Жениться на государственном служащем династии Северная Сун

Глава 40

The two riders traveled at full speed through the night.

Three days later, they had already passed Namcha Barwa.

Looking at the stunning mountain peak and the Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon surrounded by mountains, Meng Yuanjing couldn't help but exclaim, "There is such a magical place in this world!"

Junyu smiled but did not answer.

That familiar little wooden house is in the valley, and that "paradise in the clouds" is on the other side of the valley. There, there is the smoke of incense lit by the gods, and pure, fragrant white clouds; there, is the only paradise in the world.

The sheer cliffs stand tall in my heart. Without those who once walked with me, how could I possibly have the courage to climb those peaks in this lifetime?

Looking at the cliff face where even monkeys had stopped and birds had vanished, Meng Yuanjing said, "Junyu, have you ever climbed this mountain? If you stood on the summit and looked down, the scenery would be unimaginably beautiful, wouldn't it? Should we test if our lightness skills have deteriorated?"

Junyu smiled: "Your vacation is almost over, we need to hurry back. We can't stay any longer."

Meng Yuanjing sighed and remained silent. The two fast horses galloped off again on the mountain road.

By the time they got back to Xining Prefecture, it was already evening.

As soon as the two returned to the marshal's residence, Lu Ling came to greet them, looking quite anxious: "Marshal, the imperial court has issued two imperial edicts and a gold medal urging you to come to the capital. Look."

Junyu took the document and saw that it required him to rush to the capital to receive his reward and report on his duties.

Lu Ling continued, "The military supervisor set off for the capital with the eunuch who delivered the imperial decree half a month ago. Since you were not in the army, he wanted General Lin and the others to travel with him first, but they all refused, saying they would wait for you to return so they could go to the capital together."

Junyu nodded.

Meng Yuanjing suddenly said, "I met the military supervisor when I was in Tang Zhen's army. He was extremely narrow-minded and, being from the 'Thousand Machines Sect,' he was used to all sorts of despicable tricks. Frontier commanders all frowned when they mentioned him, and often tried to avoid conflicts with him. Once, a general was executed because he disagreed with him, and Tang Zhen presented him with some fabricated evidence. Now that you have clashed with him over the prisoner incident, I'm afraid he will return to the capital first and seek revenge."

The spies of the "Thousand Machines Gate" were subordinate to the emperor and were responsible only to him. Therefore, their words naturally carried considerable weight in the emperor's mind.

Junyu pondered for a moment and said, "Then we have no choice but to let him be."

Meng Yuanjing thought for a moment, then stood up: "Junyu, I'll take my leave now. I'm on my way."

Junyu knew he must be worried about her and wanted to go back as soon as possible to make some arrangements, so she couldn't help but sigh, "It's already late at night, why rush? Let him do what he wants."

Although Meng Yuanjing had long known that she intended to withdraw, he couldn't simply resign and flee; the matter needed to be addressed. This trip to the capital to report on her duties was now unavoidable.

If someone were to secretly submit a memorial at this moment, it would be even more difficult to retire peacefully.

Without another word, he went out immediately, and the guards had already brought his horse. He leaped onto the horse: "Junyu, make your arrangements before you set off. We'll meet again in the capital."

Then, without waiting for Junyu's reply, his figure disappeared into the night with the sound of horses' hooves.

When Generals Zhang Yuan, Lin Baoshan, Zhou Yida, Geng Ke, Bai Ruhui, and others learned of Junyu's return, they all gathered at the Marshal's Mansion early the next morning.

Once everyone was seated, Lin Baoshan asked, "Marshal, when shall we depart?"

"If we arrange everything today, we can set off tomorrow."

Zhou Yida, Zhang Yuan, and others had never been to the capital before. Since joining the army, they had just begun to show their talents. Now that they had military merits, they inevitably had high expectations for the court. They were all very excited and nervous.

Junyu sighed inwardly. It was understandable that these passionate young men who followed him hoped to gain titles and honors for their wives and children based on their military achievements. But he feared that "Feng Tang grows old easily, and Li Guang is hard to be ennobled."

After the meeting adjourned, Lin Baoshan stayed behind and whispered, "Marshal, the military supervisor should return to the capital first. This man is extremely despicable and I'm afraid he will be a threat to you."

Among the group, Lin Baoshan was the oldest. Before joining the Northwest Army, he was a close associate of Prime Minister Zhu and had long been involved in the power struggles of officialdom. He was well aware of the power of those fabricated charges. Therefore, his trip to Beijing was not as exciting and expectant as that of Zhou Yida and other uninformed individuals.

Junyu said, "Thank you for the reminder, General Lin."

Since she took command of the Northwest Army, Lin Baoshan, though initially somewhat disobedient, had stopped plotting behind her back after several battles. Later, he even began to devote himself wholeheartedly to the campaigns, fully deserving of his title as general. Knowing that Lin Baoshan was a close confidant of Prime Minister Zhu, she couldn't help but feel sincerely grateful to him for not only refusing to set off with the supervising officer ahead of time but also privately reminding her.

Although all the generals, big and small, were excited, they rested early in preparation for their departure to the capital the next day.

Junyu had also gone to bed early, but his eyes were wide open, and he was wide awake.

Suddenly, a strange yet familiar sound came to my ears.

Junyu immediately got up, quietly left the marshal's mansion, and followed the sound.

In the darkness, the figure never turned around, yet knew full well that someone was approaching from behind.

The two ran for seven or eight miles before stopping under a lone tree. A waning moon hung lonely overhead, the wilderness vast and the sky low. Looking at the anxious eyes beside him, Junyu suddenly chuckled softly, "Tuosang, why do we always seem like we're on the run?"

Tuosang laughed, but the smile quickly disappeared, and he said with concern, "Junyu, has something happened?" Junyu briefly told him about the secret report incident and the arrangements for going to the capital tomorrow.

Junyu said frankly, "I'm not really sure either, I'll just take it one step at a time."

Junyu looked at the distant sky. The emperor had issued two imperial edicts and added a gold medal summons. Now that he had returned to the capital, it would not be easy for him to leave unscathed.

Tuosang had never experienced complex struggles and power struggles. Seeing Junyu like this, he felt completely helpless. He lowered his head and remained silent for a while before suddenly raising his head and saying, "Junyu, if anything unexpected happens, you should leave alone."

Looking into his burning gaze and resolute tone, Junyu suddenly felt her blood boil and her heart swell with power.

She said softly, "Tuo Sang, don't secretly follow me to the capital. That would be too dangerous for you. If resigning from my post isn't an option, I will definitely come out. You must believe me, I have the ability to leave on my own."

Seeing that Tuosang was still very worried, she smiled and said, "You must wait for me here. What if I come out and can't find you? Wouldn't I be very desperate?"

Tuosang nodded.

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Chapter 115: Confrontation Before the Emperor

It was already dusk when we returned to the capital.

Generals like Lin Baoshan, who had families in the capital, returned home, while generals like Zhang Yuan and Zhou Yida, who were visiting the capital for the first time, went together to the residences designated by the imperial court.

Just as Junyu was about to follow the others, Lu Ling suddenly whispered, "Chief, aren't you going back to the commander's mansion?"

Lu Ling, Geng Ke, and others privately still maintained the titles they used in Phoenix Village, always calling Junyu "Village Chief".

Junyu then remembered that he had a "Marshal's Mansion" in the capital, and couldn't help but laugh. He then led a few guards to the mansion.

The guards at the gate were complete strangers. Seeing these men in military uniform, they asked, "Who are you looking for?"

"Marshal has returned to the residence. Open the door immediately."

The guards were alarmed and immediately opened the door.

Then, a very exaggerated, coquettish voice rang out: "Husband, you're back."

Junyu was startled. Two beautifully dressed women ran over and grabbed her from either side. The round-faced woman glared at him coquettishly and said, "Even the ancients knew that a wife who has shared hardship should not be abandoned. But you, now that you're rich, have actually forgotten about us. Could it be that you've left this mansion empty so you can find another rich lady to marry?"

Junyu couldn't help but laugh: "Manqing, Feiyan, what brings you here?"

These two flamboyant women were actually Zhao Manqing and Mo Feiyan.

"Hmph, all we hear is the laughter of the new bride, who cares about the tears of the old? If we hadn't come, who knows who would be the mistress of this mansion now?" Manqing said dramatically, while Mo Feiyan also looked shy and complaining.

Junyu knew there must be something fishy about these two, so he was happy to play along. He put his arms around them, and lowered his head in a very ambiguous way, saying, "While I was in the army, there wasn't a single day that I didn't miss you two."

The old steward, who rushed over upon hearing the commotion, immediately bowed.

Manqing acted like a "madam": "You immediately tell the kitchen to prepare a banquet to welcome the marshal."

Seeing the marshal embracing the two beauties so intimately, the steward nodded knowingly, thinking to himself, "The marshal has been in the army for so long, serving for three years. Even a sow would be considered a beauty, let alone his two such beautiful wives." So, he wisely took his leave.

The three of them came to the bedroom together, and Mo Feiyan immediately closed the thick door.

The spacious bedroom, adorned with brocade quilts and red embroidery, was a magnificent and luxurious haven, a place of tender beauty. Junyu had never seen such a sight in her many years of military service. Seeing the two laughing and joking, she sat on the bed and said, "What's wrong with you two? You can tell me now."

Zhao Manqing stopped joking and said in a low voice, "Those 'Thousand Machines Gate' spies are really powerful. They have already secretly visited the Marshal's Mansion several times."

Junyu nodded: "They left long ago."

As soon as she entered the marshal's mansion, she heard faint footsteps fleeing. It must have been the spies from the "Thousand Machines Sect" who quickly left upon seeing her return.

How did you end up here?

The more composed Mo Feiyan said, "We have been here for almost half a month. After the news of the Northwest Army's great victory reached Phoenix Village, Mr. Nongying also rushed back and told the two of us to come to the Marshal's Mansion immediately."

It turned out that the cannon designed by Young Master Nongying had just been successfully completed and had not yet been delivered to the army when Zhenmutier had already retreated far away. He immediately returned to the camp and ordered Zhao Manqing and Mo Feiyan to come to the commander's mansion as Junyu's "fiancées".

The two women arrived at the Marshal's residence, claiming to be the Marshal's "fiancées" and possessing a jade token. Given Zhao Manqing's quick wit, she handled the situation with ease. The steward, not daring to be negligent, immediately invited them into the mansion. Upon entering, Zhao Manqing immediately adopted the demeanor of a "madam," tidying and organizing the place. In a short time, she had the entire compound in perfect order.

Junyu was overjoyed. Her biggest worry about this trip to the capital wasn't the military supervisor's personal revenge, but rather the secret report that revealed her identity. Now, with Manqing and Feiyan, her two "ladies," here, they were the perfect shield.

Mo Feiyan said with some concern, "Mr. Nongying arranged for us to do this, but didn't explain the reasons. Could it be that someone suspects your identity?"

Zhao Manqing, usually an optimistic person, was now a little scared: "Young master, is this... alright?"

Junyu, not wanting them to worry, laughed and said, "Now that I have two wives, who would dare to doubt me? Haha."

Seeing that she didn't seem to care, the two men were relieved.

Mo Feiyan added, "By the way, your friend Lord Meng came to the mansion yesterday and seemed very happy to see us."

Junyu nodded thoughtfully.

the next day.

Outside the Golden Palace, the officials awaited the morning court session.

Upon seeing Jun Yu, Meng Yuanjing was overjoyed and immediately rushed forward, exclaiming, "Marshal Jun, you're too unkind! You've hidden two such beauties in your mansion and didn't even let us know! When will you invite us to your wedding?"

Junyu knew his intention, cupped his hands and smiled, "It will be soon, and when the time comes, Lord Meng will definitely have a cup of wine."

The officials immediately came over to congratulate Junyu. In the crowd, Junyu saw Zhu Yu's smile, which was a mixture of surprise and a hint of mockery. Remembering how he had broken the jade by Qinghai Lake, Junyu didn't feel comfortable greeting him and pretended not to see him.

On the Golden Palace.

Civil and military officials stood on both sides.

The emperor sat upright on the dragon throne, surveying his ministers before his gaze fell upon the young man in military uniform.

Since that secret memorial, although the emperor outwardly claimed not to suspect anything, his suspicions grew stronger day by day. After the great victory of the Northwest Army, he issued two imperial edicts and a gold plaque urging Junyu to come to the capital, though he himself couldn't explain whether it was because he wanted to find out as soon as possible whether Junyu was male or female. Despite the impeachment by the supervising officer, under the strong suspicion that Junyu was a woman, the so-called "merits overshadowing the emperor" and "arrogance" no longer served as reasons for his suspicion.

However, the young man below the stage was so handsome and refined, even though he was dressed in military uniform. His demeanor and manners were no less than those of princes and noblemen. How could a woman possibly impersonate him?

The emperor composed himself and flipped through the memorial in his hand: "In this memorial, the vanguard advance is attributed to Lu Ling, Geng Ke, Bai Ruhui, and others; the charge and slaying of enemy soldiers are attributed to Lin Baoshan and Zhou Yida; the strategic planning and deployment are attributed to Zhang Yuan; and finally, the supply of provisions and logistics are attributed to the supervising officer—is there no credit for the pacification of the Northwest, Your Excellency?"

"This is not modesty. The pacification of the Northwest was the achievement of all the soldiers, especially those comrades who bravely sacrificed their lives. I dare not take credit for it."

The Emperor smiled and said, "With the Northwest pacified, Minister Jun is naturally the greatest contributor. However, I have received two memorials. The first one is from the military supervisor..."

At this moment, the eunuch began reading the memorial in a shrill voice. The memorial listed three crimes committed by Junyu: first, abuse of power by releasing prisoners of war; second, as a commander, close ties with the Holy Palace's foreign affairs officials, Seng Chiba and Xia Ao, raising suspicions of forming cliques; and third, arrogance and corruption, bringing women into the army for debauchery. This was referring to the incident when Shu Zhenzhen delivered provisions to the army and had a late-night conversation with Junyu at the commander's mansion.

Looking back now, Shu Zhenzhen really did spend a night at my place, and the so-called "debauchery" wasn't entirely unfounded.

The first two impeachments could be minor or major, but the third impeachment made Junyu secretly happy, though she felt ashamed in her heart: "Sister Shu, this has ruined your reputation."

The Emperor continued, "This second memorial is an old one. Previously, someone impeached you for being a woman, and since you weren't in court, you couldn't defend yourself. Now, what do you have to say about it?..."