He knew that this reform had to succeed, not only for his personal honor, but also for the people in the north who had suffered from the ravages of war, and for the entire Southern Dynasty.
They yearn for peace and hope to return to a peaceful life on this land.
It is also for the soldiers who fought bravely on the front lines; their bravery and sacrifice must be rewarded and recognized as they deserve.
More importantly, the outcome of this battle directly impacted the fate and future of the Southern Dynasty. Therefore, he had to win; this was his requirement of himself and his promise.
When the night is quiet, this sense of responsibility surges into his heart like a tide, making it impossible for him to sleep.
But at this moment, an unprecedentedly firm strength surged within him, a strength that seemed to pierce through the heaviness of the night and illuminate his path forward.
He knew that as long as there was light in his heart, he would not be afraid of darkness.
In the next room, Rong Ning also had difficulty falling asleep.
She closed her eyes and pondered, her mind filled with various scenes from her return to Beijing.
She knew full well that dealing with this stolen goods was not a simple matter of right and wrong; it concealed complex political struggles and power games. She had to remain clear-headed, striving to secure the greatest benefits for the North while ensuring her and the Crown Prince's stable positions in court, so as not to be shaken by any force.
As night deepened, all was quiet, broken only by the occasional distant drumbeat. The sound seemed to remind people of the passage of time and to urge them to cherish every moment.
Rong Ning originally intended to use this time to rest and wait for the front lines to settle the accounts.
But for some reason, she was unable to fall asleep.
Perhaps because her worries were too heavy, or perhaps because her expectations for the future were too strong, she simply got up and left the room, wanting to take a walk in the yard to relieve the pressure in her heart.
The moonlight, like water, bathed the entire courtyard.
Rong Ning strolled through the area, feeling the gentle night breeze and the tender moonlight. Just then, she suddenly noticed that the Crown Prince had also slipped out.
The two looked at each other and smiled.
He stood next to Rong Ning and asked, "I've heard that the liquor in the North is very strong. I've never tried it before. Would you like some for me?"
Rong Ning tilted her head slightly, her eyes flashing with complex emotions in the moonlight. She was surprised by the Crown Prince's sudden request. "My sister said you can't hold your liquor, and Father is afraid you'll mess things up if you drink, so he doesn't like you drinking much. The strong liquor in the North is no joke. Do you really want to drink?"
“Ah Ning, Father isn’t here. I just wanted a little bit to drink, not much. You’re being too harsh on me.”
Ah Ning, look at how I'm pleading like this, how can you bear to let my cravings churn inside me?
It's just a few cups of wine, how could it affect me in the slightest?
Although my father is no longer here, if he knew that I was troubled by this trivial matter, he would surely rebuke you for being too harsh and for not understanding my good intentions.
"Just do as I say this once, okay?"
Tsk~ What kind of person is he!
It's as if not giving him a drink would be a huge mistake.
Rong Ning glared at him, annoyed. "This wine is indeed strong. If one is not full of heroic spirit, one may find it difficult to enjoy."
However, since you're in such a good mood, I'm naturally happy to oblige.
Anyway, she won't get drunk.
No matter how much you drink, you won't get drunk.
After saying that, she turned and went into the house. A moment later, she returned carrying two small silver cups and a pot of strong liquor specially brewed in the North.
The moonlight spilled onto the wine, giving it an alluring sheen, as if it also carried the ruggedness and resilience unique to the North.
"This wine is named 'Beacon Fire,' which is taken from the imagery of beacon fires raging on the northern border. Every drop contains the blood and indomitable spirit of the soldiers."
As Rong Ning spoke, she poured wine into a cup and handed one to the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince took the wine cup, gently swirled it, and the aroma of the wine filled the air. He smiled slightly and said, "What a fitting 'beacon fire'! Today, let us raise this cup to wish for peace in the north, and also to hope that in this turbulent court, we can be like this wine—strong yet true to our nature."
The two raised their glasses, clinked them together, and drank them down in one gulp.
The wine burned like fire as it entered our throats, instantly dispelling the chill of the night and seemingly igniting the fighting spirit and determination in our hearts.
Just as Rong Ning once told Rong Yang, the wine in the North is strong at first sip, but once you get used to it, you'll want to drink more and more.
Just like the challenges on the road of life, they may seem incredibly difficult at first, but once you cross that threshold, you will discover the fun and growth within them, and become more courageous and enjoy the process.
“The wines of the North are not just a treat for the taste buds, but also a metaphor for life, teaching people resilience and adaptability,” Rong Ning said.
The prince nodded and drank more and more quickly. His face flushed red as he drank, and his eyes shone with an unprecedented light.
He seemed to find some kind of resonance in this strong liquor; every sip was a reflection on past challenges, and every drop was an expectation for the future journey.
The wine, instead of turning into tears of longing, stirred up the lofty ambitions hidden deep within him.
He put down his wine glass, his eyes fixed firmly on the distance, towards Nanyang City. If nothing unexpected happened, Nanyang City would be the place where he would struggle to rise in his life.
The winds of the North seemed to grow even fiercer because of his resolve, but they also seemed to sober people up.
He knew that, just like the wine of the North, the road of life may be long and arduous, but as long as one has faith and the courage to face it, one can taste its sweetness and mellowness.
“A-Ning, you’re right.”
The prince murmured to himself, as if responding to his sister far away, and also as making a vow to himself, "No matter how bumpy the road ahead may be, I will be like this wine from the North, the more I savor it, the more flavorful it becomes, and the more I fight, the braver I become."
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
