Chapter 118: Someone in Golden State
In the autumn in Jinzhou, the sky is high and the clouds are vast, and the scenery is clear and bright.
Silky clouds drifted leisurely across the azure sky, and the air was filled with the dry and crisp fragrance of grass and trees, which was refreshing and pleasant.
On the vast horse farm, Yun Zhao, dressed in neat riding clothes and with his long black hair tied up high, was galloping with his younger brother Yun Feng and his father Yun Chong'an.
The horses' hooves stepped on the yellowish meadow, splashing fine dirt and startling the herds of cattle and sheep not far away.
Laughter and joyful chatter drifted in the wind, making this autumn afternoon particularly lively.
However, this rare comfort and tranquility was suddenly broken by the sound of hurried horse hooves.
A dusty messenger galloped over, reined in his horse, and held up a bright yellow scroll. His voice was loud and urgent: "The imperial edict has arrived—Yun Chong'an, receive it!"
Yun Chong'an's expression froze as he immediately dismounted, lifted his robe, and knelt on the ground. Yun Zhao and Yun Feng followed suit, kneeling quietly behind their father.
"The Wala invaded, and the northern border is in danger! Special decree, Yun Chong'an is ordered to depart immediately for Xuanhua to take charge of military affairs and fight against the invaders! Reinforcements and food have been dispatched from the capital, and they will rush to our aid. This is my order—"
"Your Majesty, Yun Chong'an, accepts the imperial edict and expresses gratitude! Long live the emperor!" Yun Chong'an took the heavy imperial edict with both hands, his voice steady and powerful.
The messenger bowed slightly and said: "The military situation is urgent. Please leave quickly, Your Majesty. I still need to rush to the next place to deliver the message. Goodbye!" After that, he spurred his horse again and rode away in a cloud of dust.
After the sound of horse hooves faded away, Yun Zhao helped his father to his feet, his brows furrowed tightly as he asked, "Father, are we leaving today?"
Yun Chong'an stared at the imperial edict with a resolute look and nodded: "The emperor's will is determined. The military situation is urgent and cannot be delayed. Ah Zhao, you must take good care of your mother and brother at home. Don't worry, father will definitely return victorious!"
Upon hearing this, Yun Zhao subconsciously glanced at her curious younger brother, then turned to look at her father and said firmly, "The Oirat are brutal and cunning, and their cavalry is extremely powerful. I, your daughter... also want to go to Xuanhua with you to lend a hand!"
"Nonsense!" Yun Chong'an refused without a second thought. "On the battlefield, swords and spears are merciless. This is no child's play! How can a girl like you go to such a dangerous place?" He changed the subject, softening his tone with a father's concern. "Dad, look, Zhao Ze, the second son of the Jinzhou governor's family, is a man of good character, talented in both civil and military affairs, and he is truly sincere towards you. Why don't you accept this marriage and start a family soon? That way, your mother and I can rest assured."
Yun Zhao was immediately helpless. "Father, it's fine if you don't want me to go to the battlefield, but why is he so eager to marry me off? I've only just turned twenty, and I want to stay with you and mother for a few more years to show my filial piety."
Yun Chong'an looked at his daughter's pretty yet stubborn face and sighed, "Twenty years old, you're already a grown-up girl. An ordinary girl would have children around her at your age. So, tell me, what is it about Zhao Ze that you don't like? Daddy looks at him coldly. That boy is a man of excellent character, appearance, and talent. He's more than enough to be a good match for my Ah Zhao."
Yun Zhao felt a little embarrassed by her father's question. Her cheeks flushed slightly as she muttered softly, "Daddy, I didn't say he was bad, nor did I say he was unworthy... It's just that I don't have any romantic feelings for him..."
Yun Chong'an shook his head and continued to mutter as he walked out of the horse farm, "Love blossoms over time. That guy has been following you eagerly for more than half a year, rain or shine. Such sincerity is rare. You, you just have too high standards..."
Yun Feng, a smart little boy, suddenly interrupted, "I know! My sister must have been obsessed with His Majesty the Emperor when she was in the palace. Now that she's back in Jinzhou, she naturally thinks no one can compare to her!"
Yun Zhao's heart skipped a beat, as if someone had spoken of his secret. He immediately frowned and scolded, "Stop talking nonsense! Your Majesty is so powerful, how can you just make up whatever you want? If you keep talking nonsense, I'll be in trouble!"
Yun Feng, however, wasn't afraid of her. He stuck out his tongue and continued to reveal more: "Sister, you clearly said it yourself that you didn't dare to like him, not that you didn't like him! I've also seen His Majesty the Emperor, and he is indeed the most handsome and majestic man in the world! As for Brother Zhao Ze... he can't compare!"
Yun Chong'an was amused by his youngest son's words. He looked at his eldest daughter with a look of understanding and kindness. He said gently, "A Zhao, if you really have feelings for him, you don't have to torture yourself like this. If he is still waiting for you, why don't you try to let down your guard? It's not easy to find someone who loves you wholeheartedly in this world."
Yun Zhao lowered her eyes, her long lashes masking the complex emotions within. Her voice was low but clear, "Father, he... is no ordinary man. He is the highest official in the world, and he holds the entire nation in his throes. I do not wish to place the Yun family at the center of controversy again for my own selfish reasons. We hold military power, and we attract attention. If I were to enter the palace, I fear not only would I suffer personally, but I would also become a burden to my father and brothers."
She expressed her concerns clearly, which had always been her deepest concern.
Yun Feng sighed in a condescending manner, "Alas, after all, it's because you're not brave enough. You're better than me in everything, from riding and archery to reading and writing. It's a pity you're so timid when it comes to lifelong matters. I'm afraid it'll be hard for you to find a good husband!"
Yun Zhao was left in a state of confusion, saying angrily, "Ah Feng! You're becoming more and more unruly! Can you just say such things? If anyone else hears, you'll be in trouble!"
Yun Feng, however, smiled and kicked his horse's belly, ran away a little, turned around and shouted: "Anyway, the mountains are high and the emperor is far away, he can't hear me..." After that, he urged the horse to run away.
Yun Zhao pretended to give chase, but just after taking two steps, he heard a clear, laughing voice from not far away: "Ah Zhao! Do you want to compete again today? If you win, you can order as much roasted lamb as you want from Cuiyinglou. It's my treat!"
Yun Zhao looked in the direction of the sound and saw a young man in azure riding clothes reining in his horse under the golden afterglow of the setting sun, with an upright posture and a bright smile.
It was Zhao Ze, the second son of the Jinzhou prefect. He possessed the boldness and valor of a Northwestern man, yet retained the refined elegance of a scholar. These two qualities blended wonderfully in him, forming a unique demeanor.
Yun Zhao looked at the sincere and passionate light in his eyes and couldn't help but smile as well. Like the brightest autumn sunshine, it dispelled the slight gloom from his previous mood. "Okay! Then you better work harder, Second Young Master Zhao, or else your wallet will be deflated again tonight!"
After the race, they would spur their horses and gallop as far as they could. Then, they would sit around the fire, eat the fragrant barbecue, drink some mellow local milk wine, and talk about everything under the sun.
This was almost the most unrestrained and happy time of the day for Yun Zhao after he returned to Jinzhou.
It seems that only in this way can I temporarily put aside the complex emotions hidden deep in my heart about the palace and that person.
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