Chapter 43 Chapter 43 Jinjiang First Release
Chapter 43
Yongzhou, the sky is full of beacon fires, and the battle of Chibi is fierce.
The remnants of the Zhang family bore a grudge against the royal family for their cold-blooded and ruthless behavior in the battle of Liang Province, in which they slaughtered all the members of the clan.
The remnants of the Zhang family, remembering their family feud, joined forces with various warlords, gathered tens of thousands of troops, and attacked the local area, intending to erode Yongzhou. They then led their troops to gradually approach Jianye, attempting to regain control of the Wu Kingdom and divide the country's territory.
When Emperor Xuanning learned of the fierce war, he was furious. Due to the urgency of the matter, the king had no choice but to issue an order, ordering Cui Jue, who was already the son-in-law of the Li family, to lead an army to Yongzhou to quell the rebellion and suppress the remnants of the rebel party who had risen up.
Perhaps it was because Cui Jue and Li Muyao's wedding was approaching, and as the son-in-law of Emperor Xuanning, Cui Jue did not bargain for this campaign, nor did he withdraw funds from the national treasury. Instead, he took the initiative to dispatch Cui's elite troops and rushed to Yongzhou under the stars.
However, by the time Cui's elite troops arrived at the city forts built by the Yongzhou clan, the city had already experienced several brutal wars.
The whole city was ablaze with flames, and broken walls and towering walls were covered with bloody flesh and bones. Skulls charred by artillery fire were scattered all over the field.
After Yongzhou City was broken, Zhang's army used bloody means to massacre those soldiers who stubbornly resisted in the city camp.
No wonder the ground is so devastated and shocking.
Cui Jue was not scared away by this tragic scene.
He was wearing shimmering black armor, carrying a black bow made of ox horn on his back, holding the reins in his hands, and coming against the wind.
The man squeezed the horse's belly with his strong long legs, and galloped towards the distant wasteland in the face of the blazing fire.
The battlefield was filled with thick smoke and wild sand. The soldiers of both sides followed their generals and rushed forward from all directions. For a moment, the sound of clanging swords and guns and the shouting of soldiers came like a tide, shaking the earth and resounding through the sky.
Cui Jue took the lead and led thousands of troops across the vast plains towards the battlefield.
The man held a bow in his hand, his boots in the stirrups, and looked heroic. When he got close to Zhang's enemy army, he slowed down his horse a little, then drew the bow and stringed it, standing proudly on his horse.
Cui Jue's arm bones were strong and his back muscles were full of power. He just exerted force with his elbows, and the black feather arrow shot out like a stream of fire falling to the ground.
“Whoosh!”
With a loud bang, a flaming arrow broke through the air and pierced through the clouds, piercing straight through the battle flag in the distance. The flames quickly caught up to the banner, and in an instant, the word "Zhang" on the flag was burned to ashes.
Cui Jue's face was stern. He put away his bow and held the reins again, sitting back on his horse. He roared with great momentum and rode his horse towards the thousands of Zhang family soldiers in the distance.
Just as the cavalry of both sides were approaching each other, with swords drawn and about to start a battle, the commander of the Zhang family suddenly stopped his horse and made a gesture to stop the fighting.
Zhang Xian dismounted and landed on his back. He clasped his hands and knelt respectfully before Cui Jue. "Sir, Yongzhou and Quanzhou have been captured. We have recruited nearly 30,000 private soldiers. Furthermore, the Xie clan of Qiyuan and the Pei clan of Wenxi have each surrendered with 50,000 military supplies and 20,000 elite troops. We will assist you in achieving your eternal imperial ambition."
Cui Jue dismounted and personally helped the kneeling Zhang Xian, a general of the Zhang family. He patted the brave general on the shoulder and said to Zhang Xian, "In the past, I was forced to exterminate the Zhang family by the Li family's war order to protect the thousand-year-old splendor of the Wudong Cui family. Now that the imperial power is strong, there is no place for the aristocratic families. I remember the honor they once held, and the legacy they passed down to future generations, how glorious it was. Today, the aristocratic family is in decline, and my heart aches for its decline."
Cui Jue stood under the towering city wall with a solemn expression and a tall figure.
With a stern expression, he surveyed the sea of military officers on all sides and addressed his own troops in a stern voice, "As the head of a prominent family, the Cui family of Wudong is duty-bound to safeguard the splendor of the nobles and powerful, and to ensure the eternal prosperity of our noble families. Rest assured, when success is achieved, the Cui family will treat you, the founding heroes, well, rewarding yourselves according to your merits and appointing you as generals and nobility!"
As soon as these words were spoken, all the generals dismounted and knelt, calling him "Lord" with fanatical eyes, full of admiration and respect for Cui Jue.
For a moment, swords and guns slammed into the ground, making a deafening buzzing sound.
Cui Jue stood tall and straight with a stern look in his eyes, amidst the crowd full of fighting spirit.
He rubbed the jade ring with his fingertips, knowing what was going on in his mind: thanks to his years of planning, there are now 200,000 Cui soldiers and another 80,000 trusted allied forces. With nearly 300,000 soldiers like this, they are more than capable of fighting against the Li Dynasty and resisting the invasion of various warlords.
Everything is ready, except for the east wind that will help Princess Li to descend.
Cui Jue half-closed his eyes, feeling at peace.
He strives to be the first in everything and is superior to others, so how could he be willing to be sent by the Li family?
Cui Jue was born as the patriarch of the Wudong Cui family. He should lead his clansmen to the pinnacle of success and climb to the highest royal power. Only in this way can he bring honor to his ancestors and revitalize the family.
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After hearing that Cui Jue led the troops to quell the rebellion, Su Li was so excited that she couldn't sleep all night.
Unable to sleep, she lay on her back in the bed curtains, replaying her escape route over and over again, how to meet up with her grandmother and Lin Yin, and what kind of murder weapon she would have to kill those old women who were approaching her...
Su Li was not afraid of being ruthless. She was busy with her own affairs, so how could she think so much?
She could be cruel just for once, and evil just for once. If she really made a mistake, the worst that could happen is that she would go to hell and slowly atone for her sins.
Thinking of this, Su Li made all preparations the next day and drank the medicinal food.
She understood medical principles. After she took her own pulse and confirmed that it had become soft and slippery, she asked someone to go out and buy plums and sour peaches from the market, saying that she wanted to eat sour fruits to moisten her mouth.
At night, Su Li pretended to vomit, holding onto a wooden basin and vomiting continuously, suggesting that Qiu Gui should go find a doctor to take her pulse.
Seeing this, Qiu Gui exchanged glances with his wife.
She hurriedly called Aunt Huirong and said to her, "Aunt, our wife seems to be pregnant..."
Huirong's heart trembled. She subconsciously glanced in the direction of Shuyue Pavilion, and suddenly remembered that her elder was not there, and there was no one to make the decision. She could only ask Mr. Cui for instructions.
Huirong frowned, thinking back to what happened before: "Didn't you say you had your period a couple of days ago?"
Qiu Gui blushed and feigned embarrassment as she said, "It's me who's stupid and doesn't understand women's affairs. The young lady's periods were irregular and light for the past two months. I thought she'd caught a cold from the water, but a few days ago, she's been craving sour and spicy food, has morning sickness and vomiting, and her period is late... I think something's wrong, so I came to ask Aunt for advice."
Huirong calculated the date for their sexual intercourse and felt a pang in her heart. It seemed that Su Li was really pregnant.
She quickly sent her servants to find a doctor to come and see the patient.
After the doctor took Su Li's pulse and confirmed that it was a pregnancy, she congratulated Su Li repeatedly.
After hearing this, Su Li's face was not surprised. Instead, she lowered her head shyly and whispered, "Such a big thing should have been told to the eldest master, but he is not at home..."
The girl's slender fingers gently stroked her still flat belly. Su Li had a smile on her face, her heart and eyes full of anticipation for the fetus in her belly.
Seeing this, Aunt Huirong couldn't help but feel suspicious... The eldest son's wedding was approaching, and Su Li had just revealed her pregnancy at this time. Could she have some other ulterior motive? Perhaps she was deliberately trying to intimidate Li Muyao, the wife of the first wife, before she entered the house?
After all, the concubine gave birth to a illegitimate son before the mistress even entered the house. Anyone who heard about it would be furious.
But when you think about it carefully, it doesn't make sense. As the widow of the Xiao Cui family in Lanhe, the fact that Su Li is pregnant with Cui Jue's eldest son will definitely be covered up by Mr. Cui. Even if she is pregnant, the news will not be leaked to Princess Chonghua. Su Li is just an unknown existence, so what can she be proud of?
Su Li secretly observed Huirong's expression and saw that her eyes were not as gentle and kind as usual. She understood and knew that she must have some concerns.
After all, Huirong was asked by the eldest wife of the Cui family to take care of Cui Jue since he was a child.
Huirong not only has awe for the eldest son, but also a bit of love for her son. How could she tolerate a scheming woman staying with Cui Jue, causing trouble for Cui Jue in the future, and stirring up trouble in the main house and backyard?
Su Li decided to add fuel to the fire. She deliberately fiddled with the tiger-head shoes, bibs worn by the child, and soft socks and shirts in the sewing basket.
When Huirong's eyes fell on her hands, Su Li lowered her long eyelashes again and bit her lower lip lightly. "Aunt, I, I want to go back to Lanhe County to take care of my baby. Aunt, you don't know that because the eldest son and I are close, it always makes Her Royal Highness the Princess angry... She suspects that I have an affair with the eldest son, and now that she sees that I am pregnant, I am afraid, I am afraid that something is wrong..."
Huirong understood that Su Li was worried that she was pregnant with Cui Jue's illegitimate son, but Li Muyao found out and forced her to have an abortion.
Huirong observed Su Li calmly, and indeed heard her say, "Aunt, please ask Mr. Cui if you can let me return to Lanhe County to recuperate first. If not, you can find a farm in the countryside to give birth to the child. This is the eldest son's first child, and it is very precious. I can't stay in Jianye County forever... When the eldest son returns, Aunt will tell him about my pregnancy. If he has any instructions, he can send his servants to Lanhe County to find me..."
As soon as these words came out, Aunt Huirong's face instantly darkened.
She understood the implication of Su Li's words. It was obvious that Su Li was unwilling to be a widow in the Xiao Cui family of Lanhe. Thinking that she could gain status through her son, she directly got rid of the second wife and entered the backyard of the first wife!
Huirong knew very well that Cui Jue was a humble gentleman who was filial, loyal, and honest. The reason why she agreed to adopt him as the heir to the throne was simply because Cui Jue felt that the second branch of the family had no successors and was too pitiful, so he reluctantly agreed.
But who would have thought that after receiving Cui Jue's affections several times, Su Li would actually have such a dirty thought, wanting to take advantage of the favor of pregnancy to continue to seduce the first wife.
It makes sense. Cui Jue is both talented and handsome, and he is also the elder of a noble family. There are few women in the world who would not be infatuated with the eldest son. It is natural for Su Li to be moved.
But the eldest daughter-in-law is about to marry, and it's a marriage between the Cui family and the royal family. How can it be delayed and ruined by a small figure like Su Li?!
Thinking of this, Huirong's face darkened, her voice cold. "I will consult the elder and arrange for Madam Su to return to Lanhe County as soon as possible to care for her pregnancy. However, I would like to remind you... The eldest master is treating you with such kindness simply out of respect for Mr. Cui and the Second House, and without any selfish motives. I hope you will respect yourself and be self-aware, and avoid harboring such foolish thoughts."
Huirong was very popular in the Wudong Cui family. She wanted to maintain the reputation of the main house, so she scolded even the ladies and gentlemen from the side branches, let alone a woman from another family.
Su Li was slapped in the face for no reason. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she was about to fall. "I can save myself... but from now on, my fate will be decided by the eldest master. The most urgent thing is to let me return to Lanhe County as soon as possible and give birth to this child first."
Huirong was choked by the young lady and her face became even uglier.
Su Li clearly hasn't given up yet!
Huirong was feeling anxious and uneasy. She looked at Su Li deeply, then turned and walked towards Cui Weng's courtyard.
She had to tell Mr. Cui about Su Li's pregnancy as soon as possible, and then persuade the old patriarch to send this troublemaker out of Jianye County...
The maidservant beside her seemed to remember something and whispered to Huirong, "Aunt, should we send a letter to Yongzhou to inform the eldest master? After all, he is the eldest son of the first wife..."
Huirong's eyes were firm. "No need for that. All of you keep your mouths shut. No one can leak a single word! If this gets out, not only will your lives be in jeopardy, but I'll also kill my parents!"
Huirong had made up her mind that if Cui Jue didn't ask, she would not mention Su Li's pregnancy, lest the eldest son be bewitched by this girl and insist on keeping her, angering Li Muyao!
"Yes, we servants will obey Auntie's orders and keep our mouths shut."
Hearing Huirong's stern words, the maids all shrank their heads and dared not say a word.
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