mtlumby2d Chapter 149 Young General: It's getting late, and the mountains and rivers are already winter
Chapter 149 Young General: It's getting late, and the mountains and rivers are already winter
The few of them hadn't seen each other for several years since Xu Jinhuan went to the border. This was the first time that the Xu family saw the grown-up boy, and they were a little stunned for a moment.
"Like, very similar."
Grandmother held Changqing's hand with tears in her eyes. In a trance, she saw the person who used to draw eyebrows for her. Her heart was sad. He had clearly promised to pick a flower for her when she came back, but how come he sent her a coffin in the end?
Grandmother patted Changqing's hand and said with both heartache and emotion: "Good boy, you have suffered so much over the years. The ancestors of the Xu family should rest in peace now that they know there is someone to carry on their legacy."
Changqing chuckled and helped his grandmother into the carriage.
Speaking of which, this grandmother is also a legendary figure. She has a distinguished family background and is a prominent local family. She was raised with great pampering. After she got married, she was still held in the palm of her hand. She once rushed to the battlefield thousands of miles to find her husband and killed an enemy general with her own hands.
Chang Qing asked with some confusion: "Grandma, who was that group of people just now?"
Xu Qiongyin is Xu Jinhuan's second sister. She leaned against the carriage and yawned softly: "On our way to the capital, we encountered a group of bandits. Fortunately, the group rescued us. When they learned that we were also coming to the capital, they sent us here."
Chang Qing had an idea in his mind and prepared to go back and ask someone to investigate the origins of these two people.
No matter what, the other party saved the Xu family, so he should prepare some gifts and go to the door to express his gratitude.
After the Xu family arrived, the general's mansion seemed much more lively. Many girls sent invitations, wanting to invite the Xu sisters to a flower-viewing banquet.
"Little brother, do you think we should go?" Xu Xinshao held the invitation sent by the housekeeper and frowned slightly: "I heard that the crown prince was neglected by the saint recently and handed over a lot of power to the second prince. You have a special status now. Will Xiaoyin and I affect you?"
Chang Qing looked at the worried Xu Xinshao and said with a smile: "Eldest sister, you and second sister can go without worry. I have asked someone to find a few maids who know some martial arts. You two can take them with you."
Xu Qiongyin put down the embroidery needle in her hand, turned over beautifully and came to the weapons rack, picked up a machete and showed off her power.
Suddenly, the cold knife was directed at Lin Ping'an's neck, scaring him so much that his pupils constricted and he took a step back.
"Second miss."
Xu Qiongyin put away her long sword and resumed her delicate and weak appearance as a lady in the boudoir. She picked up the embroidery needle and said to Chang Qing with a smile, "Given my and my martial arts skills, are you still worried about us?"
Chang Qing said, "Second sister, you misunderstood me. I hope you two won't reveal the fact that you know martial arts. It can also be regarded as a trump card to save your life."
The Xu sisters were silent for a moment.
Xu Xinshao slowly said, "Jin Huan, tell me honestly, are you in danger now? A few months ago, a letter came from the capital saying that you won a battle on the front line, and His Majesty specially conferred an imperial edict on Grandmother, and urged us to come to the capital as soon as possible."
"My grandmother felt something was wrong, so she kept putting it off until your letter arrived, and then we set out."
Even after arriving in the capital, the sisters were not idle and understood some of the situation.
"This flower viewing banquet was organized by Princess Qingyang's handkerchief. I heard that you and Princess Qingyang have met quite a lot recently, and there have been some gossips from the outside world."
Chang Qing smiled faintly and looked at the two sisters seriously.
"Princess Qingyang and I have nothing to do with each other. You two sisters don't have to worry about me. Just treat her as a princess. Don't be too cold or too warm to her."
After hearing the details from Changqing, the Xu sisters felt relieved and knew how to treat Princess Qingyang. They went back to the room to dress up and prepare to attend the banquet.
As the elder sisters of the young general who is now in the limelight, the two of them naturally attracted a lot of attention.
"Sister Xu, Qiong Yin."
Tu Zixian gently waved a fan in her hand and walked towards Xu Xinyun and Xu Qiongyin with a look of surprise on her face.
She had a very good relationship with the Xu sisters since childhood. Although they became distant from each other after growing up and became a little estranged, they could still chat together when they returned to their hometown to worship their ancestors.
In fact, the Xu and Tu families are old friends. Everyone in the family watched Tu Zixian and Xu Jinhuan grow up together, and they even wanted to bring the two young people together.
Tu Zixian was already a young girl in her twenties, and had long heard of the boy's heroic deeds on the battlefield. Her already beating heart became even more uneasy. What's more, they were childhood sweethearts. When she was bullied as a child, it was the boy who protected her behind his back.
When people at home asked her opinion, Tu Zixian blushed on the spot and said shyly that it was her parents' orders and the matchmaker's words, and she should listen to her parents.
Originally, they had planned to wait for Xu Jinhuan to return triumphantly, and if the young man had no objection, they would arrange their marriage. However, they did not expect the old emperor to grant the marriage suddenly, catching them off guard.
"Zixian, why do you look so much thinner?"
Xu Xinyun held her thin hand and felt that her bones were very uncomfortable. She looked at her face and asked worriedly, "It looks like you have a serious illness."
Tu Zixian pursed her lips and smiled gently.
"It's been too hot recently, and too cold at night. I accidentally caught a cold when I was sleeping. It's only been two days since I recovered, and I missed the chance to pick you two up."
Xu Qiongyin glanced at her unhappily and said, "Sister Xian, your health is the most important thing. Anyway, we are in Beijing and can see each other anytime."
Tu Zixian smiled slightly, reached out and gently touched Xu Qiongyin's nose.
"I noticed that your temper hasn't changed."
Xu Qiongyin looks sweet and gentle, a typical lady in seclusion. She wears a pink dress that makes her look like a fairy among peaches, but her personality is completely different from her appearance, and she also has an unconventional way of speaking.
As the three were talking, Xu Xinyun coughed lightly without making any noise. They looked and saw Princess Qingyang walking towards them.
"See Princess."
Princess Qingyang stepped forward, helped the Xu sisters up affectionately, and said with a smile, "No need to be polite."
This scene caught the eyes of many people, and they couldn't help but be secretly surprised. It seemed that Princess Qingyang clearly wanted to win over Xu Jinhuan.
Some people also remembered the recent rumors in the capital and began to look forward to the show. Recently, there were rumors that Princess Qingyang admired Xu Jinhuan. Many people did not believe it at first, but after seeing Qingyang's attitude towards the Xu family, they believed it a little.
Princess Qingyang is the most noble woman in the world besides the Queen and the Queen Mother. She is the apple of the eye of the current Majesty, so dazzling and proud.
It can be said that anyone who wants to marry her would have to go around the city three times.
But Princess Qingyang was proud and directly asked the emperor for an imperial decree allowing her to decide her own marriage. She did not care even if she was criticized for being unorthodox and just took control of her own marriage.
Even if the old emperor passed away one day, no one would dare to interfere with her marriage.
Princess Qingyang at least grew up being praised by others. Moreover, there has never been a shortage of women with stunning looks in the capital. Even in her father's harem, there are all kinds of women. But when he saw the Xu sisters, he couldn't help but praise them as what a beauties they were.
Everyone in the Xu family has a good appearance, especially Xu Qiongyin, who is extremely beautiful.
After getting a clear attitude from Chang Qing, the Xu sisters' attitude towards Princess Qingyang was neither humble nor arrogant. They were respectful but not close enough. It was obvious that they did not want to have any relationship with Princess Qingyang.
After eating something at the banquet, the two of them basically figured out the small groups within the circle of noble ladies. After Tu Zihan's introduction, they were able to figure out the complicated in-law relationships.
"Sister, this is too complicated."
Xu Qiongyin smiled bitterly. She still liked the free feeling of staying in her hometown. Since coming to Beijing, she was very careful in everything she did, for fear of causing trouble for her younger brother.
Xu Xinyun looked at the decadent flowers blooming in the distance, drank a cup of tea silently, and said: "Qiongyin, we don't have to think too much, just don't express your opinion, and don't give anyone an idea of which faction the Xu family will lean towards. As for the rest, I believe I can handle it."
Xu Qiongyin looked annoyed. Throughout the day, many girls had recommended their brothers to them, praising them highly.
"I'm afraid we won't be able to live in peace from now on. Given our ages, I don't know how many matchmakers will propose marriage to the general."
When she thought about the trouble that was about to happen, Xu Qiongyin became even more annoyed. She really wanted to pick up a knife and let them experience what it meant to be a woman who is as good as a man.
On the other side, Chang Qing saw that the time was almost up, so he put down his official business and prepared to pick up Xu Xinyun and Xu Qiongyin.
Halfway through the journey, the carriage was stopped.
"General Xu, my young master wants to see you."
Chang Qing gently lifted the curtain and saw an inconspicuous carriage beside the street. After hesitating for two seconds, he got off the carriage and followed the person.
The person was not in the carriage, but walked around it and went to the teahouse opposite.
The first floor of the teahouse was crowded with people. There was a storyteller in the front telling a story, winning applause from the audience from time to time. The second floor was empty, with only two people guarding the staircase door.
"Sir, the second floor is occupied today."
At this time, a man came out from the second floor: "Let them come up."
An Qianye was quite curious about who the Second Prince was waiting for here. When he heard the voice below, he walked over and lowered his eyes. Coincidentally, the people below raised their heads at this time. When they saw Chang Qing's appearance clearly, a hint of surprise flashed across their eyes.
It's him.
An Qianye and Chang Qing had met once before. It was on the day when the Xu family arrived in the capital. The young man came on horseback at will. His eyes were like sharp swords, always making people imagine the scene of thousands of mountains dyed red by the evening snow.
He was deeply impressed, and when they passed each other, he could not help turning around to look, and happened to see the young man stop in front of the family he was escorting.
I thought we would never meet again, but I didn't expect to meet here again.
Chang Qing naturally recognized An Qianye. He raised his foot and stepped onto the stairs, and found that there were many people standing around the second floor.
A man stood with his back to Changqing, wearing a gorgeous purple dress and a jade pendant hanging from his waist. When he turned around, the jade pendant collided with Zi Luoyan.
He has an upright posture, a pair of starry eyes hidden under his sharp brows, and he exudes the aura of a superior. Even if the people around him don't know his identity, they know that he is in a high position.
Nangong Zhe said jokingly: "It's quite difficult to meet General Xu."
Chang Qing looked at Nangong Zhe and chuckled, "Your Highness is too kind to me. I am unworthy of it."
Nangong Zhe narrowed his eyes slightly, looking at the young man's calm jade-like face. He knew that this man had fought his way out of the battlefield and was naturally fearless. He sighed softly in his heart and restrained his aura.
"General Xu is a meritorious official of our dynasty. He has protected our people and our territory at the border. He has washed away the shame of so many years and really relieved the resentment that I have been holding in my heart for many years."
"General Xu, there is no monarch or subject today. Zhe will offer you a drink."
There was indeed some sincerity in what he said. Ever since a great war a hundred years ago, the imperial court had become increasingly weak. After fighting several battles, they all ended in failure and began to swallow their anger.
Until Xu Jinhuan appeared.
Chang Qing was silent for a while, then raised his hand and picked up the wine glass on the table: "I protect the people of the world, and I guard the lights of thousands of homes. The vast desert with long smoke is where countless soldiers are buried. It is said that a general's success is based on the sacrifice of thousands of soldiers. This is true. I think what your highness should respect is not me, but the soldiers at the border."
In other words, I only care about the common people of the world. As for how you want to fight, don't get involved with me.
Nangong Zhe also heard the hidden meaning of Changqing's words. He silently drank the wine in the glass. Looking at the burning eyes of the young man in front of him, he suddenly felt a little at a loss.
With such an open and honest attitude and a broad mind, he seemed a little dirty in front of the young man.
Nangong Zhe believes that he also cares about the people of Liming, but there is definitely selfishness in his thoughts. Even if he has done something that benefits the country and the people, he will deliberately publicize it to expand his influence among the people. He can never be as clear-minded as this young man.
This feeling was beyond words for him. He just looked at the purity in the boy's eyes and quickly looked away.
An idea came into his mind.
Perhaps this man should be let go. He shouldn't stay in the capital and get involved in the filth and darkness involved.
He belongs to the desert with lonely smoke and to the long river with setting sun, but not to this capital city. If he stays here, he will only cry like a cuckoo, sobbing and crying, and finally die in a body covered in blood.
"Xu Jin Huan."
Nangong Zhe called the young man's name, then shook his head silently and said, "I still have important things to deal with. I will definitely come to the general's mansion another day and get drunk with the general."
He took two steps and suddenly stopped. I couldn't see the expression on his face clearly, but I could hear his clear voice.
"I just want to be friends with the general. The general doesn't need to worry too much. Our personal relationship has nothing to do with other things."