Heirate einen Beamten der Nördlichen Song-Dynastie

Kapitel 22

"What are you standing there for! Hurry up!"

Xingge felt a flash of red light before her eyes, and suddenly came to her senses. Was it you? You've come?!

As soon as the three riders finally stepped onto the battlefield, the crossbows fired simultaneously, their cries echoing through the valley. In less than a quarter of an hour, everything fell silent!

On the southern cliff, Xingge knelt blankly on the muddy ground, tightly embracing Dou Huai, blood flowing like a stream beneath her.

"An arrow pierced his heart, alas!" the army doctor reported softly to Jiu Ru.

"Xingge, Xingge, you're bleeding!" Ran, who had already woken up, gently shook Xingge, but Xingge ignored her, her eyes glazed over, letting the cold rain lash her.

"Your Highness, let's stop the bleeding first." Mo Yi looked at the young master's arm, which was bleeding profusely.

As soon as he used his eyes to move Dou Huai away, Mo stepped forward and Xing Ge suddenly forced people back with a powerful move. His eyes, overflowing with killing intent, swept over everyone and let out a roar!

"It's you, you, hahaha! Me, and me! Kill him!"

Xingge gently set Dou Huai down, used his sword for support, and limped to his feet, dragging his injured leg. Suddenly, he pointed his sword at Jiu Ru.

"Are you satisfied now! You said you would grant my wish! Hahaha, you were going to grant my wish!" Xingge laughed sadly, and everything before her eyes became blurry again. She saw the ground rushing towards her and she was plunged into darkness.

36. Mind Release

In the darkness, the boundless darkness, Xingge gradually regained consciousness. The bedding was soft, the room was filled with a sweet fragrance, and there was someone sleeping soundly beside her. Xingge did not open her eyes, remaining quietly in the darkness. Scenes from before flashed through her mind, her emotions churning—anger, fear, hope, despair, sorrow… but eventually, they subsided into calm.

She suddenly opened her eyes, and saw a blue curtained bed, with her beloved sleeping and waiting by the edge of the bed. Xingge tried to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through her left leg. The movement woke Xiaoran, who was sleeping peacefully.

"She's awake! She's finally awake!" He rushed to Xingge's side.

Xingge frowned suddenly, "Brother Ran, if you don't move, I'm going to faint again! You're pressing on my leg!"

"Oh my god!" Ran quickly moved aside.

"Help me up!"

Xiao Ran helped Xing Ge sit up on the bed and carefully tucked in the blankets. "You've been unconscious for three days. You had a fever at first and were talking nonsense. You scared me to death!"

Xingge looked up and met those tired but joyful phoenix eyes. Looking further up, she saw that his forehead was wrapped up like a rice dumpling.

"How did you hurt your head?"

Ran hesitated for a moment, then said, "That day I saw you going down into the valley and wanted to save you, but I fell down when my uncle knocked me unconscious."

"Brother Ran, thank you!" Xingge whispered sincerely, then turned and stared at the tent ceiling for a while. "Has Xiaodou... been buried?"

Ran's voice was so soft it was almost inaudible. "It's hot, so at General Dou's request, he was buried shallowly on the southern cliff of Tiangou. My uncle has already drafted a document requesting the Emperor to posthumously confer upon Dou Huai the title of 'General of Loyalty and Righteousness of the Western Cang Cavalry.' Once the imperial edict arrives, he will be buried with the honors due to a general."

Xingge's eyes remained fixed on the blue tent, listening quietly. Ran hesitated for a long time, then spoke in a whisper.

"This time, it's not my uncle's fault. That day, General Dou sent someone to deliver a report of victory, and my uncle ordered that person to relay the message, strictly forbidding anyone from leaving the town..."

Xingge's eyes darkened. Although she had expected this, hearing it with her own ears still made her heart tremble uncontrollably. General Dou's attack on Kucha Town was a foregone conclusion, and he understood that news of the horrific scene at Tiangou that day would only demoralize the army, so he wouldn't have sent anyone to report it. "Your Highness, how could you not know!" Xingge closed her eyes. Had she really forced herself to do this...?

Seeing that Xingge hadn't moved for a long time, Ran became anxious. "Is she awake? Wake up!"

Xingge opened her eyes slightly, her gaze devoid of any emotion. "Brother Ran, I'm hungry!"

"I expected this. I've already ordered Eight Treasures Congee to be made. Is that alright?"

Xingge smiled and nodded.

Ran went to the door and gave a few instructions. Soon after, a servant brought over the porridge.

Ran took the porridge, blew on it gently for a long time, and carefully brought it to Xingge's lips.

"Brother Ran, I'm so hungry! This is too slow, quickly tell them to serve all the porridge and let it cool!"

"Are you alright?" Ran asked, watching Xingge wolf down the porridge. Tears welled up in her eyes with joy.

After devouring five large bowls, Xingge's pale face regained some color.

"I need to get some walking! I've been lying here so long I can't feel anything!" Xingge lifted her foot to get out of bed, and it hurt!

"Well, I've prepared everything for you." Ran took out a carved jade-inlaid cane wrapped in silk from beside the couch.

"Wow! You're such a sweet little angel!" Xingge chuckled and tugged at Ran's earlobe.

Ran's face flushed red instantly. "I'm glad you don't think I'm useless!"

Xingge, leaning on her cane, shuffled around the room twice before suddenly stopping and clutching her chest. "Brother Ran, look at me! I look even more haggard than Xi Shi, the most beautiful woman in Chinese history!"

Ran couldn't help but sneer, "Xi Shi was sickly and delicate, but you became radiant after drinking a few bowls of porridge! I, on the other hand, stayed up for several nights without closing my eyes and didn't even dare to look in the mirror! I'm more like her!" As she spoke, she also made a gesture of clutching her heart.

"Haven't slept a wink for several nights? Who was that sleeping soundly by the bed just now?!" Xingge scoffed.

"The heartless ones are heartbroken and exhausted!"

"In that case, Xiao Ran, why don't you go back to your room and rest?" A voice came from the doorway. The two looked up in surprise and saw Jiu Ru and Mo standing at the door. After that day, Jiu Ru was busy dealing with the post-war affairs and hardly slept. When she heard the report that Military Advisor Ye had woken up, she hurriedly rushed back to the camp.

Ran looked at Xingge somewhat uneasily, and Xingge nodded slightly.

"I'll come back to keep you company later!" Ran stepped out gracefully.

Mo had already taken the young master's cloak and left.

The room was silent. Jiu Ru's gaze swept over the empty bowl on the table, over the fancy cane, and finally settled on the expressionless, plain face.

After a long silence, Xingge grew tired of standing and moved towards the couch, only to be tripped by the silk ribbons on her cane, falling down with a thud in front of the table. A hand appeared before her, seemingly offering to help her up. Xingge stared silently at this once warm and kind hand, and after a long while, sighed inwardly and reached out to grasp it tightly.

Settling into the couch, Xingge gazed at the weary yet still stern-faced beauty before her.

"Any news from the Fourth Prince?"

Jiu Ru was somewhat surprised by Xing Ge's composure, and raised her eyebrows slightly, "Let's meet outside the town the day after tomorrow."

"Okay, let's go together the day after tomorrow!" Xingge replied calmly.

Gazing into those calm, unwavering black eyes, a mixture of joy and sorrow welled up within him. A slight smile played on his lips. "Alright, let's go together!"

The following afternoon, Xingge and Ran Jing stood on the southern cliff of Tian Gou. The cleanup of the valley was nearing completion; in another ten days to half a month, everything would be as if nothing had happened, with only the green mountains and clear waters remaining!

"Brother Ran, I want to spend some time alone with Xiaodou!"

"Oh, then, I'll wait for you in the carriage." Ran walked towards the carriage, turning back every few steps.

Xingge gradually approached the simple blue stone tablet, her fingertips lightly tracing the name on it. Then she gently sat down, leaning her head against the tablet, closing her eyes to listen to the wind, a smile playing on her lips, and spoke softly.

"Little Bean, you're going to be a great general, aren't you happy!"

"After the war, let's go see Master together. You said Master would be happy to see me. I think Old Man Tong still wants to see you the most. He liked you the most back then! I wonder if Master's wife is still as beautiful. Everyone was stunned by her beauty back then, haha!"

"I will go to see Madam Dou. I also want to help you marry your fiancée, but I'm afraid others won't be interested, haha!"

"Xiaodou, tell me if you have any wishes. Do you like this place?"

Silence reigned all around, broken only by the howling wind. The cliff wind wiped away the glistening tears from Xingge's eyes, and stirred up yellow sand to bury everything…

Outside the town of Kucha, two guards stood facing each other on the hillside, the atmosphere heavy. The meeting in the tavern below the hill had been going on for more than half an hour.

Jiu Ru smiled as she looked at the handsome Northern Jurchen prince before her. He was meticulous in his thinking yet possessed great ambition; the loss of 90,000 soldiers seemed to him as nothing more than the loss of a piece of clothing. Such a person was far more advantageous to be an ally than an enemy!

Tuolanxi also pondered in his heart what kind of heart Prince Qing, who dared to set up a tragedy to gamble on the people's hearts, yet almost ruined things, could have such a smiling face as spring flowers and eyes as cold as ice abyss.

"Fourth Prince, it is settled then. I will wait for good news in Kucha."

"This time, I will return to the royal court to discuss with my father the 100,000 troops left north of Tian Gou. I hope Prince Qing will not make things difficult for us!" Tuolanxi then turned to Xingge, "Sir, I once made a promise to drink wine in Tianshan. Since we are on the same road this time, why don't you come with me?"

Jiu Ru immediately understood that the Fourth Prince was worried that war would break out in Kucha again after returning to the royal court, and wanted to take Xing Ge hostage! Just as she was about to object, Xing Ge pressed her hand down from under the table.

"Since the Fourth Prince has such a kind intention, I am naturally honored!" Xingge laughed and turned to Jiuru, "Your Highness, I have been feeling quite exhausted lately, please allow me to go and relax."

Jiu Ru gestured with her eyes to Xing Ge's injured leg, and Xing Ge responded with a reassuring smile.

After pondering for a while with his eyes lowered, Jiu Ru clasped his hands in a fist salute to the Fourth Prince.

"The strategist's leg injury has not yet healed, so please take good care of him on the journey, Fourth Prince. Please send a letter back to the strategist every two days, so that the 140,000 troops guarding Kucha can rest assured!"

Tuolanxi smiled wryly, "Just as Prince Qing said!" He stepped to Xingge's side and extended his hand, "Please, sir!"

Xingge turned to Jiuru and Moyi with a slight smile, "Take care!", and followed the Fourth Prince out of the tavern, leaning on his cane.

The two guards who came with Tuolanxi had already mounted their horses. Jiuru gestured to Mo to bring over the carriage that Xingge had used when he arrived.

Xingge felt a sudden tightening around her waist, her feet left the ground, and when she landed, she was riding a horse alongside the Fourth Prince, their posture quite intimate. Tuolanxi clasped his hands in a fist salute.

"Your Highness, rest assured, I will protect you closely. We'll meet again in a month!" With that, he spurred his horse and rode away.

After a long while, all smiles vanished, and he glared angrily at the three riders as they walked away.

Xingge rubbed her injured leg, which was throbbing from the impact, and angrily shouted at Fourth Master behind her, "What kind of act is this?!"

Fourth Master chuckled wickedly, "That day on the battlefield, Prince Qing almost ruined all our previous efforts! Do you think he's cursing his mother in anger right now? Hahaha!"

Xingge understood that Fourth Master was referring to the matter of the Prince going down to the valley during the battlefield. Knowing she was in the wrong and now being dependent on others, she quickly put on a sweet smile.

"Fourth Master, please calm down! I've already obediently become a hostage! Let's talk this out! Let's talk this out!"

37. The Returning Person

The military cavalry traversed the northern grasslands, wildflowers in full bloom, lush grass and soaring eagles. Xingge leaned against the carriage window, captivated by the vibrant scenery. Since setting out, Fourth Prince had not only prepared a carriage especially for Xingge but had also specially invited a female physician from Xicang to help her. Using some kind of witchcraft, she had gradually regained her mobility. Along the way, they encountered many nomadic caravans, and Fourth Prince's guards received exceptionally high honors, a testament to his prestige. The Northern Jurchen women, fiery and unrestrained, openly showered their young and handsome Fourth Prince with affectionate glances. Xingge almost wanted to invite Fourth Prince to stay in Linzhou for a few days; he must be the most beautiful woman at the flower festival!

"What are you thinking about? You have such a sly grin on your face!" Tuolanxi rode his horse to the carriage window and saw Xingge looking at something with gleaming eyes and a smug grin on his face.

"Oh, Fourth Prince! What an honor it is to travel with such a handsome, brave, and talented prince!"

"Then please be sure to write down your admiration for me in the letter to Prince Qing!"

"I'll definitely do it next time!" Xingge handed over the two-day peace letter to Fourth Master.

"Those two words again! Don't they express the pain of longing?" Tuolanxi raised an eyebrow at the two words 'all well' on the paper.

Xingge said sweetly, "I've been longing for Fourth Master's arrival, and I'm truly suffering from lovesickness! Come, let's switch places. We've been sitting in the carriage for over ten days, and I'm so bored!"

Tuolanxi laughed loudly and turned to call a guard to bring a horse.

Xingge leaped onto his horse, whip in hand, and galloped across the grassland. The wind whistled past his ears, tossing his long hair and robes, and blowing away the gloom that had settled in his heart. Like an eagle spreading its wings against the wind, he felt so free… Standing atop a hill, he gazed at the endless waves of grass stretching to the horizon, dotted with wildflowers that swayed gently on the surface, streams flowing through them, and the setting sun casting shimmering, iridescent light upon them. Xingge was immersed in the magnificent beauty of this world.

"Isn't it beautiful?" Tuolanxi whispered, appearing behind him without him even noticing.

"Yes, it's breathtakingly beautiful!" Xingge exclaimed sincerely.