When Ling Xiao saw A Hao again, it was after lunch. Seeing that A Hao was smiling and didn't seem to have any lingering trauma or emotional distress, Ling Xiao felt relieved. He wanted to tease her a bit, but then felt it wouldn't be appropriate, so he had to give up for the time being.
There are currently many stories circulating in the military camp about Song Shuhao. Ling Xiao has heard them all, but he feels that each version is more fantastical than the last, with considerable embellishment.
However, all these different accounts have the same content: Song Shuhao personally took the life of the traitor Zhao Jian, and she jumped directly from the city wall and was caught by the emperor.
Although he hadn't witnessed what exactly happened, Ling Xiao knew that, given A-Hao's personality, she must have had ill intentions at that time. Since nothing happened, there was no need to pursue those matters further, including her experiences these past few days.
Because she knew nothing about what Ah Hao had been going through these days, Ling Xiao was careful with her words, even with a smile on her face, afraid of saying something she shouldn't. Ah Hao, on the other hand, saw through her thoughts, comforted her for a few words, and then asked about Lü Yuan's situation.
Ling Xiao couldn't help but suppress her laughter and sighed. She looked at the person in front of her and said softly, "You really are just like your name..." Ling Xiao was still amazed. How did Song Shuhao manage to maintain such a kind and generous nature after spending more than ten years in the harem? Yet, she didn't come across as annoying.
She was indeed alright, and then she started caring about others. Lü Yuan was originally sent by Zhang Yu to protect her, but she was kidnapped from Fengcheng by Inspector Zhao. Given Zhang Yu's past behavior, the fact that Lü Yuan was still alive was already a sign of gratitude.
Lu Yuan was an old man who had followed Zhang Yu for over a decade, and it's understandable that he might feel resentful about being treated this way. Even if he didn't resent it, he would still feel uncomfortable to some extent.
She must have considered this, which is why she wanted to find Lü Yuan first at this time. Her sincerity and earnestness alone are enough to win people's hearts and make them convinced.
Ling Xiao was still lost in thought when she heard Song Shuhao say, "Ling Xiao, there's something I think I need to tell you..." Seeing Ah Hao beckoning to her, Ling Xiao leaned in without thinking, and then heard Song Shuhao say, "Actually, the name 'Shuhao' means beautiful, not that..."
Why doesn't she want to listen at all!
Who do you think you're taking advantage of for being illiterate?! (Angrily throws it!)
Startled and momentarily bewildered, Ling Xiao wanted to retract her previous thoughts. Why did she feel this person was becoming increasingly wicked? Could it be that spending so much time with the Emperor had corrupted her?!
Seeing the smile on Song Shuhao's face, Ling Xiao, who had been tricked, pointed at her and laughed helplessly, "Shuhao, you really are..." He didn't know how to describe it, so he had to give up and laughed again, "Alright, alright, I was wrong and made you laugh. I'll take you to find Eunuch Yuan now, okay?"
Ah Hao grabbed Ling Xiao's finger, but said with a smile, "How could we dare to laugh at Princess Ning? Wouldn't that be suicidal?"
She was rarely teased about this, and for some reason, she felt embarrassed when she heard it. Ling Xiao stomped his foot in anger but couldn't do anything about Song Shuhao, so he simply withdrew his hand and ignored her, walking away on his own. Seeing this, and not wanting Ling Xiao to refuse to take her to find Lü Yuan, Ahao quickly chased after him.
...
Before Song Shuhao was abducted by Zhao Jian, Lü Yuan was unable to return to her side in time because he was entangled with someone. That night, he was seriously injured, and later he was kicked in the chest by Zhang Yu. In addition, he followed Yu Xin from Fengcheng to Nanwan City out of unease, and even now, his injuries have not improved much.
When Ling Xiao brought Ahao to visit Lü Yuan, he was lying on the couch resting. Only after learning that Song Shuhao was safe and sound did he relax and finally be able to focus on his own recovery.
Without a word, upon seeing Song Shuhao come to see him, Lü Yuan quickly rolled off the small couch and was about to kneel down and kowtow to apologize, but instead asked Ahao to help him up. He didn't dare to actually let Ahao help him up, so he quickly stood still and bowed to Ahao.
“I heard from Ling Xiao that Eunuch Yuan’s injuries are quite serious, so there’s no need for this.”
Song Shuhao had known Lü Yuan for more than a year or two. In the past, one of them served Empress Dowager Feng and the other served Zhang Yu, so they were considered equals. Even now, Song Shuhao still viewed Lü Yuan in this way, and felt rather uncomfortable seeing him bow to her with such respect.
Insisting that Lü Yuan lie down again, A-Hao then said to him, "His Majesty is no longer angry, Eunuch Yuan, please rest and recover. I am also perfectly fine, so there's no need to blame yourself too much..."
She had only said a few words when, unexpectedly, Lü Yuan, lying on the bed, covered his face with his sleeve and burst into tears. Song Shuhao was startled, and Ling Xiao was also bewildered. Lü Yuan then stammered out a lot of words. His words were quite indistinct, and it would take some effort to understand them clearly. However, it was generally understandable; half of it was regret and self-blame, and the other half was lingering fear and relief that Ahao was alright.
Lu Yuan was someone who worked for Zhang Yu and rarely lost his composure, so when he cried like this, A-Hao could only quickly try to comfort him. After a while, he stopped crying, but perhaps feeling ashamed, he kept his sleeves covering his face so they wouldn't see him.
Having been rebuffed by Lü Yuan several times before, Ling Xiao felt her chance for "revenge" had finally arrived. With a sly grin, she reached out and tugged at his sleeve, forcing him to show his face, all the while saying, "Oh dear, what's wrong with our Eunuch Yuan? Look at his pitiful, tear-streaked face..."
However, before Ling Xiao could finish speaking, Song Shuhao said goodbye to Lü Yuan and dragged her out... Ling Xiao couldn't refuse Song Shuhao's request, so he bit his sleeve in resentment and had no choice but to let Lü Yuan go.
·
Ji Heng was very sincere, and the exchange terms he offered were satisfactory. After staying in Nanwan City for several days, and after reaching an agreement and signing a treaty with Dayuan, Zhang Yufang gave the order to lead his army to withdraw from Nanwan City.
They had thought it would take at least two years, but plans are always subject to change, and the matter was resolved in less than a year. The army's actual withdrawal from Dayuan would take some time, so Zhang Yu brought Ahao back to Tongcheng ahead of schedule and began considering other arrangements.
It was September, and there were still three months left in the year. If they worked hard, they might be able to return to the capital before the New Year. However, Zhang Yu did not intend to wait until the entire army had withdrawn from Dayuan before returning to Lin'an with the main force.
So, after discussing it with Ahao, they chose a nice morning and Zhang Yu took her and Lu Chuan, who was in charge of odd jobs, and set off from Qiwu Mansion in Tongcheng, embarking on their return journey ahead of schedule.
Back in Daqi territory, things were naturally different from when they were in Dayuan. Zhang Yu had promised to take Ahao to see the scenery of Daqi, and he didn't want to break his promise. Now was a perfect opportunity.
Ling Xiao discovered that Zhang Yu and Song Shuhao were nowhere to be found; it was already noon of the day they left. She searched everywhere but couldn't find them, but she did see Lü Yuan, who was still trying to recover from his injuries.
I learned from Lü Yuan that Zhang Yu and Song Shuhao had already left. I imagined the two of them going sightseeing, enjoying delicious food, and having a wonderful time...
Not jealous at all! Ling Xiao silently bit her handkerchief, tears welling in her eyes.
Even though Ling Xiao wanted to team up with others and emulate Zhang Yu and Song Shuhao, traveling back to Lin'an ahead of time, he couldn't find suitable companions, forcing him to abandon this wishful thinking. He spent his days lamenting in Tongcheng, forced to wait for the army to regroup before returning together.
The agreement reached with Dayuan, along with the corresponding arrangements, naturally reached Lin'an City. Having anticipated a two-year wait before seeing Lingxiao again, Prince Ning was overjoyed to see him reunited in less than a year.
Given Ling Xiao's status and responsibilities, the remaining matters were not of much concern to her, and leaving early would not affect the overall situation. Knowing this, Prince Ning immediately ordered someone to be sent to Tongcheng to bring Ling Xiao back, an important matter.
When Prince Ning's men arrived in Tongcheng with his letter, Ling Xiao, having learned everything, cheered for her early liberation. She happily and cheerfully packed her belongings, and, with deep sympathy for Lü Yuan, went to bid him farewell.
"Grandpa Yuan, rest and recover. Follow the doctor's orders carefully. Be sure to stay calm and composed. Remember not to get angry, irritable, or depressed. You must stay happy!"
Ling Xiao felt her smile was as warm as a spring breeze, but seeing Lü Yuan's dark face and gritted teeth, she finally regained her composure and laughed heartily. She got into her carriage and left Tongcheng without hesitation, abandoning her former comrade-in-arms.
·
In his letter, Prince Ning said that she could freely command those people as she pleased. Ling Xiao praised him in her heart for being sensible, but without hesitation, she chose to travel and have fun along the way. Although time was not plentiful, she had someone to protect her and someone to pay for her expenses. She only needed to enjoy herself and do whatever she wanted. She had no reason to waste this opportunity.
It wasn't until mid-December that Ling Xiao received news that the army would be returning soon. Reluctantly, he abandoned his desire to continue his leisurely life and returned to Lin'an before then. He had left at the beginning of the year and was only returning at the end; life outside was still tough.
Just as Ling Xiao was silently remarking how good it was to be home, she finally realized a particularly serious and unavoidable problem. Before leaving Lin'an, she had been staying at the Imperial Hospital, but now that the army had not yet returned to the capital, she couldn't very well go back to the Imperial Hospital, and besides, she didn't want to go back.
Upon entering the city, she realized she had nowhere to go and nowhere to be home, and Ling Xiao silently shed tears. But unwilling to be taken directly to the Ning Prince's mansion, she softened her voice after much agonizing thought, and said hesitantly to the cold-faced guard who had picked her up in Tongcheng and protected her all the way, "Um...maybe I'd like to go to the Little Princess's mansion first..."
Looking at the seemingly shy person in front of him, and then thinking of the person who had been eating and drinking heartily along the way and had been eager to harass innocent young men, and considering that this was the person his master, Prince Ning, had been longing for, the cold-faced guard's face seemed to crack open in an instant.
But in the end, Ling Xiao was still sent to the little princess's residence.
Zhang Xin, who had been married to Xia Mingzhe for eight months and was five months pregnant, stayed indoors because of the cold weather and didn't want to go anywhere. When she heard from her servants that there were guests, she immediately had her maid help her sit up on the small couch, and then got up and went outside.