Heirate einen Beamten der Nördlichen Song-Dynastie

Kapitel 16

Xingge got up and got off the bed. He found that although he was still a little weak due to blood loss, the poison was gone and he could circulate his internal energy without any problems.

"Brother Ran, we're going to General Dou's camp today to ask him to send someone to escort you back to the capital."

Ran sat up, her face flushed. She was stunned by these words and pouted, saying urgently, "You, you, you want to start something and then abandon it!"

Xingge was both amused and exasperated. "What are you thinking! The peaceful days in Xicang won't last much longer. Given Brother Ran's status and abilities, it's inconvenient for him to stay here any longer."

"I want to die with you!" Ran muttered softly.

"Pah, pah, pah! I've survived a great calamity and am sure to have good fortune in the future. Don't curse me, are you delirious from the fever?" Xingge pretended to reach out and touch Ran's forehead, but it was burning hot to the touch. It must have been caused by her own icy body last night.

"You stay here quietly, I'll go get a car."

"It's alright, let's go back quickly. The servants have already reported to Dou Huai after discovering that someone was dead in the house, and they're probably looking for us everywhere."

Xingge helped Ran back to the courtyard, where Dou Huai had indeed arrived.

"Are you alright? What happened?" Dou Huai noticed that one of the two men was pale and the other was sweating profusely.

"Xiaodou, Brother Ran has a fever. Quickly find a carriage to take him back to camp. We can talk about this later. Also, send someone to capture Zhang Yaoniang from Tongli Lane. You and your men will come with me to 'enjoy spring breeze'."

Xingge and Dou Huai rushed to "Du Chunfeng," only to find the caravan deserted, along with Xingge's "Li Sao" that she had left in the room. The owner of "Du Chunfeng" produced the letter that Fourth Master had left for Xingge.

Boiling wine amidst the eternal snow of Tianshan Mountains,

Waiting for you to sing "Moon over the Mountain Pass".

With a light laugh, Xingge said, "Fourth Master, I will personally go to Xicang to retrieve the 'Li Sao'!"

Inside the military camp, Xingge explained the whole story to Dou Huai, and then interrogated Zhang Yaoniang.

Zhang Yaoniang was bound and kneeling on the ground with her head down. She caught a glimpse of the young master who had sneaked away the night before, and she was secretly alarmed.

"Zhang Yaoniang, who exactly is 'Fourth Master Du Chunfeng'? What is your relationship with him?" Dou Huai interrogated sternly.

"This humble woman replies to you, sir, that Fourth Master is a merchant from the Northern Jurchens who comes here every year to purchase goods. He has some business dealings with our shop."

"Hmph, do you recognize Aqi?"

"He is Fourth Master's attendant; I've seen him a few times at the shop."

“But we found the Northern Jurchen Palace Guard's badge on Aqi, and he confessed to everything, but what he said was very different!”

Zhang Yaoniang trembled. Aqi had discovered that she was missing last night and chased after her, but she never returned. Could it be that she did not leave the city with Fourth Master?

“The fact that Fourth Master entrusted me to the medicine girl for treatment suggests that it’s probably more than just a business transaction!” Xingge chimed in from the side.

Seeing Zhang Yaoniang's expression change slightly, yet she remained silent, Xingge rose from her seat, slowly walked to Zhang Yaoniang's side, took out the Fourth Master's dagger from her bosom, rubbed it in her hand, and smiled sinisterly.

"You, the Medicine Lady, have lived in Xicang for a long time, so you must know that there is a torture technique in Beijue called 'Fluffy Cloud Hand.' It is said that it can slice the skin as thin as fluffy clouds, and a person can be sliced into more than ten thousand pieces. I have only read about it in books and have always wanted to find an opportunity to try it. I wonder if you would be interested in cooperating with me?"

Sweat dripped down Zhang Yaoniang's forehead. She felt the cold glint of the dagger in her hand and hesitated for a long time.

"I only know that Fourth Master is a member of the Northern Jurchen royal family. He comes to Yumen Town every year to meet with certain people, but I really don't know the specifics."

"Hmph, I'm afraid there's more than just these this time!" Xingge chuckled.

"I only heard them say something about someone coming to assassinate me. I only provided a place for them to discuss things; I really don't know the specifics!"

“The medicine girl can heal my wounds, so her skills must be quite remarkable. It’s just that providing her with a place is a waste of her talent! Young Master Dou will find a place for you to think it over slowly. Tell us when you remember something.” Xingge winked at Dou Huai.

After everyone left, Xingge leaned back wearily in her chair.

"Xiao Xing, are you alright?"

"It's alright. What's your opinion on this?"

"This Fourth Master seems to be a member of the Northern Jurchen royal family. He dares to come to my Yumen every year. I have truly failed in my duty!"

"Xiaodou, there's no need to blame yourself. The Fourth Prince has never done anything outrageous here before. This time, he's just using the area to deal with the dissidents from the Northern Jurchens."

"You're certain that Fourth Master is the fourth prince, the commander of the Northern Jurchen Xicang?!"

"That Fourth Master has a magnificent appearance and the demeanor of a great general. Now look at this dagger. It has a pattern of eagles and clouds on it, which is a pattern that can only be used by members of the royal family of the Northern Jurchens."

"Then what is this?" Dou Huai pointed to the text-like pattern on the dagger.

“The Northern Jurchen script is a blessing. If I’m not mistaken, this was a gift from an elder in the family. And the last character is ‘息’ (xi)!” Xingge raised an eyebrow at Dou Huai.

"Tuolanxi!"

"Yes, the Tuolan clan of the Northern Jurchen royal family, 'Xi' is the name of the fourth prince!"

"Who would attempt to assassinate him at Yumen?"

"The Khan of the Northern Khaganate is getting old, and a struggle for the throne is inevitable. I suspect that someone in the Northern Khaganate wants to take advantage of the Fourth Prince's visit to the Central Plains to get rid of him, which would also be a good opportunity to frame him. The Fourth Prince is probably playing along, trying to find something to use against the other side. Mo has been in the Northern Khaganate for many days and should be back soon, at which point we can confirm the situation." After a pause, Xingge smiled lightly at Dou Huai, "We've been raising an army for a thousand days; who knows, there might be a war to fight."

"Our army has been training for over two years and has long wanted to conquer the Northern Jurchens!" Dou Huai clapped his hands and sang with great enthusiasm.

"Major General Dou, I'm just recovering from a serious injury and my blood and energy are greatly depleted! Quickly, give me a good boost!"

Over the next few days, Xingge stayed in the camp and was bombarded with a barrage of qi-tonifying and blood-nourishing herbs such as deer antler, angelica, and donkey-hide gelatin. Xiao Ran also recovered under the careful treatment of the military doctor.

Ten days later, Mo returned to Yumen Town and rushed to the camp to meet Xingge.

"Brother Mo, what did you gain from your trip to the Northern Jurchens?"

"Reporting to Young Master, when Mo arrived in Beijue, the Fourth Prince was indeed not in the Xicang camp. He appeared in the Beijue capital seven days ago. It is said that he captured an assassin sent by the Third Prince of Beijue. The Beijue court is currently investigating this case."

"Heh, just as I expected!"

"The Fourth Prince, Tuolanxi, is intelligent and wise, with superb martial arts skills. He is known as the number one warrior in the Northern Kingdom and is the most outstanding prince among them. He enjoys great prestige in the country and is also favored by the Khan. His mother is of humble status. It is said that he is vying for the throne with his elder brother, the Third Prince. In his early years, he traveled to the northern deserts and the Jiangnan region and is very familiar with the Central Plains. In addition, it is rumored that the Fourth Prince's appearance and age are very similar to those of 'Du Chunfeng' Fourth Master."

After pondering for a long time, Xingge said, "Moyi, you will set off back to the capital tomorrow. Please deliver a secret letter to the Prince and ask him to arrange for an inspection of Xicang as soon as possible."

"Yes!" Mo paused for a moment, then said softly, "Is the young master's injury fully healed?"

Xingge looked at Mo Yi with a half-smile, and after a moment, replied, "Thank you for your concern, Brother Mo. I am fine now. Please do not mention my injury to the Prince when you return."

Mo's eyes flickered slightly, but he remained silent.

28. Western Tour

The following day, Mo set off on horseback without stopping, and returned to the capital three days later.

In the stillness of the night, in the study of the Prince of Qing's mansion, the candlelight flickered. Jiu Ru carefully read Xing Ge's letter, a happy smile on her face, her phoenix eyes shining brightly in the candlelight.

"How is Young Master Ye?" Jiu Ru reached out and burned the letter on the candle, asking Mo Yi who was standing quietly to the side.

Mo hesitated for a moment, then lowered his head and said...

"During my investigation in the Northern Jurchens, Young Master Ye was hit by a poisoned dart and his injuries were quite severe..." Suddenly, the candlelight in the room flickered. Mo looked up and saw Jiu Ru throw the letter in her hand onto the table and let it burn.

Jiu Ru tucked her trembling hands into her sleeves and clenched them tightly. She thought to herself, "When Ye Chi and Chao Dan break their blood seals, poisonous miasma will erupt. If the swordsman's skill is insufficient, they will be injured. But if they can control it freely, over time the miasma will merge with their internal energy, making the swordsman exceptionally sensitive to any poisonous aura." Thinking of this, she looked directly at Mo Yi and asked urgently,

"I've seen Xingge activate the 'Night Crimson' Blood Ring. With his skill, poisonous breath cannot be concealed within ten feet. How could this be?!"

Mo had already noticed Jiu Ru's loss of composure, and his eyes darkened.

"According to Major General Dou, when Young Master Ye was dealing with Fourth Master, he encountered assassins. Young Master Ye bravely came to his rescue, sustaining a poisoned dart in his shoulder and nearly being kidnapped to the Northern Frontier by Fourth Master. He was only saved by Young Master Ran, who risked his life to save him. Young Master Ran caught a cold as a result, and when I returned, Young Master Ye had not yet recovered." After a pause, seeing that he had remained silent for a long time, Mo continued softly,

"If you're worried, young master, why don't you go and see for yourself?"

Jiu Ru was taken aback by these words, and said sternly, "You've been traveling for three days straight, are you so tired that you're talking nonsense! Go to the South Courtyard and see Zijuan, she's waiting for you!"

After swift arrangements, the Green Prince set off on his inspection tour of Xicang in ten days.

Since receiving news the day before yesterday that Prince Qing would be making an inspection, the military camp at Yumen in Xicang has been intensifying its training day and night.

At dawn, Dou Huai was training his troops on the drill ground when two flamboyantly dressed figures stood on a nearby hilltop.

"Ge'er, aren't these two peacock robes with gold thread and pearl embroidery beautiful?" Ran said excitedly while stamping her feet.

Xingge, dressed in an incredibly ornate robe, was intently watching the military drills on the parade ground. Upon hearing this, he looked down at himself.

"It's absolutely gorgeous; you can see it from ten miles away!"

Upon seeing the two men, Dou Huai had his deputy take over and then headed this way.

"What are you doing here in this freezing weather, just recovered from a serious illness? And dressed like a pheasant!" Dou Huai looked at the two of them strangely.

“Damn you, Xiaodou! That’s a peacock, a peacock! Have you ever seen such a beautiful pheasant?” Ran Gao shouted.

Xingge also spun around in response, turned around, and grinned at Dou Huai, "Pretty cool, right?!"

Almost blinded by the shimmering gold threads and pearls on the robes, Dou Huai took a step back. "They're clearly two large pheasants!"

"You're just jealous!" Ran rolled her eyes.

"Alright, alright," Xingge joked, "Xiaodou, how's the preparation going?"

“My father took care of all the formalities. I’m already well-trained, so I don’t need to cram at the last minute.”

"Have the soldiers forgotten how to fight after two years of peace and quiet?"

"How could that be? We've been training our troops for a long time, and we're all eager to fight! I just don't know if Prince Qing has any such plans."

Xingge gazed at the dashing Dou Huai and said, "You truly have the bearing of a great general! Come, let's go down to the training ground and have a little sparring."

"Your shoulder injury hasn't healed yet, don't fight. It's cold, you should all go back to camp, I still have to train the troops." Dou Huai helped Xing Ge adjust his robe with pity, then turned and went down to the training ground.

"They're just treating me like a sick cat!" Xingge muttered.

"Ignore that little bean and papaya, I'll practice with you." Ran leaned in and flattered her.

Xingge chuckled slyly, "Alright, if it weren't for your superhuman inner strength, I wouldn't have reached this level. I'll have a good taste of your skills today." With that, he easily made his move.

Two peacocks chased each other all the way back to camp from the hillside.

On the day Prince Qing arrived at Yumen, auspicious snow fell from the sky. All the generals in the camp went to the post station outside the town to welcome him, while Xingge and Ran stayed in the camp to wait.

In the singing room, Ran leaned against the fireplace, her mind unsettled. After a while, she suddenly spoke to Xingge, who was leaning against the soft couch reading a book.

"You really want to see your uncle, don't you?"

"Hmm?" Xingge was interrupted and looked up to ask.

Do you miss your uncle?

"Hehe, of course I want to! He's my boss, he owes me several months' salary! If he doesn't come, how am I supposed to pay you back!" After saying that, he buried himself in his book again.

Ran was clearly dissatisfied with this answer. She moved closer to Xingge, took the book from her, and her beautiful phoenix eyes met Xingge's calm, dark eyes.

"You, you absolutely must not like your uncle."