Chapter 160: General's Troubles
At the official post on the border road, Qin Guang, having removed his armor, picked up his water bottle and gulped down two gulps. His trusted follower, Qin Liang, ordered his men to guard the area and remain on guard at all times. He then sat down beside Qin Guang and said, "General, we've been on the road quite peacefully lately. We haven't seen any other fearless individuals trying to attack us." He poured himself a cup of tea and spoke softly.
Ever since the imperial decree of exile to the border came, they have encountered murderous assassins one after another.
Some had only mediocre skills and no organization, and were eager to die. But some were incredibly skilled, their moves deadly and difficult to handle. Along the way, they stopped and started frequently, and their trusted followers were repeatedly injured. Qin Guang's arm was even pierced by an arrow, and a doctor worked for three days to save it. However, Qin Guang didn't mention any of this in his letters, and even wrote a letter to the Qin family with his left hand to reassure them.
"Do you think they are tired and therefore stopped attacking?"
Qin Guang looked up at the hillside in the distance from the official post station and said, "Open your eyes wide and look over there. How many people are lying in ambush on the hillside? They have solved a lot of troubles for us, so it is so peaceful. I am afraid that there are countless bloodstains on the road we have walked." As the secret guards of the powerful families in the capital, they will only kill and will not leave any chance of survival.
"General, you mean someone is helping us? Is it the person who delivered the letter a while ago?"
Qin Liang thought of the people Qin Guang had spoken with that night. Although he was standing outside, he knew Qin Guang had been talking to them for a long time. When he came out, his face was full of worry. Since the general was unwilling to talk, Qin Liang did not ask any more questions. However, since the old matter was brought up again today, he asked tentatively, "What do they want the general to do? We are now guilty. Could it be that they want to threaten the general?"
"No, they wanted to protect me."
Qin Guang lowered his head, his calloused fingers stroking the scarred armor. "Do you remember when you followed me?" Qin Guang's eyes were filled with nostalgia as he reminisced about the past. Qin Liang spoke without a pause, "When I was thirteen, the general picked me up on the battlefield. Since then, I've followed you, from an unknown soldier to your close confidant."
"Have you ever regretted it?" Qin Guang asked.
Qin Liang shook his head. “It was the general who gave me a name, allowing me to live again. My life belongs to the general, how could I regret it? I just feel sorry for the general. He is so loyal, but he is suspected by the emperor and ends up like this. I can see that you are heartbroken, but you just don’t want to say it.” No one could understand why the general’s mansion, which was supported by the people, became a prisoner overnight.
"You said that you wanted to find a quiet place to farm with your wife and daughter, but in your heart you were still thinking about completely driving out those foreign barbarians on the border, crushing all their wolfish ambitions, and allowing the people on the border to live without worries forever." Qin Liang had only followed Qin Guang the longest and understood his thoughts the best.
Now, every word he said made Qin Guang feel powerless.
Indeed, having so much ambition but no way to serve one's country is the most painful thing. Now the Seventh Prince in the court is targeting the General's Mansion, accusing him of countless crimes and faults. As a minister, Qin Guang can't find any evidence to prove his case and can only accept his fate. But as the secret guard who came to persuade him that night said, "Is the General going to live like this for the rest of his life, watching the people on the border live in war?"
"If Gu Mingqi takes the throne, he will inevitably cede territories to foreign powers and compromise step by step."
"Is this what the General wants? If you're willing to take the lead, my master promises to protect you." Qin Guang refused the secret guard's offer. He knew that once he chose this path, there was no turning back. He wasn't alone, making decisions without regard for those around him or the consequences. Qin Guang pulled a letter from his pocket.
The edges of the letter were worn, as if it would break if you applied a little more force.
He repeatedly studied Liu's handwriting. "Nuannuan has become very sensible recently. Along the way, she's been supporting many important matters at the mansion. You can rest assured. The mansion doesn't need to worry. We're only concerned about your situation and look forward to seeing you soon." Liu's handwriting, like her, was graceful and gentle, yet with a touch of firmness and stubbornness. If she knew the choice Qin Guang faced, she would surely persuade him to follow his heart and not worry about family matters.
But can Qin Guang do it?
He looked up at the full moon in the sky. It was another full moon. He put the affairs of family and country behind him and waited until he saw his wife and Nuannuan.
——
At the inn, Qin Xiangnuan, dressed in her ruqun (a traditional Chinese dress) and wearing a wooden hairpin in her hair, happened to run into Ying Niang as she emerged from her room. Ying Niang, taken aback by her appearance, lowered her eyes, avoiding her gaze. When Qin Xiangnuan dressed as a man, he was a handsome young man. But when dressed as a woman, he was like a pearl, radiant with the radiance of wild rice, making one feel ashamed and afraid to look directly at him.
"You don't have to do these things, I can do it myself."
Qin Xiangnuan looked at the copper basin in her hand. "I'm used to doing everything myself on the road. If someone were to wait on me and take care of me, it would be too restrictive. Since you're traveling with us, you can be more free, just like them." Qin Xiangnuan raised her head and pointed at Anliu Anfeng, who was squatting on the ground in front of her, enthusiastically teasing a few ants. "We don't have any rules. Just make sure you're comfortable."
"Thank you, Miss." Ying Niang still couldn't adapt, so she bowed.
Old Madam Qin came over from a distance, leaning on a cane. Qin Xiangnuan ran over with a smile to support her, and asked caringly, "Grandma, how are you feeling lately? Has your headache recurred?" Old Madam Qin patted the back of her hand, her eyes filled with helpless doting as she said, "If you had made me worry less, I'd probably have lived longer."
"Pooh, pooh, pooh." Qin Xiangnuan patted the wood and acted superstitious.
Ying Niang listened to their conversation, thought about it, and walked over to recommend herself, "Miss, since you don't need me to serve you, why don't you let me take care of the old lady? I also learned some massage methods when I was in Lianhua Town." As she spoke, she took the initiative to massage the old lady Qin's head. Both the strength and other aspects were extremely appropriate.
Qin Xiangnuan watched from the side and nodded in agreement, "Then I'll have to trouble Yingniang."
When Ying Niang heard her thanks, her face flushed and she shook her head gently. She felt as if her ears were burning, her eyebrows and eyes were evasive, but her whole person became much more natural than before.
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