My Taoist buddy has practiced surrogacy

Chapter 1442: Hold it back
The General's Mansion was brightly decorated and bustling with activity. Today was Lingxue's coming-of-age ceremony, and the entire mansion was immersed in a joyous atmosphere. In the main hall, the father, dressed in military uniform, sat dignified and imposing; the mother looked at her daughter with loving eyes, her pride evident in her gaze.

Halfway through the ceremony, a sudden commotion erupted from outside. Aunt, soaking wet and disheveled, rushed in. She knelt on the ground with a thud, sobbing uncontrollably, "Sister, I'm so sorry!" It turned out that Aunt had tragically drowned in the icy pond while trying to save Madam Ling from falling in.

Madam Ling was devastated and fainted on the spot. When she awoke, she insisted on taking her orphaned cousin, Shen Qingyao, into her household to raise. Although everyone felt it was inappropriate, they dared not say anything out of respect for Madam Ling.

On the day they first met, Shen Qingyao stood timidly below the hall, dressed in a simple white robe. When she looked up at Ling Xue, a barely perceptible hint of jealousy flashed in her eyes. At the time, Ling Xue didn't notice, assuming it was just the young girl being nervous upon her arrival.

However, Shen Qingyao quickly revealed her true colors. First, she used the excuse of liking the scenery of Qiyun Pavilion to forcibly take the courtyard from Ling Xue. Then, she set her sights on the Nine Phoenixes Holding Pearls hairpin, a treasured possession of Ling Xue for many years. That hairpin was a gift from her maternal grandmother and held extraordinary significance. Ling Xue naturally refused to give it up easily, but Shen Qingyao cried pitifully in front of everyone, as if she had suffered a great injustice. Left with no other choice, Ling Xue had to reluctantly part with it.

After that, there was no peace at the dinner table. Whenever there was a delicious dish, Shen Qingyao would always take the fattest piece of fish or the tenderest piece of lamb first. If anything was not to her liking, she would smash bowls and plates, disturbing the peace of the whole family.

What's most outrageous is that she actually set her sights on Zhou Xing. Zhou Xing is the heir of the Duke of Zhenguo, and he and Ling Xue have been childhood sweethearts and are betrothed. One day at a garden party, Shen Qingyao deliberately pretended to accidentally fall into the water, and was rescued by Zhou Xing who happened to be passing by. She then clung to Zhou Xing's arm and said coquettishly, "Thank you for saving my life, young master." Zhou Xing frowned slightly, but he couldn't very well turn away on the spot.

Since that garden party, Shen Qingyao had become increasingly bold. She often used various pretexts to approach Zhou Xing, giving him hand-embroidered sachets and handkerchiefs. At first, Zhou Xing was extremely disgusted and would order them to be thrown into the fire after refusing them. But as time went on, rumors gradually spread. Various versions of the story began to circulate in the city, with some even saying that Ling Xue was extremely jealous and could not tolerate her cousin.

When these whispers reached Ling Xue's ears, she was practicing archery on the training ground. The carved bow in her hand hummed, and arrows pierced the eye of copper coins a hundred paces away. The surrounding guards cheered, but her mind was elsewhere. Sure enough, not long after, a noblewoman invited her to a spring outing to admire the flowers, ostensibly to strengthen their bonds, but in reality, it held a hidden agenda.

Upon arriving at the location, they found it to be a trap. Several young ladies from prominent families surrounded Shen Qingyao, their words dripping with sarcasm and mockery: "Some people are just occupying positions without doing their jobs; it's time for them to step down." Before Ling Xue could even speak in response to this provocation, a commotion erupted from the woods—a ferocious wild boar had broken out! Everyone screamed and scattered in panic, creating utter chaos.

In the critical moment, Ling Xue nocked an arrow and struck the wild boar squarely in a vital spot. The beast crashed to the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust that blinded everyone. When their vision cleared, they saw Zhou Xing shielding her as she retreated. The warmth of his palm seeped through the thin veil, incredibly hot. At that moment, Ling Xue's heart skipped a beat.

On the return journey in the carriage, the atmosphere was unusually heavy. Zhou Xing suddenly broke the silence: "I will annul the engagement tomorrow." His voice was firm and forceful, leaving no room for doubt. Ling Xue looked up at him sharply, her eyes flashing with a complex light. There was both emotion and worry in her eyes: "This matter concerns the reputation of both families..." Before she could finish speaking, she was interrupted: "It would be truly absurd if you ruined your lifelong happiness for the sake of empty fame."

The next morning, the sky was overcast, as if foreshadowing an impending storm. The Zhou family sent representatives to discuss the annulment of the engagement, which indeed caused a huge uproar. On the day the imperial edict was issued, the entire city was shocked. The emperor had changed the marriage originally intended for Ling Xue and Zhou Xing to Shen Qingyao! The reason given was to commend her selfless act of saving others.

The news reached the General's Mansion just as lunchtime was approaching. Shen Qingyao was smugly trying on her phoenix-embroidered robe, completely oblivious to the strange looks from those around her. Ling Xue had been watching coldly for a long time when she suddenly snatched a pair of scissors and tore off the hem of her skirt: "If you can't bear the weight of this phoenix crown, why force yourself?" The sharp blade slicing through the silk made a piercing sound, startling Shen Qingyao so much that her face paled.

That night, a torrential downpour raged, and thunder rumbled as if tearing the sky apart. Such terrible weather did not deter the assassins. A group of masked men infiltrated the general's mansion with the intention of assassinating Ling Xue, their target being her bedchamber. At the critical moment, Zhou Xing arrived just in time and fought valiantly. In the chaos, someone shouted, "Entrusted by Miss Shen," making everything clear.

Subsequent interrogation revealed that the mastermind was indeed Shen Qingyao. She had bribed assassins to stage an accident, attempting to completely eliminate Ling Xue as an obstacle. With the evidence irrefutable, the father was furious and wanted to severely punish the murderer. However, his mother stopped him with tears in her eyes: "Let it go... she is still your uncle's only bloodline."

Hearing this, Ling Xue felt a deep, piercing sorrow. She packed her bags that very night, deciding to leave the capital to avoid disaster. On the eve of her departure, she went alone to the ancestral hall to pay respects to her ancestors, murmuring to herself, "Ancestors above, this unworthy descendant bids farewell." Just as she turned to leave, she suddenly felt a flash of cold light on her neck—it was Shen Qingyao, attacking her with a dagger!

The vast grasslands stretched as far as the eye could see, the sound of horses' hooves shattering the pre-dawn silence. Ling Xue followed a caravan westward to Shuofang City, a strategically important border town. Far from the hustle and bustle of the capital, it possessed a rugged and bold atmosphere. Disguised as a man under the name "Young Master Yun," she quickly gained local renown for her superb medical skills.

One day, a chance encounter led to the discovery of the wounded and unconscious young general Huo Yannian at the market. His imposing presence and the suspicious nature of his injuries suggested he wasn't the work of ordinary bandits. During his treatment back at camp, traces of potent poison were discovered in his body. After several days of careful recuperation, Huo Yannian finally awoke and revealed the truth: he was a key figure in a clandestine investigation into embezzlement of military rations, and had narrowly escaped death due to a betrayal by his colleagues.

After experiencing several life-or-death crises together, the two gradually developed a tacit understanding. During a raid on an enemy camp, they were trapped inside a grain depot and faced a desperate situation. The fire spread rapidly, and the scorching heat made it unbearable. At this critical moment, Huo Yannian used his body to shield Ling Xue from a falling beam, protecting her and ensuring her safe escape, but he himself was severely burned and on the verge of death.

Seeing her comrade lying on the hospital bed, pale and weak, on the verge of death, Ling Xue was frantic. After searching everywhere for medicine to no avail, she risked trying a treatment recorded in ancient texts—a method of fighting poison with poison—and miraculously saved his life. From then on, the bond between the two deepened, and they trusted and relied on each other even more.

At the same time, the situation in the imperial court also underwent a dramatic change. The old emperor was critically ill, and during the time when the crown prince was regency, he vigorously promoted the new policy group and suppressed the power of the old aristocracy, which led to turmoil in the court and the country. Uprisings broke out frequently in various places, and urgent reports from the borders flew to the capital like snowflakes. Against this background, Huo Yannian received a secret order to lead his troops back to the capital to quell the rebellion, and Ling Xue also decided to go with him to help serve the country.

As the loyalist army marched towards the capital, they encountered a rebel siege of the city walls, their situation dire. Ling Xue devised a plan to use the wind to launch a fire attack, coordinating with the city's defenders to launch a pincer movement, turning the tide of the battle and recovering lost territory. Countless civilians lined the streets to welcome the returning army, their cheers deafening. Amidst the frequent reports of victory, however, the power struggle was at its most intense. On the eve of the new emperor's enthronement ceremony, a treacherous banquet was quietly set in motion. Various warlords gathered, outwardly exchanging toasts and laughter, but beneath the surface, swords gleamed and deadly intent lurked. During the banquet, someone accused Huo Yannian of plotting a rebellion and intending to assassinate the emperor, immediately causing a huge uproar and causing a collective gasp of shock.

At the critical moment, Ling Xue stepped forward and presented the late emperor's secret edict, exposing the treacherous minister's conspiracy to usurp the throne. The truth was revealed to the world: it turned out that Shen Qingyao had manipulated everything behind the scenes, attempting to control the court through the hands of the imperial relatives! Faced with overwhelming evidence, everyone was speechless and could only bow their heads, confess their crimes, and await judgment.

After the dust settled and rewards were distributed, Ling Xue earnestly requested to resign from all official positions and return to the common people to practice medicine, help the sick and wounded, and spend the rest of her life. Huo Yannian, on the other hand, was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Zhenyuan to guard the border and protect the country and its people. From then on, the two were separated by distance and lived peacefully by themselves.

Spring has arrived once again, and the scenery of the Jiangnan water towns is breathtaking. Having shed her military uniform for simple clothes, Ling Xue strolls along the willow-lined embankment, admiring the blooming peach blossoms on both banks, her heart filled with joy and contentment. In the distance, the melodious sound of a flute mingles with the gentle murmur of flowing water, creating a harmonious and beautiful pastoral scene that is utterly enchanting.

Looking up casually, I saw a young man in brocade robes and a jade belt standing on the second floor of a teahouse across the river, smiling at me. It was none other than Zhou Xing, whom I hadn't seen for many years! Time seemed to have left few marks on his face; instead, it had added to his mature and steady charm, making him even more extraordinary.

After a long silence, the two slowly approached each other, sat down, sipped tea, and chatted about the past, feeling as if they were from another world, filled with emotion... Zhou Xing frankly admitted that he was forced to marry Shen Qingyao back then, which was a helpless move. Only after marriage did he realize her vicious nature, and he regretted it deeply. Now, hearing that Ling Xue was still alive, he came to visit her, hoping to make up for the regrets of the past and start a new relationship...

Hearing these words, Ling Xue's heart was filled with ripples of emotion that lingered for a long time... Finally, she gently shook her head and smiled, saying, "Everything in this world has its time. If you miss it, you miss it; you can't force it." With that, she rose to take her leave, gracefully departing, leaving only a beautiful silhouette that gradually disappeared into the vast sea of ​​people...

As the sun sets, a heartbroken traveler wanders far away... Perhaps some destinies are only meant to remain as eternal memories...

Ling Xue stood before the weathered window of her rented room, carefully wiping the pearl necklace her mother had left behind. Outside, a fine drizzle gently tapped against the glass, as if whispering untold stories. This necklace was her most precious possession, carrying her mother's love and memories.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang, breaking the silence inside. She opened the door and saw her boyfriend, Zhou Xing, standing there with a bouquet of bright red roses, a warm smile on his face. Zhou Xing walked in, his gaze falling on the necklace in her hand, and casually asked, "This replica is quite exquisite." Ling Xue's heart tightened. She instinctively wanted to explain that it wasn't a replica, but the words caught in her throat. To spare Zhou Xing's feelings, she nodded and said, "Yes, it's just a cheap little trinket."

Actually, the pearl necklace was genuine and quite valuable. However, since starting her relationship with Zhou Xing, Ling Xue had deliberately concealed her wealthy background, pretending to be a girl from an ordinary family. She worried that her wealth would put pressure on Zhou Xing and affect their relationship. In her view, love shouldn't be swayed by material things; sincerity was the most important thing.

Zhou Xing seemed oblivious to Ling Xue's inner turmoil. He pulled two movie tickets from his pocket and excitedly said, "There's a new romance movie showing tonight, let's go see it together." Looking at his expectant face, Ling Xue's worries temporarily dissipated, and she smiled and agreed.

In the dimly lit movie theater, a romantic love story played on the big screen. Zhou Xing held Ling Xue's hand tightly, glancing at her every now and then with eyes full of love. Ling Xue was immersed in this warm atmosphere, feeling that everything was so beautiful. However, what she didn't know was that behind this seemingly beautiful love story lay a huge crisis.

After the movie, they walked home hand in hand. Passing a fancy restaurant, Zhou Xing stopped, pointed to the food in the window, and said, "When I'm rich, I'll definitely take you here to eat your fill." Ling Xue smiled and nodded, but inwardly sighed. She could have taken him in to enjoy the food right now, but she chose to continue pretending to be poor, preserving this fragile beauty.

A few days later, news of demolition came from the old city center. The Zhou family's old house happened to be located in this area, and they quickly received a huge sum of compensation. This news exploded like a bomb in the surrounding area, drastically changing Zhou Xing's life.

He moved out of his cramped rented room and into a luxurious new apartment. He also changed his clothes to designer brands, completely transforming himself. When he saw Ling Xue again, his eyes held a hint of arrogance and disdain.

That afternoon, the sky was overcast, foreshadowing an impending storm. Zhou Xing arranged to meet Ling Xue at their usual park. When he saw Ling Xue, dressed simply, approaching, he frowned slightly. Before she could greet him, he coldly said, "Look at yourself now, still dressed so shabbily?"

Ling Xue was stunned; she hadn't expected Zhou Xing to say such a thing. Before she could react, Zhou Xing continued, "My cousin is getting married next month, so don't dress too shabby." With that, he turned and left, leaving Ling Xue standing there dumbfounded.

Back home, Ling Xue stared at herself in the mirror. She was still wearing the same faded jeans and simple T-shirt, but in Zhou Xing's eyes, these things that once represented innocence had now become symbols of humility. A pang of pain shot through her heart, and tears welled up in her eyes.

In the days that followed, Zhou Xing's attitude worsened. He began frequently complaining about Ling Xue's family background, saying that her parents were ordinary people who couldn't offer him any help. Every time they met, he was either sarcastic or domineering, acting like a completely different person.

Finally, the day of Zhou Xing's cousin's wedding arrived.