After hearing his words, Pei Yanzhi did not reply. The man simply watched the snowflakes fluttering in the sky.
Soon his shoulders were covered with snow.
Today is the fifteenth.
It was supposed to be a festival with a bright moon hanging high in the sky, but the sky was completely dark, without even a single star.
The whole world seemed to be swallowing everything up, with only wind, snow, and bottomless darkness.
Pei Yanzhi lowered his eyes and looked at the path Jiang Shuwan had come from, where there were no traces left.
But he still remembered her heavy steps and her tragic laughter when she arrived.
Jiang Shuwan has always been a very good-tempered person.
And nothing can stump her.
She had never smiled like that before.
He could imagine how much she tossed and turned before finally making up her mind.
Will Li Chengyun, like in his previous life, never return?
"Instruct the soldiers not to harm the princess if a fight breaks out."
"..."
Fei Hong was startled and was about to speak when he saw the gates of the besieged hall open from the inside.
The wind and snow rushed in, and Fei Hong looked at the scene inside in astonishment.
In the main hall in the center, Li Chengyun had already sheathed his sword, apparently having been persuaded by Jiang Shuwan.
However, an official from a prominent family, dressed in official robes, suddenly stabbed Song Huaizhang with a knife.
"Li Chengyun, you'll pay for my son's life!"
His son's corpse was at the official's feet.
After a moment of surprise, Li Chengyun smiled, his gaze shifting from the back pierced by Song Huaizhang to Jiang Shuwan's beautiful face.
The world was filled with Li Chengyun's despairing voice.
"Wanwan."
"You see, I can't turn back at all..."
Jiang Shuwan was pushed out of the hall by Li Chengyun. Jiang Shuwan screamed and tried to rush back, but was pulled away by Pei Yanzhi.
Then came the deafening shouts of killing.
According to historical records, Pei Yanzhi swiftly executed the rebels that night, then turned the city gates upside down, and the Prince of Pingnan surrendered.
After five days of siege and bloody battle, although the royal family and noble families of the Great Jing Dynasty were not reduced to less than one-tenth of their former selves, they still suffered heavy casualties.
In particular, the eldest prince, the crown prince, and the crown princess all died in the turmoil.
Subsequently, riots broke out at the border.
The territories of various aristocratic families were also thrown into turmoil by the deaths of their clan chiefs and sons. The three generals' mansions, ordered to deal with the unrest, had long since left the capital.
Besides the northern border, the foreign tribes in the east, west, and south took the opportunity to launch a large-scale attack on the border, threatening the Great Jing Dynasty.
Beset by internal and external troubles.
It was the deep winter of the first year after Emperor Jing's death.
Before the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, Pei Yanzhi had already mustered his troops to set out on a campaign to suppress the rebellious army in the western border and the invading army from other countries.
The Southern Mirror was still guarded by the Prince of Pingnan's mansion to repel the enemy, but this time, Li Yuyan also returned with the Prince of Pingnan.
The sixth prince, born to Consort Li, went to the eastern border to repel the enemy along with Yao Zhijie and General Fei Hong.
The northern region will remain under the command of General Sun to prevent petty scoundrels from taking advantage of the situation to cause trouble.
Sun Wanwan's husband, Lu Shaogan, led a light cavalry squad to the capital to protect Jiang Shuwan and guard the city.
"A woman can become the Grand Secretary?"
"She was originally a princess personally appointed by His Majesty, and also the head of a tribe. With Minister Guo's downfall and Prince Pei's departure to the western border to suppress the Ye family's rebellious army and foreign tribes, the seven tribes are leaderless. Only Princess Jinzhu can shoulder this important responsibility."
"However, I've heard that many people disagree."
"Of course I'm not satisfied, she's just a woman..."
"It seems our capital city won't be peaceful either..."
As soon as Lu Shaogan entered the city gate, he heard a lot of gossip. He said that no wonder his father-in-law didn't want him to go to the border. The capital was not as peaceful as the border.
Soon, Lu Shaogan stopped at the palace gate. After Pei Yanzhi quelled the rebellion, the Sixth Prince immediately ascended the throne. The Sixth Prince had already set off with the army this morning. The palace was empty, so Lu Shaogan went to the Princess's residence instead.
This princess's residence was originally the residence of a county magistrate. After Jiang Shuwan rose through the ranks so quickly, there wasn't even time to expand it.
Therefore, it has always been built to the specifications of a county princess's residence, but the gate plaque is that of a princess.
"Why isn't the princess at the Marquis's residence on the fifteenth of the lunar year...?"
Lu Shaogan dismounted in confusion and happened to meet Pei Yanzhi getting off the carriage. Pei Yanzhi was about to set off for the Western Region the next day. Lu Shaogan had long admired him and was surprised to meet him today. He quickly went up to greet him.
Sun Wanwan gave birth to a daughter, and Jiang Shuwan was the child's godmother. Given the past relationship between the two families, they could be considered brothers-in-law.
So Lu Shaogan didn't stand on ceremony. In addition, having been in the North for a long time, he had become more and more outgoing. As soon as he saw Pei Yanzhi carrying a pot of wine, he wanted to snatch it and drink it.
"This is poisoned wine!"
"..."
Lu Shaogan was startled by him, and the next second he thought he was joking. However, when he saw the Fourth Prince Li Chengyun sitting cross-legged on a soft cushion in the pavilion of the Princess's residence, he realized that what Pei Yanzhi said was true.
...
*********
The pavilion platform of the princess's residence overlooks a pool of clear water, which shimmers under the moonlight, resembling a giant silver mirror.
The platform is surrounded by exquisitely carved railings, and the wood grain exudes a rustic charm in the moonlight.
As palace maids moved about, two seats were quietly placed there, covered with brocade cushions, awaiting the arrival of their master.
Colorful lanterns hang around the waterside pavilion, their light reflecting on the water's surface, creating a dreamlike halo. A gentle breeze stirs the lanterns, causing them to sway softly, and the light and shadow dance in their wake.
Willows sway gently along the riverbank, their slender branches dancing in the breeze as if in harmony with the beautiful scenery. In the distance, the faint sounds of lively string and wind instruments and the laughter of people can be heard, further enhancing the tranquility and beauty of the place.
Brilliant fireworks lit up the night sky, their colorful lights shimmering above the waterside pavilion and illuminating the exquisite decorations on the platform, creating a breathtaking scene.
"It's quite lively."
As soon as Li Chengyun sat down in the waterside pavilion, he saw fireworks blooming in the sky, and he looked at them with great curiosity.
“It’s New Year’s Eve after all.” Jiang Shuwan came over a step behind him.
The young girl wore an elegant light-colored dress, her hair adorned with delicate pearl flowers. Under the moonlight and lamplight, her face appeared even more beautiful and charming.
She turned slightly to the side, her gaze falling on the shimmering water, a faint smile on her lips, and said softly, "Today is the fifteenth of the lunar year, and the scenery in this mansion is even more charming than usual."
"You talk as if you've lived here before."
"I really haven't lived here. I've only been here once with you, and you were practically rubbing your knife against my neck back then."
Jiang Shuwan chuckled, and Li Chengyun smiled too.
Afterwards, Li Chengyun went to pour the wine.
There are two wine jugs on the table.
One is made of white jade, exquisite and warm to the touch; it is Jiang Shuwan's wine pot, which emits a soft glow under the light.
Another wine jug is inlaid with a jewel, which is magnificent and grand, and the jewel sparkles brilliantly in the moonlight.
The two wine jugs are completely different; there's no way they could be mistaken.
Li Chengyun raised his arm and moved his wine pot aside.
Holding Jiang Shuwan's wine pot, he poured a cup for himself and Jiang Shuwan.
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