The summer sun had already made the streets less lively than usual. At noon, Xu Nian lay in the courtyard to cool off after lunch.
Trying to estimate the time, but Gu Zhan never returned from the palace. "Did the general say anything before he left today?"
She turned her head to look at the butler standing guard to the side, and that inexplicable sense of unease surged up in her heart again. She made a hand gesture, and her languidly half-closed eyes suddenly widened.
She sat bolt upright in the rocking chair. "Liuyun, help me change my clothes. I want to go to the palace!"
The court officials had been standing in the Hall of Light for the entire morning.
But they still couldn't come up with a solution. Yesterday, a border soldier rushed to the capital with an urgent report: the Xiongnu were driving the border forces into a series of defeats.
Further ahead, we will have to cross Mount Cangque!
The emperor was greatly alarmed and brought up the matter during the morning court session, saying that he would select a person to lead an army of 100,000 to attack the Xiongnu.
Now, the princes' supporters were all getting restless, especially the fifth prince. They were afraid that this highly profitable opportunity would fall into the hands of someone else.
The struggle for power was so intense that it turned the imperial court into a marketplace.
"Lord Fang, although you are the Vice Minister of War, the situation here is urgent, and General Wang has only been in the army for two or three years. How can he be entrusted with such a great responsibility?!"
"What Lord Wang says is true. I believe that we should send Marshal Su to lead the troops to defeat the enemy."
Now that things have come to this, whoever holds military power will be the ultimate winner. Aside from the sickly Second Prince, the only other person in the court is the Fourth Prince, who doesn't care about anything.
These people consider themselves exceptionally intelligent.
They all flocked to Jiang Yuanche, eager to seize military power for their own side. Fortunately, they would have the merit of supporting the Fifth Prince after his ascension to the throne, allowing them to rise rapidly through the ranks.
Those who are truly capable and should be sent to the border are seen as thorns in their side.
The fourth prince stepped forward, interrupting the conversation, "Father, I believe that General Gu is a brilliant strategist, both brave and resourceful, and is the best choice to lead the troops into battle this time."
Jiang Mingyun nodded when she finally heard a satisfactory answer. Just as she was about to speak, some people below became restless.
"General Gu is brave and resourceful, but he is still young. The Xiongnu are fierce, and with his beautiful wife by his side, General Gu is unlikely to be willing to send troops. Marshal Su is more suitable."
"In my opinion, General Wang is more suitable. Why would we need someone like Marshal Su when we are just a bunch of Xiongnu? Lord Fang is making a mountain out of a molehill."
Jiang Mingyun slightly bent his fingers and tapped the dragon throne intermittently. The moment he raised his hand, everyone below fell silent.
Having just dealt with the Fifth Prince by the Emperor not long ago, none of them dared to offend the Emperor at this time.
"Gu Qing, what do you think?" The emperor didn't ask anyone else, his gaze falling directly on Gu Zhan, who was looking down, seemingly lost in thought.
The young man raised his head, his handsome face filled with determination and righteous indignation. "Your Majesty, I am willing to lead the troops there. Everything is at Your Majesty's disposal."
"Good! Someone, convey my decree: General Gu Zhan is hereby appointed Grand Marshal of the Pacification Campaign, and will lead troops into battle in three days. There must be no delay!"
At the palace gate, Xu Nian anxiously looked around.
Unable to enter the territory of the Hall of Light, she could only wait here.
As she saw someone come out, many passersby, both familiar and unfamiliar, turned their gazes towards her. Some looked at her with pity, some with disdain, and some with resentment.
She couldn't care less about any of that. After waiting for a long time, Gu Zhan didn't come out. Instead, she saw the Fourth Prince again. "Princess Fu'an? The General has been summoned by the Emperor for a talk. He won't be out for a while. You should go back to your residence first."
The man's face no longer held the carefree air he had when they first met, but he still looked nonchalant.
Xu Nian bowed and asked, "Your Highness, could you please tell me if something has happened in the palace? Why is the court session only now ending?"
After thinking about it, I felt there was no point in hiding it.
Anyway, she would find out the truth eventually, either when Princess Fu'an returned or when Gu Zhan went to war. Jiang Yuanmo did not hide anything, "The border war is critical. Father has appointed General Gu as marshal. He will have to go to the border in three days."
【this……】
[Is this what you've been feeling lately, this streamer?]
[General Gu is a general; he would definitely be duty-bound to act in a situation like this. Besides, he and the streamer have only been married for about six months.]
Regardless of the dynasty, the families of soldiers are always the most heart-wrenching yet the most admirable.
Xu Nian didn't know what to say; she knew that Gu Zhan would go to the frontier sooner or later.
But she never imagined it would happen so quickly; everything came too suddenly. She wasn't even prepared; there were still some things to finish in the capital.
Moreover, she already had a vague feeling about it.
Her trial was fast approaching. If Gu Zhan was at the border at that time, and she suddenly disappeared, he would not be able to find her when he returned...
She couldn't imagine what a blow this would be to Gu Zhan.
Feeling dazed, Xu Nian returned to the general's mansion, stroking the jade porcelain bottle on her chest. She sat on the bed for a long time, lost in thought, when she heard someone outside announce that the general had returned.
Looking up at the doorway, Gu Zhan, still in his official robes, strode over. "Nian'er, you should already know. I..."
I want to go with you.
"What?" Gu Zhan wanted to explain, but he was immediately stunned by Xu Nian's words.
I said, "I want to go with you."
The general frowned. Without hesitation, he said, "No."
Xu Nian: "Why not?! Although I don't know martial arts, I am not incapable of fighting enemies with my magical techniques. I am not incapable of helping you."
Gu Zhan still shook his head, "This is too dangerous, I don't agree. Nian'er, I know you are very capable, but it is my business to go to the battlefield and kill the enemy. You just stay in the General's Mansion. I promise you, very soon. I will defeat the Xiongnu and return in triumph."
No, you can't come back.
Xu Nian's eyes were filled with sadness; she had calculated it.
Gu Zhan's initial leadership was indeed brilliant, driving the enemy into retreat. However, he has recently been targeted by a villain!
Someone in the army leaked his plan, leading to heavy casualties in that battle. Gu Zhan was shot in the back and died from being pierced by countless arrows!
She wouldn't allow that to happen. "Trust me. There's a spy in your camp, and I don't know who it is. So I have to go with you. Otherwise, you'll be in danger."
These words solidified Gu Zhan's resolve, which had been wavering somewhat. "No way. Alright, now that I know all this, I'll definitely be on guard. Don't worry, just wait for me at home. Besides, while I'm away fighting, all of you family members must stay in the city. If you leave, wouldn't that give people more reason to criticize you?"
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