Chapter 128
Snap! Snap!
The dull crack of a whip echoed, and the man kneeling on the ground kowtowed vigorously, "Please forgive him, sir! He was also following military regulations! He didn't mean to offend you!"
"How dare you! You have no right to speak here!"
Gong Yinai stood behind the scolding guard, wearing a court robe with gilded edges. She put her hands behind her back and looked up. All the soldiers present were glaring at her, but Gong Yinai remained unmoved.
After being whipped again and again, the man kneeling on the ground turned pale, but he didn't say a word.
The King of Southern Liang had strict military discipline. Even a soldier guarding the gate was so strict that he only obeyed military orders.
Gong Yinai counted in his mind: "Five, six..."
"Xiao Liu? What are you doing?!" Zhou Li was surprised at first, but after seeing the situation clearly, he flew into a rage: "Who gave you the right to attack my soldiers?"
She walked over and tightened the whip. The man who was whipping her was no match for her and was pulled down!
Gong Yinai was a little worried when he saw her catching the whip with her bare hands. He took a step forward and just as he frowned, he relaxed his brows.
Zhou Li threw the whip to the ground and helped the soldier up. "Are you okay? Go get healed!"
Someone around was picking up the soldiers, and someone was reporting the situation to Zhou Li in a low and quick voice.
"The imperial envoy trespassed into the granary and was stopped by the guards."
"She didn't even bother to inform the general, but instead had the man arrested and whipped."
Zhou Li frowned and looked at Gong Yinai.
Gong Yinai stood there quietly.
Zhou Li's eyes were complicated, and her lips moved. "I understand. I'll handle this. Everyone, please disperse. Don't gather here."
The people who came with Gong Yinai said arrogantly, "Our lord is an imperial envoy appointed by the Holy Saint himself! He is also the Sixth Prince! When you see us, why don't you kneel down and accept the order!"
Zhou Li's fists were itching, but he endured it.
No one was sent to see the King of Nanliang. She knelt straight down and heard the man read out the imperial edict.
The saint's general meaning was that now that the granaries were sufficient, it was time to prepare for action, and he specially sent an imperial envoy to sit in the rear and assist them.
Zhou Li lowered his eyes, thanked the Lord for his grace, took the imperial edict, handed it to the guard behind him, and then punched the person who had just read the imperial edict.
Gong Yinai just watched quietly from the side without stopping it.
"You, you, you... dare to assault the imperial envoy! I will definitely report you to the Emperor!"
Zhou Li smiled and grabbed the man's collar. "Do you know who I am? I'm the prince of Nanliang. Don't look for the wrong person."
Seeing the man's nose bleeding, Zhou Li let go of him in disgust. He looked at the man who had collapsed on the ground and said, "You dare to be ruthless to me even though you're in my territory. Don't you know what kind of person I am?"
Zhou Li was about to hit him again, but Gong Yinai finally spoke up.
"Gong Yi Fu."
Zhou Li looked at her, expressionless, no longer the cheerfulness she had just shown. She asked sarcastically, "What are your instructions, Sixth Prince?"
"I want to see the granary."
"The Saint instructed me to ensure the grain storage in the northern border."
"I will be visiting several counties in the next few days, and I ask you to send someone to assist me, Your Highness."
Zhou Li was silent. She looked at Gong Yinai with a strange expression. It took her a long time to utter the word "good". Then she turned and left. Seeing Gong Yinaimei catching up, she stopped and said, "The granary needs the general's order. Come with me to see the King of Nanliang first."
Gong Yinai then took a step forward, and neither of them paid any attention to the lackey who was still wailing on the ground.
Zhou Li was very angry.
Gong Yinai looked at her angry back, a smile appeared in his eyes, but he quickly suppressed it.
The lackey just now was not her man, but the Third Prince's man. He was sent deliberately to cause trouble. Although Gong Yinai seemed to have a high status, he did not dare to scold him.
She was restricted in every way during this trip.
She was still happy to see Gong Yi Fu.
Zhou Li took a few big steps away, and when she felt that no one was following her, she frowned and waited. When Gong Yinai came closer, she hummed: "You are walking so slowly, haven't you eaten?"
She was deliberately looking for trouble, but unfortunately Gong Yinai didn't respond. He just looked at her, as if to say, why don't you leave?
Zhou Li was helpless.
Gong Yinai was too steady, so steady that when Zhou Li saw her, she felt that she was not someone who would do such a thing, but what happened just now made her very uncomfortable.
Can not seeing each other for half a year change a person?
Zhou Li had doubts and questions in his mind, but he couldn't ask them.
Zhou Li led the way in front, and this time she walked slowly.
Gong Yinai gradually walked to her side, and the two walked side by side. Zhou Li pursed her lips and said nothing, waiting for Gong Yinai to speak and wanting to hear her explanation. But Gong Yinai was much more steady with her words than her, and walked all the way to the main tent without saying a word, which made Zhou Li very angry and she felt very suffocated in her heart.
A message was passed on that the King of Southern Liang was not there.
He had said earlier that he was out on an inspection tour, and the guards went to find the King of Southern Liang to pass on the message. Only Zhou Li and Gong Yinai were left in the main tent. Gong Yinai lowered her eyes and closed them to rest, showing no joy at seeing Zhou Li. Zhou Li's heart gradually cooled, and she sat down angrily.
After waiting for a while, the sound of horses neighing was heard outside the main tent. It was the King of Nanliang who had returned after receiving the news.
As soon as the Prince of Nanliang came in, he bowed and said, "Sorry, I'm late."
Gong Yinai stood up and bowed: "Prince of Nanliang, I have come to see the granary on the orders of the Saint. I beg you to grant me some convenience."
"Is there a written order from the saint?" asked the King of Nanliang.
Gong Yinai looked at Zhou Li. Zhou Li handed over the imperial edict. After confirming that it was correct, the King of Nanliang smiled and said, "If the Sixth Prince is worried, I will send my son to the granary with my order."
Gong Yinai nodded, and the King of Nanliang gave his talisman to Zhou Li, "You take the Sixth Prince with you."
Zhou Li took it and nodded, and the two returned the same way.
Gong Yinai grew up in the palace, so he naturally learned the palace manners. He walked neither fast nor slow, neither hurried nor slow, like a graceful young man.
Zhou Li was like this in the palace before. After coming to the Northern Frontier, she was surrounded by rough men and had to go out to fight at any time. If she ate slowly, her meal might be cold when she returned. If she worked slowly, she might forget what she was supposed to do when she returned. She gradually developed the habit of doing things quickly, even speeding up her walking. Whenever she sped up, Gong Yinai would be left behind, so she had to wait. After going back and forth several times, Zhou Li glared at her: "Can't you walk faster?"
Gong Yinai quickened his pace slightly, but was still walking slowly.
Zhou Li was anxious, but he couldn't leave Gong Yinai here. This was the military base, and there were patrols at all times. If he didn't respond to the slogans, he would be labeled a spy and thrown into jail. Besides, Gong Yinai was a stranger on his first day there.
Zhou Li had no choice but to walk slowly with her.
Gong Yinai looked at Zhou Li and suddenly said, "You've adapted very well here."
"What?" Zhou Li was a little confused by what she said. It took her a long time to react. She was still angry about what happened just now. Why didn't Gong Yinai stop it? But he finally talked to her. Zhou Li said honestly: "People here are not so cunning. Everyone is easy to get along with."
Gong Yinai chuckled, "No wonder."
No wonder this originally lively but cautious person became so reckless that he even dared to hit someone carrying an imperial edict. If I go back and report him for disrespecting the emperor, I'm afraid all my work in the northern border this year will be in vain.
Gong Yinai sighed.
Zhou Li heard it.
She scratched her head. "What are you worried about? If you're worried about me beating someone up, then I'll just beat him up. Can't he still take my position as the Crown Prince? The Saint really likes me."
Gong Yinai smiled, his eyes and eyebrows slightly raised, and he was very charming.
Zhou Li was stunned.
This year Gong Yinai also opened up.
She used to be exquisitely pretty, pretty indeed, but like an exquisite doll. Now she is like the morning sun or the evening glow, gorgeous and dazzling, and her face alone can attract countless gazes.
Zhou Li thought she had gotten used to Gong Yinai's good looks, but after not seeing him for more than half a year, she seemed not to be used to it.
Zhou Li felt that beauty was Gong Yinai's greatest weapon, and its lethality was so great that it could easily influence people's will, but it seemed that Gong Yinai did not have this feeling.
She lived in a dull manner, rarely smiling.
Zhou Li muttered, "Remember to wear a veil when you go out on business in Northern Xinjiang."
Gong Yina: "?"
Zhou Li coughed: "Haven't you seen the girls and aunties on the street wearing them? The wind and sand in the northern border are strong, be careful not to make your face rough."
Gong Yinai looked at Zhou Li's skin, which had turned wheat-colored. She then looked at her own fingertips, which were still white.
"No need." She said, "You are fine this way."
Zhou Li whispered, "Be careful, the ladies in the capital won't like your rough looks when you go back. You'd better get ready."
Gong Yinai thought it was just right.
She has been having a headache lately from those people proposing marriage.
When Zhou Li saw that Gong Yinai didn't take it to heart, he knew that she didn't take it seriously.
She sighed in her heart. The people in the northern border are not just tough. She is not exaggerating. A handsome guy like Chang Gong Yinai will be taken home directly by a girl.
We checked the army’s granary and several other places.
Gong Yinai didn't want to wait and asked Zhou Li to leave directly. Zhou Li's idea of going home to see her mother was shattered, but she was not angry. When she walked onto the street and saw young girls and boys staring at them, she whispered a few words to the guard, found a fabric store, bought a veil and put it on Gong Yinai herself.
Gong Yinai looked at Zhou Li in a daze.
Zhou Li coughed a few times and said, "The sun is strong."
Gong Yinai curled his lips and smiled, without pointing out her little thoughts.
They rode their horses all the way, visiting three cities in one day, and there were still six cities to go. They missed the opportunity to stay at night and slept in a farmer's house. Worried about Gong Yinai, Zhou Li slept with her.
Gong Yinai was wary at first, but Zhou Li fell asleep soon after he lay down. Only after hearing the soft moans coming out of his mouth did Gong Yinai let down his guard and closed his eyes to sleep.
Zhou Li was a military general after all, and his physical strength was stronger than Gong Yinai, a scholar.
As soon as she fell asleep, Zhou Li opened his eyes.
Zhou Li glanced at Gong Yinai in the moonlight outside the window and continued to close his eyes. In the northern border, Zhou Li was accustomed to sleeping with vigilance.
In the middle of the night, there was a sudden scream and bandits broke into the village.
Zhou Li jumped out of bed and opened the door a crack with a knife. The guards outside the door were already fighting with the bandits who had sneaked into the yard. Zhou Li was worried about Gong Yinai, so he stayed at the door.
"Come here!" Zhou Li shouted when he heard the noise through the window. Gong Yinai had just opened his eyes and hid behind Zhou Li without even wearing shoes. Zhou Li fought with the bandit who broke the window with a knife.
These people were no match for Zhou Li and were defeated by him with a single blow of his sword.
Gong Yinai was terrified, Zhou Li went out to help again, and the young and middle-aged men in the village also freed up their hands to get rid of all the bandits.
Gong Yinai saw that everyone in the village was very skilled and the bandits were extremely vicious, but there were not many people injured in the village.
Seeing her confusion, Zhou Li explained, "These are militiamen. They go to the battlefield during wartime and stay at home to farm during their free time. Each village and county town also has its own militia."
Gong Yinai didn't understand the situation.
Zhou Li said, "The northern border is too vast. Even the army can't rush to protect every village. It's better to let them organize into teams to deal with bandits and thieves in peacetime, and report any barbarian movements in time during wartime."
Gong Yinai fell silent. How dangerous must the northern border be to mobilize the people?
Looking at Zhou Li's thin face, Gong Yinai felt awe and heartache.
It must be so difficult to defend the northern border!
After the shock of the night, Gong Yinai couldn't fall asleep again. She waited until dawn, got dressed, and got up. Gong Yifu, who was beside her, slept soundly. Seeing the dark circles under Gong Yinai's eyes, Zhou Li smiled and said, "You should get some sleep. If you come here in the middle of the night, they won't attack you again. You still have a long way to go today. I don't know if you can endure it like this."
Gong Yinai gritted his teeth: "If you can endure it, so can I!"
"Hey!" Zhou Li grinned, "If you can't do it, just tell me in advance. We'll pass through several big towns next, which will make it more comfortable."
Gong Yinai mounted his horse. His thighs were rubbed raw from the long march yesterday, and he was shivering as he sat on the saddle.
Zhou Li knew Gong Yinai was dying at a glance, so she asked someone to buy a carriage for them when they reached the next big town.
After finishing his meal, Gong Yinai was stunned when he saw a carriage parked outside the door.
Zhou Li whistled from behind and got on the car. "I'm so tired from riding. Xiaoliu, come quickly."
Gong Yinai couldn't help but curl up the corners of her mouth, she lowered her eyes and got into the carriage.
Gong Yi Fu is still so insightful and understanding. Being with him never makes people feel awkward.
Zhou Li yawned on the carriage. "Xiao Liu, the next town is closer to Tatar. There used to be trade there, and when relations were good, some people intermarried with the barbarians. Don't be surprised if you see someone who looks different from us, and don't stare at them."
Gong Yinai nodded in agreement.
Zhou Li stared at Gong Yinai with sleepy eyes, "But if you look at them a few more times like this, I guess they won't get angry."
Gong Yinai laughed helplessly, "Just talking about me, you are also very good-looking."
Zhou Li smiled with his white teeth, "That's true."
He accepted it without any modesty.
Gong Yinai felt relieved.
It's only like this when I'm with Gong Yi Fu, without any deception or verbal battles.
She was truly happy leaning against the carriage, and sometimes she wished time could pass more slowly so that she wouldn't have to face the days ahead.
Seeing Gong Yinai looking tired, Zhou Li lowered his voice.
"You take a nap, I'll call you when we get there."
Gong Yinai nodded and leaned sideways against the carriage. The carriage swayed and her head hit the wall from time to time. After all, the carriage was bought on a whim and was not that luxurious. Zhou Li couldn't bear to watch it, so he sat over and put Gong Yinai's head on his shoulder.
"Sleep well."
Gong Yinai opened his eyes slightly and fell into deep sleep again.
She is tired too.
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