Impératrices transmigrantes (hommes et femmes)

Chapitre 14

"You're used to it too!"

"Heh, you're still the same as you were three years ago, showing absolutely no mercy!"

"You're already a major general, becoming a grand general is just around the corner!" Xingge patted Dou Huai on the shoulder, and the two sat down side by side.

"You know I've aspired to be in the military since I was a child, but military life can be quite lonely at times."

"Hehe, just hurry up and marry your childhood sweetheart."

“Those were just jokes between my father and Prince Li back then, how can you take them seriously! Besides, I don’t expect a royal princess to follow me on my campaigns.” Dou Huai said calmly, then paused for a moment and said, “Do you find it fun dealing with people all day long in the Qing Prince’s Mansion? The Western Cang is vast and open, more suitable for you.”

"Heh heh, you can't even beat me, yet you want to coax me into becoming your subordinate?"

"Once I become a great general, you can come and freeload off me. No one will be able to bully you anymore," Dou Huai whispered.

Xingge stared at Dou Huai for a moment, then laughed happily, "Great! You can't control me then, you'll have to give me lots of money to spend, and you'll even let me bully you!"

"It's always you who bullies me!" Dou Huai smiled warmly.

Meanwhile, inside the painting academy, Xiao Ran was playing the zither absentmindedly when a slender figure flashed in through the door.

"Third Brother, are you being melancholy again?"

"What is melancholy?" came a childish voice from behind.

"Xiao Le, I told you to come quietly, why did you bring Xiao Qi along?" Ran looked helplessly at Ba Mei and her four-year-old younger brother.

"He spotted me when I sneaked out and insisted on following me. I told him to go play somewhere else, it's no trouble!"

"Xiao Qi, Xiao Qi, ah! What are you doing?!"

Ran rushed to the wall and grabbed the little boy who was drooling and lunging at Xingge's portrait.

"This lady is so pretty!" Xiao Qi stared longingly at the portrait.

Xiao Le came over and wiped away the drool that was about to drip from her younger brother's mouth. "Stop looking like a little pervert! Is the older sister in the painting prettier or is the Jiang family's older sister prettier?"

Xiao Qi frowned and thought for a while before saying with difficulty, "Sister Jiang is beautiful, but...but this sister is even more handsome, more dashing, more...more...more charming!"

"Tch! When did you learn that lousy word, you little pervert!" Xiao Le laughed and scolded.

"I don't care, Third Brother, just give me the lady in the painting as my wife!"

"Haha, she doesn't even like Third Brother, so why would she like a shorty like you? You should just stay home and stay with your wives!"

Ran, standing to the side, looked grim. "Xiao Le, your husband didn't even come to see you this time he's back?!"

"That was just the nonsense those two old men talked when they were drunk. I didn't believe it. Besides, isn't Young Master Dou with your dream girl right now?"

"Enough! Are you deliberately trying to annoy me?"

Xiao Le came over with a smile, "I know why you're unhappy. A graceful lady, a loving husband, and joyful music will do you good!"

"But that requires people to be there! Xingge is going to Xicang in a few days, and he'll be gone for at least a year!"

"Oh?!" Xiao Le stroked her cheek and thought for a moment. "Good brother, it depends on whether you're willing to put in the effort."

Ran raised an eyebrow.

"Ahem," Xiao Le deliberately dawdled, "As the saying goes, even a fierce woman can be won over by a persistent suitor. You should stick to her like the plaster sold on Dongshi Zhou Street!"

The two people, one big and one small, were stunned, and all four of their phoenix eyes turned to look at the speaker.

"Eighth Sister, what is dog skin plaster?"

"Like a dog-skin plaster? That thing is so ugly! I can't learn it!" Ran frowned and looked distressed.

"Sigh!" Xiao Le made a face as if he were talking to a brick wall. "Brother, the point isn't being a leech! It's being sticky! It's about being sticky enough!"

A few days later, General Dou led his guards back to Xicang, and Prince Qing personally saw them off at the long pavilion outside the city.

"General Dou, I hope you have a safe journey. I will visit the soldiers guarding the country in Xicang again in a few days," Jiu Ru said.

"Please rest assured, Your Highness, your subordinate will do everything in his power to guard Xicang and await Your Highness's inspection."

Jiu Ru then turned to Dou Huai, "Young General, please take good care of Xing Ge and Mo Yi."

"Your Highness, please rest assured, this humble general will do everything in his power to protect them!"

As the horse caravan receded into the distance, Jiu Ru gazed with a smile at the moon-white figure on horseback. Wouldn't she turn around and take one last look?

Xingge and Mo were riding side by side when a thought suddenly struck them. They turned back to look at the pavilion and saw a tall, elegant man standing there, his black robes fluttering, a gentle smile on his face. Xingge smiled and waved.

As soon as the warmth spread through his heart, his smile deepened.

The cavalry traveled for nearly ten days before returning to Yumen Town in Xicang. Xingge claimed that he had no official position and could not stay in the camp. Dou Huai tried to persuade him to stay, but to no avail. He had no choice but to find a courtyard in town, hire some servants, and let Xingge and Mo stay there. Because Dou Huai was busy with official duties, he could only visit Xingge three to five days a month.

For the past two years, there had been no large-scale wars between the Central Plains and the Northern Jurchens, and the border towns were gradually prospering. Not only did merchants from the Central Plains flock there, but private merchants from the Northern Jurchens also frequently appeared, and even merchants from Liaodong and Dayuan could be seen. Xingge soon found a job as a qin player at "Du Chunfeng," the largest restaurant and inn in Yumen Town. With his exceptional qin skills and drinking capacity, he quickly became a celebrity in Yumen Town. Mo remained calm and composed, accompanying Xingge to and from "Du Chunfeng" and their lodgings every day.

Du Chunfeng was bustling with merchants and travelers every day, and Xingge made many connections here. Because he could speak the Northern Jurchen language, many Northern Jurchen merchants came to support him. Through these interactions, Xingge gradually realized that the fourth prince of the Northern Jurchen, who was in charge of Xicang, had opened up all the towns in Xicang under the jurisdiction of the Northern Jurchen as trading posts and vigorously encouraged his people to trade with the outside world. In just two years, he had transformed the originally desolate northern Xicang into a thriving place, and military affairs had become secondary.

On this day of rest, Xingge was leaning against a chair in the flower garden in the courtyard, deep in thought, when the gatekeeper came to report that a young master from the capital had come to see him. Xingge was surprised and hurriedly went out of the courtyard to find out what was going on.

24. Fourth Master

"Ge'er, Ge'er, I'm here!" Xingge saw a figure in white rushing towards her.

"Brother Ran, what are you doing here?" Xingge looked at Xiao Ran, who looked travel-worn and thinner.

"I, I have been traveling here and came here specifically to see you."

"You're traveling? What are those five carriages carrying?!" Xingge pointed behind Ran.

“I was worried that you wouldn’t eat well or be used to the things here, so I brought the cook and supplies from the capital for you.”

"Moving!"

"This yard is big enough, isn't it? I've had a hard journey, you must take me in."

Xingge understood that Ran had come to see her specifically, and she was touched. She said in a low voice, "Brother Ran, this border town is a dangerous place. Your status is so high, it must be inconvenient for you."

"With you and Mo protecting me, Ge'er, you won't kick me out, will you?" After saying that, she gave a pitiful yet somewhat shameless look, determined to stick with her this time!

Amidst Xingge's helpless sigh and Mo Yi's gloomy gaze, Ran moved in. Within a few days, Ran had made the courtyard much more comfortable. Since becoming the top musician, Xingge only needed to go to "enjoy spring breeze" on a few fixed days each month or when there were distinguished guests. On ordinary days, he would play chess and listen to music with Ran in the courtyard, and sometimes he would take Mo Yi to explore the vicinity of Yumen Town. This day, Dou Huai came to see Xingge, and after greeting Mo Yi, went straight to the backyard…

"Brother Ran, what are you doing here! When did you arrive? Why didn't you tell me?" Dou Huai was both surprised and delighted.

"I've been here for ten days, dear brother-in-law. I'm traveling around your territory this time, so please take good care of me," Ran said with a smile.

Dou Huai's face flushed. "Brother Ran, you're joking again. Are you acquainted with Xing Ge? The people at the border are a mess. Why don't you stay at my place? Last time at your house, it was too rushed, and we didn't have a proper chance to catch up."

“Yes, yes, quickly take this clingy person away!” Xingge chimed in with a smile.

Ran glared at Xingge, then teased Dou Huai, "This time I'm going to forget my friends for the sake of beauty. Your shabby, cramped man's den is nothing compared to this paradise of beauties!"

"Haha, that's true. It's just that I have to take on official duties, otherwise I would definitely spend my days in this paradise of pleasure with you all!"

...

...

The three chatted and laughed, the autumn sun gently illuminating the figures of the young men.

In the evening, Xingge received a message from Du Chunfeng's messenger, informing her that Fourth Master would arrive in three days and asking her to prepare accordingly.

Xingge had long heard of this Fourth Master in 'Du Chunfeng'. He was a private merchant from the Northern Jurchens who led his large caravan to Yumen Town every autumn to purchase goods. During this time, he would book the entire 'Du Chunfeng' as the caravan's accommodation. He was very generous and was a highly valued guest of the 'Du Chunfeng' owner. Xingge had always wanted to meet this person.

Five days later, Xingge was summoned to "Du Chunfeng" to play the zither for the Fourth Master. Xingge carried the zither and walked slowly to the inner hall. On the soft couch, a young man of about twenty-six or twenty-seven years old was leaning against the couch, pouring himself a drink. He was wearing only a long robe, barefoot, with slightly curly chestnut hair draped over his shoulders. His features were deep and handsome, with an indescribable untamed beauty.

"The musician Xingge, who plays the 'Du Chunfeng' zither, greets Fourth Master," Xingge said in the Northern Jurchen language as he bowed.

The person on the couch squinted at Xingge with his light brown eyes and asked with great interest, "Are you the 'Music Demon' who possesses the Li Sao Qin?"

Xingge was slightly surprised. No one in the border town knew the name "Qin Mo" before. This Fourth Master not only knew about the martial arts world in the Central Plains, but also spoke the Central Plains dialect fluently.

"The fleeting fame and fortune of the martial world are nothing to boast about, I'm sorry you had to laugh at me, Fourth Master," Xingge replied with a faint smile.

"In your name, why should you condescend to serve a musician here?"

"Hehe, although I have some skill with the zither, I am also a person of ordinary means. I travel all over the world and do not make a living as a zither player. Am I supposed to go out and commit arson, murder, and robbery? Fourth Master, do you have a better way to make money for me?"

"Haha, sir, you are truly a man of both the common and the refined. If I ever have the chance to travel to the Northern Kingdom, I will certainly treat you to a feast!"

"Thank you in advance, Fourth Master. What music would you like to hear tonight?"

"How could I trouble you, sir? It is an honor to meet you today. Please join me for a drink and tell me about your experiences in the Central Plains." Fourth Master raised his hand in invitation.

"Fourth Master, I humbly accept your offer."

The two drank merrily, singing and recounting many customs and anecdotes from the Central Plains, which Fourth Master listened with great interest. After several rounds of drinks, both were somewhat tipsy.

"Fourth Master, tonight the sky is clear and the moon is bright. I will play a tune of 'Moon over the Mountain Pass' to enhance the drinking experience!" Xingge placed his zither on his lap, and the sound of the zither was ancient and melodious...

The bright moon rises over the Tianshan Mountains, amidst the vast sea of clouds.

A long wind blows for tens of thousands of miles, passing through the Jade Gate Pass.

The Han army descended the Baideng Road, while the Hu people spied on the Qinghai Bay.

This place has always been a battlefield, and no one has ever returned.

The soldiers stationed on the frontier gaze at the border scenery, their faces etched with longing for home.

On this night, high-rise buildings cannot remain silent as sighs continue.

...

The Fourth Prince listened quietly, his gaze distant, and remained lost in thought for a long time after the music ended.

"Is Fourth Master missing his hometown?" Xingge whispered.

Fourth Master's eyes were unfocused. "The homeland of my Northern Jurchen clan is the vast and fertile grassland north of the Tianshan Mountains, where the sky is high and the clouds are light, and life is joyful and peaceful."

"Then why not spare the trouble and expense of the people and the Central Plains and go south to Xicang to get entangled with them?" Xingge asked with a seemingly casual smile.

The Fourth Prince's eyes instantly turned sinister. After staring at Xingge for a long while, he suddenly laughed and said, "We are all just commoners, so it's fine for us to speak our minds. In my opinion, the Northern Jurchens were locked in a protracted war with the Liao Dynasty for many years without any significant results. Coincidentally, the Central Plains were in turmoil, so the King sent his people to settle in Xicang. Xicang is actually a desolate land. A hundred years ago, it was incredibly prosperous as a trading post station, but due to its hostility towards the Central Plains, this function could not be fulfilled. Now that the Central Plains are becoming increasingly powerful, the Northern Jurchens have neither the ability nor the will to take over the Central Plains. They find Xicang tasteless and unwilling to give up!"

Xingge's eyes flickered slightly upon hearing this. "Fourth Master, your insights are truly unique. I toast to Fourth Master!"

"I had a very pleasant chat with you today, so we should drink to our hearts' content!"

Another hour or so passed.

“I, Beijue, am known for my drinking prowess, but today I am defeated by your immense capacity. Let us compete again another day.”