Chapter 7: The Lu Family Army Did Not Retreat and Die
Suddenly, there was a notification from outside the door, followed by a slightly domineering voice.
"Why is Sixth Sister here?" Qin Qinqin was dressed very cleverly, and the overall look was plain and simple, but if you look closely, both the clothes and the shawl were decorated with gold thread patterns, and the hair on her head was also decorated with round and shiny pearls.
"Greetings, Father and Mother. I'm late, so I'll drink a glass as a punishment." Qin Qinqin picked up the wine handed to her by the maid, drank it with a smile, then looked at Qin Yuqing and blinked.
"I never thought that Qin'er and Qing'er knew each other so well. They are really destined to meet." The emperor spoke with a smile. Although it was just a casual chat, it gave people an inexplicable sense of oppression.
Qin Yuqing keenly sensed that the emperor was somewhat unhappy, but was he unhappy for himself? Or for something else?
"Your Majesty, please bear with me." The Queen saw that something was wrong and immediately said, "It's just fate."
She knew that the emperor's words were worth a thousand pieces of gold. Since he had decided that Qin Yuqing would live in the temple when she was young, then Qin Yuqing, who had lived in the harem, was "dead". Then how did Qin Qinqin, who had lived in the palace since childhood, become familiar with Qin Yuqing?
So he said, "Yuqing is a filial child. Not long ago, he was praying for Chen Cairen in the temple and happened to meet Qin'er. That's how they got to know each other."
The emperor took a sip of his wine and chuckled, "These two children have similar names. I think they will become good friends."
Qin Yuqing and Qin Qinqin breathed a sigh of relief at the same time. Although they didn't know why the emperor was angry at first, they both understood the moment the queen opened her mouth.
"Everyone, please take a seat." The emperor pointed to a seat not far away and said, "Since Qing'er and Qin'er know each other, they can sit together. You can sit next to You'er."
The eunuch moved the seat next to Qin Youran, and then Qin Yuqing and Qin Qinqin sat behind her.
"Fifth sister, happy birthday. This is a little gift from your sister." Qin Qinqin handed over a small and exquisite doll.
Qin Yuqing took a look, lowered her eyes and smiled silently. That's right. How could she not take revenge on those who cooperated with her?
But what a coincidence, she also prepared a similar one, but she wondered if Fourth Sister would mind?
Probably, you won't mind.
However, Qin Youran hid more than she imagined.
Qin Youran took the doll with a delighted look on her face, unable to suppress her joy as she said, "Thank you for the gift, Fourth Sister. I like it very much. I've already sent the gift for you, Sister. I wonder if you've seen it?"
"How could I not see it? It's such a big gift. I like it very much." Qin Qinqin turned to look at Qin Yuqing and asked with a smile, "It's so big that even my sixth sister was scared."
Qin Yuqing smiled and nodded, then said in a serious and somewhat embarrassed tone, "Fifth sister, I have only recently arrived in the capital. After learning about your birthday, I specially prepared a gift for you. I think you will see it after the birthday party."
"Really? Then I'm looking forward to your gift." Qin Youran deliberately emphasized the word "gift".
"As long as my sister likes it."
Qin Yuqing couldn't find any evidence linking Qin Youran to the scarecrow doll, and presumably the same couldn't be said for Qin Qinqin. The story about Qin Youran was just her and Qin Qinqin's speculation, and without proof, all speculation was just conjecture.
At the birthday party, people of all kinds are hidden under the wine and drinks, and their faces and intentions cannot be seen clearly.
When the birthday party was halfway through, a man covered in blood suddenly rushed in, and many people were frightened and took a few steps back.
"Who is this person?"
"Why are you running here covered in blood?"
"Isn't it unlucky? You come here like this on such a happy day, and don't you even know how to wash and change clothes?"
Qin Yuqing listened to the discussions around her, then looked at the emperor sitting high on the throne. There was helpless sadness in his eyes.
Yes, how could a virtuous emperor not recognize the soldiers who defended the country?
"Your Majesty, Suicheng has been defended." As he spoke, his voice choked with sobs and his body trembled continuously. He pulled out a piece of red paper from his bosom and said sadly, "The soldiers defending the city, General Lu Zhong, he, he, he."
"How is General Lu? Come, help young soldier Lu Lian to his seat." The emperor waved his hand, and the eunuch beside him brought a chair with a cushion on it and carefully helped Lu Lian to his seat.
Lu Lian smiled bitterly and waved to the eunuchs. The eunuchs looked at their bloody hands and seemed to understand something. They just bowed respectfully, shook their heads at the emperor, and then stood aside.
"Your Majesty cares about the world, the people, and the soldiers. Lu Lian dares to express his gratitude on their behalf." As he spoke, Lu Lian coughed violently, and dark red blood flowed from the corners of his mouth onto the ground. He slowed down and continued.
"General Lu Zhong asked his subordinates to convey that the Lu family has been defended."
"Okay, okay, you are worthy of being Lord Lu." Although the emperor spoke with a smile, Qin Yuqing could feel the sadness lingering around him growing heavier.
"I have one more thing to ask for your attention, Your Majesty." Lu Lian handed the paper to the eunuch beside her, who then handed it to the emperor.
The emperor closed his eyes after reading it, then folded the paper and put it into his sleeve. He then looked at Lu Lian and said, "You have performed a great service this time. What reward do you want?"
Lu Lian covered his mouth with his hands to try to suppress his cough, but blood still flowed out through his fingers.
"General Lu Zhong died on the battlefield. I beg Your Majesty to order the return of General Lu's soul. In his final moments, General Lu said he missed the maple tree in the Lu family courtyard. He thought if we won this battle, he could go back and see the maple leaves, but he never expected that!"
There was a moment of silence in the hall. Those who had been complaining about the fishy smell just now shut their mouths. They lowered their heads guiltily, sipping the wine in their hands, and no one spoke.
"Father." Qin Yuqing walked out, straightening her back and kneeling with her back to Lu Lian. She said sincerely, "We must not let the soldiers lose heart. You taught me that unless it is absolutely necessary, not a single one should be abandoned."
As Qin Yuqing knelt down, Lu Jingchuan, who wanted to walk out, was stopped by his father. Lu Lian, who was sitting in the middle of the hall, shook her head at Lu Jingchuan.
Lu Lian looked at the woman in front of him. He had just seen her face. He remembered this woman. He had seen her somewhere before.
"I agree." Tears welled up in the emperor's eyes.
Qin Yuqing didn't know why the plot had changed. In the original book, someone did come here to report military intelligence, but that person rode a horse at full speed to Beijing, and Suicheng was not defended.
Because a traitor appeared in the city, although it was to pave the way for how the male protagonist of the original book would regain the lost territory later, she was still a little unhappy with the plot. Since it could be kept, why must it be lost? Why must innocent people be sacrificed for the male protagonist?
Lu Lian smiled, his eyes swept across the emperor, then saw the Lu family members standing beside him, and then lingered on the woman's back for a moment. Finally, he looked up at the beams and chuckled, as if talking to himself, or to everyone.
"The soldiers did not retreat."
"The Lu family army did not retreat."
“We didn’t retreat.”
Lu Lian no longer had the strength to cover his mouth. Blood was dripping from his mouth, and the cushion he was sitting on was already soaked with blood.
"We haven't been together for a long time." Lu Lian wanted to reach out and grab the candlelight which was a little dazzling to him, but he really didn't have the strength. He was so tired and wanted to sleep for a while longer.
General Lu, Lu Lian is a little sleepy. Let Lu Lian take a nap and be a "deserter".
"I see such a bright candlelight." Lu Lian slowly closed his eyes, with a smile on his lips, leaving the last sentence.
“So warm.”
The hall fell into a long silence. This was the first time that Qin Yuqing realized what a heroic sacrifice was. He realized that if there had been no war, if there had not been these intrigues, the city would not have been lost and the soldiers would not have sacrificed.
If they had a kind heart, if they valued the lives of their soldiers a little more, even just a little bit, they would not have committed treason.
Qin Yuqing looked through the emperor and at the throne behind him. This time, she was not driven by the system, she really wanted to sit on that position.
The plot has completely shifted. Now the city has been defended and the traitors have been caught.
She had looked at the topographic map yesterday. Suicheng is located in the mountains, which is easy to defend and difficult to attack. It is also a place that military strategists must fight for, because this place is like the last line of defense. As long as Suicheng is lost, there will be a plain area behind it that can be marched straight into.
Now the traitors have been caught, and there should be some relevant information in that piece of paper. Judging from the emperor's actions, he believes Lu Lian's words and the Lu family army, so at least some of the emperor's hostility towards the Lu family can be eliminated.
Qin Yuqing thought for a moment. Just as she was about to speak, to take the initiative and seize the initiative, she heard the emperor say in a deep voice, "Lord Lu."
Lu Jingchuan helped Lu's father out, and then they both knelt down.
"I understand your grief, but the city cannot be left without a master for a day. In my opinion, let Jingchuan defend the city."
When Qin Yuqing heard His Majesty's words, she lowered her eyes, and her long eyelashes hid the emotions in her eyes. She was now in a world of novels. Since it was a world of novels, even if some details of the plot changed, the general direction remained unchanged.
What she needs to do is to make a big move that can change this court, this dynasty, and this world, and make the world's concept change. But is there anything now that can make such a huge change happen?
Qin Yuqing was in deep thought. She thought of the second task issued by the system, escaping, and the third task, participating in the imperial examination. She thought she might understand what the system meant.
"Your Majesty, please reconsider. Jingchuan has never left the capital, let alone the border. He is not up to the task!" Father Lu's voice was filled with the sorrow of losing a loved one, but he had to force himself to continue, "I hope Your Majesty will reconsider."
"Lu Jingchuan, what do you think?" The emperor ignored what Lu's father said and left the choice to Lu Jingchuan.
Qin Yuqing sighed slightly. Lu Jingchuan would definitely agree. He was a loyal man to his country. Witnessing his loved ones die in front of him would undoubtedly intensify his inner emotions.
Even people in the world of novels have their own feelings. Qin Yuqing can't control other people's emotions. However, if she agrees, then the cooperation may have to be reconsidered.
After all, how could a border soldier help her participate in the imperial examination?
But Qin Yuqing didn't expect that the moment Lu Jingchuan opened his mouth to speak, His Majesty suddenly interrupted Lu Jingchuan. He took out the paper again, glanced at it, and sighed: "Lord Lu, what you said makes sense. I was not considerate enough."
Qin Yuqing didn't know why the emperor changed his mind, but at least the cooperation could continue.
"It would be more useful for Jingchuan to stay in the capital. After all, the young prince still needs his martial arts training." The emperor changed the subject and looked at the man standing at the back of the crowd and continued, "I remember that Jingchuan has a younger brother who has lived in the border since he was a child."
"Your Majesty! Jingyu has just returned to the capital. Not to mention that the two brothers haven't been together for a long time, Jingchuan's personality is too dull. He can only make a small contribution in the capital. I hope Your Majesty will choose another good general."
"Since Lord Lu said so." The emperor's gaze suddenly turned to Qin Yuqing, with an emotion in his eyes that Qin Yuqing could not understand.
Qin Yuqing had a bad feeling in her heart. No, wait, could this matter involve her?
"Qing'er has a lively and open-minded personality, which complements Jingchuan perfectly."
Qin Yuqing subconsciously turned her head to look at Lu Jingchuan who was also looking at her. Both of them had shock in their eyes.
"Today is also an auspicious time, why not grant you two a marriage?"
Qin Yuqing: No! How on earth did this get linked to her?
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