Chapter 191 Meeting an Old Friend
This time, Jun Zechen took the initiative to ask his father for permission to personally lead the troops to the frontier.
In his previous life, it was the barbarians who took the initiative to attack, and then his father sent him to the frontier, which was a test and a tempering for him.
In order to seize the land outside the Great Wall that could grow food, the barbarians attempted to invade the monarchy because they needed the monarchy's land to feed their own people.
However, as the crown prince of Junguo, for Jun Zechen, every inch of Junguo's land is inviolable and he will not give up even a little bit.
Because the land of the monarchy also nurtures every citizen of the monarchy.
Beyond the Great Wall.
Yellow earth was flying all over the sky, the wind was howling wildly, and the sound of the wind was like crying and complaining.
Jun Zechen made careful plans several months in advance to prepare for a rainy day.
Finally, when the barbarians launched their first invasion, his plan worked. The monarchy's army was unstoppable and drove the barbarians back to their hinterland with almost no effort.
The barbarians will not invade again for a while.
Throughout his life, Jun Zechen also deliberately and cleverly avoided several possible encounters with Ling Yue.
He didn't want to meet her, and he also hoped that Ling Yue, who had not met him, could live a better life somewhere else.
One day, Jun Zechen, wearing a simple and plain robe, rode on a horse alone, preparing to observe the terrain of the barbarians approaching the kingdom.
There are many reasons why the monarchy has not completely conquered the barbarians before.
One is that the areas where the barbarians live are indeed resource-scarce and the land is barren. Even if they are taken over by the monarchy, it will only increase the burden and pressure on the monarchy in the short term.
Another reason is that barbarians have always been wild and uncivilized and difficult to tame.
In areas where resources were extremely scarce and the land was barren, they could even eat raw animal meat. This barbaric behavior was incompatible with the etiquette culture of the monarchy and was difficult to reconcile.
Therefore, the monarchs have always stationed troops outside the Great Wall to guard the area all year round, and they dare not slack off at all, because they don't know when the barbarians will suddenly launch an attack.
In his previous life, Jun Zechen solved the problem of the barbarians several years after he recovered the four countries.
At that time, Junze City directly adopted the tough means of suppression by force and implemented authoritarian rule.
Barbarians are unreasonable. They will only obey temporarily when their lives are actually threatened.
But now, the monarchy's military strength is still insufficient and obviously cannot fully support such a large-scale military deployment.
Moreover, neighboring countries such as Canglang and Yuehui are watching covetously and are ready to make a move.
Jun Zechen could only plan each strategy carefully.
In his opinion, although the barbarians are brave, they have low IQ.
If we could directly block their path to attack the monarchy, that would be the best method.
Jun Zechen rode on a tall horse, his posture as straight as a pine tree, his eyes as sharp as torches, carefully looking at this vast and desolate land.
The royal army had just successfully repelled the barbarians here yesterday. Looking around, the scene seemed extremely desolate and miserable.
There were many broken walls and ruins belonging to the barbarians lying on the ground, a scene of devastation.
The bodies of the soldiers of the Kingdom will be taken back by their living comrades.
They are all heroes who fought bravely for their country. Their dedication and sacrifice should be respected.
Jun Zechen had a preliminary idea in his mind, then he gently pulled the reins, turned the horse's head, and prepared to return to the military tent.
Unexpectedly, at a corner, he bumped into Ling Yue head-on.
Jun Zechen was startled and quickly pulled the reins tight. The horse neighed, raised its front legs high, and waved them in the air.
Ling Yue was also riding on a horse. Her eyebrows were raised, her eyes were wide, and she angrily said, "What's wrong with you? You almost hit me!"
Jun Zechen and Ling Yue bumped into each other suddenly at a narrow corner, so before that, Jun Zechen didn't notice her at all.
Fortunately, he was not riding very fast, so he was able to react in an instant and quickly reined in his horse.
There was no expression on Jun Zechen's face, and his eyes, as deep as a lake, looked at her coldly.
When Ling Yue met his gaze, she was a little panicked for a moment.
Was I too aggressive just now?
Is he angry?
"Get out of the way."
Jun Zechen opened his thin lips and uttered two words coldly, his voice seemed to be wrapped in frost.
Ling Yue's body suddenly stiffened, and he subconsciously turned his horse to the side to make way for Jun Zechen.
Jun Zechen looked straight ahead, and lightly squeezed the horse's belly with his legs, and the horse walked straight past Ling Yue.
Afterwards, Ling Yue seemed to muster up the courage and shouted at his back: "You almost bumped into me just now, why were you so violent! As a man, shouldn't you apologize?"
Ling Yue had to work very hard today to find out from his father that the prince was here.
She didn't want to pass by the prince like this.
This time the prince came to the frontier to lead the troops. Every time his father came back, he would praise the prince endlessly and praise him for his young heroism.
Ling Yue was curious and naturally wanted to see it.
Perhaps it was because she grew up in the capital city, Ling Yue's aesthetic taste has always been more inclined towards the gentle and elegant young men in the capital city.
The men outside the Great Wall are bold and unrestrained in temperament, and most of them have rough and heroic appearances.
Ling Yue had never been attracted to any man from outside the Great Wall, but her father said that she was getting old enough to get married and that he wanted to help her find a partner.
Ling Yue didn't know why, but he was extremely reluctant.
With such complicated thoughts in mind, Ling Yue made up her mind to meet the prince from the capital.
Upon hearing this, Jun Zechen turned his horse's head and the horse made a turn on the spot.
He narrowed his eyes slightly, "You don't know me?"
There was questioning and dignity in his tone. The reason why he revealed his identity directly was that he hoped Ling Yue would retreat when faced with difficulties and not have any unnecessary thoughts.
When Ling Yue heard his self-introduction, she had no choice but to know his identity.
"Are you the prince?"
"I don't like any woman to get close to me. Don't put any thoughts on me anymore."
Jun Zechen's eyes revealed indifference and alienation, and he spoke bluntly without any politeness or tact in his tone.
Regardless of whether his meeting with Ling Yue this time was a coincidence, Jun Zechen must nip any possible budding in the bud.
He had a stern expression, like an iceberg, making him difficult to approach.
Ling Yue looked a little ugly.
"Even if your Highness is of noble status, you can't say such hurtful words, especially today it's just a coincidence."
Ling Yue lowered his head and spoke softly, his voice filled with grievance and unwillingness, his hands tightly gripping the reins.
"From now on, if you see me, stay away from me."
Jun Zechen said this expressionlessly, without even looking at Ling Yue, and turned around resolutely.
He clamped his legs around the horse's belly, and the horse kicked its hooves and galloped away.
Ling Yue stared blankly at his receding back, his tall figure disappearing further and further away in the afterglow of the setting sun.
There seemed to be a trace of confusion and loss in his eyes, and he murmured to himself: "I always feel that this shouldn't be the case..."
The breeze blew her hair, adding a sense of loneliness.
Capital city.
The annual Flower Festival is here again, the spring breeze is blowing gently and the flowers are blooming.
During the Flower Festival this year, Chu Yinxue wrote a letter early and sent it to the Su Mansion. The content of the letter was that she hoped to go out with Su Jingyao on the Flower Festival.
After receiving the letter, Su Jingyao naturally agreed readily.
The two of them were dressed in gorgeous dresses and walking on the bustling streets.
There are shops on both sides of the street, and shouts and laughter can be heard one after another.
They ate and strolled along the way, having a great time.
Afterwards, the two walked into an exquisitely decorated jewelry store.
Su Jingyao strolled around the store aimlessly. She really had no interest in these ordinary jewellery. After all, Jun Zechen had already made her taste very discerning.
Chu Yinxue, however, was very interested, her eyes sparkling, and she began to choose carefully.
The shopkeeper had sharp eyes. When he saw the expensive clothes they were wearing, he knew that they must be young ladies from prominent families. He hurried over to greet them with a big smile on his face.
"What kind of things do you two ladies like? I'll take you to have a look. In addition to the jewelry on the first floor, our store also has jewelry on the second floor, which is even more exquisite and luxurious."
As the shopkeeper spoke, he bowed slightly and made a gesture of invitation.
When Chu Yinxue heard that there were better jewelry on the second floor, she immediately became interested and quickly turned around to ask Su Jingyao for her opinion.
Su Jingyao nodded and smiled slightly to show her agreement.
After getting Su Jingyao's response, Chu Yinxue excitedly took her hand and walked up to the second floor impatiently.
Su Jingyao went up to the second floor and looked around casually.
The jewellery on the second floor, whether bracelets, earrings or headdresses, are indeed more exquisite and unique than those on the first floor, and the craftsmanship is more sophisticated.
Chu Yinxue strolled around the second floor for a while and was soon attracted by a sky blue jade bracelet.
The bracelet is clear in color, just like a cloudless sky, which matches the blue dress she is wearing today perfectly.
"Yaoyao, I like this."
Chu Yinxue took the bracelet in her hand and happily ran to Su Jingyao to show it.
"Yeah, not bad, it looks pretty good."
Chu Yinxue was delighted to receive her affirmation, and immediately turned to ask the shopkeeper next to her: "Shopkeeper, how much is this?"
"Miss, you have a really good eye. This blue water jade is of extremely high quality, and the craftsmanship is also done by a contemporary master. It is one of the top bracelets in our store. It costs 800 taels of silver."
The shopkeeper said this with a smile, a hint of pride in his eyes.
Chu Yinxue was very happy to hear the shopkeeper's praise.
However, when she heard the price was 800 taels of silver, her smile froze on her face and her cherry mouth opened slightly.
As a lady of a wealthy family, she only had 20 taels of silver as her monthly allowance, plus the money she saved during the New Year and other festivals. Although she could afford 800 taels of silver if she gritted her teeth, after buying this bracelet, she would have very little savings left and would become a penniless woman.
Chu Yinxue's thoughts were all written on her face. Su Jingyao could tell at a glance that she was short of money and winked at Miaoyun beside her.
Miaoyun understood what he meant, walked forward, and said to the shopkeeper with a smile: "Boss, I'll go with you to pay."
The shopkeeper had a frozen expression when he looked at Chu Yinxue in blue, and thought that the deal was going to fail. But when he heard Miaoyun's words, he immediately smiled.
He kept saying, "Okay, okay, okay, follow me."
Chu Yinxue's cheeks flushed slightly, with a hint of embarrassment in her eyes, and she looked at Su Jingyao a little embarrassedly.
She stammered, "I don't want to buy this bracelet. It's too expensive. Even if you buy it for me, I still can't afford it."
"I gave you this bracelet as a gift for the Flower Festival."
There was a gentle smile in Su Jingyao's eyes.
I didn't expect to see this arrogant young lady in such an embarrassing state today.
"real?"
Su Jingyao nodded, then walked up to her, took the bracelet from her hand, and put it on her wrist herself.
"Very beautiful, and suits you very well."
Su Jingyao exuded a faint fragrance, like orchid and musk. Chu Yinxue couldn't help but move closer to her again, her nose slightly tingling.
Curiously asked: "Yaoyao, why do you smell so good?"
"Smells good?"
Su Jingyao looked at Chu Yinxue with a smile.
Chu Yinxue nodded hurriedly, then boldly opened her arms to hug Su Jingyao and rested her head on her shoulder.
She said coquettishly: "You are beautiful and smell good. It is so comfortable to hold you."
"Okay, let go."
A trace of helplessness flashed across Su Jingyao's face. She didn't show much concern for Chu Yinxue's passionate expression of love like a little girl, and gently pushed Chu Yinxue.
Just as Chu Yinxue was acting coquettishly towards Su Jingyao, footsteps were heard at the door, and then a woman dressed very ostentatiously walked in.
She was wearing a gorgeous brocade dress with intricate patterns embroidered on the hem and pearls and jade on her head, looking extremely noble.
The woman had a hint of arrogance on her face and looked about the same age as them.
"The shopkeeper just said that you bought the blue water jadeite that this princess liked?" The woman stared at Su Jingyao and Chu Yinxue with unfriendly eyes.