“Hui Gongren, come here! We toast you. I’ve never admired a woman like this before.”
Lu Pianjiang, holding a wine glass, came over with a group of generals to toast Song Anxin.
"Yes, we must respect you, Lady Hui. You have truly made me look at women in a new light!" said one of the generals.
“Aunt Anxin, I also respect you. You are the pride of us women!” Yan Ping’er said.
“.….”
After these people finished toasting, many soldiers who were familiar with Song Anxin came to toast her as well. Later, more and more soldiers came to toast her, expressing their gratitude and admiration.
Song Anxin drank cup after cup until her head started to feel dizzy.
Upon seeing this, Yan Shuping waved his hand and said, "Alright, you bunch of brats, are you here to thank Lady Hui or to seek revenge? Lady Hui appreciates your kindness, but you can all leave now, or the food and wine will get cold."
The soldiers who had gathered around realized that Lady Hui was already too drunk to drink anymore, and they were too embarrassed to offer her any more drinks. After saying a few words of thanks, they all left in a hurry.
The soldiers behind them naturally couldn't surround them any further.
Song Anxin smiled and looked at General Yan to express her gratitude. Then she looked up at the soldiers celebrating. They were drinking and eating meat. When they got excited, they pulled the people next to them around the campfire and sang and danced. Lin Fenghe was also being pulled by Yan Ping'er to play the military drum for these people.
The celebratory banquet was at its climax.
Yan Shuping brought over a drum from the army and handed it to Song Anxin, saying with a smile, "Princess Hui, come and join in the fun."
Perhaps it was the wine, or the atmosphere around her, but she felt an indescribable sense of joy in her chest. She took the jiegu drum and struck out a tune, her heart filled with a cheerful song:
"...A fine young man, full of courage, his lofty ambitions and heroic spirit renowned far and wide..."
Life is so short... let's drink until we're drunk... the Yellow River flows to the west... come on, let's have some wine, let's drink until we're drunk...
Her clear, melodious voice reached the ears of the soldiers, who were all taken aback at first, and then burst into laughter.
"Hahaha... What a wonderful song!" The soldiers, shoulder to shoulder and wine cup in hand, sang together: "Life is short, let's drink until we're drunk... Come on, let's have a drink, let's drink until we're drunk..."
"Hahaha, let's do it, let's do it..."
Song Anxin beat the drum and sang joyfully. The firelight danced in her eyes, making them shine brightly. Under the illumination of the campfire, she seemed to be bathed in light, her face radiant and unrestrained.
Yan Shuping looked at the woman in front of him, and his eyes were momentarily dazed.
Three days later, the Yin Dynasty soldiers returned to the capital in triumph, and Song Anxin also embarked on her journey to the capital. She had not originally planned to go with them, but unfortunately, news came from the capital that the emperor insisted that she return with him to report back.
The main force headed towards Kyoto and arrived inland after four or five days. The temperature inland was much higher than in the northern frontier, and the warm weather made the soldiers feel better. The atmosphere among the soldiers was also very relaxed along the way.
At noon, they set up camp for a rest. Song Anxin went to the river to wash her face. As she stood up, she suddenly caught sight of her third son in the woods not far from the river. She approached with a smile in her eyes, but she didn't expect that Feng He was not alone.
“Grandfather, the people in the capital are so hateful. We led our soldiers to fight to the death and drive away the Xiongnu on the frontier, yet they are still so suspicious of us.”
Yan Ping'er looked indignant.
"We have won a great victory, and this achievement has won the hearts of the people. It is only natural that the people in the capital will take action, which is to be expected," Lin Fenghe said calmly.
Yan Shuping frowned slightly: "However, Zizhan said in his letter that the meaning of that person is still unclear."
Zizhan was the courtesy name of the Crown Prince.
General Yan's serious face tightened: "I didn't expect him to become increasingly suspicious..."
......
Song Anxin stopped abruptly. She really shouldn't have listened to these things. She turned around and walked away silently. But how could his third son be among them? It seems she should ask Feng He about it sometime.
Unexpectedly, before she could even look for Feng He, Feng He came to find her first, accompanied by General Yan.
Yan Shuping lifted the carriage curtain and plopped down beside it, looking at Song Anxin with a smile in his eyes: "Hui Gongren, can I ask you for some advice?"
Song Anxin's eyelids twitched; she sensed that this guy was up to no good.
"...That's just how it is. If these tens of thousands of soldiers are refused entry to the city gates, it will surely discourage the returning soldiers."
After Yan Shuping finished explaining the whole story,
Song Anxin was genuinely surprised that this person would come to tell her about this and even ask her for advice. She didn't respond to this at first, but instead turned to look at Lin Fenghe: "So, Fenghe, you've now entered the Crown Prince's service?"
Lin Fenghe nodded, not intending to hide anything: "Mother, I will go directly to the Zhan family mansion when I return to the capital this time."
Song Anxin's brow twitched. The Zhan Shi Mansion was a place where the Crown Prince was assisted, and it was difficult for ordinary people to enter.
“Back in Kyoto, Zizhan admired Brother Fenghe’s talent. He was able to outmaneuver the Xiongnu in several battles, and his strategy played a crucial role in our final victory. Now that we have returned from this victory, it is only right to recommend Brother Fenghe to the Chancellor’s Office.”
Yan Shuping added from the side.
Song Anxin never expected that this guy would actually seduce her son to the Crown Prince. However, the merit of following the emperor was indeed tempting, and it was Feng He's ability to get into the Prince's residence. Her third son's ambition was really bigger than she imagined.
"Mother, do you have any good ideas about what just happened? Although the Yan family holds a high position and great power, they are also a target of criticism. There are officials in the capital who oppose them and are advising that person. That person is becoming more and more suspicious. Minister Yan and the Crown Prince's advice to that person has made him even more displeased."
Lin Fenghe asked.
Song Anxin sighed inwardly. She would support her son's choice, and she couldn't stand idly by since the Yan family had helped her so much. In fact, her family had been on the Yan family's side from the beginning, and they couldn't escape it once they entered the capital.
She thought for a moment and then said, "Of course, we can't openly advise him on this matter. To put his suspicions at ease, we need the soldiers to pledge their loyalty..."
Half a month later, the soldiers arrived at the gates of Kyoto.
The emperor, empress, princes, and civil and military officials stood on the city gate tower.
The Emperor looked down at the army below with a dignified expression, his eyes deep and unfathomable. The Crown Prince, the Empress, and Minister Yan showed worry on their faces, while the eldest prince, the second prince, and some court officials had different expressions on their faces.
(Note: The songs sung by the female protagonist in this chapter are from the song "I Love the Country More Than the Beauty," sung by Li Lifen, with lyrics and music by Xiaochong.)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com