Chapter 130 Then think about it again.
"Whoa—"
As dawn broke, the caravan that had been parked at the post station set off again, trudging through the thick morning fog towards Yong'an City.
After a two-month journey, the once majestic carriages and horses were somewhat dusty and weary, covered in frost and snow. The roofs were caked with frost that could not be swept away, the bodies bore the marks of branches and gravel, and the wheels and hooves were muddy. Upon closer inspection, one could even see traces of blood.
The journey was still fraught with bloodshed and violence.
The journey there was fine. Although it was early winter and the weather was chilly, the scenery along the way was beautiful, with lush green mountains and clear waters. The roads were wide and flat, and everything was easy to navigate.
On the return journey, the temperature plummeted, and they took a detour to the north, encountering numerous bandits and assassins, both overt and covert, along the way. The most dangerous incident involved gunpowder exploding into rocks, causing snow to fall and cover the caravan. It took the group considerable effort to recover and resume their journey.
After a journey of stops and starts, we're finally almost there.
The accompanying guards and soldiers all breathed a sigh of relief.
Although they knew before setting off that the journey wouldn't be smooth sailing, they hadn't expected it to be so arduous. The hundred carefully selected elite fighters accompanying them faced clearly well-trained bandits. While no one died, many were seriously injured, and along the way, two or three were seen stopping at infirmaries for treatment.
Now, the once orderly and imposing formation is reduced to half its original size, and everyone bears some kind of injury.
Besides Prince Qi Zheng
This wasn't because they provided excellent protection; it was purely because of his superior martial arts skills. He even managed to protect them, the guards, along the way.
Li Qingshan looked at Qi Zheng, who was riding at the very front, and felt a sense of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a feeling of mixed emotions, including admiration and regret).
When I first met Qi Zheng, he was only fourteen or fifteen years old, his face still bearing the innocence of youth, yet possessing an extraordinary air of chivalry, and his martial arts skills were unmatched. Years have passed, and even now, as a prince, he has not become complacent with wealth and honor, remaining humble and unassuming. More than the haughtiness of a prince, he exudes a dignified chivalry.
He was somewhat lost in thought, his gaze too obvious.
Qi Zheng immediately turned to look at them. His handsome face was expressionless, stern and intimidating. He frowned and asked, "What's wrong? Does your wound hurt? Why don't we go back to the carriage?"
As the leading bodyguard, and also playing the role of a prince for a portion of the game, Li Qingshan unsurprisingly sustained injuries, the most serious being to his left shoulder, where he was slashed and unable to exert any strength. He also suffered abrasions on the left side of his face due to being attacked and thrown from his horse earlier.
Qi Zheng looked at his sling and was genuinely worried that he would fall.
Li Qingshan: "...Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I am fine."
Seeing this, Qi Zheng didn't try to persuade him further. He turned back to look ahead. About four or five miles away, there was another grove of trees. Although it wasn't large, it was the easiest place to ambush people compared to the flat and open surrounding area.
Having survived numerous attacks along the way, they were now almost at the capital. He remained unfazed, his expression calm, his dark eyes scanning his surroundings. A longsword stood at his waist, a longbow slung beside his horse, and a quiver overflowing with arrows, ready for his immediate use.
Qi Zheng is a swordsman, most skilled with a sword, but also adept with a bow and arrow. He can hit a target from a hundred paces away with his bare hands, and when he uses his internal energy, the entire area within his sight becomes his hunting range.
He mounted his horse and finally stopped a hundred meters away. Looking at the snow-covered forest ahead, a flicker of emotion crossed his dark eyes as he drew his longsword, sharp enough to cut through iron like mud.
Song Shenzhi, who was riding beside him, also became cautious upon seeing this: "Your Highness?"
Qi Zheng said in a deep voice: "There's a beast mark."
The animal prints are still quite fresh; judging by the size of the footprints, they're no pushovers.
With the heavy snow covering the land, wild animals have all gone into hiding, making it much more difficult for even wild beasts to find food. Every year at this time, there are many incidents of wild beasts coming down from the mountains to attack people.
Song Shenzhi had already sensed the formidable nature of the prince beside him, a man with a background in the martial world. Although he hadn't seen any beast mark, he instantly became alert, calling for the people behind him to stop and taking precautions.
Unlike assassins, wild beasts are extremely fast and deadly. The force of their sudden attack alone can kill a person, not to mention that both scratches and bites are highly susceptible to infection and are very dangerous.
It's best to avoid running into them if possible. If you do, you'll have to be careful not to get caught.
The convoy quickly regrouped, forming lines at the front and back, everyone armed, and moved nimbly along the road, attempting to traverse the snow-covered forest without disturbing the wild animals within.
So quietly, just as they were about to pass through...
With a whistle, several long arrows pierced the air, heading straight for the troops.
Song Shen instinctively rode forward, deflecting the arrows, and shouted sternly, "Protect the Emperor—Your Highness, retreat!"
Qi Zheng was highly skilled in martial arts, but generally speaking, unless the attack was extremely dangerous, he wouldn't insist on taking the lead himself. However, this time...
He didn't retreat, but looked down at the long arrows coming from the other side. The material was expensive, and ordinary people couldn't use it in large quantities. Moreover, the distance between the two sides was a hundred meters, so shooting the long arrows over was no easy task.
The arrowhead, which should have been sharp, was cut down, as if it had been polished on a stone, becoming rounded and rough, so that it wouldn't cause any harm if it hit a person. Most importantly...
He rubbed the tiny heart on the arrow shaft between his fingers, as if the cold, austere winter snow had been suddenly scattered. His imposing aura dissipated, and he suddenly laughed. Just as he was about to quell the crowd's wariness and probing, a golden, round shadow suddenly leaped out from the not-so-deep forest ahead.
"Awoo~ Meow—"
Huang Huang roared like a tiger, then suddenly realized something was wrong, stopped abruptly, and stretched out its paw to scratch at its round, golden eyes.
No, what should we call "mi" again?
I've forgotten a bit.
Looking at the large group of familiar faces ahead, it felt inexplicably a little embarrassed. It opened its mouth and pretended to yawn nonchalantly, then stretched its front paws and rolled around in the snow.
Don't look at it, it's just an innocent kitten.
Although Qi Zheng had guessed what was going on beforehand, seeing Huang Huang in person still brought a smile to his face. He dismounted and walked towards Huang Huang.
Song Shenzhi had never seen this tiger blocking his way before. Although it looked rather silly and clumsy, it was still a fierce tiger and quite threatening. He instinctively tried to stop it, saying, "Your Highness, it's dangerous!"
Qi Zheng turned to look at Song Shenzhi, recalling the day he and Song Jin visited him in prison, and Song Shenzhi's self-recommendation and marriage proposal. Looking at him now, his lips tightened, and his dark eyes deepened.
"General Song is usually very busy, so it's understandable that he doesn't have time to spend with his family, but not even recognizing his own niece seems a bit too distant."
Song Shenzhi was completely confused.
Niece? What niece?
In this frozen wasteland, within a radius of ten miles, where would a woman come from?
As he was thinking this, the next instant he saw another familiar figure leap out of the woods ahead, following Jin Hu. He slipped and fell to the ground with a thud, his eyeballs almost popping out, and his teeth inexplicably started to ache.
Can't this girl be a little more reliable?
Song Jin wanted to say the same thing. She stormed out, walked up to Huang Huang, pinched its ear, and said fiercely, "You useless little thing, you're a tiger! Do you look like one? I knew I couldn't let you have it too easy. You're a grown tiger, your cubs probably already have offspring. After the New Year, you'll be out hunting on your own..."
Huang Huang buried his head and picked at his ears.
I won't listen.
Qi Zheng walked over slowly, still holding the specially polished long arrow in his hand. Looking at Song Jin, who was squatting on the ground muttering to herself, her dark eyes were like surging waves, concealing unreadable emotions.
From a young age, he wandered with his master, from south to north, from east to west, without stopping, without a home, and with no one waiting for him.
Things seem different now.
He crouched down, reached out and ruffled the yellow hair, then casually placed his hand on the back of her hand, his fingertips weaving together, his rough knuckles rubbing against the soft, slightly stiff tiger fur.
It's very itchy
Song Jin came on a whim, but now that she's actually here, the unreliable Huang Huang has dampened her spirits, making her feel a little awkward. Her phoenix eyes widened slightly, and she gave a fierce, accusatory look.
"what?"
Although she had lived two lives, the events of her previous life were too distant and were gradually buried in the leisurely and happy fifteen years of this life. She was just a fifteen-year-old girl, experiencing her first boyfriend.
He was tall, handsome, and silent. He didn't say anything fancy, nor did he shield her as a weakling. He would simply stay by her side quietly, accompanying her as she climbed city walls, strolled through the woods, and practiced swordsmanship with her...
He was gone for a month. Outside, snow was falling heavily, and the various factions were in disarray. Although he was highly skilled in martial arts and had over a hundred guards escorting him, Song Jin couldn't help but worry about the people around him.
This man is serious and upright, but also a bit old-fashioned. He likes to meddle in other people's business and has poor adaptability. He's been a prince for almost a year, and when something really happens, it's hard to say who will protect whom.
Seeing that everyone had returned unharmed, she felt relieved, but also a little embarrassed.
She admitted that she was somewhat proactive, in this conservative era, facing this somewhat old-fashioned person.
If he dares to say anything to her, she'll let Huang Huang bite his head.
Song Jin glared at him fiercely, her eyes full of threat.
Seeing her so energetic and lively, Qi Zheng knew she had been doing well lately and everything at home was fine. He reached out and gently touched her head.
Song Jin subconsciously moved away, looking at him warily, wondering if he was going to pat her on the head.
A smile flashed in Qi Zheng's eyes: "Ye Zi"
Song Jin then calmed down, letting him reach out and remove the leaves from her hair, gently brush away the remaining snow, and then touch her...
She slapped him: "Don't touch my head!"
Qi Zheng obediently lowered his large hand, gently took her hand in his, feeling its coolness, and whispered, "Have you been waiting long? Why didn't you light a fire?"
Song Jin pouted: "It's too obvious."
She came to cause trouble, not to warm herself by the fire. Unfortunately, despite all her calculations, she didn't anticipate Huang Huang, that useless tiger who was easily coaxed into a kitten by good times.
Qi Zheng chuckled, looking at her resentful expression, he clenched his hand and whispered, "Very...surprising."
He was happy, happy that someone remembered him and was waiting for him, even if it was just a passing fancy. He was still happy, even more so than when he was allocated a share of the gold mine.
Song Jin raised her head to look at him. He was handsome and composed, with deep, dark eyes that appeared calm and undisturbed.
surprise?
She reached out and pinched his angular face, pouting, "I didn't see that coming."
Qi Zheng raised the corners of his mouth, a smile appearing in his eyes. His dark eyes gazed deeply at her as he softly asked, "Can you tell from that?"
Song Jin chuckled, using his tall frame as cover, she quickly raised her head and lightly pressed it against his. It was cool and dry, fleeting, before she pulled away, her eyes bright and lively, like a red peony blooming in winter, vibrant and passionate.
Qi Zheng's dark eyes seemed to be illuminated by the fiery red light. He gently touched his lips and chuckled softly.
"Let's go, it's cold outside, let's get in the carriage."
...
Qi Zheng was born into the martial arts world. He was tall, handsome, calm, highly skilled in martial arts, considerate of the common people, and broad-minded. His biggest flaw was his lack of education.
But so what?
There are countless students in the world, each with vast knowledge, and they all speak on his behalf.
This point is less important; understanding the people's sentiments and being good at listening and persuading them are more important than simply focusing on culture.
Qi Zheng remained silent. Upon returning from the parade, he unearthed numerous wrongful convictions and miscarriages of justice from various regions. Before he had even revealed a tenth of these cases, the entire court fell silent, as if they had seen a ghost—this prince from the martial world.
Leaving aside the cases from the last two years, let's talk about those old cases...
They finally realized that this prince, who came from humble beginnings in the martial arts world, might not have outstanding academic knowledge, but he certainly had extensive connections and a keen eye for seeing through the fog.
Over a decade of experience in the martial world, he had traversed the mountains, rivers, lakes, and seas of the Great Yan region. He knew the customs and conditions of officials and common people in every prefecture and county. If he wanted, he could recount the stories of every official who had been dispatched to other regions.
And which of these officials who roamed the court didn't rise from humble beginnings? Who can guarantee that they haven't made a single mistake or error in their many years in office? Even if they can guarantee their own future, can they also guarantee the future of their relatives and friends?
The various powerful families were intertwined, like trees in a forest with intertwined roots. Even if their branches and leaves weren't directly related, they were always connected in some way.
The lessons learned from the cases of Prince Jin and Prince Li are still there.
Everything was set in stone. They couldn't kill him, so they could only watch helplessly as he stood beside the emperor, allowing money and power to accumulate in his hands.
The powerful families and influential clans of Yong'an City were embroiled in turmoil, but this had little to do with the common people.
In mid-December, with the Spring Festival approaching, everyone is busy preparing for the new year, busily shopping for New Year's goods at various alleyways, trying to find the cheapest and best items.
In previous years, Song Jin would go to the city with her mother to buy goods, which was a very troublesome matter, because they not only had to prepare for their own needs, but also a large number of things for various social obligations.
Who helped, who's successful, who has problems, who she's caused trouble for...
That's a huge project.
So the most enjoyable part of the New Year for others was the day Song Jin dreaded most – the accounting days. She had to work, get criticized, and confess her sins; it was incredibly annoying.
But that was in the past; she doesn't have that problem now.
The Song family naturally had many social obligations, but the household was full of talented people, and the stewards managed everything in an orderly manner, requiring little effort from the household. Even checking the accounts and settling accounts was handled by Song Qingzhi, the man with the silver abacus.
And the trouble she caused in the capital, the people she beat up...
They're all dead.
Song Jin could finally have a peaceful New Year. She was cheerful every day, running out as soon as she ate and not returning until late at night, never behaving properly.
Seeing that she was still the same as before, Niu Tielan narrowed her eyes slightly and called out to her, "Come back here and settle your accounts."
Song Jin felt as if she had been struck by lightning, and cried out in protest: "What debts have I ever had this year? Those people's heads are all maggots, Mother, you can't expect me to go and visit graves, can you?"
Niu Tielan took a deep breath and grabbed her ear: "Speak properly. You're a grown woman, do you expect me to look after your shops and estates for you?"
She had prepared a dowry of one million for Song Jin, which included shops, estates, and fields. She didn't expect the child to manage it well, but since he didn't even glance at it, she thought she, as his mother, was just supposed to do the work and keep accounts, right?
Song Jin paused for a moment, then scratched his head: "Otherwise what?"
"..."
Song Jin declared confidently, "You're my mother."
Niu Tielan was speechless with anger at her self-righteous attitude. After a while, she came to her senses and was about to stop and teach this brat a lesson.
Song Jin immediately bent down, made a face, and disappeared in a flash.
"Don't wait for me for dinner tonight."
"That brat!" Niu Tielan clutched her chest, fuming. Turning her head, she saw Qu Maoze's smiling, doting face, and became even angrier. She grabbed him and complained, "You're still smiling? You'll show it to her later. It's so annoying! You're such a grown-up, you have no manners at all..."
These past few days, Song Jin has been leaving early and returning late every day. How could Niu Tielan, as her mother, not know what's going on? She must have gone to see Prince Qi, and who knows where she's been led astray. Her shoes are always covered in mud, withered leaves, and bloodstains.
Extremely wild
She was wild on her own, and she even dragged the Prince of Qi along with her.
No matter how much Niu Tielan tried to reason with him, it was like the words went in one ear and out the other; he had no memory whatsoever. Just thinking about it gave Niu Tielan a headache: "I wonder what His Majesty will think."
Qu Maoze held her hand, calmly saying, "Why are you worrying about this? He should be the one worrying."
Niu Tielan paused, thinking about it that way, it seemed to make sense.
...
No wonder they're considered scoundrels, in cahoots.
Qu Maoze was absolutely right.
As the ruler of the land, above all others, Qi Ye was indeed having a headache. Looking at his composed and dignified son before him, and then at the jumbled memorials he had written, he suddenly found the gossip of this family and that family quite interesting.
It's not my own family's property, after all.
Before the table, Qi Zheng stood straight. Seeing that he didn't speak, he didn't speak either, just staring straight at him, from the sunlight to the flickering candlelight, until the rumbling of his hungry stomach began.
Qi Ye couldn't hold on any longer. He put down the memorial in his hand, rubbed his aching back, looked at his unfortunate son who was motionless like a stone pillar next to him, and sighed deeply: "Have you thought it through?"
Qi Zheng's gaze was firm as he nodded: "Your subject has made up his mind."
Qi Ye's expression gradually turned serious, his aura became imposing, and the air seemed to thin out. He looked at the boy who resembled his son so much and asked again, "Are you really sure?"
Qi Zheng's expression remained firm: "Your subject has made up his mind."
Qi Ye: "Then think about it again."
Qi Zheng looked at him quietly: "Father."
Qi Ye waved his hand: "I'm not your father, I'm your dad."
Qi Zheng changed his address without hesitation: "Father"
Qi Zheng's voice was filled with sorrow: "I'm your father, so I absolutely cannot agree to this."
Qi Zheng: ...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
