The two of them left the residence one after the other and got into the carriage. After a short walk, they arrived at the barracks.
The tents were neatly arranged on the snowy ground, and the sounds of battle during training made the blood of those who heard it boil.
Gu Yan looked left and right as she walked. She slipped and fell sideways. She let out a low cry and grabbed Yi Ling's arm.
Yi Ling was also startled. He held her hand and frowned: "Be careful."
His hand was broad and warm. Gu Yan's fingertips moved slightly as she pulled her hand back.
The two of them walked for a long time, leaving the barracks behind them. After a long time, Gu Yan said: "There's something I want to ask you."
"Yes?" Yi Ling looked down at her.
"Can you tell me the conditions Imperial Uncle used to exchange your marriage?" Her eyes were burning as she looked straight at him, "Since he attacked me, it means he wants to start a war between the two countries. But Hokuin has you, how could he dare to act rashly, unless …"
"I agreed to his conditions," Yi Ling admitted, but said lightly: "For three years, I won't participate in the war in the South."
"No matter how he invades the South, you won't go?!" Gu Yan asked.
"Yes." Yi Ling said: "Southern Chu just ceded land for peace. I thought he wouldn't make a move in a short time, but …"
Gu Yan smiled sadly: "But you're wrong. He can't wait."
"Don't be afraid." Yi Ling reached out and held her hand again.
Gu Yan understood what he meant. Once the war in the South started, her life in Hokuin as the Princess of Southern Chu would not be easy.
"That person is my second brother." Gu Yan said calmly, "He chose my second brother."
"Don't be afraid." Yi Ling still said. He raised his hand and pointed to the vast expanse of snow in front of them and the forest in the distance: "Do you see? This boundless expanse, along with the Xiongnu Land to the north, will one day be included in my Landscape Map. "
Gu Yan looked up and saw no end to the snow. People were like tiny specks of dust submerged in the mountains and rivers. Thousands of miles of mountains and rivers. Such a magnificent scene could only be comprehended at the border of the Northern Desert. Gu Yan felt a surge of fearless warmth in her heart. It went on a rampage, making her dizzy.
"Ting'er, do you want to go with me?" Yi Ling asked in a low voice.
Hearing him call her Ting 'er, Gu Ling's face flushed red. She was at a loss for what to do when she heard him call her Ting' er. The white breath that came out of her mouth blurred her vision. She heard herself say in a low and firm voice, "I do."
— — —
In the 36th year of Chengkang's reign in Hokuin, Summer, the Emperor took refuge in Baizhou Palace. In the same year, on the 20th of December, the Emperor returned to the capital due to an old illness. The Duan Of Silla had an audience with the Emperor and asked for medicine, but was rejected by the Imperial Consort Yi.
On the 25th of December, the Imperial Consort Yi issued an edict to replace the Commander of the Imperial Army. The Commander of the Imperial Army, Huo Quanying, and the other generals were not allowed to act rashly without the Emperor's edict. Xiao Ze led the Immortal Army to confront the Imperial Army and compromised.
On the 26th of December, the Immortal Army of Baizhou was transferred back to the capital, and some of the Jingji Guards were mobilized.
On the 28th of December, the British Martial Army stationed outside the capital was mobilized.
Xiao Yue put an Overcoat on Gu Yan and said softly: "Madam, quickly go back to your room. It's cold outside."
Gu Yan held the note in her hand and looked up at the distant sky. She said slowly: "It should be snowing in Shengjing."
"Xiao Yue has never been to Shengjing, so I don't know how prosperous it is. The snow in Shengjing must be very beautiful."
Gu Yan said: "The snow in Shengjing is very beautiful." She smiled. "A Nuo loves to nag me when it snows." Her expression suddenly darkened, and there was a faint sadness between her brows. "A Nuo, A Nuo, are you okay?"
Xiao Yue did not say anything and just stood silently behind her. The snow was falling, and the world was silent. It was as if everything was calm and peaceful.
"Madam, General Jiang wishes to see you." A maid bowed and reported from the corridor. Gu Yan came back to her senses. "Let him in."
Jiang Xun was dressed in silver armor, and the tassels on his helmet were red like plum blossoms, which set off his youthful face. "Madam, Changle!"
Gu Yan asked him to rise. "Why did you come over in such a snowy day? Have you recovered from your injuries?"
"Thank you for your concern, Madam. I've recovered. General asked me to come over and tell Madam that the army will depart tomorrow. He wants Madam to pack up. "
"Depart?" Gu Yan frowned slightly and asked doubtfully, "Is there news from the capital?"
Jiang Xun did not expect Gu Yan to ask. He was stunned for a moment, then said: "This subordinate … does not know."
She knew that he would not tell her. After all, in their hearts, she was only a madam, and she was also a Southerner. She understood and smiled slightly. "It's normal for General not to tell me."
As she spoke, she lowered her head and brushed the snowflakes off her shoulders. There was a smile on her lips, but it also seemed to contain an indescribable sadness. It softly hit Jiang Xun's heart. He was shocked and trembled slightly. Then he heard himself say: "Xiao Ze is in charge of the court and is changing the defense of the army. The Emperor is seriously ill, and our army is returning to the capital in the name of cleaning up the Emperor's evil deeds."
Gu Yan acted as if she did not hear anything. She asked him faintly: "Is Yan Zanggu well?"
Jiang Xun did not expect her to not mention what she had just said. He could only go along with her and say: "He is very well. Madam does not need to worry."
"In that case, thank you for your trouble, General." Gu Yan nodded slightly. Jiang Xun bowed and said: "Madam does not need to be so courteous. If there is nothing else, this general will take his leave."
Gu Yan nodded and allowed him to leave. He turned to Xiao Yue and said: "Go and have the servants pack up. Other than the necessities, don't bring anything else."
Xiao Yue nodded and immediately went to do it. Gu Yan stood in the snow for a long time and looked at the distant sky.
On the 30th of December, the forty-third year of Hokuin's reign, Yi Ling's army set out. Other than the troops stationed at the border, the remaining two hundred thousand soldiers set out to the south.
Gu Yan was arranged to be at the rear of the army. The vanguard had already set out a day earlier.
The carriages slowly moved in the snow. The army silently moved without any noise. There was only the sound of the new snow being crushed.
Xiao Yue covered Gu Yan with a mink Overcoat. Then, she stirred the fire in the small stove. There was half a pot of hot water boiling on the stove. She was afraid that it would fall because of the bumpy ride, so she carefully looked after it.
Gu Yan reclined on the soft cushion behind her. Her black hair was tied into a simple horse bun. Her eyebrows were lightly drawn. It was as if the mountains and rivers were covered in ink.
She was holding a book in her hand. She frowned and looked at it for a long time without flipping the pages. Xiao Yue used a handkerchief to steady the small pot and said: "Madam, please take care of your eyes. How can you read when you are swaying like this?"
Gu Yan's eyelids moved slightly. She regained her senses and looked at the book in her hand. She said sadly: "Someone once told me that there is nothing better than reading in this world."
"Then what did Madam see from the book?"
Gu Yan was speechless. She shook her head and did not say anything. Xiao Yue said seriously: "It seems that what that person said was wrong."
"What he said …" Gu Yan immediately retorted. However, she gradually lowered her voice: "How could it be wrong?"
Xiao Yue saw that Gu Yan was moved and did not say anything else. The carriage was silent for a while. The water bubbled and boiled. Suddenly, they heard the sound of horse hooves outside the window. Then, they heard Jiang Xun's voice: "Madam, the general ordered you to take a detour to Tongliao."
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