Chapter 707: A Strong Woman Afraid of a Clinging Man
Shi Lin couldn't help rolling his eyes when he saw Di Tao's silly smile on his face again, and he was staring at Xue Ru in the room over there like a stone looking at his wife.
He didn't understand what was going on between Princess Xiangning and Miss Xue, nor did he understand why she was so protective of Princess Xiangning, but...
Shi Lin said, "Major General, we've been standing here watching for a while, and there's no one else around. Why don't you go over and talk to Miss Xue?"
Di Tao's heart was moved, but his smile faded: "No more talk."
stone forest:"?"
Why are you climbing over the wall here in the middle of the night?
When should I look at my wife's stone?
Di Tao watched Xue Ru enter the house. The dark room was filled with light, which stretched her shadow long and fell on the window. He pursed his lips, and a look of loss appeared on his face.
He had always known that Xue Ru didn't like him, but he had always thought it was just the reserve of a young girl, so he kept pestering her.
Until a few days ago, Xue Ru rejected him in person, and cut off all his thoughts with a gentle yet cold tone. She was just short of saying that she didn't like him and had never planned to marry him. After that day, Xue Ru had been avoiding him, no longer agreeing to go out with him alone, and sometimes even avoiding him.
Di Tao was deeply shocked and it took him a long time to recover. He no longer dared to approach others as shamelessly as before.
He knew about Xue Ru's past, and also knew about her miserable past before she was taken to Jiyun Lane. He felt that Xue Ru didn't like him, it must be because he was too unreliable before, and because he had not achieved anything yet and relied entirely on the protection of his parents, he did not have enough ability for her to feel that she could rely on him.
Di Tao patted his face and cheered himself up again.
It's just a one-time refusal, it's nothing. When he comes back from the South and gets rewarded for his achievements, Aju might change his mind.
The book says it all, a virtuous woman is afraid of a clingy man.
As long as he keeps working hard, he will be able to impress Aju sooner or later and make her look at him differently!
Di Tao seemed to imagine the way Xue Ru would call him "husband" after they got married and had children, and he couldn't help laughing.
Shi Lin shuddered violently, and seeing his silly smile, he quickly took a half step back.
When Di Tao came to his senses, he grabbed Shi Lin and walked out: "Let's go!"
Shi Lin followed Di Tao over the wall in with a puzzled look on his face, and then followed him over the wall out. When they stood outside Rongsheng Academy, feeling the biting cold wind, Shi Lin had no expression on his face.
"What are you standing there for?" Di Tao turned his head.
Shi Lin said indifferently: "Drink the wind."
Di Tao: "...are you crazy?"
Shi Lin: "No, it was supported."
He had nothing better to do than climb over the wall in the middle of the night and peek at other people's girls without even saying a word. He's simply bored!
There was a cool breeze outside. Xue Ru glanced towards the courtyard wall as if sensing something, and saw that it was pitch black under the cover of night, with only a little moonlight faintly falling in the courtyard.
Wu Er came in carrying a charcoal basket and subconsciously glanced over there: "Girl, what's wrong?"
"nothing."
Xue Ru withdrew her gaze. How could anyone come here so late? Moreover, there were guards inside and outside Shengningju. Her sister also asked the emperor to send secret guards to protect them. Who could come in quietly?
Xue Ru shook her head and laughed. She reached out and pulled the window door a little closer, leaving a gap about the width of her palm. She then went to the other side and did the same to allow for ventilation. Then she said to Wu Er, "Hurry up and add some charcoal. The fire we left during the day hasn't gone out yet."
"Okay, I'll go right away."
…
Outside Shengning Residence, two figures appeared where Di Tao left.
"This young General Di is becoming more and more skilled at climbing over walls, but he's a bit timid, not even as good as our Brother Hang. But if he wants to steal Brother Hang's girl, shouldn't we stop him?"
"Why stop her? Madam Ru is not married yet. Besides, Brother Hang said before he left Beijing that as long as General Di doesn't harass Madam Ru or act excessively, he can do whatever he wants."
It's just a matter of climbing over the wall to take a look, no big deal.
After all, how could Brother Hang lose to a coward who didn't even dare to talk to Madam Ru?
"It seems like fewer people are going to the academy these past two days."
"How could it be less? The two people we captured the other day had their legs broken and thrown in front of the old man from the Fan family's bed. If they don't restrain themselves, will the master forgive them?"
"That's right, but you still have to be careful not to let anyone take advantage of you."
"Know."
The two spoke in low voices, their whispers almost blending into the night wind. After a few simple words, they shut up at the same time. Then, just like when they appeared, they disappeared silently from the spot and merged into the night. Silence returned to Shengningju inside and outside.
…
The movements of the four camps outside the capital could not be concealed from the people in the court. It was common knowledge that the new emperor held the Dragon Jade Order and could command the Zhen'an Army and the Longting Guard. As the son of the Zhen'an Army commander, it was almost tacitly accepted that Di Tao, who had said he was returning to the capital "as a hostage", was his man.
Hearing that Di Tao had suddenly called up troops, and the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War also suddenly raised supplies of horses, military supplies, and food, many people went around asking around, thinking that the new emperor was going to make another move. Especially those from the aristocratic families who were already uneasy, they even asked the captain of the fourth battalion privately.
After learning about this, Di Tao simply said, "Recently, after a heavy snowfall outside the capital, banditry has been wreaking havoc, affecting the countryside. Your Majesty has ordered me to lead troops out of the capital to suppress the bandits and, while doing so, to inspect the towns and cities surrounding the capital."
"What's there to patrol around here?" the captain asked in a low voice.
"What do you think?"
Di Tao glanced at the man and said, "Have you forgotten how Lu Jiuan's troops besieged Lucheng and nearly trapped His Majesty to death? Now that the war in the south is already won, who knows if that bastard Lu Jiuan will take the risk of launching a surprise attack on the capital after Prince Pingshan is captured."
"The Lunar New Year is coming soon. If something goes wrong, no one will be able to stay calm."
Not long after Di Tao's words were spoken, they were spread outside. Some people were relieved, while others still suspected it was an excuse. However, when they learned that Di Tao had only taken away 3,000 people and did not touch the foundation of the Fourth Battalion, the remaining nearly 20,000 people of the Fourth Battalion still stayed in the camp to guard the capital, and not much other military supplies were taken away.
Those who were originally in a state of panic finally calmed down.
It was two days later when Di Tao and his companions prepared everything to leave Beijing. Qi Cheng did not go with them, but instead used the excuse of visiting a friend to leave Beijing and traveled with Fu Laiqing.
Fu Laiqing looked at his friend, who was dressed lightly, and asked in a low voice, "It's so cold, didn't you bring some more clothes and food?"
Qi Cheng said casually: "This time we are going to travel at full speed, and we have to get to Fenglin County in the shortest time. We will hardly stop on the way. Di Tao and the others have already brought clothes and food. I will just meet up with them later." Bringing too many things will slow down the journey.
Fu Laiqing couldn't help but frown when he heard this: "Since His Majesty asked you to go with Di Tao to quell the rebellion, why are you sneaking around and avoiding people?"
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