Chapter 42: Princess Qingjia passed away, she was seriously ill and died...
“…Your Highness?”
It is winter now, and Qingjia is wearing a thick cloak, as if he had just come all the way from Wenhuayuan.
She whispered, "Your study is already cold and spacious. Why don't you add more charcoal or clothes?"
Yu Qing had been so busy these past two days that she hadn't even had the chance to meet Qing Jia. It was then that she remembered that she hadn't told Qing Jia that she would be leaving soon.
Looking at the princess, Yu Qing felt a lump in his throat and found it difficult to speak.
However, looking at her expression, Yu Qing also understood that Qingjia must have known about it.
"Why are you here so late? Is it cold outside?" Yu Qing held her hand. The princess's hand was much colder than hers.
"I heard you were leaving Beijing soon," Qing Jia said. "The situation is urgent, and I didn't want to come because I didn't want to disturb you. But... I'm still worried."
She didn't cry, but Yu Qing could clearly hear her fragility and reluctance.
"We have to seize the opportunity this time. We must rush to help as soon as possible. We can't spend the New Year in Beijing..." Yu Qing sighed, "I promise it won't take too long. We will strive for a quick victory. If it's fast enough, we can be back in the spring. Your Highness, trust me."
Qingjia looked at her deeply, with thousands of words left in silence.
The study was deserted, and the charcoal fire was barely burning. Yu Qing said, "Come to my room and warm up for a while. It's almost the first watch. Stay here tonight. I'll have someone take you to bed. It's too far to go back to Wenhua Garden. You'll catch a cold from walking around."
Qing Jia shook his head and said, "I'll stay here. I want to see more of you."
Yu Qing smiled, hugged Qingjia again, and comforted him, "It doesn't matter for a moment, we'll see each other every day in the future."
"Why not?" Qing Jia said, "No matter what happens in the future, you..."
"Nothing will happen to me," Yu Qing said, "They are just northern barbarians, all defeated by me."
"...Then you must always remember me."
Her tone was a little hoarse, and sounded inexplicably persistent.
Yu Qing said, "I promise you, I will write to you as long as I have time."
However, as separation is imminent, no sweet words can truly offset this sadness, and there is still a mist in Qingjia's dark pupils that cannot be dispersed.
She asked, "Where is your sword?"
Yu Qing immediately took out his sword, and the princess took out a jade necklace from her sleeve. She said, "Put this on as your sword tassel. It will keep you safe."
"Hey, don't tie it to the sword." Yu Qing said.
The princess frowned.
Yu Qing's sword already had a pearl tassel tied by the princess before. She was reluctant to throw away the original one, and the new one was even more precious to her.
"Of course you have to carry the amulet close to you," Yu Qing said, "If you hang it on your sword, what will you do if it gets bumped or dented?"
The princess finally showed a fleeting smile.
Yu Qing coaxed her gently for a few more times before letting her go back to rest, and then he returned to his desk.
Perhaps because it was late at night, she was often distracted at this moment. Looking at the flickering candlelight, her mind was filled with a variety of thoughts.
*
On the day of leaving Beijing, there was a light snowfall in the capital. The snowflakes landed on the armor and bridle, turning into white marks.
Qingjia insisted on riding in a carriage and following Yu Qing out of the house to the city gate. After all, she had been crying for almost the entire way and no amount of coaxing worked.
Yu Qing felt distressed. It was a cold wind outside, and wet skin would inevitably become red, swollen, and stinging when hit by the wind. What would happen if the princess's delicate face got frozen again?
"Please don't come out..."
The princess refused, so Yu Qing tightened her cloak and helped her out of the car.
The time is almost up, but I can't bear to let go.
But Qingjia pulled her hand away first. She stared into Yu Qing's eyes. Yu Qing saw her own reflection clearly and seemed to have some feelings.
The next moment the princess gently cupped her cheeks.
Yu Qing realized something in an instant and even held his breath. He couldn't tell whether he was more frightened or expecting more.
"...Take care." said the princess.
Then she kissed Yu Qing on the forehead.
The snow falls silently. Endless reverie and endless sorrow melt in this kiss.
The princess turned and left, and Yu Qing subconsciously grabbed her wrist. She was stunned. Yu Qing hugged her shoulders, his heart burning.
She also kissed the princess's smooth forehead, staying there longer than the princess.
"Take care." Yu Qing said.
Yu Qing led the first batch of elite cavalry out of Beijing. The wind was howling, and it had been a long time since he had ridden such a fast horse.
Looking back at the city wall, I could still see that graceful figure, her light-colored cloak being blown up by the wind.
She wanted to tell Qingjia that it was freezing cold and he should go back early, but the distance was too far and she couldn't convey her message.
I looked back repeatedly until the city wall became blurred and merged into the distant plane.
"When I come back, I must be prepared," Yu Qing thought, "I will tell her everything."
In the past, when she went on an expedition, she usually had no distractions, but today she felt that the road to the north was so tortuous.
When I think of home, I feel nostalgic. When I am halfway there, it is not only painful, but also heartbreaking.
After being idle for half a year, has everyone become weak? She thought to herself.
*
The vanguard army did not delay for a single day and arrived at the border as quickly as possible to join the garrison. Subsequent armies also entered the northwest one after another.
General He and several of Yu Qing's former lieutenants who stayed in the northwest of the town had suffered a series of defeats in the past few days and had been fighting hard. When they learned that reinforcements had arrived, they were extremely excited.
With Yu Qing around, it was like having a magic needle to stabilize the sea. She ordered people to replace all the generals' flags, and the soldiers regained their spirits.
On the way out of Beijing, Yu Qing felt lost for a while, but when she really stood in front of the battlefield, she armed herself and became the invincible and strategic general.
The desolate city, the simple tents, the cold iron blades... everything was far from the comfortable and leisurely marquis's mansion, but she still adapted quickly, faster than she thought.
Picking up the spear again, the familiar feel made her feel dazed, as if the gentle land in the capital was just a dream.
Yu Qing thought silently, maybe this is really his fate.
She has become accustomed to the hustle and bustle of war and does not know how to enjoy the normal happiness in this life.
She had realized this more than ten years ago, but when she thought of the girl crying in her arms, she often felt regretful.
The Northern Barbarians' offensive rhythm was very tight, and the other side also knew that the early stage was the best time. If they did not take advantage of the situation to capture the city as soon as possible, they would be overturned once they fell into a stalemate.
Therefore, the offense and defense were particularly difficult in the first half month. At the critical moment, He Xuan, who was responsible for guarding the rear, was injured, and Yu Qing had to be distracted to make arrangements, which made him stretched to the limit.
It was not until the Northern Barbarians attacked three times without success and were forced to retreat ten miles by the defenders that they breathed a sigh of relief.
That night, Yu Qing first wrote a military report and sent it to the capital to report to the emperor. Then, as he had promised to Qingjia, he wrote a letter home.
The letters home were written more carefully than the military newspapers, every stroke counts.
"Seika Azuma: Seeing words is like meeting each other."
Since arriving in the northwest, the fighting has continued day and night, and it was only settled today..."
The war has never stopped, and the situation has only calmed down today. I have been busy day and night and have not been able to write to you. I hope you don't mind.
Has it snowed again in Beijing recently? The end of the year is always the coldest time of year, so remember to put on more clothes.
I don’t know when this letter will be sent home, and whether it can be sent before New Year’s Eve.
I can't stay home to celebrate the New Year this year, but if I can win a game before the New Year, it will be a good New Year...
I keep the amulet you gave me safe with me. Whenever I touch it, I think of you. I hope you are safe and sound, and never suffer from illness again. I will return next year when the flowers in the mansion bloom.
Yu Qing’s letters to her parents used to be brief and concise, but this time she wrote several pages.
When it was handed to the personal guard, the guard was a little surprised when he touched it - the general's letter was so thick this time.
Perhaps Qingjia's amulet truly had some power, or perhaps Yu Qing's copied pile of scriptures had some effect. Years ago, the first battle against the Northern Barbarians ended in a resounding victory.
After recaptured a fallen city, the surviving civilians and soldiers spent New Year's Eve together.
A year later, a batch of supplies from the court arrived outside the Great Wall, along with a letter from home.
As soon as the messenger arrived at the camp, he was surrounded by several people.
"Where's the letter from home?"
"Let me pick some first, I think there's one for me!"
A cough, neither loud nor soft, caused everyone to stop. Yu Qing came over from behind and scolded them, "What's the rush? What's the hassle?"
When the general spoke, these people lowered their heads in embarrassment.
Unexpectedly, Yu Qing stretched out his hand first: "Do you have anything from the Xuanbei Marquis Mansion? Bring it to me first."
“…”
Seeing General Yu calmly take the letter, the remaining soldiers looked at each other and laughed.
Having just won a battle, morale is high and the atmosphere is much more relaxed, not as solemn as before.
"General, it's really different when you get married!"
An adjutant who had followed Yu Qing from the capital interrupted, "You guys in the northwest probably don't know this, but our general and princess are living in perfect harmony. The news has spread all over the capital!"
"The general was not very happy before he returned to the capital."
"Is the princess pretty?"
"Of course, she's like a fairy."
Yu Qing frowned and said, "Don't be rude."
She sent them away, then took out the letter and opened it carefully.
The handwriting was elegant and delicate, indeed Qingjia's. She read the letter over and over again before putting it away.
Further ahead was the fallen pass where the northern barbarians had been entrenched for some time, and the terrain was difficult to attack. There had been two days of heavy snow, making it difficult to even deliver food and fodder. Yu Qing wanted to attack in one go, but due to numerous blockages, the battle dragged on for several more days.
He was either on a warhorse or in a chariot, or beside a sand table, his body and mind were busy. He could only find time to write a few words to his family before going to bed.
By the time the battle line reached the initial breakthrough point, more than a month had passed.
This is not the end. The Northern Barbarians assassinated the monarch and looted the people, which is an unforgivable crime. It is impossible to stop the war at this point. If the cavalry does not destroy the royal city, they will have the courage to rebel next time.
The weather at the border was still cold and bleak, but in the capital, thousands of miles away, it was almost spring.
"I'll come back when the flowers bloom." There is a risk in fulfilling this promise.
Yu Qing wrote a letter in advance to the princess to admit her mistake, but there was no reply.
She found that the last time she received a letter from Qingjia was almost a month ago. Considering the time spent on the journey, the princess must have written the letter even earlier.
I don’t know whether she didn’t write or was delayed on the way. I waited silently for a few days and finally received a letter from home. When I opened it, it was a greeting from Qiying. The words were very brief and didn’t mention Qingjia much.
Yu Qing wondered if Qingjia was angry with her because she had broken her promise. It seemed she needed to be more sincere.
She wrote another three pages and sent them out, but she didn't receive a single word from Qingjia.
At this time, the vanguard army had already entered an important town of the Northern Barbarians.
The enemy was also in chaos. The contradiction between the surrender faction and the pro-war faction became more and more serious. The new king could not suppress the nobles, and the army's supply gap was gradually unable to be filled.
Yu Qing seized the opportunity and fought several battles happily. He pushed his heavy troops to the royal city. The new barbarian king finally surrendered and promised to take his eldest son as a hostage.
What followed was liquidation, cession, and confiscation. Before the negotiations were over, the new king was driven off the throne.
This battle was basically in line with Yu Qing's expectations, except that the process was a bit bumpy and long.
She was not excited about the victory. She thought that she would not stay on duty this time. Once it was over, she would return to Beijing. If spring had not passed yet, she would still have time to make wine with Qingjia.
However, all her expectations were reduced to ashes the moment she received a letter from home a few days later.
At first she didn't realize the cruelty of the letter.
She even thought it might be a long-awaited letter from the princess, and couldn't wait to open it, but there was only Qiying's handwriting on it.
For the first time, Yu Qing experienced what it felt like to understand every word but not be able to recognize them when they were put together.
...At the end of the Yin month, the emperor's seventh daughter, Princess Qingjia, fell seriously ill and died. She was buried in the imperial mausoleum.
The paper trembled as she read the letter over and over again in a daze. The sword in her hand fell to the ground with a clanging sound.
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