Chapter 97 The Prince Who Failed to Revolt
When Zhang Xiaojia woke up again, she was lying in her bedroom in the capital. The wounds on her shoulders and legs had been properly bandaged, and the wound on her stomach had also healed. The pain was still there, but it was no longer severe.
She slowly opened her eyes and saw He Fei sitting beside the bed, his eyes full of fatigue and worry.
"You're awake..." He Fei's voice was hoarse, as if he had not rested for a long time.
Zhang Xiaojia nodded slightly, his voice weak: "Brother...where is the emperor?"
He Fei held her hand and whispered, "The emperor has returned to the capital safely. The Yucheng army has been defeated by the Youcheng cavalry. The shadow army of the fourth prince's wife has hidden again, but this time I will personally lead the army to slaughter them. Jiaer, I will never let them hurt you again."
A flicker of relief flashed across Zhang Xiaojia's eyes, but then dimmed again. She whispered, "How many of those soldiers... survived?"
He Fei was silent for a moment, then said in a low voice: "Two thousand soldiers, less than two hundred survived."
Zhang Xiaojia's heart sank, and a flash of pain flashed in her eyes. She closed her eyes, tears silently falling. Those soldiers, those precious lives, had been left forever in those woods to protect her return to Beijing.
"It was the first time I killed someone, the first time I knew blood was so hot..." Her voice trembled, filled with endless pain, "I never thought that I would take someone's life with my own hands."
He Fei gently stroked her hair, his voice gentle but firm: "Jia'er, this is not your fault. You were protecting the emperor and the country of Da Zhou. Those soldiers sacrificed their lives for their country, and their deaths were well deserved."
Zhang Xiaojia shook her head, tears streaming down her face. "But... I could have done better. I could have let them survive..."
He Fei gently held her in his arms and whispered comfortingly: "You have tried your best, Jiaer. No one can do better than you."
Zhang Xiaojia leaned on He Fei's arms and cried bitterly. She knew that she had to be strong. For the sake of those dead soldiers and for the sake of the Great Zhou, she must not fall.
"Brother He..." she said softly, "I will be fine. Don't tell Mother about me. When I am healed, let's go see Mother together, okay?"
He Fei smiled slightly, his eyes full of tenderness: "Okay, let's go see mother together."
Under He Fei's meticulous care, Zhang Xiaojia's condition gradually improved. Although the wounds on her shoulder and abdomen still ached, her spirits had recovered considerably.
In the dead of night, Zhang Xiaojia secretly shed tears in He Fei's arms. The moonlight outside the window shone on her face, reflecting her pale complexion. The tragic scene in the woods kept appearing in her mind. She could still hear the sound of swords clashing and feel the warmth of blood splashing on her face.
"Have I really tried my best?" she asked herself silently, her heart filled with self-blame and pain.
The faces of those soldiers flashed before her eyes one by one. Among them were young soldiers and experienced veterans. They should have had longer lives and more futures, but because of her decision, they stayed on that battlefield forever.
"If I could be faster, smarter, maybe they wouldn't die..." Her tears slid silently, soaking He Fei's chest.
She felt a deep sense of powerlessness, as if she was carrying the weight of countless lives, making it hard for her to breathe.
He Fei could only hold her in his arms. This was Jia Jia's way to go on, relying on her to get out of this alone. Only with her could she grow bigger and stronger.
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Every day, He Fei would stay by her side and tell her about the situation in the court and the outside world.
"Although the Fourth Prince's Consort's Shadow Army has temporarily hidden itself, the Emperor has ordered a full-scale investigation into their whereabouts, and some of them have already been found." He Fei sat by the bed, gently holding Zhang Xiaojia's hand, his tone cold, "This time, we will never give them any chance again."
Zhang Xiaojia nodded, a hint of determination flashing in his eyes. "Brother He, I can't let those soldiers sacrifice their lives in vain. We should give them a separate portion of the government pension. I want to go and give it to them personally."
He Fei smiled slightly and stroked her hair gently: "Okay, when you are healed, let's work together to seek justice for those soldiers and send them pensions to thank them."
There was a slight sound of footsteps outside the door. He Fei looked up and saw the emperor standing at the door, looking at them with a complicated expression.
"Royal brother." He Fei stood up and saluted respectfully.
Zhang Xiaojia also struggled to get up, but the emperor raised his hand to stop her: "Jia'er, your injury hasn't healed yet, there's no need to get up."
The emperor walked to the bedside and looked at Zhang Xiaojia with gentle eyes: "Jia'er, this time it's all thanks to you. If you hadn't led the rebels away, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to return to the capital safely."
Zhang Xiaojia shook his head and smiled widely. "Brother, I'm so glad you're okay! And this is what I should do. You've protected me since I was a child, and this time it's my turn to protect you."
A touch of emotion flashed in the emperor's eyes, and he gently patted the back of her hand: "Okay, Jia'er, take good care of your injuries. When you are healed, I will reward you well."
Zhang Xiaojia glared at the emperor and said angrily, "Brother, you are going to break your promise. We clearly agreed that the reward was for Mother and me to go out of the palace to play."
The emperor couldn't help laughing: "You fool, you want this for such a good opportunity?"
Zhang Xiaojia said arrogantly: "Brother, no matter what, I want this reward."
The emperor looked at her lovingly and said, "Okay, I will never break my promise to you. But Jia'er, you can ask for more."
Zhang Xiaojia shook her head and said, "I don't want too much. I don't lack anything. I just want my family to be safe and sound. Now we are safe. God bless us. I am not greedy."
The emperor touched her head. Zhang Xiaojia looked at him and said with red eyes, "Your Majesty, I want to see the virtuous concubine."
A gloomy look flashed across the emperor's eyes. He had let her go because of the friendship they had since childhood, but he never knew that there would be such serious consequences.
"good."
He Fei suddenly felt like he remembered something he had forgotten?
He threw the second prince into the cold palace and went out to find Jia Jia, forgetting to pick up the second prince.
"Brother, your second son is in the cold palace. I forgot to bring him out."
The emperor said coldly: "I know, I love this son the most, but he is useless and will never be able to take the throne in this life."
Zhang Xiaojia came to the cold palace and went in.
What he saw was the second prince's desperate face and red and swollen eyes.
The virtuous concubine looked at Zhang Xiaojia with hatred.
"Aunt Jiaer, you're here."
"Aunt Jiaer, can I follow you? Don't worry, I will never make it difficult for you."
The best way out Zhang Xiaojia could offer him was to follow his mother: "Lin'er, go find your royal grandmother. Go ahead, you will follow her from now on."
The second prince ran into the cold palace, and suddenly a boy's scream was heard.
Zhang Xiaojia and Concubine Xian ran in, and the Second Prince cut off his right hand.
"Aunt, the emperor cannot be a disabled person."
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