The Beauties of the Song Dynasty

Chapter 135

Zhao Defang was taken aback, not reacting for a moment. "What?"

"Do you really want to know the outcome of this war?" she asked quietly, looking at him again. He paused, then let out a long sigh and smiled bitterly, "Actually, judging from your previous attitude, I've already guessed most of it, but my uncle is unwilling to give up; he won't allow himself to fail."

"Actually, all I know is the outcome, and that I knew before it even happened..."

She squinted, somewhat bewildered. "Sometimes I think, maybe things won't be so bad. It's like being in a scene and witnessing everything firsthand; I simply can't imagine it turning out differently because it always seems to be under my control." Zhao Defang silently raised his hand to stroke her hair, repeatedly rubbing the ends, his gaze fixed intently on her hair. "Zehua?"

"Hmm?" He raised his eyes and smiled faintly. "Wanlan, are you still determined to follow me?" This time, she was not angry.

She simply watched him quietly, waiting for him to finish speaking.

"Because of this arrow wound, my uncle insists that I return to the capital. I'm thinking that perhaps I should take you with me."

Wanlan lowered her eyes and gently parted her lips:

"There's no need anymore. My uncle will begin a forced attack on Youzhou City tomorrow, and this battle will continue until the beginning of next month. By then... perhaps we can return to the capital..."

Volume Six: The Rise and Fall of the Song Dynasty, Chapter 116: The Bluebird's Affectionate Watch (1)

Wanlan was wrong.

Because Zhao Defang was injured, they were sent to Zhuozhou by Zhao Jiong that very night, while Lan Wu was left with Zhao Dezhao by Zhao Defang.

Zhao Defang remained silent throughout, and Wanlan watched him silently the whole way without saying a word. After they arrived in Zhuozhou, Zhao Defang often climbed the city wall to look towards the direction of the army's camp, and Wanlan still didn't say a word.

Several days passed in a somber mood until one day, a palpable sense of impending doom seemed to fill the air. Wanlan stood behind him and slowly recounted the events of the past few days—On June 24th, the Emperor deployed his generals to attack the city. Song Wo (note: Song Huining's father), the military governor of Dingguo, attacked the south of the city; Cui Yan, the military governor of Heyang, attacked the north; Liu Yu, the military governor of Zhangxin, attacked the east; and Meng Xuan, the military governor of Dingwu, attacked the west.

Initially, the Song army's tight siege of the city terrified Han Derang, who was temporarily stationed in Youzhou.

(Aside: Han Derang was a Han Chinese, but he was extremely loyal to the Liao Khitans. He was a true man. In Liao, he was given the surname Yelü. He was once engaged to Empress Xiao, but before they could marry, Empress Xiao was chosen as the Crown Princess. Therefore, their marriage did not take place. However, after Emperor Jingzong of Liao died, the two lived together as husband and wife.) The Song army's relentless siege over the past two days forced Li Suolecan, the Liao army's commander of the Dilidu, to flee, and the defenders in the city became increasingly fearful.

On the third day of the seventh month, Liu Yansu, the military governor of Jianxiong in Liao, surrendered.

On the fifth day of the seventh month, Liu Shouen was appointed Prefect of Jizhou in Liao. Despite this, Han Derang fought desperately to defend Youzhou City. Under the scorching summer heat, the Song army, which had been attacking the city for a long time, was clearly weakened and many soldiers were tired.

On the sixth day, Liao general Yelü Sha led reinforcements to the battlefield at Gaoliang River, but was repelled by the Song army. At dusk, the newly appointed Northern Court King Yelü Xiuge arrived via a side road, each carrying two torches. He joined forces with the Southern Court King Yelü Xiezhen, who arrived shortly after, and together they flanked the Song army from the left and right. (Note: This is the historical "Battle of Gaoliang River"). Meanwhile, Zhao Defang and his wife, far away in Zhuozhou, continued to stand on the city wall, gazing into the distance as usual.

Today is the sixth day of the Lunar New Year.

Wanlan slowly opened her mouth, and the person who hadn't moved finally stiffened. Then she suddenly turned around and glared at her.

He looked a little haggard, but was in good spirits.

She knew that he had been forcing himself to eat well, sleep well, and obediently recover from his injuries these past few days, all in preparation for this day.

She closed her eyes briefly, then said in a hoarse voice, "Zehua, today is the sixth day of the lunar new year."

As darkness fell, although she couldn't see his expression clearly, she could tell that his face must be tense.

“Ze—”

He suddenly turned around and ran straight down the city wall. Wanlan gritted her teeth and followed him.

A horse was already prepared below the city walls. Zhao Defang was clearly taken aback, turned around to look at the slightly panting woman behind him, and called out in a daze, "Wanlan, you..."

Let's go.

Wanlan walked to the horse first, took the reins from the soldier leading the horse, and then looked back at him. "I can't ride a horse, so I'll share one with you. You go first, I can't even get on a horse."

You can't go!

Zhao Defang snapped out of her daze, reached out and took the reins from her hand, staring at her sternly, "You can't go."

"Don't argue with me, the Imperial Uncle is in danger." Wanlan smiled faintly, "Hurry up and mount your horse."

"Wanlan!"

"You only want to be with me forever, but you don't want me to be with you through thick and thin?"

Wanlan tilted her head and stared at him intently. "Zehua, why haven't you figured it out yet? If I were the one going to the battlefield today, would you let me go alone while you stayed behind safely?"

Zhao Defang was startled. He stared blankly for a moment, then suddenly smiled.

"I'm sorry, I made a fool of myself."

He leaped onto his horse and reached out his hand to her, "Get on."

Wanlan smiled happily and placed her hand in his palm. With his help, she leaped onto her horse and sat in front of him. The two of them galloped towards Youzhou together.

When Zhao Defang and Wanlan arrived at the camp, it was already in chaos.

The two hurriedly dismounted and grabbed a soldier at random to question him about the emperor's whereabouts, only to find that the soldier claimed to know nothing!

Zhao Defang's gaze darkened, and he tightened his grip on the reins, staring intently at Wanlan. "I'm going to find my uncle. You...you..." He continued, "I'll wait for you here."

Wanlan smiled slightly, "I can't ride a horse, I'll be a burden to you. This camp should be safe for now, so go ahead with peace of mind."

Zhao Defang raised his hand and stroked her face, feeling her soft features. He smiled gently and leaned down to kiss her forehead. "Wanlan, I promise you, I will definitely return to your side safely. You must take good care of yourself."

"I know, you should go now."

A faint smile remained on her lips as she watched him ride away. She quietly reached out and clutched the hem of her dress, her delicate brows gradually furrowing.

Zehua, you'll be alright.

Everything will be alright… Suddenly, Wanlan, who was standing there in a daze, was pulled backward. At the same time, she was shocked and heard a roar in her ears:

"How did you get here?! Where's Defang?"