The north wind howled and snow fell heavily. The battle in Jingzhou lasted for a month. Although the Western Regions troops had the advantage in numbers, Helian Qing was not as intelligent as Yan Beimo and could not cope with the tactics he deployed. He suffered defeat after defeat.
Helian Ye, who was far away in Gaocheng in the Yinshan area, was furious when he heard the news.
"He's utterly useless!"
A general stood up and said, "Young Master, if the Tiger Army is defeated, the Great Qi Emperor will surely encircle us from the west along the Yan River, and our plan to attack the fourteen cities of Yinshan will definitely be thwarted."
Helian Ye spoke with a stern face.
Are the soldiers who left the north still in Yanli Mountain?
“They are trapped in the mountains by our people, but a few days ago, the ice on the Jingzhou River cracked. Once the Qi ships cross the river, we will suffer heavy losses.”
Helian Ye smiled coldly, "Pass on my order: burn down Yanli Mountain, kill those generals from Libei, and bring their heads to Yanbei Mo."
"Here you go."
At this moment, the tent flap was lifted, and a man, shivering with cold, walked in carrying a sword.
"Young Master, the Northern Emperor has arrived."
Upon hearing this, Helian Ye narrowed his amber eyes, took the cloak from the shelf, and walked out of the tent.
---
In the depths of winter, Jiankang also experienced a snowfall.
Chu Changning, dressed in a light green silk skirt and a white fox fur coat, gracefully walked out of the imperial study.
Besides spending time with her son, she usually focused on the war in the north, often visiting the Imperial Study to read the battle reports from various places and chatting with Cui Linyuan. She learned that the war in the north was currently at a stalemate.
"Your Highness, His Highness should have returned from the training ground."
Tao Zhi's voice came from behind. Chu Changning snapped out of her reverie, tucked a stray hair behind her ear, and whispered.
"The Chinese New Year is almost here."
The long corridor and the building were filled with snowflakes falling from the eaves, covering the sky with a layer of white.
When she returned to Xuanming Palace, she saw Ayu gesturing with a sword in the courtyard.
This was specially made for him by the craftsmen at the training ground; it's clever and convenient.
"Mother."
Chu Changning saw him practicing swordsmanship in the snow, a hint of anger flashed across her face, and she quickly went over and led him back under the eaves.
Aren't you cold?
Ayu tilted her head back, blinked, and said, "I'm not cold."
"---"
The snow fell heavily at night, and the windows were left open, letting in a gust of cold wind through the cracks. Chu Changning, who was not asleep, lifted the curtains and got out of bed to close the windows.
A cool breeze swept through the air, the moonlight shone, and white snow covered the entire ground, making the magnificent buildings appear as if they were covered in silver frost.
She wore a snow-white cloak, leaned against the window, and quietly watched the beautiful scenery outside.
The palace was silent in the dead of night, the eaves and roofs covered with snow, and the plum blossoms in the garden added red to the ground as clusters of snow fell.
She rested her chin on her hand, glanced at the snow a few times, and thought to herself, "The snow in the north must be even heavier."
As the year drew to a close, Ayu stopped attending classes as often and instead spent time playing with her inside the hall.
Chu Changning was not in good health and could not stand the cold, so she often stayed in the palace and did not go out. She often studied medical books, and even her beloved son became interested in them.
The mother and son would then curl up on the soft couch to study the matter, and would occasionally go to the Imperial Hospital for advice.
Some time ago, Wang Wan came to Jiankang to visit her aunt, and she often went to the palace to keep her company.
The two shared similar interests and got along well, so the hall was always filled with laughter.
However, battle reports kept coming from the north. It was said that in the battle of Jingzhou, a general from the Western Regions died. The Qi army was encircling and advancing westward, but was intercepted from the rear by the Northern Capital and trapped at Yanhe. The fate of several generals was unknown.
Chu Changning was worried about Yan Beimo, so she took her son to Puguo Temple to pray for peace.
In the winter, the silent wind and snow fell heavily on the roof of the temple. The path up the mountain had been cleared by the monks and nuns, leaving only silver frost on the stone steps.
The group of people made a ruckus as they entered the temple and went into the main hall to pay their respects.
Wang Wan was very weak in the winter. After climbing the mountain, she was panting heavily. She sat down in the Buddhist hall next to the main hall with a handkerchief and drank some hot tea.
Outside, monks and nuns were whispering to each other, and the rustling sounds occasionally drifted in. She held her teacup, listened to the murmurs outside, and stared wide-eyed.
Inside the main hall, Chu Changning knelt on a prayer mat, looking at the Buddha statue above her head, clasping her hands together and closing her eyes.
The Bodhisattva saves all sentient beings. The faithful woman makes three wishes: first, that the world be peaceful; second, that her children be healthy; and third, that her husband return in triumph. May we be like swallows on the roof beam, meeting every year.
She knelt and kowtowed repeatedly, her face filled with piety.
Ayu, standing next to her, glanced left and right, then followed suit and kowtowed, putting the incense money into the donation box while muttering something under her breath.
The wind howled in from outside the hall, and Ayu handed her some incense.
Chu Changning stood up, took the incense, and sincerely bowed to the Buddha statue.
"Mother, what are they saying?"
She paused, glanced at her bright-eyed son, and looked outside in the direction he was looking.
Not far away, at the foot of the bluestone steps, Wang Wan was whispering something to several monks and nuns.
Taozhi and Shuangyue were waiting outside the door. When they saw the mother and son come out, they quickly came up to them and handed her a blue and white plum blossom and sparrow patterned hand warmer to warm her hands.
Chu Changning did not accept it, but took his son's hand and went down the stone steps towards the group of people under the ancient tree.
"Ah Wan?"
Hearing the voice, Wang Wan turned around and said, "Sister-in-law."
"What's wrong?"
She came closer mysteriously with the heater in her hand and whispered a few words in her ear.
Chu Changning's expression changed repeatedly, his gaze fixed on Ye Ying, who was following behind him.
Night Hawk glanced at the group, then suddenly remembered something and lowered his head.
Chu Changning was furious. This crazy lunatic dared to imprison a sorcerer! She was even praying to the gods for peace, but now, it's a miracle that Buddha didn't strike him dead with lightning.
"Release them now."
Hearing the unfriendly voice, Night Hawk remembered His Majesty's usual attitude and turned to carry it out.
"yes."
Ayu seemed to remember something too, her eyes darted around, and she kept her mouth shut without saying a word.
Chu Changning cursed the man in his heart, then threw out a large sum of money for incense oil and left with a sheepish expression.
I was originally planning to eat vegetarian food at the temple, but now I'm too embarrassed to eat it.
On the way down the mountain, Wang Wan chatted with her about the scenery around them, and then mentioned that there was a vegetarian noodle shop at the foot of the mountain that made the best noodles, so they made plans to go there for a meal.
Chu Changning thought it was still early, so he told everyone to go.
"By the way, Awan, are you spending the Spring Festival in Jiankang this year?"
Wang Wan took her arm and said affectionately, "We'll be going back to Yandu in a few days."
Chu Changning chuckled, "I will definitely prepare a generous gift for your wedding."
I heard that the old master of the Xie family has passed away, and several of the Xie family's marriages have been postponed for several months.
Wang Wan smiled, a hint of melancholy flashing in her eyes.
The vegetarian noodle stalls at the foot of the mountain are set up in sheds, and they're quite lively. As soon as you enter, you're greeted by the delicious aroma of noodles.
Chu Changning smiled and ordered several bowls of noodles, then invited everyone to sit down.
Knowing that she didn't follow those rules, the others all sat down.
The group chatted, listening to the diners talking about all sorts of things, creating a warm and harmonious atmosphere.
"Come on, gentlemen, please make way, the noodles are here---"
Everyone was hungry, so as soon as the noodles were served, they began to eat them slowly and deliberately.
But before Chu Changning could eat two bites, a sudden wave of nausea washed over her, and she clutched her mouth with a handkerchief in discomfort.
Wang Wan was taken aback. "Sister-in-law, what's wrong?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com