Shen Qing tightly squeezed the Empress's hand back. "I understand, Your Majesty."
After chatting with the Empress, Shen Qing began to prepare for her journey down the mountain.
Half a month later.
At the border between the Jiang and Jing Kingdoms.
Shen Liangzhi took a big gulp of strong liquor and then hurled the wine jar to the ground. The jar shattered into pieces, accompanied by his complaining voice.
"Damn it! I've never fought such a frustrating battle in my life!"
It all started half a month ago.
Half a month ago, the marriage proposal letter arrived on his father's imperial desk, which really infuriated his father. Immediately, his father sent him here again and told him not to hold back and fight as he pleased.
Although he was also angry about the other side's coercive tactics, he knew that Emperor Jingye might very well be his future brother - in - law. So he didn't dare to offend the man too much and just planned to go easy on them.
However, when he got to the border, the enemy was even more timid than them!
On the battlefield, they didn't wear armor or carry weapons. They just scratched and kicked each other. People who didn't know better might think they were scrambling for discounted vegetables in a marketplace.
Shen Liangzhi: "..." He was exhausted, truly.
All he wanted now was to cross the river and beat up the man who wanted to be his brother - in - law to see how much nonsense was in his head.
On the other side of the river.
"Your Majesty, is it really okay for us to do this?" Zhuiyun hesitated to speak beside him.
Although he was a bit slow - witted, he knew that when asking for a girl's hand in marriage, one shouldn't make enemies with the girl's parents first.
Tomorrow, the envoys from the Jiang Kingdom would arrive at the border for peace talks. No one knew how the talks would turn out.
In that explosion years ago, no one had left a complete body, and there were no recognizable tokens. Naturally, they thought Miss Shen had died in it.
After His Majesty woke up, he had carved a memorial tablet with his own hands while still ill. He even hugged it when he went to bed. If it weren't for little Sibao, His Majesty might not have been able to hold on.
In the past two years, he had been dedicated to state affairs and had been constantly at war, which had consumed a great deal of the country's strength.
Xing Shu actually didn't have to fight at this time, but he knew that His Majesty just wanted to keep himself busy so that he could numb himself and stop thinking about Miss Shen.
However, this state didn't last long. In less than a year, a secret guard received a letter. After His Majesty read it, he at least stopped having suicidal thoughts and didn't always go for the kill. Those around him could finally breathe a sigh of relief. Sheng Mei had complained to him about this many times.
Although none of them had seen the letter, they could vaguely guess that it should be related to Miss Shen.
Miss Shen must still be alive, and she was in the Jiang Kingdom.
Under Sheng Mei's influence in the past two years, Zhuiyun didn't even realize that he was becoming more and more human - like. A few years ago, he would never have had so many feelings.
Ji Junye stood by the river, hands behind his back, looking at the flickering lights on the opposite side.
The night was thick, obscuring his features. Even Zhuiyun, who was standing beside him, couldn't see his expression clearly at this moment.
The next day, Shen Qing and Shen Si arrived at the camp where Shen Liangzhi was stationed.
Shen Liangzhi hadn't seen his so - called younger sister yet. When he heard the report, he quickly ordered his men to welcome them in.
When the tent curtain was lifted, the first thing that came into view was Shen Si's smiling face.
Then came a beautiful woman. Although her clothes were simple, they couldn't hide her noble aura. There was even a hint of a superior's air about her.
"Long time no see, Second Brother."
"Sister, this is your Second Brother."
While Shen Liangzhi was sizing up Shen Qing, Shen Qing was also sizing him up.
One had to admit that her father, whom she had never met, was really good at having children. Each of his sons was a rare outstanding figure.
Although she had only met three of them so far, most families would be lucky to have just one like them.
She had heard about this Second Brother before. A young general, suave and handsome, never defeated in battle. He was a true god of war.
Moreover, he had only one wife, and they were deeply in love. This made Shen Qing have a better impression of him.
Shen Qing bowed. "Greetings, Second Brother."
Shen Liangzhi stepped forward and gently supported her. "There's no need for such formalities between siblings. Now that you're back safely, it has relieved a burden from Father and Mother's hearts."
After the small talk, the smile on Shen Liangzhi's face faded a bit. "You're here for the matter of the Jing Kingdom, right? Come, let me tell you about it."
When Shen Qing and Shen Si saw his serious look, they thought the border situation was extremely tense. They both composed themselves and sat down with solemn expressions.
But after listening, both of them fell silent.
Especially Shen Qing.
Shen Liangzhi looked extremely aggrieved. "I've been so pent - up during this period, Sister, you..."
Shen Qing understood what he left unsaid. "Don't worry, Second Brother. When I see him, I'll make him withdraw his troops."
Shen Liangzhi let out a sigh of relief. "That's good. You don't know, I'd rather shed my blood on the battlefield than play this game of house with them every day..."
He raised his eyebrows and noticed that she said "make" him withdraw his troops instead of "persuade" him. The difference between the two was quite significant.
Shen Qing: "..." It was obvious that his resentment was really great.
On that day, Shen Liangzhi sent a letter, making an appointment for a detailed talk three days later.
When Ji Junye received the letter, he didn't even raise his head. "There's nothing to talk about. Decline it."
Zhuiyun hesitated for a moment and was about to say something when the tent curtain was lifted. Sibao came in with her short legs.
"Daddy."
Seeing his daughter, Ji Junye's expression softened a bit. He skillfully picked Sibao up and put her on his lap, while his other hand continued to deal with state affairs.
Seeing this, Zhuiyun silently retreated, but he didn't follow Ji Junye's order to decline the letter immediately.
During these days, both sides had the intention of probing each other. It could be seen that the Jiang Kingdom wasn't completely hostile to them. Moreover, since it concerned Miss Shen, maybe His Majesty would change his mind later.
Sibao was four and a half years old and had started her education. Ji Junye didn't hire a teacher for her but taught her himself.
When he was busy with state affairs, he would bring her with him like this.
Now Sibao could recognize all the characters on the memorials.
At four and a half years old, Sibao had lost some of her baby fat. She was like a delicate glutinous rice ball, cute, soft, and very sensible.
But today, she was obviously in a low mood. "Daddy, when can we see Mother?"
Daddy had told her that Mother was sick and was recuperating in a far - away place, not abandoning them.
But she really missed her mother. Her clothes had become too short several times, but she still hadn't seen her mother...
Ji Junye's hand paused while he was approving the memorials. After a long time, he said, " ... Soon."
It was hard to tell whether he was answering Sibao's question or talking to himself.
Ji Junye was confident in himself. Even if she didn't want him, could she abandon their child too? If necessary, he would just imprison her so that she could never leave him again.
Thinking of something, Ji Junye ordered his men to call Zhuiyun back and said that he agreed to the detailed talk three days later.
Zhuiyun, who had returned: "..."
He knew it.
Fortunately, he hadn't really declined the letter directly.
But Ji Junye didn't expect that their meeting would come so soon.
On the day of the talks, when Zhuiyun lifted the curtain and a corner of a skirt came into his view, he finally saw the face that had haunted his dreams for years.
For a moment, he felt as if all the blood in his body had frozen, but then it boiled.