Chapter 101: The main text is finished. No divine blessing needed...
The two sides were locked in a stalemate, neither gaining the upper hand nor able to kill the other.
From afar, the sound of war drums filled the air, tearing open gaping holes from which flames burst forth, spewing out vast amounts of lava that scorched the land and the invading enemy, burning them until their skin was torn, their muscles ruptured, and their bones shattered.
This battle lasted for a long time.
The Great Bei army consisted entirely of elite troops, each fighting ten men at once. They killed countless enemies, beheaded countless people, and were also stained with large patches of warm blood.
The more blood there was, the more excited they became, and the more they fought, their eyes bloodshot with rage.
However, after killing one wave, another wave comes; after killing one batch, another batch comes; it's impossible to kill them all!
But they will always have times when they are exhausted, times when they are weary, and times when they can no longer hold their swords.
Therefore, the situation on the field has gradually become clearer and clearer: Da Bei is about to give up.
Another incense stick later, the soldiers of Dabei were few in number, and those who remained were all seriously injured. They still stood upright, but it was just a last-ditch effort.
On the field, the only one who consistently won, killing and hacking away, was He Beiqing.
He Beiqing was inevitably injured, but his twin swords never fell. He held them firmly in his hands and used all his strength to slash at the enemy's head. One head after another rolled to the ground, but after one head rolled down, another one stood up.
King Wusu had stopped sending troops into battle. He sat high on his horse, his disdainful gaze sweeping over He Beiqing. He remained silent, yet his words betrayed his unspoken message:
Surrender! No matter how strong you are, it's just a desperate struggle!
But He Beiqing showed him with his actions: Enough talk, let's fight!
He Beiqing's twin swords flew toward the King of Wusu. He wasn't the only one who understood the principle of capturing the king first!
He Beiqing used all his skills, his hands and feet bulging with veins, every move he made was extremely ruthless, a deadly stance.
King Wusu was surprised that he still had the strength to catch him off guard and get close. He retreated sharply, barely avoiding the fatal blow, but he was still injured and his arm was almost cut off!
King Wusu, enraged, also used all his strength to slash at He Beiqing. The two fought to a standstill, neither able to gain the upper hand, and both sustained injuries.
It was clear that He Beiqing was fighting recklessly, so the King of Wusu gradually fled from him and sent his men to attack.
Usu's soldiers swarmed forward and surrounded him. This was a very bad situation; when surrounded by many people, the only outcome is defeat.
As expected, no matter how powerful He Beiqing was, he could not withstand the siege of dozens or hundreds of people, nor the attack of various weapons. Before long, he was defeated and fell down.
He lay in a pool of blood, on top of the corpses of his compatriots, yet he still tried to stand up, supporting himself on his knees. But instead, he was met with a vicious kick, his kneecap slamming into the ground, and he could no longer stand.
This battle, whose outcome was already predetermined, dragged on for a full hour. Within the vast Forbidden City, countless lives were lost, yet those millions of lives were worthy of their deaths.
King Wusu, in the manner of a victor, raised the Wusu flag and prepared to hang it high above the Forbidden City.
He let out a victor's laugh:
"The banner of Da Bei has been pulled down by me. From this day forward, there is no more Da Bei! Do you submit? And who else is there?"
He thought victory was assured, that he would soon enter the palace and become the ruler of all under heaven, but suddenly a passionate voice rang out from the Forbidden City, where corpses littered the ground and no one was left to fight. The voice resonated and pierced his eardrums in an instant.
It was a loud, resounding, and heroic voice: "I! Still! Have! The! One!"
?
solitary?
King Wusu turned his horse around in confusion, and just then, the palace gates opened wide, making it easy for him to see who had come.
What came into his view was a golden-maned, strong, and soaring horse. The man on horseback was spirited and dashing, as swift as a shooting star. His muscles were tense and taut, and his blood was surging.
As soon as the reins tightened, he was half-levitated, close to the horse's neck, his legs straight and firm, his eyes as fierce as a storm, full of the posture of being ready to strike and dominate.
When he appeared, the soldiers on the battlefield were shocked, their breath caught in their throats, and then hope ignited in their eyes.
Inside the main hall, several dozen feet away, the Emperor and Empress were also shocked. Dragging their long dragon and phoenix robes, they quickly walked out of the hall, their eyes narrowing as if afraid they had seen wrong.
But the figure rushing towards them was extremely familiar. Even though he had become much thinner, he was still upright, tall, and slender. They couldn't mistake him.
It is Shen Jizhao!
It was Shen Jizhao, who had been unconscious for a long time and was secretly sent out of the palace!
He actually woke up! He actually got better!
They did not question why Shen Jizhao had come, nor did they criticize him for coming.
Because they knew that their son was not a coward, but a prince who would live and die with the Great Bei!
Shen Jizhao's eyes flashed sharply, and his lips parted in a mocking arc:
"I am here, and I will not allow you, such an enemy and traitor, to invade Dabei even a little bit!"
His words were powerful and resonant, conveying boundless strength and confidence.
Morale began to rise, and the soldiers who had fallen and were on the verge of death stood up, supporting themselves on their swords, and swayed as they gripped their weapons tightly again.
Shen Jizhao rode his horse at breakneck speed toward the King of Wusu, his eyes piercing him like sharp blades drawn from their sheaths.
The King of Wusu's eyes were as sinister as a venomous snake's, and he sneered in a chilling tone:
"Good! You're still alive! You and I are old friends from the battlefield, so today I'll show you, in a moment of mercy, how we, the Wusu, took over Dabei and changed its name, how Dabei was destroyed, and how you lowly Dabei people became our slaves, being skinned alive, having your bones ripped out, and your marrow drained day and night, reduced to mere playthings..."
"Whoosh!"
Before the King of Wusu could finish his provocative words, the Wusu flag in his hand was ripped apart by an arrow. The torn pieces of cloth fell mercilessly like autumn leaves swept away by the wind, and were trampled to pieces by the hooves of horses.
After a few moments, cheers suddenly erupted from the Forbidden City:
"good!"
Loud praises and thunderous applause erupted in the hall. People were united in their excitement over this triumphant act, and the soldiers on the battlefield were also in high spirits, their eyes red with pride.
King Wusu was extremely shocked and furious. He looked around, searching for the culprit, but the next moment, his evil eyes narrowed.
It was a woman!
At this moment, people's attention was drawn to the owner of this arrow.
Not far behind Shen Jizhao, a woman was seen holding a bow and arrow. She raised her arm and half-closed her eyes on horseback. Despite the jolting and shaking, she aimed accurately and decisively fired the arrow, greatly demoralizing the enemy!
"Fu'er!"
The Empress exclaimed in surprise.
The emperor stared wide-eyed in disbelief, his steps faltering.
King Usu clenched his fists tightly, licking his lips as he cursed menacingly:
"It's a woman! How despicable! How hateful! I will make you a camp prostitute and then tear you to pieces!"
Shen Jizhao instantly drew his sword and charged forward, flashes of silver light slicing through the sky. His eyes were filled not only with hatred and resentment, but also with raging fury.
"The women of Dabei are intelligent, brave, and fearless. You are not worthy to mention her!"
He wouldn't tolerate anyone slandering her! Not even a single word!
Jiang Shuifu smiled knowingly; with him around, she would never be afraid.
She nocked another arrow and began to kill the enemy, and the situation on the field began to shift again.
Shen Jizhao's swordsmanship is even more ferocious, integrating spirit, intention, energy, and strength to the extreme.
His sword seemed to transform into a nimble serpent chasing the wind and lightning, a brave and powerful dragon, while the sachet at his waist tumbled and leaped with every move he made.
Before long, they had driven the King of Wusu into a desperate retreat, leaving him utterly defenseless.
King Wusu was determined and resisted Shen Jizhao head-on. He was going to fight a war of attrition. He refused to believe that a sickly man who was barely holding on could last long!
He will personally crush and destroy the last hope of Da Bei! Then he will enter the imperial city in glory and devour this fat piece of Da Bei!
Unexpectedly, Shen Jizhao's breath lasted so long. King Wusu was beaten so badly that he was missing pieces of flesh and bone, and his body was covered in sweat and blood. Gravel stuck to his skin, flesh and bones, and he was in so much pain that he felt like he was going to bite his cheeks off.
Seeing this, he could no longer act recklessly. He summoned countless men to kill the enemy, because the most important thing was to destroy Da Bei.
It was another human wave tactic; this time, the central government's target became Shen Jizhao.
Shen Jizhao sneered. Unless he was reduced to ashes, he would kill as many as came! The more he killed, the more hope Da Bei would have.
So, with only a sword, a broken body, and a resolute heart, he killed wave after wave of enemies, seemingly tireless. Meanwhile, He Beiqing broke through all obstacles and rushed in, and the two fought side by side.
He Beiqing stood back to back with him, the two of them circling and coordinating their movements, one defending and the other attacking. He Beiqing loudly swore an oath:
"Your Highness, I swear to follow you to the death! I will go with you to the highest heavens and the deepest hell!"
Shen Jizhao's lips curled into a disdainful smile:
"Ha, I don't need it, nor do I want it. Save the Great General's vow for your fiancée! Don't worry, I won't steal it from you for your next wedding!"
This remark had a teasing tone, and He Beiqing easily sensed the jealousy in it.
Meanwhile, in the distance, Tang Shan'er on the main hall was extremely anxious. She was practically tearing her handkerchief to shreds and hopping around like a rabbit. It was clear that she felt both worry and admiration for her fiancé.
He Beiqing laughed until his heart trembled.
At this moment, the two seemed to have returned to the time when they fought side by side, plotting together to kill the enemy from the front and rear. They were good partners and good comrades-in-arms. All the previous grudges had disappeared without a trace. Or rather, in the face of matters of principle, they never had any grudges.
They remained proud masters and loyal subordinates, and also close friends with a deep understanding.
The two of them working together did indeed increase their combat effectiveness considerably. They killed hundreds of enemies, and the ground beneath their feet was piled high with heads.
So, the positions kept changing, and new positions were constantly being filled with heads, but they remained upright, wielding their swords.
However, their good fortune didn't last long. One wave of enemy troops wasn't enough, so two or three more waves came. One wave could only make a few cuts, but the next wave could cut their hands and feet. After several rounds, they were covered in wounds, panting, and exhausted.
He Beiqing was the first to be defeated. He had been fighting for several hours and was truly exhausted. His swollen and festering wounds were burning with pain, and his forehead was flushed.
His twin swords, embedded in the stone bricks, trembled and shook. Looking up, one could see his hands, their tendons seemingly about to break.
After settling him in, Shen Jizhao quickly straightened his back and chest. The blood-soaked sword in his hand continued to flow with red blood. He would never give up until the very last moment.
When the King of Wusu saw that he still refused to accept his fate, his anger burned fiercely again. After resting for a long time, he personally took his sword and slashed at him.
This time, he's definitely going to die!
Shen Jizhao was in an extremely bad situation. He was surrounded by wolves in front and tigers behind, and as the target of everyone's criticism, he was really unable to deal with the situation.
The King of Wusu came with overwhelming force, using deadly methods. His eyes were bloodshot, like those of a wild beast, and he bared his sharp fangs to bite him.
"Prepare to die!"
Shen Jizhao, dragging his exhausted body, barely managed to dodge, but what followed was an attack from all sides, a relentless pincer movement, and he was hit.
Once a tear is made, the remaining outer layer will be easily ripped apart. The tear will grow larger and larger, turning into deep slits that reveal the fragile interior. He tried to dodge, but he never noticed the sachet at his waist, which was almost torn apart.
Finally, King Wusu seized the opportunity and slashed at the center of Shen Jizhao's chest. This blow would surely send him to the underworld!
In an instant, his knife pierced Shen Jizhao's skin and plunged into his chest, causing drops of blood to flow from his heart.
He suddenly laughed, and thrust the knife forward with all his might. His eyes were fixed on the bleeding chest, eagerly anticipating piercing through the heart inside, pulling out the beating heart, and watching it gradually stiffen and finally become cold and hard as stone.
The next moment.
"puff!"
Blood spurted out and splattered on Shen Jizhao's face.
Taking advantage of the situation, Shen Jizhao turned the tables and thrust his sword, which could cut hair like mud, into the king's chest. Blood gushed out instantly, but the King of Wusu did not die.
Because the soldiers from Urumqi rescued him in time, his chest wound was not fatal.
"Tap tap tap!"
The sound of horses' hooves approached, and Shen Jizhao's eyes followed the sound intently.
His eyes widened, and his brows furrowed deeper.
The King of Wusu pulled the arrow out of his back. Just as he was about to pierce Shen Jizhao's heart, an arrow suddenly hit him, causing him to spit out blood. He was then almost killed by Shen Jizhao's sword. He coughed up several mouthfuls of blood and was in excruciating pain.
His eyes darted around with a sinister glint, searching, and finally landed on the person on horseback.
As luck would have it, he and Shen Jizhao were both looking at the same person.
The man on horseback held an arrow in his hand and kept shooting down those who blocked her way.
Her gaze swept across him, and in no time, she stood before Shen Jizhao.
She dismounted and came towards him, bent down and squatted in front of him, took out a handkerchief from her body and gently wiped his blood-stained face, her eyes full of heartache and fear.
What's there to be afraid of?
Are you afraid he'll die?
So you can disregard the clash of swords and the hail of bullets, rushing towards him amidst the flames of war?
Shen Jizhao stared blankly at the woman in front of him. She was so thin and delicate, yet she was willing to risk her life for him and save him at all costs.
This woman was his wife of three years, the one he didn't cherish and kept pushing away, the one he was heartbroken to lose and then desperately pursued—Jiang Shuifu.
Jiang Shuifu gazed into his incredulous eyes and recited her vow to him, word by word:
"I told you, when the enemy is at the gates, I will protect you! You didn't hear me, so I'll say it again!"
She's here to protect him!
Don't let him get hurt!
He actually heard it, but he just didn't believe it!
He was always the one protecting others, but he never expected that one day he would hear someone saying that someone wanted to protect him!
Shen Jizhao had never heard such sweet words before, nor had he ever felt his heart pounding so hard in his chest. He had no doubt that his heart would leap out of his mouth.
She was the one who gave him his first time.
It's incredibly shameful for a weak woman to protect a strong man; it's a sign of the man's incompetence.
But Shen Jizhao nodded, "I'm willing."
He remains the same person who values rules, etiquette, face, and dignity; he has never changed.
But all of that became meaningless when he met her.
She was his exception.
King Wusu was furious at the two people who were still cuddling on the battlefield. They were completely disregarding him. He let his wound bleed uncontrollably and launched another attack in a fit of rage, slashing wildly at them.
This time, he's determined to send them to hell.
Shen Jizhao, holding Jiang Shuifu, leaped into the air. When his first strike failed, the King of Wusu struck again, relentlessly chasing and hacking at them. At the same time, all the Wusu soldiers rushed towards them.
His palms were warm as he held the woman in his arms tightly, protecting her from the slightest harm, while his heart burned with a passion he had never felt before.
Perhaps it was the burning passion he felt for her that kept him going for so long, until a hail of arrows came flying in and he had nowhere to hide before he was captured.
Swords were held to his neck, and to Jiang Shuifu's neck, but his hand blocked her vital points; he would protect her even in death.
Jiang Shuifu only looked at Shen Jizhao. Although she didn't want to die, if she had to die, it would be good to die with him.
Seeing that he had finally been captured, King Wusu laughed heartily, looking down at him as he approached, pressing his foot against the back of the knife at his neck, the blade slicing in, a blatant threat:
"Hahaha! I'm giving you a choice: do you want to end your life by throwing yourself under the sword, or do you want to watch me destroy your father and mother, your people, and your country? Which do you choose? Now, in the entire Great Bei, you are the only one left. Your defeat is inevitable!"
But before the King of Wusu could appreciate his dying expression or the pain of his country's destruction, he was caught off guard.
At that moment, the sound of horses' hooves thundered from the gates of the Forbidden City.
Someone's here!
The arriving people spoke with great enthusiasm, shouting in unison:
"And us too!"
The King of Wusu looked sharply, and in his pupils, one after another, armored warhorses leaped into view.
They introduced themselves and their purpose:
"The eldest prince of Dabei, go into battle!"
"Second Prince, charge into battle!"
"Third Prince, charge into battle!"
...
The princes have all returned, and together they will defend the imperial city and the Great Bei!
The scene was extremely spectacular. Why was it spectacular? Because not only had the princes returned, but they were also followed by ordinary people!
The people picked up hoes and sickles as weapons, mustered all their strength, and ran and charged into the battle.
They roared, their eyes filled with unwavering determination and fearlessness in the face of death:
"We are born of Da Bei, and we will die as the souls of Da Bei! We will never surrender, we will never yield!"
This sound echoed throughout the Forbidden City, the entire capital, and the entire Dabei!
The power of the masses should not be underestimated.
Shen Jizhao laughed, a genuine laugh, a proud laugh, and so did Jiang Shuifu.
These are the people of Dabei. Dabei will not perish!
The group charged forward in a flurry, but Shen Jizhao, taking advantage of the moment when the Wusu soldiers were not paying attention, decisively removed the swords from Jiang Shuifu's neck and kicked them away.
These civilians who joined the fray became his inexhaustible source of motivation, unleashing boundless power within him.
Not only him, but also He Beiqing, who was suffering from a high fever, the wounded soldiers, and all the people of Dabei in the main hall, all burst forth with boundless passion and boiling hope.
Shen Jizhao held Jiang Shuifu in his arms, killing enemies as he walked towards a secluded place. He had to settle her down; she couldn't be harmed.
However, the journey was not easy. The soldiers of Wusu were relentlessly pursuing them, giving them no chance to breathe. Shen Jizhao defended from both sides, and Jiang Shuifu also shot arrows again and again. However, there were still times when they missed their mark.
Suddenly, a knife fell on Shen Jizhao's head. He was completely unaware. In the blink of an eye, hoes were used to desperately block the falling knife.
Shen Jizhao turned around and looked at the person who came, which surprised him greatly.
It was the common people, it was the common people who saved them.
The people remained silent, but their actions spoke volumes: they wanted to protect Shen Jizhao!
Jiang Shuifu had already raised her eyes to gaze at Shen Jizhao, meeting his gaze with a bright light and a hint of moisture in her eyes. She softly called to him:
"Your Highness, Your Highness, Your Highness..."
These repeated calls of "Your Highness the Crown Prince" expressed Jiang Shuifu's heartache and Shen Jizhao's bitterness, shattering the difficult choice and the infamy of being labeled a traitor, because it was the people's forgiveness and recognition.
They still acknowledge him as the Crown Prince!
They knew that even if it wasn't him, it would be someone else, and there would be other ways and means. Ambitious people will not give up harming living beings to achieve their goals.
They also saw Shen Jizhao on the battlefield; he was risking his life to protect them.
Therefore, he is still the Crown Prince in their hearts.
Shen Jizhao felt a mix of emotions, but he was also sincerely grateful to them. All his words could be summed up in just two short words: "No need."
This is what he should do, his responsibility and mission, and he will continue to atone for the sins he was forced to commit.
Jiang Shuifu was taken to a safe place, and Shen Jizhao's men protected her tightly. He had already sent people to protect her, and her coming here on her own was already causing him trouble. She couldn't be allowed to continue to be a burden to him.
But she can also contribute her own strength quietly without being a burden to him.
One arrow after another was fired from his bow.
Shen Jizhao wielded his sword with fierce and graceful movements, like an eagle swooping down, causing the wind and clouds to change color and his clothes to flutter. The sachet at his waist could not withstand such strength and broke.
The contents inside then leaped, spun, and rolled out, the round particles running and jumping everywhere, escaping in all directions.
The enemy soldier stepped on him, and he fell upside down, his neck dropping to the ground.
Shen Jizhao kept moving and leaping, and the round beads around his waist started to "rain" down, clanging and clattering as they hit, knocked, threw, and smashed around him, hitting his enemies who tried to kill him, protecting him with their meager strength.
He successfully broke through the encirclement once again, marched straight to the heart of the enemy, and attacked the King of Wusu. This time, he was going to take his head.
He hadn't noticed what the tiny thing under his feet was.
However, this particle has always been with him, silently paving the way for him.
Finally, the midday sun rose, and a fireball hung high in the sky, so dazzling and so intense, its golden light seeming to radiate boundless vitality.
Shen Jizhao's sword slashed at King Wusu's thighs, arms, and chest, leaving cracks all over his body.
King Wusu was like a leaky sieve, blood gushing from every vital organ in his body; he was on the verge of collapse.
In the current situation, Dabei and Wusu are evenly matched. However, Dabei's morale is unmatched by Wusu's. They are united in their efforts and of one mind.
The soldiers of Wusu rushed to support King Wusu, protecting him tightly. If their main force were to fall, they would face total annihilation.
At this moment, Shen Jizhao, who was fighting to the death, twitched his ears, then raised the corners of his mouth, the arc of which was extremely unrestrained. Those who knew him well would know that this was the smile of a winner who was about to deliver a fatal blow.
The next moment, wave after wave of people rode in from outside the Forbidden City.
They moved with lightning speed, their hooves pounding the ground. The leader, clutching the main banner of the Urumqi flute high, his eyes gleaming with pride and exhilaration, roared through the sky, his neck veins bulging.
"Wusu is destroyed! Wusu is destroyed! The three overlords are the Great Bei Dynasty!"
They're reinforcements!
Leading the group is Jiang Shuifu's father, Jiang Sheng!
As soon as Jiang Sheng finished speaking, the entire audience was stunned for three breaths, and all eyes turned to Jiang Sheng. They saw the majestic general on horseback waving the Wusu flag on his left and right, then tearing the flag to shreds. The thousands of troops behind the general trampled the flag, with each warhorse running over it.
Shen Jizhao, bracing himself against the sword pressed against the ground, straightened his chest and finally arrived.
Long before the Usu people entered the capital, he secretly contacted He Beiqing, asking him to enter the capital to divert Usu's attention. At the same time, behind the scenes, Jiang Sheng and other military forces ostensibly went to aid various places, but in reality, they had already rushed to Usu to attack cities and seize territory, wiping out their stronghold in one fell swoop.
King Wusu's face turned ashen. His strength dissipated, and he instantly collapsed. His main banner was taken down, signifying the fall of his kingdom!
The Kingdom of Ussuriysky has been destroyed!
Dabei destroyed Wusu!
Not only did they fail to conquer Dabei, they also lost their own country!
In an instant, the morale of the Usu bandits was completely extinguished. One by one, the Usu bandits were like animals drenched in a downpour, trembling and waiting for their final death sentence.
The King of Usu stared blankly at the main flag, which was covered in mud and dirt beneath the swirling dust. The flag, which symbolized Usu's unyielding spirit, was shattered into pieces, scattered and impossible to reassemble.
Shen Jizhao gave him no chance. Surrounded by layers of enemies, he leaped into the air and slashed down fiercely with his sword in both hands.
In an instant, under the beams of golden sunlight, gurgling bright red blood sprayed across the entire land and the Forbidden City, his blood a tribute to the innocent and unjustly killed people of Dabei.
Head falls! Ussuri is dead!
This rebellion has now come to an end!
Jiang Sheng also retrieved the antidote, a real antidote!
The people are saved!
At this moment, thunderous cheers erupted across the land of Dabei. Whether they were members of the royal family, civil or military officials, or ordinary people, everyone rejoiced and then wept bitterly.
Amidst the noisy and bustling background, Shen Jizhao remained kneeling with his sword in hand.
Therefore, he finally noticed the tattered sachet at his waist and the densely packed particles at his feet. His eyes widened suddenly, and then he focused intently, searching for and following the particles scattered on the ground.
He bent down and half-squatted to pick up one bright red grain after another. The grains were scattered everywhere, and it would probably take three days and three nights to collect them, but he never stopped. He searched and searched, picked up and picked up, not letting a single one go.
Soon after, his palms felt numb and tingly, and his fingers burned with pain.
He picked up another one gently, but this one landed at the feet of the woman who had just stopped running.
The woman moved with graceful steps, her skirt billowing like a flower. In just one glance, he knew that this woman was the one he loved.
He raised his head, cupped all the grains in his palm, carefully wrapped and protected them, and looked directly at the woman so close to him, Jiang Shuifu.
Jiang Shuifu witnessed his entire behavior, watching for a long time, so long that she could no longer wait. She rushed towards him, breathless, her hot breath falling on him, but even hotter were her resounding words:
"My wish is that my wife enjoys good health, happiness year after year, and smooth sailing every day."
My second wish is to be with my wife year after year, like phoenixes soaring together, growing old together in harmony.
My three wishes are to have a house full of children and grandchildren, and for my wife to love only me, to let me hold her, kiss her, and pamper her...
These wishes sound very familiar.
It was a wish that Shen Jizhao made to the Old Man Under the Moon.
It was also the wish that Jiang Shuifu had made at the beginning.
He responded to all her wishes and all her preferences.
Now, they are mutually in love and deeply in love.
Shen Jizhao was stunned for a long time. He realized that since she had been to Hongshan Temple, the Sichuan pepper sachet that suddenly appeared must have been tied for him by her.
Seeing his dazed expression, Jiang Shuifu couldn't help but smile mischievously. She then took the peppercorns from Shen Jizhao's hand, put them into the sachet she carried with her, smiled shyly at him, moved closer to him, and re-tied the peppercorn sachet for him.
"I regard you as a precious flower, and offer you a handful of pepper."
These are the words of lovers; she is responding to him, telling him her feelings, her love for him, and her affection for him.
After tying it on, Jiang Shuifu stared at him again, her eyes bright and watery, and solemnly vowed to spend the rest of her life with him:
"Flowers never fade, the moon is endless, and our hearts are one."
Shen Jizhao hadn't expected her to make such a weighty promise; his heart burned with excitement, and he responded to her:
"At this moment, I wish I could be a thousand willow branches, entangled by the spring breeze."
From then on, he wouldn't let a single word of hers be spoken.
He formally confessed his love to the woman before him, to the woman with whom he had shared love, hate, anger, and passion, to the woman he loved most in this life, the woman he would never forget until death:
"Miss Jiang has bright eyes and white teeth, a full figure and graceful bones, like a delicate flower in full bloom, extremely beautiful. We are a perfect match..."
The woman smiled radiantly, her face bright and cheerful. She raised her head slightly, but he cupped her face and turned it back to her upturned gaze. Then, he lowered his head again, so that she could see him completely without any effort.
From now on, she won't need to look up, because he will look down.
The wind blew and blew, bringing snow. The first snow was pure white and crystal clear. The woman happily scooped up a handful of snow, and the man blew it away, causing it to fall and settle on their faces and hair.
The man gently brushed away all the snow that had gotten on her. He didn't need to get soaked in the snow with her to grow old with her.
The snowflakes fell and blew again, running and jumping merrily, and in an instant they arrived at Hongshan Temple. The temple's main hall was warm and cozy, made of countless peppercorns.
It turns out that the peppercorns Shen Jizhao bought were all transported here. This temple is known for its fertility-granting properties, so it will likely be even more effective now, as peppercorns symbolize many children and blessings.
She never imagined that the arrogant prince, who believed in the power of human will and that human will could overcome nature, would also believe in and pray to the gods.
So she was willing to believe again, and just like she had in her teenage years, she wrote down a sentence.
The snow continued to fall, and when they saw the brand-new red silk, their eyes lit up. With a snap, they stuck it on.
The brand-new red silk ribbon reads:
Shen Jizhao, you're too greedy!
The woman's brushstrokes were lively and unrestrained, as if you could see her expression: she must be giggling non-stop, her eyes curved into crescents, pouting and muttering to herself.
No need for divine protection, just pray to her!
The man affectionately ruffled her hair; yes, she was his goddess.
His god was very proud, only staring intently at him, at his eyes, at his lips, without saying a word. He smiled and took the initiative to kiss him.
This kiss expressed all my love, as gentle as a breeze, yet so tender and lingering.
He took the initiative willingly and with all his heart.
He wanted her to be infatuated with him, to become obsessed, to fall into the sea of love and desire with him, and never be able to get back to shore.
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The author's note: "I regard you as a precious flower, and you give me a handful of pepper." —From the Book of Songs, Chen Feng, "The Fern by the East Gate"
Flowers bloom endlessly, the moon shines without end, and our hearts are one. At this moment, I wish to be a thousand willow branches, entwined by the spring breeze.
—From "A Brief Encounter Under the Flowers and Moon"
Bright eyes and white teeth, full figure and graceful bones, like delicate flowers and broken jade.
—From "The Magpie Bridge Fairy: Bright Eyes and White Teeth"
The main story is finished. I really didn't expect it to be so long. I wrote slower and slower towards the end, and I apologize for my inaccurate estimate. Thank you to everyone who has accompanied me, whether you've read halfway through, halfway through, or finished the main story. Thank you (bows). A special thank you to the readers who have never stopped reading and have been so persistent in feeding me. Just between you and me, I've remembered your IDs. Thank you again.
The following week will be dedicated to fixing bugs, and a bonus chapter will be released a week later. It's a sweet bonus chapter, featuring shameless and uninhibited daily life after marriage and the daily life of having children.
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