Tang Dynasty Bandits

Chapter 280 Side Story: Awakening Fragrance II

“My father held the position of Zhenwu Jieshuai, and it was our duty to protect the people of this town. Shengzhou is a famous town in Zhenwu, and we were negligent in our defenses, which led to the tragedy that befell the Dugu family of Shengzhou.”

When Li Keyong said these words, it was not just a casual remark, but a genuine expression of grief and self-reproach in his eyes.

Xingxiang also saw a barely perceptible hint of vulnerability in his bright eyes.

Xingxiang knew that when Li Keyong was fourteen years old, he joined his father Li Guochang in the campaign against Pang Xun. He fought bravely and charged ahead of other generals, earning him the nickname "Flying Tiger of Bingzhou".

Seeing this today, one can roughly guess that it's nothing more than a father paving the way for his son.

By assigning the most elite warriors to protect Aiko closely, Aiko could fight with the strength of her subordinates and gain merit in battle, without the risk of any mishaps.

This kind of paving is something that ordinary children would envy immensely.

But for a sensitive person, an excellent and domineering father, and a well-planned bright future, all of this can be suffocating. They become increasingly cautious in their actions, afraid of making even the slightest mistake.

Xingxiang's gaze fell on her mother's face.

What a clever scheme! She deliberately jumped into the dry well so that Young Master Li Keyong could rescue her. It seemed like she owed him a favor, but it only made Young Master Li feel more guilty.

Young Master Keyong also became his mother's savior.

How could I, as a daughter, possibly question my own mother's scheming against me?

Faced with this situation, Xingxiang could only comfort Li Keyong, saying, "The enemy is cunning, traversing the desert and infiltrating everywhere. You need not blame yourself for this. Your arrival with your army has prevented the enemy from burning and looting the entire city, forcing them to retreat hastily and saving ninety percent of the city's inhabitants."

She knew that the Feng family were Shatuo people who were later bestowed the surname Li by the emperor, so she deliberately avoided mentioning the word "Hu people".

Li Keyong shook his head sadly and said, "As a military general, I cannot protect the people's homeland, and I have nowhere to hide my shame. How can I shamelessly claim that the enemy did not slaughter the entire city as my own achievement?"

Xingxiang caught a glimpse of the undisguised joy on her mother's face out of the corner of her eye.

Of course she knew what her mother was thinking.

The son of a renowned general, yet he speaks with such humility and gentleness, and is a delicate young man like a budding flower. Such a fine son-in-law, once married, will surely be extremely tender and considerate to his daughter, and—quite easy to handle!

As a woman, if she were a matriarch, she would prefer a wife who is easy to manage. If she were a mother-in-law, she would also prefer a son-in-law who is easy to manage.

As for whether their daughter will like it, parents always think that feelings can be cultivated slowly!

The mother seemed to have complete confidence in her daughter, believing that the young master of the Feng family would be completely infatuated with her.

Li Keyong continued, “The entire Dugu family of Shengzhou suffered a calamity; their houses were burned down and their shops were looted. However, they still have some land outside the city. Since Lady Dugu and Lady Zhang are the closest relatives of the Dugu family of Shengzhou, and I, Keyong, am now entrusted by my father to manage the restoration of Shengzhou, I have the authority to re-establish the land deeds and transfer the land to your names.”

Upon hearing this, Dugu's eyes lit up.

Xingxiang wasn't surprised at all. Her mother had suffered so much poverty for so many years in order to marry her father. Now that she was old, she was naturally overjoyed to suddenly receive the family business.

Unexpectedly, Mother suddenly gritted her teeth, her lips twitching slightly: "On my trip back to Shengzhou, I found that many people are poor and landless. It is inauspicious to take the wealth of a family that has been wiped out. It would be better to distribute the Dugu family's land to the tenant farmers. Shengzhou has just been ravaged by war, and you, young master, can use this to appease the people."

Xingxiang was stunned. Even with her intelligence, she couldn't figure out what her mother was scheming. Even if it was a long-term plan, she had given up the Dugu family's land just to leave a good impression on Young Master Li. Was it really worth it in her eyes? If she were saying these words herself, it would be fine, but for her mother to say them wouldn't add much to her daughter's image, would it?
Dugu continued, “My Xiangniang inherited her father’s family tradition; she is extremely compassionate. This time, when she returned to Shengzhou with me, she repeatedly showed pity for the poor people and wanted to help them. I am not accepting this windfall because I want to fulfill Xiang’er’s wish.” “My family suffered such a tragedy, and naturally, I am filled with grief and indignation. But restoring the city, appeasing the people, and winning their hearts are the top priorities. If my daughter and I take these properties, we will only incur the people’s resentment.”

Xingxiang had no choice but to give him a tacit look. This development was entirely within her expectations.

Li Keyong stroked his smooth, slender chin, which was completely free of any beard: "Madam is very wise and righteous, and Keyong admires her greatly. But Madam has come to Shengzhou to visit relatives and has no land to support her. How will she live?"

Xingxiang immediately said, "I have studied a lot with my father and learned some swordsmanship from others, so I can be considered to have a basic understanding of both literature and martial arts. It is my duty to take care of my mother, and I am confident that I will not let her suffer any grievances."

Li Keyong looked surprised: "I never expected that the daughter of the late Governor Zhang Rui would be such a remarkable woman, skilled in both literature and martial arts."

He added, “But a woman’s life is not easy. Why not leave half of the land so that Lady Zhang can support the lady, and give the other half to the people?”

Unexpectedly, Lady Dugu shook her head again: "My late husband was the most honest and upright man, regarding wealth as dirt. If I were to covet wealth and break my promise, I fear I would bring shame upon him."

Upon hearing this, Li Keyong sighed softly, "I have long heard of the noble character of the late Prefect Zhang of Songzhou, but I never imagined that your wife would also possess such lofty ideals."

Although he was a man, his voice was not deep at all; it sounded like a girl's. His devilishly handsome face, when he sighed sadly, carried a unique kind of melancholy, much like the tender feelings of a young woman cherishing flowers and grass, making his femininity even more pronounced.

A look of sorrow crossed Dugu's eyes.

"Of course. How could I tarnish my late husband's reputation?"

"However, I have one more request to make of you, young master."

As he spoke, he bowed respectfully to Li Keyong.

Upon hearing these words, Li Keyong, who already held the former Prefect Zhang and his wife in the highest esteem, was utterly astonished by the sight. He hurriedly helped her up, saying, "Madam, you are too kind! How can you show such great courtesy to a junior like me?"

Dugu was helped up, her old eyes already glistening with tears: "I know what Xiang'er is planning to do to support me in my old age. It's nothing more than being a bodyguard for someone or killing bandits on the border for a reward. She is indeed quite skilled, but for a girl, especially the daughter of a governor, to personally risk her life and use her strength in front of others is ultimately somewhat undignified."

"I am not exaggerating, but Xiang'er's writing and strategies are also excellent. If you do not mind that she is a woman, would you be willing to keep her in your staff as a subordinate to offer advice and strategies, so that I can support myself in my old age?"

Xingxiang suddenly realized.

Older gingers are more spicy.

At this point, Li Keyong would naturally agree without hesitation. How could he possibly disrespect his mother out of filial piety?
Xingxiang thought to herself, "If my mother had been born twenty years later, and my master had found her, she would have been far more cunning than I am now. Perhaps, as my master wishes, she could have rebelled and overthrown the Tang Dynasty as a woman."

But now, all these calculations are being used to arrange their own daughter's lifelong marriage!

She knew perfectly well that she liked Liang Yu!

Mother disliked Liangyu's arrogance.

For parents, it is a source of great pride to be able to force a child to cooperate.

(End of this chapter)