Chapter 70 Seven Thousand Mountain Birds Vanish
On the battlefield, who wouldn't want an extra layer of protection? Besides, she knew his feelings for her, so there was no need for her to pretend to be oblivious.
Zheng Yangzhi was first stunned, then laughed.
"Thank you," Wang Yuying said softly, "but time is of the essence, I have to rush to the Ministry of War, and I can't talk to you any longer."
Zheng Yangzhi nodded, understanding.
Wang Yuying reached out her right hand to take the treasure box from Zheng Yangzhi's hand. Zheng Yangzhi held the lantern in one hand, illuminating her slightly red and swollen right hand, and blurted out, "What happened to your hand?"
"It's nothing, I was in a rush and fell off my horse." Wang Yuying curled her fingers. It was all because of that madman Xu Heng, who pretended to be remorseful to win her over, and then grabbed her and slapped her, causing her hand to hurt.
Zheng Yangzhi truly believed it was a horse injury. He quietly gazed at the person before him, thinking that many people said he was androgynous, but she was the same; the tenderness of a woman and the courage of a man were both mixed in her.
Zheng Yangzhi put down the lantern and took out a small white jade gourd bottle: "Apply this to the swelling and it will go down."
The thing looked so familiar that Wang Yuying immediately asked, "How many bottles of this do you have?"
Zheng Yangzhi, however, was thinking of his own feelings, and said with a gentle smile, "A continuous flow."
Wang Yuying accepted the medicine: "I'll apply it when I have time later."
Zheng Yangzhi, carrying a lantern and a box, said, "Your hand is injured and you don't have a lantern, so I'll carry this box for you. I'll give it to you when we get to the Ministry of War."
I was already heartbroken, how could I bear to let her walk alone at night again?
Wang Yuying paused for a moment, then replied, "Your Excellency works diligently day and night in the Court of State Ceremonial, and I am fortunate to have this lamp lit up my path. Thank you, Your Excellency."
Zheng Yangzhi stared at her and denied it: "I'm off duty today, and I came here specifically to take you to the Ministry of War."
Unexpectedly, he stopped beating around the bush and got straight to the point. Wang Yuying's eyes flickered quickly: "I have to go."
He walked decisively, with long strides.
Zheng Yangzhi also chased after him with lightning speed, his lantern swaying wildly.
His heart swayed and unease like a lantern. Although he knew it was bad luck to think like this, he was afraid that she might never return. He didn't want to go to the northern border to mourn her lonely grave; the thought of it filled him with fear and distress.
He was actually a little out of breath when he said those words, afraid that if he didn't speak now, he wouldn't have another chance.
They arrived at the entrance of the military department in a short while. Wang Yuying stretched out her unswollen hand and said with a smile, "I'll borrow that soft armor for now."
Zheng Yangzhi quickly put down the lantern and offered it with both hands. Their fingertips touched and then parted. He knew that the most important thing at the moment was military affairs and his concern for her safety, but he still couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion. He couldn't help but grab her hand and hold it tightly, blurting out, "Please be sure to return safely."
This time his breathing was noticeable, like smoke and mist seeping into her ears.
She thought, "He who takes a bribe is bound to be obliging, and he who eats a meal is bound to be obliging," and it was true. She was so weak that she couldn't break free and let Zheng Yangzhi hold her, his fingertips still trembling and lightly touching the back of her hand.
After a moment, he released her.
Wang Yuying held the treasure box closer to her chest, only then realizing that she had unconsciously held her breath.
He took a deep breath and replied with a smile, "Of course, I'll return your soft armor and treat you to drinks when I get back."
Zheng Yangzhi smiled upon hearing this. She exchanged a glance with him, turned and went inside to inquire about the details of the battle at the Ministry of War.
Zheng Yangzhi stood outside the door, his worry for her safety undiminished, but a different thought also began to stir within him: He had given her the soft armor, but hadn't he considered that she intended to return it? And this armor she wore close to her skin…
He silently raised the corners of his lips, but then quickly lowered them, worrying about his alcohol tolerance.
He stood in front of the Ministry of War for a while before taking a lantern and leaving the palace.
*
Chuigong Hall.
Qingfu, leading a group of eunuchs, stood guard outside the palace gate. The night was deep and the dew heavy; the night wind was as strong as the water under the bridge, howling and whistling like a mournful woman, or the aggrieved spirit of a child who had died young. Qingfu couldn't help but rub his hands together and gaze into the distance—to avoid disturbing the people, he hadn't informed them of the Di invasion. Every household was immersed in the joy of the New Year; firecrackers crackled outside the palace walls, and after gazing at the festive lights for a while, Qingfu felt a sense of warmth and peace.
The cold winter wind whistled past his ears and pounded against the palace door. Qingfu looked back with worry—after the deposed empress left, the emperor stood still for a while, then slowly moved back to the Chuigong Hall, dismissed everyone, and sat alone behind closed doors.
It had been an hour or so, and Qingfu was getting anxious, wondering what was happening inside. Suddenly, he heard the emperor in the palace give a deep order: "Someone come here."
Qingfu hurriedly ran into the hall and, without even looking at the emperor, prostrated himself to listen to the imperial edict.
"By imperial decree, General Jing Ye of Wuwei is hereby appointed as the deputy commander of the Northern Expeditionary Army, with Wang Yuying as the supervising officer. They shall depart immediately with the army to reinforce the border. I expect both of them to fulfill their duties, fight bravely against the enemy, and be under the command of the commander-in-chief. We shall work together to defend against the invaders and restore the morale of our army. I await news of victory in the capital."
Qingfu acknowledged with a "Yes," straightened up, and was about to deliver the imperial decree when he caught sight of the emperor above him. He froze instantly—not only because of the emperor's left cheek, which was now a mixture of bruises and discoloration after the swelling had subsided, but also because... the emperor's temples had turned completely white.
How many hours has it been?
Qingfu shivered all over and couldn't help but shudder.
The emperor, who was seated at the head of the table, slowly opened his lips and said, "Bring the bronze mirror."
Qingfu acknowledged the order, but his legs gave way and he collapsed to the ground. He got up again, hurriedly grabbed a bronze mirror, and, with trembling hands, showed it to the emperor. The emperor, however, remained calm and composed. After seeing his reflection, he calmly ordered, "Summon the imperial physician."
The emperor rose from his dragon throne and went to a small couch hidden behind a screen with cloud and dragon patterns.
While waiting for the imperial physician, the emperor spoke softly, "Has she gone back?"
Qingfu quickly replied, "Lord Wang went to the Ministry of War."
The emperor said nothing more. Although Qingfu was nervous, he didn't even dare to flinch. Since the emperor didn't ask any further questions, there was no need to report that he had gone with Zheng Shaoqing.
After waiting for a while, the head of the Imperial Medical Academy arrived in person. Seeing the emperor's white hair and bruised face, he was also terrified and knelt for a long time, unable to get up.
The emperor spoke calmly: "Do you have a good remedy to turn white hair black again?"
"Your Majesty," the physician said, trembling slightly as he spoke, still worried that the emperor would silence him after the treatment, "you can mix the juice of the smoke tree with ink, and then add some soapberry and walnut kernels to make a hair ointment. Comb it onto the graying temples, and they will turn black in an instant. But this is only a temporary cover-up, and it will fade after washing. If you want to truly turn the hair black, strengthening the foundation and nourishing the body is the fundamental way. You need to persist in taking He Shou Wu internally, and supplement it with wolfberry, astragalus, etc..." The physician's mind raced, and he deliberately dragged out the time: "It will take at least three to five years to see results."
"First, apply hair pomade," the emperor immediately ordered. He was about to send off the army and could not allow his soldiers, who were about to go to war, to see the emperor looking haggard.
The court physician obeyed the order and quickly prepared the hair pomade. The emperor sat on the couch, his hair loose and draped over his shoulders. The physician carefully and meticulously combed his hair. Not far away, Qingfu also crouched down, unable to resist peeking at the emperor—though his hair was disheveled, he still maintained an elegant demeanor. Good looks are often more about bone structure than skin. The emperor's slightly raised jawline remained firm, and his eyes were more profound than ordinary people. In this moment of tranquility, his frosty temples did not make him appear old, but rather added a touch of composure. The black and white of his hair resembled a traditional Chinese ink painting.
The judge, with his skillful touch, painted all the white hair black.
The emperor then ordered the imperial physician to prepare a cream that matched the skin tone, to cover the slap mark little by little, like a woman applying powder. The uninjured areas were also to be fully covered with the cream to improve the complexion.
When it was Qingfu's turn to comb the emperor's hair again, just as he finished tying the hair into a bun and before he could put on the crown, the emperor ordered: "Put more dragon saliva on the hair."
Qingfu instantly understood that the emperor wanted to use ambergris to mask the smell of medicine and ink on his body.
Qingfu quickly made arrangements, piling up four or five incense burners behind the screen and vigorously burning incense. He then took out the imperial crown to put on the emperor, but the emperor raised his hand, indicating that there was no rush.
"Administer the acupuncture," he commanded almost in a monotone.
Qingfu's brow twitched. After the emperor practiced the Longevity Exercise, his rejuvenation had become quite effective, and he had gradually stopped taking moxibustion. He went to fetch the gold needles, but the emperor saw him and corrected him, "Fetch the long needles."
Qingfu's heart skipped a beat again. The long needle was used to draw blood from the heart of all ten fingers. Could it be that the emperor's heart pain had recurred?
He took a long needle and handed it to the emperor, disregarding any potential offense: "Your Majesty, why don't you summon the Chief Justice back?"
The emperor glanced at Qingfu indifferently, and Qingfu knelt down, daring not to say another word.
The emperor drew blood from his heart with a needle, and had Qingfu continue to serve him. He then closed his eyes and sat quietly, waiting for his complexion to improve and his strength to return.
When the emperor was escorted to the outskirts of the capital to bid farewell to the army, all that people saw of him was his majestic presence and radiant spirit.
A platform twelve feet high, with banners obscuring the sky.
The generals stood in rows on the platform, while the soldiers lined up below. After the emperor ascended the platform, he subtly glanced at Wang Yuying in the last row. To make it easier to wear a helmet, she had changed her hairstyle to a cicada-wing style and was dressed in armor. She looked heroic and imposing. She resembled a general, but she was also undoubtedly a beauty. The cold north wind slightly reddened her cheeks, which only enhanced her charm.
The emperor lowered his gaze and caught a glimpse of a corner of red clothing peeking out from under the armor. A faint smile crossed his mind—she still loved bright colors; in fact, many of her preferences had never changed.
The emperor remained composed and dignified. He withdrew his gaze, looked down upon the army, his eyes sweeping across the faces of the soldiers like lightning. His voice was like the resounding toll of a great bell: "I now raise my cup to Heaven, you are all my sharp blades. Go to the northern frontier, and do not let the barbarian horses roam again!"
Upon hearing this, the soldiers were filled with fervor and their morale soared. They raised their halberds and shouted "Long live the Emperor!" The sound startled birds and caused leaves to fall, raising dust in all directions.
The emperor raised his golden goblet again, personally poured a cup of wine, and offered it to Commander-in-Chief Yuan Wancheng, but his hand veered slightly off course as he handed it over. He noticed that Wang Yuying had been quietly watching him, and he believed she understood this subtle gesture of respect.
The emperor handed the golden goblet to Yuan Wancheng: "I present this goblet to the general to bid him farewell. I grant you permission to execute first and report later. The entire army shall obey my command."
Yuan Wancheng accepted the golden goblet and knelt on one knee: "I am but a humble warrior, and I am grateful for Your Majesty's favor. I will take the enemy's head and live up to Your Majesty's trust. I hope Your Majesty will take care of your health and await the good news."
After the formalities between the emperor and his subjects were completed, the army set off. Wang Yuying followed the generals down the steps, barely listening to Xu Heng's polite words, and too lazy to bother observing the face behind the tassels. She had been preoccupied with estimating the date of their arrival in the northern frontier and the enemy situation they would encounter.
Jing Ye followed the crowd, changed course and descended the high platform. At its closest, he was still five or six steps away from the emperor, but the emperor lowered his eyes and called out softly, "Deputy Commander."
The thunderous war drums drowned out most of the sound, but Jing Ye still heard them. He stopped, turned around, and after a moment, walked towards the emperor and bowed. The emperor didn't glance at Jing Ye, but instead looked down at the strange figure who had already stepped down from the platform and mounted his horse: "Take good care of her, or I will really kill you this time."
Jing Ye immediately responded, with unwavering resolve: "Even if it costs me my life, I will protect her."
Only the emperor and a group of eunuchs and imperial guards remained on the high platform. He stood in the wind, watching the iron torrent flow westward, the world vast and desolate.
The army marched day and night, not daring to slacken, and in less than half a month, they were nearing the northern frontier. The weather grew increasingly cold, the wind like icy blades, the snow like sand, and the swirling snow made it difficult for the army to see ahead, forcing them to stop and rest. Fortunately, Wang Yuying had made early suggestions and preparations, and the light horses and hot-blooded horses in the column had already been dressed in riding coats.
Braving the wind and snow, she inspected the horses one by one again. She had already given the order, but couldn't help but reiterate: "Give them more hay, and from now on only feed them warm water. Never let them lick ice."
The officials all responded with a "yes," and Jing Ye helped her. He looked up again, realizing that they would only truly reach the Northern Frontier once they crossed the mountain below. But no birds were flying on the mountain anymore, and the only withered tree was covered with icicles. The Northern Frontier was more extreme and harsh than Yangguan, where he had been, and even more so than he had imagined.
She actually spent three years in a place like that.
Jing Ye followed Wang Yuying through wind and snow, walking half the mountain path with uneven steps, and felt that they had shared hardships and their friendship had deepened.
She thought of how the emperor and she had spent three years together, only to become strangers in the end.
An indescribable heartache surged from Jing Ye's heart to his throat, choking him and leaving him speechless. He could only stand more firmly in front of her, using his broad body to shield her from the wind and snow as much as possible.
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