Chapter 185 Unkempt
An hour later, in the Queen Mother's Palace.
Nanny Xia hurried back to the hall.
Gu Xiaoran was holding a bowl and feeding medicine to Empress Dowager Xue. Seeing a slight look of joy on Nanny Xia's face, he knew that it was successful.
"Reporting to the Empress Dowager, everything is normal in Zhaohua Palace today. The Empress and the ladies have all returned after attending the morning meeting. The Empress's phoenix carriage and ceremonial guards have already left the palace through the main gate. They know nothing about what happened."
Empress Dowager Xue sneered, but her throat was strained, and she coughed so hard that tears streamed down her face and her face turned red.
After a long pause, she spoke in a voice stained by smoke, "As long as the emperor leaves the capital, my Xue family's affairs will basically be settled. The queen is just a pampered concubine of the emperor. If she encounters war, she will surely be terrified. It's not worth mentioning."
Gu Xiaoran also felt that good things were about to happen to the Xue family.
She couldn't help but imagine herself becoming the next queen after the Xue family's affairs were accomplished.
After all, she was about to make a great contribution.
The Xue family secretly brought her from Nianci Temple to the Empress Dowager to prevent her father from becoming confused in his old age.
As long as she can restrain her father, the Gu family can get the credit of following the dragon. Not to mention the marquis, even the duke would be a concession.
In addition, the Xue family also promised her the position of queen.
This was something she had fought for through her own scheming, unlike Jiang Yingli, who relied on her beauty and favor to get to the top.
Empress Dowager Xue patted Gu Xiaoran's hand at the right moment and said lovingly, "My child, I immediately saw your uniqueness during our first morning meeting. You are different from those women who are only beautiful. Your intelligence should be used for political strategy. Today, you have chosen to join the Xue family, and the Xue family will naturally promise you wealth and prosperity."
Gu Xiaoran was very proud and felt that the frustration she had felt from living in the deep palace with a bunch of vulgar women for a long time was much less. She once again solemnly promised:
"Don't worry, Empress Dowager. I will definitely be able to convince my father. When the Xue family army and Qin Yang's garrison enter the capital, my father will definitely not be an obstacle."
The situation in the palace was quietly tense.
In the dense forest outside the city, the soldiers marching secretly startled the birds in the bushes.
The birds flapped their wings and flew high into the sky, merging into the gray sky. A drizzle fell from the ninth heaven, wetting the birds' tail feathers. They landed on a broken flagpole and pecked at its feathers.
A wild horse stepped on the muddy ground after the rain, and the splashing water scared the bird that was pecking at its feathers. It cried out in fear and leaped into the sky again.
Jiang Zhao, whose black hair was soaked, reined in his horse, stepped off with his long legs, and ran towards the king's tent in three or two steps.
"Your Majesty."
Xiao Chenglan stood in front of the sand table in the center of the royal tent, holding a roll of military newspaper. On the sand table, the flaming red "Ye" flag had crossed Yuelin and Longji Mountains and advanced several inches to the north.
Seeing Jiang Zhao come in, Fu Wanquan, who was serving him, quickly took out a dry handkerchief and handed it to him, indicating with his eyes that it was inappropriate for him to attend the ceremony in such an untidy manner.
Jiang Zhao was used to being wild on the front line, and now that he was back in the king's tent, he hadn't changed yet.
Just as he was about to admit his mistake, Xiao Chenglan said calmly, "Forget it."
Jiang Zhao quickly took a handkerchief to wipe his face and hair.
The military report in Xiao Chenglan's hand was the battle record of the Beiliang Army this month.
Since the capture of Yuelin in the first battle, the rumors that had been causing panic throughout the army have been dispelled, and the army has been advancing almost without stopping. In just one month, the Northern Di have already lost two elite tribes.
After that, just keep fighting and expand your advantage until the final victory comes.
Morale is high and the military is stable. Xiao Chenglan doesn't need to stay here any longer. He will set off back to Beijing tomorrow to take charge of the court.
Jiang Zhao had made remarkable achievements in the Southwestern Army. Xiao Chenglan specially transferred him here for this northern expedition. He really lived up to his expectations and led his team to advance triumphantly. In just one month, he had gained a foothold in the Northern Liang Army.
Xiao Chenglan estimated that after the battle, when he returned to Beijing to award merits, the rank of general would not be high enough, but the title of marquis would be within his reach.
"You don't have time to be particular when you're marching and fighting, but when the war is over, when you return to the capital, you should pack up properly before entering the palace." Xiao Chenglan reminded.
He really didn't know that a person could change so much after being in the military camp for more than two years.
In the past, when Jiang Zhao was not as tall as her sister, he was a fair-skinned little kid who was quite likable. But now he is tall and strong, with a dark complexion, unkempt, and looks like a savage.
If Li'er saw this, she would think he was deliberately torturing her younger brother.
Jiang Zhao glanced at the blood and mud spots on his body and scratched his head embarrassedly: "Yes, I understand."
Xiao Chenglan put down the military newspaper and reminded him of some things.
"This battle is already a sure win, but remember not to rush in and rush in. Your sister has been thinking about you and waiting for you to return to Beijing. It hasn't been easy for you to get to where you are today. You only have one last step left."
Thinking of his sister, Jiang Zhao suppressed his longing, pursed his lips, and nodded solemnly: "Don't worry, Your Majesty, I will definitely not fail."
Xiao Chenglan asked Fu Wanquan to pour him a glass of hot wine to warm himself up.
Jiang Zhao took it and just took a sip when he heard the sound of horses being reined in outside.
Fu Wanquan went out to investigate.
The person who came was also a young man, about the same age as Jiang Zhao, and was originally from the southwest camp.
He and Jiang Zhao were recruited together for this Northern Expedition. The two had a life-and-death friendship during the Southwest Rebellion, and now they were fighting side by side for several days in the Northern Liang Army. They had similar personalities, and it would be too shallow to call them friends. They were sworn brothers and confidants.
Jiang Zhao saw him coming and waved to him.
Cui Yuan was holding an unknown wild bird that was still dripping with blood. As there was no news, he did not dare to enter the king's tent and stood outside in a daze.
Because Cui Yuan and Jiang Zhao were inseparable, Xiao Chenglan had some impression of this person.
"I have finished what I wanted to tell you. Go ahead."
Jiang Zhao raised his head and drank the warm liquor before taking his leave.
When Cui Yuan saw him come out, he weighed the wild bird in his hand and said, "I hunted it on my way back. I'm going to roast it tonight."
Jiang Zhao walked over and patted his shoulder, "Good job, you have a leisurely and carefree time."
Xiao Chenglan is leaving tomorrow and is now preparing to go to the military camp again to see the soldiers.
Jiang Zhao and Cui Yuan were standing in front of the tent, chatting passionately. Xiao Chenglan glanced at them and prepared to leave.
But just as he was about to turn his head, he saw a flash of cold light.
At that moment, Xiao Chenglan's pupils constricted.
There was a blade in Cui Yuan's sleeve, which had already slipped into his palm, obviously aimed at Jiang Zhao.
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