Chapter 139 Regret
While the dramatic farewell scene was unfolding along the ten-mile stretch of the lower Yellow River, Qizhou City was also bustling with activity.
Xiao Cong and Zhou Jin are natural enemies.
Since parting ways at Shili Pavilion outside the south gate of the capital, their reunion was still filled with tension.
Inside the teahouse, the two sat by the window, each with a guard standing behind them.
A strong wind and drizzling rain.
Under the rain curtain below the teahouse, the two sides were clearly divided into two camps.
Xiao Cong smoothly brewed tea for Zhou Jin.
At first, Zhou Jin didn't pay any attention.
It wasn't until Xiao Cong plucked a sprig of the lingering flower and placed it in the teapot that they began to pour the tea into cups.
He raised his indifferent eyes and shot a cold, emotionless gaze at the person opposite him.
"The early winter scenery is chilly, but a touch of spring is added."
Xiao Cong pushed the cup in front of Zhou Jin.
"The 'wandering flower' can soothe the liver and relieve depression, making it suitable for regulating emotions."
Li Qu enjoys adding flowers to her tea.
Xiao Cong knew how to anger Zhou Jin.
Zhou Jin leaned back in his chair, his elbow casually draped over his shoulder.
Where is Li Rong?
"I'm in a hurry to go back and help Aqu take care of the children. I don't have the leisure to have tea with the prince."
Zhou Jin's knife was more direct.
Xiao Cong adopted a more composed demeanor: "With the Zhou family withdrawing from Fengxiang Prefecture, everything is negotiable."
"Things earned through one's own abilities should not be given away easily."
A double entendre.
“Things that don’t belong to Uncle will always be returned to their rightful owner.”
"These words are returned to your Xiao royal family. They are not yours, yet you have occupied them for three hundred years. They should be returned to their rightful owner."
"Uncle, you are so righteous, you should support the former dynasty, after all, this world once belonged to the former dynasty."
Zhou Jin disliked verbal disputes the most.
He kept quiet and waited silently.
In the rain, Zhou Jin's men went to search for Li Rong, Huai Yan, and the others.
Xiao Cong was also waiting quietly.
They used Li Rong to catch Zhou Jin, this fish.
The purpose was to plant a spy in Qizhou City by Zhou Jin.
"'Why must one eat carp from the Yellow River when eating fish?' Uncle, you've come to Qizhou and haven't even tasted Yellow River carp yet?"
Zhou Jin doesn't need to answer.
Xiao Cong picked up his teacup: "It tastes delicious."
"Uncle, if you have the chance, you can catch one yourself. It tastes so good that no one else can cook it."
Zhou Jin: "No rush. From now on, we can fish whenever we want to eat, without having to savor the increasingly bland taste in our memories."
Xiao Cong took a sip of tea.
"The scenery downstream for ten miles is infinitely beautiful."
"Uncle, her heart is ultimately not with you."
"She kept her appointment, Uncle, are you aware?"
Zhou Jin knew that Li Qu had received a letter yesterday.
However, since Li Qu didn't bring it up, he didn't ask.
She was still at home when he left the south bank.
However, after arriving in Qizhou City, he did not meet with Xiao Cong immediately.
They do have time to meet.
Even though he knew this might be Xiao Cong's deliberate provocation.
But Zhou Jin was indeed provoked.
The short-tempered Master Zhou kicked the tea table in front of him.
Xiao Cong rudely threw the teacup in his hand at Zhou Jin.
Zhou Jin leaned back as he kicked the tea table, dodging the attack of the teacup in Xiao Cong's hand.
Xiao You and the others behind Xiao Cong acted in time, dragging Xiao Cong and the chair back together.
The flying tea table was stopped by Xiaoyou.
The scene quieted down, and the guards on both sides stood in front of their master, weapons in hand.
Just then, Huaiyan's voice came from downstairs.
"Third Master, the Second Miss said that the Prince of Yan's heir sent her ten miles downstream, and from there he would send her south."
"The second young lady also said that the young master would not harm her, and that we servants need not worry."
Huaiyan and the others were rescued.
However, Zhou Jin was not happy.
Why wouldn't Xiao Cong harm Li Rong?
The answer is obvious.
Moreover, there is a very high probability that she will leave the house and personally go to pick up Li Rong.
Did they really meet?
Zhou Jin was so jealous he died!
He got up from the chair and turned to go downstairs.
Xiao Cong slowly stood up from the chair.
"Uncle, since you're here, make the best of it."
Seeing such a perfect opportunity to trap someone like a turtle in a jar, Xiao Cong made arrangements.
Zhou Jin replied, "Your Highness, you must also protect yourself."
The small buildings lining both sides of the street.
Both sides' crossbowmen aimed at their respective targets.
Zhou Jin also came prepared.
He went downstairs, leaving behind neither a straw hat nor a raincoat, and mounted his horse directly.
With a flick of the reins, he spurred his horse toward the south gate.
In Qizhou, there is Lin Zhongtian, a man who is difficult to win over, deeply guarded against the southern regions, and hard to kill, who has infiltrated military power.
For Zhou, it was already a useless move.
With Zhou Jin's shout of "Retreat!", the signal flare soared into the sky.
All the people from the south withdrew.
Xiao Cong stood by the window, watching his figure grow smaller and smaller in the distance.
But the person he was waiting for never showed up.
*
The newly appointed prefect of Qizhou is named He Chi.
At the age of fifty, he was promoted from the former Chief Administrator of Qizhou.
The previous prefect and deputy prefect of Qizhou died tragically.
He rose through the ranks with trepidation, worrying every day about whether he could successfully endure until retirement.
His power had long been usurped by Zhou Jin's men.
Later, when Lin Zhongtian arrived in Qizhou, he was caught between two sides and dared not offend either of them.
Although he held the title of prefect, he did not actually hold the position.
Although he was not in charge of the prefecture, he still held the title of prefect of a certain region.
News of various arrivals from the capital would reach his desk immediately.
He had just received news that the Emperor and several high-ranking officials of the Imperial Clan Court had been ordered to leave the capital to welcome Xiao Cong back to Beijing.
He Chi was being helped up to the teahouse.
Upon reaching the second floor, he looked up and saw a noble yet dignified young man glancing at him from the window.
In his nervousness, he tripped on the last step.
Fortunately, someone nearby helped him up, preventing him from falling.
That was extremely inappropriate and rude.
Upon reaching Xiao Cong, he quickly bowed to him.
"Qizhou has received an order from the Cabinet to place all military and defense matters in Qizhou under the command of Marquis Lin."
"Without Lin Hou's military orders, the various camps cannot be mobilized."
“Including the city gate guards…” He Chi’s voice trailed off, “They all obeyed the orders of Marquis Lin, not the orders of the prefect.”
Xiao Cong remained expressionless: "Where is Marquis Lin?"
"They left the city an hour ago."
He Chi spoke quickly: "This subordinate sent men to search the garrison outside the city."
"The reply from the other side is that an hour ago, Marquis Lin dispatched two thousand of his personal guards from the defense camp to travel south along the Yellow River. We don't know why."
"However, I have already sent men to search for them as quickly as possible."
By the time they returned, the daylily buds were already cold.
Xiao Cong turned and went downstairs.
Lin Xiaocong could not avoid Lin Zhongtian.
So what led Lin Zhongtian away was...
"A-Qu, you've ruined my plans."
*
To subdue Zhou Jin, Qizhou must be sealed off, and results must be achieved in a very short time.
Otherwise, the south bank would definitely send troops to its aid.
Xiao Cong himself did not have enough manpower.
He needs the cooperation of all the military forces in Qizhou.
He figured the news from the capital would reach He Chi's desk today.
So he had already sent a message to He Chi, asking He Chi and Lin Zhongtian to cooperate with him.
He Chi was not under the jurisdiction of the Prince of Yan, and the Prince of Yan's heir had no authority over him.
At first, he didn't take Xiao Cong's letter seriously.
But after receiving the letter from the capital, He Chi became unsettled.
I contacted Lin Zhongtian immediately.
Who would have thought Lin Zhongtian would leave the city!
Opportunities are fleeting.
It's cold.
*
Xiao Cong stood on the south gate tower, facing Zhou Jin, who was out of range below.
He did not attack Zhou Jin, because he knew he could not land a hit.
Zhou Jin did not take action against him, because taking action would do more harm than good.
After the exposed and visible forces in Qizhou City withdrew from the city, he waved to Huaiqiu.
Huaiqiu immediately presented ten large yellow crossbows.
In the distance, the sound of galloping hooves could be heard in the darkness.
Upon hearing this, those around Zhou Jin began to protect and defend him.
Zhou Jin nocked an arrow and drew his bow at Xiao Cong on the city wall.
The city wall guards can use a maximum of six-stone bows.
At this distance, the six-stone bow could not reach Zhou Jin.
However, Zhou Jin's ten-stone crossbow could pierce through Xiao Cong.
The torches swayed in the wind.
The indifferent man slightly raised his chin, and with a exertion of his arm, the large yellow crossbow's 'teeth' made a clicking sound as it released the bowstring.
The tension pushed up the man's soaked arm muscles.
With a 'whoosh', the crossbow bolt left the bowstring and shot straight at the figure perched high on the city wall.
A whooshing sound pierced the air.
"Master Zhou has a refined taste, and he has come to Qizhou City at night."
As the words fell, the crossbow bolt was intercepted mid-air by a red-tasseled spear that gleamed with silver light.
A divine act that no ordinary person could accomplish.
Lin Zhongtian returned with his men, rode his horse across the city gate, spurred his horse forward, and faced Zhou Jin.
He did not encounter He Chixun or anyone else, but he received the news from the capital earlier than He Chixun.
Protecting the lord of the Xiao clan was his faith.
Lin Zhongtian suddenly returned with his men.
Torches gradually lit up the night behind Zhou Jin.
His backup men, whom he had arranged outside the city, appeared and informed the enemy that they were prepared.
The firelight illuminated the world as bright as day.
It hints at the imposing atmosphere of two armies facing off.
Lin Zhongtian's deep voice rang out.
"Master Zhou, can't sleep? Or are you tired of the good life?"
Zhou Jin: "Lord Lin, how have you been?"
"Who told you not to come? We've never met before."
"So...you're alright?"
"Master Zhou's honey trap was brilliant, almost causing me to lose a son. How could I possibly be unharmed?"
Zhou Jin: "You failed to raise your child properly, yet you have the nerve to accuse the villain first?"
"Young people these days don't know how to respect the elderly when they speak."
Zhou Jin ignored him and turned his horse around to go home.
The torch followed him as he approached the Yellow River.
On the north bank of the Yellow River, Zhou's canal troops, with an overwhelming advantage, occupied the river and surrounded the Qizhou naval garrison in a bay.
It's like a middle school student cornering a kindergarten child against a wall.
They lack martial ethics.
As Zhou Jin boarded the ship, all the torches from the north bank were moved onto the boat. The ship headed south and disappeared into the fog.
The genius in the forest returned to the city.
On the city wall, the pale figure remained motionless from beginning to end.
*
Man proposes, God disposes.
Xiao Cong has achieved his goal of taking over Qizhou.
The wind and rain swept up his spotless robes.
The handsome man gazed in her direction.
Xiao Zuo went to his side to report.
"The Third Sister arrived by boat, with ten warships, and she did not personally disembark to carry out her duties."
"Your subordinates are incompetent and failed to find an opportunity to take the Third Sister away."
Xiao Zuo's voice was somewhat low.
"The carp that His Highness sent to the Third Miss has been delivered."
Xiao Cong remained silent; the raging wind could not dispel the regret that lingered in his heart.
She had no more attachments to the North.
It will be even more difficult to see them again in the future.
He never heard her say "Congratulations, Your Highness~".
Lin Zhongtian followed Xiao Zuo one step behind and then climbed the city wall.
When he arrived, he inexplicably sensed that the future ruler of the North looked very lonely.
He thought the young, soon-to-be emperor had regrettably let go of his destined nemesis.
He stepped forward, bowed, and then offered words of comfort.
"Your Highness, we lost our advantage when Master Zhou left the city."
"If we insist on starting a rebellion, we will be giving the Zhou family an excuse."
"Now that Fengxiang Prefecture has changed hands, it is not advisable to openly overturn the table."
Xiao Cong: "Do your best and leave the rest to fate."
“This time, destiny does not lie with me, Your Highness.”
“The mandate of heaven rests with the Xiao family.” Lin Zhongtian stood beside him, his gaze also falling into the distance.
He couldn't fathom what the deceased Crown Prince in the capital must have felt before his death, as he relinquished his family's throne to his uncle's family.
However, considering the current state of affairs, tightly binding Yan and Jing together could prolong the suffering of the people from war for at least twenty years.
"Our Lin family swears to protect the great legacy of Daqian for thousands of years, and is willing to serve as Your Highness's vanguard, even unto death."
"We rely on Lord Lin."
"I wouldn't dare."
"What does Lord Lin think of the Zhou family on the south bank?"
There was no deliberate display of authority, no joy heard from the old ministers' submission, and no words or actions intended to win them over.
The noble young master stood there quietly, and even just his back view, which couldn't hide his air of authority, gave people the feeling that he was born to be an emperor.
Lin Zhongtian felt as if he were not talking to a future emperor who had not yet ascended the throne.
He seemed to be an emperor.
Lin Zhongtian involuntarily fell behind Xiao Cong by one step.
"Does Your Highness wish to hear about the Zhou family's northern expedition and the response from the southern defense line?"
"Do you still want to hear whether the Zhou family might launch a northern expedition?"
“Say what Lord Lin is good at.”
Lin Zhongtian took another step back: "I am willing to analyze the conditions for Your Highness to recover the southern lands."
Xiao Zuo fetched a cloak and draped it over Xiao Cong.
The large umbrella above his head resembled the canopy that was indispensable for emperors when they traveled.
*
Lin Zhongtian concurrently held the position of Prefectural Governor of Qizhou and resided in the Prefectural Governor's residence.
Lin Xiaocong was thrown into the residence of the Prefect.
He assigned two people to take care of Lin Xiaocong.
One of them is Uncle Ma, who still brings Lin Xiaocong snacks whenever he returns to Beijing.
One of them is Uncle Yao, who carved a set of wooden weapons for Lin Xiaocong when he was a child.
Lin Zhongtian gave these two military orders.
That's why Lin Xiaocong didn't run away.
Military law is merciless.
He was both ruthless and compassionate.
His father knew perfectly well that he was a jinx to him.
After washing up, he stood by the window, wearing an outer robe, listening to the rain.
Qiu Chan brought over the medicine: "I just inquired and found that the Marquis is currently on the city wall talking with the Prince of Yan's heir."
Lin Xiaocong took the medicine bowl, drank it all in one gulp, and placed it on the tray in Qiu Chan's hand.
He could guess with his toes what his father would talk about with that Prince of Yan.
Lin's stance is clear.
“If it is inconvenient for you to do this, young master, I can do it for you.”
"Is there anything you need to tell me?"
Lin Xiaocong's voice was a little hoarse: "No."
"How about I go to the south and inquire about the Second Miss?"
"No."
Qiu Chan felt that her young master must be in a very difficult situation right now.
"Then, what should we do?"
silence.
"You... are you willing to part with the Second Miss?"
"I can't bear to part with it."
Qiu Chan looked puzzled: "Why aren't you doing anything?"
"We've done everything we could. Now we have to do things we can't do anymore."
The cicada scratched its head.
What can we do next?
"How about I bring the Second Miss a few more of the pills you gave her?"
"The medicine prepared by others is never as good as the medicine prepared by you, young master."
"Why do you need so many abortion pills?" he asked calmly.
But the cicada shrieked, "What!"
"Then why do you say it's an extremely effective pregnancy-preserving drug!"
"Could it be that I misheard?"
"You misspoke in your haste!"
"It's all over, all over, all over! This servant will go to the south to remind the Second Miss!"
He casually placed the tray on the windowsill and turned to run outside.
Lin Xiaocong turned to him and called, "Come back."
Qiu Chan stopped and looked at Lin Xiaocong.
"You don't need to remind her, she has smart people around her."
The cicadas didn't quite understand, but they were very obedient.
There are still many problems.
"Young master, why are you giving the second young lady an abortion pill!"
"How can you gain if you can't let go?" He turned his gaze back to the window.
"There are so many talented people in the south, and naturally some look up to the Zhou family and are eager to get related to her."
In this era, it is very common for widows to remarry.
Zhou repackaged her past so that no one dared to suspect anything.
"She left and never planned to come back."
After saying that, he paused for a long time.
Then he spoke again: "We can't expect her to forget me completely in a year or two."
Autumn Cicada: "Wouldn't it be better to give you medicine to prevent miscarriage? After the child is born, I can think of you every day when I look at the child."
What he wanted was not the memories she was gradually forgetting.
"The only thing left behind by the pregnancy-preserving drugs is the baby."
Autumn Cicada: "But the abortifacient might really have caused the miscarriage of the young master."
"I already told you she has smart people around her," Lin Xiaocong sighed.
"If I have done my best but still could not achieve it, I can have no regrets."
The cicadas didn't quite understand.
However, Li Qu understood Xinji Cong's purpose.
*
"You scoundrel, you're using psychological warfare!"
Li Qu had already brought Li Rong to the house on the south bank of the Yancheng River where they would stay.
Li Rong has taken the medicine to prevent miscarriage, received an acupuncture, and is now asleep.
Li Fu accompanied her.
Li Qu walked along the long corridor.
On the boat, Li Rong was about to put the pill to her mouth when Li Qu stopped her.
A wise person always wants to be absolutely sure of everything.
"Every medicine has its side effects, Second Sister, wait!"
"The doctor will be here soon. Let him examine the pill before using it."
Compared to Lin Xiaocong, Li Rong trusted Li Qu more.
When the doctor arrived, he sniffed it once and said, "It has a very strong musky scent; it's undoubtedly a top-grade abortifacient."
Li Rong was stunned upon hearing this.
In the short time it took Li Qu to turn a corner, he was able to understand Lin Xiaocong's intention.
Sure enough, Li Rong's eyes gradually reddened.
The doctor said, "During pregnancy, it is most important to avoid excessive emotional stress and to prioritize nourishing the heart."
Li Rong then adjusted her mood.
However, from that time on, Li Rong became taciturn.
Cui Guo, who was following behind Li Qu, suddenly sighed.
"Young Master Lin was deeply in love. When they were separated, he was willing to abandon even his own flesh and blood for the sake of the Second Miss's future."
Cui Guo was merely an observer of a farewell on the shore when she uttered these sentiments.
Li Rong had been genuinely loved by Lin Xiaocong, and having also made a mistake herself, the emotional impact on her was only greater.
Li Qu was angry: "You scheming boy."
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