Chapter 72: Going back to the capital, Cheng Xianzhi is afraid that I will run away?
Xie Zhao surrendered, and the more than one hundred bandit soldiers were recruited into the capital. The army returned from the official road. Lu Tingwan sat in the carriage, lifted the curtain, and when she looked back, she saw the towering Qingyao Mountain behind her, and behind Qingyao Mountain was Jiangling, which was out of her reach.
"Second Madam, the journey to Kyoto is bumpy. If you are injured, please call me if you feel unwell. The Lord has ordered Han Zhou to serve by your side."
Lu Tingwan chuckled, "Cheng Xianzhi is probably afraid that I'll run away."
"That's impossible. The Second Madam has a sense of what she can and cannot do."
She glanced at Han Zhou, unable to see through him.
Half a month later, the army entered Kyoto. Due to the long march, Lu Tingwan's wound healed and then tore again several times. Until he arrived in Kyoto, the wound had not healed yet.
Along the way, Cheng Xianzhi only allowed her to visit Xie Zhao once, and Lu Tingwan handed him the blueprint for the Sunset Bow. She firmly believed that one day, Xie Zhao would realize his ambitions in Kyoto and forge the Sunset Bow that he so longed for.
In Hanzhang Palace, Cheng Xianzhi presented the report on the bandit suppression campaign. In Bin and Tan states, a total of 21 bandit dens were cleared and a total of 2,340 bandit soldiers were captured.
During the most difficult Qingyao Mountain clearance, Lu Tingwan assisted the imperial army in attacking the mountain, risking his life to reclaim wasteland for the villagers of Baita Village to make a living.
Lu Tingwan also recounted her experiences with the people of Bin and Tan prefectures in Hanzhang Hall, and publicly explained the righteous deeds of Xie Zhao and others. Rather than calling them bandits, she preferred to call them righteous bandits. She also accused local officials of neglecting their duties, condoning oppression, and doing nothing.
In the end, Xie Zhao and others were placed in a military camp outside the city by Cheng Xianzhi. He specifically asked the Ministry of Works for a piece of land to build a training ground for the recruited bandit army, and Li Tingfeng readily agreed.
Jiang Haiyi, who has always led troops in battle, is quite displeased with these bandit troops of all kinds.
Cheng Xianzhi would not place these bandit troops under Jiang Haiyi's command. He wanted to conserve his energy and be ready for action. Anyone in Kyoto could look down on such a team, but he wanted them to be as sharp as a blade when unsheathed.
The news of the army entering the city reached the Cheng Mansion early on. Gongsun Xue received a letter from home two days ago, saying that Cheng Xianzhi would arrive in Kyoto soon.
However, when the reporting general entered the palace, there was an inappropriate person included in the information he reported back home.
Luzhu will pass the news she heard from Cangshu to Yingyue Pavilion.
"Madam, the Lord has entered the city, but..."
Gongsun Xue hadn't seen him for months, and her mind was always thinking of that face. At this moment, she was filled with joy: "He's back. I'll go to the door to greet him."
"Well..." Luzhu hesitated, "The second wife also came back."
"What?" Gongsun Xue's smile froze, and the handkerchief clenched tightly in her hand became messy. "Lu Tingwan? Didn't she disappear?"
"I heard that in Hanzhang Palace, His Majesty also awarded the Second Madam with military merit."
"Lu Tingwan is a woman, neither a soldier nor a general, so what kind of military merit was awarded to her?" Gongsun Xue's heart was in turmoil, and she couldn't understand it.
I thought he was gone, but how could he come back with Cheng Xianzhi? He was even awarded for his military merits. How would she cope with being the wife of the Cheng family?
"Second Madam bravely fought against the bandits at Qingyao Mountain, risking her life and persuading them to surrender. It was our Lord who requested her military merit in Hanzhang Palace. Madam, is this true of the Second Madam's request for an audience with the Minister of the Central Secretariat?"
Luzhu suddenly felt scared. Now that Lu Tingwan returned to Kyoto in this identity, she thought no one would blame her for leaving the capital without permission.
"Has the master left the palace?" Gongsun Xue said with forced composure, "Since the master and the Second Madam have returned to the capital together, and the master has been burdened with leading the troops to suppress the bandits, and the Second Madam has also led the troops, I, as the master's mother, naturally have to welcome her with great ceremony."
"Luzhu," Gongsun Xue said as she sat in front of the dressing table, "Tell the servants to tidy up Yansheng Hall and send some daily clothing. Choose the best from the storeroom. If there's anything missing, have the housekeeper take care of it."
"Yes, Madam." Luzhu wrote down everything.
"Please help me dress up." She took off the pomegranate coral red hairpin from her bun and replaced it with a plain and elegant jade hairpin. It was sent by Cang Shu to Yanyu Tower as instructed by Cheng Xianzhi.
After the hour of You, the setting sun disappeared, and the huge team stopped at Cheng Mansion. Han Zhou led the way in front. After leaving the palace, Cheng Xianzhi no longer rode a horse, but got into Lu Tingwan's carriage.
"You've been exhausted from the journey, and I didn't want you to get injured along the way." Cheng Xianzhi seemed to want to explain something.
Lu Tingwan glanced out the window, and familiar scenes came into her sight one by one. She did not feel the joy of returning to the old place, but felt heavy-hearted and reluctantly accepted the result that could not be changed.
When she started on her return journey, there was no chance of escape.
"I know," she said, her eyes fixed on the carriages and tourists on the street, her tone dark, "Minister Cheng will definitely not trust me to return alone. If I ruin your grand plan, what will be the punishment for me, Lu Tingwan?"
"You are resentful." Cheng Xianzhi said steadily.
Lu Tingwan agreed and remained silent.
"As you wished, I have sought credit for you in Hanzhang Palace. His Majesty has granted you the title of Marquis of Hudu. No other woman in Kyoto has such an honor."
"Humph," Lu Tingwan sneered, "It's just an empty position."
"Even if it's an honorary position, you can enter and leave the military camp or the palace with legal authority in the future."
"Your Majesty, this title of Protector General was not promised to me, Lu Tingwan," he said, twisting the curtain into a ball between his fingers before releasing it. "It was given to Lu Mingqian and Cheng Xianzhi, but not to me, Lu Tingwan!"
"Am I right?" She tilted her head slightly and glanced at the person.
Cheng Xianzhi's breathing was steady, with a half-smile on his lips. Li Tingfeng's move was indeed to balance the two families. Lu Tingwan was originally the Queen Mother's man, and now he returned to the capital with such an identity. In Hanzhang Palace, an exception was made to award him the title of Marquis of Guardian. This was not only a sign of respect for the Cheng and Lu families, but also a gesture of goodwill to the Queen Mother, so as to prevent Cheng Xianzhi from showing off his edge and arousing the Jiang Party's fear.
The reason why Jiang Haiyi, the bandit soldier, was not afraid was that he had never seen how powerful this army would become in the future.
"You wanted to gain military merit in the first place, but now the emperor has given you a title and a reward. What else is there to be dissatisfied about?"
Yes, what else could she be dissatisfied with?
"Sir, we're here." As soon as Han Zhou finished speaking, the carriage windows, horse hooves, wheels and armor suddenly stopped.
Gongsun Xue had already been waiting with the servants in the mansion.
Cheng Xianzhi, dressed in black armor, got off the car first. Gongsun Xue's brows relaxed, her beautiful eyes were tender, and she lifted her skirt to walk down the stairs.
The light blue figure on the carriage followed the black one.
He stretched out his hand. The wound on Lu Tingwan's body still affected her movements. She hesitated for a moment, took hold of his wrist, used the force to dismount, and after she stood firmly, she quickly let go without stopping at all.
Gongsun Xue's skirt, which had been held tightly in her fist, loosened up again and remained there until Cheng Xianzhi turned around and bowed to him in the most dignified and generous manner.
"Xue'er congratulates the master on returning victorious."
His eyes fell on Cheng Xianzhi without reservation, but his eyes couldn't help but glance at Lu Tingwan beside him.
Lu Tingwan also bowed.
"Sorry to have kept you waiting." Cheng Xianzhi stepped onto the stairs, took off his helmet and Han Zhou took it, then led Gongsun Xue and everyone in the mansion into the house.
After everyone went in, Han Zhou looked around for a few seconds and asked, "Second Madam, aren't you going in?"
The towering plaque with eye-catching large characters - Cheng Mansion.
Stepping onto the stairs again was like returning to the tiger's lair.
"Second Madam, don't worry too much. My Lord always keeps his word. If the things he promised are fulfilled, he will set you free."
"Is this the reason he deceived you so wholeheartedly that you are so loyal to him?"
Han Zhou smiled and shook his head.
In Yingyue Pavilion, Cheng Xianzhi took off his armor and changed into casual clothes. Gongsun Xue ordered people to prepare hot water, but Cheng Xianzhi had no intention of taking a bath in Yingyue Pavilion.
He didn't say anything, just waiting for Gongsun Xue to ask.
"My Lord, you have been traveling all the way back to the capital. When you heard that the army had entered the city, Xue'er waited for a long time..."
"You want to ask Lu Tingwan?" He asked straight to the point, as he wanted to get some things clear.
"Well," Gongsun Xue's eyes were filled with grievance, "Xue'er wants to know how Lu Tingwan came back with the army."
This was the first time she lost her composure in front of Cheng Xianzhi.
"I also have something I want to ask you." Cheng Xianzhi looked at Yun Danfeng calmly, his eyes sharp.
"Half a year ago, when you and I were staying at the Zhongshu Ling Mansion, Lu Tingwan came to look for me. Is that true?"
"At that time, my father and you..."
"You just need to answer yes or no." His voice was horrified, and Gongsun Xue saw a hint of coldness under his gentle face.
"yes……"
"You delivered the message in my name, and that's why she left the capital in anger!"
Ever since he sent his troops south, Gongsun Xue had been worried day and night in Kyoto, fearing that he would be exhausted from the march and seriously injured. She had to guard the huge mansion alone and manage the household business for him, hoping that her husband would come back and apologize for his hard work, as a comfort to her.
But Cheng Xianzhi seemed to be here to collect debts, settling old scores with her without mercy.
"I, I didn't mean to do it, husband..." Gongsun Xue's temperament is considered gentle among women, at least compared to Lu Tingwan.
"After Lu Tingwan left, I didn't care whether she lived or died. It was just one of your actions that nearly caused such a disaster," he said, his voice softening. "I know you're gentle and considerate, kind and humble, not the jealous, irritable woman you see. Lu Tingwan is now a renowned bandit-suppressing hero, personally bestowed the title of Protector by His Majesty. Even if Xue'er feels resentful, for the sake of you and me, could you please be a little more tolerant in the mansion from now on?"
Cheng Xianzhi gently stroked the jade hairpin, revealing all his tenderness in disguise, and Gongsun Xue fell for it again.
"Then, then, my husband, do you still feel resentful towards Xue'er?"
"No complaints."
"Xue'er will keep this in mind."
"You must be tired tonight. I'll go to the study. Although we've returned to Kyoto, I need to keep an eye on the placement of the bandit army. You'll have to work hard during this period." Cheng Xianzhi tucked the hairpin into his bun, turned around and left Yingyue Pavilion.
He left again, never with any affection to stay. His departure was not so decisive. He didn't seem like his wife, but more like a hired housekeeper. Gongsun Xue looked at the empty yard, feeling mixed emotions.
Feng Xin learned in Yansheng Hall that Lu Tingwan had returned. Before he could reach the outside of the mansion, he saw Lu Tingwan returning as he passed by the back garden. Feng Xin hugged her and cried like a baby, scaring the birds resting in the garden. Lu Tingwan had to hold on to her injured body to comfort her.
Since she left, Feng Xin has been staying in Yansheng Hall. She was a maid who came with the dowry. Since Lu Tingwan was not divorced, she could only remain a maid in the Cheng family.
The lights in Cheng Mansion were on all night long. Gongsun Xue sat in front of her dressing table, staring at the jade hairpin in a daze.
At the desk in the study, Cheng Xianzhi never stopped reviewing official documents until late at night. There were too many things to consider. No matter how meticulous and skillful he was, and the important position he held, there were times when he was overwhelmed.
Inside Yansheng Hall, Feng Xin tore off the gauze that was almost stuck to the flesh. The wound, half healed and half torn, was shocking to see.
The tears that Feng Xin had finally managed to hold back flowed out again.
Lu Tingwan was in pain, so she cried while applying the medicine.
Lu Tingwan asked Feng Xin about what happened to the Lu and Cheng families in Kyoto after she left.
Only then did I learn that Lu Tingwu had married into the Jiang family before the end of last year. The couple lived in harmony after marriage. Jiang Yanli treated her with great respect and doted on her, like a pearl in his palm.
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