Disco de doble caja

Capítulo 40

Han Derang and Yelü Xuegu, seeing the situation clearly from the city wall, quickly gathered their troops. Han Derang remained to defend the city, while Yelü Xuegu led his men out of the city to provide reinforcements. The three-pronged attack overwhelmed the Song army, making them disoriented. Furthermore, due to Zhao Guangyi's strict orders regarding the battle formation, they dared not flee, and many soldiers lost their lives in vain.

Xiao Xuan, who was strictly ordered by Brother Xiu to follow at the back, saw Brother Xiu leading his soldiers out to fight with the Song army. She began to search carefully for Zhao Guangyi's whereabouts.

On the battlefield, brightly lit by torches, a huge yellow canopy came into Xiao Xuan's view. She rode out swiftly on her red horse, and Xiao Jixian, seeing this, was startled and rushed to protect her. Xiao Xuan recognized the chubby, dark-skinned man under the yellow canopy—it was Zhao Guangyi—and quickly shouted to Xiao Jixian, "Bring me a bow and arrows!"

Xiao Jixian was puzzled as to what Xiao Xuan was going to do, so he quickly handed her his bow and arrows. Xiao Xuan took the bow and arrows and was about to shoot at Zhao Guangyi, but she was not a trained fighter and could not draw the bowstring no matter what she did.

Xiao Jixian, who was standing nearby, saw this clearly and quickly called out, "Third Sister, let me help you." After saying that, he jumped off his horse, leaped onto Xiao Xuan's horse, and drew his bow.

"Jixian, I want to shoot that man under the yellow umbrella myself." Xiao Xuan said, taking aim at Zhao Guangyi with the help of Xiao Jixian's drawn bow. She was hardly a natural archer, but fortunately, Xiao Jixian was a genuine expert. As Xiao Xuan aimed, he gently guided her hand, helping his third sister lock onto the target.

With a "whoosh," a cold wind carrying an arrow shot swiftly toward Zhao Guangyi. Under the yellow umbrella, Zhao Guangyi clutched his arm and fell backward.

Xiao Xuan sighed and then said, "Shoot again!"

Xiao Jixian quickly drew his bow again, waiting to release the arrow with Xiao Xuan.

"Ah, General Yelü!" Just as Xiao Xuan was about to send out the arrow, Xiao Jixian blurted out.

Following Xiao Jixian's gaze, Xiao Xuan looked towards the center of the battlefield, where Yelü Xiuge had already suffered several knife wounds and was now aiming his arrows at the people under the yellow umbrella.

Xiao Jixian was surprised not because Xiu Ge had chosen the same target as them, but because when Xiu Ge drew his bow and aimed, a Song general behind him also aimed his bow and arrow at him.

Without any hesitation, Xiao Xuan turned her bow and arrow around and aimed it at the Song general who was about to launch a sneak attack.

The three arrows were fired simultaneously.

Zhao Guangyi had just been helped to his feet by those around him, and before he could even regain his balance, another arrow struck his shoulder. At the same time, Xiu Ge also took an arrow to the shoulder. Xiu Ge looked towards the person who had shot him, and saw an arrow piercing the man's throat. Following the direction of the arrow, he saw Xiao Xuan riding alongside Xiao Jixian, holding a bow and arrow in her hand.

"Damn it!" Hugh pulled the arrow out of his shoulder and cursed under his breath.

This woman just wouldn't listen; she ran off to the battlefield again. Hugh, having pulled out the arrow, looked again at the enormous yellow umbrella and saw that it had already fallen to the ground, trampled by the fighting horses, while the person beneath it had vanished without a trace.

Looking at Xiaoxuan again, he found her still staring blankly at him, her eyes filled with deep concern. Xiu turned around, swung his weapon, and charged back into the fray.

He knew she was worried about her injuries. "If you're really worried, then worry about me even more." Yelü Xiuge, charging ahead into the Song army, soon suffered several new wounds on his legs and arms, in addition to the several knife wounds and the arrow wound he had sustained.

Under Xiao Xuan's watchful gaze, in the firelight, Xiu Ge, his clothes soaked in blood, resembled a tiger descending from the mountain, terrifying the Song army into a rout. The Liao soldiers, having turned the tide and reversed their defeat, were greatly encouraged and pursued the routed Song troops relentlessly. That night, the fighting continued until dawn, rivers of blood flowing and corpses strewn across the battlefield. This battle is historically known as the Battle of Gaoliang River.

The Song army was defeated and fled, the crisis in Nanjing was finally resolved, and everything returned to peace. At this moment, in a luxurious house in the city, Xiao Xuan was throwing a tantrum.

"What? Does he have a death wish? He's injured and can't ride a horse, yet he still chased after me all the way to Zhuozhou by carriage! Send someone to bring him back to me immediately!" Xiao Xuan shouted.

Enraged, Yelü Xiuge, in a frenzy of killing, actually chased the Song army all the way to Zhuozhou! He seemed to have no regard for his life! After dismissing everyone, Xiao Xuan was sulking alone in the room when a servant entered and whispered in her ear, "Your Majesty, Han De has sent Lord Han to request an audience."

Xiao Xuan was slightly taken aback, then said, "Pass it on."

Han Derang, carrying a package, entered the room and knelt respectfully, saying, "Your subject Han Derang greets Your Majesty the Empress."

"No need for formalities, please stand up and speak," Xiaoxuan instructed softly.

Standing up, Han Derang glanced at Xiao Xuan, handed the item in his hand to the attendant, and said, "This is tea left behind by the Song army when they fled. It smells very good. Han Derang knows that Her Majesty the Empress likes to drink tea, so he specially brought some for Her Majesty to try."

"Okay!" Xiao Xuan nodded and said to the attendant, "Go brew a pot of tea."

Seeing the attendant carrying a tea bag out of the room, Xiao Xuan said to Han Derang, who was standing in front of her, "Sit down, don't be shy. Nanjing owes a lot to you this time."

Han Derang sat down in his chair and looked at Xiao Xuan, who seemed a little uncomfortable, and asked, "Why did Your Majesty suddenly come here? It's very dangerous here. If you must come, you should wait until the troops have retreated and the siege has been lifted before making any plans."

Xiao Xuan listened to his words, not knowing how to respond, so she lowered her head and remained silent.

"Are the princes and princesses all well?" Han Derang asked.

Xiao Xuan nodded and said, "Very good. During this time, you went back to Nanjing to guard the city in place of your father. The children have been thinking about you."

"Yes, I miss them very much too," Han Derang said softly, then asked in a low voice, "When does Her Majesty the Empress plan to return to the capital?"

Xiao Xuan looked up, sighed, and shook her head, saying, "I don't know either. I want to see how Xiu-ge's injuries are before making a decision. If Xiu-ge's injuries are minor, I'll go back sooner. Yan-shou-nu is still too young, and I can't rest easy about her."

"Oh, right, the Song army left behind a lot of items this time. I'll go and pick out some more so that Her Majesty the Empress can take them back for the children when she leaves. I think those little ones will be very happy." After Han Derang finished speaking, he looked at Xiao Xuan's melancholy expression and said softly, "Your Majesty doesn't look well. You should rest first. If you need anything, just tell someone to call me." Seeing Xiao Xuan nod to him, he reluctantly turned and left the room.

Sigh! Xiaoxuan let out a long sigh. Every time she saw him, she felt uneasy. Emotional debts are truly hard to repay.

The people who went to find Brother Xiu hadn't returned by nightfall. It wasn't until dawn that Brother Xiu, covered in blood, returned to Nanjing with the help of others. However, instead of immediately going to see Xiao Xuan as ordered, he had his wounds bandaged and cleaned up before going to see her.

Xiao Xuan, who was half asleep in bed, was woken up by her maid, who told her that Brother Xiu had returned and was waiting to see her in the study. She quickly got up, ordered the maid to tidy up her clothes and hair, and then lifted her long skirt and ran to the study.

Empress of Khitan - Empress Dowager of Khitan Chapter 75: Proposing Marriage

Updated: 2008-09-20 16:54:08 Word Count: 3545

As I entered the study, I saw Hugh, who was already waiting there, dressed neatly.

"You! Are you out of your mind?" Xiao Xuan shouted angrily, walking up to Xiu Ge and berating him, "How many lives do you have? Don't you want to live? Why did you chase him so far?"

Seeing her furious face, Hugh felt a surge of joy. He said in a deep voice, "I'm back alive, aren't I?"

"Stop nagging me." Xiaoxuan said, then reached out and tore open his shirt.

Hugh grabbed her hand, wanting to say something, but couldn't utter a word. He slowly released her hand.

She glared at him, then pulled open his shirt and saw his body covered in wounds.

Touching her bandaged wound, Xiaoxuan muttered, "Let me find you a wife, then someone will take care of you."

"You dare!" Hugh shouted angrily.

"Why wouldn't I dare?" Xiao Xuan glared fiercely at Xiu Ge and said, "Finding you a wife is to let you be loved and cared for. But look at your attitude, it's like we've given you a poisonous snake to keep by your side."

“Women are poisonous snakes,” Hugh roared. “If you dare to find one for me, I will fight my way to the border of Song and die in battle.”

"You think I'm forcing you to your death by finding you a wife?" Xiaoxuan asked angrily.

"In short, I just don't want it!"

The two glared at each other, their expressions as if they were enemies from lifetimes ago.

"Fine, it's your choice!" Xiao Xuan decided to admit defeat, ending this seemingly endless stalemate. "If you can't find a wife in the future, don't blame me for not being fair!"

Looking at Xiao Xuan, Xiu Ge laughed and said, "What a joke! Don't you know who's standing in front of you? Do you think I, Yelü Xiu Ge, can't find a wife? Hahaha! It's not that I can't find one, it's that I don't care! In short, I just don't want one. You're not allowed to force me, and you're even less allowed to let His Majesty force me. If you dare to whisper in His Majesty's ear, I'll go to the battlefield alone and die."

"Alright, alright, no one's forcing you!" Xiao Xuan hadn't expected him to have such a strong objection to her trying to help him settle down. She said, "Do whatever you want. Now, you'd better lie down obediently!"

He bit his lip, turned around to leave, and heard her say behind him, "Sending you two or three maids to serve you should be alright, right?"

"Not a single woman is allowed to be sent to me!" After saying this, Brother Xiu walked out of the study. Watching his departing figure, Xiao Xuan sighed and murmured, "He's always so stubborn, like a bull."

Xiu Ge slowly walked towards the gate of the mansion. His wounds burned with pain, but his heart ached even more. How could I, Xiu Ge, not find a wife? Yes, you win, I just can't find the woman I want as my wife! Thinking of this, a wave of pain washed over him, and he couldn't help but cough. Gently touching the wound on his chest, savoring the piercing pain in his heart, he walked step by step toward the carriage waiting at the gate.

With the crisis in Nanjing resolved, Xiao Xuan stayed behind to handle the post-war affairs, while Xiao Jixian hurriedly returned to Shangjing to inform Yelü Xian, who had rushed back from his hunting trip, about the lifting of the siege of Nanjing.

For several days, Yelü Xian was in a rage, and no one dared approach him. Even princes and princesses who wanted to see him had to be summoned by their attendants first. He knew that he was in a fit of anger, and if he wasn't careful, he might harm the child. Xiao Chuo! Yan Yan! Why do you always pressure me? This is the third time you've left my side without permission!

He was waiting, waiting for his empress to return. This time, he wanted to hear her explanation. He knew that once they met, he would likely succumb to her gentleness again, so he could only use this brief opportunity to vent his anger. Sitting in the court, Yelü Xian stared at his ministers with a livid face. Undoubtedly, they were looking for trouble; he needed to vent.

"Urgent report from Nanjing!" A loud shout came from outside the hall.

"Send it here!" Yelü Xian shouted.

Dressed neatly, Xiao Jixian walked into the main hall, knelt down and said, "Greetings, Your Majesty."

With a gaze as cold as a sword, Yelü Xian looked at Xiao Jixian and said, "Hmph! Speak!"

Ji Xian's heart sank. He naturally understood why Yelü Xian's attitude was so bad, but fortunately, he was prepared. Having spent so much time with his third sister, he knew His Majesty's temper pretty well. Now was precisely the time when he was angry with his third sister, so he had to be careful with his words, otherwise, with his third sister in Nanjing, there would be no way to save her if she suffered a loss. He immediately said, "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager in Nanjing personally supervised the battle and wounded the Song Emperor. The crisis in Nanjing has been resolved."

"Wow!"

"Her Majesty the Empress is personally overseeing the battle!"

A commotion arose among the officials. Amid the uproar, Yelü Xian's face changed from ashen to surprised. He looked at Xiao Jixian and asked, "Xiao Jixian, what did you say? Say it again to me."

"The Empress accompanied Xiuge with troops from the Five Courts to Nanjing to provide emergency relief. Together with General Xiezhen, they used a strategy to defeat the Song army. The Empress even personally shot an arrow and hit the Song Emperor. Scouts have been sent out to investigate and say that the Song Emperor's whereabouts are unknown and his fate is uncertain."

Xiao Jixian's words couldn't have been clearer this time. Yelü Xian pondered for a moment and then said, "Court adjourned! Xiao Jixian, come to my study to see me."

"yes!"

Ji Xian answered, then let out a soft breath. Judging from His Majesty's tone, his anger seemed to have subsided considerably. Standing up, Ji Xian walked towards the study. Upon arriving, after being announced by a servant, he entered and was met with Yelü Xian's very displeased face. Ji Xian quickly said, "Your Majesty."

"Hmph!" Yelü Xian looked at Xiao Jixian and said, "The Empress herself shot the arrow? Brother Liuzhi, do you think I'll be happy just because you say that? Do you think I don't know how much strength the Empress has? How could she draw that bow and shoot that arrow?" Yelü Xian's eyes were unusually cold as he looked at Xiao Jixian. The meaning in his eyes was very clear: If you report the truth, even if I'm angry, I won't punish you. But if you're deliberately deceiving me because you're afraid of making me angry, Brother Liuzhi, even if you are my consort, I will never forgive you!

"Your Majesty, Ji Xian and the Empress rode together on the same horse. Ji Xian helped the Empress draw her bow, and the arrow she shot was clearly seen by all the soldiers. Ji Xian was not lying."

Yelü Xian paused for a moment, then said, "You can't even draw a bow yourself, yet you insist on acting like a man. What nonsense!"

"This is not the Empress's fault. Firstly, the situation was urgent at the time, and secondly, the Empress and the Song Emperor were old enemies, which is why the Empress insisted on drawing the bow and shooting the arrow."

"An old enemy?" Yelü Xian asked, puzzled. "Then the Song Emperor and she were old enemies? What do you mean?"

"Your Majesty, the founding emperor of the Song Dynasty was the one who gave the Empress the precious pearl, but he died suddenly two years ago. The current Song emperor is the younger brother of the former emperor. He heard from the Empress that he wants to avenge the two arrows the former emperor shot at him back then."

What! Something flashed through Yelü Xian's mind. He remembered the scar on her body that had faded over the years. Could this Song Emperor be the one who hurt her back then? "Brother Liu, quickly send word to prepare that I am going to Nanjing first thing tomorrow morning!"

"yes!"

Watching Xiao Jixian leave the room, Yelü Xian felt no longer angry, but filled with guilt.

Yan Yan, is that the person who hurt you back then? Did you know it was him, which is why you rushed there without considering the consequences? Why couldn't you wait for me? Wouldn't it have been better for me to avenge you? Why did you insist on putting yourself in such danger?

Several days later, Yelü Xian, who was traveling to Nanjing with his princes and princesses, finally met the empress he had been longing for.

Looking at Yelü Xian, who stood before her angrily, Xiao Xuan sighed inwardly. She wondered how he would treat her this time. She had intended to return before he came back from his hunting trip, but who knew that Brother Xiu's injuries would be so severe, and that he would return so quickly? She might as well accept it; given his temper, he wouldn't forgive her so easily. Being caught red-handed, she could only blame her bad luck.

As he strode towards her, Xiaoxuan closed her eyes tightly. But instead of a stern reprimand, he gave her a tight embrace.

"No matter what I do, you will always find a way to leave my side. Tell me, what should I do to stop you from taking risks?"

Hearing the words in her ear, Xiao Xuan's eyes widened. She looked at Yelü Xian in disbelief and said, "You're not angry anymore?"

Looking into those eyes, Yelü Xian didn't know what to say. "What can I do even if I'm angry? You won't care anyway."

"I do care!" Xiaoxuan said, gently stroking his face. "I've been thinking about this for the past few days. What should I do now that you're angry?"

He knew this would be the outcome. No matter how angry he was, a few words from her could shatter his fury. That was the woman he loved. Before coming, he had a thousand words in his heart, but upon seeing her again, all words were superfluous. He longed for her to understand his suffering, yet he didn't want her to worry about him. His health was deteriorating, and fearing her worry, whenever he felt unwell, he would use hunting as an excuse to escape. In the wilderness, he would often ponder and make plans for her and the children's future—all of this he kept from her.