When night fell, Yuchi Pingting had just coaxed Mo Mo to sleep when she saw Feng Qingyu hurriedly walked in and said with a joyful face: "Boss, Xiaoyao is back. He is talking to the prince in the main hall."
The news of Yuchi Pingting's Yi Xiaoyao's return made her very happy. For her, it didn't matter whether she brought back reinforcements or not. The reality on the battlefield today made her realize that the most important thing is that her family is together.
And for so many years, apart from Mo Mo, who is the most precious child in her heart, probably the closest people to her are Yi Xiaoyao and Feng Qingyu.
Yuchi Pingting wanted to go out and take a look, but she hesitated when she saw Mo Mo who had just fallen asleep.
"Boss, you go ahead, I'll coax Mo Mo." Feng Qingyu said, walking over, and then whispered: "If you still trust me." It could be seen that she was still worried about Mo Mo's matter.
Self-blame. Feng Qingyu's love for Mo Mo is obvious to all. If something really happened to Mo Mo, she would definitely have uneasy conscience.
Yuchi Pingting heard Feng Qingyu's uneasiness, so she stopped refusing and said, "You've been tired for a day, so go to bed early." Then she walked out of the room.
"Boss, oops, I haven't seen you for a few days, look at me and see if I'm handsome again!" Yi Xiaoyao asked with a smile when he saw Yuchi Pingting walking in.
"That's not obvious. But your lack of integrity is getting more and more exaggerated." Yuchi Pingting said angrily.
Nangong Feiran smiled, pulled the chair next to him, and motioned for Yuchi Pingting to sit next to him.
Yuchi Pingting didn't refuse, thinking, I'll give you some face, she sat down happily, and then asked Yi Xiaoyao: "How is the situation over there?"
"Although it was not smooth at first, the troops were finally sent out after the Eighth Prince and the Eldest Prince argued hard." Yi Xiaoyao said, "Now the army is on the way, and it is expected to arrive within two days."
"Then why did you come back now?" Yuchi Pingting asked.
"I personally escorted the grain and grass here." Yi Xiaoyao smiled proudly and said: "I was afraid of the unexpected, so I personally escorted the grain and grass. Now that there is enough grain and grass, it will not be a problem to fight against the Liao army for a month!"
"By the way, you just said that it didn't go well at the beginning, what happened?" Nangong Feiran asked solemnly.
"I heard from the Eighth Prince that your prince, you and Mr. Jin's documents were detained at the Ministry of War, but they were detained. After the Eighth Prince received the letter I sent, he had people put pressure on the Ministry of War, and then handed the documents to the Emperor.
The ministers in the DPRK gave overwhelming support to sending troops immediately, but why did it take a long time to get the emperor's permission? No, I will set off as soon as the imperial decree comes out."
"What are the intentions of the person who obstructed this?" Nangong Feiran said to himself.
Yuchi Pingting remembered that she had met Yuchi Changxun in the Liao army camp, and from what he said to Hua Shaorong, he must have a master behind the scenes. At the same time, she thought that Nangong Feiran was also plotted against by Yuchi Changxun in the cave, so she
Said: "This must be related to Yuchi Changxun, but there must be a backer behind Changxun. Although I suspect that this person is the eleventh prince, I can't think of a reason."
"I also thought it was him, but I really couldn't find a reason why he wanted to surrender to the enemy and treason." Nangong Feiran said angrily: "It seems that he did not come to the Liao army this time, otherwise he must be captured alive."
"Boss, if you say so, if the imperial court finds out about Changxun, will it affect you and Prince Gong?" Yi Xiaoyao asked. In fact, he didn't care about Prince Gong's life or death at all, he was just worried about Yuchi Pingting.
Will he be involved?
"Pingting will fight against the enemy with me. If the Holy Emperor really asks, I will report the truth. The Emperor will not kill innocent people indiscriminately." Nangong Feiran said seriously, but at this time, he probably could not have imagined what would happen after returning to the court.
Things were much more complicated than he imagined, but that was a story for another day. Now that Nangong Feiran had received food, grass, and reinforcements, his confidence had doubled. Not only him, but the entire Yong'an Pass soldiers had their confidence doubled and their morale was high.
On the contrary, in the Liao army camp, Hua Shaorong was walking around in the tent. None of the guards on the side dared to say anything. They knew his temper well and knew that he was angry at this time. If he said
It's normal for someone to move his head if something doesn't go his way.
Hua Shaorong was extremely angry at this moment. This battle was probably the most tragic battle he had lost since leading the army. He was also a well-known young and promising general in the Liao army, but under Yuchi Changxun's persuasion
The emperor wanted to give him 200,000 soldiers, but he was arrogant and thought that after Nangong Fei died, Liang would never be decent again.
He was a general, so he thought one hundred thousand was enough. Yuchi Changxun swore in front of him that Nangong Feiran was dead, so he didn't think much of it. Unexpectedly, he saw Nangong Feiran at Yongan Pass. He couldn't wait to kill Nangong Feiran now.
Yuchi Changxun.
The 100,000 soldiers in our hands are now dead and wounded, and there are still more than 60,000 people who are dejected. Today's battle has greatly demoralized the soldiers, and they have been stationed in this ice and snow for almost ten days, but they can't even reach Yong'an Pass.
He had never seen what he looked like. He was really depressed. But he knew that he couldn't just go back like this. If he went back so dejected, he might never be able to turn around in the future. But what about counterattack? Liang Jun's morale was now greatly boosted.
Besides, he didn't know when their reinforcements would arrive. Hua Shaorong was in a dilemma at this time. If he went back, he would be looked down upon by his colleagues in the DPRK, and if he attacked, he might not be able to take Yong'an Pass.
After thinking for a long time, Hua Shaorong finally made up his mind. No matter what, he would continue to persevere. He did not believe that he could not conquer Yong'an Pass with twice as many troops. He must succeed!
At this moment, someone suddenly came in to report that Eunuch Qin, who was with Emperor Daliao, was here. Hua Shaorong felt bad in his heart, but he still did not dare to neglect and hurriedly paid the bill to welcome him.
"Eunuch Qin, it's really hard for you to go there in person in this icy and snowy place." Hua Shaorong said politely.
"General Hua is serious. If we, the slaves, don't convey the emperor's orders, who will convey them?" Eunuch Qin said in a sinister tone.
Hua Shaorong hated these eunuchs very much. He thought it was a shame for a man not to serve the country, but these people even destroyed their bodies. They were neither male nor female. But at the same time, he
He also knew that these people were with the emperor day and night, especially this Eunuch Qin, who was a popular person around the emperor. His words could easily affect the future of an official at any time, so although he was disgusted, he was still very polite.
treat.
"Eunuch Qin means there is an imperial edict?" Hua Shaorong said in shock.
"General Hua, please listen to the order." Eunuch Qin said arrogantly.
When Hua Shaorong heard this, he knelt down quickly, and everyone behind him also knelt down quickly.
Eunuch Qin cleared his throat and then read: "Hussars General Hua Shaorong, I heard that your attack on Yong'an Pass is not going to be successful. However, it is God's will and it is not the general's fault. However, the emperor's nine sons died in a foreign country. Hua Shaorong immediately withdrew his troops.
Returning, there is a national funeral, a humiliation. I will regroup one day and travel across the mountains and rivers of the Liang Kingdom. I admire this."
After hearing this, Hua Shaorong accepted the imperial decree unwillingly. The emperor made it very clear. The emperor knew about his war at the border. He was also responsible for the death of the ninth prince. The emperor took this as a shame and asked him to
Go back and plan to come back with more soldiers in the future.
Hua Shaorong knew that it was definitely not an accident that this news spread to the palace so quickly. How many people wanted to hold on to him. He knew that he had always been arrogant and unruly, and there were many people who disliked him.
, but he has a high position and great achievements, and this time, he lost so embarrassingly, so naturally there are people waiting to see his good show. Hua Shaorong came up embarrassed and said to Eunuch Qin: "Eunuch Qin, I
I already have a perfect plan, and I hope my father-in-law can put in a few nice words in front of the emperor and give me a few more days of grace."
"General Hua, I can't make the decision on this. Didn't the Emperor say that we should withdraw our troops today?" Eunuch Qin didn't give him any face.
"That's why Shaorong begged my father-in-law for help. As long as my father-in-law can say a few nice words in front of the emperor, it doesn't matter if Shaorong goes back a few days late." Hua Shaorong was definitely not willing to go back like this. Then he said: "We will go to the court later, Shaorong."
I will go to meet the father-in-law in person." Hua Shaorong's meaning is very clear, he will personally send something to honor the father-in-law Qin after returning to the court.
Eunuch Qin thought that it would be okay to let him delay for a few days, and it would not be a bad thing to be able to become the first general in the court, so he agreed immediately and deliberately.
In Yong'an Pass, Yi Xiaoyao traveled all night and was really sleepy, so he went to rest first. Nangong Feiran stood on the tower, looking at the Liao army in the distance, wondering about Hua Shaorong's thoughts and thinking about the man in the palace who had repeatedly
What do the people who cause trouble want to do?
Yuchi Pingting looked at Nangong Feiran's slender and toned back looking lonely and proud in the night wind. She couldn't help but feel melancholy in her heart. How should she tell Nangong Feiran about the death of Prince Hui.
Yuchi Pingting was so lost in thought that she didn't even notice Nangong Feiran walking up to her. It wasn't until Nangong Feiran put a hand on her shoulder that she suddenly raised her head.
"What are you thinking about? Are you so obsessed with it? Is it me?" Nangong Feiran said with a smile: "I am right in front of you, so you don't have to be so obsessed with it."
Yuchi Pingting said nothing.
"It's been a tiring day today, so you should go to bed early. It's very late at night." Nangong Feiran said softly.
Yuchi Pingting said "Oh" and stood up. After taking two steps, she stopped again, turned around and said to Nangong Feiran: "There is something... I want to tell you..."
Nangong Feiran felt that Yuchi Pingting was a little strange. She was not like this before, she was always decisive.
"Actually, I have always wanted to tell you, but I have never found the right opportunity..." Yuchi Pingting hesitated, feeling strange to herself as to what had happened to her. This was not her style. So she let out a long sigh.
, said seriously: "Fei Ran, you must not be too sad when you hear this news." He paused and then said: "Prince Gong Nangong Xiong has passed away."
Yuchi Pingting froze when she saw Nangong Feiran's smiling face just now, and then the smile gradually disappeared, replaced by a kind of gloomy anger, and a kind of incredulity, and her bright eyes suddenly filled with confusion.
Full of clouds.
"Are you sure you are not kidding me?" Nangong Feiran asked in as calm a tone as possible. Although the ups and downs of his chest were obvious, and although he knew that Yuchi Pingting could not lie to him, he still could not accept this fact.
,
"When the army returned in triumph, they brought the news that you had been killed. That night, a fire broke out in Prince Gong's study. When the fire was put out, Prince Gong..." Yuchi Pingting couldn't go on, although she believed that her son
If so, she believed that Prince Gong was killed by Song Jingyun, but now she had no evidence and could not speak nonsense, and she did not want to say too much, as this would inevitably separate Nangong Feiran's mind.
Nangong Feiran suddenly held the table to prevent himself from falling. This news was a fatal blow to him. How could it be possible? He was still full of joy and wanted to talk to his father after winning this battle of defeating more with less.
That’s what I said. But, unexpectedly, when people say they’re not at home, they’re not here.
The panic in Nangong Feiran's eyes gradually spread. Yuchi Pingting had never seen him look like this before. Even when the army was in trouble, his eyes were calm and composed, without a trace of fear or panic, but
At this time, Yuchi Pingting saw panic in Nangong Feiran's eyes for the first time. It felt like the pillar she had been relying on for survival was gone.
"Fire? I never believe it. I never believe that the fire can do anything to kill my father." Nangong Feiran seemed to be talking to himself.
"I feel strange too." Yuchi Pingting said, "So don't panic now. You will find out the matter when you return to the mansion." Yuchi Pingting agreed with Nangong Feiran, saying that she just wanted to go back so that she could search for evidence, but
If Nangong Feiran just believed that Prince Hui was buried in the sea of fire, she would think it was abnormal.
"Why did you tell me such a big thing now?" Nangong Feiran looked at Yuchi Pingting coldly, and the tenderness in his eyes suddenly disappeared without a trace.
"You cannot be distracted when the enemy is in front of you, and I am telling you now because reinforcements are coming soon, and you are qualified to know about it." Yuchi Pingting always felt that these seemingly unrelated things had their own meaning.
Some kind of connection, like a huge trap.
"I trust you so much, but you kept this important thing from me for so long?" Nangong Feiran shouted hysterically.
Normally, Yuchi Pingting would have been too lazy to pay attention to him, but now she understood his mood, so she accommodated his temper.
Nangong Feiran said and walked out, and Yuchi Pingting hurriedly followed. When she saw Nangong Feiran going to untie Zhui Feng's reins, she quickly stopped Nangong Feiran and said, "Are you going to give up on Yong'an?"
Nangong Feiran pushed Yuchi Pingting away and said harshly: "My father is dead, but my son is like a fool. He doesn't know anything and is still working hard for others, but he doesn't even look at his father for the last time."
Not even." He said and got on the horse.
"Aren't you the God of War? Didn't you just vow to live and die with Yong'an Pass?" Yuchi Pingting also shouted, but stood in front of the horse.
Nangong Feiran was stunned for a moment, but then he said: "Get out of the way, don't stop me, you can't stop me either."
"Feiran, I understand how you feel, but besides winning the battle to comfort his spirit in heaven, what else can you do?" Yuchi Pingting said gently. Seeing Nangong Feiran like this, she actually felt a little heartbroken.
.
Nangong Feiran said nothing, but Yuchi Pingting could clearly see through the moonlight that there were two deep tear marks on Nangong Feiran's dark brown face.
Yuchi Pingting's heart clenched tightly. She had always known that men would not shed tears easily, let alone a passionate man like Nangong Feiran. How could he shed tears easily? She understood the pain in Nangong Feiran's heart, so she gently
He walked to Nangong Feiran's side, stretched out his delicate jade fingers and held Nangong Feiran's hand. Suddenly, an icy chill spread through the palm of his hand.
Nangong Feiran felt Yuchi Pingting's delicate and tender hands holding her fist, and the cold feeling in her heart gradually melted away. She knew that Yuchi Pingting did this for his own good, and she also knew that what she said made sense.
But he just couldn't get over the setback in his heart.
"Feiran, please calm down, please." Yuchi Pingting said and gently tugged Nangong Feiran's hand. Nangong Feiran sighed and slid off the horse.
With Yuchi Pingting's persuasion and company, Nangong Fei Ri'an agreed to go back to his room to rest for a while.
For the first time, Yuchi Pingting took care of a mature man like she took care of Mo Mo. Seeing Nangong Feiran sleeping peacefully, she felt very comfortable. Today's battle was really too fierce, but she didn't know,
In the days when she didn't come back, Nangong Feiran couldn't sleep at night worrying about her safety. He was really tired. Now Yuchi Pingting is sitting on the bedside, holding his hand, which makes him feel very at ease. For a long time,
A sense of belonging made him gradually forget all his troubles, put down all his burdens, and sleep peacefully.
And that night, Hua Shaorong in the Liao army's tent also couldn't sleep all night. He was still waiting for someone. He pinned his hope for final victory on this person, hoping that this person would not let him down.
The next day, the weather was very good, and the heavy snowfall that lasted for many days finally came to an end.
After Nangong Feiran woke up, he remembered last night. He vaguely remembered that Yuchi Pingting was holding his hand, and he fell asleep deeply surrounded by that warmth. He couldn't help but raise his palm, as if there was still Yuchi Pingting's hand on it.
Remaining warmth.
Looking at the sun rising outside, Nangong Feiran got out of bed and started to change clothes. He was still sad because of his father's death, but after sleeping for a night, he had regained his usual composure and was no longer as impulsive as last night.
He was calm, but still worried about the safety of Yong'an Pass.
The door opened gently, and a light fragrance of wheat came to the nostrils. Yuchi Pingting walked in gracefully carrying a bowl of wheat and lotus seed porridge. Seeing Nangong Feiran who had already gotten up, Yuchi Pingting smiled faintly and said
Put the porridge on the table, then walked to Nangong Feiran and helped him tidy up his clothes. Suddenly, a sweet fragrance filled his heart and mind, and Nangong Feiran seemed to be deeply obsessed with this smell.
"Eat something while it's hot." Yuchi Pingting said, she specially ordered the kitchen to make it.
"I will be happier if you feed me." Nangong Feiran acted naughty and coquettishly like a child.
"I'm going to feed someone." Yuchi Pingting also responded with a sweet smile, and then continued: "But it's not you." She walked out gracefully. Want me to feed you? Just kidding, you are my son.
Humph, it would be nice to serve it to you. Yuchi Pingting thought about it and went to Mo Mo's room, watching Mo Mo eating deliciously with a spoon, and thought, you might as well have my son to save me the trouble.
Nangong Feiran felt refreshed after finishing breakfast. He didn't know that Yuchi Pingting was afraid that he would still be impulsive because of his father's loss, so she asked Feng Qingyu to add some soothing herbs to it.
Nangong Feiran walked slowly to the middle gate tower. Gao Jin and Jin Dacheng were talking about something. When they saw Nangong Feiran coming, they stood up and greeted him.
"Your Majesty, come and see, the Liao army seems to have no signs of retreat, and it doesn't seem to be as scattered and messy as imagined. Will they attack again?" Gao Jin asked doubtfully.
"What do you think?" Nangong Feiran did not answer in a hurry.
"I think they were defeated yesterday, and most of their food and grass were burned. Besides, our reinforcements are coming soon. As the prince said, Hua Shaorong must know that it will be even more detrimental to them to delay like this. In this case, why doesn't he withdraw his troops?
What? He has already lost tens of thousands of troops. Unless he was sure of victory, he would not be stupid enough to lose the remaining tens of thousands of people." Gao Jin analyzed.
"Yes, so we have to be careful. He must be sure of victory. But for him, this may be a sure win, but for me, huh, it's nothing at all." Nangong Feiran said confidently.
He smiled. Then he said: "You guys keep an eye on it and report it to me immediately if there is any disturbance. I want to take a look at it at another time." He said and walked away with a puff of sleeves.
Nangong Feiran walked towards the east gate. The tower between the middle gate and the east gate is in a recessed place. This place is easy to defend and difficult to attack. If the enemy wants to attack the city, they will definitely not choose this place. Therefore, in this area,
Nangong Feiran sent very few soldiers to guard it.
But when Nangong Feiran passed by, he found something wrong, because he clearly remembered that his arrangement was to have a soldier every five meters in this distance, so there should be at least ten soldiers here, but Nangong Feiran saw it at first glance
At that time, I felt that there were few people, so I counted carefully and found that there were only eight, so I asked a soldier in front of me: "How many people are guarding here every day?"
"I tell you, Your Majesty, there are ten of them," the soldier said respectfully.
"Then why are there only eight now?" Nangong Feiran asked sternly.
"There are two more... they are on duty, probably... probably haven't gotten up yet..." the soldier said timidly.
"What?" Nangong Feiran said angrily: "Go find them two for me."
"Yes." The soldier took the order and ran away in a hurry.
After a while, the soldier ran back with a panic look on his face, looked at Nangong Feiran, and said out of breath: "Shi, Shizi... they, they are dead..."
"Dead?" Nangong Feiran was shocked and quickly asked the soldiers to lead the way.
When they arrived at the sentry's dormitory, they saw two people lying upright on the bed. Nangong Feiran walked up to him, only to find that the man was no longer breathing.