Subag knew what she was thinking, so he patted Xie Ying on the shoulder and sincerely reminded her, "That's enough. General Xie, you've done very well."
"Now you can go back without any worries."
"The two young grandsons are ten years old this year and have been in school for four years. I believe that in another five years, they will be able to stand on their own."
"First Master, you don't need me anymore?" Xie Ying's eyes darkened. "You don't need me either?"
Faced with the devoted lover before him, Subage initially blamed her for killing the Crown Prince, but after ten years of Xie Ying's dedicated protection of Yifan, he had long since come to terms with it.
Xie Ying's transfer was something he personally requested from the emperor.
After seeing Xie Ying's situation clearly, Subage couldn't bear to see her continue to waste her future: "I'm sorry. This is Princess Yongning's wish."
This was Si Caifeng's title. Since Si Xitong ascended the throne, Si Caifeng's treatment and status improved rapidly. She once became second only to Si Bogong.
Under Si Caifeng's leadership, Li Li's rule was reinstated, and she was deeply loved by millions of Hu people.
Her two children were named Li Li and Li Li. Li Li was also bestowed the title of Princess Xiuzhen by Si Xitong, and at a young age, she inherited the martial virtues of the Hu people. She loved swords, spears, and staffs. Once, in order to obtain a firearm, she endured three months of hardship and training in the army camp, eventually collapsing from exhaustion and being carried back, only to finally obtain her first flintlock pistol.
Therefore, the military camp paid more attention to Li Li than to the young prince Li Li.
Li Li, on the contrary, was rather low-key. He loved reading and admired civil administration, especially in this era of peace and prosperity. He vehemently disliked violence. He despised all the new guards in the military camp.
The generals of the former Xinwei Army, the predecessor of this force, were quite dejected. Fortunately, Si Caifeng specially encouraged her daughter to get close to the military officers.
With only two children, Si Caifeng was destined to never live an ordinary life.
Xie Ying thought of the two children she had watched grow up. She took out a gift she had asked someone to buy for her and gave it to Da Fan.
"Li'er will definitely like it."
"I also bought a set of the Four Treasures of the Study, which Li-ge likes."
Subag accepted the gift, but still made a point of reminding her, "Thank you, General. This is also the little princess's wish."
These words were spoken.
Xie Ying swayed slightly, took a few steps back, and finally lowered her head and whispered, "This subordinate understands."
Subbag sighed, "General, you have your own life to live too. Why bother?"
After saying that, he left.
Xie Ying had lost count of how many rejections and setbacks she had received. She waited and waited, once holding onto hope. But every year on the anniversary of Li Li's death, the distance between them was far deeper than she had imagined.
Even last year, she had been receiving frequent transfer orders. Although the King of England helped her suppress them for a while, it seems unlikely that he can force her to stay this time.
Because that's what Qiqi meant.
Qiqi doesn't need her anymore. She's going to get rid of her.
Yes, she is Qiqi's brother's killer. Qiqi must feel disgusted seeing her every day. And she's been guarding her for so many years now.
Has she fulfilled the Crown Prince's dying wish? Is it really time for her to leave? Are they destined to be apart?
Xie Ying said with a self-deprecating laugh, "I'm her enemy. What am I thinking? What am I hoping for?"
Perhaps she couldn't force Qiqi anymore. Since Qiqi wanted her to leave, then she... should leave.
Xie Ying stood alone on the dock. She told the soldiers to rest and took their place on guard duty. She stood there all day, facing south towards the location of the Yu Palace.
Yelü Qiqi lived there.
After finishing her official duties for the day, Si Caifeng took her two children to her sister-in-law's house for a meal.
Yelü Qiqi lived in the South Palace and prepared lunch early in the morning.
The two children looked just like Si Caifeng, beautiful and delicate. They rushed into the South Palace and, before anyone even saw them, their voices cried out, "Auntie!!"
"aunt!!"
Yelü Qiqi looked at her brother's two posthumous children and went over to hug them without hesitation. However, they had already grown up, and she could no longer lift them.
Si Caifeng arrived shortly after and said helplessly, "Little sister, you can't always indulge them. Have you forgotten that they beat Wu Yuejun's child a few days ago, causing that child to bring people to deal with them?"
If Xie Ying hadn't driven them away and instantly thrown Wu Yuejun's child back to Luochuan, the feud would probably have continued.
Upon hearing this, Qiqi paused for a moment, but quickly regained her composure: "Children are always a little naughty, but they'll become more sensible as they grow up."
"My brother was like this when he was little too."
The two children, upon hearing about their father, couldn't help but be curious about this father they hadn't seen for ten years. As usual, Yelü Qiqi told them about their father's deeds bit by bit.
Li Li believes her father is a hero.
Li Li remained silent. He had a gentle personality, much like Si Caifeng, and never commented on his father.
After the family sat down at the table, they finished their meal amidst laughter and chatter.
Li Li took the initiative to pull his sister Li Li back. Si Caifeng was left behind in the South Palace, seemingly having something to say.
After Qiqi finished brewing the orange tea, she served it to Si Caifeng.
Si Caifeng, holding the teacup, said, "His Majesty taught you this, didn't he?"
Qiqi nodded: "Your Majesty taught me a lot of things."
“Perfect timing, I have something to tell you.” Si Caifeng said without hesitation, “I have already submitted a petition to Tianjing requesting the repatriation of General Xie to the north.”
"We received news from Tianjing today that they have agreed to send someone to replace her."
"I did this specifically..."
Qiqi put down her teacup and said calmly, "It should have been like this a long time ago. I don't want to see that person again."
Si Caifeng didn't ask any more questions. She finished her orange tea and left the South Palace. Soon, Li Li's surviving guard went to inform them that the guard was now the head of the palace guards.
The head guard heard that his enemy was finally leaving. Naturally, he couldn't wait to get rid of Xie Ying.
"After guarding her for ten years and indulging in self-pity for ten years, that woman is finally going to disappear from the scene."
The head guard approached Xie Ying directly and warned her in a harsh tone: "The princess has ordered you to leave before midnight and never set foot here again in this lifetime."
As he spoke, he deliberately provoked her, saying, "Xie Ying, you are the enemy who killed His Highness the Crown Prince. You have no right to stay in the First Division. If one day the two young princes find out that you are their father's killer, don't blame them for seeking revenge on you!"
The hatred for her father's murder! The hatred for her brother's murder! These are hurdles she can never overcome. They are also hurdles Xie Ying cannot overcome, and rifts between her and Qi Qi that can never be repaired.
Xie Ying's face was deathly pale, and she trembled uncontrollably as if she had fallen into an ice cave.
Upon seeing this, the head guard's resentment dissipated by half: "Oh dear, General Xie, what a pretentious act! Who are you trying to impress! Please get out of here!"
"Don't appear before the princess again, and especially don't appear before the young prince. Don't try to please them. You, as their enemy, have no right to do so!"
Xie Ying moved her lips, but in the end said nothing. She lowered her head, turned around, and walked away from the port step by step, disappearing from the sight of the captain of the guard.
Feeling a sense of satisfaction, the head guard returned to the palace without hesitation and reported the matter to Si Caifeng.
When Si Caifeng heard that Xie Ying hadn't blamed the head guard for his harsh tone, she couldn't help but sigh and say, "I've endured ten years, waited ten years, and it's such a pity that it's ending so hastily?"
The head guard fell silent. He had indeed deliberately humiliated Xie Ying every year, even when they met. Logically, as a general, Xie Ying could have easily killed him if she was displeased, and no one would have dared to blame her. But Xie Ying always silently endured it, which was why the head guard ended up only harboring resentment.
Xie Ying had done so much for the First Commander, always leading the charge in both conquering foreign lands and venturing out to sea, and all the credit was given to him afterwards. She helped the First Commander manage the foreign lands, making them even more powerful than the old Northern Region. It can be said that her contributions were indispensable.
The head guard finally said, "I... I'll go and inform the little princess."
Si Caifeng thought for a moment and decided to let him go, but before the head guard left, she specially handed a package to him.
"Your Highness, what is this?"
Si Caifeng closed her eyes slightly, somewhat reluctantly saying, "These are some old things that I've kept for ten years. Now that I think about it, it's time to settle this grudge."
The head guard delivered the package to the South Palace.
Yelü Qiqi was embroidering, and piles of her finished embroidery lay on the table. Her embroidery skills became more and more exquisite each day. However, there was always a hint of loneliness and solitude in her eyes.
The head guard handed her the package: "This is left for you by His Highness the Crown Prince."
Upon hearing this, Yelü Qiqi accidentally pricked her index finger with the needle. The head guard immediately put down the package and went outside to find the imperial physician.
Yelü Qiqi sucked on her fingertip. She opened the package and saw her brother's jade pillow, which was quite worn. There was also a letter tucked inside.
After she opened the envelope and the letter, the contents made her pupils dilate in shock.
"Little sister, I hope this letter finds you well..."
“My brother is gone, and the one I worry about most is you. You were like me since childhood, unloved by your father and lost your mother first. All I could do was follow your wishes. Now that I'm gone, your fate is sealed. Since I learned that you were close to General Xie, I've wanted to entrust you to her. Although she is a woman, she looks very much like the marshal. I believe that with her by your side, she will stay with you for the rest of your life and will not leave you all alone.”
"Your death is due to the war, but it was also your choice to follow the greater good. Do not blame outsiders. And especially do not blame the Xie family."
"May my sister live a long and healthy life, and enjoy good health and well-being."
A note from the author:
Thank you to all the little angels who voted for me or watered my plants with nutrient solution between 17:52:18 on March 6, 2022 and 16:58:49 on March 7, 2022!
Thank you to the little angel who threw the landmine: Wu Yumao (1);
Thank you to the little angels who watered the nutrient solution: ... 5 bottles; Mr. Qi 1 bottle;
Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to work hard!
Chapter 236 Clearing the Clouds and Seeing the Sun
Xie Ying returned to the military camp and packed her bags.
Subag came to see her off. He was somewhat surprised to see that she was only carrying some clothes.
As a general of the Xie family, she could have made a lot of money in her position.
Besides, after ten years, how could he be all alone?
Xie Ying said nothing. She boarded the boat, accompanied by two Xie soldiers. Five of them were New Guards who helped her carry her weapons.
“Big brother, it’s cold at the port. You should go back soon to avoid catching a cold.” As Xie Ying stepped onto the ship, there was a struggle in Subage’s eyes, but it vanished completely with her words.
Subag stood on the shore, leaning on his cane. He looked deeply at Xie Ying and said, "I used to be very bothered by the Crown Prince's matter, and I also hated you."
"Ten years of family and national hatred. I used to not understand why His Highness the Crown Prince had to die at the hands of those two men, but now I finally understand."
"General Xie, what His Highness the Crown Prince left behind is more precious than I, Subage, imagined. Now, Yifan has a population of one million, and everyone is well-fed and clothed, forgetting past grievances. Living happily like this is the right way. The current emperor is a sage ruler, and everyone within the four seas bows down to him. While Yue and Shi have forgotten the past and embraced a new life, only Yifan has held fast to its past. Whether in the past, present, or future, Yifan will always be Yifan. It will never change."
Xie Ying bowed deeply to him: "You're right, the first place is always the first place."
"Even if I am not here, I will never forget Yifan. I promised to protect Yifan for the rest of my life."