin Rong, so it naturally followed closely behind.
Yang Feng and Aunt Zhang also set off, but Du Heng led the team, keeping their movements more discreet, and did not travel with the Wei people.
The weather was bitterly cold, the wind and snow were getting heavier, and the Gobi Desert was beginning to be covered in snow. Along the way, there were some tattered and bloodstained felt tents, and the ground was littered with white horse bones, rotting camel meat, and even severed limbs buried in the snow. Needless to say, it was clear that they had been attacked by barbarian tribes.
It turns out that not only was the Kingdom of Kucha in chaos, but the entire Western Regions was in turmoil. The Tibetan Empire, which had been suppressed by Pei Zan's army five years ago, was also stirring up trouble. It even joined forces with the Northern Rong, wanting to wipe out all the kingdoms in the Western Regions in one fell swoop, and then march straight to Liangzhou to slaughter the people of Western Wei and avenge its previous humiliation.
Upon learning of this military intelligence, Lin Rong suddenly understood: No wonder Pei Zan wanted her to retreat to Liangzhou. The border region was already in chaos, and the Wei army had to defend against the enemy and guard the city. How could they possibly protect everyone? The best solution was to retreat to the capital and wait for the day the battle ended.
Although Liangzhou is only a thousand miles away from the Kingdom of Kucha, it has many foothills and rugged mountain paths. Now, traveling through snow, it naturally took longer than before to reach the capital.
When Lin Rong returned to Yumen Village, she met many familiar villagers.
Five years ago, Yumen Village was destroyed under the trampling of the Hu cavalry.
To prevent the spread of disease, the government has burned all the remaining corpses in the village, but the houses still need to be repaired after the war.
Fortunately, Lin Rong had some savings and was not short of money. She found a bricklayer and a tiler, and in a few days, she rebuilt the collapsed courtyard wall.
Although the people of Liangzhou heard news of the war, they were filled with fear and anxiety.
After all, the bloody scene of Liangzhou's fall and the devastation of the city was still vivid in their minds, and they had only enjoyed five years of peace.
However, when the people of Western Wei learned that Pei Zan was personally leading the expedition, their fear lessened considerably.
After all, Pei Zan had once led his army to repel tens of thousands of Tibetan troops and helped them recover their homeland. Such a peerless hero as Pei Zan would be protected by the gods and Buddhas, and successfully repelled the foreign enemy and won the victory in Guicheng.
However, a month passed and the war in the Western Regions did not subside. Instead, more and more supply wagons from the south continued to arrive at the Western Regions camp, and wounded soldiers were sent back to the capital for treatment.
The city gates opened and closed, revealing soldiers covered in blood and arrows sharp enough to turn a person into a hedgehog.
Judging from the pained expressions of the wounded and defeated soldiers, this battle was extremely dangerous...
The people of Liangzhou looked at each other in dismay, wondering in horror: What if Pei Zan lost? What if the Pei family's army was completely wiped out... Would those barbarian soldiers, who eat raw meat and drink blood, invade Liangzhou and, like five years ago, stab them with cleaving knives, rape their wives and daughters, kill their parents, and then chain the remaining men around their necks, forcing them to crawl on the ground like dogs, ruthlessly enslaving them?
With people's hearts unsettled, Liangzhou began to descend into chaos.
Many people packed up their homes and belongings and fled south for refuge. Only the officials in the capital remained to guard the city, not daring to make any rash moves, for fear that Pei Zan might return alive and punish them for the serious crime of "absenteeism".
However, with the situation at the front lines critical and Pei Zan having not appeared for a long time to reassure the people, even the most loyal officials would feel uneasy, and even the most sincere generals would feel anxious and worried... They couldn't help but blame Pei Zan for meddling, asking why he had brought such a large number of troops to support the Western Regions. They were just foreign people; let them live or die as long as Pei Zan could hold Liangzhou.
But Lin Rong knew that Pei Zan was very protective of his own. In the past, when she was just a lowly servant in the Pei family, he would make a scene in the main courtyard to stand up for her because she was punished or because she was slapped by her cousin from the Shen family.
Pei Zan would carefully guard anything that came under his protection, and would not allow outsiders to touch it.
Whether it's good or bad, he will do everything in his power to protect his things.
Pei Zan is a man with a strong possessive desire, as well as being obsessive and arrogant.
Moreover, Lin Rong knew that if Pei Zan really gave up the Western Regions, the Tibetan cavalry, the Western Regions nomads, and the northern Rong and Di armies would join forces to attack Liangzhou. Once they broke through the pass, it would not be as simple as massacring a city.
Pei Zan was clearly doing his utmost to keep the enemy out of the pass, and he was clearly doing his best to give the people of Western Wei a stable and peaceful home.
Lin Rong was filled with unease. For the first time, she invited Buddha and Guanyin into her home and burned incense and prayed day and night, hoping that Pei Zan would be free from disaster and pain and be safe and sound.
"If you really return safely..."
Perhaps she won't leave again, or perhaps she will stay and live with Pei Zan.
As long as he gets home safely.
-
Outside Liangzhou City, a blue-canopied carriage, escorted by two solemn guards, headed towards the main city.
Zheng Zhiming lifted the carriage curtain and looked worriedly at Pei Zan, who was changing the bandage on his shoulder.
"Your Majesty, this poison is extremely dangerous. If we continue fighting, I'm afraid I'll lose an arm. Why not retreat to the city and fight again another day?"
Previously, in order to buy time for the various tribes in the Western Regions to withdraw their troops, Pei Zan deployed a battle formation and led tens of thousands of Western Wei cavalry to attack the Northern Rong troops who had broken through the city.
Under Pei Zan's leadership, the Wei army suppressed the surprise attack of the Rong troops. However, this battle also forced the Northern Rong to reveal their true strength. The Tibetan cavalry that came to the aid of the Western Regions surged into the battle from all directions, like a tidal wave that blotted out the sky. They wielded long swords and cut through the Wei army like melons and vegetables.
Countless skilled Hu warriors, with bows drawn and arrows strung, unleashed a fierce barrage of black-feathered arrows at Pei Zan's soldiers, raining down arrows like locusts from the sky.
What followed was blood splattered on their faces and eyes, and the pitiful screams of their comrades.
The black-feathered arrows were incredibly powerful and came with overwhelming force, each one piercing into the armor of the Wei soldiers, leaving only the constantly trembling feather tails.
Countless Wei soldiers were wounded and accidentally fell from their horses.
Before they could even get up in terror, they were trampled into piles of minced meat by the panicked warhorses.
Pei Zan had anticipated this, and he remained calm in the face of danger. Instead, he shouted sternly, "Release the messenger hawks for reinforcements! Do not panic! Send two cavalry squads back to the city and hold their ground! The rest of you, follow me and continue to fight the enemy!"
Pei Zan's roar resounded throughout the heavens and earth, and the chaotic and dense sound of horses' hooves became orderly and calm because of his call.
Once the Tibetan troops joined the battle, Pei Zan finally summoned another group of his personal guards who had been lying in ambush to the battlefield, catching the enemy off guard.
When the snipe and the clam fight, the fisherman profits.
The Northern Rong army believed that Pei Zan had only tens of thousands of troops, and that he was exhausted after being defeated by the Kingdom of Kucha, with no reinforcements left.
Unexpectedly, Pei Zan had already used a smokescreen.
Pei Zan knew that if the Wei army could send out scouts to gather intelligence, the Rong and Di tribes would also be able to learn about the Western Wei's deployment and military strategy.
Therefore, Pei Zan had already hidden a portion of his troops, ordering them to remain hidden in the desert beyond the Great Wall, awaiting the order to "provide support." When the Rong and Di armies were no match for the Wei army and were forced to retreat in defeat, summoning Tibetan reinforcements, Pei Zan fired a whistling arrow, issuing an urgent order to summon reinforcements.
Only through coordinated attacks from both sides could they break through the treacherous Hu cavalry, gain a brief respite, and ultimately win the battle.
Pei Zan was focused on defending against the enemy, but little did he know that some Rong and Di archers, wary of his military prowess, had already aimed their arrows at his armor...
Whoosh!
An arrow pierced the air and flew swiftly.
Pei Zan was accidentally pierced in the shoulder and arm by a cold arrow. The pain was so intense that it went deep into his bones, but he seemed oblivious to it. He remained as imposing as a mountain, raising his sword and slashing fiercely until he decapitated the archer who had launched the sneak attack, thus avenging himself!
The archer had malicious intentions and deliberately smeared poison on his arrowheads. Even though the imperial physician cured this deadly poison, the residual poison remained in his blood, causing Pei Zan's wound to fester and fester, and it took a long time to heal.
Every time Pei Zan wielded his sword, he endured immense torment, his forehead veins bulging, before he could muster the strength to ride his horse and swing his arm to slay enemy soldiers.
Seeing that Pei Zan's face had lost all color, Zheng Zhiming dared not let the king continue to go to the front line to fight the enemy.
He kindly advised Pei Zan to withdraw his troops, but the king flatly rejected his advice: "Withdrawing now would mean all our previous efforts would be wasted."
A few words of advice stuck in Zheng Zhiming's throat, leaving him unable to speak.
Zheng Zhiming knew perfectly well that the great victory was entirely due to Pei Zan's ability to boost morale at the front lines and command troops with ease.
The gentlemen held Pei Zan in awe, seeing him as a war god descending upon the world, and willingly bowed down to him.
As long as Pei Zan is at his peak, his troops will be awe-inspiring and unstoppable.
If Pei Zan falls or retreats to Liangzhou, the morale of the Wei army will be low, and they may even be routed by the Hu soldiers in two attacks.
At this critical juncture in the fierce battle, Pei Zan could not retreat.
If you're going to win, win big.
Zheng Zhiming sighed and didn't try to persuade him any further.
Pei Zan returned to the city to coordinate military supplies and provisions, and also reported on the war situation to reassure the people. The people, who had been living in constant fear, finally calmed down and stopped fleeing in panic.
The officials in the capital could not discern the perilous nature of the war from the emperor's few words, but Pei Zan himself knew... no matter what, he would defend Liangzhou.
He would keep all hardships and calamities away from the capital.
Because Lin Rong and Pei Jiashu are here, and because he is a husband and father, he will create a paradise for his family.
Pei Zan could not stay in the capital for long. His return to the city was merely to allocate provisions and lead troops from several prefectures on an expedition.
Before leaving, Pei Zan went to Yumen Village alone.
Du Heng was extremely reliable and carried out Pei Zan's instructions one by one.
Pei Zan did not inform anyone about Lin Rong and Pei Jiashu's arrival in the city; even the officials thought the Crown Prince was still far away beyond the Great Wall.
That's why he has to keep a low profile since he's visiting relatives in Yumen Village today.
Pei Zan's arrow wound on his shoulder had festered into a sore, but no blood was flowing out. The only pain was intense, like being gnawed by thousands of ants, causing him to sweat profusely and his back to be soaked with cold sweat.
However, Pei Zan did not show the slightest discomfort to outsiders. He was born arrogant and would not expose any weaknesses or vulnerabilities to outsiders.
Pei Zan endured the excruciating pain of her skin being torn and bones being split, and looked up at the desolate wind and snow.
Last night, a heavy snow fell, and a thick layer of white snow accumulated on the eaves. The drifting salt particles sprinkled on Pei Zan's jet-black hair, making it look as if his hair had turned white overnight.
All of Pei Zan's pain vanished when he saw the slender figure sweeping snow at the door from afar.
He dismounted and strode forward. Before Lin Rong could speak, he tightened his arms and embraced her tightly.
Lin Rong, holding a broom, was startled.
When the cold armor covered her shoulders and back, making her exposed neck shiver, she finally came to her senses... It turned out that Pei Zan had returned!
Lin Rong was the most timid person. She should have been terrified and trembling after being frightened by Pei Zan like that, but the moment she turned around, there was only an undisguised smile on her face.
Perhaps it was because the snow was too heavy today and a bit dazzling, but when she and Pei Zan reunited after so long, she felt her eyes sting. Looking down, she saw that the sachet she had given her was still as red as ever, with its long ribbons fluttering in the wind.
Lin Rong blinked and looked up at him again.
Pei Zan remained the same as before, with phoenix eyes, thin lips, and long eyebrows that reached his temples. When he wasn't smiling, he was cold and aloof, making people afraid to get close to him.
It's strange, how come he never changes?
The Pei family saw him like this, they saw him like this five years ago, and now, two months later, they see him again and he's still like this.
Lin Rong asked him, "Has the battle against the enemy ended?"
Pei Zan said, "It's still a little short, but it'll be soon."
Lin Rong realized: "You're still leaving... Are you staying overnight?"
This was probably the first time Lin Rong asked Pei Zan whether he wanted to stay or not.
Pei Zan thought of the festering wound on his shoulder, and the excruciating pain that spread throughout his body with every step he took... He tugged at the corner of his lips, a fearless smile on his face.
“No need.” He whispered like a young couple, resting his chin on Lin Rong’s shoulder and embracing her from behind. “Lin Rong, I’ve been holding back for many days, but my heart is now moved. If we stay at home overnight, I’m afraid you won’t be able to handle it.”
Hearing his sigh, Lin Rong felt a mix of emotions.
Even when he's being serious, he can still say such lewd things. This guy deserves to die!
Lin Rong felt a little helpless and didn't try to persuade her any further.
Perhaps Lin Rong had been waiting outside for too long, because Pei Jiashu couldn't wait any longer. He held Da Huang's hand while pinching a sugar cake, and poked out his round little head.
"Mother, are you tired from shoveling snow? Let me help you!"
Before he could finish speaking, he looked up and saw Pei Zan, then cried out in surprise, "Father!"
Pei Zan released his wife's slender waist and bent down to hug his son, whom he hadn't seen for two months.
His right hand was injured, and unless he had to wield a sword to fight on the battlefield, he would not have been willing to lift a person up. After thinking for a moment, Pei Zan used his left hand to hold the child and pulled him into the house.
Lin Rong gazed at Pei Zan's tall and imposing back, and frowned slightly as she looked at the man's right arm hanging down.
Upon entering the house, Pei Zan saw a statue of the compassionate Guanyin Bodhisattva, with fresh fruits and vegetables on the altar and a lit lotus lamp for blessings. He couldn't help but smile slightly.
It's not hard to guess that Lin Rong's faith and sincerity arose because Pei Zan went to the battlefield.
All prayers are offered for others.
Pei Zan raised an eyebrow and glanced at Lin Rong.
Lin Rong looked embarrassed. For some reason, this was the first time in her life that she had tried to hide her feelings like this, and she didn't dare to look Pei Zan in the eye openly.
Lin Rong changed the subject, saying, "Young Master, would you like something to eat or drink?"
Lin Rong remembered that there was a pot of wine and freshly baked mutton flatbread at home, which Pei Zan could use to fill his stomach.
Pei Zan didn't eat. He simply took out a jade token from his pocket and put it in Lin Rong's hand: "This token can be used to command the Pei family's personal guards. Whenever you go out, you must summon your personal guards to accompany you."
Five years ago, Lin Rong had already witnessed just how loyal the guards trained by Pei Zan were. They were fearless in the face of death to protect their master's life and followed Pei's lead without question.
Besides the protective jade token, Pei Zan also handed Lin Rong a wooden box containing two volumes of imperial edicts.
"This is the edict of investiture as empress, and the will to pass the throne to Yu Nu... If you are interested, you can order the Zheng family to assist you, enter the Western Wei harem, and help Yu Nu ascend the throne. But I know that you are not capable enough to govern the country, and you are too soft-hearted. Having the will in your hands will undoubtedly attract the covetousness of others and add another path to death. It would be better to burn it."
Yu Nu is indeed intelligent, but unfortunately she is too young and her wings are not yet fully grown. If he were to ascend the throne, he would surely face great difficulties.
With Pei Zan dead, those corrupt officials who usurped power and sought personal gain would not allow the Pei family to have any descendants.
Pei Zan's son is the spark that ignites the Pei family's army; a single spark is enough to start a prairie fire.
If Pei Jiashu were alive, the Pei family's troops would not have surrendered to the new emperor and would have been forever feared by powerful and influential families.
Without anyone to help Lin Rong, the path to becoming king and emperor will be extremely difficult. Lin Rong will not be able to control the situation in Western Wei, nor will she be able to support Pei Jiashu. His wife and children will surely die.
"Lin Rong, besides this, I have also prepared a second path for you. If you have no interest in power, I will have Du Heng escort you and your child to the south and across the sea... I have prepared a ferry and gold and silver to ensure you will have enough to eat and wear for the rest of your life. You will also have personal guards to protect you. No matter what, you will survive."
As Lin Rong listened to Pei Zan's meticulously planned arrangements, she felt increasingly uneasy.
After hesitating for a long time, Lin Rong finally asked, "Can't you retreat to Liangzhou? You are the ruler of Western Wei, why must you personally lead the army..."
Pei Zan chuckled lightly: "Withdrawing troops now would be tantamount to spitting out the territory we've already taken. If they attack Liangzhou's doorstep, we'll have to fight them anyway. By then, the Rong and Di tribes will be allied with the Western Regions, and their army will be even stronger. Do you expect those cowardly parasites in the court to help me defend against the enemy and protect my Western Wei territory? Since it's my country, only I can protect it."
Lin Rong was speechless.
Pei Zan's ambitions weren't that lofty; he wasn't about fighting for his country and people, risking his life for them. He simply wanted to fulfill his duties as a ruler, protecting his territory, his land, and his family.
After a long while, Lin Rong said, "Your plans are so meticulously laid out, it sounds to me like you're prepared to die, which frightens me."
"It's just being prepared, I've always done it this way."
Pei Zan brushed a strand of hair from Lin Rong's temple and tucked it behind her ear. "Don't be afraid. I have a wife and children, and I can't bear to die. It's just that I'm leaving myself an escape route so I can face the enemy on the front lines with peace of mind."
That makes sense.
Lin Rong didn't know what to say. She seemed very busy, helping Pei Zan rummage through his robes and then looking at the sachet.
The armor was brand new, and the sachet was stitched with fine needles; there was nothing that needed her to mend.
Left with no other choice, Lin Rong could only heat up a flatbread, wrap it in oil paper, and give it to Pei Zan to eat on the road.
Pei Zan rarely received such service from Lin Rong, so he found it quite novel. Before mounting his horse, he held the back of Lin Rong's head and asked her for a kiss.
The young couple had just met, and now they had to part again, so their kiss, with its lips touching, became especially tender.
Pei Zan didn't kiss her deeply.
However, Pei Zan released his grip shortly afterward.
Lin Rong was holding Pei Jiashu's hand, with a big yellow dog tucked between its legs and trembling beside them, and Sesame, whose ears were twitching.
The family watched Pei Zan leave.
Mo Yu galloped away, his mane billowing, kicking up a flurry of snowflakes.
Pei Zan's figure disappeared into the thick fog of the deep mountains, gradually becoming indistinct.
Only the red ribbon around her waist fluttered in the wind.
That red ribbon was dazzling and eye-catching, surpassing the Spring Festival couplets pasted on both sides of the gates of countless ordinary people's homes.
It's like the red thread of fate that the Old Man Under the Moon (the god of marriage) lowered down to earth.
-
Since Pei Zan left that night, Lin Rong hasn't been able to sleep well for a long time.
Once she falls asleep, she will soon see Pei Zan kneeling in the desert littered with corpses, his knees bent, leaning on his sword, barely clinging to life, his face covered in hideous bloodstains.
The man, who was once at the height of his spirit, now abandoned his horse, knelt down, and fell into the vast yellow sand.
Pei Zan's eyes were dull, his gaze lost, and he remained motionless for a long time.
Only one hand hung down, with a bright red sachet in its palm.
The words "Peace" on the sachet were stained with blood, a shocking sight.
...
Lin Rong screamed and woke up with a start.
Pei Jiashu rubbed his eyes and asked her softly what was wrong.
Lin Rong's heart pounded, her chest throbbing with a muffled thud. She wiped the sweat from her forehead, glanced at the bewildered child, gently stroked his phoenix eyes that resembled his father's, and shook her head.
"It's alright, Yu Nu, go back to sleep."
-
More than ten days later, Uncle Feng was also sent to Lin Rong's house by Du Heng.
"From now on, this old servant will follow the madam and the young master."
Uncle Feng said with a smile, looking quite proud.
He knew in his heart that the people Du Heng sent were Pei Zan's most trusted people, and it was his blessing to be trusted by his master!
Lin Rong was also very happy to see Uncle Feng. Although she hadn't gone out much recently, the large vat at home was still stocked with winter vegetables and mutton.
Lin Rong delivered the cooked mutton soup to Aunt Zhang and Yang Feng's house, then took out the pot and sat down with Uncle Feng to cook vegetables in the mutton soup.
Pei Jiashu's tastes really followed Lin Rong's; he even ate the strong-smelling offal. Lin Rong cooked him some lamb liver, some lamb heart, and some winter melon grown in the greenhouse.
Pei Jiashu felt sleepy after a few bites, so Lin Rong helped him wash up and put the child to sleep first.
Back at the dinner table, Uncle Feng had already heated up some rice wine on a small stove.
Having eaten and drunk a lot today, Uncle Feng was in high spirits and even started talking to Lin Rong about Pei Zan's childhood.
“This old servant has served the young master since he was a child… The young master wasn’t always so stern when he was little. It was his aunt who was too cruel. Whenever the young master smiled, she would beat him with a ruler and a cane. He was only three or four years old, and the young master was so big. There wasn’t a single good piece of flesh on his legs and arms.”
Because Pei Zan's birth mother was depressed every day, she couldn't bear to see her son happy. She felt that her son resembled his father and was just there to fool and laugh at her.
Lin Rong was unaware that Pei Zan had such a past in his youth. In her memory, when she first met Pei Zan, he was already a serious and invulnerable person. She never imagined that he would also have weak and incompetent moments, and that he could cry and laugh.
"Later, the eldest young master was taken in by the first wife. The first wife only had this one child, so naturally she dared not slack off. The eldest young master could only stay in the inner quarters reading all day long. When his cousins came to play, he could not step out of the study. If he did not finish practicing with several vats of water, the first wife would punish him..."
"To make a seven or eight-year-old child obey, the inner quarters have many methods. Without hitting or scolding, just making him hold snow until his fingers are frostbitten and then soaking them in hot water, the sudden change in temperature causes an unbearable stinging sensation on his fingertips. The First Madam used this method of both beating and jujubes to finally force the eldest young master to obey her every word, and also let him know that if you want to control your subordinates, you can't survive without ruthless methods..."
After that, Pei Zan changed.
He neither laughs nor gets angry; he shows no pity for anyone, nor does he rely on anyone's kindness.
To survive in such a filthy and treacherous inner court, he had to ensure that the servants were obedient and did not harbor any ill intentions. He could only make people know the price of hurting him, which would be a thousand times, ten thousand times more painful... Only by making people fear him could Pei Zan survive in a world that was already treating him badly.
Lin Rong remained silent for a long time, her heart filled with countless emotions.
It turns out that evil spirits are not born with a liking for devouring the flesh and blood of mortals.
It turns out that before evil spirits fell into demonic possession, they were just mortal infants.
At that moment, Lin Rong felt that she and Pei Zan had some similarities.
He was imprisoned in his home and confined to the capital, while she had long since broken free of her shackles and gained her freedom.
Pei Zan had never seen the outside world, nor did he know how interesting those ordinary, mundane things in the city were.
She could take him to try street food, take him to stroll through the Tucheng market at night, take him to the valley grasslands, where they could herd horses and sleep in the open while listening to the wind... Whether he liked it or not, she always had to try things to know.
Lin Rong was willing to have a future with Pei Zan, waiting only for the day he returned in triumph.
-
Three months have passed, and the once prosperous Tulou is now dilapidated, with broken tiles and gravel, as well as corpses and blood everywhere.
The campaign to defend the Western Regions has finally come to an end. Pei Zan recruited strong men from the Hu and Yi tribes, deployed troops, and used the fine iron and steel swords produced in the small border countries to defend the city, kill the enemy, and break through enemy lines.
With the combined efforts of Hu and Wei, they finally drove the foreign enemies out of their homeland.
The Northern Rong and Tubo were repeatedly defeated by Pei Zan's troops, suffering countless casualties. They would need at least five years to recover before they could start fighting again.
The people of Hu were overjoyed and moved to tears by this great victory. They not only worshipped the direction of Pei Zan's tent, but also spontaneously created a golden statue of Pei Zan as a war god, burning incense day and night to pray for peace in their homes.
When Pei Zan learned of this, he laughed in anger, feeling no gratitude whatsoever, only a sense of bad luck... Who eats incense offerings while still alive? Isn't this cursing him to die?
But Pei Zan glanced at his right hand, which was still recovering from its injury, and thought of the great battle a few days ago, when he swung his sword to meet the enemy, only to have his sword knocked away for the first time.
The protective sword was deeply embedded in the sand...
If Pei Zan hadn't been so competitive that he dismounted, mustered his strength, and with his sword held high, swiftly beheaded the barbarian general, he would have truly lost face in front of his soldiers.
Despite the excruciating pain in his shoulder and arm, Pei Zan took out a dagger to cut away the rotten flesh, then applied medicine and bandaged it, before taking out the sachet of peace that Lin Rong had given him.
The medical doctor said that Pei Zan's shoulder injury had become ulcerated, and the evil wind had already invaded his body, damaging his heart and internal organs. If the wound could not heal, he probably did not have much time left.
"My days are numbered..."
Pei Zan clenched his fists, his eyes revealing a cold glint.
No wonder he's been feeling so weak lately; is his death imminent?
Pei Zan thought for a moment, then slightly raised the corners of his mouth. The smile was fleeting, melting away faster than a thin layer of snow.
I never knew I was so afraid of death; the thought of being buried in the earth actually makes me feel a little reluctant.
Pei Zan propped himself up on the couch with one hand.
With a single whistle, he summoned two carrier falcons into the tent.
While he still has a breath left, he must arrange a schedule for Lin Rong and Yu Nu. Once he dies, Western Wei will be in chaos, and he will have no chance to protect his wife and children's lives.
Although it was a regrettable thing that he couldn't die by Lin Rong's side, Pei Zan's resentment was so strong that he could become a ghost and rule the mountain on the Bridge of Helplessness for ten or a hundred years.
Let's wait for him.
"Go." Pei Zan raised his hand and released the carrier hawk.
The eagles and falcons hold their heads high and soar into the sky.
Pei Zan watched the black eagle depart, letting it roam freely between heaven and earth.
This falcon named Suanzao is intelligent and loyal, and only recognizes Pei Jiashu as its master.
Sour Jujube will avoid danger and successfully return the peace sachet to Lin Rong.
-
By the time Lin Rong received the sachet, it was already early February.
As the winter snow melts, all things revive. Emerald mountains and dark peaks are adorned with clusters of apricot and pear blossoms, blooming in profusion, creating a fragrant and delightful season.
When news of the victory reached Liangzhou, every household lit fireworks and set off firecrackers to celebrate the Wei army's triumph. The people were filled with pride and honor, feeling that Pei Zan's military prowess was so great that even in the distant lands of the Hu, he could bring glory to our nation.
Yang Feng and Aunt Zhang were also happy; a peaceful and safe family, free from disaster and pain, was happiness.
They were all talking about it, and even planned to cook mutton that night to celebrate the peaceful and prosperous times.
Lin Rong didn't join in the fun; she stayed inside and didn't come out for a long time.
Pei Jiashu grew another year older and became bolder. He insisted on riding Sesame for a ride around town. Lin Rong didn't stop him, but only asked Uncle Feng to watch over him to prevent the child from falling off the horse and injuring his hands and feet.
At first, Lin Rong didn't understand Du Heng's meaning... Hadn't Pei Zan won? Why was he still forcing her to make a decision?
When Lin Rong saw the "Peace" sachet, she finally understood Pei Zan's plan.
Pei Zan was dying, but he was barely holding on, thinking of leaving a way out for his wife and children.
Lin Rong didn't know what to say. She thought she was heartless and that even if Pei Zan fell into a pool of blood, she wouldn't feel the slightest bit soft-hearted.
But as she clutched the worn-out, faded sachet, a slight soreness welled up in her eyes.
"Is his right arm injured? I noticed his right hand is weak, so the injury must be serious..."
That day, Pei Zan used his left hand to hold his son, and Lin Rong guessed what was going on.
But since he didn't say, she didn't ask.
Lin Rong thought that evil deeds could last a thousand years, and that Pei Zan wouldn't die so easily.
But he was still a human being; he would feel pain, get hurt, and bleed. One day he would also breathe his last, turn into bones, and be buried deep in the ground.
Du Heng didn't speak, but he was surprised by Lin Rong's keen insight.
Lin Rong understood, and she said, "Let's go out to sea."
Only in this way could she save Yu Nu's life.
Lin Rong is ignorant of state affairs, and she will definitely be at a disadvantage in a battle with those seasoned officials. It would be better for her to withdraw from the game as soon as possible and find a way to make a living with her child.
Lin Rong grasped the sachet and examined it carefully for a while.
The sachet had always hung on Pei Zan's waist. After wearing it for a long time, the edges had become frayed and it was always worn. This piece of silk was old, but the surface was very clean, without any bloodstains or dirt.
With such meticulous care, I wonder how Pei Zan protected it.
-
Two weeks later, Lin Rong dreamed of the snowy night from many years ago again.
She was still a wounded and battered child, kneeling in the snow to be executed.
Each lash of the whip landed on Lin Rong's shoulders and back, the splattered blood freezing in the frost and snow, turning into drops of red ice.
A carriage with a green curtain stopped in front of her. Inside, a man with jade-like fingers lifted the curtain, his green robe sweeping the ground. It was Pei Zan, who was fifteen years old.
Pei Zan was heartless, desireless, and devoid of pity.
He frowned at Lin Rong, simply because he noticed her filth and blood.
"No bloodshed on New Year's Eve, do not harm anyone."
Upon hearing Pei Zan's cool, deep voice, Lin Rong mistakenly thought he was Guanyin Bodhisattva, the Bodhisattva of Compassion who saves the world.
The Buddha is near at hand, and the Bodhisattva has compassion for all people.
Lin Rong subconsciously reached out and grabbed his robe.
The girl's thin fingers gripped the blue shirt so tightly that it became stained with specks of blood.
“Pei Zan…”
Lin Rong didn't know where the strength or memory came from.
She took a deep breath, held it, and shouted through the vast snowstorm, "Pei Zan!"
The girl's voice was shrill and heart-wrenching.
The frost and snow stopped, and the world was silent.
Pei Zan stopped walking towards the Pei residence; a crack had appeared in his heart.
He let Lin Rong restrain him, let Lin Rong tug at his clothes, he did not shove her away.
The snow began to fall again, flakes of snow dancing in the air, as delicate as apricot blossoms, as fine as dust.
The strong scent of sandalwood filled Lin Rong's nostrils.
Lin Rong was suddenly overwhelmed by immense sorrow. She was swallowed by that strange, strong fragrance. She gripped the man's robe tightly, her fingers tightening, refusing to let go.
"Pei Zan...don't go."
The sandalwood scent lingers on the tip of the nose, becoming ever more vibrant and delicate.
As if sensing something, Lin Rong opened her eyes from her dream.
The next moment, Lin Rong looked up and saw a handsome face as pale as snow.
She suspected it was a dream and dared not move.
The man was pleased with his seemingly dazed and foolish wife.
Pei Zan's thin lips curled slightly, his phoenix eyes smiling. He swept Lin Rong up in his arms and asked her in a low voice, "Are you thinking of me in your dreams too?"
Lin Rong looked at that haggard face, her fingers trembling, her shoulders shaking. She lightly pinched her thigh to confirm that what she was seeing was not a dream...
Lin Rong burst into tears for no apparent reason. Her nose turned red, and she cupped Pei Zan's thin chin in her hands, gently stroking it twice to feel the man's cold body temperature.
"How come you... are back?"
She hadn't even had a chance to leave yet.
Pei Zan smiled and gently stroked Lin Rong's face with his still strong left arm. "I'm still not a good person in this life... Rather than die alone, I'd rather die by your side."
This way, Lin Rong will remember him, cherish him, and never forget him.
Lin Rong's tears rolled down her cheeks. She was amused and annoyed by Pei Zan's words, feeling both sad and helpless: "Thank you for coming back... at least you didn't break your promise."
It's good to be home. Whether you live or die, what does it matter?
Pei Zan sighed softly, then hugged Lin Rong tightly, as if she were a priceless treasure.
He was also unusually emotional, and said, "I am also lucky. This time when I returned home, my wife did not run away again."
(End of text)
Author's Note: After some thought, I've decided to stop here. The later epilogues will continue the story from the main narrative; they won't be purely side stories, but rather depict the daily life of our family of three. Don't worry, bad guys live long lives, Pei Zan won't die!
However, I might continue updating the extra chapters on Thursday, so please wait a little longer! If I update them earlier, consider it a surprise...
It's very likely that after writing the extra chapter next week, we'll be done~
I might start a fantasy novel, or I might just start writing my next novel, a story of forced acquisition and robbery. We'll see when that happens.
The synopsis for the fantasy novel has been released. It's a story that's a bit risqué and a bit cheesy. The synopsis sounds a bit cheesy, but the actual text might be too. However, I always put a lot of effort into writing something that's supposed to be relaxing, so I'll take another look. Anyway, I'm releasing the synopsis for everyone to see. You can check it out [let me see]. It mainly focuses on the restriction system, cough cough.
Can an Honest Man Also Be the Sweetheart of a World-Destroying Villain? - by Grass Lamp Master
Male dominant, female submissive | Both virgins | Primarily focused on romance
Honest, laid-back junior sister x World-destroying, yandere junior brother
In her past life, Yao Yin died on her eighteenth birthday.
Her fellow disciples faced her with swords, and eighteen Soul-Shattering Nails pierced her soul, killing her in the Soul-Destroying Pool.
Yao Yin couldn't understand how her former fellow disciple, who had once doted on her, could stand by and watch her fall in a pool of blood.
It wasn't until Yao Yin's soul was destroyed and her body was taken over that they realized... she was just a substitute for their junior sister Jiang Yaoyu.
The master brought Yao Yin to the immortal mountain not out of pity, but out of compassion for her, an orphan girl with no one to rely on in the world.
He merely stole her bloodline to build a soul for his beloved disciple.
It turns out that Yao Yin was just a cannon fodder female supporting character in a small world of cultivation.
Because she reconstructed the body of the female lead Jiang Yaoyu, she gained the sympathy of the heavens and finally succeeded in becoming the tragic second female lead.
Yao Yin: Jin my ass! ^ ^
-
After being reborn, Yao Yin realized that in her previous life, Jiang Yaoyu had encountered a villainous and troublesome man named Xie Chaoyu that she could never win over.
The male and female protagonists not only defeated him, but were also forced to start a second life.
In this life, Yao Yin decides to ignore the tumultuous love and hate entanglements of the main characters and diligently play her role as an ordinary passerby.
Unexpectedly, a demon claiming to be the "Cannon Fodder Female Supporting Character's Counterattack System" became entangled with Yao Yin.
"Weren't you wronged to die after being tormented by the protagonist group in your past life? Aren't you very unwilling?! It's okay, we can rise from the ashes! As long as we defeat Xie Chaoyu, we can defeat the protagonist group!"
Yao Yin was eager to make a move. She was familiar with this business; it was simply a matter of influencing people with love and persuading them with affection. The enemy of my enemy is my friend!
Until the arrival of the first task.
[Don't talk to Xie Chaoyu for more than three minutes.]
Yao Yin: ...Why don't you just kill me? ^ ^
[Reading Reminder]
1. This is a cultivation novel, unconventional and unorthodox, focusing primarily on romance.
2. Male protagonist is stronger than female protagonist, focusing on romance. The system is somewhat restricted, so please disregard it.
A red gem dropped! Thank you everyone for coming this far, see you Thursday! Don't worry, I'll give the story a happy ending =3=
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