Chapter 119 I'll Go With You
Yun Chong'an packed his luggage overnight and left the Jinzhou mansion quietly with his entourage.
Zhao Yuanying walked her husband to the door and watched him disappear into the dark night. When she returned to the house, she could no longer hold back her tears and burst into tears.
Yun Zhao's heart ached, but he suppressed his worry and softly comforted his mother, "Mother, don't be too sad. You know Daddy's abilities and capabilities best. He's been on the battlefield for half his life, what storms hasn't he seen? He'll definitely return safely this time."
Zhao Yuanying sobbed, her words filled with heartache and reluctance. "We'd just had a year of peace and quiet, and before we could even find our feet, he was gone again... And he left without a second thought! He didn't even bring a thick cotton-padded jacket, saying it wasn't cold over there. But that was war! Once it started, it would be freezing cold, and it would never end. It wouldn't end so easily!"
Yun Zhao gently hugged her mother, trying to lend her some support with her frail shoulders. A thought struck her again, and she tentatively asked, "Mother, how about...letting your daughter secretly take care of Daddy? That would put your mind at ease."
Zhao Yuanying was stunned when he heard this. He pushed his daughter away and grabbed her wrist, his eyes full of disbelief: "You...what nonsense are you talking about, kid?! Huh? What kind of place is that? Is that a place you can go? This is nonsense!"
Yun Zhao quickly explained, trying to reassure her mother, "Mother, don't worry! I'm not going to charge into battle. I just want to accompany you in secret, perhaps I can protect you in a critical moment. Don't worry, I value my life very much. I haven't married yet, so I would never take any risks."
Zhao Yuanying still shook her head firmly, "That won't do! Swords and guns are blind, and the battlefield is no joke. There are too many uncertainties!" She changed the subject and brought up the matter at hand, "Speaking of marriage, what do you think of Zhao Ze? For the past six months, he has come to see you regardless of weather conditions. His feelings are evident to all. His mother has already asked him three or five times, both openly and covertly. You have to give me a definite answer."
Seeing her mother's temper calm down a bit, Yun Zhao said, "Mother, this matter... let me think it over carefully. When father returns triumphantly, I will definitely give you and father a clear answer, okay? You can also reply to the Zhao family first. If Aze is anxious to marry, he doesn't have to wait for my consent. Our Yun family will never hold a grudge against this."
Zhao Yuanying looked at her daughter and sighed helplessly, "Girl, you've always had strong opinions. Once you make up your mind, no one can change it. In your heart, you're clearly still thinking about that guy in the palace. The more you refuse to admit it, the clearer it becomes."
Yun Zhao's cheeks flushed red, as if someone had spoken of his most secret secrets. He hurriedly changed the subject, "Mother! Stop guessing! It's getting late, and you've been too worried today. You should get some rest. Also, cut back on those eye-straining needlework. The doctor said you need to take good care of your eyes. The weather in the northwest is getting colder quickly, and autumn is approaching. We need to start preparing for the winter. By the way, didn't my brother write to me the other day saying that my sister-in-law gave birth successfully? Maybe they'll be able to bring our little nephew back to see you before the end of the year."
After much persuasion, I finally calmed my mother down and helped her lie down to rest.
After her mother's breathing became regular, Yun Zhao quietly left the room. She returned to her own room, took out the bag she had prepared long ago with a determined look, quickly ground ink and spread out paper, and left a short letter home.
After packing up, she avoided the servants who were patrolling the mansion at night, nimbly climbed over the wall and landed lightly on the ground.
However, just as his feet touched the ground, a familiar voice came from the shadows beside him, with a hint of understanding and persistence: "I knew you would come."
Yun Zhao was startled and looked in the direction of the sound. She saw Zhao Ze leading two horses, walking steadily out of the shadows in the corner, looking at her with burning eyes.
"Zhao Ze? Why are you here?" Yun Zhao was shocked.
Zhao Ze handed her the reins of one of the horses, his tone calm but unyielding: "You want to go to Xuanhua, and I'll go with you. When I heard you ask about the map of the northern border and the customs of the Oirat Mongols at the banquet that day, I guessed you would never stay at home."
Yun Zhao simply couldn't understand. "Are you crazy? Uncle Zhao and Aunt Zhao would be so mad if they knew! You are the beloved second son of the family. How could you be so willful and run off to such a dangerous place?"
Zhao Ze smiled, a rare carefree expression on his face. "My eldest brother has inherited the family business and supports the family. They have always seen me, the second son, as 'unemployed' and prone to causing trouble. So, why not follow you to the northern border to gain some experience? Perhaps I can earn a real career."
"That won't do!" Yun Zhao flatly refused. "On the battlefield, swords have no eyes! If something happens to you, how will I explain to the Zhao family? I can't bear this responsibility!"
Zhao Ze took a step forward, his eyes locked on hers. "What about you? If a girl like you can go, why can't a man like me go? With our country in crisis and foreign invaders invading our borders, how can we just sit back and watch?"
Yun Zhao didn't want to argue with him any more, for fear of alarming the people in the mansion, so he simply jumped on the horse and said, "You can't go anyway!" Then he shook the reins, wanting to urge the horse to leave.
Zhao Ze seemed to have anticipated her move and didn't forcefully try to stop her. He simply climbed onto his horse without much haste. His voice drifted on the night wind, carrying a hint of helpless threat, yet also a hint of compromise: "If you won't let me come with you, I'll go back and knock on the gate of the Yun Mansion to wake my aunt. Then, neither of us will be able to leave."
He paused, his tone slowing down, and he spoke with full sincerity: "A Zhao, I didn't act on impulse. I've already prepared the luggage, dry food, and route along the way. I will definitely not cause any trouble or hinder you. I also left a letter home, saying that I was traveling to broaden my horizons and would never implicate you. Don't worry."
Yun Zhao reined in his horse and glared back at him, feeling both angry and amused. "Am I not letting you go because I'm afraid you'll get into trouble? I'm afraid something might happen to you!"
She said no more, squeezed the horse's belly hard, and shouted, "Gee!" The horse shot off into the night like an arrow.
Seeing this, Zhao Ze spurred his horse to catch up without hesitation. His riding skills were surprisingly not inferior at all, and he soon rode alongside Yun Zhao. His voice was still clear in the whistling wind, "Wouldn't it be better if the two of us could keep each other company and look after each other? Don't you think so, Zhao?"
Whether Yun Zhao sped up or changed direction, Zhao Ze always managed to keep up, maintaining just the right distance. Under the moonlight, his gaze toward the stubborn figure ahead was firm and persistent.
At least at this moment, he had only one thought in his mind - no matter where she went, he would follow her.
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