Chapter 398 Unfavorable Situation, Finding a Way
Mo Lingling thought for a moment and said, "I guess she was listening too intently to the conversation of the tea drinkers."
Tao Wanyin asked, "What did they say?"
Mo Lingling said, "I'm talking about the war with Xijin. I heard that Xijin has received reinforcements from Nan Chu and now has an army of 600,000 against us. The tea drinkers are saying that they might start conscription in a few days."
Ji Qingwu poked countless tiny holes in the meat in his hand, and finally it went into his mouth.
Tao Wanyin stopped stirring the soup bowl and said worriedly, "The total number of troops sent by Beili to the northern border is 450,000. This is so much less, which is very disadvantageous."
Ji Qingrong said, "I remember when the Emperor was the General Who Pacifies the North..."
Ji Qingwu's ears twitched, and the chopsticks in his hand suddenly fell to the ground.
She seemed to wake from a dream, her eyes wide as she asked, "How is the Emperor?"
Ji Qingrong said, "You... you're always so absent-minded. Anyone who didn't know better would think you're exhausted from taking care of me and Princess Yong."
Ji Qingwu rubbed his cheeks and said, "I'm not tired, I just haven't been sleeping well these past few days."
Mo Lingling got up to replace her with a new pair of bamboo chopsticks.
Ji Qingwu said, "Thank you."
She pressed on, "Big sister, what did you just say?"
Ji Qingrong turned to the Princess Consort of Yong opposite her and said, "Princess Consort, take a look. Does my fifth sister have amnesia? Do you think my diagnosis is correct?"
"Only by hearing one person's name can she be summoned back."
Tao Wanyin smiled and said, "It's rare to see Qingwu so confused. It's truly a difficult hurdle to overcome in love."
Ji Qingwu knew they were teasing her, so she forced a smile.
He continued, "Big sister, what were you talking about just now?"
Ji Qingrong said, "We heard some rumors from Miss Mo that the Western Jin has allied with the Southern Chu and has a total army of 600,000, while our Northern Li is at a disadvantage."
Ji Qingwu had been unable to eat or drink for a while because he was thinking about this matter.
If only she could go with Emperor Wusu, she could stay by his side. Even if she couldn't solve his problems, she could at least serve him tea and water.
If all else fails, he can go back to his old profession and treat the wounded and sick soldiers.
It's better than passively waiting for news. Every day, hearing rumors on the street makes her heart go up and down, never finding peace.
Ji Qingwu drew circles on the table with her fingertips. She had finally gotten the chance to go, but she missed it.
There are too many people "watching" her now.
The area around the clinic was guarded day and night by dozens of secret guards, both to protect her and to keep an eye on her, lest she sneak off to the northern border.
These were all Emperor Wusu's wishes.
As early as the eighth day after Ji Qingrong gave birth, Ji Qingwu wanted to pack his bags and leave, but he was caught red-handed by a group of secret guards.
Even with the whole world at her disposal, it was all in vain; she could only return to where she came from, feeling utterly dejected.
Ji Qingwu has been caught red-handed three times already.
Thinking of this, she slumped onto the table.
Ji Qingrong thought her fifth sister was getting impatient, so she quickly added, "With the Emperor there, there's nothing to fear."
"His Majesty once fought a battle where he was outnumbered but outgunned. The situation was perilous. Yuezhou was captured by the general of Xijin. His Majesty opened up a 500-mile mountain road and sent troops to encircle the enemy from two directions."
Ji Qingwu tilted his head and listened intently.
She hadn't witnessed this scene herself; it happened after she slipped away from the military tent.
Ji Qingrong said, "His Majesty only used 8,000 elite troops to swallow up Xijin's 40,000 troops and also took back Yuezhou. At that time, Xijin's Grand General Wang was captured alive and finally beheaded in Yuezhou."
Ji Qingwu seemed to have returned to Yuezhou under the howling west wind, with banners fluttering in the wind.
She saw the General Dingbei standing on the city wall, fully armored, gazing intently at the rescued people in the city.
Tao Wanyin's face also showed admiration.
"His Majesty is truly brave and unparalleled."
Mo Lingling added, "Back then, even the youngest children on the street knew about this. If it weren't for the Emperor, Yuezhou would have become the second city, after Yucheng, to be massacred by Xijin."
Ji Qingwu's eyes flickered.
She knew how capable Zhao Mingyan was and how brilliant his military strategy was.
But he was not a god after all.
I get tired sometimes, and there are times when I feel powerless.
What should we do in this situation?
Ji Qingwu pursed her lips; she needed to go to his side.
After the meal, Ji Qingrong fed the baby and then called Ji Qingwu into the room.
"Big sister, what brings you here? Are you feeling unwell?"
Ji Qingwu guessed the possible reason and said, "If you have breast engorgement and pain, I have a homemade little thing that I can bring to you."
Ji Qingrong blushed slightly when she heard her say the words about blocked milk ducts.
She shook her head and said, "No, I'm perfectly fine. Thanks to your treatment, I feel even better than before I was pregnant."
Ji Qingrong called the person to her side, looked into her eyes, and said gently, "Fifth Sister, if you want to go to the Northern Border, then go."
Ji Qingrong was also reluctant to let her go to a dangerous place, but seeing how absent-minded she had been these past few days, she thought it would be better to let her go, at least she would feel relieved.
Ji Qingwu stammered, "Big sister..."
The eldest sister actually saw through her intention.
Ji Qingrong said, "Don't look at me like that. Your thoughts are written all over your face. Anyone who isn't blind can see it."
Especially when she brought up the old stories of Emperor Wusu today, everyone's eyes were full of admiration.
Only she, the fifth sister, had eyes filled with tender affection and longing, and most noticeably, worry.
Ji Qingrong said, "Fifth Sister, you can leave everything at home and the clinic to me. I will take good care of them."
Ji Qingwu sidled over and said pitifully, "Big sister, but I can't walk."
Why?
Ji Qingwu pouted and said, "The emperor left dozens of secret guards to watch over me and forbid me from secretly going to the northern border."
Ji Qingrong sighed several times.
There was amazement, envy, and a sense of reassurance within...
Emperor Wusu's love and care for his fifth sister was all secretly cultivated.
Ji Qingrong gently tapped her head: "You, I thought you didn't leave because you wanted to take care of me."
Ji Qingwu shook her arm and pleaded, "Big sister, can you help me?"
How can I help you?
Ji Qingwu nodded vigorously: "Yes, big sister is capable of anything."
Ji Qingrong was a little dazed by these words and said, "Fifth Sister, we are sisters, why talk about helping each other? I will do anything I can for you."
Ji Qingwu said, "Let me borrow Song Ge'er for a while."
That night.
A woman walked out of the clinic, her back to the outside. She wore a begonia-red headscarf and a crimson begonia-patterned cloak, a style that Ji Qingrong often wore.
She was holding a baby who was less than a month old in her arms.
Chunxing followed behind her, carrying a bundle.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
