Li Weiying gently released him, wiped away her tears, got up and made some hazelnut flour soup with hot milk, saying, "Eat a little more, get stronger so we can escape." Huan She drank it all in large gulps, but his strength was failing, and he was about to lie down. Li Weiying supported him, saying, "Be careful to press on your stomach." Huan She hummed softly, then rested his head on her shoulder and closed his eyes to sleep. She held his broad but now thin and stiff shoulders, slightly turning her head to gently rub her face against his stubble-covered cheek. Her face stung slightly, but she felt incredibly at ease. She waited quietly until he was sound asleep before gently letting him lie down.
***
After conquering Gaochang in early August, Hou Junji quickly reported the battle situation to the capital. However, even with fast horses, it would take two months to travel from Gaochang to Chang'an and back. Therefore, Hou Junji and others waited for the emperor's decision in Chang'an while focusing their efforts on reorganizing prefectures and counties, and settling accounts for population, land and property.
Huan She's condition gradually improved; his broken bones had mostly healed, and he could move on his own. Only his internal injuries still needed slow treatment. He smiled and said, "Wei Ying, this illness has really been a good thing. Not only have you been by my side every day, but in the past two months, I've also consumed all the rare and precious tonics in the palace that I'd never even seen before. After being a captive and servant of Gaochang for so long, I've finally gotten my money's worth." Li Wei Ying smiled, but a hint of worry flashed in her eyes. Huan She asked, "What are you thinking about?" Li Wei Ying said, "Huan Lang, I know you're not fully recovered, but we really need to hurry. It's been almost two months, and I'm afraid Father's decree will arrive soon." Huan She laughed, "Alright, then make me your consort." She said anxiously, "Father will certainly reward you handsomely for saving me, and perhaps even pardon your crimes. But..." Huan She said, "I don't want a big reward, nor do I want a pardon that falls from the sky."
She hugged Huan She tightly, "I know you don't care about any of this. But Huan Lang, I'm afraid Father will reward you on one hand and immediately send someone to bring me back to the capital on the other. I'm afraid... I won't be able to be with you anymore." Huan She's heart sank. He had truly been too complacent. Even if he were exonerated, let alone being a convicted criminal, his status and appearance were worlds apart. How could he be worthy of the princess? As Mo Ruoweiying said, perhaps he could be promoted and become wealthy, but to marry the princess honorably was nothing short of a pipe dream. No wonder she was so determined to run away together that day. At the time, he thought she was just comforting him, but it turned out she had already made up her mind long ago.
Li Weiying said, "We must leave before the imperial edict and envoy arrive, Huan Lang!" Huan She also hugged her tightly, "Alright, then tonight." Li Weiying said, "So urgent." Huan She said, "The thought of not being able to be with you again in the future makes me unable to wait even one night."
Li Weiying kissed him passionately, "Clean and crisp, that's the kind of little sweetheart I love. I'll go make preparations now, you rest well and get plenty of rest." She hurried out of the room, and as she approached the stables, she bumped into Lu Shuang and Cao Ling. Lu Shuang immediately bowed, but Cao Ling turned and walked away. Li Weiying couldn't help but chase after him, "Cao Ling!" Cao Ling bowed and stepped back, "Your Highness, please forgive me, I have important business to attend to, please allow me to pass."
These days, Cao Ling occasionally encountered her, but he either pretended not to see her or took a detour. Li Weiying knew he was embarrassed and ignored him. But perhaps after today's parting, they would never meet again. Even though she had entrusted her heart to Huan Lang, how could she forget the infatuation she had with Cao Ling back then? The more he deliberately avoided her, the more difficult it was for him to resolve his inner conflict, and the harder it was for her to find peace of mind.
Li Weiying immediately shouted, "Cao Ling!" Cao Ling immediately knelt down, pleading, "Princess, Princess, please spare Cao Ling!" He coughed violently, covering his mouth. Li Weiying couldn't see his face, only his hunched back trembling, and this humble kneeling posture broke her heart even more. "Cao Ling, what kind of relationship do we have? You kneel before me!" Cao Ling coughed, "I am a subject, and I have never bowed before. I only remembered today." Li Weiying sighed sadly, lowered herself to meet his face, "Cao Ling, I can't say anything more. Thank you for saving Huan Lang. Qin'er's happiness is thanks to you. And... please give yourself happiness too, and stop creating barriers for yourself." Cao Ling remained kneeling, then turned to Lu Shuang, "Commander Lu, Cao Ling is addicted to drinking. Please take good care of him." Lu Shuang repeatedly agreed, helped Cao Ling up, and said, "Your subject and Vice Minister Cao take their leave."
Li Weiying watched their retreating figures, her eyes stinging with tears. Cao Ling suddenly turned around and asked, "Qin'er, is there anything else you want to tell me?" Li Weiying held back her tears and asked, "Is my father's condition any better?" He smiled slightly and said, "His Majesty is well." He then slowly turned around and walked away with Lu Shuang.
Night had fallen. Huan She, dressed in his best, saw that Li Weiying had changed into simple men's clothing and teased, "Young man, I'd like to ask you about a young lady. She promised to elope with me to Tanhan Mountain, but she's been late." Li Weiying retorted, "Who wants to elope with you?" Huan She laughed, "That Lady Weiying is truly unparalleled in the world. She promised to meet me under the moon; if that's not elopement, then what is it but open surrender?"
Li Weiying smiled sweetly, "She took something with her and will be right back." She picked up a pillow from Huan She's bed, "My lord, are you so worried about me that you're missing this?" The pillow's surface was made of dozens of pieces of Hetian jade joined together, its blue-green color like the purest sky, incredibly cool to the touch. It was filled with white salt, a specialty of Gaochang, the salt grains making a sound when touched, hence the name "sounding salt pillow," said to improve eyesight. Because Huan She's eyes had been poisoned by the black smoke of candles while digging wells, causing frequent eye pain, and coupled with his recurring injuries and frequent fevers, Li Weiying specially selected this pillow from the Gaochang royal palace treasury for him to sleep on. It indeed cleared his eyes and reduced his fever. Huan She often said it was the most comfortable pillow he had ever slept on.
Huan She said, "Wei Ying, although I've been confined to my sickbed these past two months, I've found peace and tranquility. If you come with me, you'll be destined for a life of wandering, and I..." Li Wei Ying said, "Without you, where will I find joy and peace?" She smiled faintly, "Don't worry about it now. We can talk on the road; there's plenty of time." A slight blush rose to her cheeks. Huan She was overjoyed, hugged her, and kissed her passionately. When he tried to continue, she smiled and used her jade and white salt pillow to block him.
Huan She carried the bundle on his back, and Li Weiying also tied the jade and white salt pillow to her back with a curtain. Huan She laughed and said, "My wife, we're not moving house." She said, "These are things you like, I'm taking them with me." Huan She said, "I love you the most, nothing else matters." Li Weiying had already dismissed the servants and prepared two horses. The two went out hand in hand, and just as they were about to mount their horses, a faint sigh came from the darkness: "Qin'er, so you really are leaving."
The candlelight suddenly blazed, revealing Cao Ling, along with Lu Shuang and several officers, hiding in a corner of the courtyard wall. Li Weiying was startled, but quickly said calmly, "Cao Ling, don't stop me." Cao Ling smiled sadly, "Qin'er, what if I had taken you away back then? It's not like I hadn't thought about it." Countless thoughts flashed through Li Weiying's mind in an instant. If Cao Ling had chosen to elope with her back then, what would things be like now? Would they be hiding in a secluded little town, spending their days composing poems, or perhaps playing the zither and flute in the deep mountains? Then they would never have met Huan Lang again, and there would have been no unforgettable, life-and-death love with him.
Cao Ling said, "Qin'er, Qin'er, it's just that neither of us were born into ordinary families. Even if we have the will, we may not be able to succeed. If you can't understand why, let me help you." She then grabbed a bow and arrow and shot at Huan She. Li Weiying screamed and threw herself in front of Huan She. With a hiss, the sharp arrow grazed the jade-green salt pillow she carried and pierced her shoulder two inches below the skin. The glistening white salt leaking from the pillow mixed with her hot blood, cascading down in a silvery spray. Huan She quickly embraced her, pressing on the blood gushing from her wound, and cried out, "Cao Ling, quickly call a physician!"
Cao Ling stood motionless. "Huan She, you see? If you escape now, there will be people along the way who will try to take your life, just like I have. It doesn't matter if you die, but how many times can Wei Ying protect you? She's a girl, simple-minded, only thinking of being your perfect couple. You're a man, do you also have such foolish thoughts?" Li Wei Ying whispered, "Huan Lang, don't listen to his bewitching words. He... has always been all talk and no action..." She was in too much pain to continue, gripping Huan She's arm tightly. Huan She held her tightly. "Don't speak, bear it, the physician is coming soon."
Lu Shuang had already urgently summoned a physician, who quickly bandaged Li Weiying's wound. Fortunately, Cao Ling's arrow hadn't struck too hard, and the pillow had cushioned the fall, so the wound wasn't too deep. Cao Ling's eyes filled with tears as she looked at the blood-soaked back of Li Weiying's clothes. "She's an imperial princess, of noble birth, born to be respected and protected. Why should you, with a mere word of courage, drag her along on a life of hiding, fleeing, and living in constant fear?" Huan She was heartbroken. "Yes, it was my grave mistake. If Weiying has to suffer with me, what kind of love and pity is that?" Cao Ling took a deep breath. "Brother Huan, I've heard a little about your situation; it's indeed very troublesome. But do you want to live your life forever burdened by this crime? Do you want the world to laugh at the Tang princess for choosing a death row inmate?" Huan She wept. "Weiying, I only knew I should love and cherish you, but I've ended up harming you." Li Weiying struggled, saying, "Huan She, don't listen to him. Cao Ling... please stop."
Cao Ling shook her head: "Princess Xianyang, you asked me during the day if His Majesty's illness had eased up a bit? If he knew you were acting this way, do you think he would be so angry that his old illness would relapse?" Li Weiying burst into tears.
Cao Ling coughed repeatedly, "Qin'er, I really didn't want to stop you. I wish I could have escaped with you. That arrow just now, I hated it so much, I wanted to kill the person who took you away. You're completely devoted to him now, but do you know that my love for you is no less than his? I didn't want to kill him, I wanted to kill myself!" He hurriedly pulled a plain handkerchief from his bosom, covered his mouth, and vomited. When he unfolded it, there was a patch of bright red blood on it. He said sadly, "Qin'er, doesn't this look like the peach blossoms you painted?"
(The moment Ming Tou's chapter was published, the insults continued unabated. Since that's the case, let the damned die again! QIER, some readers have already started throwing bricks at you, this rare pro-Cao Cao faction member. You, too, supported Xiao Qu back then, and now you've switched to supporting Xiao Cao. Watch out.)
Everyone present gasped in shock. Cao Ling's hand trembled, and the blood-soaked handkerchief fluttered in the night breeze before landing with a soft thud on the cold, dark brick surface. Lu Shuang quickly caught him. Cao Ling said, "I'm fine. Cough, Meng Han, you should know who he is and what to do with him. Why haven't you taken him down yet?" Lu Shuang stammered, not stepping forward, but Li Weiying tightly protected Huan She. "Who dares to touch my Huan Lang!" With this movement, the wound on her shoulder reopened, and the freshly applied medicine was immediately washed away by the blood. Huan She's hands, which had been holding her, were also covered in her hot blood. Cao Ling cried out, "Qin'er, don't move!" The physician quickly stopped the bleeding again.
Huan She slightly opened his hand, which was stained with her blood, and stared coldly at Cao Ling. "Ever since I met Wei Ying, I have been willing to risk my life to get anything she likes, even if it's a star in the sky or the moon in the sea, to satisfy her. She sometimes acts willfully, but I would never lay a finger on her. And yet you have hurt her twice today!" Cao Ling was filled with remorse: "I didn't want to hurt Qin'er."
Huan She gently patted Li Weiying's tense back and shoulders, which were taut with pain. "So you want to arrest me? I owe Minister Cao a life, and I'll repay it. Why are you using my worthless life to torment Weiying like this!" Cao Ling was speechless. Huan She continued, "Commander Lu, you are my superior." He turned to a lieutenant beside Lu Shuang, "This brother looks familiar." The man replied, "I am Cheng Yi, Deputy Commandant of Xuanjie. I have met Brother Huan a few times." He pointed out that his rank was three ranks lower than Huan She's, implying that he dared not offend him, and that he had met Huan She when he was being tortured in front of the army.
Huan She said gently, "Since we're old acquaintances, you should arrest me. Don't let unrelated bystanders humiliate me." Li Weiying grabbed his arm and said, "Huan She!" Huan She smiled bitterly, "I don't want to be a coward anymore. I don't want people to use my injustice to entangle us. I want you to follow me in glory, and everyone should only praise your accurate and brilliant judgment. Who would dare to laugh at you? Let's go back to the camp for a retrial, and I can even accompany you to Guazhou to eat peaches and apricots." Li Weiying sobbed uncontrollably, "I'm not afraid of being laughed at, but are you out of your mind?" Huan She said, "Are you cursing me? Didn't we just say we have a long life together?"
Cheng Yi, standing to the side, said, "Brother Huan, please forgive me." Huan She cupped his hands and said, "Thank you." He then said to Li Weiying, "May I let you go for a moment?" He rolled up his sleeves and stretched out his hands, and Cheng Yi and another soldier put shackles on his hands and feet. With the heavy hammer blows, Huan She felt a sharp pain in his limbs and wrists.
After finally finishing nailing them all, he pulled his hands apart, tightening the long chains. Under the cold moonlight, the dark chain links rang out with a clear, piercing sound, like the clear chime of sword energy soaring into the sky. He glanced arrogantly at the crowd, "Anyone else afraid I'll run away?" With a light shout, he bent down, picked up Li Weiying, and dragged the rattling shackles into the original room.
"Huan She!" she cried out in terror, jolting out of her nightmare and grabbing his hand. Huan She whispered, "I'm still here, I haven't left you for a moment." She drifted off to sleep only to wake up again in a panic, and this happened several times. Huan She patiently comforted her each time, until finally he simply lay back, loosened his right lapel, and wrapped his arms around her slender waist, letting her press against his broad, bare chest, so that his passionate and courageous heartbeat could echo in her dreams. She finally stopped tossing and turning and fell into a deep sleep.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
29. [Elegy]
On the ninth day of the ninth month of the fourteenth year of the Zhenguan era (1543), news of the great victory at Gaochang reached the capital, Chang'an, and the court was filled with jubilation. The emperor was overjoyed and rewarded the six armies, designating Gaochang as Xizhou (Western Prefecture), and pardoning those convicted of capital crimes, commuting them to severe punishment and exile. He also renamed Khan Futu City (present-day Jimsar, Xinjiang) as Tingzhou, and the two prefectures were divided into six counties and incorporated into the Longyou Circuit. On the twenty-first day of the same month (1555), the Anxi Grand Protectorate was re-established in Jiaohe, governing twenty-two governorates and one hundred and eighteen prefectures. Qiao Shiwang, the husband of the emperor's sister, Princess Luling, and a驸马都尉 (Imperial Son-in-Law Commandant), was appointed as the first Protector-General and concurrently the Governor of Xizhou.
Qiao Shiwang led his troops to Xizhou at the end of October of the same year, conveying the Emperor's will to commend Hou Junji's six armies and to appease the people of Xizhou (these are all my calculations, not to be confirmed). He also came to visit Princess Xianyang as ordered. Qiao Shiwang was also Li Weiying's uncle, and he was overjoyed to see her. "Qin'er, His Majesty wanted to come and fetch you personally as soon as he learned you were in Xizhou. But this is a long march of more than 4,300 li, and it is almost winter. His Majesty had just suffered several bouts of illness at the beginning of the year. The ministers persuaded him repeatedly, and His Majesty finally gave up. He instructed me to tell Lord Hou to make sure you return to the capital safely." Li Weiying immediately burst into tears. "Qin'er is unfilial and has not been able to serve Father Emperor." She recalled what Cao Ling had scolded her for. If she and Huan She had managed to elope in the dead of night, it would have caused her father great heartache and anger, and his old illness would have flared up.
Qiao Shiwang said gently, "Qin'er must have suffered a lot these past three years. His Majesty is anxious to see you. Why don't you go back to the capital with Lord Hou?" Li Weiying replied, "Yes." In the battle report that Hou Junji had previously submitted, he only briefly mentioned finding Princess Xianyang and did not elaborate further. Qiao Shiwang only heard about her and Huan She's affair after arriving in Xizhou. He immediately advised, "The most urgent matter is to return to the capital to relieve His Majesty's worries. Other people and matters should still be handled by the army. The laws of our Great Tang are clear and just. Is there anything you are worried about, Qin'er?" Li Weiying said, "Qin'er understands." Qiao Shiwang glanced at Huan She, who stood solemnly to the side. "His Majesty has not yet heard that Lord Huan has saved His Highness. Princess Xianyang is His Majesty's most beloved daughter. I, Shiwang, boldly convey His Majesty's gratitude to you and offer you one hundred yi of gold." Huan She knelt and said, "I thank Your Majesty and Your Excellency, but I am still under criminal charges, and protecting the princess is merely my duty as a subject. I dare not accept the gold." Qiao Shiwang smiled. "Lord Huan values righteousness over wealth and upholds high moral principles. Since there are still some legal issues involved, it is best to return to the army to resolve them." He then offered a few more words of comfort before departing.
It was early winter, the weather was cold, and the 400,000-strong army that had conquered Gaochang, dressed in fine clothes and riding spirited horses, with banners fluttering and triumphant songs resounding, returned to the capital. At the same time, according to the emperor's decree, the self-proclaimed king Qu Zhisheng and his officials, leaders, and powerful figures of the self-proclaimed dynasty also moved their families to the Central Plains. For a time, victorious soldiers, prisoners, officials, and commoners alike formed a vast and imposing procession. Li Weiying learned from Xin Liao'er that the self-proclaimed landowner Qu Zhizhan was also among those being escorted. She was relieved that he hadn't perished in the battle of Tiandi. If Qu Zhixiu was still safe, knowing that his second brother was alive would surely bring him comfort.
Huan She and Li Weiying sat in the carriage, the crimson brocade curtains billowing in the wind. The streets and palaces of Gaochang passed slowly before them. The sky was high and the sun shone brightly, but the once magnificent palace was mostly in ruins, with broken walls and shattered tiles. In just two months, it was overgrown with weeds and desolate. Some abandoned houses still had half-draped tarpaulins on their roofs, which the owners had covered at night to cushion the impact of thrown stones. Now, the houses were empty, and only a corner of the tarpaulin still swayed in the wind.
Suddenly, the view outside the window turned into a field of withered yellow. Confused, I realized that I had left the city. Looking back, I was horrified to see that the once tall and majestic city wall had become huge holes on the east and south sides, which looked like two lonely mouths sighing from a distance.
Recalling their journey from Chishi Mountain to the capital more than two years ago, filled with excitement and wonder, the lush grape trees, the fragrant incense of the temples, the taverns with their fluttering banners, and the Turks roaming the streets—all of yesterday's memories had faded. Inside the carriage, the two remained silent, the only sound the creaking of Huan's shackles against the pearwood floorboards as the carriage moved.
Outside Dahai Village, Huan She and Li Weiying sat in the carriage, secretly watching the Zhao couple and Zhao Jie hurriedly accept the gold delivered by the government troops. Tuxi Zhuoer happily left with the officer sent by Ashina She'er. Huan She and Li Weiying had always wanted to personally thank the Zhao family, but Huan She was currently in shackles and did not want them to see him sad. Therefore, he asked Ashina She'er to send his subordinates to do it for him, saying that he was entrusted by Huan and Li, and to take Tuxi Zhuoer to Daizhou to find his uncle.
A great weight lifted from his heart. Huan She lowered the curtains and gently took Li Weiying's hand. "I've worried about this child for three years, and today it's finally over. But there's one more thing that I need you to wait for. It may be a long time..." She gazed into his deep eyes, carefully searching for her own reflection: "I've long been willing to wait for you for a lifetime, so how could I care about a few more days?" Huan She's eyes shone brightly, like the first rays of dawn on the eastern slope of Tanhan Mountain. She clearly saw herself smiling radiantly in his eyes, like a flower waiting day after day on the cliff edge for its beloved to bloom.
Although the Great Sea Route was a shortcut, it was too treacherous, and with an army of 400,000 men, along with their prisoners and families, it was inconvenient to manage them. Therefore, the Tang army still traveled along the Yiwu Road: more than 700 li east of Xizhou to Yizhou, and then more than 800 li south to Guazhou. Although this road was safer than the Great Sea Route, it was still full of sand and gravel, making Li Weiying feel nauseous and vomiting in the carriage. She even fell out of her seat without realizing it. Huan She, with his feet shackled, could not ride a horse. It was the first time in his life that he had been confined to a carriage, and he was already feeling suffocated. So he dismissed the driver and climbed onto the throne to drive the carriage himself. He was skilled at riding horses and always managed to skillfully navigate around the gravel and stones. Li Weiying was reluctant to let him sit alone in front of the carriage and sat beside him. Huan She, fearing that she could not withstand the bitter cold of the winter wind, told her to get back into the carriage. She then had the front wall of the carriage removed, and she sat comfortably inside, put on a fox fur coat, reached out and wrapped her arms around his waist, and leaned against his broad back. The journey was long, and she gradually closed her eyes and fell into a sweet sleep. When the car stopped to rest, she was still in a warm dream.
Huan She let her lean against him, unwilling to disturb her, his heart filled with tender feelings. But then he heard a cough. Huan She glared angrily, seeing Cao Ling in her crimson official robes riding by alone. He covered his mouth, his face flushed. Cao Ling swallowed hard, staring in astonishment at a pair of slender hands gripping Huan She's waist inside the carriage, a faint scar on the back of her right hand. He stared blankly for a long time before finally turning his gaze to Huan She. "Once I saved you, once I killed you, and once I tried to lock you up, but all of it hurt Qin'er." He gave a self-deprecating laugh. "I had good intentions, but I forced Your Majesty's will." He spurred his horse and rode away.
Li Weiying awoke with a start at the sound, not knowing who the passersby were, but seeing only the dust and smoke of the departing cavalry. Huan She noticed she was awake and said, "Let's go for a walk." This was now Luo Man Mountain in Yizhou. In winter, the mountain peaks were dark green, the distant trees were like smoke, and the snow on the summit shone like silver, appearing even more austere and solemn against the blue sky. He then led her slowly up a mountain peak.
"Jinda, come and take a closer look." Jiang Xingben called to Niu Xiu, and the two of them came to observe. The young man on the edge of the spruce cliff, his hands and feet were bound by chains, but he showed no hesitation or slack. Instead, he appeared even more dashing and upright, pointing out the distant mountains and rivers to the beautiful woman beside him. After she said something, he burst into laughter, startling a great falcon hidden deep in the forest. It spread its wings and soared into the blue sky, breaking through the sun and clouds, lingering for a long time.
***
Dust and sand stretched for two thousand miles, reaching the riverbank in a single night. The army, returning from Xizhou via Yizhou at the end of October, endured over twenty days of arduous travel, arriving near Guazhou in mid-October (leap month). It was already midwinter, and the northern border was bitterly cold, with snow falling and a thin layer of ice forming on the Hulu River. As the Tang army prepared to cross the river, the distant sound of howling winds suddenly drifted in. Li Weiying, inside the carriage, exclaimed in surprise, "This wind is so strange!" Huan She, seated on the throne at the front of the carriage, remained silent for a moment before replying, "It's not the wind." Li Weiying sat down beside him and saw a gray shadow rapidly approaching from the horizon. Gradually, she realized it was a dense flock of thousands of birds, as large as doves and as black as sparrows, gathered and flying together.
Curious, she got out of the car to take a look, and Huan She followed her. "This is the Turkic sparrow, also known as the sand pheasant."
"Did they fly in from the land of the Turks?"
“Whenever winter comes in the land of Hu, when the grass withers and the springs dry up, the sand grouse that live on the north shore of the hot sea will fly south to find food. Every year after the river freezes, the Turks will come to raid, and the southward arrival of the sand grouse is a harbinger of the Turkic invasion. It is said that when the sand grouse come to the door, the Turks will come to the city.”
"The Western Turks have fled this year, so they should not attack again."
Huan She seemed not to hear, muttering to himself, "Three years ago, it was the same. Many Turkic sparrows flew in, and then we took the initiative to march north and attack..." Li Weiying noticed the sorrow in his voice, knowing he was recalling the past. She reached out to take his hand, but upon touching his wrist, she found the iron shackles were already icy cold. Huan She moved slightly, the chains clanging. "Weiying, my hands are not functioning properly. You shoot; I taught you." A tear in the corner of his eye froze in the cold wind before it could even fall.
Li Weiying nodded, asked a guard for a bow and arrow, nocked one, and shot. The sharp arrow pierced the cold wind and felled a sandpiper with a whoosh. The Tang soldiers cheered in unison. Then they saw Huan She, dragging his shackles, staggering towards the riverbank. Lu Shuang's soldiers, responsible for escorting Li Weiying and Huan She, thought he was trying to escape and tried to stop him while drawing their bows to shoot. Li Weiying shouted sternly, "Don't shoot! The princess is here! He's my man! Lu Shuang! Do you remember what happened by the Hulu River?" Lu Shuang was startled: "Yes, I dare not forget."
Li Weiying hurried to catch up with Huan She, who had already knelt down with a thud. The icy river water reached his waist, feeling like thousands of sharp needles piercing him. Tears streamed down his face, and the howling wind froze his face into a bright white ice crystal.
Lu Shuang had already informed Hou Junji and the others of what had happened back then. Hou Junji was moved and said, "This is where our Tang soldiers sacrificed their lives for the country. We should pay our respects here together." He ordered people to prepare wine and incense, set them up by the river, and led the crowd in worship.
Li Weiying also bowed several times, then helped Huan She to the shoulder, but he remained motionless in the water. She sighed softly, "Since there is no sacrificial music, I will sing a lament." Xue Wanjun said, "Your Highness is a woman..." "Though I am a woman, I am also a princess of the Great Tang Dynasty. It is my duty to sing a song to comfort the spirits of the martyrs of the Great Tang. General, you need not be bound by etiquette." Li Weiying tossed aside her heavy black fox fur coat, poured a cup of wine onto the surging river, and praised, "