Chapter 70 Don't be afraid, I will protect you.
Before dawn, Lin Qingdai woke up.
Ji Yujing was still beside her at that moment, his dark eyes bright and clear, clearly having been awake for a while. He was staring intently at her.
"What are you looking at? I won't let you look."
Lin Qingdai reached out and covered his eyes, speaking willfully. Although his head no longer hurt, his voice sounded hoarse, as if it had been polished by sand.
The burning sensation still lingered on my fingertips.
Ji Yujing took her hand away and placed it in his own palm.
"I don't care what you do, but don't get sick."
What did you promise me?
Lin Qingdai: "I've promised you so many things, how would I know what you're asking?"
Judging from her tone, Ji Yujing knew that she was still angry about him sending troops to surround the Lin residence these past few days, and was unwilling to talk to him properly.
"Dai Dai, if you were me, how would you handle this situation?"
These words reminded Lin Qingdai of Zhao Ning's death.
Her heart softened, and she leaned closer to kiss Ji Yujing's lips.
"If I were you, I would fight my way all the way to the capital."
Ji Yujing was amused, and the coldness in his eyes briefly dissipated.
"Is Miss Lin this fierce?"
"Hmm, are you scared?"
"Afraid."
He was afraid she would cry, afraid she would get sick, afraid she would feel too tired being by his side and want to leave, afraid...
It's just a matter of one battle with the Song family.
But she resides in his heart; if she is unwell, he is essentially devoid of joy. Everything involving her requires careful consideration.
"If we argue again, don't take anything the other person says in the heat of the moment seriously. Let's solve it together, okay?"
Lin Qingdai responded softly and gently.
After replying, perhaps still feeling wronged by what happened that day, she said in a spoiled manner, "I'm perfectly calm, it's you who's acting crazy."
"Never mind, I'm beautiful and magnanimous, I'll forgive you this time."
Laughter escaped Ji Yujing's throat: "Thank you for your generosity, Madam."
Now, let's get back to the main topic.
"You promised me you'd stay with me for three lifetimes, do you remember?"
Lin Qingdai knew what he was worried about. "I just caught a chill. Isn't the General overreacting?"
Ji Yujing: "I'm just reminding you."
Lin Qingdai: "That's perfect. I'll also remind the General to take good care of himself, otherwise who will I accompany?"
"..."
You can't win an argument, you simply can't win. But in the back and forth, Ji Yujing's mood has genuinely lightened considerably.
"Dai Dai, I need to go out in a while."
Lin Qingdai: "Where to?"
Ji Yujing didn't hide it from her, "Guyun City."
"When I invited Mr. Yu Yong to Lingdong, I promised him that I would avenge the massacre of his family."
Lin Qingdai knew that her journey to Guyun City in such harsh weather was not solely for revenge against Mr. Yu Yong; she must have other motives as well.
This objective is most likely related to the campaign against the Song family.
The massacre of civilians in Lingdong, the capital, has driven Ji Yujing to radicalism. She wouldn't be surprised if he did something drastic for a long time to come.
"Then go ahead, don't worry about home."
Lin Qingdai agreed easily, and it was precisely because of this ease that ripples appeared in Ji Yujing's heart.
"Dai Dai, wait for me a little longer. I will fulfill all the promises I made to you."
Lin Qingdai did not respond to him immediately, but looked at him quietly for a moment.
Are you afraid I'll get angry?
"Um."
"I'm very generous."
"I'm scared too."
He had never been as lucid as he was now.
If the Song family's imperial power is to be overthrown, Lin Qingdai must stay safely by his side.
If he lacks any one of them, his life will be incomplete.
Lin Qingdai seemed to understand his unspoken feelings; a smile bloomed in her almond-shaped eyes, and she leaned in to press her red lips against his.
"Don't be afraid, I will protect you."
The blatant favoritism came from Lin Qingdai.
In Ji and Jing's hearts, love overflowed.
He held her by the back of her neck and kissed her deeply. Outside, the chill was intense, but the person in his arms was warm, and so was his heart.
...
News of the royal massacre of civilians in Lingdong spread like wildfire throughout Xun Kingdom. Upon reaching the far north, Leng Jialan knew her time was running out.
Some time ago, she went to Beili twice to borrow troops.
Both times, they failed. Even worse, the second time they didn't even get to see the king. Bei Li didn't want to get involved in the internal strife of their neighbor. Bei Yan's attack on the northern lands amidst the chaos was none of their concern.
Under such circumstances, it's really difficult to accomplish anything.
But Leng Jialan was unwilling to give up.
Whether Bei Yan and the treacherous warlord within the territory will set their sights on the North is something no one can be certain of until it happens. But as long as there is even the slightest possibility, she must be fully prepared.
On a snowy, bitterly cold night, she entered the Northern Li royal palace three times. This time, she did not go directly to see the king, but instead went to the Eastern Palace to see Crown Prince Li Songze.
Her cousin.
When Li Songze saw her, he showed no surprise whatsoever.
Although he hadn't intervened in what his younger sister had been doing lately, he knew everything about it.
So after exchanging greetings, Leng Jialan took off his snow-proof coat and sat down. Before he could even serve a cup of hot tea, he asked, "Have you come to borrow troops?"
Leng Jialan: "Yes, cousin, would you be willing to help Jialan?"
Li Songze replied gently, "Sending troops is no child's play."
"If you want to succeed, you must offer something that can win the Emperor's heart."
Li Songze was reminding Leng Jialan that relying solely on kinship wouldn't work. It wasn't that he didn't care about Leng Jialan, but rather that the situation was too complex and he had to be cautious.
Leng Jialan understood the advice, and after careful consideration, calmly said:
“Brother, I think you are also aware of the situation in Xun Kingdom. Although the country is ruled by the Song family, it is no longer under their control. Many powerful rulers have risen up, and while they outwardly submit to the Song family, they are actually governing themselves.”
"Among these powerful lords, Ji Yujing is currently the most formidable. If the Tiger Tally of the Western Army is truly in his hands, it will only be a matter of time before the entire country changes hands."
"To be honest, brother, my intention to gather forces from all sides to maintain stability in the far north is due to Madam Ji's secret instruction."
At this point, Li Songze felt a surge of emotion.
Madam Ji, isn't she the second daughter of the Lin family?
She had only been married into Lingdong for half a year, and trade routes centered on her were gradually being opened up to various places. With her special status and unique and ingenious methods, unimpeded trade within Xun Kingdom became a possibility.
Every step Ji and Jing took to rise to power was pushing this matter forward.
With this couple working together, the prosperity of Xun Kingdom is foreseeable.
"With an army of 300,000, who would he fear? Even if the far north is temporarily at a disadvantage, once he recovers, he can turn the tide."
"In my opinion, the overall situation is already settled. Madam Ji is simply concerned about the people and doesn't want them to suffer from the ravages of war."
“Brother, this is less about borrowing troops from Beili and more about Madam Ji inviting Beili to the table. Today Beili has helped the far north, and in the future Madam Ji will surely reciprocate by inviting Beili to share in the smooth trade routes.”
Before today, Li Songze had never imagined that he would hear such insightful words from his cousin, who was obsessed with martial arts and playing.
He was actually persuaded.
“Brother, will you help Jialan this time? If Beili really has the idea of trading with Xun Kingdom in the future, I will talk to Miss Lin.”
"She likes me very much."
Upon hearing this, Li Songze let out a low, short laugh.
"I can tell."
Otherwise, such an important task wouldn't have been entrusted to her.
"Get up and come with me to see the Emperor."
This means they're going to step in and help her!
Leng Jialan's joy was written all over her face. "Thank you, brother."
Li Songze: "Remember what you said today. When the two countries start trading in the future, you must go and negotiate."
Leng Jialan: "What's the problem? I will definitely pave the way for my brother and Bei Li."
...
December 5th is Song Yunmian's birthday.
After court, the sky was still gray and cold, and he went to the central palace alone.
The palace gates were tightly closed, and silver-shield soldiers guarded the entrance.
"Open the door."
Ning Hui, the Silver Shield Army leader on duty, said, "Your Highness, His Majesty has issued an order..."
No one may enter or leave the Empress's palace without his written order.
Song Yunmian slowly took out the Imperial Decree from his waist. With this decree, anyone below the second rank could execute first and report later, allowing unimpeded movement within the imperial city.
Upon receiving the order, Ning immediately signaled his subordinates to open the palace gates.
Song Yunmian smiled at him, his gentle appearance sending a chill down Ning Hui's spine.
"Your Highness, please come in."
Song Yunmian: "No need to follow me, I can go in by myself."
"promise."
After a long journey, Song Yunmian entered the Empress's Palace. Everything he saw was exquisite, even extravagant.
His lips curled slightly, forming a mocking smile.
As expected of the Empress, even under house arrest, her food, clothing, and daily necessities remained at the same standard as before, unparalleled in the world.
"Your Highness."
Soon, a palace attendant noticed his presence and respectfully greeted him.
The Empress was the only one in the front hall at the moment. Since it was so early and she didn't need to see the concubines, her clothes and makeup were exquisite.
Seeing this, Song Yunmian felt that the old woman was terminally ill.
In the past, he wished he could grind her bones to dust.
Now, it will be possible soon.
Suddenly, he didn't want her to die. He wanted her to witness her father, brother, husband, and the entire Song family empire perish because of her.
"Song Yunmian?"
"What are your rules?"
Wu Ying looked at him in the direction of the sound, and a flash of disgust crossed her usually calm black eyes.
Song Yunmian took a few more steps forward, stopping about half a zhang away from the Empress, and smiled.
"Yun Mian didn't have a mother to teach her, how could she have any manners?"
"To go even deeper, wasn't this all caused by Your Majesty the Empress?"
Wu Ying remained expressionless after listening.
"What does this have to do with me? Back then, no evidence was found during the investigation. Now, on what grounds do you accuse me?"
Song Yunmian: "Your Majesty is absolutely right. Similarly, today your brother and your father died by my hand, so who can do anything to me?"
Wu Ying's composure shattered in an instant.
"What did you say?"
Song Yunmian: "I said your elder brother Wu Wengan and your father Wu Tingshan are both dead."
“Wu Tingshan was a famous general, but he was dragged down by you, an unfilial daughter. He lost his son in his old age and was later burned to death.”
Since the Second Prince and his wife were imprisoned in the Empress's Palace, this once magnificent palace has become an isolated island, cut off from the outside world. No one dared to risk being discovered by the Emperor at this critical juncture to pass them a message.
It was only today that Wu Ying heard about this for the first time.
I don't believe it, but I'm still panicked and can't control myself at all.
"You're talking nonsense."
Song Yunmian loved watching this woman's crazy antics, and the corners of her mouth twitched. "If you don't believe me, ask someone."
Without waiting for Wu Ying's response, he continued, "Without Wu Tingshan as your support, how long can you live? Will your beastly son, who enjoys torturing Princess Zhaoning, be torn to pieces by Prince Jingxian?"
The more Song Yunmian talked, the more excited she became, and her voice rose higher and higher.
After enduring so many years, he can finally avenge his mother.
Wu Ying suddenly shouted fiercely, "Get out!"
"roll!"
"Someone, take this ill-mannered thing out of here."
Song Yunmian saw her hysteria and felt a sense of pleasure.
"It was Yunmian's fault for angering the Empress."
He nodded slightly as an apology.
From any angle, he is a gentle and refined gentleman with an elegant demeanor.
"No need to rush, Yunmian will leave now."
After Song Yunmian left, the Empress's palace returned to peace.
Wu Ying sat silently, and gradually, even her gorgeous clothes and exquisite makeup could not conceal the desolation that seeped from her very bones.
"Someone come here."
"Your Majesty."
"Send someone to see Zhang Huining and ask about the situation in Tianyun City."
*
In early December, the head of the Cen family personally arrived in Lingdong, along with Wan Jin.
Song Yunyan is about to depart for the south.
The day before he left, he went to the military camp alone. Unexpectedly, Ji Yujing did not avoid him.
Inside the council chamber, the two men sat facing each other, a considerable distance apart.
There was no privacy in the middle, not even a cup of tea.
"Fourth Prince, what business do you have with me?" Ji Yujing's tone was cold, as was his expression.
Song Yunyan didn't mind. After what had happened, it was already a mercy that Ji Yujing hadn't killed him.
"I've come for two things. First, I want to tell you that although I, Song Yunyan, am a prince, I have never done anything to bully the weak since I was a child."
"The deaths of hundreds of villagers in Lingdong, as Dai Dai said, cannot be attributed to me. But the Cen family is still willing to pay a fortune, firstly to prevent the situation from deteriorating further, and secondly to avoid putting Dai Dai in a difficult position."
"I hope you won't let this cause any rift between you and Dai Dai. She's not in good health, and worrying too much is bad for her health."
Ji Yujing did not respond, and Song Yunyan took it as agreement.
He continued, “You have a grudge against Song Yunmian, and so do I; you have your country and its people in your heart, and so do I. No matter what, you and I can’t be considered enemies.”
"If you ever need me and are willing to accept this in the future, I, Song Yunyan, will risk my life to help you."
After saying this, Song Yunyan took his leave.
Ji Yujing did not speak again until he left the council hall.
That evening, after dinner, Lin Qingdai said to Mingqian in front of He Ke and Mu Jing, "Mingqian, go to the south with the Fourth Prince tomorrow."
Mingqian was startled, her expression changing drastically. "Why is Miss sending me away?"
Lin Qingdai looked at her, her eyes smiling, "What nonsense are you talking about? I just think it's a waste for a swordsmanship genius like Mingqian to stay in the inner quarters. Talented people should strive upwards and fight in a wider world."
"Mingqian, I hope you can become a general. I hope you will be among the four generals of the south in the future."
Since the founding of the Xun Kingdom, there has never been a precedent of a woman serving as a general. At this moment, however, Lin Qingdai spoke in a very calm tone.
"If you still want to stay by my side after trying, then come back."
Mingqian's eyes welled up with tears, which she couldn't hold back at all.
"I can't do it."
There was no precedent for a woman to serve as a general, so she had no opportunity to learn from experience.
Lin Qingdai: "I have planned everything, and I cannot give all the fruits of victory to others. I want someone I trust to occupy a region and hold military power."
Looking around, Mingqian is the most suitable candidate.
"If you're really sad, try to think of it another way: you became a general to protect me and Mingyue, and to bring glory to our sect."
"Only when you are strong will the people you care about have influence."
Mingqian understood what he meant.
With the current situation so chaotic, even if Miss is incredibly intelligent, she cannot predict the future. When danger strikes, she and Mingyue alone will not be enough to protect Miss.
They had already experienced it once a few months ago.
"To go or not to go?"
"Opportunities like this will never come again once they're missed."
Mingqian looked at Mingyue and her two masters. They didn't try to persuade her, but she could read their thoughts through their eyes.
They all wanted her to go, for the young lady's sake and for their own.
Everyone should have at least one moment of great struggle in their life.
Mingqian had already made up her mind, but she was still flustered.
"If I don't feel comfortable, will you let me come back, Miss?"
Lin Qingdai chuckled softly, "Of course, I'll go pick you up myself."
The next morning, Lin Qingdai saw Mingqian and Song Yunyan off.
With two noisy people gone, the surroundings became quiet, and she felt a little uneasy.
The bright moon is also like that.
Lin Qingdai called her to her side, "You complain when she's around, but you can't bear to leave her?"
Mingyue: "Yes."
Besides feeling reluctant to part with it, I also felt worried.
Creating something from nothing, especially something no woman has ever done before, is no easy feat.
Lin Qingdai saw right through her: "Our Mingqian will do it."
Absolute strength can defy all common sense.
At the end of December, news of Ji Yujing leading a large army out of Lingdong spread throughout Xunyang and beyond. After the Song family massacred hundreds of civilians in Lingdong, the purpose of the army's departure was not hard to guess.
Meanwhile, cities in the northwest and far north were quietly locked down.
Entry and exit are prohibited until the status is lifted.
The imperial court issued four imperial edicts in succession, ordering Ji Yujing to explain the reason for the army's unusual movements, but Ji Yujing did not respond to any of them.
He led his army to capture six cities in succession, and the army finally arrived at Guyun City.
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