Chapter 92 Urgently Recalled to Beijing "I didn't lie. I only like you." ...
All the previous battles were nothing compared to the battle of Lin'an.
For a month, the sky outside Lin'an City has never been clear, and it has been filled with thick smoke all day long.
The sounds of killing, roaring, shouting, crying, the click of knives hitting bones, the puffing of weapons piercing the body, all merged together, like hell on earth.
Here, death has become more common than eating.
After the Qingjiang battle ended, Jiang Cichen refused to let Luo Wan go to the battlefield again.
In fact, ever since the last forced recovery of his internal energy, the backlash from the drugs had caused Luo Wan's internal energy to be no longer as good as before. During his recovery period, he was severely damaged by the plague, and now it was impossible for him to return to his previous state.
After all, he wasn't a god. He had flesh and blood, and could feel joy, sorrow, and fear. Only by placing Luo Wan behind him could he feel a little at ease.
But Luo Wan was always worried while staying in the rear. Sometimes the war in the front was intense and the fighting lasted for several days in a row, and even the messengers had no time to deliver news to the rear.
The situation was changing rapidly, and there had been no news from Jiang Cichen for several days. Luo Wan couldn't wait to go and take a look, but was discovered by Jiang Cichen, and the two had a big fight.
After the quarrel, Jiang Cichen came over to comfort her again: "I haven't married you yet, how could I die?"
He continued shamelessly, "How about I take off my clothes and let you examine me?"
Luo Wan didn't want to argue with him, so he carefully checked his injuries.
Jiang Cichen has a straight posture, a broad back and a thin waist. He is not a big and strong man. His muscle lines are smooth and beautiful, and his chest rises and falls slightly with his breathing.
He had many old wounds on his body, but due to proper treatment, they did not look hideous, except that they were still a little shocking on his pale skin.
In fact, it wasn't just old injuries; every time he came back, he would have a few new ones. Luo Wan would use the golden wound medicine given by Emperor Yun and the special medicine made by Qingyun according to the situation.
When Luo Wan applied medicine to him, his eyebrows never relaxed: "If someone attacks you, won't you hide a little?"
Jiang Cichen just smiled faintly and said, "If I don't charge forward, how can the soldiers behind dare to charge forward?"
"Who is the general of Lin'an?" Luo Wan asked.
Lin'an City was difficult to attack, and its wealth was one of the reasons. Without reliable generals, even the most prosperous city would just be fat meat for others to divide up.
"I don't care what the name of Gu's bastard is." Jiang Cichen paused and continued, "But there is one person you should remember."
The Gu family had many children, so they won first place in most events at the poetry and martial arts competition. It was hard for Luo Wan not to notice.
But Duke Gu only has two legitimate sons, and there are many other illegitimate children. Now that Gu Zhuohan is dead and Gu Sihan has not used any martial arts skills, if the Gu family still wants to control the military power, they can only send other people to fight.
Apart from these two people, Luo Wan didn't remember any other members of the Gu family.
"Who?" she asked.
Jiang Cichen said: "Liu Shiyu."
She did remember Liu Shiyu, Liu Zong's son and Liu Shuyi's elder brother, who had deliberately made things difficult for her at the palace banquet and the poetry and martial arts conference in the capital.
Luo Wan was puzzled: "He doesn't know martial arts, why is he here?"
Jiang Cichen said, "As the military advisor for the Lin'an defense, Liu Shiyu is indeed well versed in the art of war."
"After all, he's the son of Grand Tutor Liu Zong. When has Liu Zong ever produced a mediocre person under his command?" After a moment's silence, she asked, "How is Jingzhou City?"
"Everything is normal in Jingzhou, with only some harmless minor incidents occasionally. Jingzhou tried to send troops for support several times, but was stopped every time."
The military doctor brought the prepared medicine and quietly withdrew. Jiang Cichen never hesitated when taking medicine. After testing the temperature, he raised his head and drank it all in one gulp.
He put the medicine bowl aside, a smile on his lips: "You finally came back, don't keep talking to me about this, discuss something else with me."
Luo Wan glanced at him and said unhappily, "You're so injured and still restless."
Jiang Cichen held her wrist. His palm was warm, with thin calluses from years of holding a sword. He stroked her delicate skin, bringing a subtle shudder.
"It's because you're hurt that you need comfort." He lowered his voice with a somewhat lazy tone, "You seem thinner than the last time we met. Have you not eaten well while I was away?"
She lowered her eyelashes and tried to pull her hand back as a cover-up, but he held it even tighter.
"Hold still," he said, "let me get a good look at you."
The flickering candlelight in the room cast a half-bright, half-dark shadow on his sharply defined profile.
Luo Wan didn't struggle and let him hold her.
His eyes fell on a new arrow wound on his shoulder. Although the wound had been treated, the edges were still red and swollen.
She stretched out her other hand and lightly brushed the skin next to the injury with her fingertips: "Does it still hurt?"
Jiang Cichen shook his head and pulled her to sit down: "This injury is nothing, it's commonplace."
"When will this battle end?"
"At least three months."
Luo Wan thought for a long time and whispered, "After this war is over, I will be away for a while." Jiang Cichen's face changed immediately: "Where are you going?"
"Let's go back to Tingyu Tower." She met his gaze. "After all, I am still the owner of Tingyu Tower. There are always things that need my attention."
Her enemy is still living freely in Miaojiang, and this feud must be settled eventually. Since Chu Lin is hiding behind the high priest, she doesn't mind attacking Miaojiang.
She had been hesitant to make a decision before because Luo Wan knew that Beiguo still had his secret guards. Without knowing the strength of his secret guards, she could not act rashly.
As long as this battle is won, the Northern Kingdom will be like a spent force, unable to cause any trouble.
Jiang Cichen stared at her for a moment before saying, "I'll go with you."
He had never forgotten her identity and could probably guess what she was going to do. It was normal for someone in the underworld to have a few enemies. Since she didn't want him to help her, it would be okay for him to accompany her.
Luo Wan said: "You are with me? In what capacity are you with me?"
"What identity is convenient?"
Luo Wan smiled and said, "It would be more convenient if it was a male favorite I kept."
Jiang Cichen frowned and said stiffly, "...That's fine."
She couldn't help but chuckle: "Jiang Cichen, where is your character?"
"No," he said.
If anyone had dared to ask him to be his male concubine in the past in the capital, he would have thrown that person against the wall and would not have been able to tear him off.
"Bei Yeji has already publicized your face." Luo Wan poked his cheek lightly with her finger. "The assassins of Tingyu Tower are not blind. Who would believe you if they said you were my male lover? Besides, taking Lin'an doesn't mean everything is over. So, just wait for me in Yun Kingdom. Do you hear me?"
Jiang Cichen said: "My current relationship with you is no different from that of a male concubine."
"It doesn't matter to me, and it doesn't matter to you either," Luo Wan said. "Your royal grandparents don't care either? General Lingyun, the son of a dignified princess, is actually the lover of a woman from Jianghu. If this gets out, will the Yun Kingdom royal family still have any face?"
Jiang Cichen suddenly leaned in close, buried his face in the crook of her neck, and took a deep breath. Her light fragrance mixed with the scent of herbs relaxed his tense nerves a little. He muttered, "How long will you be gone?"
Luo Wan pushed him away and thought, "Ten days or half a month."
Jiang Cichen was immediately furious: "So long!?"
"How long will this take?"
"It's not long now?" He said in a dissatisfied tone, "I only go to the front line for seven days."
Luo Wan smoothed over the furious person and said, "I'll be back as soon as possible."
*
Another half a month passed.
In spring, the withered trees begin to grow and sprout again, and the leaves in the mountains are so dense that it is difficult for sunlight to penetrate.
The letter that Luo Wan sent to Shen Zhiyan at Qingjiang Mountain seemed to have sunk into the sea, and there was no response. If Shuo Qiu had not said that everything was fine in Prime Minister Shen's residence, Luo Wan would have begun to suspect that something had happened.
The morning mist, when illuminated by the light, becomes a light layer of white.
The accident happened last night.
Jingzhou pretended to send troops to reinforce Lin'an. When Xiao Ce led his troops to intercept them, they were surrounded. The team he led was almost wiped out. The remaining few personal soldiers broke out of the siege. Xiao Ce was also seriously injured and was sent back to Yunjing for treatment.
If it was just an ordinary injury, it would be fine, but this time was different from any other time. Xiao Ce's life was in danger, which instantly shocked the court and the country.
Jiang Cichen was urgently summoned back to Beijing.
Outside the East Palace, the imperial doctors knelt on the ground. The queen was so angry that her armor almost poked their faces: "A bunch of useless people!"
"Your humble servant is incompetent, please calm down, Your Majesty." The imperial doctors were trembling with fear, and no one dared to look up.
The little prince was frightened by the scene and burst into tears, and was hurriedly taken away by his wet nurse.
The inner hall was filled with a strong smell of blood. Xiao Ce lay on the couch with a pale face. He raised his hand with difficulty, and his lips moved slightly.
The Queen immediately took his hand and leaned closer: "Who does Ce'er want to see? Tell Mother."
The side hall was full of people, including the prince's retainers and close friends. In short, everyone who had close contacts with the Eastern Palace was there.
The old eunuch beside the Queen hurried over and searched the crowd before finding the Crown Princess in an inconspicuous corner. He said urgently, "Your Highness, the Crown Prince wishes to see you! Please follow me in!"
The Crown Princess was startled when she heard this. She had not expected Xiao Ce to want to see her, and subconsciously turned her head to look at Xu Lian'er beside her. Xu Lian'er felt her gaze, raised her head, and returned a faint smile.
The bloody smell in the bedroom has faded a lot.
The prince was no longer covered in blood and dust like when he was first sent back. He had changed into clean pajamas, and his face had regained some vitality. He could even barely sit up.
The Crown Princess stood beside the bed and looked at him for a long time. Then she saw him smile and reach out his hand to her.
Everything is clear now.
After all, the Crown Princess grew up in a palace marquisate.
The palace was silent. The eunuchs had quietly retreated without anyone noticing, and even the queen had disappeared.
The Crown Princess sat on the edge of the bed, unable to hold back any longer, tears streaming rapidly from her eyes.
Xiao Ce continued to smile, gently wiped away her tears and stroked her hair.
"Don't you like Miss Xu?" The Crown Princess' voice choked slightly. "Why don't you see her? She's in the side hall. You can see her anytime you want."
He looked deeply into the Crown Princess's eyes and said calmly, "I like you the most, and I only want to see you."
The Crown Princess pursed her lips and turned her head away: "You lied again. Are you trying to take advantage of this opportunity to act pitiful and marry Miss Xu into the Eastern Palace? Go ahead and marry her. I've already accepted this. She's virtuous and gentle, and she loves you so much."
"I'm not a stingy person," the Crown Princess lowered her eyes, and a crystal clear tear fell on his hand, "as long as you are happy."
Xiao Ce frowned, stared at her, and said seriously: "I'm not lying. I only like you."
The Crown Princess's gaze lingered on his face, trying to find any signs of lying, but his eyes were clear, and although weak, they were extremely focused and sincere, just like many years ago.
She felt like something was blocking her heart and her throat was sore.
Xiao Ce's fingers gently stroked her palm: "Many times, I regretted it, thinking that I was too selfish and delayed you. You are such a free and easy-going person, but I trapped you in the East Palace."
"Isn't that right?" The Crown Princess blinked, tears still hanging on her eyelashes, making them look wet. She smiled and said, "You always called me 'tiger' in the past."
Xiao Ce also laughed, and after a moment he seemed to come back to his senses, and said softly and deeply: "I'm sorry for having wronged you by my side all these years."
"I feel very wronged." The Crown Princess replied in a low voice, "I hate you the most."
"Yun Shang, I'm sorry." The prince gazed deeply at the princess and gently scratched her nose. "Also, please don't forgive me."
A very soft body rushed up and pressed against him tightly. But he could not feel her body temperature, nor could he smell the faint fragrance of her habit, nor could he feel her hot tears falling on his neck.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com