Chapter 84 Treading on Snow: The Snow Stops
Then spend some time in the sun with your sweetheart.
Nanjiang originally thought that, given the previous schemes such as the plague, Xia Nan City should now be in a state of panic and chaos.
At the same time, an incident of poisoning a borrowed book also occurred.
In their eyes now, Xia Nan's actions are a sign of weakness, cowardice, and inadequate military preparedness.
It is reasonable to assume that the other side fears the pressure of their more than 10,000 troops in the southern border region.
But the people of Southern Xinjiang forgot that whether it was cultivating Gu people to cause trouble or greedily demanding back the old books of Southern Moon, these actions were proof of their fear.
They feared Xie's army, and they also feared the Great Xia.
The two sides were locked in a fierce battle, with flames raging across the sky.
Severed limbs and broken armor were mixed together, blood splattered on the white snow, and trampled repeatedly by warhorses and soldiers, quickly turning it into a muddy mess.
The people of southern Xinjiang couldn't understand why, despite such a significant disparity in troop strength, they hadn't been able to conquer the region after such a long siege.
Because even if the soldiers of the Great Xia shed their blood on the frontier, they would not regret dying for their cause.
Instead, the southern border states are suspicious of each other and hinder each other, with none of them willing to be used by others.
Once a war begins, no one can emerge unscathed.
No matter how valiant Xie's army was, casualties were inevitable.
Amidst the fluttering military flags, there were countless fallen bodies, and even more soldiers surging forward.
Even on both sides, enough people have died.
But Nanjiang gritted his teeth and refused to retreat, believing that he still had enough troops. He thought that if he could hold on a little longer before the reinforcements arrived, he could break through the defenses of Xia Nan City.
The Great Xia also gritted its teeth and fought back, determined that as long as it held the city gates, reinforcements would arrive soon.
No one knows where fate will lead.
But perhaps Heaven ultimately favored the Great Xia.
No one expected that the reinforcements from the Great Xia would arrive so quickly and in such large numbers.
*
The snow stopped abruptly.
It was as if even fate itself was unwilling to add even the slightest bit of weight to this battle.
As the wind subsided, the thick clouds parted, and a pale, warm light shone through the gray-white sky onto the devastated outskirts of the city.
The corpses piled up like mountains, and the stench was unbearable.
The soldiers inventoried and transported the corpses and broken armor back into the city, so that these brothers who sacrificed their lives for the country could be given the respect due to be buried in their horsehide.
On a high point south of the city, Prince An and Xie Xingzheng stood side by side, both silent.
This time, Prince An led his army to reinforce the south, and the number of troops he brought was several times that of those in the southern border region, which can be described as overwhelming.
Moreover, the opposing side was hastily assembled from many small countries, most of whose generals had died from poisoning, and with each harboring their own agendas, their orders were chaotic.
In just a few encounters, Southern Xinjiang could not hold on.
Many small countries were the first to lower their flags, and their soldiers abandoned their armor and fled.
The once formidable Southern Frontier Army was quickly routed and retreated hundreds of miles under the advance of the Great Xia cavalry.
This war has temporarily come to an end.
Regardless of victory or defeat, this was still a battle filled with bloodshed and death.
The wind was still cold after the snow stopped, but it was no longer biting.
As the smoke of war gradually dissipated and the world became clear, after the heavy winds, frosts, and snows, Xia Nan seemed to finally be able to catch his breath.
Looking at the bloody chaos outside the city, Prince An couldn't help but sigh: "The white blades are drawn and blood is everywhere, those who die for their country never care about their glory, no one knows the bitterness of this battlefield."
He turned his head to look at the person beside him: "But in this battle, General Xie did indeed make a contribution to defending the city. He not only stabilized the situation in Xia Nan, but also broke the plague and seized a hundred volumes of secret manuals, which can be considered as cutting off the southern border's backup plan."
"The plague and the secret manual were not my doing; I dare not accept such praise," Xie Xingzheng said earnestly.
Prince An was taken aback, but showed no surprise. Instead, he curled the corners of his mouth and said, "Whoever it is, His Majesty will reward them according to their merits once they return to Zhongjing together."
"Fame and fortune are nothing but fleeting clouds." Xie Xingzheng said calmly.
A complex emotion flickered in Prince An's eyes.
He looked at Xie Xingzheng, as if he wanted to say something, but hesitated and stopped.
Xie Xingzheng noticed his hesitation and took the initiative to speak: "If Prince An has something to say, please speak frankly."
After a moment of silence, Prince An finally spoke, emphasizing, "Everyone, regardless of who they are, must return to the capital with us."
He softened his tone and continued, "The reason the reinforcements arrived so quickly is not only because His Majesty was already wary of King Xia Nan and the Southern Frontier, but also because our spies had already discovered that he was secretly communicating with the former subordinates of Nan Yue, and was suspected of plotting a rebellion."
Xie Xingzheng's fingertips tightened slightly, realizing that there was a deeper meaning behind these words.
If His Majesty can find out about Xia Nanwang and Nan Yue, then naturally he can also find out about Tang Yu.
“His Majesty instructed,” Prince An repeated, “that all those involved in the Xia Nan affair must be brought back to Zhongjing.”
The wind on the city wall seemed as sharp and cold as a knife at this moment.
Facing the wind, Xie Xingzheng, his back ramrod straight, spoke after a long while:
"I see."
How could he not understand that what Prince An was referring to was Tang Yu, who was known as "Yue Qimeng"?
But taking her back would certainly not be a reward for meritorious service.
Even though not long ago, during the battle between the two armies, Si Huo had collected all the medicinal herbs and, based on the secret manual translated by Yan Keli, successfully separated Qi Meng from Tang Yu.
Tang Yu's meridians were originally repaired and her life extended by Qi Meng. After the two separated, her meridians became fragile again, and her body became extremely weak.
Not only could she no longer muster her inner strength and lose all her martial arts skills, but her physical condition was also unlikely to return to its former state in the short term.
Now, Tang Yu is just an ordinary person who knows a little about hidden weapons and poisons and can only protect himself.
But what about Nan Yue's identity as a saintess, and Yue Qimeng's rumored strange abilities?
For the ruler of the Great Xia Kingdom, who had been mutually restraining Nan Yue for many years, all of these factors made it necessary to eliminate him.
"I have always respected General Xie, but some things can only be said this far." Prince An sighed, his tone tinged with human warmth. "This is an imperial decree; I hope Young General Xie will..."
He paused, looked at Xie Xingzheng with a solemn gaze, and said, "Cherish the present."
*
In Xia Nan City, a secluded courtyard.
Tang Yang jogged in, and before he even reached the door, he excitedly shouted, "Sister! Sister!"
The charcoal fire in the house is warm, and the fragrance of the medicine has not dissipated.
Tang Yu leaned against the couch, raised her eyes at the sound, her face showing weariness and paleness after her illness.
"We won!"
Tang Yang stopped in front of the bed, his chest heaving and his face flushed from running. "I just heard from the people in the city that Brother Xie won a great victory! The troops in the southern border have retreated far away, and they probably won't dare to provoke us again! I heard that the army is already on its way back to the city!"
Hearing the affectionate address from Tang Yang, Tang Yu tilted her head and looked at the excited man, and couldn't help but laugh, teasingly saying, "What? Did winning a battle win you over?"
Tang Yang scratched his head sheepishly and muttered, "It's youthful spirit, of course. It's natural to yearn for the battlefield, to shed blood and ride spirited horses."
Tang Yu made no comment, her smile faint.
Because she knew that there were people in this world who did not yearn for it.
What he saw was the blood of millions of soldiers, and the devastation of the borderlands, shrouded in gloom and filled with yellow sand.
"From now on, I hope the world can be at peace." Tang Yu said softly.
Upon hearing this, Tang Yang nodded and said confidently, "It definitely will! Even if it comes, we're not afraid of it!"
Tang Yu smiled and shook her head helplessly.
After the snow stopped, the sun broke through the clouds and shone on the still-melting blood in the courtyard, making it almost blindingly white.
"The sun is shining brightly today." Tang Yu turned her head to look out the window and naturally suggested, "Take me to the window to bask in the sun."
"Okay." Tang Yang quickly replied, carefully helping his sister to her feet.
Although Tang Yu walked slowly, she did not appear to be struggling.
The hidden poison in her body has been properly treated by Si Huo, but her meridians are empty, so she will inevitably feel weak for a period of time, as if all her strength has been drained away.
The armchair by the window had already been covered with a blanket.
After Tang Yu sat down, Tang Yang, worried that she would be cold, covered her with several extra coats. They were so heavy that she couldn't help but complain that she was about to be crushed. Tang Yang then sheepishly took two of them away.
Afterwards, Tang Yu lay down lazily, satisfied, and squinted her eyes.
Sunlight fell on her eyelashes, casting a small shadow on the side of her fair face, like a lazy kitten enjoying the warm winter sun.
Footsteps came from outside the door, somewhat hurried, yet with a restrained steadiness.
Tang Yang first peeked out, then suddenly straightened up a bit.
"Thank you, General!"
Tang Yu didn't open her eyes immediately, and asked softly, "Why don't you call me 'brother' anymore?"
Tang Yang's face turned bright red as she glared at her sister.
Not only did they discover her wicked intentions, which weren't even written on her face, but she also coughed twice in a mock sickly manner.
"Yangyang, go and make some tea."
"Oh..." Tang Yang was quite perceptive and naturally didn't dare to linger.
However, as she brushed past Xie Xingzheng, she subconsciously straightened her back even more.
Xie Xingzheng stopped at the doorway, still carrying the chill and dust of the past. He had removed his armor and was only wearing casual clothes, yet he still appeared tall and imposing.
From the bloodshot eyes, Tang Yu could tell that he had come from a long journey.
Xie Xingzheng didn't move for a moment, and surprisingly, he was somewhat timid.
Although the two seemed to have been apart for only a short time, their reunion with the real Tang Yu felt like years had passed.
Tang Yu seemed to sense his unease, and slowly opened her eyes. Her emerald eyes were as clear as emerald lake water in the sunlight.
"You're back?" she asked first, her warm smile seemingly capable of melting the ice and snow of Xia Nan.
Xie Xingzheng felt a tightness in his throat, and finally stepped to her side, replying softly, "Mm."
Tang Yu looked up at him slightly, "I'm very tired, sit down and let's talk."
Xie Xingzheng had no choice but to find a stool and sit next to her. At this extremely close distance, he could clearly see her bloodless face.
Her long, slightly curled eyelashes, drooping with a sickly weariness, and the tips of her ears, reddened by the wind, all made his heart feel as if it had been gently struck by something.
The usually composed general was now somewhat uneasy, unsure of what to say.
After a long pause, he said, "His Majesty knows your identity, and I need to take you back to Zhongjing."
As soon as he finished speaking, Xie Xingzheng regretted it. He felt he should have told her this in a gentler tone or with more time and build-up.
Tang Yu's mood remained unchanged. Instead, she squinted her eyes, moved closer to the sunlight, and said in a light tone, "Okay."
Xie Xingzheng was slightly taken aback, thinking he had misheard.
"Do you know what returning to Zhongjing means?" he asked.
"Either you die, or you're trapped under the watchful eye of the imperial court forever."
Tang Yu turned her head to look at him, her eyes showing laziness and a hint of unreadable emotion. Amused, she retorted, "If I'm not worried, what are you worried about?"
"You like me?"
Xie Xingzheng was speechless.
A moment later, Tang Yu's hand was grasped, and she heard him solemnly admit, "Yes."
"I like you."
Tang Yu didn't look at him, but she couldn't suppress the joy on her lips.
Even though she already knew that he couldn't possibly dislike her, she couldn't hide her joy at hearing him admit it himself.
"Then let's soak up some sun together with your sweetheart," Tang Yu said with a smile, leaning on his shoulder.
She knew Xie Xingzheng didn't want her to return to Zhongjing.
But if you run away today, you'll have to run away tomorrow, and you'll have to run away for the rest of your life.
Emperor Wen of Chu had long been wary of the Xie family, and Xie Xingzheng, who had disobeyed the imperial decree, would die sooner or later if he did not die today.
They were each other's only companions, and even if the emperor had only one breath left, he would watch them die before he could feel at ease.
So why are you hesitating about whether or not to go back?
It's better to bask in the sun and know that you're alive for now.
That's enough.
[Author's Note]
Clashing blades, blood gushing forth; dying for one's principles, never seeking personal glory. Do you not see the bitterness of battle on the battlefield? Even now, we still remember General Li. —Gao Shi, "Yan Ge Xing"
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