Chapter 67 A powerful warlord is actually afraid of his wife…
A duel?
Song Yunyan recognized both characters, but putting them together felt incredibly novel to him. He had only ever heard of military orders being as firm as mountains and the distinction between superiors and inferiors before.
"Winning against four generals will get you promoted to general?" The anger in his heart dissipated by this new concept, and a glimmer of light appeared in his eyes.
Ji Yujing: "It has always been like this since the Ningdong Army was formed. If you can defeat me, I will make you the commander of the Ningdong Army."
Song Yunyan: "Let's go! Let's fight!"
After speaking, he stood up and forcefully pulled Ye Xiao up.
"Let's go! Defeat the four generals and establish a foothold in the army based on our own strength."
Ye Xiao: "..." If four generals were so easy to defeat, how could the Ningdong Army only have four generals now?
But Ye Xiao didn't say those words aloud.
Fourth Prince, it's better if you stay as energetic as you are now.
Song Yunyan spent the entire afternoon in the military camp. Although he hadn't been able to defeat the four generals, he had tested their skills one by one and understood the differences in their abilities. Knowing the gap, he would simply work towards improving in the future.
In the evening, he and Ji Yujing returned to the Lin residence together.
They walked at a leisurely pace, chatting casually.
Suddenly, Song Yunyan asked Ji Yujing, "Have you thought about leaving Lingdong?"
When Song Yunyan said this, his expression and tone were normal, but it stopped Ji Yujing in his tracks.
He lowered his eyes and remained silent for several breaths before raising his gaze to look at Song Yunyan, his expression indifferent: "Why did the Fourth Prince suddenly ask this?"
"Testing me?"
Song Yunyan: "Didn't I just ask directly?"
Ji Yujing: "..."
His guard had fallen, but he still didn't know how to answer the question.
Song Yunyan didn't really need to ask, "If one day you bring your army to the capital, can you spare my mother?"
He didn't say he would let him go, but he did say he would let his mother go, because he knew that the new emperor would find it difficult to tolerate the princes of the old dynasty.
Ji Yujing stared blankly at the fourth prince, who was closest to the throne yet had never shown any interest in it, for a moment, before finally asking a question.
"Don't you want to rule the world and bring prosperity to all people?"
Upon hearing this, Song Yunyan chuckled, "I don't want to, it's too tiring. If everything were up to me, I would hope to live next door to Dai Dai and Qing Yu in the future, with Lu Hua Ci in spring and Qiu Li Gao in autumn, all made by Dai Dai herself."
"Although Lin Qingyu never says a nice thing, he always thinks of me. My mother and Aunt Zhuo often get together, and the thing they do most often is to berate my brother and me."
With Wu Tingshan's death, the Tiger Tally may fall into the hands of Ji Yujing. In the vast Xun Kingdom, there will be no more ruthless rulers who can rival him.
The transition from the old to the new is imminent.
This time, Song Yunyan understood.
What he should be afraid of was perhaps the presence of Dai Dai between him and Ji Yujing. He felt no fear whatsoever and was even able to calmly discuss the aftermath with Ji Yujing.
Ji Yujing paused for a moment, then said in a low voice, "I think this is also Dai Dai's wish. Let's work together to help her realize it."
Song Yunyan's lips slowly curled up. "Okay."
Even before they reached the Lin residence, Ji Yujing and Song Yunyan spotted Lin Qingdai standing at the door, clearly waiting for their return.
Perhaps bored while waiting, she was now rubbing the pebbles on the ground with her feet. Head down and focused, she didn't notice them approaching. Before Mingyue and Mingqian could remind her, Song Yunyan suddenly shouted.
"How old are you? Still playing with pebbles."
"Childish ghost."
Lin Qingdai immediately stopped stepping on it: "..."
She looked up after a while, and Ji Yujing and Song Yunyan were standing in front of her.
"Do you admit you're a childish idiot?"
Lin Qingdai originally intended to let the matter drop quietly, but Song Yunyan brought it up again, and the young lady immediately became furious:
"You're the one who's childish, running away from home just because you're in a bad mood. If I hadn't promised the Imperial Concubine I'd keep an eye on you, I definitely wouldn't have bothered with you."
Song Yunyan: "..."
Ji Yujing looked at the Fourth Prince, who was clearly cowardly, and couldn't help but laugh.
Lin Qingdai's gaze turned icy as she swept it over him. "What are you laughing at? Look at you two, all covered in dirt and grime, I can't bear to look at you."
"Take a shower and change your clothes, or don't wander around in front of me."
"It's an eyesore."
After saying that, he turned and left.
In the young lady's eyes, a prince and a powerful warlord were just like two ignorant street thugs.
Song Yunyan didn't care; he was used to being teased by his mother, brothers, and sister. Ji Yujing, on the other hand, was a peerless genius with extraordinary talent—who would dare to tease him?
Song Yunyan looked at Ji Yujing and laughed, "I didn't realize that a powerful local tyrant like you would be afraid of your wife?"
Ji Yujing: "..."
"What do you know, someone who doesn't have a wife? I call this loving someone so deeply that I'm naturally afraid."
Song Yunyan: "..."
If you're afraid of your wife, just say so. Why make up all this fancy stuff?
The grief at Tianyun City lingers even after the 24th day since Wu Tingshan's passing.
Before dawn, the smoke from burning paper money drifted through the city on the cold winter wind, as sixty-eight eminent monks gathered in Tianyun City to chant sutras for the deceased.
Meanwhile, the Kingdom of Dongshao was celebrating a happy occasion: Crown Prince Xuanzhi and Princess Lanqin of Canglan were getting married.
Inside Xiaoshui City, lanterns and decorations were hung.
People dressed in their finest clothes and went to the street corner, where the government sent people to distribute lucky bags, one for each person.
By the time the wedding ceremony was over, it was already dusk.
Xuanzhi held the pole and lifted the bridal veil from Lanqin's head, revealing a stunningly beautiful face to him.
Lan Qin came to Dongshao Kingdom a few days ago to prepare for her wedding, and he had seen her several times. He thought she was beautiful then, but now, dressed in her finest attire, she was even more stunning.
His gaze was greedy; he stared at her for a long while.
In an instant, he reached out and lifted her chin, kissing her recklessly. Then came the sound of tearing fabric…
Before even drinking the nuptial wine, Xuanzhi couldn't wait to cover his woman and do whatever he wanted.
The old nannies and maids in the palace bowed their heads and retreated, their thoughts largely the same.
Crown Prince Xuanzhi is being far too hasty.
Judging by their attitude, they practically wanted to devour the eldest princess whole.
Xuanzhi was indeed anxious, after all, the Crown Princess was beautiful and had brought him what he wanted.
Aside from all that, the mere thought that today was the 24th day after Wu Tingshan's death made his blood boil.
His excitement bordered on pathological, and he was completely unable to control it.
...
Imperial Capital Jinque City
After Huang Qian returned, he went straight to the Zhang residence to see Zhang Huining and report the loss of the Zhenxi Army's tiger tally. This was a matter of great importance, and he dared not delay for even a moment.
Zhang Huining's face turned ashen after hearing this.
He knew something bad would happen. How could Ji Yujing be controlled by mere political maneuvering? Mistreating him would only result in one outcome: being torn apart by his own attacks. Now, the tiger tally of the Zhenxi Army might already be in his hands. Whatever the future holds, his word will count.
"Sir, what should we do now?"
"Ji Yujing is really arrogant."
Zhang Huining sighed deeply, "At this point, it's no use saying anything."
"At the morning court tomorrow, you can report the truth to His Majesty."
"promise."
After Huang Qian left, Zhang Huining changed into night clothes and quietly left the Zhang residence.
After a short while, he burst into the Lin residence.
He had been to the Lin residence many times, and he knew exactly where Lin Yansen's study was, not to mention other places.
He went straight there, flicked his fingers, and gently knocked twice on the door.
Luck was on his side; Lin Yansen was still in the study.
"Enter."
Zhang Huining turned the doorknob and entered, then immediately bolted the door shut.
Lin Yansen was startled when he saw a black man enter, his face covered.
"Who are you? How dare you break in at night..."
Before she could finish speaking, Zhang Huining turned her head away.
Lin Yansen recognized him through those exposed eyes.
"Old Zhang?"
Lin Yansen was speechless, but he was also genuinely relieved.
He hasn't even had a grandchild yet, he really doesn't want to die.
After a moment, he was able to speak.
"Come and sit down."
"What kind of urgent matter could possibly warrant you getting yourself into this state?"
Zhang Huining walked to the desk and sat down.
Lin Yansen started preparing drinks for him.
"Don't drink tea tonight. I just served you some old duck soup. Let me make you a bowl."
Zhang Huining was extremely anxious, but seeing his old friend leisurely enjoying himself, he laughed instead of getting angry.
"You're about to lose your head, and you're still drinking old duck soup?"
Lin Yansen paused in his act of ladling soup. "Is there some movement in Lingdong?"
Zhang Huining replied, "Wu Tingshan is dead, and the Tiger Tally of the Western Garrison has disappeared. His Majesty will know about this first thing tomorrow morning. You know His Majesty so well, what do you think he will do?"
Lin Yansen remained silent after listening and continued serving the soup.
Only when a bowl of fragrant, hot duck soup was placed in front of Zhang Huining did he speak.
"Thank you for informing me, Brother Huining. If Yan Sen were alive, he would definitely repay this great kindness."
"Oh dear, did I come here so you could repay me? What are you thinking?"
"It will be too late once His Majesty finds out about this."
In such a short time, Lin Yansen had already come up with a plan: "The Lin family will withdraw from the capital, and the collection of books will go first."
Lin Qingyu protected Zhuo Shuming and Lin Zhenwei, and went to the south with the library ahead.
Zhang Huining thought this method was feasible.
His Majesty was well aware of how much Dai Dai cared about these ancient books, and even if news of unusual activity reached the palace, it wouldn't cause too much speculation.
"And you?"
Lin Yansen: "His Majesty won't kill me. Tonight, there's no way for everyone to escape unscathed."
After finishing a bowl of old duck soup, Zhang Huining quietly left the Lin residence.
Lin Yansen sat silently for a moment, then personally went to find Lin Qingyu and Zhuo Shuming, and the entire Lin family was mobilized.
Amidst the hustle and bustle, Lin Yansen summoned the Lin family's secret guards and instructed them to bring Shao Ning and his family of three to the Lin residence.
"The sooner the better."
Tell them they don't need to pack their bags, and we'll talk about everything once they're safely out of the capital.
The guards accepted the order and left.
Having overheard his entire conversation with the guards, Zhuo Shuming asked him with a hint of doubt, "Who is Shaoning?"
Lin Yansen: "Ji is a good friend of Jing. Given the current situation, it's best for his friends to stay away from the capital. I think that young man is a pretty good person; we should help him if we can."
"Madam, don't you think so?"
Looking at her husband, who had maintained his kindness despite decades of turbulent times, Zhuo Shuming felt an overwhelming surge of love.
Concerns arose about him: "We're all leaving, what will you do alone?"
Lin Yansen embraced his wife and gently stroked her back.
"Don't worry, I will take care of things here as soon as possible and then go south to meet up with you."
"Let's go see Dai Dai together then."
"Um."
At the hour of Chou (1-3 AM), a dozen or so carriages drove out of the Lin residence, with Lin Yansen and Lin Qingyu riding at the forefront. Upon reaching the city gate, the city's garrison commander, Cen Wei, personally came over to inquire.
"Why is the Marquis leaving the capital at this hour?"
Lin Yansen immediately dismounted, approached Cen Wei, and secretly slipped him a packet of gold.
This bag is incredibly heavy.
"You've worked hard defending the city, I can't leave for now."
"These cars are filled with our Dai Dai's favorite old books. Now that we're moving to the south, we have to take these with us, otherwise she'll definitely make a scene if they get lost or damaged."
Cen Wei knew how much Miss Lin loved reading.
After accepting the gold, he smiled and said, "The Marquis is still the same Marquis, sparing no expense to dote on his daughter. Packing and unpacking so many books must have been extremely laborious."
Lin Yansen: "Yes, but there's nothing we can do about it."
"The old man and Shu Ming are in the third car. Would the general like to go and take a look?"
Cen Wei gave his subordinates a wink, and the group walked forward, checking each car one by one. But it was obvious that they just skimmed over them and didn't examine them thoroughly.
Cen Wei felt there was no need for it.
The Lin family's relocation to the south was approved by His Majesty; it wasn't an act of fleeing to escape punishment. Choosing to do it in the middle of the night was simply to avoid scrutiny and keep a low profile.
That makes sense.
It has been inspected, and it also gives Lord Lin face; this is very good.
"General, there is no doubt about it."
"Open the city gates and let them pass."
Lin Yansen patted Cen Wei on the shoulder, "Let's drink together tomorrow, I'm all alone now."
Cen Wei laughed: "Look at you, so capable."
After exchanging pleasantries, Lin Yansen strolled over to Lin Qingyu's horse, looked up at him,
"Take good care of your mother and grandfather, and also Dai Dai's books."
Lin Qingyu: "I now realize that I live a life at home that's even worse than a book."
Lin Yansen: "You little brat, how dare you talk like that?"
"Get out of here."
Cen Wei and the soldiers guarding the city were amused by the father and son.
One car after another, and a little over fifteen minutes later, the Lin family's convoy had all left the city.
Lin Yansen breathed a sigh of relief, but his gaze remained fixed on the gate until the guards closed it.
"Sigh, I'm all alone now."
Cen Wei: "Once you're all packed up here, you can go with us, right? What's the point of all this sighing and complaining? Why not take advantage of these days to get together with old friends and colleagues? Who knows when we'll see each other again after this parting?"
"You, surnamed Lin, are so lucky. You can go to the south and enjoy your life. We have to keep working, and we don't know when it will end..."
The next day at dawn, the daily morning court session began. The emperor, seated on his high throne, surveyed the court with his gaze.
"Where's Lin Yansen? He hasn't even left the capital yet, and he's already skipping the morning court session?"
Zhou Zhangping immediately stepped forward and bowed to the emperor, "Your Majesty, Marquis Lin is ill."
"The ancient books he sent out of the city last night got frozen. He personally packed and delivered more than a dozen cartloads of books."
Emperor Taining said coldly, "If he doesn't suffer, who will?
The words sounded harsh, but the court officials knew perfectly well that the emperor was not displeased by Lord Lin's absence from the morning court session.
The morning court session then proceeded to the deliberation phase.
Zhang Huining gave Huang Qian a wink, and Huang Qian immediately stepped forward and bowed to the emperor: "Your Majesty, your subject Huang Qian has important matters to report."
Emperor: "Granted."
Huang Qian: "Ji Yujing, the commander of the Ningdong Army, followed the imperial edict to suppress the traitor Wu Tingshan and won a great victory. Wu Tingshan set himself on fire and was burned to ashes."
Wu Tingshan is dead?
Burned to the point of no return?
The emperor and his ministers had different thoughts, but their expressions were all cold, revealing no emotion whatsoever.
"Is it true?" After a long silence, the emperor asked indifferently.
Huang Qian: "It's true."
"On the day Ji Yujing led his army to attack Tianyun City, I sent someone to infiltrate the city. On Sanli Bridge, the two generals fought fiercely. Wu Tingshan was no match for him and, being proud and unwilling to be defeated, set himself on fire. The fire was extremely intense and there was no chance of survival."
"Wu Tingshan seemed to have already prepared for his death."
The emperor was relieved, but this was not reflected in his expression at all.
"Did you bring back the Tiger Tally of the Zhenxi Army?"
The emperor had barely finished speaking when Huang Qian knelt down.
"This subordinate deserves to die; he did not bring back the tiger tally."
The emperor's gaze suddenly turned cold: "Where is the tiger tally?"
Huang Qian: "After the war, I sought out senior generals of the Zhenxi Army and Ji Yujing, and both of them said they had never seen the tiger tally."
"This humble general also thoroughly searched Wu Tingshan's residence and study, but indeed found nothing..."
The words were left unsaid.
The emperor, in a slightly manic tone, asked, "Do you all want to rebel?"
"Is it true that what I give away can never be taken back?"
All the court officials knelt on the ground, their foreheads pressed against the earth.
For a long time, no one dared to speak.
Finally, it was Song Yunmian who spoke first.
"Father, this is because you have been too lenient with your subjects."
The emperor looked at Song Yunmian, his dark eyes still blazing with anger: "What do you want to say?"
Song Yunmian kowtowed, "Nothing can be hidden from Father."
"explain."
"Regardless of whether the Tiger Tally of the Western Garrison is in Ji Yujing's hands, Father should give him a warning. Being too lenient will only encourage his ambition."
These words struck a chord with the emperor.
This also made the emperor aware that Song Yunmian already had a plan.
"Then this matter is entrusted to you."
"Remember, don't be too aggressive. After all, he is a meritorious official of our Xun Kingdom."
Zhang Huining felt a chill run down her spine as she listened to the conversation between the Tian family father and son.
At this moment, he was extremely grateful that he had gone to the Lin residence last night. Now, saving one person is better than nothing.
After the morning court session, the emperor departed.
Xiao Qi didn't follow; instead, he went to Song Yunmian's side. Afterward, the two went to a secluded spot.
Song Yunmian smiled, his manner extremely polite: "Is there something you need, Father-in-law?"
Xiao Qi smiled and said, "Yes, I'll pass on a message from His Majesty to the Crown Prince."
Song Yunmian: "Please speak, sir."
Xiao Qi: "His Majesty has instructed that all matters should bypass the Lin family."
In other words: the Lin family is not to be trifled with.
Song Yunmian outwardly agreed, but inwardly he was sneering.
Even after things have escalated to this point, they're still trying to protect Lin Yansen.
That old bastard Song Qingwu, it turns out, still has some humanity after all.
Fine, considering that Madam Lin treated them well when they were young, we'll let it go this time.
On this day, almost all the civilians from Lingdong in the capital were massacred without reason, including many young children. Some of their corpses were hung in the streets and alleys, left to be exposed to the winter frost, while crowds gathered to watch.
However, the man surnamed Zhao whom Song Yunmian was most looking for was not among these people.
Years ago, Ji and Jing's good friend was brutally murdered by the Dongshao Kingdom, leaving a knot in his heart that he could never untie.
If another one were added, wouldn't Ji Yujing go mad? If that fierce god went mad, the Xun Kingdom would probably never have a peaceful day again.
Song Yunyan is unlikely to leave Lingdong alive.
Song Yunmian wasn't annoyed that her idea couldn't be fully realized.
He said to the attendant beside him, "Cut two ounces of human flesh and send it to Lingdong by express courier, covering eight hundred li, and give it to Ji Yujing."
"Tell him, what is this...?"
His advisor behind him reminded him, "Shaoning."
Song Yunmian smiled, "Yes, Shaoning."
“Tell him that the two ounces of meat were cut from Shao Ning’s body.”
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