Chapter 68 I Like Him
He gazed at her and uttered the word "I like you," making it easy for anyone to understand the unspoken meaning.
Yu Mingshu had noticed He Zheng's feelings before, but today, his gaze had become much more intense, like a volcano about to erupt, or a raging river about to burst its banks...
How long can she keep avoiding this?
"The auspicious ceremony is about to begin. I'll take you inside."
His gentle voice brought her back to her senses, and she followed in his footsteps, entering the room under the watchful eyes of many.
The He family is the Empress's maternal clan. Although it is unknown why His Majesty only granted He Xiao the title of Earl, it is an indisputable fact that the He family has received the Emperor's favor for the past twenty years.
He Zheng was born in the first year of Fengle, and was about the same age as the Crown Prince. He was a playmate of the Eastern Palace since childhood and was a nephew and son who was watched by the Emperor and Empress. His coming-of-age ceremony was held in an extremely grand manner.
The emperor and empress sent generous gifts, and Crown Prince Liang Yuanjun personally attended the ceremony.
All these appearances of "the emperor's boundless grace" weighed on Yu Mingshu's heart like a boulder.
Born into such a family, there was absolutely no way he could accommodate her views on marriage and relationships.
Even if he is willing to abandon worldly values and fight against his family for love, what right does she have to make him back down to this extent?
Given He Zheng's circumstances, he could have easily married a virtuous and loving wife from a prestigious family, who would take care of his daily life, serve his parents, bear him children, and form the perfect family in the eyes of people in this era.
How could she let him break with convention and embark on a path destined to be fraught with difficulties and obstacles just for her sake?
The capping ceremony ended without anyone noticing, and An Yuanbo He Xiao announced the start of the banquet with a smile. The guests took their seats, and the servants served up a variety of delicious dishes.
Liang Yuanjun did not linger at the banquet. After drinking two cups of wine with the He family, she left early.
Tao and several women exchanged toasts, and after several rounds of drinks, most of the guests stopped drinking and eating. Only then did her gaze inadvertently fall on the young lady Yu.
The girl only ate the food and didn't drink much alcohol. Her eyes were fixed on the table, and there was an inconspicuous crease between her brows, as if she was troubled by something.
Tao subtly retorted to her youngest son, "Are you going to bring up his marriage today? At least give me a straight answer."
At this moment, a eunuch hurried in, bypassed the assembled guests, and whispered in He Xiao's ear, attracting Tao's attention and also helping He Zhengjie escape the encirclement.
"Urgent report from the border: Something has happened in Northern Yan. His Majesty summons the Earl and the two young masters to the Taiji Hall for an immediate meeting."
The two brothers exchanged a glance, both greatly shocked.
He Xiao's gaze turned serious, and he said to Tao Shi in a deep voice, "The military situation is urgent and cannot be delayed. I'm leaving the mansion to you."
The guests, seeing the three male heads of the He family suddenly rise and hurriedly leave their seats with the eunuchs, couldn't help but look at each other and whisper among themselves.
Tao quickly stabilized the situation, and with a smile, she hastily brought the banquet to a close, seeing off all the guests together with her daughter-in-law, Chen.
Taiji Hall.
"Urgent report from Youzhou, take a look at it, all of you." The emperor's face was stern as he slammed the report in his hand onto the edge of the table.
Yao Qingxi lowered his head and passed the report to the court officials below.
Liang Yuanjun had already read the contents of the letter, and as the court officials read and presented the report one by one, he solemnly summarized its contents.
"The new king of Northern Yan revived his iron cavalry and launched a surprise attack on Sangyang City in Youzhou. The defending general, Liang Feng, was no match for them and abandoned the city. He was later captured alive by the Northern Yan army and has now surrendered to the enemy."
He Ting frowned, a moment of astonishment flashing in his eyes. "Liang Feng was a general personally promoted by His Majesty. He made countless contributions and was even granted the imperial surname by His Majesty. How could he do something like abandoning the city and surrendering to the enemy?"
Xie Shichang scoffed disdainfully, "A lowly stable boy, brave but without integrity."
Li Qinian bowed respectfully to the emperor on the throne and solemnly said, "Now that Sangyang City has fallen, it will soon affect the entire Youzhou region, and even the entire Hebei Province. Your Majesty, I request that you immediately send troops to support Youzhou."
"No!"
Zhang Jinghua suddenly shouted, and everyone in the hall looked at him.
"Last year, the imperial court sent troops south to Taozhou, emptying the granaries of twelve prefectures in Huainan Circuit. Now the national treasury is empty. It's not that the soldiers are incapable of fighting, but that we can't afford to fight, Your Majesty!"
He Zheng couldn't help but retort: "Youzhou is almost in the hands of Northern Yan. Are we not going to fight? Are we just going to let foreign tribes devour the cities and lands of our Great Liang?"
Zhang Jinghua calmly bowed to the seated person and said, "Not fighting now does not mean we will never fight. The national treasury is empty and food supplies are tight. What are the chances of victory if we send troops now? I think it would be better to send envoys to negotiate peace first and wait for another day."
He Ting frowned and questioned, "Da Liang and Bei Yan are sworn enemies. You want to negotiate peace, but how can the new king of Bei Yan agree?"
"The new king of Northern Yan was born to a maid in the royal court. He was the lowest of the sons of the former king of Northern Yan. He fled after the war and only recently returned. He is still not good enough."
Zhang Jinghua spoke with conviction, glancing at the emperor's face. Seeing that the emperor's expression remained unchanged, he felt somewhat relieved, and his tone became even more resolute.
"The various tribes of Northern Yan harbor their own ulterior motives. The new king's southward campaign was merely an attempt to establish his authority. Now that Sangyang City has been captured, his objective has been achieved. Why risk having his retreat cut off by continuing southward?"
After a long silence, Chen Qu sneered and stared straight at Zhang Jinghua. "Minister Zhang makes it sound so easy. If you want to negotiate peace, you will inevitably have to cede territory and pay reparations. So much money and grain will be given away for nothing. It would be better to fight a thorough and enjoyable battle."
"Who says that peace talks necessarily involve ceding territory and paying reparations? Marriage alliances with foreign tribes have existed since ancient times," Zhang Jinghua said in a resounding voice. "Marriage alliances with foreign tribes, which establish alliances, are a declaration to the world that the Great Liang recognizes the new king of Northern Yan as the ruler of the grasslands. This is enough to help the new king to dominate the northern border and suppress the leaders of various tribes."
Li Qinian said leisurely, "Minister Zhang's words make sense, but it's a pity that our dynasty has no princess of suitable age."
Xie Shichang said, "The royal family has no daughters. Your Majesty may choose a virtuous and capable woman of suitable age from a noble family, adopt her as your daughter, bestow upon her a title, and send her off with the rites due to a legitimate princess."
He Zheng chuckled and said, "Women from noble families are skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and their reputation for virtue and gentleness is known throughout the world. Why doesn't Minister Xie suggest sending women from noble families to marry into foreign lands?"
Xie Shichang glanced at him, his reaction indifferent, "If it can serve the court, the Xie family is willing to offer up their daughter."
A cold sneer came from the head of the hall. Liang Yuanjun's voice was neither too loud nor too soft, just loud enough for everyone in the hall to hear.
"Shameless."
Seeing Xie Shichang's flushed face as if he were angry, Liang Yuanjun turned to look at Zhang Jinghua and said, "Do you really think the Yan people are all fools? Trying to use a deceptive tactic to negotiate a marriage alliance will only make them angrier, and the peace treaty will turn into a war."
“If Northern Yan insists on sending a princess of the royal family to marry a foreign ruler, I have another plan,” Zhang Jinghua said, bowing slightly.
"It could be said that Princess Qingluan did not perish back then, but was simply lost in the earthquake. Now that the phoenix has returned to the court, His Majesty has recognized the princess who has been separated from him for many years. However, in order to protect the country and the nation of Liang, he has no choice but to send the princess away to marry again."
"By spreading this story, His Majesty's virtuous name will surely be remembered for eternity."
After Zhang Jinghua finished speaking, an eerie silence fell over the hall.
Crown Prince Liang Yuanjun and Prime Minister Li Qinian, who were closest to the emperor, were the first to notice that the emperor's calm eyes were suppressing anger.
Zhang Jinghua has stepped on His Majesty's sore spot.
The auspicious pairing of dragon and phoenix was tragically cut short when Princess Qingluan perished in a natural disaster at a young age—a wound that the Emperor could not bear to touch.
The world only knows that the emperor lost his beloved daughter, but only Liang Yuanjun knows what he truly lost.
She silently observed the emperor's expression and said with a sigh, "Back then, Princess Huailing married a foreign ruler and did her best to protect the peace and stability of the people of both countries, but what was the result?"
The Zhang family bears primary responsibility for the death of Princess Huailing.
The emperor's cold gaze shot towards Zhang Jinghua like an arrow. The man below the steps finally realized that he had said something wrong, and his straight neck bent slightly, speechless for a moment.
"Isn't a marriage alliance expensive? The princess's dowry, the accompanying guards and officials, the maids and eunuchs who come with her—which of these costs less than going to war?"
Upon hearing the emperor's question, both Zhang Jinghua, who proposed the marriage alliance, and Xie Shichang, who supported it, fell silent.
The emperor rose solemnly and slowly walked to the sword rack not far away.
"Pu Feng betrayed the country, Sangyang fell, and the Northern Yan people rode on the shoulders of my Great Liang people, acting arrogantly and domineeringly. This is a disgrace to me!"
As everyone held their breath and stared intently, the emperor suddenly drew his long sword and pointed it at the front of the hall, saying in a deep voice, "This battle is one that the Great Liang must fight."
The ministers remained silent.
The emperor has already used the word "humiliation," so who would dare to stop him from sending troops? It's just that the officials in the Ministry of Revenue are suffering, and who knows how many more hairs they will lose in the days to come in order to raise grain and fodder.
"Gentlemen, who is willing to lead the troops into battle?"
The emperor's gaze swept over He Ting and the military officers beside him.
Apart from the He brothers, most of the others avoided eye contact and subconsciously lowered their heads.
The worst thing about fighting a war is the lack of food supplies. The Ministry of Revenue just complained about being poor, so this battle is destined to be fought cautiously. Who among those present is willing to take on this hot potato?
The emperor's face grew even uglier. He paced back and forth on the steps several times, then raised his voice and said, "Whoever drives out the Yan people and reclaims the city will be rewarded with five hundred acres of land. Whoever breaks through Yan City and kills the traitor Pu Feng will be granted the title of fifth-rank viscount. Whoever storms into the Northern Yan royal court will be enfeoffed as a marquis of a thousand households."
"Gentlemen, who dares to accept the challenge?"
Upon hearing about the reward of land and the conferment of titles, He Zheng's eyes lit up, and a strong impulse surged within him.
Driven by impulse, he stepped forward in full view of everyone and declared loudly, "Your subject He Zheng is willing to lead the army of Daliang and vows not to return to the capital until the Northern Yan court is destroyed."
The surrounding officials were all startled, and He Ting suddenly turned his head to glare at him.
The emperor was slightly taken aback, then laughed heartily, "Good, good! Young people still have lofty ambitions and heroic spirit!"
Liang Yuanjun frowned slightly and interjected at the right moment, "At this time, the food supplies are not plentiful and the weather is not favorable. General He, there is no need to force a breakthrough of the royal court. It is enough to recover the lost territory and escort the traitorous general back to the capital."
The emperor remained noncommittal, which was taken as tacit approval. He then turned to Li Qinian and ordered him to draft an edict to immediately mobilize the army and prepare for deployment.
…
It was already late when He Zheng and the others left the Taiji Hall. The thin light of the crescent moon shone on the streets and alleys. He left the imperial city and went straight to Chongrenfang, knocking on the wooden door of the small courtyard next door.
Under the flickering candlelight, Yu Mingshu was turning the pages of an ancient book when he suddenly heard two knocks on the door outside the courtyard. He turned his head and paused for a moment as he turned the pages.
It's so late, who would come over?
As she stood there stunned, the door opened twice more.
Who is it?
Yu Mingshu got up and left the study, walked around the few blue bricks where the mechanism was located in the courtyard, came to the door, and looked out through the crack in the door.
Upon seeing who it was, she instinctively reached for the door latch and opened the door for He Zheng.
"Why did you decide to use the main entrance today...?"
Before she could finish speaking, everything went dark, and her nose bumped into the man's strong chest, making her nose sting and tears well up in her eyes instantly.
"He Xingzhao, you're getting more and more outrageous!"
He Zheng seemed oblivious to her annoyance, his tone calm and steady, "Urgent report from Youzhou: Northern Yan has invaded, and Sangyang City has fallen. I have volunteered to lead the expedition."
Yu Mingshu was stunned.
"So sudden?"
Before I leave, I want to see you one last time.
The voice beside her was deep and muffled, and the slightly warm breath made her ears turn red. Yu Mingshu remained silent for a few moments, then raised her hands somewhat helplessly, freezing them in mid-air.
Are you leaving tonight?
"yes."
Yu Mingshu felt a sudden tightness in his chest, then his stiff shoulders relaxed, and he wrapped his forearm against Yu Mingshu's side, tightly hugging the person in front of him.
She clearly noticed that He Zheng's upper body stiffened for a moment, and his initially loose back muscles suddenly became as hard as iron.
He Zhengkong swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbing. He had never been so close to her before, their upper bodies completely intertwined.
How could she not know that such a distance was already beyond what is acceptable for friends?
She knew, and she was willing.
His heart was pounding faster and faster. He Zhengqing took the initiative to loosen his arms around her and took half a step back towards the door. His gaze was more intense than ever before, with a hint of aggressive determination.
"Wait for me to come back."
Yu Mingshu opened his mouth, but before he could tell him to be careful, he saw Yu Mingshu mount his horse and ride away.
She always felt that his last four words were not enough.
From volunteering before the palace, drafting the imperial decree to dispatch troops, planning and strategizing, mobilizing troops at the Lishan camp, to setting off in full gear, it only took twelve hours.
On March 30th, two full days after He Zheng left Beijing, Yu Mingshu finally gleaned from scattered official documents just how difficult this battle had been.
At this time, part of the imperial army was still stationed at Taozhou Port with Cheng Changde. He Zheng brought only 30,000 troops, and together with the original army of Youzhou, the total force was no more than 80,000. This number also included various branches of the military, and logistics alone would take up half of the force...
The most difficult task was still the allocation of provisions. Even though the emperor gave a strict order for the granaries in Hebei and Hedong to quickly inventory the supplies to support the front lines, the army still faced the risk of running out of food at any time.
He hadn't even properly celebrated his twentieth birthday before facing such a severe war.
"Are you there, sister?"
Yu Dan carried a food box and stepped into the west courtyard. He saw that the bedroom door was wide open. He peeked inside and searched around, but could not find Yu Mingshu.
"Sister?"
"I'm on the roof."
Yu Mingshu snapped out of her thoughts and responded.
With Yu Dan's victory celebration banquet approaching, she has temporarily moved back to live here for the next couple of days.
Perhaps because they had been separated for some time, Yu Dan was unusually attentive to her. Today, he came to the west courtyard every two hours, bringing her sweet soup and pastries.
After a rustling sound, Yu Dan climbed onto the roof, carefully stepped over the tiles, and sat down next to Yu Mingshu.
"What are you sending this time?" Yu Mingshu asked helplessly.
Yu Dan smiled and said, "The calming soup is in your room."
Yu Mingshu raised an eyebrow. "Just put it down. What are you doing up here?"
Yu Dan was speechless for a moment, then said sullenly, "Sister, I always feel that you have changed."
"us?"
“You, and He Erlang.”
Yu Mingshu was taken aback, and after a moment of silence, he finished asking, "How have we changed?"
Yu Dan turned his head and looked intently into her eyes. “You used to be my only older sister, he was my best friend, and you were both my closest people. But… I don’t know when it started, you stopped sharing your secrets with me, and we only see each other a handful of times.”
"You two are inseparable, yet you're both drifting further and further away from me."
Yu Dan's voice grew softer and softer, his tone revealing an undeniable sense of frustration.
"Is it simply because I got married?"
“It has nothing to do with this,” Yu Mingshu said.
"Why is that?" Yu Dan suddenly raised his voice, his eyes slightly red. "Sister, can you tell me why you all want to leave me?"
Yu Mingshu remained silent for a long time, then looked up at the moon in the sky. "I don't want to get married."
Yu Dan was completely confused. "Who forced you to get married?"
Yu Mingshu said, "But I can't help but worry about him."
Yu Dan's brow twitched, and he pressed, "Who?"
Yu Mingshu did not answer, but murmured to the moon as if talking to himself, "He probably hasn't entered Youzhou yet, but my heart is already restless for a moment."
"You mean He Erlang?"
“When I close my eyes, I dream of him on the battlefield, with arrows raining down like the day I was assassinated. I dream of him covered in thorns, with a bloody hole in his forehead, and of him starving to the bone, eating dirt and gnawing on tree bark.”
Hearing the sudden shift in her tone, a palpable anxiety she had never shown before, Yu Dan was taken aback. "Sister, wait a moment..."
“I like him.” Yu Mingshu continued to utter these startling words, seemingly oblivious to his surroundings.
She calmed herself down and repeated, "I like He Zheng."
Yu Dan was stunned for a while before he found his voice, "He Erlang... he probably has the same feelings for you."
Yu Mingshu said, "I know."
Yu Dan was even more confused. "Since you two are in love, you can discuss the engagement between the two families after He Erlang returns from Youzhou. Why is my sister still worried?"
Yu Mingshu shook her head helplessly, "I already said it in my first sentence, I don't want to get married."
Yu Dan was speechless for a moment, then stammered, "Then... then could you try to let him go, sister?"
Yu Mingshu felt a tightness in her chest and said, "I don't want to lose him, and I don't want to lose myself."
Both of them fell silent. Yu Mingshu lowered his head and fiddled with the tiles, then suddenly gave a self-deprecating laugh and said, "Am I being too sentimental?"
Yu Dan rested his chin on his hand, and after a moment he suddenly reached out to give her a high five.
"Sister, let's encourage each other."
Yu Mingshu subconsciously accepted the slap, only realizing afterward that he was somewhat bewildered.
"What should we encourage each other with?"
Yu Dan tilted his head back and chuckled, "If either of us can be ennobled as a marquis or appointed as a prime minister, then He Erlang will have a chance to marry into our family."
"..." Yu Mingshu got up and walked towards the ladder, leaving Yu Dan with the words, "Go to sleep early."
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