Jiuxi

Chapter 641 639 [No Question of Return Date]

Capital city, Duke of Wei’s mansion.

The early autumn sun is still scorching hot, but fortunately the Duke's Mansion has ice cubes given by the palace to dispel the heat.

The pearl curtain rolled up, and a graceful figure walked in.

Li Bingxue, who was sitting on a recliner with her eyes closed, did not open her eyes. She knew who was coming just from the footsteps and asked calmly, "What's the matter?"

The man chuckled and said, "I couldn't sleep during my nap, so I came to talk to you."

Li Bingxue twitched her lips and said with a hint of sarcasm: "If I had known that you were so distracted, I should have asked someone to send you to Guangling, so that you wouldn't be thinking about you day and night and have no idea where to go."

The person who came had a beautiful face like a fairy, and her every move was elegant and graceful. She was none other than Gu Wan'er, who was once one of the five most beautiful girls in the capital, and who redeemed herself by being willing to serve Lu Chen, leaving behind a legend.

She sat aside casually and said leisurely: "Actually, this is not a bad idea. Anyway, everyone knows my feelings for Lord Lu."

Li Bingxue finally opened her eyes and sighed, "How shameless."

Gu Wan'er smiled sweetly at her and said flatteringly, "Sister, in this world, you can only fight for it yourself. Giving in blindly will only lead to regrets. It's a pity that Mr. Lu has no interest in me. If he showed a little willingness, even if you don't help me arrange it, I will find a way to go to Guangling."

Although these words were made in self-deprecation, they actually had another meaning, and the room immediately became quiet.

Just as Lu Chen guessed, ever since Li Bingxue rescued Gu Wan'er from the fire pit, their relationship has become closer and closer with the passage of time, otherwise Gu Wan'er would not dare to talk about this topic.

The news of Lu Chen's wedding had already spread throughout the capital, and the Li family also sent people across the river to the north to deliver gifts of congratulations. Li Bingxue did not hide it from Gu Wan'er.

When it comes to understanding Li Bingxue's thoughts, Gu Wan'er is even better than the Li father and son. After all, some topics are more suitable for girls to talk about privately.

In fact, Gu Wan'er has never really understood Li Bingxue's choice.

In her opinion, Li Bingxue and Lu Chen were in love with each other, and with Li Tianrun stepping down as the governor of Jingzhou, the biggest obstacle between them had disappeared. Why were they still staring at each other across the river, with neither of them willing to take a step forward?
That's why she said what she just said.

Li Bingxue naturally understood her good intentions and said calmly: "You don't understand."

These three simple words made Gu Wan'er look surprised: "I... I don't understand?"

Li Bingxue couldn't help but laugh when she saw this: "Although you were once a famous courtesan in the capital and have met countless dignitaries and scholars, you have never even held a man's hand until now. Of course you don't understand."

Gu Wan'er was immediately discouraged and pouted, "I'm definitely not as good as my sister."

"Okay, I know you care about me."

Li Bingxue stood up and walked to the table. She picked up the kettle and poured half a cup of warm water. After drinking it, she said, "I think this is not bad now."

Gu Wan'er looked at her blankly, not knowing where this judgment came from.

Some things will be delayed step by step. Now Lu Chen already has two wives. Even if Li Bingxue can get married in the future, Lu Chen may already have many children by then.

Li Bingxue said calmly: "He has already climbed to the top of a dangerous mountain. He needs to take every step carefully. He needs someone to help him keep an eye on him. He needs to prevent the snooping of the villains and remind him not to make any mistakes. The current relationship between him and me is just right for me to do this. If I take it a step further and become someone close to him, I will inevitably be blinded by worries and fears."

Gu Wan'er thought about it carefully, and her expression showed a little more admiration.

Li Bingxue continued, "Another point is that I am different from Sister Lin and Sister Wang. They are all excellent women in this world, but their lives can completely overlap with Lu Chen's life, and marriage is a natural thing for them."

Gu Wan'er suddenly realized, "That's right, sister is the only female general in the Great Qi Dynasty for more than a hundred years. In the future, she may become a true commander of the border army!"

"Thank you for thinking highly of me."

Li Bingxue put down the teacup and said seriously, "General or Marshal, it doesn't matter. The key lies in whether my father's long-cherished wish can be fulfilled and whether the Li family's banner will be among the army that will recover our homeland in the future."

Gu Wan'er said respectfully, "Of course I can."

Li Bingxue looked at her and couldn't help but smile and said, "Thank you for your good words."

For some reason, Gu Wan'er suddenly felt a sense of homesickness. Perhaps this was her intuition.

As expected, Li Bingxue continued, "I have told my brother and the housekeeper that even if I am not in the capital, you can live in the mansion with peace of mind and receive the same treatment as me."

"Sister is going north?"

"Ah."

Gu Wan'er was reluctant to leave, but she refused to show it. Fu Li said, "Sister, you must take good care of yourself in the frontier."

"I will, and so will you."

Li Bingxue walked up to her and hugged her gently.

After a while, Gu Wan'er returned to her residence in a depressed mood, while Li Bingxue came to the main hall of the mansion.

Li Tianrun seemed to have known that she would come. He pointed to the chair opposite and said, "Sit down."

After Li Bingxue sat down, she got straight to the point and said, "Dad, did you ask me to tell Lu Chen?" Li Tianrun said calmly, "There have been some changes in the court recently, please take note of them."

"Yes."

"The governors of the three states in Jiangbei will all be replaced. Needless to say, the governor of Jingzhou, Yao Chong, requested to be transferred back to the capital as a move by his father. Lu Chen knows this inside out. The governor of Dingzhou, Chen Chun, will also be transferred back. Several officials have secretly colluded to recommend the Imperial Censor Xu Zuo to take up the post in Dingzhou. This should be at the instruction of Your Majesty."

Li Bingxue frowned slightly and said softly, "Dad, Your Majesty is going too far."

Li Tianrun said calmly: "Since Your Majesty has taken the first step to guard against Lu Chen, there will definitely be such means in the future. There is no need to be surprised."

Li Bingxue did not continue to argue, but from her expression, it could be seen that she really disliked this kind of calculation from behind.

"Your Majesty, there is nothing wrong with doing this."

Li Tianrun looked at his daughter meaningfully, and then reminded her: "Lu Chen may appear calm on the surface, but he must have set up an ambush in the capital. He probably already knows the news. When you see him, tell him not to be an enemy of Xu Zuo. Lord Xu is loyal to Da Qi, but he is not a foolish person. Being honest with him is the most important thing. His appointment as the governor of Dingzhou will not hinder Lu Chen from managing military affairs. On the contrary, as long as Lu Chen treats him with sincerity, Xu Zuo can become his most reliable assistant."

Li Bingxue's heart moved, and she gradually came to her senses. She said respectfully, "I'll remember that."

Li Tianrun nodded slightly, then changed the subject and said, "In addition, your majesty has been focusing on the Weaving Department during this period, so Qin Zheng's resignation is an inevitable outcome, but he will not be treated harshly. He will definitely be given a higher rank and return home in glory. After all, your majesty also has to consider the dignity of the late emperor and not be too stingy. You let Lu Chen accept this outcome and never interfere in this matter, otherwise some people in the court will accuse him of colluding with the inside and outside."

Li Bingxue sighed softly, and finally agreed.

"As for the north..."

Li Tianrun thought for a long time this time, and said slowly: "Before, because Qing Yugong's brilliance was too dazzling, many generals of Jing State were not well-known, but some of them were by no means mediocre. Wu Yanshu is a typical example. Although he is not a member of the royal family, he is highly trusted by Emperor Jing. His status in the Jing Army is only lower than Qing Yugong. In terms of military ability, he is better than the Northern Court Marshal Sagai. He is an opponent that cannot be underestimated."

When it comes to border military affairs, Li Bingxue's expression also became serious, and she said, "Don't worry, Daddy, Lu Chen will definitely not underestimate the enemy."

Li Tianrun remained silent. It would take time to verify this. He could understand her trust in Lu Chen, so he continued, "Although Qing Yugong was dismissed by Emperor Jing and no longer served as the Marshal of the Southern Court, based on my understanding of Emperor Jing and Qing Yugong, this matter may not be strange."

"Dad, are you saying that Qing Yugong was dismissed from office because of that intentional act by the monarch and his ministers?"

"This possibility cannot be ruled out."

Li Tianrun tapped the armrest gently and said seriously, "If Emperor Jing only wants to calm down the internal disturbance, then it won't take too long for Qing Yugong to be reinstated. If this situation continues for a long time, you must make Lu Chen be extremely alert and not be confused by illusions, and don't easily believe the rumors in the north."

Although Li Bingxue was not familiar with the intrigues and schemes of human nature, she had seen many tactics on the battlefield over the years, so she reacted after a little thought.

The news of Qing Yugong's dismissal spread throughout the south of the Yangtze River. Many officials in the court were delighted by this, as if they saw the Emperor of Jingguo cut off his own foundation. The contradiction between the monarch and his subjects became increasingly serious, and the Northern Expedition of the Great Qi Dynasty became more and more likely to succeed.

Hearing her father's warning at this moment, she couldn't help but feel a chill in her heart. This could indeed be Emperor Jing's strategy of showing weakness.

Whether Qing Yugong is present or not, the mentality of the Qi army's soldiers will be completely different.

If everyone thought that Qing Yugong had completely lost his power, and this person showed up again at a critical moment, it would be very likely to change the course of the battlefield.

Thinking of this, Li Bingxue couldn't help but say with admiration: "Daddy is very wise."

Li Tianrun smiled slightly, then said with a slightly tired look: "It's just some superficial experience. Bingxue, you must remember the ancestral teachings of the Li family when you go north this time, but..."

He paused for a moment and said with pity: "Don't be too hard on yourself."

Li Bingxue stood up and said, "My daughter will remember this. Dad, you can rest assured and recuperate in Jiangnan. In the future, I will accompany you back to your hometown to see the beautiful mountains and rivers."

Li Tianrun looked up at her determined expression, and for a moment he felt torn between a mixture of sadness at the separation and relief at the knowledge that there was someone to succeed him.

Li Bingxue's eyes were slightly red, and she knelt down to pay her respects.

Li Tianrun was silent for a long time, and finally just whispered: "Come back alive."

Li Bingxue's tone trembled slightly, and she lowered her head and said, "Yes."

She got up and walked outside.

Li Tianrun looked at her back, a hint of sadness appeared in his eyes, and finally he calmed down.

The next morning, Li Liangyu, the left assistant minister of the Ministry of War, personally escorted him to the northern suburbs of the capital. Li Bingxue turned around and looked at her brother. All she could say was one sentence: "Brother, take care and take good care of father and mother."

Li Liangyu nodded heavily and waved at her.

"drive!"

Li Bingxue gave a light rebuke, and the white horse under his crotch started forward, with his personal soldiers following closely behind.

Although there were only dozens of riders, they were as powerful as an army of thousands.

In the whistling wind, Li Bingxue suppressed the sadness in his heart. He did not look back at the majestic capital city. He stared straight ahead and whipped the horse to drive away.

(End of this chapter)