Chapter Six, A Good Man
Jingguo Sujiao felt increasingly embarrassed and indignant in her heart, how could her sister have seen through it? She certainly did not know that it was Huairui who had revealed the secret, "... ... How could one hold him accountable for risking his life to save me? My younger sister only feels grateful for his life-saving grace, how could she possibly take a liking to him? Sister ... ... Perhaps we should weigh his merits against his faults, yet I cannot bear to make it difficult for him ... ... "
In the distance, the beautiful eyes of the high oriole shot forth a strange light, fixating on An Jing, who stood before her brother. Prior to this, she had never believed that anyone could be more heroic or possess greater masculine spirit than her brother. However, upon hearing the famous line from 'Grandfather Yue' that has been passed down through the ages, her heart trembled, and in an instant, the radiant image of An Hui surged within her heart
"What does it have to do with you? Could it be that he stole a kiss from Huairui's lips?" Empress Zheng was not polite at all and immediately exposed the awkward flirtation between Jingguo and Anjing.
The urgent sound of hooves approached from the south, as a troop of cavalry galloped swiftly along the banks of the Hutuo River, their banners prominently displaying: The Imperial Army of the Song Dynasty, Dragon Martial Left Wing.
"Chong does not dare to take credit, and the consequences of the schemes of the officials are difficult to predict. I do not dare to hope for a promotion, but it would be a comfort in life to die in battle on the Yanyun battlefield another day." Gao Chong's boldness stirred the blood of everyone present, including the Empress and Jingguo Sujiao, who were no exception. The heroic spirit of the great Song's young men is indeed extraordinary.
... ... With lofty ambitions, I hunger for the flesh of the barbarian, and in jest, I thirst for the blood of the Xiongnu. I await the moment to reclaim the old mountains and rivers, facing the heavenly gate... ... At this moment, Gao Chong and a group of iron-blooded officers were filled with tears, repeating these words filled with heroic spirit, their voices rolling like thunder, startling the roosting birds into flight. Everyone present was moved to tears.
Casting another glance at the flower petals, Empress Zheng pondered: This girl is quite scheming and has her own opinions. On the surface, she appears dignified, yet deep down, she is lewd. She is loyal to me, serving in the inner palace, and has been favored numerous times, yet she refuses the official titles bestowed by the Emperor. Otherwise, she would at least be called 'Consort Hua' by now. She is just like me, unable to conceive, no matter how hard she tries. Since I have taken my rightful place in the inner palace, the Emperor's favor has diminished. Since the second year of the Zhenghe era, the number of times the Emperor has stayed overnight in the inner palace can be counted on one hand. Recently, I have heard that he is passionately involved with a common prostitute. Thinking of all this makes the Empress feel extremely uncomfortable. As the mother of a nation, how can she share a husband with a lowly street whore? Even if the Emperor has a penchant for pleasure, it should not degrade our own dignity so much. It is clearly an indirect tarnishing of the title 'Empress'.
As everyone spoke in a flurry, Empress Zheng, Jingguo Sujiao, and the eunuchs and palace maids such as Huairui also helped each other to stand up, gazing at these brave men
One of the flower petals glanced at the pair of noble sisters, and could not help but think: This An Jing is likely to become famous, even the empress looks at him with admiration. As for Jing Guo Su Jiao, there is no need to mention her. The young man is so clever, coupled with his eloquence and the support of noble people, given time, he will surely become a new elite in the court and society. I must make plans early; it would be a pity to let such a charming young man slip away. Lost in thought, my heart fluttered with spring feelings, and I secretly stole a glance at Jing Guo Su Jiao, my lips curling into a sly smile.
Although they had only known each other for one night, in Jingguo Sujiao's eyes, it seemed as if she had been familiar with An Jing for a long time. Therefore, at this moment, when she looked at him, there was a hint of affection in her gaze
When Empress Zheng turned her face and saw the flag, her beautiful face darkened again. What a majestic flag of the Longwu Army, but unfortunately, the commander of the three yamen is the despicable Gao Qiu
With a sound of "puff," the spearhead pierced more than a foot into the ground. Gao Chong clasped his fists in salute and said, "Chong has met the young master. Last night, I executed three hundred and nineteen strong bandits, and not a single one of them escaped. The mission was accomplished..." The several constables behind him also clasped their fists, saying, "We, the undersigned, have met the young master and have not dishonored his face..."
The servant did not hear it very clearly, just these words... Earlier, the Empress Dowager inquired, and Hua Rui did not dare to conceal anything, reporting the situation truthfully.
Jingguo Sujiao did not even blink, her tearful eyes gazing obsessively at An Jing, the boiling blood in her chest causing her delicate body to tremble. In fact, even Empress Zheng, standing beside her, was unable to contain herself, infected by the spirit of these heroic young men. The Treaty of Chanyuan is a humiliation for the Song Dynasty, and everyone in the country knows it
Empress Zheng hurriedly walked at night, causing An Hui and Lady Jingguo in front to be very puzzled by her murmuring conversation, so they asked her trusted confidante, Hua Rui.
An Jing also stepped down to the fields and walked over with Gao Chong and others, gathering around the palace maids and eunuchs. He caught a glimpse of the gloomy face of Empress Zheng and sighed softly in his heart. Just then, Lady Jingguo Sujiao looked over at him, and he offered her a bitter smile. Lady Jingguo slightly nodded, but a hint of a smile floated in her eyes, which seeped into An Jing's heart. She then turned to her sister, Empress Zheng, and whispered, "Sister... at this moment, do not argue with this Gao Qiu. What An Wengong said is indeed true."
As she contemplated these thoughts, the Empress felt an increasing bitterness in her heart. The Emperor was no longer an Emperor, the Empress was no longer an Empress, and the courtesans were no longer courtesans; they spoke of benevolence, righteousness, and morality, yet were filled with the essence of thieves and harlots. Now, looking at her sister, she found herself envious of her freedom and open-mindedness, and her gaze turned towards Anjing.
Ha... An Jing could not help but laugh heartily, reaching out to pat Gao Chong's shoulder, saying: "Magnificent! Captain Gao, do not underestimate yourself. Our great Song Dynasty inherits the essence of thousands of years of Huaxia civilization, with valiant men and heroic women everywhere, easily gathered in great numbers. You must not lose your ambition; a soldier who does not aspire to be a general is not a good soldier. Remember, the roles of ministers and generals are not determined by birth; a man must strive for self-improvement... I, a mere scholar, fear I will find it difficult to wield a spear on the battlefield in this life. The battlefield will depend on you. In a few years, our elite forces of the Song will surely march northward to reclaim Yan and Yun, to destroy the Liao state, sweeping across the desert..." The crowd was stunned by his words at that moment, yet he turned his back, facing north, and recited in a deep voice: "With anger rising to my crown, I lean on the railing as the drizzling rain ceases; I raise my gaze to the heavens and let out a long howl, filled with passionate ambition. Thirty years of fame are but dust and soil, eight thousand miles of road are moon and clouds. Do not idly let your youth fade away, lamenting in vain. The shame of Chanyuan has yet to be avenged, the hatred of the subjects, when will it be extinguished? Drive the long carriage to break through the Helan Mountain pass, with lofty aspirations to feast on the flesh of the Hu people, to laugh and drink the blood of the Xiongnu. Awaiting the moment to reclaim the old mountains and rivers, facing the heavenly gate..."
At this moment, gazing at the imposing male figure of An Jing standing tall like a mountain, Empress Zheng felt a sense of confusion in her eyes. She recalled his sudden appearance last night, and his words and actions left a profound impression on her. Just now, she heard Hua Rui mention his 'lip lock' with Jing Guo, which made her sigh even more. He truly possesses advantages that can captivate a woman's heart. Although he is merely a Confucian scholar, he possesses the courage of steel and iron, and in moments of life and death, he stepped forward to offer strategies to escape from peril. Such a wise and brave man, who would not admire him?
The golden morning light has appeared on the horizon, revealing an endless expanse of wilderness that evokes a sense of desolation. Fortunately, it is already the month of spring, and the lush greenery symbolizes vibrant life. Most people are seated on the grass or resting along the ridges of the fields, each one anxiously glancing back towards the direction of the mountain gorge.
At this moment, An Jingchang stood tall and upright on a ridge in the field, half-raising his head to gaze towards the northwest mountain gorge and sparse forest. The majority of the others, however, focused their attention on him, particularly Madam Zheng Sujiao, who sat beside the Empress and occasionally turned her head to look at him. She was unaware that Huairui, on the other side of the Empress, was leaning in to whisper something in her ear. As the two conversed, they would cast glances at Madam Zheng's face on their right, causing the Empress's expression to occasionally reveal surprise.
You should be more open-minded, do not forget your identity. Can you really lower yourself to such a degree for him? Or is it that you have taken a liking to this handsome young man?
The several constables squatting here jumped up together in cheers, "Captain Gao is valiant... Captain Gao is valiant, he is our Captain Gao, come and see..."
I am not one to forget kindness, but observing this person's words and actions, their ambitions are not trivial. I fear they may also be a troublemaker. Let us discuss this matter further later, for Gao Qiu has arrived
Dust swirled in the air, iron hooves struck the ground with urgency, and as the cavalry drew near, everyone knew that at this moment, the assault of the Howling Wind had come to an end
Since the moment An Jing stepped into the slaughterhouse with a knife yesterday, Gao Yingmei's entire attention has been focused on him. On one hand, she is concerned for his safety; on the other hand, she has realized her feelings for him. The reason for her attention is to further observe this young master, as she wishes to understand him in greater detail. She is unwilling to simply escape from home, as it would tarnish her reputation and bring shame to her mother. Thus, on a subconscious level, she is still reluctant to be an unfilial daughter.
Gao Yingmei stood alone at a distance, gazing sideways at the rushing Huh River. From this angle, her distinctly characterized face left a profound impression, especially her eyes, which resembled brilliant stars. Her delicate nose was sharply defined, akin to one sculpted by a knife or axe. Her long and graceful figure, wrapped in a loose robe, still revealed the softness of femininity. From this perspective, one could see the slight curve of her chest, though her pretty face appeared somewhat blurred.
Ah? Jingguo's bare face turned red, and she stammered: "Sister... you must know that the night road is difficult to traverse, and it is easy to make mistakes when one accidentally collides in a moment of panic"
Jingguo Sujiao felt a hint of panic, glancing timidly at her sister, and said in a mosquito-like voice: "Anwen Gong and the others indeed have merit; if sister wishes to reward them, then do so. What does it have to do with me?"
Hua Rui became fully alert the moment she saw the two of them kiss. She followed closely behind them, only catching fragmented snippets of their conversation, but that was enough for her to unleash her rich imagination. At that time, Hua Rui was assisting the Empress in walking, and she was unsure if the Empress had heard anything as well. However, from the Empress's demeanor, it seemed evident that her thoughts were elsewhere, and she was likely completely unaware of the situation. But that was enough for her to unleash her rich imagination. At that time, Hua Rui was assisting the Empress in walking, and she was unsure if the Empress had heard anything as well. However, from the Empress's demeanor, it seemed evident that her thoughts were elsewhere, and she was likely completely unaware of the situation.
Good. Good... All are the fine sons of our Song Dynasty. Captain Gao has made great contributions. If there is an opportunity, I will certainly recommend the captain to lead the army, and in the future, he will also have the chance to achieve merit and be honored. An stepped forward two paces to assist Gao Chong, and the others also extended their hands to support him. At this moment, in the distance, Gao Yingmei turned her head and gazed deeply at her brother.
Empress Zheng raised her eyes in astonishment towards her sister, while Jingguo Sujiao leaned in to whisper softly. Her expression then softened, and finally, she turned her head to gaze deeply at Anjing. At this moment, Jingguo felt a bit embarrassed and did not dare to meet her sister's gaze. However, Empress Zheng quietly replied to her, "How do you wish for me to reward him?"
An Jing stood motionless with his hands behind his back on the ridge of the field. He was not worried that Gao Chong and the others would encounter any mishaps; with Gao Chong's skills, even if he charged into the howling wind, he would have no trouble making it out alive. Sure enough, not long after, Gao Chong emerged from the distance, wielding a long spear with a tiger's head, followed by several constables in blood-stained black robes.
In fact, when it comes to loneliness, one might fear that Lady Jingguo has not suffered as much as her sister. Queen Zheng, having surpassed her thirties, is even more experienced among women. Her needs far exceed those of Jingguo, and similarly, her capacity for endurance is several times stronger than that of Jingguo. As the mother of the nation, positioned in the central palace, and a model for women, how could she dare to indulge in personal desires?
In fact, the awkward scene between An Jing and Jing Guo Su Jiao did not attract her attention. When she glanced back at him a few times, she only saw a "palace maid" leaning very close to him, without considering other aspects. Moreover, due to the chaotic footsteps, she did not hear their faint whispers. In truth, in such a life-or-death situation, who could have imagined what might happen between the two of them? Of course, it was not that no one noticed; there was indeed one person who paid close attention to them. Who? Hua Rui.
Gao Chong, leading the way, rushed forward with great strides, his tattered robe, torn into countless threads, was more eye-catching than a beggar's attire. Dried blood was caked onto his numerous wounds, and the few individuals accompanying him were no different, all truly resembling bloodied figures. This illustrates the peril of the assassination in the dark of night. Behind them, Empress Zheng, Jingguo Sujiao, Hua Rui, and the palace maids and eunuchs were all filled with tears, having never before experienced such a visceral impact and shock of blood and flesh, life and death.
The surging river flows northward, and the Hutuo River, approximately several zhang wide, lies before us. The team, having escaped danger, can no longer lift their legs as they reach this point, collapsing in disarray. An Jing counted the number of people, totaling twenty-three: seven palace maids, five eunuchs, and aside from himself and the 'Gao Junshi', the rest were all officials from the Leshou County office. This does not include Gao Chong and the five to seven soldiers he took away; when combined, there are more than thirty individuals.
At this moment, upon hearing the truth, the Empress felt a complex mix of emotions. Jingguo Sujiao was indeed her own younger sister, and she had truly raised a man. What could she do about it? Yet, she also knew that her sister was not the kind of frivolous woman. As for the difficulty of enduring loneliness, it was understandable; which young married woman does not yearn for love? How many can be as restrained as her sister? Could this young man be her sister's fated nemesis? Just one glance had stirred her sister's heart? But she also knew that her sister was not that kind of frivolous woman. As for the difficulty of enduring loneliness, it was understandable; which young married woman does not yearn for love? How many can be as restrained as her sister? Could this young man be her sister's fated nemesis? Just one glance had stirred her sister's heart? It might also be that the timing of the young man's appearance was just right; when one is in despair, it is easier to indulge oneself. Her sister, having survived a near-death experience, was genuinely delighted, and encountering a young man with such exceptional skills made her feelings for him quite reasonable.
An Jing was also unsure whether she had discovered the secret of her encounter with Madam Jingguo last night. As a martial artist of her caliber, with her keen observation and acute hearing, she might have sensed something. As he pondered this in the office, he could not understand why he suddenly cared about her feelings. In his thoughts, he苦笑 and slightly shook his head.
I fear that in the eyes of my sister, it is even more remarkable. As the saying goes, "It is easy to seek a priceless treasure, but difficult to find a true lover." An Jing is indeed a talented individual. In terms of seizing opportunities, he is precise and methodical; in terms of strategy and wisdom, he is exceptionally clever; in terms of courage, he is extraordinarily bold; in terms of appearance, he is strikingly handsome; and in terms of age, he is at the prime of his youth. Perhaps he is just of somewhat lower birth.