Chapter 353 Good News Returns
When the military report reached Kunning Palace, the news from the Imperial City Guard had already arrived.
The outside world was lush and green, and a gentle breeze carried the fragrance of osmanthus blossoms. Dou Wenyi had just finished copying Buddhist scriptures and was preparing to have her meal.
She didn't believe in gods and Buddhas before, but since her rebirth, she has developed a sense of awe towards them.
Pei Siyan led his army to victory, far away in Fuzhou. Swords and spears have no eyes, and she only hoped that he could return safely.
Exquisite and delicious dishes were prepared on the table. After the palace maids tasted each dish, they served her a bowl of fish soup and respectfully placed it in front of her.
Dou Wenyi's long eyelashes trembled, her expressionless face possessing a rather intimidating and stern air. "Tell me in detail? How did His Majesty defeat the rebels?"
"...His Majesty has won a great victory in this battle, beheading more than 7,000 people and drowning countless others. The rebel army has been driven away and is about to return to the capital in triumph." Eunuch Anxi said with a joyful expression, and began to talk about the matter at length.
"It is said that there was a strong wind that day because the site of the battle was Chengxi, a place with crisscrossing waterways, covered with reeds, making the terrain very complex. The rebels relied on the natural defenses of Chengxi and held their ground on the south bank. General Zhang, considering the low morale of the troops, was even considering retreating and attacking from another location."
"After His Majesty arrived with his army, morale soared. The Dragon Cavalry also had a unit that was particularly good at swimming. After carefully surveying the scene, His Majesty decided to use fire. So he ordered the advance troops to take small boats and splash a large amount of tung oil on the waters in the area in advance."
"His Majesty sent men with torches to rush into the reeds and set them ablaze with the wind. The raging fire, fueled by the wind, spread directly to the main rebel position."
"Afterwards, taking advantage of the chaos among the rebels and their busy efforts to avoid the fire, His Majesty ordered the soldiers to cross the river and launch a general offensive, ultimately defeating the enemy army."
A surge of heroic spirit welled up in Dou Wenyi's heart; the sounds of clashing swords and thunderous drums seemed to echo in her ears.
The battlefield is ever-changing, with too many uncertain factors. This move was fortunate to be blessed by the heavens. If the wind had been unfavorable, the outcome would have been uncertain.
"How did His Majesty determine the wind direction?"
"His Majesty brought the Director of the Imperial Observatory with him. They had predicted the wind direction in advance, which is why they made this arrangement."
Dou Wenyi breathed a sigh of relief. "Is His Majesty injured? Has his headache recurred?"
Eunuch Anxi said, "Your Majesty, rest assured, His Majesty's martial arts skills are first-rate. Besides, with Chi Yan and others protecting him, His Majesty was not injured. After this battle, His Majesty's prestige is even greater than before. I heard that His Majesty also took the opportunity to clean up the local tyrants and bullies. Wherever he goes, the people praise His Majesty endlessly."
"And what about Xie Guidu himself? Has he been captured?"
Grandpa Anxi sighed deeply, full of regret, "He got away. It's infuriating, we've searched every inch of the Fuzhou area, but we still can't find him."
Dou Wenyi frowned slightly. The entire Xie family had been executed, leaving only him as a lonely ghost.
Did he go to sea again?
He abandoned the Xie clan, was disloyal and unfilial, and even raised an army in rebellion. No matter how heinous the act, he was no longer afraid... What did he really want in this life?
Dou Wenyi's expression changed, and she suddenly stood up, "Someone come here!"
"Bring me pen and ink!"
She rose and walked to the table. Facing the Xuan paper laid out before her, her brows furrowed and her eyes narrowed. After pondering for a long time, she lowered her gaze, dipped her brush in ink, and wrote one place name after another on the snow-white paper: Plum Garden, Pudu Temple, Huanhua Villa, Magnolia Cottage...
A cold glint flashed in Dou Wenyi's eyes. "Anxi, send spies to all these places, disguised, to keep a close watch. Report back immediately if you spot anyone suspicious."
Eunuch Anxi was taken aback. "Your Majesty, it's suspicion... This servant understands."
"If he dares to come back this time, we will make sure he never returns."
Xie Guidu remained immersed in his past life. He perhaps believed that this life was illusory and should not exist. His series of abnormal actions were all attempts to return to the trajectory of his previous life.
However, if the initial intention is wrong, it will only lead to a complete mistake.
The places she just suggested were all places they had spent together during their more than ten years of marriage.
He would most likely go to the Marquis of Dingyuan's residence, but it's obvious that the Imperial City Guard would deploy heavy troops to guard that place in secret.
Therefore, once he returns, he will inevitably revisit these places, but it is unknown where he will ultimately choose to go.
But nothing seemed amiss in these places, and in the blink of an eye, half a month had passed.
The fragrance of osmanthus blossoms in the Imperial Garden grew stronger, and Dou Wenyi's body gradually felt heavy. The Seventh Princess, Pei Shuyue, accompanied her on her walk.
"Sister-in-law, you must be having a little brother. When will he be born? I can't wait! I really want to play with him. Then I won't be the youngest in the palace anymore, I can be the older sister."
Dou Wenyi laughed, "That won't do. It would mess up the generational hierarchy. You are his elder, so he has to call you 'little aunt.' And during the New Year, you'll have to give him lucky money."
Pei Shuyue tilted her head, her face full of longing, "Oh? Does he like gold and silver ingots too? I have a lot saved up, can I give him some?"
"OK."
In the courtyard, the few potted purple dragons lying in snow were in full bloom, elegant and charming, making them very endearing.
Dou Wenyi was wearing a loose robe, and her lower abdomen was slightly protruding. However, her figure was originally slender, and with the loose robe covering it, one might not notice that she was pregnant unless they looked closely.
"Sister-in-law, will my brother be able to return before the Mid-Autumn Festival? Yue'er misses them."
Dou Wenyi's eyes softened. "Them? Or who else?"
"Brother Yanzhou, I'm still waiting for him to bring me some fun things from Fuzhou!"
"Yes, he'll be back soon. Maybe he'll even make it in time for the Mid-Autumn Festival." Dou Wenyi smiled, gazing at the chrysanthemums swaying in the wind, remembering the promise Pei Siyan made to her. He always kept his word, and this time was no exception.
"That's wonderful! My mother has personally raised several pots of Jade Phoenix Chrysanthemums, and we're all looking forward to the Mid-Autumn Festival to admire them together."
Consort Zhang watched the two from afar, one tall and one short, chatting and laughing, and felt that there was hope for life in the palace. In the past, when Emperor Muzong was in power, the harem was full of chaos and intrigue, and it had never been as peaceful as it was now.
Dou Wenyi walked over and suggested, "Today, the small kitchen has prepared a beef hot pot and some roast meat. Would you like to go to Kunning Palace to try them?"
"The food at my sister-in-law's place is so delicious! Mother, I really want to try it!" Pei Shuyue's eyes lit up as she cheered.
Consort Zhang poked her forehead with her hand, trying to politely refuse, "You're so greedy, aren't you afraid of disturbing your sister-in-law?"
"It's not fun for me to be alone. It's more fun with more people, it's noisy, and the food tastes better."
Consort Zhang was unwilling to refuse her kindness, "Alright. By the way, my brother's death anniversary is approaching, and I'd like to go out of the palace to perform a Buddhist ritual for him, to help him pass on to the afterlife. I wonder if that would be convenient?"
Dou Wenyi didn't seem to care much. "What's inconvenient about it? But we should send more people to be on the safe side."
A sudden thought flashed through her mind: Nannan's birthday was approaching...
Dou Wenyi curled her lips into a smile.
You can't guard against thieves forever; you can only be a thief for a thousand days.
Xie Guidu might have already returned to Tianning City. If he doesn't show himself, we might as well lure him out!
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