Chapter 005: Braving the Fire and Water

"After Yi Lang has just recovered from his illness, he must not fall ill again"

Mulan, prepare hot soup to attend to Yi Lang's bathing and changing of clothes, and then instruct the kitchen to prepare some food, plain congee and side dishes will suffice, as Yi Lang is currently weak after his illness and should eat less and drink more

The two sisters locked eyes, and she could clearly see the intense change in Gao Mingyue's eyes. "Has Gao Yuan finally decided to deploy troops?"

Outside the city of Yangzhou, a caravan of several dozen people was escorting more than ten horse-drawn carts. Beside the caravan, a woman wearing a veil was riding on horseback, following the caravan. The black veil draped from her head, covering her entire body. At that moment, a cloud of dust rose up ahead on the main road, and a rider galloped towards them. A strong man fell off his horse in front of the woman and whispered, "Madam, someone has seen Second Brother leave Yangzhou three days ago, and since then, there has been no news. It seems he suddenly disappeared outside the city of Yangzhou, without a trace."

"Hmm!" Gao Qianxue replied casually, her mind seemingly lost in thought, her gaze slightly absent.

What should we do

Gao Mingyue furrowed her brows, "The Western Liang and Southern Chen have been destroyed for many years, and the Xiao and Chen clans have been relocated to the Guandong region. Moreover, eight years ago, people from Wuzhou, such as Wang Wenkong, from Yuezhou, Gao Zhihui, from Suzhou, Shen Xuan, from Le'an, Daoist Cai, from Jiangshan, Li, from Raozhou, Wu Shihua, from Wenzhou, Shen Xiaoche, from Quanzhou, Wang Guoqing, from Hangzhou, Yang Baoying, and from Jiaozhou, Li Chun, rose in rebellion against the Sui. At that time, the momentum was so great, yet in the end, it only served to enhance the reputations of Sui generals such as Yang Su, Shi Wansui, Mai Tiezhang, and Lai Huer. Since the chaos in Jiangdong was quelled eight years ago, Yang Jian dispatched his second son, Prince Yang Guang, to govern Yangzhou for several years. Although Yang Guang is a royal prince, my sister knows that this person is exceptionally talented in literature, treats the lower ranks with respect, and has married the Western Liang princess, the Lanying Xiao clan, as his consort. He has governed Jiangdu for many years, providing great pacification in the southeast, and holds considerable prestige in Jiangdong, with most of the local gentry being won over by him. Additionally, Linghu has pacified Lingnan, earning the trust of the Li and Yue tribes, and now the southern region is stable. It is very difficult to incite unrest in Jiangnan."

The woman with a voice as cold as an iceberg said, "Ji Yao was last seen in Yangzhou, and now that Er Lang has also arrived in Yangzhou, there has been no news. It seems that the situation is even more serious than we imagined"

After tossing and turning for most of the night, Lingyun was indeed tired. She turned off the light and soon fell into a deep sleep

Gao Yuan hopes that we can establish contact with the powerful families of Jiangnan to create turmoil in Jiangnan, thereby attracting some of the attention of the Sui Dynasty

"Rest assured, there are always people like us," Gao Qianxue said. "Gao Ding has already contacted an ally, and they will come to meet us in a few days."

Ling Yun rolled her eyes and could not be bothered with these matters anymore. Since she had decided to stay, what more was there to say

Sister, please tell me what to do

"Sister, can Gao Yuan defeat the Sui army?" Gao Mingyue asked, clenching her fist.

Well, he has already agreed, although it was under the threat of my suicide that he did so. However, he has indeed agreed to marry me, and the wedding is tomorrow. The only change is that he will no longer be marrying into my family.

Accompanied by the young girl Mulan, Lingyun returned to the wooden cabin by the pond. As he passed by the servants on the wooden path, he felt a slight flush of embarrassment, believing that his escape had gone unnoticed. However, it seemed that everyone had witnessed a free spectacle. Indeed, upon entering the house, he found that the hole had already been repaired.

The extermination of nine clans, a rebellion of grave sin that falls within the ten unforgivable crimes, yet the Gao sisters are calmly discussing it, as if those noble ladies are merely deliberating over a poem or a piece of embroidery

Gao Qianxue seemed to have transformed into a different person in an instant, no longer filled with resentment, but instead embodying the understanding and considerate demeanor of a fiancée.

Gao Qianxue brushed her long hair and said, "What does it matter who wins or loses, as long as I can take revenge for my grievances."

Sister, you have a good eye; that Yifeng actually looks quite good!" Mingyue said with a smile

I know it is difficult, but if this matter can be accomplished, it will greatly help Gao Yuan. Gao Yuan's success is our success. Sister, relying on our own strength, we can never hope for a day of revenge in this lifetime. It has been over a decade, how much longer must we wait? As we watch Yang Sui grow stronger, we run around in vain, while those petty individuals live carefree. I feel ashamed before the spirits of the deceased. If we do not take action soon, I fear we may never have another opportunity. Before today, I had despaired, thinking we would never have a chance again. Now, although the opportunity seems slim, we must not let it slip away.

Gao Qianxue held Gao Mingyue's hand and said, "It is indeed very difficult to instigate a massive upheaval in Jiangnan, but we cannot give up. I plan to contact the discontented gentry and powerful families in Jiangdong to join us."

Sister, I have just received news from home in the north. King Yingyang has finally decided to mobilize his troops, and the Mohe Baishan tribe and others have already responded. Gao Qianxue tightly grasped Jian Gaomingyue's hand and comforted her, saying: "Sister, the day of revenge has finally arrived. This time they will attack Liaoxi Yingzhou, and none of those who betrayed the court and our uncle in Yingzhou City will escape.

Gao Qianxue turned her face to look at Ling Yun, her gaze clear and transparent, which left Ling Yun somewhat puzzled. Could it be that Gao Qianxue had truly fallen in love with him at first sight? Was it because he saved her, or due to that so-called intimacy, that she had developed feelings for him, thus insisting on marrying no one but him? However, he quickly shook his head, dispelling such absurd thoughts. After all, he was a man with rich romantic experience, on the verge of entering the halls of marriage; how could he be easily swayed? Yet he soon shook his head again, banishing those ridiculous notions. Gao Qianxue must have ulterior motives, yes, it must be so.

"Sister, before Gao Ding and the others return, just leave all the matters of the residence to me. You can fully enjoy your new marriage without worry." Gao Mingyue revealed a smile, fully aware of their identities and the tasks they were to undertake. Unlike before, once Gao Ding returns, what they would be doing would be truly dangerous, akin to dancing on the edge of a knife, risking their lives. In opposition to the powerful court, no one knows when they might lose their lives. Unlike before, once Gao Ding returns, what they would be doing would be truly dangerous, akin to dancing on the edge of a knife, risking their lives. In opposition to the powerful court, no one knows when they might lose their lives

Are there still gentry and powerful families in Jiangdong who dare to stand up

"Young Master, the hot soup is ready, please take a bath!" Little Mulan's usual pouty expression was nowhere to be seen, replaced by a beaming smile. She even changed how she addressed him, directly calling him 'Young Master.' This title left him speechless for quite some time; it would have been much better to call him 'Young Master' or 'Young Sir.' Being called 'Young Master' made it sound as if he had been adopted into the family. Unfortunately, he corrected the little girl several times, trying to get her to change the way she addressed him, but she remained completely unfazed. Under Mulan's guidance, after returning to the room, Ling Yun was thoroughly wiped down by the three little girls. If it weren't for his injuries, he would probably have been soaked in that large bathtub a couple more times. After bathing and changing clothes, Uncle Qian with the white beard came over to change his medicine, took his pulse, and confirmed that his condition had not worsened. After mentioning some precautions, he left with his medicine box.

In the ninth year of the Kaihuang era, the Southern Chen was destroyed. In the tenth year, almost the entire Jiangnan region rebelled, but the momentum against the Sui was great, yet the defeats came even faster. After that turmoil, which aristocratic family or powerful faction in Jiangdong would still dare to oppose the Sui

Gao Qianxue picked up the dagger and put it away, stood up, adjusted her clothes, and then called out towards the willow tree not far behind her. Immediately, the young girl Mulan, who had become quite familiar over the past few days, walked over. She was holding a snow-white fox fur coat in one hand and a wine flask in the other. Gao Qianxue first took the fox fur coat, walked over, and draped it over Lingyun's shoulders, then opened the wine flask and handed it to him.

On the banks of the Yangtze River, the river breeze rustled Wei Bao's garments as he vigorously wielded his whip, urging his horse to gallop wildly. Not far behind him, a cavalry of more than ten riders was in hot pursuit, all clad in black.

"Everything will be ready; tomorrow is an auspicious day and should not be changed. Yi Lang, just go back and have a good rest." Gao Qianxue smiled, but Lingyun always felt that her smile resembled that of a fox that had just stolen a chicken.

Indeed, the death of the rabbit brings sorrow to the fox. Moreover, Gao Yuan, being young and vigorous, does not possess the same forbearance as his father Gao Tang. Last year, Gao Tang died out of fear and worry, and when Gao Yuan ascended the throne, Yang Jian did not confer upon him the title of King of Goguryeo, but instead demoted him to Duke of Liaodong. For a young monarch like Gao Yuan, who had just ascended the throne and was eager to make his mark, how could he possibly tolerate this? Last year, the Sui Emperor first allowed the Eastern Turkic Khagan Dulan to kill the precious princess of the former Zhou dynasty, and then, on one hand, married a royal family member, Princess Anyi, to Dulan, while on the other hand, he generously rewarded Dulan's uncle's son, the former Khagan Mohe, and the Northern Turkic minor Khagan Ashina Rangan, ultimately succeeding in sowing discord between Dulan and Tuli. Dulan, enraged, severed ties with the Sui and allied with the Western Turkic Khagan Datou to jointly attack Tuli. When Tuli was defeated, Yang Jian immediately dispatched Changsun Sheng to devise a plan to capture the Khagan of Tuli and bring him to Chang'an to surrender, bestowing upon him the title of Qimin Khagan and settling him in Shuozhou. Speaking of these matters, Gao Qianxue coldly remarked, "Yang Jian is most adept at power schemes, and the northern steppes of the Turks are ultimately just engaged in mutual slaughter, with no strength left to invade the south. In the past, Goguryeo allied with Southern Chen to resist the north, but now Southern Chen has been destroyed for nine years, and the Turks are busy with their internal strife, while the Khitan to the north of Yanshan have already submitted to the Sui. If Goguryeo remains indifferent, it will not be far from the destruction of the nation and the extinction of its people."

In the courtyard of the Gao family, the Gao sisters have yet to fall asleep

Ling Yun indeed felt a bit cold; he had just splashed around in the pool and then sat here for quite a while, exposed to the night breeze. He picked up the wine jug and took a large gulp. It was not too strong, but once the wine entered his stomach, it immediately brought a warm, fiery sensation rising from his lower abdomen. He took another two sips and increasingly found Gao Qianxue to be enigmatic. It seemed she had anticipated his elopement tonight, even calculating that he would come through the water. She had been waiting here all along, even preparing warm clothing and wine, yet she deliberately chose not to present them at first. He took another two sips and felt even more perplexed by Gao Qianxue. It appeared she had long foreseen his intention to escape marriage tonight, even predicting his arrival through the water. She had been here waiting, with warm clothes and wine ready, but she insisted on making him endure the cold wind and night dew until he agreed to the marriage proposal before revealing the items. What would have happened if he had not agreed earlier? He did not know, but there was a ninety-nine point nine percent chance that Gao Qianxue would not truly commit suicide in front of him. She made him endure the cold wind and night dew until he agreed to the marriage proposal before finally calling out for Mulan. What would have happened if he had not agreed earlier? He did not know, but there was a ninety-nine point nine percent chance that Gao Qianxue would not truly commit suicide in front of him.

Perhaps that is why my sister suddenly wants to marry a guy she has just met. Before the dangerous operation officially begins, marrying a man who is not unpleasant, and even quite nice, and living as a wife, leading a normal life, would mean that when that day truly arrives, she will be a complete woman, leaving without regrets. If she could also leave behind a son or daughter, that would be even better. At that time, she would be a complete woman, leaving without regrets. If she could also leave behind a son or daughter, that would be even better

Gao Mingyue raised her two slender willow leaf-shaped eyebrows and said, "Hmph, after marriage, isn't it still living in Gao Family Village? What difference does it make from being a son-in-law?" However, she also understood that whether or not a man is formally recognized as a son-in-law holds significant meaning. Even if he continues to live in Gao Family Village after marriage, as long as he does not have the official status of a son-in-law, there remains a considerable difference.

Did he really agree? Gao Mingyue held her sister's hand, feeling happy for her

Isn't it better to change the wedding date? Getting married tomorrow seems a bit too rushed.