Women Wearing Men: The Growth Path of the Bastards of the Aristocratic Family

Chapter 270 Goodbye Su Qi
Su Yuan, Duke of Dingguo, joined the army at the age of 14, went to the coast to fight Japanese pirates, went to the southwest to eliminate bandits, guarded the northern border for 21 years, and left immortal feats and deeds in the four realms of the Great Xia Dynasty. The real military exploits are illustrious, a generation of military gods.

Since he was injured by a poisoned arrow in a battle against the Tatars three years ago, Duke Ding's physical condition has deteriorated greatly, and he resigned from the military and returned to Beijing to recuperate.The so-called martyrs are full of ambition in their old age. After Dingguo retired from the front line, he was full of devotion to serve the country, and his depression was stuffed in his chest, which brought back the old battlefield injuries. .

This year's twelfth lunar month was very cold, and heavy snow fell one after another, covering the entire capital densely.In the howling cold wind, Duke Ding still failed to survive the winter and died the day before New Year's Eve at the age of 51.

When his father passed away, a son would naturally have to come back to attend the funeral. Su Qi really wanted to return to Beijing this time.

"Counting it all together, I haven't seen Su Qi for almost five years, and the last time was at Luxi Academy... um——I'm going here."

Emperor Jingfeng held the black chess piece in his hand, rested his chin and thought for a while, facing the fierce attack of the white chess piece, he did not avoid it, and dropped a piece with a "slap", completely blocking the white chess piece's way out.

There are black chess on all sides, and there is little chance of turning around. Zhao Wang Li Rui simply stopped struggling, and put his fists together to admit defeat: "Brother Huang's chess skills have improved again, and I am ashamed of myself."

"It's easy for you. If you see you can't beat, you will admit defeat. You don't even have to struggle." After winning another game, Emperor Jingfeng was in a happy mood. If you rush forward regardless of everything, it will be strange if you don’t die.”

Li Rui said with a smile: "My brother grew up under the wings of the emperor's brother since he was a child, and he wanted to hide in the back and enjoy the wealth. It's better for the emperor to take this 'royal way' and go to the front to fight."

Emperor Jingfeng waved his hand and ordered people to take away the chess pieces, and said meaningfully: "I am just a chess player, and it is the chess pieces that are really fighting on the front line. The chess pieces have high or low abilities, and they should be given different positions according to their abilities. The position can only be given to specific chess pieces. For example, the defense line in northern Xinjiang can't lack anyone, except the Su family."

The northern border defenders were one of the most elite troops of the Great Xia Dynasty, and they were responsible for the most important defense within the four realms.The descendants of the Su family have been operating in northern Xinjiang for many years, especially Su Yuan, the Duke of Ding of this generation, spent half his life in northern Xinjiang, and his roots are particularly deep. Nearly [-]% of the senior generals of the garrison are under his command.

This is why when he collapsed back then, the morale of the entire Northern Xinjiang defense line became unstable.Now that Su Yuan passed away, as his only son and direct descendant of the Su family, Su Qi will undoubtedly become the backbone of the next generation.

Li Rui pondered what Emperor Jingfeng meant, and tentatively said, "This time Su Qi came back to attend the funeral, does the emperor want to 'take love'?"

According to the ritual system of Daxia, all officials should resign and return to their hometowns when their parents die. They should observe filial piety for their parents for three years.Because during the filial piety period, they could not participate in the political affairs of the court, and because of their irreplaceable status, some officials in important official positions would sometimes be ordered by the emperor to "defeat love", exempt from the filial piety period, and "force" them to stay in office.

Emperor Jingfeng shook his head: "Su Qi is a military officer but not a civil servant, so you don't have to worry about Ding You, just give him the same hundred-day funeral leave as other military officers, and you don't need to fight for love."

Li Rui said: "That's right. After all, Su Qi is still only the deputy commander-in-chief. Even if he returns to Beijing, there will be a commander-in-chief in Xuanfu Town, so there will be no chaos for a while."

"According to the date, Su Qi should arrive in Beijing almost today." Speaking of this, Emperor Jingfeng's eyes showed a bit of interest, "Guess, after he arrives in the capital, he will go to the palace to report to me. Or will you go back to the government first?"

According to the rules, if the military generals guarding outside return to Beijing, they must first take off their armor, bathe and change their clothes, and then enter the palace in court clothes to face the saint.But Su Qi's return from this trip is mainly for the funeral, if he returns to the Duke's mansion first, he should put on filial piety clothes as soon as he enters the door, and do his duty as a son of man.

Once the filial piety is put on, it cannot be taken off easily. It is impossible for Su Qi to go to the palace to report on his duties in hemp and filial piety. He can only take off the filial piety and go to the palace to report on his duties after the burial of Ding Guogong in seven days. .

Either go directly to the palace wearing armor, or wait seven days before giving a report; the former may be disrespected before joining the imperial court, and the latter may be labeled as a neglected monarch. The two cannot be both, and it depends on Su Qi's choice.

Hearing Emperor Jingfeng's question, Li Rui pondered and said: "Su Qi must be tired after traveling for days. It stands to reason that he should take a bath and change clothes to have a good rest before going to the palace. But his trip is for a funeral. It’s not easy to come out, it’s really not sure which one to choose.”

Emperor Jingfeng smiled confidently: "Well, I will make a bet with you. I think that after Su Qi returns to Beijing, he will still come to the palace first to see me instead of going back to the palace for the funeral."

There are only two possibilities in total, and Emperor Jingfeng gambled on this one. Li Rui had no other choice, but he still cooperated: "Then I bet that he will return to the Duke's mansion first. After all, this is the duty of a son of man. Su Qi He hasn't been back to Beijing for several years, so it's reasonable to hurry to see his father off for the last time."

Emperor Jingfeng smiled and said, "Okay, let's wait and see. The bet has been made, and now we are waiting for Su Qi to come back."

"Su Qi should be here soon, right?"

At the gate of the city, Gu Yunji and Cheng Yan were waiting there early, looking around at the official road in the distance from time to time.

Gu Yunji sighed: "Although I am looking forward to returning to Beijing with Su Qi every day, it is not my wish to meet again for this reason."

Cheng Yan also had a disappointed face, and sighed: "There is no way, people are born, old, sick and die, there will always be such a day. It's a pity that Su Qi has been separated from the old Duke for more than three years, but he still hasn't been able to see him for the last time before his death."

Just as he was talking, Xu Dong's eyes lit up, he pointed to the front and said, "Master, Mr. Cheng, General Su is back!"

The official road in the distance was dusty, and several fast horses galloped from far to near. The young man in charge was dressed in military uniform, his eyes were covered with bloodshot eyes, and when he saw Gu Yunji at the gate of the city, surprise appeared on his tired face .

Gu Yunji watched the man stop a dozen steps away, get off his horse, and slowly walk towards him.

For some reason, his throat was suddenly blocked, and he was inexplicably shy, not daring to go forward.

I haven't seen him for three years. Su Qi seems to be a different person. His body is thick and tall, and his figure is also much stronger. The youthful youthfulness between his eyebrows and eyes has faded away, replaced by the weathered and mature one who has been honed in the border for a long time, and his skin is a bit rough. , There is also a shallow scar on the forehead.

In particular, the aura around him is chilling and stern, which is different from what Gu Yunji saw when the refugees in Hangzhou Mansion suffered that year. Gu Yunji and the two formed a stark contrast.

Gu Yunji and Cheng Yan didn't dare to admit it for a moment.

However, in the next second, the young man bent his lips, revealing a very familiar smile: "Yun Ji, Cheng Yan, long time no see."

(End of this chapter)