Chapter 62
In this historical context, the living rarely have time to remember the dead. Whether Yuan Qiong can accept this fact or not, history marches on along its predetermined path.
In this life, there are ways to live even when you're poor, and ways to live even when you're rich.
Poor, pedantic scholars often extol the words of sages, vainly attempting to use them to gain access to the heavens, such as Zhao Shixian.
The rich kid, who had been wallowing in filth, crawled out of the steep, ghostly place, disguised himself as a white crane, and lay down among flowers and wine, like Lin Jiangzhi.
Those who come from humble beginnings but happen to learn unparalleled martial arts skills and have other extraordinary encounters are lucky individuals, such as Catherine Hung.
In this chaotic world, no matter what kind of life one leads, as long as one has desires, one cannot escape being manipulated by fate. When Hong Xin followed the trajectory in the book and killed the Jiangbei Prefect, and with the help of the Hongmen, seized control of the Jiangbei military, raised a banner, and incorporated refugees outside the city and several rebel armies, she became the largest rebel army in the Great Yan—the Hongmen Army. She was nicknamed "The Butcher."
Why is he called a butcher?
Because all those in the Jiangbei army and among the refugees and rebels they incorporated who refused to submit were massacred by Hong Xin and buried in the sinkhole. His handsome face was now stained with an indelible, burgeoning ambition, instantly making everyone feel unfamiliar, chilling, and terrifying.
Blood stained the entire land of Jiangbei Province. Every survivor who experienced the horrific scene shudders at the memory.
The Hongmen army occupied the prefectural governor's mansion as their main camp, and Yuan Qiong naturally became a prisoner.
"Young lady, they say they want to see you, would you like to go and see them?"
Her roguish tone still carried a hint of teasing, but the way Yuan Qiong looked at Hong Xin was completely different.
She slowly rose to her feet, her loosely styled serpentine bun adorned with a few star-studded hairpins. Her pale yellow dress paired with a grass-green shawl exuded elegance. She raised her haughty chin and chuckled softly, "Of course."
This was the first time she truly looked at this man who exuded the air of a street thug. In essence, they were the same kind of people: skilled at disguising themselves and ruthless in their methods.
"Please." Hong Xin made a gesture with a smile. Hong Xin always had the patience to tame the prey she had already caught.
Yuan Qiong brushed past him without looking at him, her smile perfectly timed, making it impossible to guess what she was thinking.
As time went on and the legends became increasingly fantastical, not only did the refugees hold the "Fairy of Yaochi" in the highest esteem, but all the people of Jiangbei and the rebel army from outside the region increasingly believed that the "Fairy of Yaochi" was sent by heaven to save them from their suffering.
In times of great difficulty, people need faith to sustain them. Under Lin Jiangzhi's covert manipulation, Yuan Qiong has now become everyone's faith and their spiritual pillar.
Lifting her skirt, Yuan Qiong walked step by step onto the prayer platform specially built by Hong Xin. Looking down at the kneeling rebels, she felt a deep sense of irony.
Not long ago, she was the most noble empress of the Great Yan Dynasty, issuing decrees to suppress these rebellious armies. Now, she is the faith of these rebels, meant to encourage them to oppose the court and overthrow the Great Yan.
How ridiculous...
“Lord Hong said that I should say something to everyone.” Yuan Qiong clasped her hands together on the edge of her upper garment. Her features were delicate and sharp, exuding the unique aura of a superior. Her demeanor was dignified and solemn. “I don’t actually know what to say to everyone.”
“I am not the all-powerful fairy you speak of, I do not have the ability to move mountains and fill seas. I am just like you, an ordinary person with a mortal body, born of a mother and raised by a father. It is precisely because of this that I can empathize with the suffering of the people; I feel compassion when I see refugees starving, and I want to do my part to help them.”
Hong Xin wanted her to be the military's mascot to boost morale. But how is she any different from before? Aren't they all just puppets in someone else's hands?
“You are just like me, with your own parents and relatives, with people you care about. So, every time I see someone suffer or be disappointed, I feel a little guilty. Every time I can help one more person, I feel a little happier.”
She couldn't help but think of the mother and daughter in prison, wondering if they were doing well now.
"Just two days ago, I received devastating news: my grandfather, who raised me, passed away. At that moment, I was extremely saddened. I believe most people can understand the helplessness of losing a loved one. In the past few days, we have witnessed too much death. Every drop of blood on the land of Jiangbei provincial capital is a tragedy for a family. Therefore, I hate war very much. I do not want anyone to become a victim of war."
"I cannot say the words that Lord Hong asked me to say, because they go against my conscience. I cannot offer any encouragement here; I can only offer my blessings, wishing that everyone can escape the war soon and no longer suffer the pain of losing loved ones."
Yuan Qiong's eyes were red as she finished speaking, and every soldier below bowed their head and wiped away tears. If they could go home, who would want to fight? If they could live, who would want to die?
When she stepped down from the prayer platform, the entire military camp was filled with weeping, and morale was at its lowest point. Hong Xin looked at Yuan Qiong with an extremely dangerous gaze.
However, she didn't care, feigning frailty and looking at him with a startled expression. Yuan Qiong was convinced that Hong Xin wouldn't dare to touch her at this critical juncture.
As it turned out, her thinking was correct. Although the soldiers had been intimidated by Hong Xin's brutality and dared not directly express their dissatisfaction, they still looked at her with worried eyes, fearing that this inhuman butcher might do something terrible to their kind fairy!
"Lord Hong... Lord Hong..." Yuan Qiong bowed, feigning panic, "I..."
Before she could finish speaking, Hong Xin grabbed her wrist and pulled her up!
"Miss Wang Yao, there's no need for that. You are kind-hearted, how could I blame you?"
Who knows what might happen if this woman keeps talking!
“You must be tired after being out for so long, Miss Wang Yao. Come back with me.”
After saying that, he pulled her inside. Yuan Qiong didn't struggle, but only made a gesture of not daring to resist, which made Hong Xin seem even more ruthless.
Upon entering the main hall, Yuan Qiong abruptly shook off his arm, calmly rubbing her wrist, which had been marked with red welts, completely devoid of the panic she had shown outside.
"Young lady, do you know the serious consequences of your actions?" Hong Xin looked at her darkly, while Yuan Qiong chuckled, "Oh? What does Lord Hong want? To kill me?"
“Kill? No, no, no, young lady, you have too little confidence in your charm. How could I bear to kill you?” Hong Xin suddenly stepped forward, grabbed her arm, and pulled her into her embrace: “I have other ways to punish you, young lady, would you like to try them?”
"Oh?" Yuan Qiong was not intimidated at all. Her clear, glassy eyes stared at him, her fox-like smile unchanged: "Punishment? Does Lord Hong think I would scream and shout like an ordinary woman, for fear that you would molest me?"
"Aren't you afraid?"
Why should I be afraid?
Her confident demeanor made Hong Xin somewhat suspicious. He immediately remembered that she had been married before and had a lover! Naturally, she wouldn't be as concerned with chastity as an unmarried girl.
Yes, this young lady is wild, very wild!
"........"
This left Hong Xin with mixed feelings.
After a brief standoff, Hong Xin grew increasingly angry, even feeling as if she were about to be cuckolded. Finally, she angrily shoved her away: "Don't women need to respect themselves?! I've already given the word that I'll be marrying you in a few days. You'd better behave yourself from now on. If you do this again after we're married... again... again! I will definitely not let you off!"
After saying that, he flung his sleeves and stormed off, leaving Yuan Qiong completely bewildered.
Is this person crazy?!
She just said she wasn't afraid of his threats, right? She has plenty of trump cards up her sleeve, so why is this guy so angry?! He's crazy!
**
Lin Jiangzhi naturally learned of the news that Hong Xin was going to marry Yuan Qiong, and now he was panicking. His sister-in-law was alone at the Hongmen headquarters; if something happened to her, his elder brother would kill him when he returned!
"Young man, quickly prepare paper and ink for me."
He can't make the decision on this himself; he must discuss it with his older brother beforehand!
As a result, he had just finished writing his letter and hadn't even sent it out yet when he saw a yellow bird fly down from the sky.
"Hmm? Oriole? Big Brother?"
The boss is back?!
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