Chapter 142 Geese Return to Autumn Mountains, Never to Return South
After catching up for a while, Yang Xiao went off to find Cen Xun and the others, leaving Qi Kun alone on the stage, looking down at that handsome figure.
As the breeze dispersed with the crowd, Qi Lu's wide sleeves were gently lifted. He stood alone at the foot of the steps, looking up at Qi Kun on the high platform, and felt a surge of joy in his heart.
"Brother," he said, clasping his hands in greeting as he walked onto the stage, "how have you been?"
Qi Kun looked down at the elegant and unrestrained Qi Lu in front of him, and smiled, "You've grown quite capable?"
"How dare I?" Qi Lu walked up to Qi Kun and knelt down. "How dare I be disrespectful before my elder brother?"
Qi Kun looked at Qi Lu, who was all too familiar to him, and his eyes stung with tears, but he laughed out loud. He reached out and pulled Qi Lu up, pressing his shoulder, and teasingly sighed, "You, you named yourself 'Yan Nan' (meaning 'Wild Goose South'), but you have not a trace of the feelings of a wild goose."
“How could that be?” Qi Lu stepped forward, grasped Qi Kun’s slightly cool hand, her eyes filled with sincerity, “In the years I’ve been away from home, not a single day has gone by without me missing my hometown…”
"Alright, anyway, it's good that you're back." Before he finished speaking, Qi Kun put his arm around Qi Lu's shoulder. "But you deserve credit for breaking the formation after all."
Qi Lu also hugged Qi Kun, tilting her head slightly on his shoulder, "Are you saying I helped Lingyu in the palace?"
“Lingyu broke the formation with her own willpower and perseverance, so why do you need to take credit?” Qi Kun released Qi Lu’s shoulder, looked down at him with a smile, “You and Xiao Yan jointly built the Chang’an Formation. At least I still remember some of your formations. After incorporating Lingyu’s formation diagram, I was able to figure out the intricacies of it.”
Qi Lu nodded and smiled, but unconsciously tightened her grip on Qi Kun's hand. "After being away from home for so many years..." he asked probingly, his eyes full of honesty, "Do you... hate me?"
"If I hated you, how could I have let you live until now?" Qi Kun chuckled and snatched the fan from Qi Lu's hand. "It's just that we each serve our own masters. Besides, serving Xiao Yan isn't a bad thing. I believe you have your own reasons."
Qi Lu was taken aback by what he heard, then smiled broadly at Qi Kun, "I thought you would scold me, then berate me for neglecting my family and companions, and finally tell me to reflect on my actions."
"Is this how you see me?" Qi Kun chuckled and gently tapped Qi Lu's head with his fan. "Over the years, it would be a lie to say I haven't been angry at all. But thankfully," he handed the fan to Qi Lu, "I believe in you."
Qi Lu took the fan and looked at Qi Kun with deep emotion. "Lu Qi's name has long been known throughout Chang'an. Before Ling Yu delivered the map, did you recognize me?"
"You think you're so smart?" Qi Kun feigned anger and punched Qi Lu. "You really think you can fool everyone by just reversing your name?"
"Hahahaha..." Qi Lu laughed heartily, clutching his shoulder. He reached up and climbed onto Qi Kun's arm. "I'm using this pseudonym to let you know I'm safe."
Qi Kun crossed his arms and glanced at the spirited young man in front of him. "You're still laughing? Back then, everyone in the tent was angry at you. It really made me furious."
“Oh, brother,” Qi Lu said with a smile, taking Qi Kun’s arm, “this is indeed my fault. You can hold me accountable later. But brother, you…”
Qi Kun, observing Qi Lu's hesitant expression, asked with interest, "What about me?"
"You're still the same as before, sharp-tongued but more perceptive than anyone else."
Before Qi Kun could speak, a spirited yet amused voice rang out from the side.
“I admit that, Master, you are indeed like that.”
"Lingyu?" Upon hearing this, the two turned around and smiled at Yang Xiao, who was walking towards them. "Why are you back again?"
“I’m afraid that if you get angry, Master, you might beat Qi Lu to a pulp.”
Upon hearing this, Qi Lu smiled and pointed at Yang Xiao, clicking his tongue twice, "No wonder she's my brother's apprentice, every word is sharp as a blade."
"We've troubled you with your concern for our affairs," Qi Kun said, patting Yang Xiao's shoulder.
Yang Xiao looked at the two of them and sighed with emotion, "Anyway, seeing you two like this, I feel relieved."
Qi Lu crossed his arms, looked at Yang Xiao with a smile, and then leaned closer to Qi Kun beside him, "I wonder if she learned her mature-beyond-her-years personality from you?"
“Such a lively person is so mature for his age in front of you,” Qi Kun glanced back at Qi Lu, “just think how childish you are.”
"Hahaha, whatever," Qi Lu laughed and waved his hand, "I was just being naive."
Amidst their laughter, they heard footsteps approaching from not far away.
Xue Chang rolled up his sleeves and stepped down from the stage, smiling at the group of people in front of him. "What is it that makes you all so happy? Could you tell me?"
Upon hearing the voice, Qi Lu looked up and happily clasped his hands in greeting, saying, "Brother Cheyan, it's been a long time."
"I've heard about your deeds in Chang'an; you certainly have integrity." Xue Chang smiled and returned Qi Lu's greeting with a fist salute, then turned to look at Yang Xiao beside him, "Lingyu?"
"Oh, Mr. Cheyan."
"Our lord and the Qiang king are discussing matters in the hall. They mentioned you and specifically requested that I invite you to come." Xue Chang turned his head towards the side of the hall. "Shall we go?"
"Mr. Xue, even you make mistakes sometimes?" Yang Xiao teased with a smile. "Now that our lord is the Emperor, how can we not call him 'Your Majesty'?"
Xue Chang was taken aback by this, then rubbed his forehead and shook his head with a smile. "Look at me, I overlooked that. But..." He glanced at Yang Xiao, "His Majesty just said that calling him 'Lord' is more affectionate."
"Alright, let's go." Yang Xiao smiled helplessly, then bowed to the two people behind her, and followed Xue Chang at a jog all the way to the front of Yinglong Hall.
-
The curtains rose with a sound, and the familiar Yinglong Hall was shimmering with golden light. However, the person in the main seat was no longer Xiao Yan, but Zhongli An, who was all smiles.
Having overcome countless hardships, her original temperament remained unchanged, perfectly complementing the Yinglong Palace. Looking into Zhong Li'an's eyes, Yang Xiao felt a surge of emotion. She took two quick steps forward, clasped her hands, and knelt before Zhong Li'an, saying, "Your subject Yang Xiao greets Your Majesty."
Zhong Li'an smiled and bowed, raising his hand to her, "Lingyu, no need for formalities, please take a seat."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Yang Xiao bowed again, then stood up and looked back at the Qiang King sitting to the west.
The Qiang king had a kind face, and behind him stood a teenage girl dressed in fine clothes, her brows furrowed with arrogance, her head held high and her gaze filled with conceit.
Ignoring the girl's expression, Yang Xiao bowed to the Qiang King and said, "I am Yang Xiao, and I greet my maternal grandfather."
Before the Qiang king could say anything, someone snorted coldly. She looked up and saw the girl looking up disdainfully, "So-called Han female generals are nothing more than this."
"Shut up! Stop talking nonsense."
"What I said is simply the truth." The girl completely ignored the Qiang King's rebuke and instead intensified her accusations against Yang Xiao, "You are the princess's daughter, so by all accounts I should call you cousin. You are obsessed with those formalities, constantly kneeling before the king, yet you never kneel before your grandfather. You must have no real learning, and your so-called achievements are nothing but empty boasting."
Upon hearing this, Yang Xiao frowned and stared at the girl menacingly. "I don't know why you are so hostile towards me, but this is Yinglong Palace. If you have any complaints, you can come to me in private. But if you dare to speak disrespectfully in front of His Majesty, don't blame me for being ruthless."
"Did you hear me!" The Qiang king glared angrily at the girl. "Hurry up and apologize!"
The girl glanced at the Qiang king defiantly, then shouted at Yang Xiao, "I just don't accept it! It just so happens that His Majesty is here today, so why don't you and I have a match, and let Grandpa and the Emperor decide?"
Before Yang Xiao could speak, Zhong Li'an frowned and pressed his hand on the table. "Lingyu's wounds have just healed. How can she possibly compete with you before Your Highness?"
“The enemy doesn’t care if she’s injured or not!” With that, the girl gripped the hilt of her scimitar, nodded, and glared at Yang Xiao. With a flick of her eyes, a clang was heard, and the snow-white blade was revealed.
In an instant, Yang Xiao rushed to the girl like an arrow released from a bow. Before the curved sword could be drawn, it was slammed back into its sheath. With a "bang," the curved sword fell to the ground, while the girl was pinned against the wall by Yang Xiao's neck, her feet off the ground, unable to move.
"You dare to brandish your sword in the Yinglong Hall? Do you have a death wish?"
"Ayama!"
Zhongli An and the Qiang King, who were standing to the side, suddenly realized what was happening and looked nervously at the two who had already decided the outcome of the battle.
But a cold snort was heard, and the hand gripping the girl's neck suddenly loosened, causing the girl to kneel on the ground with a thud.
The Qiang king frowned and stood there, watching with displeasure, showing no intention of helping her up, as if his granddaughter had disgraced him.
Yang Xiao quickly straightened his clothes, clasped his hands in a fist salute to Zhong Li'an, and said, "I apologize for my inappropriate behavior in front of Your Majesty."
"Your skills are no worse than they were three years ago," Zhong Li'an said with a smile, looking at the imposing Yang Xiao before him, ignoring the girl's embarrassment as he nodded in approval.
"How could I have neglected my martial arts skills during my years in Chang'an?" Yang Xiao looked up at Zhong Li'an, but heard slightly dejected footsteps beside him.
The girl rose from the ground, bowed her head, walked to the front of the hall, and knelt before Zhong Li'an, saying, "I have lost, Your Majesty."
Yang Xiao stared at the scene before her with a puzzled expression, then turned to Zhong Li'an and asked, "Your Majesty, this is..."
"Considering you are new to the Central Plains and lack manners, I will not blame you." Zhongli An sighed and said coldly, "If you continue to be so offensive in the future, I will disregard the friendship between the Han and Qiang and kill you without mercy." He put his hands behind his back and looked up at the Qiang King, "I ask the Qiang King to go back and discipline you more. If you commit any more offenses, I will be powerless to help you."
The Qiang king, standing to the side, also clasped his hands in a fist salute to Zhongli An, saying, "It was my fault for being too lenient in my teaching. I will definitely keep a closer eye on him from now on."
Zhong Li'an sighed, sat down, and nodded to Yang Xiao, indicating that she should sit down and talk.
“This girl is the little princess of the Northern Qiang. She has never been on the battlefield before and was brought out by the Qiang king to gain experience.” Zhong Li’an held a teacup and looked at Yang Xiao carefully as he spoke: “She has never been born, and she considers herself unparalleled. She looks down on the generals of the Central Plains and is not willing to submit to the Han Dynasty. Just now she said that she must have a contest with you, otherwise she will not submit to our dynasty.”
Upon hearing this, Yang Xiao felt a surge of anger. She glanced at the girl who had lowered her sharpness and said, "Someone who has never been on the battlefield is telling me about the cruelty of war. Even if you have a hundred kinds of skills, how dare you run wild in Yinglong Palace?"
"Sister, please calm down. I am completely convinced." The young woman clasped her hands in a fist salute to Yang Xiao. "I was too offensive just now. Please forgive me, Your Majesty and sister."
"You..." Yang Xiao stared at the girl in front of her, who seemed like a completely different person, and was speechless for a moment. She shook her head and sighed softly, "Looking at you like this, I don't even know how to scold you."
The girl raised her hand to rub her neck, which had been choked red, and looked at Yang Xiao with a mixture of relief and arrogance. However, this arrogance was different from before; this time it seemed as if she sincerely admired Yang Xiao and regarded her as a source of pride.
“It’s good that the princess is so spirited and shows some sharpness.” She looked up at the princess before her, her tone tinged with helplessness. “If the princess is not convinced by me, we can spar in private. I will welcome any challenge. But you openly challenged me in the palace and even drew your weapons before His Majesty. What about etiquette? What about the friendship between the Han and Qiang people?”
Suppressing her anger, she stared at the little princess and said, "If it weren't for His Majesty's magnanimity, you would probably already be beheaded."
The Qiang King frowned as he looked at Yang Xiao, and sighed with emotion, "I must say, Lingyu, you and your mother... really look alike."
Upon hearing this, Yang Xiao froze on the spot, speechless for a moment.
The Qiang king chuckled and shook his head as he walked toward her.
"Grandfather," Yang Xiao called out cautiously, looking up.
"Good child, you don't need to be reserved in front of me." The Qiang King patted Yang Xiao's shoulder, lifted her hand, placed the bone flute that was clenched so tightly into her palm, and sighed with relief, "You have truly lived up to expectations and grown into a brave and resourceful talent, possessing both your mother's arrogance and your father's composure and steadiness."
He looked kindly into Yang Xiao's eyes, "And your master, though a scholar, insisted on following the Qiang people's rules, and fought his way to my front lines with only a sword... It seems that you all are indeed capable of shouldering heavy responsibilities. It is our honor to exchange things with such a dynasty."
"Your Majesty flatters me," Zhongli An clasped his hands in a fist salute, suppressing the matter. "I hope that the two tribes will live in harmony and achieve mutual benefit in the future."
"What happened today was truly due to my excessive indulgence and poor upbringing of my granddaughter. I will certainly discipline her more strictly when I return. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me," the Qiang King said, bowing to Zhongli An once again.
“King Qiang, there’s no need for such formalities. Please take a seat and rest.” Zhongli An shook his head and gestured for the seats to be occupied.
After thanking Zhongli An, the Qiang King sat back down and looked at Yang Xiao with concern, saying with a smile, "Lingyu, a tiger general like you, have you found a good husband?"
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