Chapter 71 Personal Expedition: "This time, I will personally lead the expedition."
The royal physician couldn't figure out what was wrong either. In the end, the old steward mustered up the courage to go to the Baili family's residence himself and invite a renowned doctor, who was indeed a legendary physician after all.
He casually pricked Li Li's head a couple of times with a thin needle, and the pain in her body immediately subsided.
Li Li fell asleep.
The old steward was sweating profusely from his busy work. At this point, he had no time to think about anything else and had already invited Madam Chen over.
Madam Chen was already showing signs of pregnancy. She was helped out by her maid to see off the divine physician, and she was impeccably polite, leaving no room for criticism.
The old steward finally breathed a sigh of relief. He glanced at Li Li, who was sleeping soundly on the bed, and hurriedly went outside to follow Chen Shi.
I don't know how many snowfalls there were, and before I knew it, the end of the year was here.
The head eunuch was busy with various trivial matters, and the preparations for this year's palace banquet were similar to those of last year. But today, there was an extra member of the Nineteenth Prince, so His Majesty had to make sure he looked good in front of him.
Even if His Majesty doesn't think that way, he has to think that way.
Cui Xiangzhu's efforts were not in vain; the palace banquet was indeed better than ever before, thanks to the chief eunuch's meticulous care. Many family members were brought into the palace with them, and Xiao Xiaoyuan, standing beside Han Jiqing, smiled gently and gracefully, displaying her poise and elegance.
She was originally flamboyant, but now she was much gentler holding the little princess, while the general, who used to be rough and rude, became like a chief eunuch beside his wife and daughter.
"Put this on, so you don't catch a cold."
Xiao Xiaoyuan sighed helplessly. She was already dressed quite heavily today, and these days she had finally regained her former slender figure. She didn't want to make herself look so bulky. "Wear whatever you want."
"Xiao Yuan!" Han Jiqing said helplessly, but he couldn't do anything to her. He could only stay by her side step by step, so that the powerful and influential people who wanted to curry favor with her could not find an opportunity to interrupt.
Even Han Jiwen, who was always by Han Jiqing's side, could only hang out with his father or Han Siwen, not because of anything wrong with those two. He usually liked to drink, but he couldn't drink much.
Only his brother could drink with him...
"Dad, aren't you going to drink anymore?"
He offered the drink to others, but ended up drinking for an hour without finishing a single cup. Han Dahai didn't even bother to look at him, saying, "You drink it yourself."
Han Jiwen nodded and turned to drink it himself.
"Military Advisor Han, would you like to come along?" It was the young master of Minister Qian's family, with Baili Jiang by his side.
"That's excellent."
The group were all around the same age and quickly became acquainted after exchanging a few words. Han Dahai ignored him and exchanged a few words with Xue Qingping beside him, and the two laughed heartily.
"Another sky lantern."
Han Dahai was overjoyed, but he couldn't express it. At this time last year, he was filled with melancholy, with the Liang family eyeing him covetously. And the person in the high position was only in his early twenties.
How could they have shouldered such a heavy responsibility for the country...?
Han Dahai got up and strolled leisurely towards the terrace. Most of the people were heading that way. He muttered to himself, "Brother Feng, your grandson is amazing."
The wish written on the sky lantern last year, "May the country be prosperous and the people live in peace and prosperity for a hundred years," is actually about to come true.
"Peace and prosperity will come soon." Xu Yi slowly walked out of the hall, holding a wine cup, his smile growing wider. He turned his head and saw Han Dahai, and was also taken aback. "Lord Han."
"It's you again, Lord Xu!"
"Hahahahahahaha," the two looked at each other and laughed. Last New Year's Eve, the two of them met here with drinks in hand, watching the sky lanterns slowly rise from below, the dim candlelight illuminating the white lanterns.
The text above is filled with auspicious phrases such as "may you have good health and happiness" and "may the world be peaceful and prosperous."
"Now he can also be called Vice Minister Xu."
Xu Yi hurriedly waved his hand, "We are all His Majesty's subjects, serving His Majesty and attending court for the people."
Han Dahai nodded, "If all the civil and military officials thought like Lord Xu, how could we not live to see a peaceful and prosperous era?"
Xu Yi was taken aback. "It is fate. Your humble servant respects Lord Han."
"Please, Lord Han!"
"Please, Lord Xu!" Han Dahai laughed heartily again.
On the other side of the palace is the Cloud Palace Warm Pavilion.
Gu Huizhou held the person against the bright window of the warm pavilion. It was the same time last year that he was playing with this mushroom in his hand, and now the person was sitting in his lap.
As midnight approached, the question arose: "What will Your Majesty write this year?"
He still remembers last year's phrase "peace and tranquility throughout the land," and now it seems to have some of that meaning.
But that was only on the surface; the undercurrents had been brewing for a long time. He could see that Gu Huizhou had been feeling frustrated these past few days, and only today had he felt a little better.
Reaching out to put his hand on the neck of the person in his arms, Gu Huizhou asked, "Ruyi, what do you think we should write?"
"When the rivers are clear and the seas are calm, the times are peaceful and the harvests are plentiful."
When the rivers are clear and the seas are calm, the times are peaceful and the harvests are plentiful...
Gu Huizhou read it aloud, then turned to look at Yao Ruyi with a meaningful gaze, "What Your Majesty desires, I will do my utmost to fulfill."
Yao Ruyi paused, "Your Majesty?"
A kiss landed on his neck, and a pair of large hands covered Yao Ruyi's eyes. He could only see the dim light of the candlelight through the gaps. The familiar sandalwood scent enveloped him. Although he couldn't see the man's face, Yao Ruyi always felt that he was unhappy.
"Is another war about to break out?"
After a pause, someone lightly pecked the corner of her mouth again.
The emperor sent the person over, but still held her close in his arms. He held Yao Ruyi's hand, and together they held a wolf-hair brush. The calligraphy was a gift from this mushroom-like creature. Black characters appeared on the paper: "Peace and tranquility prevail..."
"Times are peaceful and the harvest is plentiful."
The man didn't reply. The two stayed in the warm pavilion until the sky lantern completely floated into the deep sky and disappeared from sight.
"Go back?"
"Mmm," Yao Ruyi was held in someone's arms, and Gu Huizhou kissed his lips, the Tusu wine overflowing between their lips, "Mmm—"
Yao Ruyi always remembered this taste; it was the same wine last year. He poured a glass into his flowerpot, and if he hadn't changed the soil himself, he would have been completely drunk.
"It doesn't taste good..."
"Everyone drinks it when praying for blessings during the New Year."
Suddenly pausing, Yao Ruyi thought of last year. Back then, he was just a mushroom (a metaphor for a young, inexperienced person), and he hadn't expected that Gu Huizhou had already wanted to pray for him...
"His Majesty……"
As they walked, the man lowered his head and chuckled softly, "But there's no need to think so much. Last year, I just wanted to have some fun..."
"Gu—"
The door to the bedchamber was closed. Yao Ruyi, kissed so deeply she had no chance to breathe, and having drunk a cup of Tusu wine, was completely dizzy—
It sounded like the door had been pushed open. It was Thirteen's voice, sounding urgent, "Your Majesty, the Xiao Kingdom has declared war, and Guan Yunshan is ready to fight."
"I understand."
Gu Huizhou told Thirteen to wait, and gently placed Yao Ruyi on the dragon bed, planting a kiss on her brow.
Immediately afterward, the man's expression changed, and he strode to the desk, picked up the long sword placed on the shelf, and said in a low voice, "Summon Han Jiqing to the Imperial Study to see me."
The man spoke with a chilling and murderous air about him, and his eyes held an impatient eagerness, as if he had been waiting for this day for a long time.
"yes!"
Thirteen had known for a long time that war was imminent and was somewhat prepared. Although he was anxious, he also knew that all of this was within His Majesty's plan.
If the two countries go to war, a victor is bound to emerge. Regardless of who wins this time, there will be a long truce.
They believe their country cannot afford to lose.
The revelry in the main hall gradually came to an end, and the officials were arranged by Cui Xiangzhu to return to their residences by carriage. Han Jiqing instructed Xiao Xiaoyuan, who was beside him, to go back with Han Siwen first, and that he would go to the Han residence to pick her up after he had finished meeting with the Emperor.
But Han Jiqing never returned to the palace after that trip. He only sent Cui Xiangzhu with a letter before heading directly from the palace to the border of the Northern Yuan with his troops.
The army left in a hurry, but they took everything they could think of with them. Han Jiqing still had the same fighting spirit and drive when he went back to the battlefield, but he had more worries. He was afraid he wouldn't be able to come back, and he was afraid that Xiao Xiaoyuan would be left without anyone to take care of her.
The vast army behind them stirred up quite a bit of dust. Han Jiqing and Han Jiwen rode at the forefront on tall horses, their faces showing undisguised grimness, nor did they need to.
The Xiao Kingdom was nothing more than their defeated foe.
As for his wife and daughters...
Han Jiqing had a lingering concern. If he really killed her father and brothers, he would accept any woman's threats and pleas for his life. He had considered this possibility the moment he stepped onto the arena.
It could be said that the moment he saw the woman on the battlefield, he thought of this matter. Even if she was a princess of an enemy country, as long as Han Jiqing took a liking to her, he would do anything to try.
"Whoa—"
Han Jiqing suddenly slowed down, looking at a black steed that had suddenly charged up beside him. For a moment, he wondered, "Is this Thirteen?"
The person was masked, but the clothes he was wearing were indeed from Shadow. But why was Thirteen masked?
Thirteen and Han Jiqing exchanged a glance, and their two horses suddenly sped up, leaving the others far behind. The deputy general was taken aback; he thought they were speeding up and was about to catch up when Han Jiwen stopped him, "Strategist?"
Han Jiwen nodded, "They have something to say, let's just proceed as normal."
Since Your Majesty knew that war was coming, and had Guan Yunshan guard the front line early on, the defense at the front should be sufficient.
Thirteen and Han Jiqing were almost several hundred meters ahead of the others before they slowed down. The further north they went, the thicker the snow became. Even though soldiers had cleared a path on the road, it was still crowded, let alone for two tall horses.
The two rode side by side, making it difficult for them to separate. Thirteen took a small step forward and said, "General Han, come with me."
"What? What does His Majesty mean?"
Thirteen nodded, "It's Master's order, this way."
"good."
Upon hearing Thirteen address His Majesty as "Master," Han Jiqing sensed something amiss. He spurred his horse and pulled on the reins, and the two galloped along a small path through the dry woods. After about several hundred miles, Han Jiqing spotted a figure.
The man was also dressed in shadowy clothes, but the figure was very familiar to him. He was startled and said, "This humble general greets Your Majesty!"
Gu Huizhou, holding a long sword, turned around on his red horse. He and Thirteen both wore black masks, making them indistinguishable from each other from a distance.
Gu Huizhou, his eyes gleaming with murderous intent, said in a deep voice, "This time, I will personally lead the expedition."
"His Majesty!"
How can a personal expedition be something that the emperor can just decide to do alone!
Han Jiqing dismounted with a swift movement, knelt on the ground, and bowed, "Your Majesty! I beg Your Majesty to return to the palace! If Your Majesty is not in the capital to oversee the situation, how can the capital be stabilized?"
Gu Huizhou's brows twitched slightly. "Xiao Kingdom dares to make trouble in my territory time and time again. If I were to wait in the capital, I would truly be unable to calm down." The man's words left no room for rebuttal. He then said, "Xu Yi and Xue Qingping are overseeing the country. The Fourteenth Prince and his men are also in charge of matters in the capital. There is no need to worry."
"His Majesty!"
“General Han,” the man squinted, “I have only come to inform you that I will be accompanying you as Thirteen from now on. Before we arrive in Beiyuan, no one is to know that I have gone.”
Han Jiqing wanted to say something more, but he knew it was no use no matter what he said. In the end, he could only grit his teeth, clasp his hands together, and say, "Yes!"
"Your subordinate obeys!"
Han Jiqing didn't know whether he was happy or worried. Rationally, he was unwilling to let the emperor risk his life to lead the army, but if the two of them were brothers, how could he not want to go to the battlefield with his brother?
Moreover, the emperor's personal participation in the campaign was incredibly inspiring for morale.
Gu Huizhou and Thirteen changed horses, exchanged glances and nodded. Thirteen cupped his hands and said, "Master, I will go ahead and scout the way via a side path."
"Um."
The tall, deep red horse, its reins tightened, reared up and neighed, kicking up a flurry of snowflakes. Han Jiqing sighed, "Your Majesty, please!"
As before, the black horse and the brown horse galloped together on the road, but if the road narrowed, the black horse would go first and the brown horse would follow closely behind.
The lieutenant, watching from behind as the two horses emerged from the path and galloped ahead of them, couldn't help but wonder, "What are those two doing? Could they be going to see His Majesty?"
Han Jiwen didn't speak, but stared at the figure on the black horse for a long time. Was Thirteen this size just now?
Why does it seem to be much higher than before?
"Strategist, strategist?"
The deputy general's surname was Jiang, and his given name was Shuang. As his name suggests, he was straightforward and didn't know anything about tricks. The reason why Han Jiqing kept him by his side and valued him was because he did things in a straightforward manner and never played tricks on people. Moreover, he was ruthless in killing people on the battlefield, almost killing them with one sword.
Last year, he received a lot of rewards for his merits.
"General Jiang, what is it?"
Jiang Shuang smiled when he saw that the other person hadn't heard him. He was just making conversation because he was bored on the way.
But when he saw Han Jiwen looking over, he suddenly thought of something and couldn't help but ask the two people in front of him, "I saw it as soon as Thirteen arrived. You said that although Shadow is His Majesty's bodyguard, our general is still the Grand General of the State, a second-rank general."
"Is he not even as good as a low-ranking bodyguard?"
He had just clearly seen that if there was too much snow on both sides of the road, it would be their general who would give way.
"I see..." Han Jiwen understood. He smiled slightly and looked at Jiang Shuang beside him. "General Jiang, you're overthinking it. I haven't seen my brother always giving in. Maybe neither of them cares about this. Whoever is more convenient to leave can leave. We're all in the military. Who's going to keep an eye on this?"
"Hmm," Jiang Shuang thought to himself that he had been overthinking things. He laughed loudly. He was a big, burly man, and his laughter was quite loud, which made the soldiers behind him want to look ahead to see what was going on.
"Sigh, staying in the capital for too long has even made my old Chiang Kai-shek's mind become more complicated. The strategist is right, we soldiers don't need so many formalities, it's more practical to kill a few more people on the battlefield!"
He laughed heartily a few times, then suddenly turned to Han Jiwen and said, "But our strategist's plans are truly admirable. This time, when we face the Xiao Kingdom again, let that prince on the other side see how powerful our strategist is!"
Han Jiwen nodded upon hearing this, "If that is the case, it would be my honor."
"Alright! Let's go!"
"drive!"
Seeing that they were getting closer and closer to the two people in front of them, the two of them simply accelerated, completely closing the gap and keeping up closely with the two large horses in front of them.
Nearly 100,000 people walked along the mountain roads, stretching for dozens of miles. Even the accumulated snow melted away after they passed by, as if spring had arrived.
In the palace, Yao Ruyi suddenly sat up straight. He looked at the empty dragon bed beside him and felt uneasy. He couldn't remember anything when Gu Huizhou carried him back to his bedchamber yesterday. He seemed to know that Gu Huizhou kissed him, and then Thirteen came in...
"Cui Xiangzhu!"
The door was hurriedly pushed open, and the head eunuch entered, bowing and wearing an unnatural smile. "What are your orders, Nineteenth Lord?"
Yao Ruyi's heart sank. He had already guessed when he saw the missing sword on the shelf, and now seeing Cui Xiangzhu here, he was even more certain. "Where is Gu Huizhou?"
Cui Xiangzhu was momentarily stunned by Yao Ruyi's direct address of the Emperor by his name. "Your Majesty, His Majesty..." He couldn't continue lying. Gritting his teeth, he slapped his thigh, his face contorted. "To be honest, Your Majesty, His Majesty went to the front lines with General Han!"
He really went to the front lines...
Yao Ruyi was stunned for a moment. It was one thing for him to guess, but it was quite another to be told that this was the case. "Why didn't you take me with you?"
Little did Cui Xiangzhu know, "His Majesty must be worried about your safety, sir. It would be best to let you stay in the capital."
"That……"
Yao Ruyi felt increasingly uneasy thinking about how the person he had seen just the day before had turned and left. But he wasn't some uneducated fool. He was now knowledgeable in literature and even had some understanding of politics.
He also understood Gu Huizhou.
Now that the emperor is personally leading the expedition, it will be the best way to boost morale and allow them to gather all their strength to defeat the Xiao Kingdom in one fell swoop. Not only to defeat them, but this time the man also wants to severely weaken the Xiao Kingdom, rendering them incapable of fighting for five or ten years.
Thinking back to that arrow earlier, Yao Ruyi thought that Gu Huizhou was suited for the battlefield.
But knowing this doesn't always make him feel at ease.
He was worried that Gu Huizhou would get hurt. If a man is injured, he won't obediently lie in the tent. He would just quickly bandage himself up and pretend to be fine to continue going to the battlefield.
"This, sir..."
A feeling of pent-up anger welled up inside her, a feeling that could only be relieved by seeing that person. Yao Ruyi asked sternly, "Then who is in charge of the capital now?"
"His Majesty had already arranged everything last night. His Majesty instructed this old servant to tell you, sir, that if it cannot be kept secret, you should tell him the truth. The court will be jointly governed by Minister Xu Yi and Minister Xue Qingping. Thirteen went to the Northern Yuan with His Majesty, while Fourteen and Fifteen remain in the capital to deliver messages."
He thought for a moment, “The remaining people have hardly been adjusted. His Majesty said that if you miss him, just write him a letter and give it to the Fourteenth Prince. His Majesty told the prince to study hard with Mr. Wang, and also... and not to fall behind in his studies.”
He was quite thoughtful.
Yao Ruyi snorted coldly and got up on his own. He told Cui Xiangzhu to go out first. Just now, when Cui Xiangzhu was halfway through his speech, he noticed that there was an extra wooden box in the flowerpot next to the golden nanmu bed.
He quickly went over and took the box in his hands. Inside were two bottles of wound medicine and a bottle of pills. Yao Ruyi knew without a doubt that Gu Huizhou had bled out again last night.
"I don't know if it's on my wrist..."
Just thinking about it made him feel pain, not to mention that the wound would remain on his body for nearly ten days. Even if the medicine he prepared himself was the best, it would still hurt.
After getting dressed, Yao Ruyi took her sword and pushed open the door. Her appearance, as if she was about to leave, startled Cui Xiangzhu. "Tenth, Nineteenth Lord, where are you going?"
The chief eunuch appeared calm and collected, but Yao Ruyi still saw the panic in his eyes. He said helplessly, "I won't leave the palace. I'll go find the Fourteenth Prince to practice swordsmanship, and then I'll go find Xu Yi."
"That's great!"
Cui Xiangzhu stayed in the Cloud Palace, watching the man's retreating figure and grinning foolishly. He didn't know what else he could do. His Majesty had told him to take good care of the Nineteenth Prince, but this man didn't need his care at all.
"I hope nothing goes wrong." With a long sigh, Cui Xiangzhu turned and went to the imperial kitchen. Instead of worrying here, he might as well go and see what delicious dishes the imperial kitchen could prepare to please the Nineteenth Prince today.
On the other side, Yao Ruyi and Fourteen had been fighting for over a hundred rounds in the courtyard. Neither of them was satisfied, and fighting for a whole morning had helped them relax. Fourteen flicked his wrist, sweeping away a fallen leaf. His black boots lightly touched the ground, and he slid backward with a somersault. The tip of his sword pointed at the ground. He raised an eyebrow, "Nineteen is quite formidable now!"
Normally, being praised like this would make Yao Ruyi happy for a long time, but now...
"Fourteenth, when will His Majesty return to the capital?"
Fourteen paused, a bitter look flashing across his face. How could he have known? Besides, His Majesty had instructed them not to discuss matters at the front with Nineteen unless absolutely necessary.
"His Majesty……"
After hesitating for a long time, the Fourteenth Prince pondered deeply, "As the Son of Heaven, His Majesty can boost morale on the front lines. In addition, His Majesty is extremely skilled in martial arts. We all privately believe that His Majesty has the ability to expand the territory."
Fourteen and his men sat down at a stone table in the courtyard. There was a cup of tea on the table, and he poured a cup for each of them. The tea was freshly brought by Xiao Dezi and was still steaming, but it quickly dissipated in the cold winter wind.
"Your Majesty is a man of exceptional strategy. If Your Majesty were on the front lines, the war would have ended much sooner than it originally was."
Yao Ruyi felt somewhat relieved after hearing his words, but even after saying so much, Fourteen still couldn't say how long the war would last. It was currently the New Year festival, the busiest time in the capital.
If the emperor were in the capital, he would be going to Yun Temple for a vegetarian meal at this time.
Oh, right, Yun Temple.
"Fourteenth, if His Majesty does not return, may I go to Yun Temple?"
Fourteen was taken aback. "What are you going to Yun Temple for?"
Mushroom thought for a moment, "His Majesty used to go to Yun Temple to fast before the beginning of spring every year, in order to pray for peace and prosperity for the country. Now that he can't come back, it would be good for me to fast for a few days."
Fourteen hesitated again.
He could see it today too; Little Nineteen couldn't stay still after His Majesty left the capital. If he had to stay in the palace all day, he would feel uncomfortable.
After thinking for a moment, he said, "If that's the case, I'll find some people to go with you."
"who?"
The next morning, Yao Ruyi sat in the carriage and swayed all the way to the foot of the mountain where Yun Temple was located. He didn't have to wait long before he saw the carriage that followed closely behind. He recognized this carriage.
"Miss Han."
Han Siwen got out of the car first, then nodded to Yao Ruyi. She turned around and helped the person behind her. Even as a mother, the woman was still stunningly beautiful.
Xiao Xiaoyuan hadn't been able to smile for the past two days, so it was good to have something to do now. She helped Han Siwen down from the carriage and said, "Thank you, elder sister."
Han Siwen chuckled, "No need for formalities."
Xiao Xiaoyuan smiled at Han Siwen, then looked up and saw Yao Ruyi beside her. Her eyes suddenly lit up, "Young Master—"
I never expected to see that ethereal, otherworldly person again after a year.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com