Amidst the gunpowder smoke in Bingzhou City, a hint of joy suddenly erged.
At the brink of life and death, the Northern Yong army posted notices in the streets and alleys, announcing the General’s wedding.
Inside the barracks, Feng Yun flipped through a booklet with an air of boredom and disinterest, not taking this wedding marred by the scent of war seriously at all.
But she was unaware that pigeons carrying the news were fluttering their wings, flying from Bingzhou toward Andu, Central Capital, and even the more distant Yunchuan...
No one knew who the person spreading the ssage was—those in power had their own ways of secret investigation.
The joyful news spread far and wide.
-
Andu.
Inside the Grand General Residence, He Qia was brimming with hot tears.
"Getting married before battle, the Great General is preparing, preparing for... the event of falling in battle at Bingzhou."
Based on He Qia’s understanding of Pei Jue, such an absurd decision would not be made unless necessary. If it were made, it surely ant he was not leaving any way out for himself.
"Old He, Old He, why are you crying?" Dou Changquan from Wanning ca over today and was drinking with He Qia. Seeing He Qia crying, he was utterly confused.
He Qia covered his face, "Brother Dou, can’t you see? The General is preparing himself for a soldier’s loyalty in defeat."
Dou Changquan was taken aback.
Setting down the cup of wine in his hand, a sudden sadness arose.
"Yes, how did I not think of that? Oh, General."
The two n talked and soon found themselves reminiscing about the days when they followed the General to war, then they cried together in the house, embracing each other in their sorrow.
-
Central Capital.
Jiafu Hall received the news even an hour earlier than Andu County. The spies of the Imperial Cavalry Division were everywhere, and Li Sangruo had high hopes for them to accomplish great things; their information gathering was unparalleled.
She was very satisfied.
"Present it to ."
News from Bingzhou needed to be reported imdiately to the Empress Dowager; the Imperial Cavalry Division knew the rule.
Yet today, Song Shou’an was sowhat hesitant, holding the ssage in his hands for a long ti without taking a step forward.
Wei Zheng couldn’t stand his petty manner.
Having a face of valiant handsoness, to say nothing of comparing to Pei Jue, Wei Zheng believed Song Shou’an couldn’t even match up to Pei Jue’s fingertips.
With a snort, he took the letter from Song Shou’an’s hands and presented it before Li Sangruo.
"Empress Dowager, please review."
Li Sangruo glanced at Song Shou’an with a hint of warning in her eyes. On this point, she and Wei Zheng surprisingly agreed. Song Shou’an had many strengths, but he lacked magnanimity; even as a division head, he was still like a petty potter.
Song Shou’an didn’t dare lift his head.
His shoulders were tense, wishing he could bury his head inside his chest, for he knew that once the Empress Dowager read the content of the letter, she would be instantly furious like a thunderstorm.
It was said that Song Shou’an was favored by the Empress Dowager, but he was very clear about whose light he was basking in. If not for his slight resemblance to Pei Jue, he wouldn’t even be able to touch the hem of Li Sang’s robe...
Nor did anyone know that when serving the Empress Dowager, he was never being himself; no intimacy was ever between the Empress Dowager and Song Shou’an.
In her mouth, she called for Mr. Pei, the General, Ajue. Even in the heat of passion, she never once called his na. He, Song Shou’an, was like a custom-made human-shaped jade token, just a substitute for Pei Jue.
Crash!
The teacup fell to the ground, startling the entire hall.
Song Shou’an knew without looking up that Li Sangruo had lost composure and knocked over the teacup, causing the tea lid to roll onto the floor and shatter into two pieces.
The finest Jianzhou white porcelain was ruined just like that.
He feigned a frightened look but was actually slightly pleased inside.
The Empress Dowager’s dream had shattered.
Pei Jue was getting married—
In Bingzhou, in that besieged small city, he was about to marry Feng Yun, the girl most despised by the Empress Dowager. He was to wed her with full honors, to spend every night in embrace with her, their breaths intertwined—no matter how noble the Empress Dowager was, what she so desired, she would never obtain. In contrast, the Feng girl, whom she looked down upon and hated, would have everything she longed for...
Song Shou’an perversely felt a great sense of relief.
Good! She deserved it.
The Empress Dowager on her lofty seat had overthrown the teacup, yet she remained silent for a long ti.
"Your Highness?" Wei Zheng watched as Li Sangruo’s face turned pale and her eyes tinged with blue, realizing the problem lay in that letter, but not knowing what the letter said.
"Support ," Li Sangruo said as she leaned on the desk, trying to rise, her arm trembling relentlessly.
Wei Zheng frowned slightly but did not move.
Song Shou’an hesitated before walking over and supporting Li Sangruo’s arm.
"Your Highness... where do you wish to go?"
Li Sangruo suddenly turned her head and slapped him.
"Why do you report it only now?"
She had used all her strength in that slap, numbing her wrist with pain and leaving a bright red imprint on Song Shou’an’s face.
Song Shou’an knew that Li Sangruo was just venting her anger on him and the intelligence was not late.
He slightly lowered his eyes, speaking faintly:
"Your Majesty, I ca to the palace imdiately upon receiving the news. I never ever anticipated that General Pei would... suddenly take a wife."
Li Sangruo took a glance at him.
How could two people who look so alike be so different in temperant? He didn’t even dare to get angry after being slapped in public, but Mr. Pei is different... Knowing she disliked it, knowing what she took issue with, he still acted first and reported later, taking a wife in Bingzhou.
Li Sangruo said, "Fang Fucai."
The eunuch bowed and stepped forward, "Your servant is here."
Li Sangruo had her back to him.
"Go, summon the Pri Minister to the palace."
Li Sangruo clenched her teeth, filled with unbearable hatred in her heart.
She believed the problem lay with Li Zongxun, who intentionally delayed the Tiger Guard and Dragon Cavalry Army’s support for Xinzhou, leading to Mr. Pei’s dissatisfaction...
Otherwise, after remaining chaste for her for so many years, it would have been enough to take a lady of the Feng Family. How could he possibly conceive the idea of marrying her?
Had Mr. Pei lost his mind?
He must be harboring resentnt and seeking revenge deliberately.
If her father had sent reinforcents earlier and relieved the siege of Bingzhou, this would never have happened...
At this mont, Li Sangruo was extrely resentful towards her father.
But before Fang Fucai could leave, she suddenly called him back.
"Co back!"
Given the situation, confronting her father would only exacerbate the conflict between them.
What she needed to do was find a way to redy the situation.
"There’s no need to summon the Pri Minister. Summon Lady Ao to the palace to talk."
-
When summoned by the Empress Dowager, Lady Ao arrived promptly.
The Ao Family had just received the news of Pei Jue’s marriage, and Ao Zheng was fuming with rage. At a ti when his son’s whereabouts were unknown, how could his uncle be in the mood to get married?
Ao Zheng could not co to terms with it.
But Lady Ao saw things differently...
With Ao Qi’s whereabouts unknown, she had already braced for the worst countless tis in her heart, and with Bingzhou under siege, she feared losing a brother in addition to her missing son.
Facing Ao Zheng’s anger, Lady Ao was both distressed and sympathetic.
"Ajue has always been reticent since childhood and seldom grows close to anyone. I’ll speak bluntly—if Bingzhou falls, Ajue won’t make it back alive. What’s wrong with getting married in front of the battle? Who says one can’t have a last taste of sour porridge before dying?"
Ao Zheng was rendered speechless by her words.
As husband and wife faced each other, one cried while the other comforted; sorrow spread between them.
Once in Jiafu Hall, Lady Ao did not hold back in front of the Empress Dowager.
"Your Highness, you might not be aware that the person in charge in the Pei Family is Ajue himself. The sa goes for sothing as significant as marriage. Our mother has long passed away, and our father is infirm and cannot even take care of himself, let alone his son who is far away in Bingzhou. The Pei Family has lost many mbers to death or incapacitation, and there are no elders at ho. I, being the eldest sister, am even less able to control him."
Lady Ao was aware of Li Sangruo’s feelings for Pei Jue.
Back when she was still unmarried, she had set her heart on marrying Pei Jue. The two families had all but finalized the marriage, but Li Zongxun suddenly went back on his word, intent on climbing to higher status by marrying her off to the late emperor...
When Li Sangruo was an unmarried girl, she did her best to ingratiate herself with Lady Ao. If it hadn’t been for that complication, the current Empress Dowager might already have been her sister-in-law.
With her son missing and her brother in trouble, Lady Ao harbored long-standing grievances against the Imperial Court, and she responded without any difficulty.
"I hope Your Highness can show understanding."
Li Sangruo lightly touched the teacup but did not pick it up, her words hesitant.
"Could the lady possibly send a letter to Bingzhou, urging the General to reconsider? Tell him that the Tiger Guard and Dragon Cavaly Army have already reached Xinzhou and will soon relieve the siege of Bingzhou, urging him not to worry. With here, I will not let him or the soldiers of the Beiyong Army co to any harm."
Lady Ao said, "This servant was about to ask why the court has been so slow to send troops? If it weren’t for Bingzhou being besieged, Ajue wouldn’t have made such a hasty decision about this important life event, cutting off all his retreats."
Li Sangruo: "The court has its difficulties. It’s not that it isn’t sending troops, it’s just that it temporarily couldn’t gather enough food supplies. Winter is approaching, and Yunchuan still owes twenty million shi of grain..."
Lady Ao, with her head lowered, her deanor respectful but her voice cold, said, "This servant doesn’t understand state affairs, but I will say sothing presumptuous. It is the court that has failed Ajue; Ajue has never failed the court..."
Li Sangruo said, "Does Lady Ao not think it absurd to marry in the face of battle?"
"What is so absurd about it?" Lady Ao asked back with a cold face, "Since his youth, Ajue has fought for the country and has established military rits. Now that he is on the verge of dying in Bingzhou... can’t he handle his own lifelong matter before death?"
Li Sangruo’s face darkened, "Lady Ao, watch your words."
Lady Ao’s eyes filled with tears, yet she remained resolute.
"The Empress Dowager should not have called for . My son is missing, and my brother is trapped in Bingzhou, his fate uncertain. Under these circumstances, I am already heartbroken, unable to speak any pleasant words..."
Li Sangruo gathered her clothes, forcing a smile.
"Very well, then I shall not trouble Lady Ao further."
Lady Ao saw the hatred in the woman’s eyes and chose not to provoke her further with words, silently taking her leave from Jiafu Hall.
On the jade steps outside, she bumped into an official nad Song Shou’an, and was taken aback for a mont.
She had heard from Ao Zheng about the head of the Imperial Cavalry Division, who bore so resemblance to Ajue, but she hadn’t expected him to look so similar.
Slightly shorter than Ajue, not quite matching his features or temperant, his facial features were still about sixty percent similar, especially when viewed from the side, as if Ajue were standing right there...
Li Sangruo truly is a despicable woman.
Lady Ao clenched her teeth.
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