Chapter 47: Disguise
Qian Deng hesitated, and was about to figure out what his vague words meant, but he suddenly raised his head from her arms, staring at her closely, searching for something on her face.
It was a familiar yet hazy, vague yet clear impression.
Although her eyebrows and eyes were damaged, she still bore a strong resemblance to her father, the Crown Prince of Changhua. She had long eyebrows, thick eyelashes, and clear eyes, and when she looked at people, there was a radiance that illuminated the world.
Just like her now, his shadow is reflected in her watery eyes.
Just like the Prince of Changhua back then, eyes of pity were cast on him.
As if waking from a dream, he slowly pulled himself out of her warm embrace and stood up.
Qiandeng looked up at him and asked hesitantly: "What happened to your mother?"
He turned his face away, as if waking from a brief dream, realizing he shouldn't have confided so much in her. "My mother eventually...followed that tea merchant named Meng. It wasn't until last year that I finally saw her...for the last time after eighteen years."
But the fierce resentment in his eyes, like a wild beast that had not yet escaped danger, let Qiandeng know that beneath his light-hearted words, there was a deep sorrow and grief hidden that no one could see.
As a young boy, he traveled thousands of miles to bring his mother home, but what happened to him in the end?
She didn't ask any more questions, but just silently held his hand and whispered, "It's okay. Although you hid it at the beginning, this is also the opportunity for us to meet... Don't worry, I will definitely arrange everything for you. As long as you and I have the same heart, nothing in this world will be difficult."
Her eyes were so firm, full of trust in him, that Ling Tianshui suddenly felt dazed. It was like an illusion, and for a moment he saw the eyes of Madam Meng looking at him as she lay dying.
Under the solitary lamp, her eyes were already blurred and distracted, but she believed in him as firmly as Qiandeng did.
His mother stubbornly grasped his hand and said, "Promise me..."
After eighteen years of torment and regret, he nodded and agreed to her request even though he knew he might not be able to do it.
Therefore, when the Ji family came to him, he agreed to enter the Changhua Palace to assist and protect his "cousin" Ji Linyou.
He did want to help someone, but that person was not Ji Linyou, but his secret half-brother, Meng Lanxi.
He had to protect Meng Lanxi from any accidents in this palace where the situation was unclear, and he also had to help him and his mother realize their wishes and fulfill his promise to his mother's last wish.
But what he didn't expect was that he, who had never had an opponent in the northwest, could withstand the north wind and snow, and defeat thousands of cavalry, but he always forgot everything in front of this slender girl and did things that he himself didn't understand.
——Just like now, he knew clearly that he shouldn't, couldn't, and couldn't do it, but looking at her eyes staring at him, he was unconsciously confused, so that for the first time in his life he couldn't control himself and allowed himself to indulge in the surging tide of emotions.
He heard Qian Deng's low voice echoing in his ears, so close, as if they were the only accomplices in the world; yet so far away, as if it came from a distant dream: "Now that you are no longer a member of the Northern Court Forbidden Army, after arriving at the Changhua Palace, many things will be much easier for us to handle. I know your current appearance must have been modified, but this is actually a good thing. Before you go to the northwest, I will arrange a safe opportunity to help you escape, saying that you sacrificed yourself to protect me, and then you will be removed from my roster. There will be no more of you in the Tang army."
Ling Tianshui looked into her bright and shining eyes and was silent for a long time before he asked in a low voice, "You don't mind me deceiving you and are willing to help me get out of this?"
"Then you can't escape either. Once you return to the Northwest Shuofang Army and resume your original identity, I will immediately follow the Crown Prince to the northwest. So one day soon, you will be able to meet me again in the sunlight under your true identity. When that time comes, I will definitely recognize you from the crowd immediately. There will be no mistake."
Looking at her confident smile, Ling Tianshui felt his heart tremble slightly: "If... the me you see is not the person you like, or in other words, if it is completely different from what you imagined, will you... be disappointed?"
"Hmm..." Qiandeng looked at him again and again, imagining what he originally looked like.
But it is not easy to disguise his face once, and it needs to be maintained for a long time. Now there is no one to help him with the makeup, and he will not be able to appear in front of acquaintances after removing it, so he cannot take it off to let her see his true face.
"That's okay. After all, you look a little fierce now, and you're always serious. The real you will definitely be better than now. At least, then you can smile at me."
As she spoke, she raised her two index fingers and placed them on the corners of her lips, smiling brightly as she said, "Anyway, those dimples you have when you smile are still there. They must look really nice."
It felt like something in his heart was constantly pulsating and twitching, causing a surge of warm blood to surge in his heart, which had been cold and sealed for more than twenty years.
Not daring to look at his smile any longer, he turned his head slightly and said, "If that's the case, then let's do as you wish. I... do need to find an opportunity to leave."
"Well, after this temporary separation, we will surely have a better reunion. I really look forward to your honest return to my side."
At this point, she felt that such a statement was indeed a bit over the line.
She shouldn't say such words to any of them in the current situation with six other men in the backyard.
But the words were out and could not be taken back. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, and in the sunlight slanting in from the window, she looked like a blooming peach blossom.
Clearing her throat to ease the awkwardness, she stood up and said, "Then it's settled. Let's go, Ling Dianjun, the newly appointed commander of the palace—I'll accompany you to the guards to say hello to everyone."
In reality, Qian Deng didn't need an introduction; there was no one in the palace who didn't know Ling Tianshui. Especially the guards, regardless of their seniority, were all excited and surprised when they heard he would be the palace's military commander.
When they turned back to look at Qian Deng, the guards' expressions were filled with admiration again, and they were filled with respect for her being able to dig out this great god from the Beiya Forbidden Army.
Seeing their strange expressions, Qian Deng couldn't help but frown. He sat down in front of the hall and gestured to the former head guard: "Bring me the military regulations of the palace."
This was something all the guards learned to recite upon joining the army. Qian Deng handed it to Ling Tianshui, "This is the military regulation of the royal palace that my father and grandfather personally drafted. Please, General Ling Dian, read it carefully."
Ling Tianshui took it and opened it, his eyes falling on the first military record.
First, military registration: All palace guards are registered and included in the military rolls. Anyone who impersonates someone else or leaves the army without permission will be lashed with fifty lashes, expelled from the palace, and never employed again.
The imposter Ling Tianshui raised his eyes and looked at Qiandeng in front of him.
Qian Deng blinked at him, and the corners of her mouth, which she tried to suppress, could not hide the smile that appeared. "Ling Dianjun, since you have entered my Changhua Palace, please do not violate the rules. Otherwise, no matter who you are, you will not be forgiven by the palace's laws."
Ling Tianshui flipped through the unimportant content at the beginning and focused on the content about rewards and punishments.
First, rewards and punishments: The royal guards are also regulars, and daily patrols and guards must not be relaxed. Those who perform meritorious service during guard operations will be rewarded in three grades, with the first grade receiving a promotion of one level and a salary increase of one string...
Second Rule of Rewards and Punishments: Private fighting, looting, drunkenness, gambling, etc. are strictly prohibited in the military. A first-time offender will receive twenty lashes and be demoted one rank; a second-time offender will be expelled from the government and will never be employed again...
The third reward and punishment: Anyone who harbors evil intentions, colludes with foreign enemies, and intends to harm the palace will be punished with fifty lashes, expelled from the palace, and never employed again...
…
He finished reviewing all the regulations, closed the book, and stood up to salute Qian Deng: "Please rest assured, County Lady. Ling Tianshui will strictly abide by the military regulations of the royal palace, strictly enforce military discipline, and obey orders. If there is any violation, I will accept the punishment of military law without complaint!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com