Chapter 78 (First published on Jinjiang Literature City) (2-in-1) "Your Highness is certain..."
The army sets out on its expedition.
A grand and mighty procession.
Khuril personally crowned his sons and saw them off.
Turing also went along, at his insistence, following Chaolu; more people meant more help.
When the expedition began, Bao Yin stood on the city wall and watched from afar. None of the women were present. This was the Khan's order: when it's time to boost morale, don't get all teary-eyed.
Pei Du was present, seeing off the warriors with Hurile.
The drums beat frequently, one after another, greatly boosting morale.
But for Ruan Yu, the moment Chao Lu left, the tent fell silent instantly.
It feels empty.
After getting up early, she went to Hela and her mother-in-law's place, but fortunately she had her older sister and Buhe with her.
Hela also worries about her younger brother, so she can better understand his feelings.
"Come over more often in the future, so we can talk more together."
Ruan Yu laughed and said, "I will definitely come to see you every day, as long as you don't find me annoying."
"I wouldn't mind if you lived here with me, really."
Ruan Yu took her hand: "Okay, but today, sister, you need to help me choose a few embroiderers first."
"Embroiderer?"
Ruan Yu smiled and nodded, then told Haila about the shop she had bought in Lingzhou. Haila was delighted to hear this, saying, "That's great news. I'll go with you then."
There are many skilled and clever women on the grasslands, and Ruan Yu will need their help to make this business a success.
On her first day back, she instructed Xuanniang to do the same thing she had done in the Central Plains: have the girls who were willing to work go back and prepare some of their specialties. They were probably almost done by now.
As they approached the government tent, Xuanniang indeed brought them over: "Khatun, the embroiderers have all brought the things."
“Okay, my sister and I will choose.”
As Ruan Yu and Haila were making their selections, Pei Du's figure suddenly appeared not far away. Qing Guo, with her sharpest eyes, spotted him immediately and whispered a reminder.
Ruan Yu looked up, somewhat surprised.
Hela recognized the other person and stopped what she was doing.
"I have met Daibekichi and Shikhtun."
Ruan Yu smiled and said, "Lord Pei, we meet again."
Pei Du: "Yes, it's my first time on the grasslands. It's quite large, and I even got lost... I hope I haven't bothered you two?"
Hela laughed: "Lord Pei, our grasslands are all pretty much the same in all directions, unlike your Central Plains where it's easy to distinguish east from west and north from south. It's perfectly normal to get lost on your first visit!"
Pei Du smiled and said, "You flatter me. The scenery on the grassland is indeed beautiful, and I was captivated by it."
Ruan Yu asked, "Where did you originally intend to go, sir?"
"I want to go to the farmland to see how the seed drills are being used."
Ruan Yu was almost done with her own plans. After thinking for a moment, she said, "Then I'll go with you, sir. I'm quite curious too. Shall we go together, elder sister?"
"Sure, I don't have anything else to do anyway, I might as well come with you!"
Pei Du nodded: "Then I'll trouble you two to lead the way."
The three of them walked together toward the farmland, and Ruan Yu chatted with him along the way.
"How long will you be staying on the grasslands this time, sir?"
"The establishment of the Protectorate will involve some minor matters, and is expected to take about a month."
Ruan Yu nodded: "Then you can take this opportunity to enjoy the scenery of the grassland and relax."
Pei Du smiled.
The seed drill was clearly well-suited for use on the grasslands; as soon as he approached the farmland, many people recognized Ruan Yu—
"It is Siqdun!"
"The Sikkhudun has arrived!"
They spontaneously stepped forward, all running up to Ruan Yu with smiling faces, yet maintaining restraint and distance—
"Siqton! This seed drill is incredibly useful; it's been a huge help to us!"
"The Four Virtues bring blessings to the people!"
Ruan Yu was somewhat surprised. Pei Du whispered, "Chao Lu has been saying that this was your design, so they should all know about it."
Ruan Yu was both amused and exasperated.
"If this can help everyone, that would be great. If you encounter any problems while using it, you can come to me or Lord Pei."
"Eh! Thank you, Si Ke Dun, thank you, sir!"
After walking around, Ruan Yu and Pei Du chatted for a long time.
Furthermore, he told me about the Prince of Chen.
Ruan Yu was a little surprised, but the surprise quickly disappeared.
Pei Du looked a little surprised. "Aren't you surprised?"
Ruan Yu lowered her eyes and said, "My lord may think my words are a bit disrespectful, but I do think that the Chang'an royal family has some problems. In recent years, if it weren't for its strong foundation, it might have collapsed long ago. Disasters have been frequent, and the emperor is also a womanizer..."
Pei Du looked at her in astonishment.
Ruan Yu smiled and said, "I was just saying these things to you, sir. I hope you don't mind."
Pei Du lowered his eyes: "No..."
Ruan Yu: "Of course, you have been in officialdom for a long time and you see things more clearly than I do. I am just a weak woman and my understanding of many things is rather superficial. Please just take this as a joke."
As soon as Ruan Yu finished speaking, Buhe shouted, "Auntie! There are some fun things over here!"
Ruan Yu turned around and smiled, "My aunt will be here soon."
"My lord, I shall take my leave now."
Pei Du didn't follow them any further, and smiled, "Okay, I'll go take a look over there, and then I'll head straight back later."
Ruan Yu walked over to Haila and Buhe. It turned out that Buhe had seen a bamboo rat and wanted to catch it and raise it.
But neither Heila nor Ruan Yu dared to make a move, so they had to call Batu and Yang Chong over.
...
Ruan Yu and her sister slowly walked back after they got tired of shopping.
Haila and Batu left, and Yang Chong dutifully escorted Ruan Yu.
Ruan Yu suddenly turned to him and asked, "If you don't go to the battlefield this time, will you regret it?"
Yang Chong shook his head: "His Highness said I have a more important task."
Ruan Yu smiled and said, "There's one more thing. If I write a letter to Chao Lu, how long will it take to arrive?"
"About ten days."
"Can you confirm delivery?"
Yang Chong smiled and said, "The Khatun's letter should be fine."
Ruan Yu thought about it for a moment, and her heart filled with joy.
At dinner time, Hela went to her mother-in-law's place first.
Madam Qiu is also practicing calligraphy.
Seeing her daughter, she smiled and asked, "Did you go out to play with An'an today?"
"Yes, we went for a stroll. She was selecting some embroiderers, and then we ran into Lord Pei and went to the farmland."
“I heard about the seed drill; An’an put a lot of effort into it.”
"Yes, that Lord Pei seems like a nice person. I heard he'll be staying on the grasslands for over a month. However, I also seem to have heard some news from the Central Plains..."
Madam Qiu picked up her brush and continued practicing her calligraphy: "What news?"
Hela thought for a moment, "The specifics... I didn't hear clearly, but I heard that there was going to be a war, and that the king had started a rebellion."
Mrs. Qiu paused, then slowly looked up.
"Treason?"
Hela slapped her forehead: "I remember now! That Prince Chen! His name is Prince Chen, the one from Youzhou!"
"Smack—"
Lady Qiu's pen tip suddenly veered off course, the penholder slightly deformed, and an uncontrolled stroke instantly ruined the entire piece of calligraphy.
Hela opened her eyes wide: "Mother, what's wrong?"
Lady Qiu's hands trembled, and her voice shook as well: "Hela... say it again... who, who started a rebellion?"
“Mother…” Hela looked at her with some concern.
Madam Qiu slowly put down her pen and closed her eyes.
"Hela, you go out first."
…………
Ruan Yu sat at her desk, thinking for a long time but not knowing where to begin.
She could write three long pages of letters to her mother and brother without stopping, but the one to Chaolu…
Ruan Yu smiled and shook her head.
It feels a little strange to suddenly become so serious.
After calming myself down, I finally began to slowly put pen to paper.
...
When Chao Lu left, it was already the end of April.
Time seems to pass slowly day by day, but in reality it passes quite quickly.
Before we knew it, it was mid-May.
Ruan Yu's shop finally opened, and a total of fifteen embroiderers were hired. Yang Chong was not only busy protecting Ruan Yu's safety, but also in charge of collecting animal hides.
Ruan Yu wanted to start a breeding farm. He had put forward a preliminary plan for this before he left for Lu, and now he had handed it all over to Yang Chong.
In short, everything is progressing in an orderly manner.
And over the past two weeks, news from the battlefield has finally started to trickle back.
In the Battle of Bailuping, Chaolu launched a surprise night attack from the rear, killing hundreds of Aohan soldiers.
In the battle of Dongqing Ridge, Chaolu and Turing cooperated extremely well, defeating one of Aohan's generals so thoroughly that he surrendered on the spot.
When this news reached the grasslands, Hurile was overjoyed.
"Very good, very good, my son Chaolu, you are incredibly brave."
The ministers on the grasslands were also very pleased.
"The Fourth Prince is indeed brave, and the Sixth Prince is quite impressive as well!"
But when this news reached Naren's ears, it didn't feel quite right.
Yuzhu couldn't sit still any longer, so she went to find her mother-in-law.
"Mother, what about Charles? Why haven't we received any news yet?"
Naren has been waiting these past few days, and she doesn't look too well.
"What's the rush? You're pregnant and you're acting so energetic. Be careful."
Yuzhu was somewhat displeased: "Mother...isn't Charles the commander-in-chief? How come Chaolu and the others stole all the limelight?"
Naren: "Charle is not good at fighting. The commander only needs to lead the troops and make arrangements. Of course, my son does not need to go into battle personally."
"But the reports of victory all came back with Chaolu's name, so wouldn't everyone only remember him?"
Naren smiled and reached out to touch Yuzhu's hair: "My silly child, as long as we win this battle, only the commander will be recorded in history. Don't worry. Besides, we still have Temur. It's okay to let Chaolu show off first."
"Does Mother have other plans?" Yuzhu sensed something amiss.
Naren certainly has one.
But she did not choose to tell Yuzhu about this.
"Don't think about anything right now, just focus on your pregnancy. You only have one task: to safely give birth to Charles's child, understand? If you want anything to eat, wear, or use, just say so."
Yu Zhu pursed her lips: "Yes, I understand, Mother... But will Mother be unhappy... I heard that Father has been going to Madam Qiu's place every day recently."
Naren laughed: "I'm not Saren, I don't care at all which woman the Khan sleeps with..."
Besides, it would be good for him to go to other women.
Yuzhu admired her mother-in-law even more. "I understand..."
When Yuzhu went in to find Naren, Baoyin was releasing a pigeon.
Her expression has recently carried a hint of worry, but no one knows what's on her mind.
As the pigeon flew further and further away, Yuzhu's voice suddenly came from behind.
"What are you doing?"
Baoyin quickly turned around.
"Sister-in-law."
Yu Zhu stepped forward with some suspicion: "A message by carrier pigeon? Who are you sending a message to?"
Bao Yin's heart tightened: "Sister-in-law must be mistaken. This is just an ordinary pigeon that I caught. It doesn't carry any message."
The pigeon had already flown far away, and Yuzhu couldn't catch it back. Looking at Baoyin's innocent eyes, she pursed her lips and decided to believe her for the time being.
Who could she send a message to? An orphan girl.
He depended entirely on his mother-in-law for food and drink.
Yu Zhu said dismissively, "Fine, let's go back. Things haven't been peaceful lately."
Baoyin lowered her eyes and looked at Yuzhu's belly. Suddenly she smiled and said, "Actually, I was a little worried about Third Brother. I bandaged up that injured pigeon. Third Brother must be having a hard time on the battlefield."
These words touched on Yuzhu's concerns: "Yes, I'm worried about him too. I hope he's not hurt."
Baoyin laughed and said, "Of course not, it wasn't mentioned in the family letter."
"A letter home? What letter home?"
"Don't you know, sister-in-law? Third brother sent a letter home a couple of days ago, and it's with Mother."
Yu Zhu's expression changed: "Why didn't I receive it?!"
Baoyin: "Ah... that might have been sent separately to my sister-in-law. There was a mishap on the way, but she might receive it today or tomorrow."
Yu Zhu pursed her lips: "What else do you know? Did Chao Lu and Turing send it?"
Baoyin laughed and said, "How would I know that? I'm not familiar with Fourth Brother and Sixth Brother. But I heard the other day that it's not actually that hard on the battlefield. I saw that the military camp was selecting a group of women to send over... Does Sister-in-law know what they're for?"
Yu Zhu's expression changed drastically. What are you doing?
What else can we do!
Men on the grasslands are driven by lust; even during wartime, they still think about sex!
She'd completely forgotten about it!
Charles is the main force this time, and his mother-in-law is firmly in the position of Grand Hadun. With her pregnant, who knows how many vixens will try to seduce her!
Yu Zhu snorted, too lazy to pay any more attention to Bao Yin, and turned to leave!
Bao Yin watched her retreating figure, her expression gradually darkening. She curled her lips in a sarcastic smile and walked off in the other direction.
…………
Late May.
Chaolu received Yuyu's first letter.
He had just come down from the battlefield, his armor still stained with blood.
But upon hearing Haas's words, his eyes lit up instantly, and he immediately snatched the letter from Haas's hand.
Before even returning to his tent, he opened it and examined it carefully.
While watching, I couldn't help but chuckle to myself.
She was a completely different person from when she came back with a cold face.
Afu tried to come closer for a look, but Chaolu shooed him away with his elbow.
"Go, go, go, prepare a brush, ink, paper, and inkstone for me!"
Afu chuckled and touched his nose: "Hey."
At the same time, Charles and Damu also received letters from home.
Damu, with a calm expression, found a secluded spot, opened the package, and took a look, a faint smile playing on his lips.
Charles, inside the tent, opened the book and his eye twitched.
The eldest and fourth brothers must have been delighted after reading the letter, knowing it was from their wives showing their concern.
Only he himself, Yuzhu actually angrily told him to go to the brothel less often.
Charles was a little angry.
Who does she think she is?!
In a fit of anger, he stopped replying to the letter.
However, Yuzhu reminded herself that a maidservant suddenly stepped forward to pour wine. She had a rather good figure, and for some reason, Charles couldn't help but look at her a few more times. The maidservant lowered her head with red eyes and quickly turned and left.
In a corner of the military tent, Turing was preparing to return to camp when suddenly a pigeon fluttered down and landed at his feet.
Turing paused in his steps.
He looked around to make sure no one was there, then grabbed the pigeon. Sure enough, there was an inconspicuous note on its ankle.
He silently put the contents into his palm, turned around, and went into the tent.
The note was small, and the message was brief.
Turing finished reading it, his face expressionless.
...
Chao Lu sat at his desk for half a day.
Outside the tent, all that could be heard were the sounds of martial arts practice, with shouts of killing filling the air.
He took the letter and read it carefully several more times.
Yu Yu had almost memorized every single word before slowly picking up her pen and paper.
Chaolu wasn't particularly good at writing, and after writing a few lines, he was very dissatisfied and crumpled up the paper and threw it away.
After much thought, Chaolu finally had an idea, and his eyes lit up.
He grinned and began to write.
...
Another half month passed.
June has arrived, and summer is here.
Ruan Yu's fur business is not expected to improve in the short term, because demand in Chang'an will only increase significantly in winter. However, she needs to prepare in advance, as it cannot be made in a short time.
So lately, she has started planning her tea business again.
Just as she was about to go see Pei Du about this matter, Qingguo's excited voice came in—
"Khedun! A letter from His Highness!"
Ruan Yu's eyes lit up: "Let me see it!"
Xuan Niang, Qing Guo, Jin'er, and Shun'er all happily entered the room, but none of them went near the Khatun.
Ruan Yu was stunned for a moment when she received the envelope.
"Why is it so thick?"
Qingguo stuck out her tongue: "Your Highness must want to talk to the Khatun a lot!"
Amidst the maids' teasing, Ruan Yu opened the envelope, and when she saw the first letter, she was slightly taken aback.
It wasn't a letter, but a painting.
Little figure drawing.
The painting depicts a man riding a horse, holding a flower in his hand.
Ruan Yu looked at it for a while before recognizing it.
The flower... is a very abstract bellflower.
Therefore, the man is Chaolu's self-portrait.
He wanted to say that he saw beautiful bellflowers on his way to war, picked them, but didn't know how to give them to her.
So the man's eyebrows were drooping, and he looked a little unhappy.
Ruan Yu curled her lips into a smile.
The second picture still features the same little man, a river, holding a harpoon, and he has caught a fish.
Next, on the battlefield, a little man draws a bow and shoots an arrow at a target, hitting the bullseye.
Ruan Yu knew that he was a very good archer and must have taken many enemy heads by shooting arrows.
besides……
Unbeknownst to her, Ruan Yu was actually watching with great interest.
Xuan Niang leaned forward and saw it too, then smiled with satisfaction.
The second to last picture shows a small figure sitting at a desk with a worried expression.
She understood—
Chaolu was replying to her, but he didn't know how to write it.
But in the last chapter, he was all smiles again, and there was something on the paper in front of his desk.
A big heart.
Seeing this, Ruan Yu's cheeks flushed, but her eyes were filled with sweetness.
"Honestly... It could have been said in a few words, but you had to draw so much..."
Qingguo and Xuanniang both knew what the painting was about, and said with a smile, "It shows that His Highness is thinking of you all the time, and remembers the scene in his heart."
Ruan Yu's ears turned red. "Bring me paper and pen."
She was no longer in a hurry to discuss the tea matter, but instead sat down at the table, preparing to reply to Chaolu in the same way.
...
Meanwhile, Pei Du also received a letter from his father in his tent.
He dismissed the servants around him and quietly opened the door.
——
My son knows:
Since you went north, more than half a year has passed in the blink of an eye. The north wind is fierce, and the fields are vast. I wonder if your place is warm enough? Is your food and drink adequate? Please take good care of yourself and don't let your father worry.
There is something I need to discuss with you in detail. Recently, there have been some changes in the political situation in the capital, with undercurrents flowing throughout the court and the public. Prince Chen holds considerable military power, the strength of which is known to all. His forces have already reached north of the Yellow River, their influence formidable. Many officials in the court are discussing this, some worried, some anxious, and no consensus has been reached.
Your father has received a secret report stating that Prince Chen himself does not appear to be stationed at the army camp. According to intelligence, he has quietly left the camp and is heading north. This movement is quite suspicious, and his intentions are difficult to fathom. Although I am in the capital and can detect some things, I am far less aware of the situation on the grasslands, where I may be able to discern more clues.
My son, being on the grasslands provides an excellent opportunity to observe. From now on, you must pay close attention to your surroundings. If you hear any news related to Prince Chen, you must investigate carefully and secretly record it. Remember, this matter is of great importance; do not act rashly, nor should you reveal it to others. Simply report what you observe to me discreetly. You have always been calm and composed; I trust you can handle this properly, neither exposing yourself nor failing to grasp the truth.
Everything is well at home. Your mother prays for you every day, hoping for your safety and well-being. — Your father.
Pei Du slowly pursed his lips and burned the letter.
Prince Chen is heading north?
What is your intention?
-----------------------
Author's note: I'm dying of laughter.
Who understands? The contrast between the two letters is huge.
One is a comic book, and the other is written in classical Chinese.
This is so hard for me.
It's absolutely true that the big dog is uncultured.
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