Chapter 88 I Didn’t Ask You to Accompany Me
"Prince Jing's fiefdom is in Gaozhou. The magistrate of Lingshan County in Gaozhou accidentally learned of Prince Jing's treacherous intentions and rushed a letter to the capital over 800 miles. Chaozhou is only one prefecture away from Gaozhou. On the ninth day after your arrival in Chaozhou, we received an imperial decree to lead our army from the main camp outside the capital to Gaozhou."
He didn't dare to delay, as all the women and children in their family were staying at their ancestral home.
There is his mother, his grandmother, his sister, and his sweetheart.
"We can't afford to lose time. I'll lead 3,000 cavalrymen to clear the way, but as we pass the official road to Luzhou, there are bandits in Luzhou who seem to be deliberately trying to hinder our progress."
"I asked my second and third brothers and the deputy general to lead some people to suppress the bandits. I went to Dongyu Village first and saw a group of refugees breaking into the village. I dealt with them and heard that another group of refugees was heading to the county, so I came to look for you."
"Fortunately, we made it in time."
Feeling that there was still a faint layer of blood in front of her eyes, Shi Jianli blinked a few times, "Then should we go back to Beijing?"
She guessed right, it was really a war.
Mingzhao continued, "Liguang County is the farthest county from Gaozhou in Chaozhou. Chaozhou and Gaozhou are separated by the Dongmeng Mountains. The news was delivered in time, so the situation is not that serious."
"We've interrogated the refugees from Dongyu Village. They were the first to cross Dongmeng Mountain. Don't worry, the army will arrive in two days. Liguang County is the rear of the army, so you shouldn't have to go back."
They must have just arrived not long ago, and they are not people like them who have often fought on the battlefield. They would not be able to bear the strain of returning just after arriving.
Seeing that she was blinking frequently, he lowered his head and carefully rubbed her eyelashes with the clean corner of his handkerchief. "But your eyes are uncomfortable?"
"Yeah, there's some redness in front of my eyes."
"Did any blood splash in your eyes?"
"I closed my eyes, so the water didn't enter my eyes." Shi Jianli turned her head to look at the cavalrymen beside her. Seeing that they were all looking ahead seriously, she breathed a sigh of relief.
Mingzhao even lifted her chin with the back of his hand, asking her to look up. "Don't move. It's hard to wipe off. It might get in your eyes."
Shi Jianli's eyelashes trembled, and she raised her hand to take the handkerchief, "I can do it myself."
"You can't see." Mingzhao loosened the reins and held her raised hand.
He was rarely so strong, so Shi Jianli could only close her eyes obediently and feel the moisture on the handkerchief rubbing against her eyelids.
After a while, Mingzhao asked, "Are you feeling better?"
"Better." She opened her eyes and felt that the redness in front of her eyes was gone.
"Rinse your eyes several times with clean water when you get home."
"good."
"Yaoyao, I'll send you to Dongyu Village. I'll then go and reorganize the Chaozhou Prefecture soldiers to fight the enemy and set up barriers. I don't have time to accompany you."
Another of his lieutenants had already led 1,500 cavalrymen to the provincial capital. He heard from the refugees that they had started fleeing a month ago, and the commander of Hemen Pass was already in a state of decline at that time.
Shi Jianli glared at him lightly, "I didn't ask you to accompany me."
Mingzhao smiled and pinched her cold cheek, "It would be nice if you showed some expression. Is this your first time killing someone?"
He actually hoped that she could show her fear obviously, it would be better to release it. Her expression now was more calm, and he was afraid that she would be frightened after she realized it.
"Um."
"Let the maids stay by your bed tonight, or go sleep with Second Aunt and Second Sister. Seeing blood might give you nightmares."
She nodded.
"Good girl." Mingzhao rubbed her head and asked, "You brought your hidden arrow today because you feel uneasy in this unfamiliar place?"
"I just felt a little uneasy, so I took it with me."
"My premonition was spot on."
Shi Jianli turned her head to look at him, and his eyes were gentle.
Mingzhao even took her bloody hand and wiped the blood off her, saying softly, "Yaoyao, you shot them to protect yourself. There's no need to feel pressured or guilty."
"I know."
Shi Jianli lowered her eyes and watched the dried blood on her hand being wiped away bit by bit. She could feel the rough touch of his palm on the wrist that he was holding.
After wiping, Mingzhao was satisfied to see her clean hands. "Bloodstained things are hard to wash. Throw away the handkerchief?"
"Um."
Mingzhao also threw the bloody handkerchief to the side of the road, put one hand around her waist and held the reins with the other.
There was still blood on his lapels and sleeves, and the bloody smell was clearly stronger. When Jianli was held in his arms, she could still smell the sweet pine scent coming from him.
The elegance and gentleness gradually eased the tense emotions in her subconscious.
Shi Jianli reached out to pull the hand around her waist.
Mingzhao still lowered his eyes, "What's wrong?"
She didn't respond, but put her right hand into his fingers and found that his hand was much bigger than hers, but it could still fit perfectly.
Mingzhao chuckled softly and held her slightly cold hand tightly. "I forgot to ask, it's been over twenty days since we last met, have you missed me?"
She felt the vibration of his chest on her back and heard the unsteady heartbeat.
Maybe it's hers, maybe it's his, or maybe it's both.
"I thought about it." Her ears felt slightly hot.
Mingzhao tightened his grip on her hand.
In the carriage diagonally behind, Ming Zhouheng lifted the curtain and his eyes fell on the two figures on horseback in front.
The man had gentle features and a smile on his lips. He lowered his head and spoke to the woman in his arms. He looked nothing like the cold and stern look he had when he had just forcefully entered everyone's sight.
Ming Zhou tilted his head and asked, "Second Brother Heng, what are you looking at?"
Ming Zhouheng lowered the curtain and said, "Let's see how long it will take to get to the village."
"Oh." Ming Zhouqi nodded, and sighed: "Big brother and cousin Li have a really good relationship."
Although the eldest brother was always gentle in front of them, they had never seen him so gentle, speaking so softly to Cousin Li.
Ming Zhouheng covered the temporarily bandaged wound on his left arm with his hand and replied with his eyes downcast, "Yes, indeed. I wonder when my cousin and cousin Shi's wedding will be? We can go to the capital to congratulate them."
"I don't know about that. They just got engaged, so the earliest they can get married is next spring." Ming Zhouqi leaned against the window, lifted the curtain and looked outside. "It's too rushed to get married right away."
Ming Zhoushi glanced at Ming Zhouheng secretly, with a hint of sarcasm on the corner of his mouth.
Cousin Li is truly...charming. Big Brother has only been back a few months, but she's already captivated him. This cousin, having only just met her today, has already developed other feelings for her.
They were still some distance away from Dongyu Village when Shi Jianli pulled her hand out of Ming Zhaohuan's.
Mingzhao still whispered in her ear: "Don't hold hands anymore?"
His breath fell on her ear, and Shi Jianli felt her ear was hot, and the skin under her ear was a little numb, so she shrank her neck.
"No, my hands are hot."
Mingzhao still felt a little sorry and said "hmm".
When they reached the outskirts of Dongyu Village, Mingzhao reined in his horse, dismounted, and carried her down. He bent down, looked her in the eyes, and patted her head. "I'm leaving now. Stay in the village with peace of mind."
Shi Jianli nodded, "Be careful."
"Okay." He smiled and climbed back onto his horse. He rode to Yuan Yuhe's carriage and explained briefly, "Mother, Prince Jing is plotting a rebellion and has launched an army in Gaozhou. I'm here on military duty, so I'll leave first."
"Father will arrive with his army in two days. Liguang County is well protected by natural defenses. You and grandmother can stay here peacefully. Don't worry. I will take care of everything else."
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