Chapter 484 Northern Territory (8)
Two months later.
The supervisors who oversaw the construction of the city wall had long since been replaced.
There were no more instances of workers having their food reduced.
After finishing work, Tian Gui received three steamed buns but was still sullen.
"Brother Xiao, the other day you were bitten by wolves and your body was badly injured. You almost died from the infection. The General arranged for a doctor to treat your wounds, and although he also gave you food and money, but..."
Tian Gui didn't say anything more, but everyone knew what he meant.
The prisoners serve here, and they are assigned many different tasks.
Ling Xiao has made a contribution, so it's not unreasonable for him to be given an easier job, right?
But General Gu dismissed him with those material possessions.
The two brothers who went to deliver the message that day also nodded, but they were not as indignant as Tian Gui.
“Brother Gui, it’s not bad. The supervisor is taking good care of us now, and we even have money. We’re not starving or freezing.”
Tian Gui: "Hmph! You're quite content, sending money back to your old mother? That money Xiao-ge risked his life for! You have to repay his kindness in this lifetime!"
"I know, I know, from now on, Brother Xiao is my everything!"
Ling Xiao interrupted the two calmly, "We're all brothers, don't talk nonsense."
Okay, okay.
Tian Gui didn't bring up the matter and changed the subject.
"Brother Xiao, what did you buy at the market during your lunch break?"
"It's none of your business."
Tian Gui, however, did not let him off the hook. He had noticed Ling Xiao's strange behavior over the past few days, as he was always carving small things when he had nothing to do.
It was either a spinning top or a wooden sword, like something a child would play with.
He winked at the other two, and the two of them, working in perfect unison, captured Ling Xiao from the left and right.
"What are you doing? Let go!"
Tian Gui reached into his pocket and said, "Little brother, let me see what good things you bought that you've been hiding from me... a silver hairpin?"
Ling Xiao broke free and snatched the silver hairpin away.
"Haha, Brother Xiao, have you taken a fancy to some girl? Oh, no, is she some prisoner's relative, or maybe she has a child?"
"No!" Ling Xiao's expression was grim.
Without speaking to them, he went straight back to his shack.
Tian Gui and the other two could tell that he was really in a bad mood, so they didn't dare to joke anymore.
“With our status, how could we possibly get married, let alone have children? If we did, the children would just end up as prisoners.”
"Otherwise, with Xiao Ge's abilities, he could marry any girl he wanted, and he would definitely feel bad about it!"
"Brother Gui, please don't make jokes like that again."
Tian Gui felt even worse!
She cursed Gu Chengye in her heart again.
If it were him...
"Is Ling Xiao here?" A man dressed as a soldier came over.
Tian Gui's expression turned serious. "Yes, sir, is there anything you need? I'll go and fetch him."
"Send him to the General's Mansion."
...
General's Mansion.
Gu Chengye flipped through the letters.
"Ling Xiao, originally from Jianye, fled to Cangye when his hometown was flooded when he was young. His parents were killed by rioters, and you happened to meet the Ninth Prince who was on his way to his fiefdom in Ganzhou. He saved you and you have been following him ever since."
Ling Xiao: "Exactly."
"I have a question for you."
Gu Chengye's eyes were sharp and fierce. The imposing presence and cold glint he had honed on the battlefield were like a heavy sword held above one's head, inspiring fear and trepidation.
"You are a man of great stature, and you clearly knew that Ji Canglin was the son of the King of Xiliao, so why did you deny it so vehemently at the time?"
Ling Xiao's pupils contracted slightly.
He had a feeling.
This answer will determine your future fate, or even your life and death.
"explain!"
Gu Chengye's gaze was as imposing as a mountain, leaving him no time to think.
I could only answer truthfully: "First, he was my savior. When he saved me, he was the Ninth Prince, so I recognized him as the Ninth Prince."
Gu Chengye was somewhat disappointed.
"Secondly, he was unaware of his own identity. When he did find out, he immediately gave up the struggle for the throne and instead went to kill the King of Western Liao."
I still considered him a great man.
Third, he is already dead. If he still had power behind him, it would endanger Daqian, and I would not hide it. But he had nothing. He died alone in the Western Liao army camp.
I think there's no need to tear that veil off anymore; even on his deathbed, he hoped he truly was the late emperor's son.
They are pitiful in life, and pitiful in death.
No one cheered for him.
But Ling Xiao knew that he had also done a lot to defeat the Western Liao.
Ling Xiao's eyes reddened slightly.
Gu Chengye's gaze softened.
Finally, Ling Xiao said, "Fourth, I'm also thinking of myself."
The royal family will not tolerate such a scandal; speaking out to demonstrate loyalty could only bring trouble upon oneself.
"General, I have finished speaking."
"Well done, Ling Xiao!" Gu Chengye slammed his hand on the table, his voice booming, though it didn't sound like he was angry.
"It fulfilled both the kindness and the righteousness."
As for the last point, his consideration for himself proves that he is an upright person.
He did not disappoint.
When the remaining soldiers were interrogated one by one, three of them couldn't wait to surrender, revealing all the shameful things Ji Canglin had done when he was a prince, as well as his identity as the illegitimate son of the King of Xiliao.
Although Ji Canglin was capricious and fickle, and had killed many people, he never mistreated the personal guards he had painstakingly gathered.
Those who betray their masters for personal gain are despicable and deserve to be killed.
Gu Chengye laughed loudly.
He handed Ling Xiao a letter; it was from the capital and bore the emperor's seal.
"Ling Xiao, I have reported what you did to the Emperor. The Emperor is magnanimous and loves talent, and has exonerated you. However, the rule that you shall never leave the Northern Border for the rest of your life will still be upheld."
From now on, you will work under my command.
The Northern Barbarians are still not giving up; we must not let our guard down.
As for your three messenger companions, they don't need to build city walls anymore. Go survey the terrain and monitor the waterways.
A tremendous stroke of good fortune struck Ling Xiao, leaving him completely stunned.
Gu Chengye smiled again and thanked him sincerely: "It was thanks to you and Mo Lang that my wife and child were safe and sound. Putting aside our status, you are my benefactor, Gu Chengye. Please accept my bow."
"No, General, I... I dare not."
...
Gu Chengye bought Ling Xiao a small courtyard house near the General's Mansion.
As they were leaving the mansion, they ran into Wen Qingyu and Shen Jingshu, who were returning from outside.
The two were talking excitedly:
"Did you see that? The caravan leader looked so smug, thinking he'd gotten a great deal. In the end, he lost the price of ten horses!"
"He's too arrogant and looks down on us women."
The serene beauty shone brightly, a sight I had never seen before.
Ling Xiao momentarily forgot to dodge, until he heard General Gu's resentful voice behind him:
"Madam, I finally got a day off, and you just abandoned me and ran away."
Wen Qingyu and Shen Jingshu then noticed the two people in front of them.
Ling Xiao had already lowered his head and moved aside.
Shen Jingshu glanced at it and smiled, "General, there's no need to worry. I've already had people looking for a suitable courtyard. Once we find one, we'll move out. It won't interfere with your loving relationship."
Gu Chengye: "Why bother? Lingxiao's courtyard is quite large. You can move there today."
Wen Qingyu glared at him, "What nonsense are you talking about? Why would Jing Shu move there? She has nothing to do with Ling Xiao!"
"Yes, Madam, please don't be angry." Gu Chengye carefully helped her up.
He laughed and said, "That's only possible after we're married, Miss Shen, don't you think?"
“Yes,” Shen Jingshu replied readily.
"But I don't want a shabby wedding. I've brought so many caravans to the North, shouldn't you give me some reward?"
"Here you go! The officials have noted it all down! Settle the accounts immediately."
Shen Jingshu went into the mansion to see the children with satisfaction.
Ling Xiao's mind was in a mess, still trying to figure out what the conversation had meant.
Gu Chengye kicked him in the butt:
"Hurry up and prepare the wedding gifts, and quickly marry your woman and son. You're monopolizing my wife all day long, and I can't stand it for even a day longer!"
Marry me, marry me, will you marry me?
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