Chapter 10
Xu Er and Xu Ding looked at each other, but what left Xu Er even more astonished was that A Nu suddenly grabbed his shoulder and said firmly: "Second Brother, Fourth Sister, you can rest assured, A Nu will definitely protect you!"
He remained composed, shifting her center of gravity to his other arm, preventing her from touching the bite mark on his arm even slightly. He said: "In the past, I was not close to her, but I thought, as royal offspring, there would be no intention of mutual harm. Moreover, she is strong in every way; how could she possibly regard me, her younger brother? Who would have known that in her quest for the throne, she would plot against me... The Empress Dowager allows me, this idle prince, to exist under her watch, yet cannot tolerate my child. Qiu Luo, think about it, she and Emperor Fang have yet to have any offspring, while we have already spread the news ahead of time; is she not alarmed? The hard-won kingdom, one day, might return to my name; would she be willing to accept that?"
"You..." Xu Er sighed. "In the past, I thought you and Ding Ping were well-matched, both in temperament and age, and that you would make the best pair on the ground. Who would have thought that you would fall for Anu? Our lineage is inferior..."
He entered the small courtyard with two companions. One wooden house was pitch dark, while the other had a faint light. He approached the window of the illuminated room and looked in, seeing an elderly woman with white hair hunched over, possibly sewing.
"Naturally, I am unwilling," he said coldly. "I am not unwilling to be off the throne, but rather that Xiao Jinfeng should not harm my child for the sake of having no offspring yet."
A surge of heat rose to her throat, quickly flooding her eyes. "... ... I won't ... ... I ... ... really won't ... ... even if my appearance is on the silk, I still won't ... ... Fifth Brother ... ... he hasn't even asked me ... ... "
He smiled broadly, seemingly quite fond of her reaction at that moment. He adjusted the coat draped over her to prevent her from catching a chill, then looked at her earnestly and said
"This guy is left to me; I will interrogate him properly." When Xu Er saw her drawing her bow and preparing to rush out, he hurriedly said, "A Nu!" She paused in her steps and turned to look at him
She was filled with astonishment; who could be like this? Deep within her heart, the straightforward Xu Liefeng burst forth, without a moment's thought, eagerly leaning in to kiss him.
"Indeed, what the prince said is true." She let out a quiet sigh of relief. The man truly valued the country above all else; to him, Xu Liu was nothing more than that. Fortunately, the late emperor's edict designated him as the heir to the throne, which diverted his thoughts of revenge. She suddenly felt grateful that Feng Er was dead, for the last thing she needed now was someone by her side who couldn't keep their mouth shut, constantly reminding him of who was responsible for Xu Liu's death.
"Let's talk about it later." Xu Er gritted his teeth, truly wanting to shake him, but in the end, he could only endure and say submissively:
If there is no smell of blood in the dream, it would be better—she suddenly sat up, her gaze alert
It is truly detestable. The young men of the South have their coming-of-age ceremony, guided by Sister Hua in matters of love, only then does Fifth Brother come to understand these things; the coming-of-age ceremony for women involves shooting a jade pendant to seek good fortune. If women also had a coming-of-age ceremony like men, she would not be so at a loss today. ... Bah, bah, bah, she does not want that kind of coming-of-age ceremony.
I shall obey all of your commands, my lord
"Dare!" She said without a moment's hesitation: "In order to ensure the survival of my people, Anu will kill."
His vision was poor, and through the haze, he seemed to see her eyebrows gradually arching, the corners of her mouth lifting, as if she wore a gentle smile of great contentment
His companion, having not found anyone in the adjacent wooden cabin, rushed over to the door, only to see an elderly woman with white hair drawing a bow aimed at his forehead
In order to ensure the survival of her own, she is willing to eliminate anyone who obstructs the existence of her second brother and fourth sister, who must not disappear before her eyes again
Does this count as him being the breadwinner while she takes care of the home...! ... Oh my God! She can even make cured meat!
Immediately after, Xu Dingping stood up and went out to retrieve a sword from the trunk that Xu Changmu had packed.
The person cried out in agony, and she grabbed a piece of cloth and stuffed it into his mouth
A few days before your child passed away, did she come to see you? She even brought delicacies from the palace, claiming she wanted to nourish you. I have secretly investigated, and it turns out that she summoned the imperial physician several times before her visit. At that time, the emperor said it was out of curiosity to keep a few types of medicine for research, all of which are harmful to the mother. Qiuluo, can you still trust them?
"Blood scent? No..." Xu Dingping observed her resolute expression and chose to believe her. "Is it possible that a wild chicken from someone's home was taken by a wolf?"
She felt a surge of warmth within her, which brought her a sense of reassurance. She wished to strengthen her body further, to be as strong as Fifth Brother, so that she could spend tonight with him in a clear-headed state. Tonight marks her special coming-of-age ceremony, and it is almost as brief as Fifth Brother's was back in the day
Very well. We shall give the Empress another chance. This is the most critical moment for Nanlin. As long as the Xixuan army does not retreat, Nanlin remains in danger. I am willing to contribute my efforts to the royal family, temporarily setting aside the grudge of killing my son, and wholeheartedly assisting her. If she possesses even a modicum of royal capability and the ability to accommodate others, and can preserve Nanlin, then we shall submit to her. However, if she is devoid of virtue and capability, then let it be as stated in the imperial edict
What if she looks like this for the rest of her life
... ... Now just treat ... ... your coming-of-age ceremony and Anu's coming-of-age ceremony ... ... the first time ... ... from now on, whenever you think of it, you will feel a bit happier ... ...
From the very beginning, Xiao Jinfeng had devised a trap for him to fall into; he was too easily deceived. In that torrential rainstorm, he knelt and pleaded with the Emperor for mercy, willing to forsake royal glory and take the unsuspecting Lie Feng to a remote place. As long as those in the know remained silent, no one would discern that they were siblings. It was at that moment that Xiao Jinfeng showed him the replicated silk and revealed this earth-shattering secret.
Her eyes kept darting around, occasionally glancing quickly at his enticing lips. She felt a bit anxious, urging him to hurry and not to tease her. However, just as he drew closer, before their lips could meet, he suddenly pulled away.
Anu is much better now. The doctors from Nanlin cannot tell, because they are mediocre physicians. Once we reach the Great Wei, there will be renowned doctors who can cure her
Fifth brother should tell me to let go of my hatred
... ... A great secret? A metallic scent wafted through the air, and she caught sight of the hem of his garment, which was unexpectedly stained with blood.
Whose is it
I... I will protect. " she said hoarsely, then added, "But I must first protect Second Brother and Fourth Sister!
To Anu, Xu Changmu before the age of eighteen was her fifth brother, and the current scholar Xie Fei is also her fifth brother. What is the difference? They are both the fifth brother she has been thinking about.
He had no chance to retreat even a step, and she released the string. Her pale fingertips seemed to carry a brilliant, radiant glow of death as they pierced through his brow along the arrow shaft. In his last moment, what he saw was this scarred face. It was a girl! Not an old woman! He thought regretfully.
So what? Aside from Nanlin, who still cares about whether the common people are good or bad? Second brother, Nanlin is not everything in your life
"Anu!" Xu Er emerged from the pitch-black inner chamber, his expression slightly anxious. "Are you alright?"
Very well, you remember that on the battlefield, the quickest way to deal with cavalry is to cut off the horse's legs. Have you memorized the terrain of the village? Go find your fourth sister and do your best to defeat them one by one.
She gently inhaled, and indeed, a faint metallic scent of blood filled her nostrils. Where did it come from? Silently, she turned over and got out of bed, recalling that she had gone to sleep early today. Her fourth sister should be in the wooden house next door with her second brother.
He wished so much that Xiao Jinfeng could not hold on...! ... Then he could ascend to the throne with legitimacy, one by one, personally taking action!
How have you been lately, madam?" he asked gently as he stepped forward
Chang Mu, have you discussed your castration issue with Anu? You simply... He originally intended to have a serious conversation with him. For instance, regarding the issue of branching out: for example, whether Anu's elder can bear children. Today, Chang Mu directly placed the responsibility of procreation on him, which already implied that regardless of whether Anu can give birth, he is to be settled, right
She noticed the butterfly kiss resting on her nose bridge, slowly moving above her lips.
Two wooden houses, one belongs to this old woman, and the other is very likely occupied by her son and daughter-in-law who have already gone to bed. He pointed to the other dark house to the two companions, suggesting they act separately, as dealing with this old woman is sufficient for him alone
By cutting off the horse's legs, the enemy cavalry lost their advantage. She had long memorized the military texts thoroughly, and it was for this reason that Fifth Brother designed horse gear on the military armor to prevent the enemy from employing this method, significantly diminishing the effectiveness of their cavalry
He somewhat regrets calling her to protect the villagers. The Xu family has become accustomed to safeguarding the people of Nanlin. At this moment, he is thinking about how to ensure the safety of everyone. However, just now, while he was in the inner chamber listening to her deal with the bandits, he was worried about what would happen if Anu couldn't handle it. She is no longer the healthy Anu of the past. If something were to happen to her while confronting the bandits, how could he face her? How could the Xu family bear the pain of losing another person? She is no longer the healthy Anu of the past. If something were to happen to her while confronting the bandits, how could he face her? How could the Xu family bear the pain of losing another person?
The veins on Xu Er's forehead had been pulsating for a long time, but he realized that he had been completely ignored by others
I went and discovered a shocking secret
He kissed her eyes back and forth. Next, will he kiss her lips? She felt a bit nervous. What should she do if Fifth Brother really kissed her lips?
Prince, do you wish to become the Emperor
He smiled so widely that his dark eyes curved like a new moon. "Alright, Anu, let's do this together. It's our first time, and we're both quite clumsy, but let's learn from each other and put in the effort."
That is it, images can be fabricated, he is foolish enough to be deceived, why should you forgive him? Continue to hate.
Two wooden cabins, men sleep together, while the remaining pair of sisters huddle together. The fourth sister sleeps soundly and does not toss and turn, but she feels that the person beside her is different, which completely prevents her from sleeping.
He whispered softly in her ear, speaking about his life abroad. She enjoyed listening to him talk about this. She liked it very much, as it made her feel as though he had never left.
Hmm, Second Brother, I understand, I will do my best. With that, she vanished into the dark night
He once secretly saw his father, the emperor, looking at a painting on silk. At that time, he was young and did not pay attention to the appearance of the woman in the painting. Xiao Jinfeng showed it to him, and it was exactly the same as what the emperor was looking at. To his astonishment, the woman depicted was actually Lie Feng, which left him in a state of shock. Upon further investigation, he found that the legendary place of ascension on Yunshan was indeed nothing but deceptive lies meant to mislead the world, just as she had said.
She was momentarily stunned, hearing the rustling sound of Fifth Brother taking off his outer garment
Is it okay for the second brother himself?
A divine being will return to the mortal realm to reclaim the Four Kingdoms, while the mortal emperors are merely the gatekeeping dogs, as stated by the sages throughout the ages
The man in black, who followed closely behind, upon seeing his brother dead, shouted: "You seek death!" He raised his knife and charged in. Xu Liefeng abandoned the longbow, swiftly grabbed the hunting knife from the table, and as the attacker approached, she bent down, skillfully severing both of his legs with the hunting knife in one fluid motion
The prince ... ... '' She rushed forward, kneeling at his feet
Her heart was racing, and she hurriedly took out a bat handkerchief to press against her cheek ... Even the second brother felt that she ...
Xu Erquan clenched his fists tightly, the veins on his face no longer throbbing. In a hoarse voice, he said: "Alright, you want to protect me, fine. But will you also protect the old, weak, women, and children of this village?"
She cried out in pain, "Fifth Brother, you bit my mouth." Is this a prank on her?
Fifth brother, if only it had been a little earlier... if only it had been a little earlier... if I could join you on your path to becoming a scholar... if it hadn't been so late, we would have had more time together... let her have a good sense of regret
My lord!" she exclaimed, tightly gripping his arm, leaving several scratches that drew blood on his skin
"Qiu Luo, are you willing to repay what you owe me?"
Long Mu, even if you distance yourself from Nanlin in the future, do not assist other countries in attacking Nanlin
Xu Liefeng, upon hearing this, wanted to chuckle, but was startled by his subsequent actions. He leaned down and gently kissed the tears on her eyelashes, one drop, two drops... all fell into his beautiful lips
If he were to say these four words to anyone, she could deceive herself into believing that it was all false. However, when he spoke to the second brother, the one who previously did not like Anu, the second brother of the Xu family, who is truly related to him by blood, it was clear that he had made a definitive acknowledgment of her
Summer Palace
By late at night, her excitement finally faded, and with a face full of fatigue, she leaned on his knee and fell asleep, mumbling softly:
"A-Nu, are you unable to sleep?" he asked gently
He always intentionally conceals all the radiance within her field of vision, not allowing her to catch a glimpse of her silver hair, causing her to momentarily forget the lingering obstruction in her heart.
If I were the King of Summer, I would personally ask you: Anu, tell me, will you betray Nanlin and seize the Xiao family's world?
So what exactly is going on between you and Anu
Do you dare to kill someone?" Xu Si suddenly asked.
No, to be precise, ever since Xu Liefeng was struck down by him with a single blow, he has spoken little and focused solely on state affairs. Even this time, when sending military armor to the border, it was unnecessary for a dignified prince to personally oversee it; yet he volunteered to go to the border, clearly intending to distance himself from her
"Isn't it just saying that this is my first coming-of-age ceremony? I am as clumsy as you, and we need to learn and explore from each other, right? Anu cannot just wait to be fed; she must also learn to nurture others." He said hoarsely
Is this flirting? Fifth Brother, please clarify!
She had not yet thoroughly studied the implications of his words when she saw him lean down again to kiss her on the lips
The Legendary Xu People, with their identical appearance on silk, compelled him to believe, especially given the remarkable coincidence that the fierce wind embodies both the Xu lineage and the bloodline of the Xiao family, making ascension to the throne a possibility. When she awakens as a divine being, Nanlin will be the first nation to return to the hands of the divine. They will be the sinners of this continent, and how will future generations narrate the tale of these royal loyalists guarding the gates? How can he, as a son of the royal family, reconcile this with the legacy of his ancestors? Nanlin will be the first nation to return to the hands of the divine, and they will be the sinners of this continent, and how will future generations narrate the tale of these royal loyalists guarding the gates? How can he, as a son of the royal family, reconcile this with the legacy of his ancestors?
Her mouth was bitter. "It is..." The premise of having children is that he must enter her room.
Fifth Brother... During your absence these past two days, I have been contemplating whether King Xia's actions are justified. He fears that I am a divine being, worried that the Nanlin Xiao family is merely guarding the realm for a divine entity, so he took preemptive measures to put me in this situation. How can one allow others to sleep soundly beside their own bed? If I were in his position, would I not make the same choice? Then what right do I have to hate him? Am I... destined for such a fate from the very beginning?
This is truly shameless ... Xu Er has not spent much time with this fifth brother, only knowing that he is intelligent and talented, the most worthy of remaining among the brothers, and also the greatest pride of those from a humble background. However, he never realized that he is so strong-willed, impervious to both soft and hard approaches.
The maid in the princess's chamber and the servant presenting the silver tray both respectfully withdrew. Luo Qiuluo was somewhat surprised; ever since she had gone to the summer garden to plead for Feng'er, he had not entered her bedroom again.
In the next moment, the blade flashed, and he uncontrollably tilted and fell to the ground, his lower body still standing motionless, blood gushing forth.
Fifth Brother, what if you were the King of Summer? His responsibility is to oversee the southern territories. Don't tell me that you love beauty more than the kingdom; that answer is akin to stealing a step.
She was taken aback for a moment, gently adjusting her posture from the side to face him directly, meeting his partially concealed beautiful eyes. Her heart began to race slightly as she thought about how defenseless her position was in front of him. However, she truly wished to gaze at him like this for a lifetime
"You are also involved, aren't you?" He looked at her and smiled, saying, "Are you out of your mind? How could you do such a thing with the princess? Even if Xu Liu is just an insignificant commoner, you cannot act this way, especially since she is a descendant of the Xu people, a benefactor of Nanlin"
Madam, it is not that I am unwilling to devote my attention to you, but rather that the affairs of the state have been truly busy of late. There are certain matters that I cannot feel at ease about unless I oversee them personally. If it were not for the discovery of a particular issue, I fear I would not have had the time to come and see the princess.
Xu Er's face twitched slightly; did he really appear so weak? When he heard Xu Dingping say seriously, "Anu, I beg you!" his face twitched again
His breath, his warmth, enveloped her completely, leaving her at a loss as to where to direct her gaze, feeling a bit tense all over and unsure of what to do
Xiao Yuanxia's gaze fell upon the package on the silver tray. He chose a chair to sit down, tapping the armrest of the chair, and said slowly: "As husband and wife, there should be no secrets between us. While I was on my way to deliver military armor to the border, I suddenly felt the urge to visit Yunshan."
Xiao Yuanxia noticed the fearful expression on her face and still smiled, saying: "Madam, do not be afraid. Lord Jiang has confessed everything; how could he deceive His Majesty, following the Empress's orders? The process of changing the divine figure on the silk to Xu Liu has been recounted in detail. Each matter has been thoroughly and accurately presented." As he spoke the last part, he intentionally emphasized each word.
When he gently pushed the door open, the old woman, who was hard of hearing, could not hear anything. As he raised a knife high, he suddenly noticed that she had turned around.
"... ... Hmm ... ..." She responded with a dazed smile, having experienced significant emotional fluctuations throughout the day, leaving her utterly exhausted. She still held his hand tightly, feeling his warmth.
If she had been born ten years earlier, perhaps under mutual affection, his coming of age ceremony would have been better; at least, it would have been his own willing choice, a true expression of his heart's desire and genuine love... She felt a pang in her heart, realizing that she had engaged in mutual affection rather than her own unrequited feelings...
He spoke neither hurriedly nor slowly, each word clear and cold. At first glance, there seemed to be no emotion, but as soon as Xu Er heard it, he understood that this fellow intended to drag Anu into a prolonged engagement.
Xu Er and Xu Si both felt a jolt in their hearts. In the past, Anu would say: I am a child of the Xu family, I will kill. ... Now, however, it is all about surviving ...
This is truly troublesome, isn't it? One cannot possibly teach Er Ge to sleep with Ding Ping together. He smiled indulgently, wrapping his arm around her shoulder and allowing her to rest her head on his lap
Well... it seems I have gotten used to having Fifth Brother by my side, and I can't seem to fall asleep for a while." She said with an embarrassed smile
"Has the lady retired?" Xiao Yuanxia entered with a smile, commanding the servant to place the silver tray on the table. "You all may leave; it is sufficient for the lady to attend to this king."
As long as the prince requires my assistance, I will certainly help him she said softly
You... why do I feel that you resemble an elder brother more than I do?
She said tremulously: "How can the prince be so certain ... ... "
In the past, I dared not to think about it, but the will clearly states "this king". How can I not think about it? Do you not wish to? You were meant to be the mother of a nation, and your child would be the crown prince, destined to become a wise ruler of the South. Now, you are merely the consort of a leisurely prince, and your child will be subordinate to others in the future. Are you willing to accept this?
He gritted his teeth, filled with hatred for his own foolishness in trusting her and walking into her trap. ... He hated himself even more for prioritizing Nanlin at this moment, with revenge coming second; as long as Xiao Jinfeng could protect Nanlin, he could temporarily swallow his resentment ... ... By then, he would find Xu Wu and inquire about the grave of Lie Feng, he thought. ... ... ... He would relocate her ashes closer to him, so that he, as a co-conspirator, could visit and accompany her at any time, and pray to the heavens not to let him be her brother in the next life ...
I thought for a long time, and the answer is all unsolvable. Asking Fifth Brother you... The answer should be the same as that of King Xia; although she can understand, she is unwilling to hear it from his mouth, she would rather be an ostrich
If Xiao Jinfeng cannot hold onto Nanlin... He slowly lowered his gaze towards the woman in his arms, whose every stroke and line was crafted by her hand. Did she not realize at that moment that this would lead to the death of an innocent woman who was a million times better than herself? Was she envious of the Xu, Luo, and Fang families, particularly because the sixth daughter of the Xu family was the most prominent in the capital, or did she truly desire him and the power that came with him?
She wore a dazed expression, and Xu Changmu, upon seeing this, did not hide the tenderness in his eyes. In the past, Anu had a charmingly silly demeanor, radiating a dazzling confidence, but at this moment, she resembled the tranquil moonlight, lacking much of her previous fervor
"Do you think I am as foolish as he is? Go ahead and ask." She hesitated for a moment and then softly inquired:
The Xu family has almost been completely wiped out. Now, the Luo family behind her is the only one capable of competing with the Fang family's power. How could he easily kill her? She is his treasure!
"It's fine," she said, a bit surprised. Is Second Brother concerned about her? She quickly added, "I am doing well, thanks to Second Brother's suggestion to feign weakness and disperse their combat strength. I am not tired at all." Otherwise, if she were to hold the fort alone against dozens, and the opponent engaged in a war of attrition, given her current condition, she might very well collapse and die.
Furthermore, how could the princess deceive him
In a small courtyard where the breath of two people intertwines, the essence of spring lingers softly. From time to time, she whispers softly, seeking his guidance with humility, while he innocently suggests that she try a few more times to find the right path. The two occasionally kiss, sometimes engaging in quiet conversations that cover a wide range of topics. Moreover, her eyes begin to curve with carefree joy as she actively nuzzles against his cheek, displaying an unparalleled intimacy.
These individuals are the people of Nanlin whom the fathers and brothers wish to protect; they are the ones they were unable to safeguard in time
So it turns out she is an old woman, he thought
She was initially stiff for a while, but later, whether it was due to getting used to his warmth, she gradually relaxed, even feeling a hint of enjoyment and satisfaction, resting her cheek on his knee while gazing at the twinkling stars in the sky
It is warm! It is not the coldness that comes from his unwillingness; at this moment, Fifth Brother's heart is filled with joy. She feels a surge of happiness in her heart and is earnestly, very earnestly, honing the profound skill of feeding meat. Although she suspects that Fifth Brother often bites her lips intentionally, she—cowardly—truly does not dare to make mistakes on purpose in front of him. To her, he is noble pork, and she is unwilling and reluctant to injure this piece of fatty pork.
The knowledge acquired through study has, for her, always been theoretical. It is only tonight that these concepts have truly come together, allowing her to realize that a small amount of wisdom can save her a great deal of effort compared to her previous practical experiences.
That knife killed Jiang Huigong quickly. The feeling still lingers in his body. If he doesn't restrain himself forcefully, he will kill those who deceive him one by one to vent his anger.
I have feelings for her in my heart, and naturally I want to become a pair of mandarin ducks with her as soon as possible. However, she is always timid in her heart after her illness, afraid that I will end up with white hair because of rushing for her. This is self-inflicted, if I had treated her with a little more care back then, and let her not lose confidence, today I would have gained one more point of her trust. She spent so many days waiting for her fifth brother to turn around in the past, so today I will spend as much time waiting for her to firmly promise me a lifetime, which is only right and proper.
Well?
Lovebirds, lovebirds, these four words brought her back to reality.
Her face turned pale, and she quickly looked at the bundle on the silver tray. It wasn't a bundle, but a human head!
As she listened, she gradually fell asleep, and even after she was completely asleep, the bachelor's interpretation of the foreign travelogue continued to be heard in her ears...
How could it be late? Here's the deal, I'll tell you about my life in recent years, not leaving out any small details, even if you get tired of listening. I want you to feel like you've been with me all these years, okay?
Yes, our child. He fell silent for a moment and said softly, "So, I came to discuss with you ways to prevent this. Today is the first time, and there may be a second or third time. As long as she doesn't give birth to a prince, there is no possibility of us having a child who will survive to adulthood."
Have to go, it turns out that preparing many things is necessary for winter. There are currently four people in the family, three wounded soldiers, and we can only rely on the only patriarch in the family to prepare for the winter and the Lunar New Year. We also need to remake the eye mask for my second brother, as his eyelids easily itch and we need to find good fabric for it.
He draped his coat over her and sat beside her, intentionally shielding her from the night breeze.
This Xu person's bloodline... Just like that, it was abruptly cut off by the royal Xiao family.
I am not here for Nanlin, but for the Xu family. You left me in the capital because of my poor eyesight, which prevented me from joining the army. However, I hope that if something happens, at least one of my sons can carry on the family line. But as a son, how can I stand by and do nothing? I have been traveling around the country for years, investigating military and political affairs of various countries, learning from them, and keeping the essence while discarding the dross, all for the benefit of Nanlin, where my father and brothers are stationed at the forefront. Now that you have come to this end, what reason do I have to care about Nanlin? The Xu family does not owe Nanlin, and neither do I. The military strategies left behind by the royal family in Nanlin can be used or not, as they please.
Why do I always get bitten during this coming-of-age ceremony?" She complained not very seriously.
Xu Lie Feng felt a little bit of sadness in his heart, and walked out of the wooden house in the dark. It was not cold outside, and there were still a few stars visible. She simply sat on the small steps in front of the door and stared into space.
"You hate him, not me." He smiled, using his finger to wipe away the moisture from the corner of her eye
She thought that if she didn't smell the aroma of chicken soup in her dreams, she would be even sweeter. The smell of chicken soup was something she encountered every day; now all three of them at home were drinking it, but only she was gnawing on the best parts of the chicken, which made her blush on the spot, feeling quite embarrassed in front of her second brother and fourth sister. ... If they were to drink privately, her fifth brother would most likely be present, and she truly didn't know whether she should let the soup accidentally linger at the corner of her mouth, making her fifth brother ... . ... If she didn't smell the aroma of cured meat in her dreams, she would also be happier. If they were to drink privately, her fifth brother would most likely be present, and she truly didn't know whether she should let the soup accidentally linger at the corner of her mouth, making her fifth brother ... . ... If she didn't smell the aroma of cured meat in her dreams, she would also be happier. This cured meat, she prepared it with great effort, sweating profusely, and began to feel that although she had the physique of an elderly person, her stamina could keep up with the young ones.
When Xu Er saw him enter, he closed his eyes and said
The tears that she had wanted to shed were stuck in her throat. She glared at him and said:
As winter approaches, the young men in the village have rushed to the city in the past two days to purchase essential items for the winter, and Fifth Brother has also accompanied them
Are you still physically able? If you can't hold on by then, take your fourth sister and retreat, don't be soft-hearted and worry about others anymore He spoke his concern with difficulty
She is somewhat skeptical about whether Fifth Brother intends to make her a household expert, and she wonders if there is such a subject on the path to a bachelor's degree. If there is, perhaps she could also earn a bachelor's title and soar alongside him.
The night was dark. The bandits stopped in front of this bamboo fence wooden house and determined that there was no difference between this house and the one that had just been robbed. One of them made a gesture and immediately sent some of the men to other households.
"In the future, you can also consider Da Wei as your home." Xu Changmu extinguished the candlelight, recalling that Xu Er's clothes were still in the box in the outer hall. He stepped out of the inner room, and by the starlight, he caught a glimpse of movement outside the window. He paused for a moment, discreetly retrieving Xu Er's outer robe.
Unexpectedly, there was a silver-haired beauty standing still on the small steps in front of the connecting houses. ... Beauty...? ... He smiled faintly. Anu was indeed a beauty, even though there were flaws on her face now. But in his eyes, she was still a beauty. Does this count as being deeply trapped?
She shivered all over, facing his slowly turning merciless gaze, then she thought she had seen it wrong, and those handsome eyes were filled with pain again.
"Can you? Anu, I want to hear you say it yourself"
Killing is merely a matter of a moment, but the psychological torment that accumulates drop by drop is the most terrifying form of torture. Xu Er suddenly understands that the reason Lao Wu said these days are the most vulnerable for Anu's spirit.
"Second brother, who can't make it to next year?" Xu Changmu asked leisurely
She was taken aback. "Alright..."
These days, she is always in a daze, feeling somewhat as if she is in a dream. Accustomed to unrequited love, she occasionally looks back and wonders... what is there about her, Anu, that is worthy of being liked? Especially now that she has lost even her appearance, will she one day wake up and realize that she has made a mistake?
She made every effort to blend into the darkness and turned into the adjacent wooden house. She rushed into the inner room, where her fourth sister was sitting by the bed, reading to their second brother, who was resting with his eyes closed.
You and Anu can leave first
... ...
The Emperor arranged a marriage back then to ensure that the Luo family would become the power behind him, allowing him to become a king with sufficient strength to protect the fierce winds...! ... He has betrayed the Emperor! He has become the sinner who caused the death of the two women he loved most!
Some matters, once they have passed, should remain in the past; why pursue them further? Moreover, a person cannot be brought back to life after death. At that time, you were also acting in my best interest; otherwise, I would have made a grave mistake. What is important now is the issue of the throne.
She was fully armed and stepped lightly out of the wooden cabin. Her beautiful eyes slowly scanned the surroundings, her ears attuned to all sounds. Apart from the whispers from the neighboring cabin, there were also noises coming from upwind, where a few small houses were detached from the end of the village, now only the elderly remained as the young men had all gone out
He seemed to see through her thoughts and said lightly
When she was younger, she was unaware of the content of the coming-of-age ceremony. Later, upon learning about it and recalling the behavior of her fifth brother at that time, she truly felt that he had an extreme aversion to such a ceremony, which he had to participate in despite his dislike for women
Not wanting to meet does not necessarily mean there will be no contact... Some have only met a few times, some have exchanged a few words, and some even secretly admire her fifth brother, yet she fiercely protects him and refuses to let go
My lord, please spare me, I beg you to spare me. In the beginning, you and Xu Liu... you two are siblings, true siblings, how can you... Your Majesty, the Great Phoenix, is also doing this for your own good...
What is of such importance to the prince
Anu, what should I do? I seem to have fallen into an abyss that I cannot stop.
Luo Qiuluo was taken aback upon hearing this. "It is you..."
She asked in confusion: "Is the prince willing?"
She did not respond. After one country, the Luo family will thus become the foremost surname in Nanlin, and she will be remembered in the history of Nanlin. Furthermore, her husband will differ from other noble sons who have multiple wives and concubines; he will forever have only her as his queen, and will always prioritize her children, without fearing competition from other concubines for status.
She bit off the scabbard with her mouth, revealing a sword blade full of murderous intent, and coldly said: "I can also take action. Even if I am not agile, it is still very easy to injure someone"
In fact, she does not wish to meet too many people. Her appearance, which is neither old nor young, makes her reluctant to be looked at with strange eyes by too many. Even though, Fifth Brother can openly tell others that she is his Xu Changmu's wife
She got up and walked to the window of the wooden house, just about to lean in and ask if the people inside needed any blankets or something, when she, with her excellent hearing, immediately heard her second brother inside the room actually say:
Even before he set off, when the child in her womb accidentally miscarried, he merely came to take a look with an indifferent expression and then left... This made her doubt that the only significance of this child to him was to allow Xu Liefeng to leave without suffering
You should get married soon, otherwise, if it drags on until next year...
It seems that at the beginning, she was like that with Fifth Brother
Xu Liefeng! Xu Liefeng! Even after being falsely accused of being a deity, can he still not completely let go? ... Then what about her ...? ... What does that make her?
Xu Changmu glanced at the soundly sleeping Xu Er, turned over and got up, took a slightly thicker outer garment and stepped out of the wooden house
She was on the verge of collapse. "It really is her... my child... our child..."
Before his death, Master Jiang spoke out personally; could it be false? After the passing of Father Emperor, I was so distraught over Xu Liu's matter that I did not personally read the imperial edict. The only one who has seen it is Xiao Jinfeng. Master Jiang heard it directly from Father Emperor, which is why he knew the edict was unexpected for everyone. Qiuluo, you were once the mother of a nation; can you truly accept this?
"How could it be the prince?" She could hardly believe it
Luo Qiuluo was so shocked that she did not know how to respond ... She had thought that once King Xia learned that she was also part of the conspiracy, and that she was the very artist who had painted Xu Liu on silk, she would be doomed to die without a burial place. Yet, to her surprise, he actually brought up such a shocking matter ...? ... Why was he telling her this? Did he no longer care about Xu Liu? Did he not want to take revenge for Xu Liu anymore?
Before he returned to the inner room, he took one last look out the window. A faint silver light flowed past the window, and he gazed for a long time before walking back to the inner room and placing Xu Er's clothes on the cabinet
Everything she encountered in the capital was relayed by Chang Mu, who had heard it from her own lips. Naturally, there were omissions in the account; just hearing the edited version of her experiences once was enough for him, and he was unwilling to recall it again. In the pitch-black confines of her prison, Anu felt confused and helpless. What was she thinking? She pondered why the royal family, who had always treated her well, would cast her into hell for a foolish myth; she thought about how the Xu family, who had never favored her, would not return to the capital to rescue her. In despair, she could only force herself down the only path to death, and when the news of the Xu family's demise finally reached her, she completely broke down. She thought about why the royal family, who had always treated her well, would cast her into hell for a foolish myth; she thought about how the Xu family, who had never favored her, would not return to the capital to rescue her. In despair, she could only force herself down the only path to death, and when the news of the Xu family's demise finally reached her, she completely broke down
How can it be well? Look at how thin you are. I have asked the imperial physician upon my return. Although our first child is gone, as long as you take good care of yourself, there will be other children in the future
"You must leave," Xu Changmu said淡淡地. "If you do not leave, Ding Ping will not leave either. Do you think A Nu will leave? Do you want her to be discovered by the Xiao family siblings? Or do you want the day when Nanlin becomes a vassal of Xixuan, for Xixuan to discover the true descendants of the Xu people and decide to eradicate them completely? As for the Great Wei, I am determined to go, and not just me; none of you are allowed to stay behind."
"Second brother, you talk too much; it's time to sleep," Xu Changmu interrupted him
Aren't you going to ask me?
Her heart skipped a beat. His words clearly indicated that he wanted to be her husband again. Did he not blame her for conspiring to harm Xu Liefeng?
She should claim to be. It is possible that the Xu family has a military background; even if the fifth brother does not serve in the military, he is already accustomed to the ways of the Xu family. The first thing he does upon arriving in this village is to draw a detailed map of it. Furthermore, once she feels slightly better, he will intentionally or unintentionally take her for occasional walks, covering a little each day, pointing out every back road of the village. Unbeknownst to her, the entire real map of the village has already formed in her mind
She felt as if she had jumped into a trap, but the frightening thing was that she did not feel any regret. Her hand gently touched and came into contact with his palm, and he immediately grasped her hand in return
He wore a broad smile. "Qiu Luo, you really are a fool. Do you truly believe that she is doing this for my sake? She is doing it for the throne! She fears that the imperial edict will name Xu Liu. Xu Liu is the most favored child of the Emperor and is also a descendant of the Xu clan. Anyone who understands her status will recognize that she is inherently destined to be the ruler of Nanlin. Xiao Jinfeng is afraid! Therefore, she has dragged you and me into a plot to frame Xu Liu. Little did she expect that the imperial edict would not name Xu Liu, nor her, but me, this son whom he deems weak."
"Weren't you once devoted to Nanlin? To guard against Xixuan and Dawei, you wrote 'Changmu Military Strategy' and 'Military Armor Improvement Manual', and ultimately embarked on the path of scholarship in this field. How is it that you have so quickly ceased to regard Nanlin with concern?" Xu Changmu put on his outer garment again, lay down fully clothed on the outside, and said nonchalantly
His eyes were inscrutable as he smiled slightly and asked, "Will you help me?"
He smiled as he pulled her into his embrace and said, "Qiu Luo, from now on, we must unite as one and not let her harm us again." He spoke gently, his deep black eyes gradually focusing on the candlelight.
Has she been spoiled by Fifth Brother? Or is it that he has deliberately made her accustomed to sharing a bed with him?
Previously, the second brother took out the map for the fourth sister to carry, and only then did she realize that during this time, even though the second brother had not finished traversing the village, he had already memorized the terrain of the village. It was not about guarding this village, but rather that knowing oneself and knowing the enemy had become their instinct, to prevent any unforeseen circumstances, which would truly lead to the foolish young boy running around in confusion
Her eyes fiercely locked onto his mysterious yet smiling beautiful gaze, while her mouth acted like a suction cup, firmly adhering to his unmoving demeanor. After a while, she felt that this position was too exhausting, and he was completely uncooperative. Finally, she pulled away for a moment and, somewhat annoyed, candidly said: "Fifth Brother ..."
She widened her eyes. "Prince... Xu Liu has already..." How is she supposed to repay this
There is a smell of blood! Xu Liefeng said in a low voice
The moment Xu Liefeng successfully completed the task was simply unbelievable. If someone had told her a year ago that she would be cooking, doing laundry, and making cured meat, she would have laughed heartily and then looked utterly perplexed, saying: With a cook at home, why would this young lady need to cook herself
"Indeed, why do I always bite you? I am so clumsy at this coming-of-age ceremony. Anu, please teach me more, as I have never kissed anyone before." She chuckled, and upon seeing the twinkling starlight in his dark eyes, her heart skipped a beat. Could it be that Fifth Brother has never kissed anyone? Did he really let her, Anu, take that away? ... She truly ... ... is joyful! Then let him bite her a few more times; the more he bites, the happier she becomes!
Thinking of this, she sweetly smiled in her sleep. She recalled that night when the two of them actually stayed in the courtyard the entire night. The next day, Fifth Brother's voice was hoarse, and she realized that the soft whispers in her ear throughout the night were not a dream, but rather he was genuinely recounting his life abroad to her over and over again, until she woke up at dawn. This made her, for several days, willingly transform into a devoted little servant, attending to this master of hers.
Although this custom exists only in the Great Wei, as you are a scholar, it is not impossible that you may one day make Great Wei your home, which would make it easier to respond when others inquire. It is best to hasten and marry within a hundred days; otherwise, you will have to wait three years.
He slowly realized that her face was not that of an old woman, and she was not mending her son's clothes; instead, she was holding a hunting knife in her hand
She made no sound as she hurried to the small hall, without a moment's hesitation, she leaned her back against the wall and casually took the hunting knife—this knife was brought back by Fifth Brother, used by him for hunting in the mountains
I love beautiful people... he said with a smile, causing her face to blush slightly. His warm fingertips gently traced her nose and then moved to caress her lips, making her heart tremble incessantly
Good! Xu Liefeng made a decisive decision. "Fourth sister, you stay here to protect second brother, I will go out to investigate the situation."
He glanced at her and said gently
"... ... Do you think I wish for this?" Xu Er gritted his teeth and said, "After I accompany Ding Ping to recover from her injuries, on this journey to meet you in the city, I have asked every doctor I could find, and none have heard of the symptoms of a young person with white hair. She is like this... ..."
He gently helped her up and said, "Don't kneel for too long, you are still nurturing your health."
"I am not referring to her. Xu Liu is someone we conspired against together; how can that be considered a debt you owe me? Qiuluo, what you owe me is the throne! If it weren't for this matter with Xu Liu, once the imperial edict was announced, I would be the sovereign of a nation, and you would be the empress. You not only owe me a throne, but you also owe yourself a position as empress. Do you understand?"
Then I shall temporarily assume the role of the head of the Xu family
She turned to look at another wooden cabin and keenly noticed a faint glimmer of light inside. Are they still not asleep
It is different; tonight there are no wild dogs barking. I hear faint sounds of impact coming from the back of the village, and someone is screaming. I cannot hear it clearly, but I know that someone is currently coming this way.
Until just now, he told his second brother that he wished to become a pair of lovebirds with Anu at the earliest opportunity
His black hair brushed against her cheek, cascading down to the ground, obscuring all the starlight and creating an intimacy between the two
Xu Er was taken aback by the words, thinking that this little brat had truly proclaimed himself the leader and even dared to give him orders. He indeed felt tired, closed his eyes, and soon fell into a deep sleep.
As soon as Xu Dingping saw her fully armed, he immediately asked, "What happened?" Xu Er, a military man by background, upon hearing this, sat up straight and turned to look at her. In his blurred vision, he noticed that she was gripping a gleaming long object... a hunting knife?
... ... Nanlin is our home ... ...
This village is composed of the elderly, the weak, women, and children, making it very easy to resolve.
The Xu people in Nanlin are filled with inhuman legends. Upon careful consideration, the military operations of Nanlin are significantly inferior to those of other nations. How is it possible for mere mortals, the Xu people, to defend Nanlin for such a long time?
Xu Liefeng was taken aback, recalling the girls who usually walked with her to do laundry, and occasionally the elderly and children she would encounter when bringing meals to them while Fifth Brother was teaching them the Southern Law.