Yuzhou (Part 1)
Hearing the sound, Qu Linghan peeked out.
Strange, there wasn't even a trace of them.
Qu Linghan patted Jing'er beside him, "Did you hear someone calling me?"
Jing'er hadn't had a chance to answer yet.
"Qu Linghan".
"Yes, that's right. That's how it's called. You're doing it correctly."
At this moment, Qu Linghan had her back to Jing'er. She was about to tell Jing'er that she was amazing.
A dark figure suddenly appeared.
"Am I really that great?" Bai Hui smiled and stood in front of Qu Linghan.
He was spirited and exuded confidence, with a touch of sharpness.
It was as if yesterday's snow and wind had been washed away and never existed.
"Hey, you scared me. Didn't you go to Yuzhou?"
"Exactly."
"Exactly? Then why are you still here?"
Qu Linghan crossed his arms and looked at Bai Hui with a mixture of confusion and disdain.
"I'll take you there."
Upon hearing this, Qu Linghan opened her eyes wide.
"Hurrah!"
Bai Hui tapped her forehead with his finger. "We're going to investigate a case, not take you sightseeing."
Investigating a case? Investigating a case is good too!
Qu Linghan was pondering what he might encounter while investigating the case, his eyes darting around.
Bai Hui suddenly realized that his hand was still pressed against the center of Qu Linghan's forehead, and immediately withdrew it.
The next second, Qu Linghan spoke.
Bai Hui felt inexplicably nervous.
"Hey, Bai Hui." Qu Linghan's eyes revealed a hint of reluctance.
"What is it?"
"Your injury hasn't healed yet, and you're already going on a long trip?"
Bai Hui did not answer immediately, and time stood still in the silence.
"Um."
Qu Linghan let out a heavy sigh.
Being a powerful minister is no easy task.
"Okay, when shall we set off?"
"We'll set off today. Go back to your residence and pack your things first. We'll leave together later."
"OK."
Although Yuzhou is a plain, it is low-lying and has mountain roads along the way, so it often takes two or three days for a carriage to travel from the capital to Yuzhou.
And with heavy snow blocking the way, the journey will likely take even longer.
So Qu Linghan and Bai Hui packed their bags at noon and went out.
The carriage from the Bai residence stopped at the gate. Qu Linghan instructed the maids to put the luggage on the carriage before preparing to go up.
Bai Hui was supporting Qu Linghan when she suddenly noticed an exceptionally exquisite and luxurious carriage in front of the Bai family's carriage.
Qu Linghan patted Bai Hui, gesturing for him to look ahead.
"Hey, do you know whose carriage that is? It's so beautiful."
Bai Hui followed Qu Linghan's gaze and looked ahead.
"inappropriate."
"What's wrong with it?"
"You go up first."
"oh."
As soon as he saw Qu Linghan off, Bai Hui strode toward the carriage that Qu Linghan had described as very luxurious.
"Your Highness, please get out of the carriage."
"Your Highness?" Qu Linghan was peering out of the carriage window, observing Bai Hui's every move.
Why was the original owner nearsighted? Qu Linghan had to squint.
Bai Hui lifted the curtain of the carriage and pulled down a man wearing a pale yellow blouse.
He was dressed in black today, and his every move exuded elegance and decisiveness.
Qu Linghan couldn't help but sigh, even when Bai Hui was injured, he was still so handsome.
"Ahhh, no, how could I be so infatuated? I'll leave him sooner or later!"
Qu Linghan was about to slap himself when the carriage curtain in front of him was suddenly lifted.
A boy who looked only fifteen or sixteen years old was shoved in.
Qu Linghan and Liu Ziju, who hadn't yet reacted, stared at each other wide-eyed.
"Hey, who are you?"
Qu Linghan reached out the hand that had just been extended to him to him.
"Don't hit me, don't hit me."
"Qu Linghan".
"Hey, Bai Hui. I'm here."
"Don't hit him."
"oh."
After Liu Ziju was shoved into the carriage by Bai Hui, he quickly found a corner to sit down. Only Qu Linghan was left with a bewildered expression.
She pointed to the little boy in the corner, dressed in gorgeous clothes, even the buttons seemed to glow.
Who is this?
"Your Highness, Liu Ziju."
What?! Qu Linghan looked at Bai Hui in disbelief.
Your Highness, haha.
You mean I almost hit the Crown Prince just now?
"I'm so sorry, Your Highness."
Qu Linghan looked at Liu Ziju, who was huddled in the corner, but Liu Ziju looked up at Bai Hui's expression.
"It's alright, it's alright. You are Zhaoming's concubine."
"Exactly."
"Then I should call you sister-in-law too."
"Oh, no, no, that won't do. There's a distinction between ruler and subject, a distinction between ruler and subject."
"No, no, it should be called, it should be called."
"Just call me Ling Han, just call me Ling Han."
The two continued pushing and shoving each other for an unknown amount of time before Bai Hui got into the car.
The carriage fell silent instantly.
"Your Highness, I already told you. This trip is not for leisure, so it is inappropriate to dress extravagantly."
"Yet you still want to ride in that carriage covered in the word 'luxury'."
Qu Linghan echoed Bai Hui.
It seemed that Bai Hui was punished because of him, and Qu Linghan felt inexplicably itchy.
Moreover, as far as Qu Linghan knew, Liu Ziju did not eventually become emperor.
Liu Ziju's father, Emperor Liu Zhongzong, had five sons and three daughters, and appointed a crown prince twice in his lifetime.
The first crown prince, Liu Ziju, was the fourth son of Consort Zhang. Since the empress had no children, he was raised as the legitimate son by the empress's side and naturally became the crown prince.
Then, at the age of nineteen, he was deposed because he refused the marriage arranged by the Empress, and due to a series of misfortunes including the death of Consort Zhang, which was caused by the brother of Consort Zhang colluding with the enemy.
A year later, Emperor Liu Zhongzong passed away. It is said that before his death, he drafted a will, appointing Liu Zicheng, the third prince, as the crown prince.
After Liu Zicheng ascended the throne, he appointed Bai Hui, the Prince of Zhenbei, as Grand Marshal. However, after only three months, Bai Hui was forced to commit suicide and his entire family was exterminated.
As he pondered, Qu Linghan was overcome with fear and regret.
She looked at Liu Ziju beside Bai Hui and asked, "Your Highness, how old are you this year?"
"Sister-in-law Linghan, I am fifteen years old this year."
Liu Ziju spoke with a smile, clearly showing his interest in this unfamiliar sister-in-law.
He wanted to continue talking to Qu Linghan about something else.
Qu Linghan, however, looked regretful.
Poor kid, have fun, you only have four years left.
She looked at Bai Hui again, but before she could ask a question, the voices of the two maids in the garden that day echoed in her mind.
Yes, Bai Hui is nineteen this year.
Qu Linghan remembered that Bai Hui was only twenty-three when she was sentenced to death, the same age as when Qu Linghan transmigrated.
Oh, poor child, you only have four years left. Have fun.
Qu Linghan sighed heavily. Apart from her, the other two people in the carriage stared at each other blankly.
What's wrong with her?
"It's nothing, she's always like this."
A day and a night passed in silence.
Another night fell, the starlight was obscured by dark clouds, the wind blew fiercely, and the night rain was fine and long, bending over in the wind.
Logically, if they traveled for another night, the three of them would reach Xuzhou.
However, the weather turned against them, and the rain grew heavier and heavier. After Liu Ziju and Qu Linghan pleaded with him, Bai Hui had no choice but to give up his idea of ​​continuing on his journey.
From Xuan Shu City, which is the capital, to Yuzhou, the route passes through the two major prefectures of Xuzhou and Yanzhou.
It now appears that the three should be located at the border of Xuzhou and Yanzhou.
Normally, finding an inn at the border should be quite easy.
It's much like the service areas that often appear at highway intersections in the 21st century, providing places for people to eat and rest.
Today, the three of them and the driver searched in the dark, but could not find an inn.
The three had to get back into the carriage, but the rain was getting heavier.
After walking a few more kilometers, the horse was exhausted due to the strong wind and heavy rain and was extremely unwilling to continue.
The driver cracked his whip, again and again.
"Your Highness, Lord Marquis, Concubine, the horse is really not listening to reason."
So the three of them got out of the car again.
"Brother Bai Hui, Ling Han and I just told you. It's hard to find an inn around here! But you wouldn't listen!"
Liu Ziju spoke with a hint of dissatisfaction.
Qu Linghan hurriedly nudged him with his elbow.
"Hey, if you want to get yelled at, just say so yourself. Why did you drag me into this?"
Liu Zi glanced at Qu Linghan out of the corner of his eye.
"Sister-in-law, I'm so sorry. I really don't dare."
"Fine, fine, Liu Ziju. You're a bad guy."
Although the two had only known each other for a day, they had one thing in common.
I like the white and gloomy atmosphere.
If three people live in the same house, then everyone has their own set of problems to solve.
Bai Hui's family has two copies.
"Hey, keep up, keep up."
Qu Linghan was still lost in his own imagination when the other three had already hidden the horses and set off to find an inn.
Qu Linghan quickened his pace and walked alongside Bai Hui.
I don't know why I suddenly mustered up my courage.
"Hey, Bai Hui, why didn't you wait for me?"
"You were laughing just now, I don't want to disturb your daydream."
Qu Linghan helplessly covered his eyes with his hands.
I dare not open my eyes.
"How can you call it a daydream, now..."
As they were talking, Bai Hui gave Qu Linghan a sharp look.
Qu Linghan carefully finished speaking the last sentence.
"It's...it's nighttime now."
Qu Linghan lowered her head when she saw that Bai Hui ignored her.
I said a few words in jest.
Alas, the closest of kin are husband and wife.
"careful!"
Before Qu Linghan could even look up, Bai Hui stood in front of him.
"Oh! Are you alright?!"
After Qu Linghan realized what had happened, he quickly brushed the sticky clay off Bai Hui's body.
"With only soil, the other side shouldn't have sent assassins specifically for this purpose."
Qu Linghan rubbed the damp dirt off his hands.
"They are refugees."
"Refugees? Where are they?"
"Yes, where are the refugees?"
Liu Ziju also chimed in.
Bai Hui was instantly overwhelmed.
Let's not even talk about Qu Linghan. Liu Ziju has read so many military books and strategies over the years!
Bai Hui rested one hand on his forehead and pointed to the southwest with the other.
"Come out, we're not bad people."
It might be because the rain and wind slow down the sound transmission.
Bai Hui's voice was not quiet, but no one responded.
Liu Ziju and Qu Linghan looked at each other.
He then spoke up, "Come out, we're not bad people."
Hearing the sound, two boys emerged from behind a large rock in the southwest corner.
One was big and one was small; the bigger one looked to be about the same age as Liu Ziju.
The youngest is probably around seven or eight years old.
Perhaps it was because Bai Hui was so handsome that he gave people a feeling of being unapproachable.
Furthermore, the fact that he was dressed in black today made people think he was either a god or a demon.
Qu Linghan pinned Liu Ziju behind Bai Hui and took a step forward.
"Hey kids, do you need help?"
Seeing the two children walk forward, Qu Linghan gave Bai Hui a big smile.
"See? They're willing to come close to me."
He then quickly pulled Liu Ziju and hid behind Bai Hui.
"Guess what they do?"
"I have no idea."
"You don't even know this! How did you study military books and strategies all these years?"
Qu Linghan mimicked Bai Hui and gave Liu Ziju a "fierce glare."
"How...how did you become just like him!"
Qu Linghan was smugly giving Liu Ziju a hard time when suddenly he heard a loud "bang"!
"benefactor!"
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