Jeune Premier ministre, un ermite

Chapitre 121

The taut bow suddenly released, and the silver arrow, with the force to shatter metal and split stone, tore through the air and whistled as it shot out.

The soldiers guarding the Jianmen Pass fell.

Blood seeped from Wei Zijun's back.

"Your Highness—" the soldiers behind him cried out in alarm as they looked at the pool of blood. But they were powerless; their strength was insufficient to reach that range.

"Fourth Prince—I'll shoot—" Miao Zhou, who had been silent all along, finally couldn't hold back anymore.

"Are you a better shot than me?" With a light touch between his fingers, he drew his bow again, and the gleaming arrow, accompanied by the sound of wind and thunder, pierced through the canyon and went straight into the chest of the opposing soldier.

Arrow after arrow, precise and ruthless arrows, opened up that treacherous pass.

Until the tender skin could no longer withstand the friction of the rough bowstring, and blood seeped from the fingertips.

Until, Dayu's elite troops broke through Jianmen Pass with almost no casualties.

With Fang Gu in front and Yan Jingguang behind, the two armies joined forces to encircle and annihilate the enemy, capturing Jianmen Pass in less than two hours.

With this strategic pass breached, the Dayu army advanced with unstoppable momentum, reaching Hanyuanpo, capturing Puan, and then Fucheng. The Tibetan garrisons along the way collapsed without a fight, surrendering without a battle, allowing the Dayu army to advance smoothly westward. Four days after breaking through Jianmen Pass, the Dayu army reached the walls of Shu County.

When the vanguard of the Dayu army arrived, the Tibetan army was launching a massive attack on the city. Taking advantage of their momentum, the Dayu army routed the attacking Tibetan forces in one fell swoop. The Tibetan army suffered countless casualties and fled in disarray.

In the aftermath of the war, rivers of blood flowed beneath the walls of Shu County. The slanting sunlight cast a gloomy glow upon the crumbling armor and weapons. He Lu stood for a long time on the city wall, gazing into the distance.

Until, when the Yu army, like rolling dark clouds, swept in, and when that figure appeared in He Lu's sight, He Lu jumped off the city wall.

I kept running towards that figure, towards that exceptionally dazzling figure in the sunset, the figure that would shine even when mixed in with the crowd.

He leaped onto her horse, embraced her tightly from behind, buried his face in her neck, and inhaled her scent deeply. The setting sun cast warm, reddish light upon them. On the horizon, clouds drifted and swirled, colorful clouds filled the sky, and a flock of wild geese swept across the heavens, gradually disappearing into the orange-red glow of the sunset…

"He Lu, let go! Tens of thousands of soldiers are watching!" Wei Zijun awkwardly tried to pry He Lu's hand away.

“Look? When you were the Turks’ number one male favorite, weren’t you ashamed? When you hugged me in front of all the ministers, weren’t you ashamed? Hmm? You vixen!” He Lu stretched his face forward, so that the tip of his nose could touch her ear.

Seeing this, the surrounding soldiers blushed and lowered their heads, yet couldn't help peeking out from under their helmets. Through these days of shared life-and-death experiences, enduring hardships together, these soldiers had developed a deep respect and affection for Wei Zijun. Her courageous and resolute character, her refined and intelligent demeanor, and her indomitable spirit had left an indelible impression on them, holding an irreplaceable place in their hearts. Therefore, even if the person they respected had some unusual hobby, they wouldn't ridicule her; they would simply lower their heads to avoid the awkward situation.

"He Lu, do you want to die?" Seeing that the faces of the surrounding soldiers had turned liver-colored, Wei Zijun angrily jabbed them backward with her elbow.

"Ouch—" He Lu cried out in pain, nearly falling off his horse.

Wei Zijun was startled. "He Lu, are you injured?"

"It's just a minor injury, a small wound sustained during the battle between the two armies, it's all healed now. Are you alright?" He Lu stared intently at her retreating figure, carefully examining her body, his long, slender hand covering her delicate back, gently stroking it.

Miao Zhou, standing to the side, frowned, pursed his lips in a resolute manner, and coldly turned his face away, no longer looking at the two people.

His large hand gently stroked her shoulder, as if a simple touch would be enough. Suddenly, his hand paused as he noticed a trace of blood on her shoulder blade. He reached out and gently rubbed it with his fingers, and the blood spread out.

"Ugh..." Wei Zijun groaned in pain, "He Lu—what are you doing?"

"You're injured—" He Lu cried out in anguish.

He then wrapped his arms around her waist, seized the reins, spurred the horse, and charged towards the city gate. (Volume 3, Dayu Chapter, Chapter 107: Applying Medicine)

The two rode all the way to the military camp, where He Lu carried Wei Zijun inside.

“He Lu, stop…stop…” Wei Zijun grabbed He Lu’s hand as he was taking off her clothes.

“You’re bleeding—” He Lu removed her hand and then tried to pull at her clothes.

Wei Zijun clutched her collar tightly. "It's alright, I'm used to it. We'll talk about it when Physician Lin arrives."

"Don't be stubborn, let me see your injury first." He Lu grabbed the collar and ripped it open. "No...don't tear it...this dress is...very expensive..." Wei Zijun stammered, still stubbornly holding onto the collar.

He Lu ignored her and forcefully pulled her outer garment down to her shoulders, revealing her snow-white inner garment.

Seeing Wei Zijun with her clothes disheveled, she was incredibly alluring, her skin as pure and translucent as a piece of beautiful jade. He Lu Ke couldn't help but hug her, nuzzling his face against hers, "I want to do...do...the kind of thing in the book with you."

Wei Zijun froze, her eyes widening.

“You and the late king must do it often, I want to do it too.” He Lu’s breathing became a little rapid.

Wei Zijun was stunned for a moment upon hearing this, then felt both ashamed and angry. "He Lu, do you want to die?"

"If I do it, I'll die if I have to." He Lu held her body, which was shaking violently.

Wei Zijun was so angry that she felt dizzy and punched He Lu in the face. "This is how it's made for you."

He Lu grabbed Wei Zijun's hand and held her pulse point. "You'll hurt the wound if you keep doing this. Let me see the wound properly."

"He Lu—how dare you—" Wei Zijun roared, "Let go of my hand!"

He Lu completely ignored the feigned threat. "Kill me or cut me, stop the bleeding first. Let me see you first. You've seen me naked and even kissed my body. I haven't even seen you yet." He Lu angrily reached for the collar of her undergarment.

She kissed his body? Wei Zijun was confused. "What? When?"

“The time you were drunk, you kissed me here.” He Lu pointed to his chest.

Huh? She's done something like that before?

“Next time I want to kiss here too.” He Lu poked Wei Zijun’s chest with his finger. Wei Zijun’s face instantly turned bright red. “Take your hand away—”

"I won't kiss you today, I just want to see your injuries, be a good girl and let me see." He Lu's hand then reached to peel off her undergarment.

Wei Zijun, whose strength had been lost, was terrified. "He Lu, stop, stop now—" In desperation, she opened her mouth and bit He Lu's arm.

Just as the two were entangled, the door was kicked open with a bang. "Let him go—" Miaozhou rushed over, grabbed He Lu by the back of his collar with one hand, and shoved him backward. He Lu was immediately thrown towards the door, where he bumped into Liu Yunde, who was struggling to break in. Caught off guard, the two tumbled to the ground together.

Seeing this scene, Wei Zijun helplessly rubbed her forehead, "Everyone out—" Miaozhou glanced at the disheveled Wei Zijun and pulled up her collar, "I'll help you apply the medicine later."

Before he could finish speaking, Liu Yunde struggled to get up from the ground. "Don't touch her, I'll help with the medicine on the ground."

"I've always been the one to help with the application of the medicinal herbs, when did it become your turn?" He Lu stood up and glared at the two men.

Wei Zijun felt a surge of irritation and impatience, but said in as gentle a tone as possible, "Everyone, please leave first. I need some peace and quiet."

Miaozhou was taken aback upon hearing this. "Take off your clothes first. Imperial Physician Lin will be here soon."

After the others left, Wei Zijun sighed inwardly, realizing the injury was in a terrible place. She was told to strip naked herself...

Then she could just lie there obediently? How could she possibly do that? This gender was really going to be the death of her.

...

Why? He didn't understand how to hold on. Why, even though he was in pain and couldn't bear it, did he still hurt her again and again? He truly hated himself for his powerlessness. He pushed Ziju, who gently called him "Second Brother," further and further away. Because he desperately wanted to pull her back, he only pushed her further away each time.

He was so kind, so soft-hearted; even a beggar could win his pity. Why couldn't he do it? What should he do? Thinking of him brings me heartache, especially these past two days; the pain has been intense.

He gently stroked a jade pendant through the gap in his outer robe. He had always kept this pendant hanging on the side of his inner garment. After two years of caressing, it seemed to have absorbed human warmth, becoming exceptionally bright and lustrous.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty?" the ministers called softly. Their diligent young emperor had always attached great importance to the morning court sessions and had never neglected the ministers' reports for a moment. What was wrong with him today?

Coming to his senses, Li Tianqi slowly released his hand from the jade pendant. "Yes, continue."

"Your Majesty, the Khotan among the Four Garrisons of Anxi established by the Western Turks seems to be colluding with the Tibetans. I fear they may unite to deal with the Western Turks, seize Kucha, and control the Silk Road. Does Your Majesty think we should put some pressure on the King of Khotan?" said Zou Wenguang, the Grand Secretary.

"At present, Tibet is at war with my Dayu. Even if they have this idea, they will not extend the battle line for a distant expedition for the time being. Let the Wind King handle this matter when he returns. This place has been handed over to the Wind King's jurisdiction." After saying this, he glanced at the ministers and said, "That's all for today. All my beloved ministers may leave."

Back in Chongde Hall, she gently sat down in the seat where Wei Zijun usually sat, and opened a memorial in front of her. This was the last memorial she had approved, and it was written in her bold and elegant handwriting.

That longing suddenly surged up, etched into my very being, eroding my body, seeping into every crevice of the air. My hand gently traced her handwriting, caressing it softly.

"Your Majesty," Qin Zhong called out, "the provisions for the next few days don't need to be sent to the General's Mansion, do they?"

"Send it as usual." He read the annotations in the document again; his annotations were always insightful and unique.

"Your Majesty, the Wind King is not here, and he won't be back for a month or two..." Qin Zhong didn't continue.

"Deliver it as usual! He can use it when he gets back." It was as if only by continuing to deliver it as usual could he feel that the person was still not far away from him.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Qin Zhongfang withdrew, and immediately a voice announced from outside the door, "Your Majesty, Grand Chancellor Zou Wenguang requests an audience—"

"Your Majesty, good news from the frontier!" Zou Wenguang excitedly reported as he entered.

"Let me take a look." Li Tianqi's spirits lifted.

"The report of victory is still being verified in the Ministry of Justice. It was reported by Ran Ping, the deputy general guarding Jianmen Pass. Mantianzhai and Jianmen Pass have been captured by our army."

"Is anyone injured?" Li Tianqi asked anxiously. Lately, thinking of Ziju made him feel extremely flustered and uneasy.

“I heard that the Wind King was injured—” Zou Wenguang replied.

Li Tianqi's hand trembled, and the white jade teacup fell from his hand, making a crisp sound as it touched her face.

He's injured? He's injured?

"Where are you injured? Are you in danger?" There was a noticeable tremor in his voice.

"It seems he was wounded by two arrows, but the location was not specified. I heard that after being wounded, King Feng led his troops to Shu County, so he should be fine."

Will he be alright? No, no one knows him better than him. That person never knew how to cherish his own body. No matter how serious the injury, he would still go.

"Prepare horses for me immediately, I am going to Shu County." Li Tianqi closed the memorial in his hand and stood up.

"Your Majesty, you mustn't!" Zou Wenguang quickly stopped him. "Your Majesty is of inestimable value; how can you be so careless?"

"My mind is made up. This matter must not be known to outsiders." Li Tianqi strode towards the door.

"Your Majesty, even if you go, you must lead a large army. It is too dangerous for you to go alone," Zou Wenguang strongly advised.

"A large army marching is too slow. Prepare horses immediately. I will depart in an hour." His tone was unquestionable, as if nothing could change his mind.

Is he injured?

Was his daughter injured?

Zijun—

“Your Highness, if this wound reopens, even if I were to perform miracles, I cannot guarantee that you will not be left with a scar.” Lin Huajing’s tone was clearly rebuking this patient who refused to listen to reason.

Wei Zijun lay on the couch with her back half-naked, letting him ramble on. He had already said it dozens of times, so what harm was there in listening to it one more time?

"Imperial Physician Lin, is it possible to make the wound heal faster? Otherwise, I will have no choice but to attack Wenshan with the injury."

“Given Your Highness’s current condition, not only will he not recover quickly, but it will take much longer than usual.” Lin Huajing looked at Miaozhou beside him. “Didn’t I tell you not to cover yourself with a blanket?”

Miaozhou hesitated for a moment, staring at Wei Zijun's back, but didn't say anything.

Lin Huajing packed the package. "From today onwards, Your Highness must not cover yourself with a blanket at night or wear clothes during the day, as these will hinder the healing of the wound. Furthermore, you must never reopen the wound." Lin Huajing placed a small porcelain bottle in Miaozhou's hand. "Someone must stay by his side at night and apply medicine every hour."

"Leave it to me, I'll do it."