If there is no wine for sale
After killing Deng Ning, Tang Qi felt no satisfaction of revenge, only an indescribable sense of unease. Deng Ning's dying words were like a needle, pricking him and causing pain at the slightest touch.
"Where's Tang Yan?" Ye Qian asked, his gaze passing over Tang Qi and landing on the person opposite him. "Where is Tang Yan?"
Shen Zhiqing helped him stand up. Tang Qi had wiped the sword in his hand clean with his sleeve. He stopped immediately when he heard Tang Yan's name.
It wasn't that he wasn't worried, but after learning of Ye Jin's death, mentioning Tang Yan again would be like stabbing Ye Qian in the heart.
He didn't know how to ask, or how to start the conversation, so Ye Qian spoke for him.
Tang Qi sheathed his sword and walked to Ye Qian's side. Their eyes met briefly in the air, both seeing the unfathomable pain and weariness in each other's eyes. Tang Qi lowered his eyes first and stood silently beside them.
If it were a nice day, they might collapse on the ground, comforting each other amidst the blooming peach blossoms and green willows of spring, finding joy in hardship.
But there is no sun today.
Moreover, two people chased after the sun and left.
It seems that all that's left for them is each other and an inescapable silence.
"I've found her." Gui Luo said succinctly: "Although Deng Ning is dead, the Southern Continent army is still outside Jue City. I've arranged for her to lead the Northern Dai army to the city first. If you don't quickly communicate with the city, and she's killed as a rebel, you can't hold me responsible."
Tang Qi frowned. He noticed that Gui Luo said "I arranged for her to lead the Northern Dai Army" instead of "I arranged for the Northern Dai Army to lead her." The two statements implied different statuses.
Over there, Shen Zhiqing forced herself to break free from grief and confusion. Her voice was hoarse, yet unusually firm: "Return to Juecheng. We must not lose it. Xiao Jin's blood cannot be shed in vain."
The journey back to Juecheng was not easy. When the city, scarred by war and with its walls covered in wounds, came into view, their hearts couldn't help but tighten.
The Southern Continent was not completely defeated.
When Sheng Xiaoxin saw Tang Qi and the others return safely, he visibly breathed a sigh of relief. However, when he saw that only a few of them had returned with him, his eyes widened in surprise before he immediately understood.
He didn't press the matter. The others did the same. They didn't ask why anyone was missing or why they hadn't seen anyone.
As long as you don't ask, you can just assume they went sightseeing.
Yes, it was just sightseeing.
Containing his sorrowful expression, Tang Qi briefly explained their current temporary cooperation with the Northern Dynasty.
Sheng Xiaoxin pondered for a moment, then nodded: "In extraordinary times, extraordinary measures must be taken. Defending the city is of utmost importance."
The following days marked the most brutal phase of the siege and defense of Jue City.
For some reason, even though Gui Luo was in the Northern Dynasty, the people at the front of the Southern Continent army always wore the same blue ghost mask as him. No matter how many times he died, "Gui Luo" would always appear at the forefront.
With such an immortal "god of death" general, the Southern Continent army went berserk, launching a relentless attack day and night. The city walls changed hands several times, only to be recaptured in bloody battles. Tang Qi and Sheng Xiaoxin fought fiercely on the battlefield below the city walls, leading the charge, their bodies covered in wounds and their armor shattered, yet they never fell.
The battle flag flutters, the crimson banner forever standing tall.
They became the faith of the Shuo Army.
Meanwhile, the Northern Dai army brought by Gui Luo and Li Pingfeng slowly approached from the outside, and silently surrounded the Southern Continent army in Jue City.
Fire broke out, shouts rang out, and horses neighed. The Southern Continent camp was thrown into chaos. Sheng Xiaoxin saw the signal from the city wall and immediately ordered the entire army to attack.
With coordinated attacks from both inside and outside, the Southern Continent Army commander was caught off guard. He hadn't expected the Shuo Army, trapped in an isolated city, to dare to launch a preemptive strike, nor had he anticipated the appearance of the Northern Dai Army. Panic ensued, and the soldiers scattered in disarray.
They quickly and decisively won the battle.
The Southern Continent army was routed, and the siege of Jue City was completely lifted. News of the victory spread, and the entire city rejoiced. The gloom of months of fierce fighting seemed to be dispelled by this hard-won triumph. Although ruins and rubble were everywhere within the city, the joy of surviving a catastrophe was evident on everyone's face.
That night, a simple yet enthusiastic victory banquet was held in the old mansion that temporarily served as the commander's residence. The flickering candlelight illuminated the tired yet excited faces of the surviving soldiers. The eldest prince, Sheng Xiaoxin, sat in the main seat, with Tang Qi, Cheng Junshi, Ye Qian, Shen Zhiqing, and others seated on his left and right.
Gui Luo and Li Pingfeng were not here. According to Tang Yan, who had returned, they led the Northern Dai army to treat the remaining remnants of the Southern Continent army like dogs.
The wine bowls clinked together with a dull thud. Sheng Xiaoxin raised his bowl first, his gaze sweeping over everyone present. His voice, though still hoarse with the exhilaration of battle, spoke: "Today's victory is not the work of one man or one moment; it is the result of the bravery of all the soldiers and the unity of the people of Juecheng! This first bowl is a toast to all the heroic souls who sacrificed their lives for the country!" He poured the wine onto the ground first, and everyone else followed suit in solemn silence. The wine seeped into the scorched earth, as if offering solace to those comrades who would never return.
Tang Qi silently poured out the wine, and many faces flashed before his eyes: Zhou Ziye, Ye Jin, countless soldiers, and even the Wolf Strategy Army who had died long ago.
Tang Qi looked up when someone suddenly tapped the empty bowl in her hand. Cheng Junshi was also holding a bowl and asked, "What are you thinking about?"
Tang Qi swallowed hard and chuckled, "I'm wondering how many more drinks I can have."
“Cheng Wang, human life is too cheap.” His eyes trembled. “Who will let them live?”
He poured another bowl of wine.
If we were to offer sacrifices bowl by bowl, the wine in all the wine shops combined wouldn't be enough.
Too many people have died.
Sheng Xiaoxin raised his bowl again, his tone sincere: "This second bowl is to all of you present. If it weren't for your efforts in turning the tide and fighting to the death, Juecheng would have long since perished! When I return to the capital, I will certainly ask my father for an imperial decree to grant you all a reward!"
The atmosphere at the banquet gradually warmed up, allowing the tense nerves of the past few days to relax a little. Amidst the clinking of glasses, the soldiers couldn't help but sigh when they talked about the fierce defense of the city and the sacrifices of their comrades, but more than anything, they felt a tacit understanding of fighting side by side and sharing life and death.
As the wine flowed freely, a slight blush rose to Sheng Xiaoxin's face. He turned to Ye Qian beside him and whispered, his voice carrying a rare hint of ease and anticipation: "Ye Qian, after this matter is settled and we return to the capital, Father Emperor intends to bestow a marriage upon Xiao Jing and me." His eyes held a rare longing. "I have no experience with this and don't know what to prepare. You and Miss Shen must give me some advice after you return to the capital."
Tang Qi was taken aback. His second sister and the eldest prince? He looked at the undisguised hope in Sheng Xiaoxin's eyes, and his heart was filled with complicated emotions. They had guarded the northern border together since they were young, and shared the same faith. If they were to get married, perhaps... it really would be a wonderful thing?
Ye Qian raised his bowl and gently tapped it against Sheng Xiaoxin's: "Your Highness's kindness is appreciated, and we will certainly do our utmost."
"Brother! You're getting married?! How come I didn't know?" Sheng Xingxing, who overheard their conversation, was shocked at the banquet. Tang Yan next to him tapped his arm and rolled his eyes, saying, "Now everyone knows."
Sheng Xingxing belatedly covered her arm and laughed awkwardly twice. Sheng Xiaoxin, on the other hand, burst out laughing, without any hint of blame: "I was trying to keep it a secret, but you've already spread it all out. Since that's the case, don't just sit idly by when it comes to the wedding in the capital. Help me with the arrangements."
"When you marry Sister Tang Jing, I will naturally throw you a grand and splendid wedding! Ayan and I will be the flower girls and page boys on either side of you!"
Tang Yan couldn't help but roll her eyes at him again, speechless, and said, "What kind of wedding needs such a big flower girl?"
Across from him, Sheng Xiaoxin continued with a veiled smile, "How are you going to throw me a grand celebration? Using your experience as a playboy in Jingzhou?"
Sheng Xingxing choked up. The gaze of the person opposite him pierced his heart. In order to save his life in the capital over the past few years, he had deliberately acted as a good-for-nothing and incompetent, which had ruined his reputation.
Someone bumped into the wine bowl on the table, and Sheng Xiaoxin patted him on the head, laughing as he said, "You little rascal, you've had a tough time."
He suddenly felt a lump in his throat. The palace was a cage; Sheng Xingxing's true heart would forever remain outside the city walls.
Yun An and Sheng Xiaoxin are the only warm sunshine in this cold-blooded, ruthless, cannibalistic city.
“It’s not hard work,” he took a breath and smiled at Sheng Xiaoxin, “Big brother, I wish you and Sister Tang Jing a happy marriage right here.”
"good!"
"Wishing Your Highness and General Tang a happy marriage!"
The sounds of drinking, laughter, and cheers never ceased.
Just as everyone was enjoying this rare moment of peace, a series of hurried and orderly footsteps approached from afar, breaking the noise in the courtyard.
A troop of weary imperial guards escorted a eunuch in a purple robe straight into the banquet hall. The newcomer was none other than Eunuch Kong, a highly favored close attendant of the emperor.
With a broad smile, Eunuch Kong strode forward and bowed deeply to Sheng Xiaoxin. His voice, though high-pitched, was warm and enthusiastic: "This old servant congratulates Your Highness! Congratulations, Your Highness! Your Highness was entrusted with a critical mission, defended the isolated city, and achieved a great victory in Nanzhou. Such unparalleled merit has greatly pleased His Majesty! He has specially ordered this old servant to travel day and night to deliver the imperial decree of reward!"
Behind him, the imperial guards carried in several large chests, which, when opened, were filled with gold, silver, and silk. The generals at the banquet reacted in various ways; some beamed with joy, while others seemed lost in thought.
Sheng Xiaoxin rose, calmly accepting the imperial edict. After a brief glance, he saw nothing but praise and routine rewards. He said indifferently, "Thank you for your trouble, Eunuch Kong. Defending the country is my duty, and I dare not claim credit."
"Your Highness is too modest!" Eunuch Kong's smile widened. He took a few steps closer and lowered his voice, saying, "His Majesty has another imperial edict concerning the post-war border affairs and Your Highness's return to the capital to receive rewards. It is of great importance. Please come to the inner room, Your Highness, so that this old servant may report to you in detail."
Sheng Xiaoxin's eyes flickered slightly as he glanced at the crowd behind him.
Tang Qi looked at Eunuch Kong and suddenly felt uneasy. He shook his head almost imperceptibly at Sheng Xiaoxin.
However, the person opposite seemed oblivious, and turned back to look silently at Eunuch Kong.
Tang Qi was about to get up when his hand was pulled and held firmly on the bench. "Your Highness, let me accompany you," Ye Qian, who was holding him down, said.
Sheng Xiaoxin spoke in a calm voice, seemingly frozen in place under Eunuch Kong's gaze. After a long while, he slowly turned around and gave Ye Qian a reassuring smile: "He is my father, the Emperor."
—I'll be fine.
Then, regaining her composure, she said to Eunuch Kong, "Please, Eunuch."
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