48 Chapter 48
When did you realize I was reborn?
My heart felt like it had fallen into a deep pool, with ripples spreading in circles.
Su Lu was pulled into Xie Yutang's arms, and finally slowly raised his hand to hug her back.
Xie Yutang didn't notice these subtle actions: "When did you realize I was reborn?"
She had wanted to ask him this question as soon as she learned that he had also been reborn. It was all his fault for mentioning the "Nine Chapters on Governing the Country," which made her cry buckets of tears and completely forget about these questions. By the time she wanted to ask him again, she couldn't find a suitable opportunity.
"The first time I saw you, Master." The young man thought of something, lowered his eyes, and said with a slight smile at the end of his sentence, "You are completely different from your past life."
For example, if she had seen him in her past life, she would at most stare at him for a while and then look away expressionlessly. But in this life, upon their first meeting, she dared to put a dog leash around his neck and openly declare her ownership.
Later, he bluntly stated that Lin Tan was not a good man, and she showed no surprise whatsoever, uttered no reproach, and simply let him get up.
These are reactions that Xie Yutang in his previous life would not have had.
Xie Yutang coughed lightly, feeling a rare bit embarrassed as he recalled his actions at Happy Valley. He smoothed a strand of hair, preparing to change the subject, when suddenly he remembered something and hesitated, saying, "Your Highness's rebirth, could it also be because of..."
She was stabbed through the heart by Lin Tan, and when she opened her eyes again, she was back five years in the past.
In other words, she died once before she could be reborn.
But Su Lu was already the Little Prince Mu Qing, admired by thousands, with a large army in his hands and boundless prestige. Even Emperor Lin Tan had to be wary of him. Who else could take his life?
Su Lu hadn't expected her to ask this. He lowered his eyes to look at the subtle gold begonia pattern on Xie Yutang's cuffs, and remained silent for a moment: "After you left, the court was in turmoil for a while. Some things, if not acted upon sooner, would never have another chance..."
Xie Yutang understood.
Political struggles are unpredictable and treacherous; one wrong step can lead to utter ruin. Isn't she herself the best example of this?
As for the more detailed questions such as whose side they stood on and why they stood on the wrong side, there is no need to ask any more questions.
What's past cannot be undone, but the future can still be shaped.
In this life, she will lead her young man to victory.
Although there was progress in the assassination attempt at Meishan Villa, the evidence was insufficient and it was not the right time, so Xie Yutang did not report the matter.
A few days later, news came that the Northern Rong delegation was about to return home.
Xie Yutang, as the envoy, led Lin Tan and Song Zhen to host a farewell banquet, where the guests and hosts enjoyed themselves immensely.
Emperor Chongde was very satisfied with Xie Yutang's performance. The next day, he issued an edict at the morning court, appointing Xie Yutang as a censor of the Censorate, responsible for supervising military and related administrative officials.
Xie Yutang officially embarked on his official career, and officials from all walks of life came to visit and offer their congratulations. Surprisingly, Princess Ning'an, who was rumored to be arrogant and domineering, did not put on any airs at all. She could chat with anyone and even invite people to stay for a meal if they had a pleasant conversation. The princess's residence was brightly lit all night long.
When Xie Yutang initially appointed Lin Tan as his deputy escort, Crown Prince Lin Qi thought the two were going to form an alliance. However, after the incident at Guyue Tower, Lin Qi felt that it was not the case. He took the opportunity to send different people to probe Xie Yutang's intentions, but Xie Yutang made it clear that he would not form any factions or take sides. Lin Qi repeatedly failed to get anything, but he accepted this situation relatively well.
Xie Yutang will not side with him, nor will he side with Lin Tan.
Lin Qi has just taken control of the trade market, giving him an advantage in the struggle for the crown prince position. It doesn't matter if he can't win over Xie Yutang, as long as his sister, who holds military power, doesn't show favoritism.
Emperor Chongde was quite satisfied with Xie Yutang's attitude and often invited her to the palace to play chess and chat. Just as Xie Yutang was secretly advancing her power by relying on the emperor's favor and Su Lu's help, a thunderclap came from the court.
Someone struck the petition drum.
According to the laws and regulations of Da Yan, anyone who beats the drum must first be punished with fifty strokes of the cane before being reported to the emperor.
The man was escorted into the palace by the guards during the morning court session. All the civil and military officials turned their heads to see who this person was who was willing to endure fifty strokes of the cane just to see the emperor.
The man was covered in blood, and the guards were more like supporting him than escorting him. He walked shakily to the front of the hall under the gaze of everyone, knelt down and kowtowed: "This humble subject, Wen Zhong, is the chief clerk of the 26th Army of the Divine Wind Cavalry. I pay my respects to Your Majesty."
The moment the words "Divine Wind Cavalry" were uttered, the expressions of the civil and military officials varied, and the Golden Palace was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Many eyes were subtly glancing at Xie Yutang.
These three characters were once a household name throughout the Great Yan Kingdom. They belonged to Xie Yutang's biological father, Xie Qinghe, and a former subordinate of General Xie.
Empress Dowager Chongguang's expression was inscrutable: "What do you wish to ask?"
Wen Zhong straightened his back, his body covered in blood, and said in a loud voice, word by word: "There are other hidden circumstances surrounding the Daoma Pass incident thirteen years ago. I request Your Majesty to reopen the investigation."
One stone stirs up a thousand waves.
"How dare you!"
The Imperial Censor rebuked him sternly: "The Xie family is full of loyal and righteous men; how dare you slander them!"
"General Xie was loyal to the country and died on the battlefield. The entire Xie family is filled with loyal martyrs, their fervent hearts shining as bright as the sun and moon. What are your true intentions behind your statement that 'there are other hidden reasons'?!"
Emperor Chongde raised his hand to quell the commotion. His crown tassels swayed slightly, and his expression was unreadable: "Thirteen years ago... if there really was a hidden story, why did you only report it now?"
"Because I, a commoner, have finally found evidence."
Xie Yutang's brow twitched, and she looked up.
"There are spies in the army. General Xie and his 30,000 Divine Wind Knights could have avoided dying in battle. It was because of someone who did something treacherous."
"As the chief clerk of the 26th Army, I accidentally discovered something amiss with the grain transport carts. I wanted to send a letter to thank General Xie, but I was intercepted and killed by Cui Hu, the captain of the transport team, on the way. I was seriously injured and fell into a coma. Fortunately, I was rescued by the villagers nearby. However, the village was isolated from news. The next news I heard was that Daoma Pass had fallen and General Xie had died in battle from exhaustion."
"But not long ago, General Xie clearly sent me a letter saying that the battle was going smoothly and that once the supplies arrived, the front line could be pushed forward a few more miles. There's no reason for it to suddenly..."
"General Xie has been kind to me, and I would like to do something for you. However, Cui Hu has risen through the ranks and his power is deeply entrenched and unfathomable. I have no choice but to endure and lie low until a month ago."
Wen Zhong took out a letter from his bosom and presented it with both hands, saying, "This humble subject has finally found a letter that Cui Hu wrote to the Northern Rong back then."
Suppressed whispers filled the hall.
As the captain of the grain transport team, Cui Hu wrote a letter to the Northern Rong, which almost certainly suggests that he was suspected of defecting to the enemy and betraying his country.
Sure enough, the letter explained in detail that the soldiers of Daomaguan were out of food, so they could besiege the pass first and then attack. It even revealed the troop deployment of the Divine Wind Cavalry.
The courtiers were horrified.
Before the war even started, our intelligence had already been completely obtained by the enemy. How could we not lose?
Xie Yutang's palms beneath his wide sleeves were already dripping with blood, his fingernails digging into old scars, but the pain was nothing compared to the pain in his heart.
She knew that Cui Hu had held back some of what he said in Yingkou, but she never expected him to distort the truth and twist the facts.
One of the culprits who leaked military supplies and caused her father's death on the battlefield had once stood right in front of her, yet she didn't kill him.
Not only her father, but also her uncles and aunts from back then, all those familiar faces, were buried with her father at Daomaguan, becoming lonely souls under the yellow sand with no one to collect their remains.
On the armrest with its gilded dragon design, the five fingers suddenly tightened.
A moment later, Emperor Chongde raised his hand, and a eunuch immediately took the letter, which was then presented to Emperor Chongde by Eunuch Wei with both hands.
Emperor Chongde opened the letter and examined it. The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review interrupted the conversation and asked, "How can you prove that this letter came from Cui Hu, and how can you prove that this letter ended up in the hands of the Northern Rong?"
"And where did you obtain this letter?"
After a series of questions, many court officials nodded in agreement.
Notes are not difficult to imitate, and Cui Hu is already dead. Apart from this letter, there is no other physical evidence. How can we prove that what he said is true?
“I cannot say now.” Wen Zhong looked ahead, neither humble nor arrogant. “The likes of Cui Hu are nothing but ants. The vines behind them have long since entangled the very foundation of the court. Who knows if there are any of their cronies in this hall? I will only reveal this matter to someone I trust in private. I hope you will understand, sir.”
The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review pondered for a moment, nodded, and did not press the matter further.
"Your Majesty, this matter is of utmost importance. If this stubborn problem is not eradicated, it will surely become a major disaster in the future." Wen Zhong kowtowed. "I beg Your Majesty to thoroughly investigate all matters related to the military provisions at Daomaguan that year, and to eliminate the remaining traitors, so as to comfort the loyal souls of the old general and the thirty thousand soldiers!"
The main hall was completely silent.
His palm was already a bloody mess. Xie Yutang looked at Wen Zhong, who was kneeling alone in the hall, and slowly loosened his clenched fist.
Perhaps her father himself couldn't remember what he had done for this Registrar Wen, or what he had helped him with, but he cherished that kindness for so long, so long that thirteen years later, when he heard the news of Cui Hu's gang's downfall in a small border town, he still chose to give up his peaceful life and travel thousands of miles to the capital, beating the Dengwen Drum as the first rays of sunlight pierced the sky.
Wen Zhong was merely a civil servant and a scholar. After being tortured, his buttocks and legs were like mud, yet he stubbornly bit through the blood in his mouth and climbed over the ninety-nine steps of the imperial steps to reach the emperor and seek justice for the greater good in his heart.
Father, I hope you find some solace in this world.
Before my thoughts could return to normal, another urgent report suddenly rang in my ears.
Xie Yutang subconsciously turned around and saw a soldier in blood-stained armor stagger in. The word "border" rolling in his throat pierced the deathly silence of the hall like a sharp blade.
"The Northern Rong broke the peace treaty and suddenly launched a southward offensive half a month ago, capturing the three cities of Shuofeng, Hanya, and Xuelang Pass in one fell swoop. General Su had just returned to the pass from the capital and was forced to hastily prepare for battle after a long journey..."
Each word was like a bolt from the blue, shocking all the court officials in the hall.
"This... the Northern Rong delegation just signed a peace agreement with us, how could they turn their backs on us so quickly?"
The soldier had anticipated this question: "Helou Batu, the leader of the Helou clan, murdered the emperor and usurped the throne, imprisoning Tuoba Xiu, Helou Wulan, and others. Now, the entire Northern Rong army is under his control."
Xie Yutang's brows furrowed suddenly.
Helou Batu's usurpation of the throne and the renewed war on the border between the two countries occurred in the 26th year of the Taihe era in the previous life. Now it is only the 24th year of the Taihe era, so how could it have happened... a full two years earlier?
The soldier trembled violently, tears streaming down his face, and stammered, not daring to continue. Emperor Chongde shouted sternly, "Speak!"
The soldier gritted his teeth, his throat choked with emotion: "General Su fought desperately to defend the city... and died from exhaustion."
Like a heavy hammer blow, the already crumbling psychological defenses collapsed.
Su Lu's biological father, General Su, Prince Muqing Su Chengyu, was the last general in Dayan after Xie Qinghe who could keep the situation in check.
Even King Muqing perished under the iron cavalry of the Hu people, and the situation in Dayan was extremely precarious.
The stagnant atmosphere, mixed with the stench of blood, made it almost impossible to breathe. Some senior officials, unable to withstand the repeated shocks, rolled their eyes and fainted.
The usually solemn and dignified main hall was in complete chaos.
"You audacious scoundrel, what are your intentions?"
The Minister of Revenue shouted loudly, then knelt down and pleaded, “Your Majesty, this man came to accuse my Dayan army of embezzlement, dereliction of duty, and spies, and then the Northern Rong attacked our border. This is too much of a coincidence, and one cannot help but think about it.”
The Minister of Revenue turned to look at Wen Zhong, his face changing expression for the second time. The fawning look on his face vanished in an instant, and he interrogated him in a stern voice, like an interrogating criminal: "Tell me, did you secretly collude with the Hu people, working together from the inside and outside, and deliberately choose this time to disrupt the morale of our army?"
Xie Yutang frowned: "Father, this matter..."
Wen Zhonglang said loudly, "Every word I have said is true, without a single falsehood. I only regret my incompetence, which has delayed for thirteen years before I finally found this piece of evidence."
The Minister of Revenue refused to believe it and was about to argue further.
"Enough." Emperor Chongde coldly swept his gaze across the crowd from his throne. "With a formidable enemy at hand, you are unaware of the gravity of the situation. Guards, take this man into custody and await further orders."
The emperor was furious, and the noisy hall fell silent instantly.
"Father."
Xie Yutang stepped forward, but Wen Zhong grabbed his sleeve and shook his head. Xie Yutang still insisted on stepping forward, and with a flick of his sleeve, he kowtowed before the Golden Palace, saying, "Your subject is willing to lead troops to fight and recover the lost territory."
The girl's voice was clear and bright, her face resolute. In the morning light, her silhouette against the light stretched out diagonally, and her slender shoulders seemed capable of bearing immense weight.
The ministers looked at the young woman who had volunteered for battle beneath the osmanthus tree, their expressions shocked and varied.
"Absolutely not, Your Majesty! The battlefield is no child's play. How can Princess Ning'an, a mere woman, lead troops into battle?"
"You're a man, why don't you go first?"
A loud bell suddenly rang out, its echo reverberating throughout the hall for a long time.
The one who spoke was none other than Ge Qing, the old remonstrating official who had once angrily denounced Xie Yutang at a state banquet for "promoting his male favorite to power."
Relying on his age and seniority, Uncle Ge looked down on everyone except the emperor. His words this time were full of surprises, startling everyone standing around him.
The Northern Rong came prepared this time, their morale was high, and the generals of Dayan were almost gone. Anyone with eyes could see that going there would mostly be suicide.
Even if they were lucky enough to survive, they would still be punished upon returning from a defeated battle.
Crown Prince Lin Qi and Third Prince Lin Tan had already figured this out, each keeping their eyes down and thinking to themselves how to cleverly "pass" this important task to the other if their father pointed it out. Unexpectedly, Xie Yutang took the initiative to step forward.
Lin Tan looked at Xie Yutang with a complicated expression.
The minister who had jumped out to object was terrified by Ge Qing's words, "You go first," and retreated with his tail between his legs, his face turning red and not daring to utter a single word.
This commotion silenced all the ministers who had initially opposed the idea.
Xie Yutang stood ramrod straight: "I am the daughter of General Xie Qinghe. My father fought on the battlefield and died for the country. All 107 members of the Xie family were loyal and valiant. How could I possibly back down and act cowardly?"
The girl lowered her voice, as if lost in memories.
"In the eleventh year of the Taihe era, I was only five years old. Before my father left, he told me that when he returned from a victorious battle, he would take me to Daomaguan to ride horses. He said the scenery there was very beautiful..."
"When the Northern Rong people stormed in, flames soared into the sky, and there were cries and screams everywhere. It was my mother who hid me in a secret compartment, which allowed me to escape by chance."
57. "Over the years, I've often wondered how someone as capable as my father could have suffered such a devastating defeat at Daoma Pass..."
"Father, I request permission to fight this time for three reasons: first, to protect our country from border invasion; second, to slaughter all the barbarians to avenge the annihilation of my family; and third, to obtain your permission—"
Xie Yutang's eyes were as clear as the moon, and his words were firm and resounding: "If I return victorious this time, I beg Your Majesty to allow me to thoroughly investigate the matter of Daoma Pass back then."
The main hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Wen Zhong looked intently at Xie Yutang.
After a long pause, Emperor Chongde sighed like a deep evening bell: "Do you know that if no evidence is found, the Xie family's good reputation will become the tool of history's pen?"
Not to mention how difficult it is to investigate a thirteen-year-old cold case, the consequences would be unimaginable if a large-scale investigation were completed but no problems were found.
The majesty of the royal family and the impartiality of military discipline can even tarnish the reputation of General Xie.
"If what Zhong said is true, we should remove the pests and rid the country of this scourge. If it is not true... it is an indisputable fact that my Xie family of 107 people fought to the death to defend the city of Daomaguan and that our 30,000 soldiers died on the battlefield. So what if historians write their stories? Let them say what they want."
Xie Yutang prostrated himself on the ground, the coldness of the gold brick touching his forehead penetrating to his bones: "The backbone of the Xie family for a century, we would rather be broken by the truth than succumb to empty fame."
Not long after, Emperor Chongde's aged voice rang out again, saying "good" three times.
"What a fine example of 'preferring to be destroyed by the truth rather than succumb to empty fame.' She truly deserves to be Xie Qinghe's daughter."
"Proclaim the imperial decree—"
The Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs bowed and presented a sandalwood imperial edict box. The box was covered with a five-clawed dragon with fierce eyes, and the four seal characters "Received the Mandate of Heaven" were tightly held between its claws.
The yellow silk with dragon and cloud patterns was spread out loosely, and the deep sound of bells could be faintly heard from the direction of the Imperial Ancestral Temple.
"The eldest daughter of the Xie family, born into a military family, has practiced martial arts since childhood and is well-versed in strategy, a woman of great talent and ability. Now that the Northern Rong have invaded the border, I hereby appoint her as the General of the Red Cloud Guard, in charge of the defense of the imperial city and the elite troops for expeditions, to lead the army to quell the rebellion."
I hope you will drive out the northern barbarians, protect the borders and the people, and display the might of my Great Yan army. On the day of your triumphant return, I will reward you.
So be it.
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