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墨書 Inktalez
Cold Wind howled as heavy rain poured down. The night was pitch black, with not a trace of moonlight; it was a perfect night for a surprise attack. Qin Yaru did not know how Gao Feng had determined that Dangxiang would launch a nighttime assault on the military camp, nor did she know if the information was accurate, but Gao Feng's blade was already sharpened.
Gao Feng donned his eye-catching Silver Armor, and the snow-white cloak shimmered with silver even in the dark of night.
Qin Yaru casually touched the soft fur at his collar, warm and cozy, at least she didn't have to worry about the cold wind and rain. Qin Wenyuan had recently pampered Gao Feng's mount, Treading Snow, grooming its coat and then turned to look at her general, concern evident in his eyes: "Let me take on the role of bait; after all, you're the only one daring enough to wear such an eye-catching outfit. There's no need to worry about the enemy mistaking you."
The standard armor of the Qilin Army during wartime was all about being low-profile, but Gao Feng, despite insisting that no one should wear anything flashy at night to attract attention, always chose to disregard that rule. Every time he went into battle clad in armor, he became a shining beacon.
Qin Yaru couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time; she had never seen such a vain general who loved to show off!
He justified himself, saying that without radio communication devices, telescopes, insignia, or reporters taking his pictures for publicity, if he didn't dress conspicuously, how would people recognize him as the Grand Marshal? How would he command in battle?
In any case, this mismatched Li Xue armor was something he could wear as he pleased; Qin Yaru couldn't argue against it.
Adjusting his silver helmet, Qin Yaru suddenly smiled: "Do you remember that year we went to Hainan? We stayed in the countryside for three days without sleeping. By the fourth day, I just couldn't take it anymore and dozed off. When I opened my eyes at dawn, I almost mistook you for a ghost! I ended up with a psychological scar and couldn't bear to look at your face for half a month."
Gao Feng chuckled helplessly and sighed: "Good intentions gone unrewarded."
In Hainan, especially in the countryside, the mosquitoes were large and vicious. After being bitten, huge welts would immediately appear on the skin. While Qin Yaru slept soundly, Gao Feng initially managed to fan her away from mosquitoes with a palm fan. However, he soon became too sleepy to keep his eyes open. Eventually, there were times when he couldn't attend to her needs because he had run out of mosquito repellent.
With no other choice, he took out a potion meant to attract mosquitoes—one that Qin Yaru had jokingly concocted—and sprinkled it on himself. All night long, the mosquitoes feasted on him while leaving Qin Yaru alone.
As a result, when the second Qin Young Lady saw his swollen face that was barely recognizable, she kicked him in fright...
Recalling those old memories made Qin Yaru's gaze soften gradually. Although she could no longer fight alongside her man, she had become his wife and would one day be the mother of his children. At this moment of sending him off to battle, her feelings of longing for his return were surprisingly not too bad; there was even a hint of something different.
Outside, the sounds of battle echoed ominously; even the confused Lady-in-Waiting could sense the overwhelming aura of impending violence approaching.
I don't know who is shouting hoarsely—"The city gate has fallen. The city gate has fallen."
It seems there are various noisy sounds coming from afar, the wailing of the common people, curses, and cries of despair, but they are all vague and indistinct.
In the military hospital, the wind howls ominously. Many soldiers, missing an arm or blind in one eye, have picked up their weapons again. Those without weapons have taken apart a table leg and clutched it tightly in their hands.
Qin Yaru sits in a chair by the window, sewing a piece of clothing for her child to give to Sister-in-law. This time they have returned victorious to the capital, and she hopes to see her brother's child soon, not knowing whether it will be a boy or a girl. She also needs to make a few pairs of shoe soles for Da Lang, who is at the age where shoes wear out quickly.
Although there are plenty of servants in the household skilled in needlework, nothing can compare to shoes and socks made by a mother’s hand.
Looking at the old soldier who has lost a leg, nervously leaning against the table beside her and saying nothing, his fingers are clenched tightly. Qin Yaru suddenly feels a sense of satisfaction.
She hasn't done much—just helped treat some wounds, prepared some food, and washed some clothes. These men fought bravely; it was only right for them to lend a hand.
Yet unexpectedly, her small efforts have made these simple-hearted soldiers feel grateful.
"If it weren't for Wife providing medicine, Dogzi wouldn't just be missing an arm; he could still work and support his mother if he came home. But if he dies, his mother won't survive either."
"Wife is such a noble person, sewing clothes and serving us rough men; even if we die, we can't repay her great kindness."
"The flatbreads made by Consort Qin are truly delicious, a hundred times better than what Dog Sheng Uncle makes."
On ordinary days, Qin Yaru would not think much of such flattery she often hears. But at this moment, with the sounds of battle outside, these severely wounded soldiers firmly guard the door and windows, trying hard to protect her. They pat their chests and tell her that if the enemy wants to harm her, they must first step over their corpses.
Qin Yaru suddenly feels her eyes welling up with tears.
These men do not know that Gao Feng is actually opening the door to thieves. They believe that most of the soldiers in the city have gone to support Sanchuan Pass. They truly think that Gao Feng's injuries have not healed yet and that he has been sidelined by the soldiers in the city and cannot control his troops anymore. During the day, he continues to comfort Qin Yaru, telling her that the Supreme Commander is a good person and that good people will surely be rewarded.
That night, an incident occurred. The soldiers who had never dared to approach Qin Yaru's bedroom gathered together, intending to protect her with their frail bodies.
"Wife, if I die, please help me marry off my sister. It doesn't matter to whom, just don't let her marry a soldier. Following a soldier is too much suffering."
Outside the courtyard, flames surged, and a young soldier, only about sixteen or seventeen years old, spoke with a trembling voice and shaking hands.
Qin Yaru's lips moved, but she didn't know how to comfort them. Even she herself was not without fear; this was real war, and war was never foolproof.
The sounds of shouting and killing grew closer. Suddenly, a group of more than twenty bloodied barbarians charged toward the wounded soldiers' camp.
Qin Yaru watched as the soldiers around her rushed forward with knives, sticks, their remaining arms, and even their teeth. They frantically tried to block the enemy's advance. Her mind buzzed and went blank as if everything was drifting away from her. After a long time, the hot blood splattered on her face brought her back to reality. Coming to her senses, Qin Yaru pulled out the surgical knife embedded in an enemy's neck and looked at the veteran soldier who had collapsed on the ground, stunned and speechless.
"Qin Yaru!"
A team of snow-white steeds galloped in with the sound of iron hooves. Countless enemies fell into pools of blood.
A handsome general clad in Silver Armor laughed brightly in the pouring rain. He pulled his beloved woman up onto his horse with force and held her tightly in his arms, disregarding her blood-stained face as he rubbed his own sweat-and-mud-smeared face against hers contentedly.
"Ah... he took advantage of Consort Qin..."
The young soldier's unfinished sentence was cut off by an older soldier covering his mouth. Others turned their heads or shifted their bodies but couldn't help but grin.
"What a pity, what a pity. If only it were Li Yuanhao here. I wanted to take his head back as a gift for our Da Lang Top of the Gold List."
Qin Yaru rolled her eyes and gave him a fierce pinch.
If that idiot really dared to give such a thing to her son, she would definitely strangle him.
“Qin Yaru, I can't guarantee it. There will be no more days that make you anxious like this in the future,” Gao Feng rarely became sentimental, whispering close to the ear of the woman he loved.
“Don't worry. If you die, I'll forget you in at most half a month, and then I'll live happily and joyfully.”
“...”
Gao Feng gritted his teeth, dejectedly hanging his head: “Then I want to apply for you to come and pay respects to me, at least once a year; otherwise... once every three years will do.”
In conclusion, “Back in the day, I was also beautiful as a flower. Walking on the streets of Kaifeng, I didn't know how many young ladies would blush upon seeing me. The bags of melons and fruits I received could fill a basket. Your grandmother cried and shouted that she wanted to marry me. Ah, it was my kindness; I thought, with her fiery personality, if I didn't take her, where would she find someone else to marry? So I generously married her…”
“Daddy, you married our mother and knelt at her family's doorstep for over half a month.”
“Daddy, when you saw Gu Qian, you puffed up your cheeks and glared. That was because Gu Qian's grandfather liked our mother and had a good relationship with her. You cut in and deceived our mother…”
“Nonsense! That bastard dared to rebel and tarnish my reputation; just watch me deal with him.” The old man with snow-white hair picked up a big knife and was about to rush outside.
The two identical golden boys and jade maidens watched him run to the door with smiles on their faces before squinting their eyes and calling out: “Mom is going to accompany Aunt to Yanyue Monastery to worship Buddha for a month. The money for the wine this month is with our Daddy; let him distribute it according to your performance.”
The old man's steps froze; he cautiously set down the knife, coughed lightly, turned around generously, and sat back down without looking at the two mischievous kids grinning at him.
Ah, in this day and age, even teaching one's son a lesson is not possible; the one who controls the finances is the boss.
The man who could already support himself returned home to see his father pouting in a temper. He wasn't angry but handed over a bottle of fine Daughter Red wine, successfully making his Daddy smile from ear to ear.
His father was getting older; although still relatively healthy, he was not what he used to be. It was better for him to drink less wine, but occasionally he needed something to satisfy his cravings; otherwise, if he rebounded, it would be hard to suppress.
The man had been successful in his career over the years; he would likely become Qin Xiangong before reaching forty. The foreign envoys who came to pay tribute were desperate, while those officials in court who kept shouting about being dignified should treat them well. They should also reward those civil servants who demanded more gifts from foreign states behind his back but dared not say a word in front of him.
After so many years of maneuvering in the court, his authority had grown heavier. Upon returning home, he faced a father who had gradually developed a child's temperament in recent years, but he was not one to always be at a disadvantage.
"When will your mother come back?" The old man happily sipped a few mouthfuls of wine, carefully putting away the rest, and leaned against the window, muttering to himself, "Old, old... learned to eat vegetarian and chant Buddha."
"When mother comes back, she'll make you vegetarian dishes to cleanse your stomach."
"...Uh, then it's better to chant a little longer, a little longer is good, so that the Bodhisattva blesses me to have meat for every meal." The old man shrank his head back.
They had lived their lives together, and the latter half was not as grand as they had imagined. Although Dangxiang had not established a nation, it was relatively stable. The Song Dynasty also did not take the initiative to wage war against Liao.
The status of military generals had indeed risen somewhat; they established a simple Royal Military Academy that recruited a group of retired generals from the battlefield as combat advisors while also teaching. Other than that, there were still signs of valuing civil over military in the court. Officials from military backgrounds were still not as esteemed as those from scholarly backgrounds.
Qin Yaru had accomplished quite a bit. After the war with Dangxiang ended, she brought out a group of female doctors who could calmly perform surgeries like "cutting flesh and removing bones," and she struggled to pass on this skill. However, upon returning to the capital, Qin Yaru's life became like that of most people in this dynasty: supporting her husband, educating her children, and managing household affairs.
Although they still did not have children, one should not be too greedy; they were already very satisfied with such a life.
(THE END)
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