Song Xingzhi a vécu sous le règne de l'empereur Huizong

Chapitre 129

Zhao Defang frowned at her, puzzled. Although she felt there was something deeper in her words, she didn't press the matter. She simply said, "Wanlan, this campaign in Hedong will probably take several months. If you feel bored at home, go to the palace to keep the Empress Dowager company, or have Xuan'er and Lanwu accompany you for a walk."

"Hmm." She responded faintly, "What will happen to Xu'er and Xian'er if I leave?"

"I think Mother would be very willing to take care of those two little ones."

Wanlan smiled, took his arm, and leaned closer to him, her eyes blinking as she stared intently at the delicate flowers embroidered on the tablecloth, murmuring:

"That way... I can be completely at ease."

On New Year's Eve, the Imperial Uncle actually forced Zehua to stay in the palace.

Wanlan was furious and immediately took Xuan'er to the palace, where she spent the night with her mother in Baoci Palace. Early on the first day of the new year, Zehua reluctantly took her out of the palace.

That evening, the family finally had a belated reunion dinner.

Seeing that Zehua hardly had any time to stay at home, Wanlan started going to the palace with him. He was busy with court affairs, while she was busy talking more with her mother.

"After you leave, I also want to leave the capital and travel around, so I'll spend more time with my mother now."

She told Zehua this.

On the seventh day of the first month of the fourth year of the Taiping Xingguo era, Emperor Taizong ordered Zhang Ji, the Crown Prince's advisor, and Ju Zhongzheng, the Imperial Compiler, to go on a mission to Goryeo to announce the northward expedition.

On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, Emperor Taizong hosted a banquet for Pan Mei and others at Changchun Palace, personally receiving Fang Lue before sending them off. The palace was bustling with activity that day, but two women elsewhere had no time for such events. For Wanlan, the fifteenth of the first lunar month marked the one-month anniversary of her son, Weixian. Zehua was too busy to accompany them, but she would make her own arrangements. Wanlan, who had entered the palace with Zhao Defang, turned and went to Baoci Palace.

Inside Baoci Palace, two women stood silently facing each other, both with worried expressions.

On the tatami mat beside them, nearly three-year-old Weixu was playfully teasing one-year-old Weixian, the two little ones giggling with delight. "Lan'er, are you really leaving?"

Wanlan smiled faintly, "Mother, if you were in my shoes, and the circumstances allowed, would you make the same choice as me?"

Song Huining paused for a moment, then nodded knowingly. "I understand. You can go now. Leave the two children to me. You need to be extra careful. That kind of situation is no joke."

Looking at the gentle woman before her, Wanlan suddenly rushed forward and hugged her. "Although I have forgotten the past, Mother, I will never forget your love and affection."

This woman, only a few years older than her, cared for her like a mother, and she could never forget her, no matter what happened in the future.

"Fool, what are you saying! It's not like you're not coming back, don't make it sound like we'll never see each other again."

Wanlan rested her head on her shoulder, offering a silent, bitter smile.

She herself wasn't sure if she could return, and she didn't even dare tell Zehua about this trip, knowing full well that he would never agree. "Mother."

"Um?"

"You must take good care of yourself. If your uncle dares to hurt you again, I will definitely not let him get away with it!"

The inner palace has always been more intense than any battlefield. The Empress Dowager has always been gentle and avoids conflict. In the past, as Empress, she had a relatively smooth life. But now she is entangled with the Imperial Uncle. If someone with ulterior motives finds out, the consequences will be unimaginable. Song Huining chuckled, "Why are you worried about me? You should worry about yourself. If Defang finds out about this, he'll be furious."

"That's why I'm going to act first and ask questions later! If he's angry, let him be."

Who told him to forget everything he said?

She had clearly reminded him that no matter what, he must never leave her side again, and no matter what happened, he must keep her by his side.

If he wants to forget what he promised, he shouldn't blame her for acting first and asking questions later, without telling him anything.

Chapter 112, A Person Across the River Amidst the Sound of Rain (1)

February 15th, the fourth year of the Taiping Xingguo era.

The expeditionary force set off from the capital in a grand procession.

This northern expedition was led by the emperor himself, and there were both supporters and opponents in the court. In the past, Emperor Shizong of Zhou (Note: Emperor Chai Rong of the Later Zhou Dynasty) and Emperor Taizu had both personally attacked Taiyuan but failed to conquer it. Zhao Hao was dissatisfied and summoned Cao Bin, the Privy Councilor, to ask: "Is Taiyuan inaccessible because its city walls are strong and its country is intact?"

Cao Bin replied, “During the reign of Emperor Shizong, Shi Chao (Note: a loyal minister of the Later Zhou Dynasty) was defeated at Shiling Pass, causing the army's morale to waver and panic, so he withdrew his troops. Emperor Taizu stationed his troops at Gancaodi, and many soldiers contracted dysentery, thus halting the attack. This was not because the city walls were inaccessible. Now, the national army is elite, and the people are united. If we can advance to comfort the people and punish the guilty, our momentum will be as swift as crushing dry leaves!”

However, a group led by Chancellor Xue Juzheng argued: "When Emperor Shizong of Zhou raised an army, Taiyuan, relying on the aid of the Khitan, held its fortified positions and refused to engage in battle, eventually retreating due to the exhaustion of its troops. Later, when Emperor Taizu decisively defeated the Khitan army south of Yanmen Pass, he drove all the local people to the area between the Yellow River and the Luo River. Although the enemy's strongholds still existed, their situation was extremely precarious and difficult. Taking it would not be enough to secure our territory." The implication was that this northern expedition was meaningless.

Zhao Hao, however, disagreed and insisted on personally leading the expedition, arguing that "the late emperor's great victory over the Khitan and the relocation of the people there to vacate that place was precisely for today's important matter."

As the group left Beijing, the sun was high in the sky, which slightly dispelled the chill.

The soldiers, clad in heavy armor, moved with a clanging sound as their armor clashed, accompanied by the long, deep rumble of the sound equipment, creating a truly impressive spectacle.

Among the civil and military officials who accompanied the expedition, Xue Weiji was one who volunteered for the mission. However, he was somewhat distracted along the way, and Zhao Dezhao, who was in the same army as him, was very dissatisfied with his state.

On the tenth day, the army stayed overnight in Chanzhou.

Zhao Dezhao found a time to find Xue Weiji and ask him what had happened along the way. This man was one of the few who volunteered for the Northern Expedition, so why did he become so indifferent at this time?

Inside the brightly lit tent, Zhao Dezhao stood with his hands behind his back, coldly staring at the man standing before him, and raised his voice to ask, "What exactly happened? If you didn't want to go, why did you volunteer in the first place?"

Xue Weiji frowned, his handsome face contorted in distress, looking very troubled. At that moment, he suddenly realized the enormity of his mistake.

How could he agree to such a risky thing?

"Lord Xue!"

Xue Weiji coughed lightly, his face looking quite unpleasant.

"This is a bit difficult to talk about."

It was more than just unspeakable; if the Emperor found out about this, he feared even ten lives wouldn't be enough to atone for it. "If you're unwilling to explain to me, then go and tell the Emperor yourself, what do you say?"

""No."

Xue Weiji gave a wry smile and looked at the cold-faced man opposite him with a pleading expression, "May I speak to the King of Qin?"