Chapter 113: A Finger!

  The twilight is deep and dense.

  In the depths of the Ding'an Marquis's mansion, Zhao Runa leaned against the couch, staring intently at the book in her hand, but her mind kept wandering back to what Xia Chuyi had told her today. As soon as she lost focus, her gaze unknowingly froze.

  "Madam!"

  A gentle call brought her back to her senses, and the person standing in front of her was Liu Pozi.

  "The old lady invites you."

  It had been some days since she entered the Hou Mansion, and apart from the morning and evening greetings, she had no interaction with Old Lady Wu. Now that Old Lady Wu had summoned her, she naturally couldn't not go. Like a dream just awakened, she got up, tidied up her clothes, and led Green out of the house. In the upper room, Old Lady Wu, the wife of Duke Ding'an, and her sister-in-law Zeng were chatting together. Zhao Ruhua went in, knelt down to pay her respects, and Zeng let out a cold snort, pursed her lips, while Old Lady Wu furrowed her brow and sighed.

  "Sit down."

  Zhao Runa sat sideways in her chair, "Has the old lady found me for something?"

  Wu looked at her and asked in a low voice, "Hasn't Big Cow come back these days?"

  She came to ask her, and then who else would she ask? Zhao Runa thought for a moment, just nodding without making a sound.

  Seeing this, Zeng's family laughed and said to the old lady: "Mother, it seems that your wish to hold a grandson has been dashed. Alas, my big brother is really pitiful, he took a concubine but it's not as good as not having one at all. Now he can't even go back home, every day he's stuck in the military camp, cold and hungry, when will it end? Even more pitiful is my sister-in-law, she didn't get to enjoy her life, just like that...

  "Shut up!"

  Zhao Runa remained calm and composed, but the old lady couldn't help but scold Zeng Shi. She then turned her face back to Zhao Runa, smiling as she said: "Young Mistress, I know you're a golden branch and jade leaf. But now that you've entered our household, you're one of us, a member of our family. This old woman didn't want to interfere, but tell me, how long has it been since your husband hasn't come home? I haven't seen you show any urgency, thinking of a way... what do you plan to do, tell me?"

  He doesn't return home, don't his legs grow on his own body?

  Zhao Runa smiled wryly and slowly lowered her eyelids.

  "Perhaps it's because military duties are busy and there is no leisure time."

  Zeng's family member chimed in, interrupting with a sarcastic tone, his chest shaking with laughter as he spoke. "Oh, indeed the esteemed young lady is knowledgeable and reasonable. What's this nonsense about being busy with military duties and having no free time? Sounds really good to hear. If it weren't for avoiding you, my big brother would be living in the barracks every day. His parents have come, how could he not want to be more filial? What kind of person is this..."

  A person who is too harmless often fails to gain respect from others. At first, Zeng's family still had some reservations about Zhao Ruhua, the princess from the Eastern Palace, but after spending some time with her, they found that she was humble and didn't put on airs, so they gradually looked down on her even more. Carrying herself with the haughty attitude of an elder sister-in-law, she actually treated her like a concubine, and whenever they met, it was either sarcasm or ridicule.

  Zhao Runa glanced at her calmly and composedly.

  "Since ancient times, women have not inquired about national affairs or their husbands' official business. Therefore, I also find it inconvenient to ask too many questions about your lordship's matters."

  She replied in an orderly and reasonable manner, but with a very indifferent tone. Zeng was choked for a moment and didn't make a sound, the old lady was slightly stunned, but she didn't quite agree with her words, "The big principles you mentioned, I don't understand them either. What I want to say is that your husband is yours, and this old woman can't interfere too much. Dà Niú is a stubborn child, but he's not a kid who doesn't know how to be filial to his parents. Here are some pancakes baked by me personally, with the flavor of our hometown, which Dà Niú loves to eat. Take them to the camp and give them to him."

  Zhao Runa was taken aback for a moment when she glanced at the pancake on the table.

  "Yes, madam."

  The old lady gave her a glance and said meaningfully: "Tonight, you don't have to come back either."

  Zhao Runa heard this and her hand holding the pancake stopped moving.

  The old lady flipped her eyelids, muttered to herself, "Don't blame me for being nosy, I'll say it clearly, I'm not doing this for you, but for my own sake, so I can hold my grandson sooner. My son is someone I understand, he doesn't have any ulterior motives, all these years and no decent girlfriend, with a daughter-in-law like you, who's as delicate as a water lily, following my son, he won't lose out. Go on, my great-grandson is counting on you..."

  Her face was a bit hot, but Zhao Runa didn't explain herself anymore. She took over the package of pancakes handed to her by Liu Pozi, bowed her head and nodded, responded with a "yes", and then retreated from the upper house.

  She changed into a new set of clothes, got on a horse-drawn carriage, and led Lu'er out of the Ding'an Marquis's estate. Along the way, the gentle night breeze blew, but she felt somewhat perplexed. In this world, how many women were truly living for themselves? As soon as she thought of this, she almost subconsciously thought of Princess Jingyi.

  Zhao Runa admired her from the bottom of her heart, unrestrained and free-spirited, unwilling to be bound by others. She was like a bird that couldn't be caged, flying back and forth outside the cage, talking to her through the bars. While she herself was the bird inside the cage, forever unable to fly out of the golden cage, not even able to obtain a small piece of peace within it.

  From Beijing city to the outskirts of Beijing where the military camp is located, it's a long way.

  Zhao Runa covered her pancake, just jumped off the horse cart, and heard someone whispering at the camp gate.

  "What do you do?"

  Green hurriedly stepped forward with a smile, "General, this is the secondary wife of our Ding An Marquis's estate, she has come to deliver something to the marquis."

  The soldier was stunned, just about to let someone in to report, when suddenly a horse's neighing sound came from the barracks. Soon, several people rode over at an extremely fast speed, as if there was some urgent matter to attend to. The gate's fence opened, and the person standing on the horse was none other than Chen Daniu.

  "What's the point of being stuck here so late at night?"

  The gate guard bowed his head and replied with clasped hands: "General, it is the secondary wife."

  Chen Daniu suddenly turned his gaze over, and only then did he see Zhao Runa standing under the horse carriage. He was stunned for a moment, then made an effort to straighten his helmet with red tassels, cleared his throat, and asked her.

  "What's up? You looking for me?"

  This is the first time they have met since their wedding night, and it's still in such a dark place. Although there are torches in the camp, they can't see each other's expressions very clearly. However, Zhao Runa was also grateful for the cover of the night, which wouldn't let him notice her embarrassment.

  She took a few steps forward, bowed slightly and replied calmly.

  "Master Hou, the old madam asked me to bring you some pancakes."

  Chen Daniu cleared his throat again, then turned his head to the side with a stern expression and shouted at the deputy general who was hiding behind him, stifling his giggles.

  "Ge Saner, bring it down for me."

  "Alright!" Geng Sanyou replied, and then glanced at Zhao Runa, "Sister-in-law, take a rest inside for a while?"

  Zhao Runa's heart beats faster, she looks up at his profile under the night sky, and it seems that she can still see a layer of dark green stubble on his chin. She even remembers that the stubble is quite prickly, scratching her skin, neck, and making her feel itchy. She knows he doesn't look bad, but he doesn't take care of himself, speaks in a rough tone, treats people roughly, and his coarse hands grasp hers, making her feel like she's being pinched by tongs, aching...

  "Sister-in-law, please?"

  Geng San's ambiguous smile pulled her back to reality. Thinking of Xia Chuqi's words and the old lady's entrustment, she pursed her lips, just about to take a step forward, when Chen Daniu gave Geng San a stern look and said something in a low voice.

  "The dormitory is full of men, it's inconvenient. You go back first and tell my mother that I'll come back to see her tomorrow."

  Zhao Runa was relieved that her foot hadn't stepped out, otherwise it would have been even more embarrassing.

  She comes from royalty, with her own pride.

  Although she didn't know if all men and women in the world were like this when they got married, she could see that he was extremely impatient and didn't say anything else. Anyway, the pancakes had been delivered, her task was done, it wasn't that she didn't want to stay, but he wouldn't let her stay.

  "Yes, Master Hou, I will go back now."

  Chen Daniu glanced at her and said, "Geng San, send someone to escort the madam back to the mansion."

  Zhao Runa handed over the pancake, "No need, I have a carriage, just return by the original road." After speaking, she didn't look at him and turned straight to get on the carriage. Under the coachman's "hut" sound, the carriage wheels rolled away.

  Geng San You patted the hotcake, raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Dà Niú (Big Cow), you really are... your sister-in-law has arrived, why do you have to rush her away? I truly can't understand you. Such a lovely daughter-in-law isn't sleeping, what's there to look at?"

  "Scram!" Chen Daniu pulled the reins, let out a low growl, and only then realized his throat was parched and his back was sweating. "The camp's affairs are left to you, I have to enter the palace, His Majesty has summoned me urgently. The war... is about to begin..."

  "Big brother, bring me a pancake first!"

  Chen Daniu took the pancake and shouted "Drive!" as he rode his horse out. But with the pancake still in his mouth, he realized that it was still hot all the way here, not a bit cold. He stopped chewing and couldn't help but glance in the direction of the carriage, then lowered his head to take another bite of the pancake, feeling very comfortable.

  Zhao Runa heard the sound of him riding past the carriage, but she didn't lift the curtain to look. For someone who doesn't cherish her, there's no need for her to care too much. Days will pass anyway, it's better this way.

  In the carriage, a tung oil lamp was lit, casting a dim light that reflected off her pale face, which didn't change until they arrived at the Ding'an Marquis's estate. Just as the carriage stopped in front of the marquis's mansion and the coachman drove the horses away, she had just stepped onto the first step of the mansion's entrance when someone shouted "Jinghua" from around the corner of the wall.

  A familiar voice, startled her. She didn't want to pay attention, but the man shouted again. Afraid that his shouting would attract other people's attention and cause trouble, she glanced at Qing'er and instructed her to stay outside, then looked around and walked over.

  "What brings you here? This is the Ding An Marquis's estate."

  Gu Hua was excited to see her, and he pulled her into the shade of a large tree in the corner of the wall. It wasn't until then that Zhao Runa noticed that he had a large bundle slung over his shoulder, and his tone was somewhat anxious.

  "Xinghua, I asked the young servant where you went and he said you had left. I've been waiting for you here for a long time."

  "What do you want from me?"

  "Qinghua, these days I haven't been eating well, sleeping well, every day thinking of you. I've thought it through, I'm willing to go with you together. From now on, no matter where we are in the world, we'll never have to be apart again."

  Zhao Runa was startled in her heart and shook off his hand with a moderate force.

  "What's done is done, it's too late now."

  "Xinghua..." Gu Huai raised his voice a little and grabbed her again.

  "What are you doing?" Zhao Runa scolded him, "This is the Hou Mansion, are you afraid that people won't know about our affair or are you afraid I'm having too good of a life? Gu Hui, let me tell you the truth, I did like you, but from the day I entered the Ding An Hou Mansion, I became his person and we have nothing to do with each other anymore. Don't come looking for me again in the future, even if we meet, please call me Young Mistress."

  She had barely finished speaking when she pulled open his hand, lifted her skirt and turned to leave, but Gu Huai came up and tightly grasped her, his voice full of infatuation. "Jinghua, I'm sorry, it was all my fault that day. Now I've really thought it through, I don't care about anything else, for you, I can do anything, come with me, let's go now..."

  Zhao Runa's eyes were a little hot, and she grasped his hand tightly.

  "Let me go. I said, it's late. Don't bother me again, or else..."

  She hadn't finished speaking when she suddenly heard a soft "ah" from Qing'er. She was about to ask what had happened when a black figure jumped down from the tree, followed by another. The wind whizzed past her ear and she found herself with her mouth covered, and the cool object pressed against her neck was a dagger.

  "Come on, madam, let's go with them."

  Zhao Runa's mouth was covered, her eyes wide with fear, unable to speak. Gu Hui was so frightened that his body trembled, repeatedly clasping his hands together in apology, "Who are you? Let her go, let her go..."

  That dark figure smiled lowly, "How interesting, the concubine of Ding An Hou has a secret lover. Brothers, take them away together..."

  "Let me go, let me go..." Gu Huai's voice was shaking slightly, and as soon as he shouted out a sentence, his neck hurt and he was knocked unconscious to the ground. Zhao Runa watched as two men in black carried him away, picking up the package that had fallen to the ground, and closed her eyes tightly.

  From then on, she jumped into the Yellow River and couldn't wash herself clean.

  ……

  ……

  In the Warming Pavilion of the Palace of Heavenly Purity, Emperor Hongtai granted seats to Zhao Zun and Chen Daniu who had arrived in the middle of the night.

  "We're all family here, no need for formalities, sit down and talk."

  The Emperor granted them a seat, which was an honor. The two thanked him and sat down at the lower seats. Cui Yingda carefully poured tea with his body bent, waiting for the fragrant tea aroma to fill the great hall before Emperor Hongtai's hand lifted from the teacup cover, touched the corner of his mouth, and sighed with a smile.

  "I'm really getting old, a little thing and I get anxious and flustered. Look, my mouth and tongue are all foamy!"

  Chui Yingda raised his head and smiled in agreement, "Nineteenth Master, don't blame this old slave for speaking out of turn. Your Majesty's body is truly getting stronger by the day, but this old servant is worried, no matter how much I advise, Your Majesty won't rest until things are settled, until the memorials are read. Ah, Nineteenth Master, now that you're here, please do persuade His Majesty to take a break."

  "Choi Young-deok!" Emperor Hong Tae glared at him, "When did it become your turn to speak out of turn in front of me? Get down now."

  Chui Yingda let out an "ai" and slapped his mouth.

  "Yes, yes, yes, I've talked too much, I'll wait outside."

  How could Zhao Zhuo fail to understand such a wonderful pair of reeds?

  He picked up the white jade lid of the teacup, flipped it over in his hand, and gently put it down. In the crisp sound produced by the collision between the tea lid and the teacup, he looked away with a faint gaze.

  "Your Majesty's health is of utmost importance, the affairs of the court will be taken care of by the many ministers in the court, no need to get worked up."

  Emperor Hongtai let out a deep sigh, shook his head and said, "If only everyone were like Old Nineteen, that would be great." After a pause, as if he had thought of something, he coughed twice, looked at Zhao Zun, then glanced at Chen Daniu, and patted the thick stack of memorials on the desk. "Look at these! Can I sleep soundly? Even small matters like beans require me to make decisions, it's really a waste to keep them alive."

  Inside the temple, there was complete silence, with no one responding.

  Emperor Hongtai swept his gaze over them, then continued, "Old Nineteen, Chen Xiang, you should have an idea why I hastily summoned you. Think about it, my great army is strong and powerful, the country's power is flourishing, when have we ever suffered such a loss? But now that things have happened, I think Tao Jingwu deserves to die, but the Northern Di even more so deserve to die. This time, we must give them a severe lesson, let them know what it means to be a vassal state of the Heavenly Dynasty."

  He talked to himself for a while, his eyes slightly closed.

  "Although that's the case, we can't underestimate him. Ha Sa is a talented individual, one of Bei Di's great generals, and he also holds the position of crown prince. Currently, his prestige in Bei Di is extremely high, even the Xiongnu people look up to him with admiration. This person will definitely become my arch-nemesis in the future, I must eliminate him."

  The majesty of the emperor is even more awe-inspiring in the candlelight.

  Zhao Zun and Chen Daniu listened quietly, without speaking, only the old emperor's loud and powerful voice, rising and falling, "I've thought it through, you two will divide your troops into two routes to conquer the north, join forces to attack the Khazars, and must take them down in one fell swoop. Chancellor Chen, you'll make a flanking maneuver from Datong Prefecture, Old Nineteen, you'll lead your troops straight to Qingzhou and Yongping, and give Tao Jingwu a head-on blow..."

  It must be said that Hong Taiji is not mediocre in military affairs. In a short period of time, he has already made arrangements for this northern expedition under the light of the midnight lamp. Every word and every sentence shows that he is familiar with the military system of Da Yan, including the deployment of generals, deputy generals, and participating generals.

  After this deployment, Zhao Zilong discovered that the lineup of this northern expedition was so strong that it could be said to be the strongest in the history of Dayan. It can be seen that Emperor Hongtai is determined to take down Beidi, and almost all the famous generals of Dayan have been dispatched under the command of two people.

  "In three days, set out with all due haste. I will be waiting in the capital for your triumphant news."

  Chen Da Niu looked at Zhao Zun with one eye, stood up and cupped his hands in a salute, "Your Majesty, I will definitely do my best to drive away the Northern Di barbarians, but I feel that...". He paused for a moment before continuing in a hoarse voice, "I feel that this time, just me alone is enough, there's no need for Your Highness the King of Jin to personally lead the expedition."

  He did so not because he was eager for merit, but because he knew too well how much Zhao Zhu had paid to marry Chu Qi. Now that the grand wedding is about to take place, unexpected events have occurred. If they go to war, it will be at least three or five years before they return, and who can predict what changes will happen on the battlefield? Previously, when he was imprisoned in the heavenly prison, it was Zhao Zhu who helped him. Now, even if this matter would anger the emperor, he must plan for Zhao Zhu's sake.

  Hong Taiyi looked at him with a serious expression, lifted his hand and took over the teacup, then took another sip.

  "Is Duke Ding'an doubting My decision?"

  Chen Daniu lowered his eyes, "I dare not! I just... say whatever comes to mind."

  Hong Tai Emperor smiled, shook his head, and let out a sigh, as if helpless, yet also relieved. He rubbed the sore corner of his mouth before slowly saying, "Chen Xiang, I understand what you mean. Get up and speak!"

  "Yes! Your Majesty."

  Chen Da Niu sat back down, and Emperor Hong Tai turned his head to look at Zhao Zun's expressionless face. He cast a meaningful glance at him, "Old Nineteenth, you're getting married in just over ten days. I'm afraid it would be an imposition on you if I were to send you on a northern campaign now. But I also know that driving out the barbarians and saving the people is not only my wish, but yours as well. A man's ambition should be for the four corners of the world...". He paused slightly before smiling and saying, "Of course, if you're unwilling to go, I won't force you."

  Zhao Zun's cold and stern expression didn't change, he slowly raised his eyelids, his gaze fell on the huanghuali wood imperial desk beside him, looking at the high pile of memorials on it, for a long time before opening his mouth lightly.

  "Your Majesty, on that day at Inviting Moon Pavilion, I promised you something and I will definitely keep my word."

  "Good!"

  Hong Taiji slapped his imperial case and burst out laughing.

  "This is my son! Old Nineteen, take a look around, I have so many sons, but in the past two days, I've been thinking, counting each of them one by one, and only you are most like me in temperament. Don't be modest, if I weren't old, I wouldn't be able to bear the hardships of long-distance expeditions, this time I would definitely lead the army personally, ride horses on the grasslands with my son, and drive away the Northern Barbarians back to their old home. Thinking about it, that's what makes life enjoyable."

  "The Emperor is still vigorous in his old age; why must he speak of it?"

  Zhao Zun responded lightly and heavily, his voice with a faint hoarseness, but Hong Tai Emperor was very happy, laughing loudly, clapping his hands.

  "Chui Yingda, bring out the sedan chair."

  The map was very large and had to be carried by two small eunuchs.

  Hong Tai's old eyes were filled with bloodshot, but his emotions were extremely high.

  "Come on, Old Nineteen, Chen Xiang, let's discuss the military route again with me."

  In the warm pavilion of the Qianqing Palace, the lights had not gone out all night. In the Jingyi Garden of Chengguo Gongfu, Xia Qi was also tossing and turning on her bed, unable to fall asleep. Zhao Zun was hastily called away from her bed by Chen Jing, saying that the old emperor had an urgent summons. Without much consideration, she knew that something big was brewing, and it must be related to the war with Beidi.

  She thought that the big wedding was likely to be ruined, and she felt like she wasn't doing well at all. In her past life, she hated being unmarried, and had gone on countless blind dates. This lifetime, she had finally managed to snag a man, and just as they were about to get married, this kind of thing happened - was heaven playing tricks on her?

  She didn't sleep well at night, and when she got up in the morning, her head was aching badly. She took some medicine herself, but she didn't rush to enter the palace. After washing up and having breakfast, the first thing she did was take out Little Ma from the pigeon coop and send him to Zhao Zun with a letter asking "How are things?"

  Quietly waiting for the echo, but Xiao Ma hasn't flown back yet. Suddenly, Mei Zi excitedly "thumped" and brought someone in. The person hadn't arrived yet, but was already shouting loudly. It turned out to be none other than Li Miao, who had disappeared in the capital for a long time, coming to find her at Cheng Guo Gong Fu.

  On the seventh day of summer, I had a mouthful of water in my mouth and almost choked.

  She rushed out of the room and indeed saw Li Mo dressed in women's clothes sitting in the guest hall of Jingyi Garden. Seeing her come out, Li Mo also stood up with a "hiss" and before he could speak, his eyes were already red.

  "Chu Er, I've finally found you..."

  Summer Seventh smiled with her mouth pursed, it had been a long time since she saw Li Miao. She was also missing her dearly, and quickly asked Qing Lian to bring everyone down. Only then did she sit down, grab Li Miao's hand, and excitedly ask with a smile, "Sister, where have you been all these days? I couldn't find you in the capital no matter how hard I looked. Quickly tell me, what happened?"

  Li Mi's pale face was as usual. Her emotions were also somewhat agitated, but just as she opened her mouth, it seemed like she thought of something and suddenly grasped Xia Chuqi's hand tightly, speaking hastily.

  "It's hard to say in one word. Chu Er, wait until I turn around and I'll tell you carefully. The reason I came over today is that there's an extremely important matter that I need to entrust to you."

  Noticing her urgency, Xia Chuqi was slightly taken aback.

  "What's wrong? What happened?"

  Li Mian swallowed his saliva, pushed away the water that had been used to soak the plum, moved his stool a bit closer to her, looked back at the door, and then pulled her hand down, lowering his voice.

  "Something's happened to Big Brother Yuan, you know?"

  Xia Chu nodded, and Li Mo continued, "Brother Yuan took on a job, ambushing the family of Ding An Hou who was passing by Qing Zhou Fu. He killed Ding An Hou's fiancée before she even got married. Before he died...he entrusted Jin Gong to me. You know I've never been fond of getting involved with gangs, so I didn't agree to it. I just accepted his entrustment and sent his coffin back to his hometown, De An Fu. It wasn't until I returned from De An Fu that I heard something big had happened at Jin Gong."

  She had been sending Yuan Xingling's coffin back to De'an these days.

  "No wonder I couldn't find you anywhere." Xia Chuqi glared at her, "You went to De'an Fu without even telling me, lucky for me that I've been worrying about you every day."

  Li Mian bitterly smiled, "The Heavenly Prison's great fire, I thought you..."

  Xia Chuqi smiled and let out a soft "heh" sound as she looked at her.

  "Think I'm dead? You don't know I have nine lives?"

  "Chu Er, I also just heard about your situation these past two days."

  Thinking of the series of changes in Chunyuan on that day, Xia Chuyi also sighed and then tightly grasped her hand, nodded, "Alright, we'll settle accounts later. You quickly tell me, what exactly happened to Jin Gong?"

  "Chu Er, before Yuan Da Ge led the people to ambush Ding An Hou's family, he didn't know the details of those people. You know how it is for people in our line of work - we live on the edge of a knife, licking blood off its tip. We take people's money and goods, and help them with their troubles, but we don't have any deep grudges against the masters. I thought this matter was already over. But as soon as I returned to De An Fu, I heard that Ding An Hou had almost destroyed all of Jin Gong's strongholds in the capital. Some were caught, some were killed... Chu Er, Yuan Da Ge has a debt of gratitude towards me, and he also helped you. Although I didn't accept his final entrustment, I couldn't just watch as everything he worked for over the years was destroyed in an instant..."

  Li Mian's words were very clear, and Xia Chuyi understood.

  It turned out that Chen Daniu's family was ambushed, and his unmarried daughter-in-law died miserably. Although he had taken Zhao Runa in as a daughter-in-law and given the old emperor a slap in the face, his tone never fell. She furrowed her brow and looked at Li Mo.

  "Sister, what exactly do you want me to do?"

  Li Mian's eyebrows were tightly furrowed, as if he found it difficult to speak, "I was thinking, no matter what, the person is already dead, and Yuan Ge also lost his life for this, so it can be considered that they have cleared up with each other. I want to trouble you to tell His Highness to let Ding An Hou give the people of Jin Gong a way out. Those gang members are all from poor families and came out to mix in the gangs because they couldn't make a living..."

  These things, Xia Qi naturally also understands. As for the Yuan Xing she knows, he is actually a straightforward and righteous man. But having killed someone, one must pay with their life, that's also the heavenly way of reincarnation, retribution without exception, can't blame anyone. Only now Chen Da Niu has anger in his heart, wants to avenge his not-yet-married daughter-in-law, naturally won't let it go easily either, this matter she is stuck in the middle, isn't easy to handle.

  She asked, "Elder sister, do you know whose order Yuan Gege took this time?"

  Li Mian shook his head, "I asked him, but Yuan Ge wouldn't say. They have their own rules in this line of work. Even if they're dead, they can't reveal the master's name, or else the code of conduct would be broken and Jin Gong wouldn't be able to stand on its feet in the Jianghu? Yuan Ge is a man who values principles, how could he tell me?"

  "What's going on? What can be done about it?"

  "Chu'er..." Li Mo grabbed her hand, his voice lowering, "Nowadays, the Jin Palace's business in the capital is almost gone. Brother Yuan's men are either dead or injured, and what's left is ruined. The Duke of Ding'an must have vented his anger. You must plead for mercy before the Emperor."

  "Sister." Xia Chuqi interrupted her, her eyes slightly dimmed. "I understand what you mean. But now that a big war is about to break out in the north, he has entered the palace and I haven't seen him yet. At this critical moment, it's really not easy for me to find him."

  She said this, seeing Li Miao's face darken, her heart also sank. "How about this? Later, you come with me to see my brother, Yuan Xiao Gongye, and let him take us together to find Da Niu Ge. We'll personally go ask him for a favor, what do you think?"

  Li Mian's face showed joy, and he nodded, "This is also good."

  At this moment, Qing Lian knocked on the door and said in a low voice, "Young Mistress, someone from the gatehouse came to report that there is a person named Er Hu Zi who has come looking for you, saying that something big has happened..."

  Second Tiger? Something happened to Jin Gong?

  Xia Chuiqi and Li Miao exchanged a glance, and suddenly felt somewhat uneasy in their hearts.

  "Let's go and take a look."

  ……

  ……

  Just at the beginning of summer, on the seventh day, Chen Daniu, who had just returned to the outskirts of Beijing from a meeting with Li Mochou in front of the main hall of the Imperial Palace, was so anxious that he hastily ate a few mouthfuls of hot water and pancakes baked by his mother, almost choking.

  "Awesome!"

  Geng Sanyou smiled and said, "You don't eat hot food, how come you're not hard when eating cold food?"

  Chen Daniu ignored him, and the man continued on his own, "You should go back to the Hou Mansion tonight, shouldn't you? I'm telling you, Big Bull, don't blame your brother for not reminding you. If you don't sleep with your wife a few more times, after we set out in two days, who knows when you'll be able to sleep again."

  "Get out, get out!" Chen Daniu scolded him, turned his head and looked over again. "Geng San'er, go pack up the things that His Majesty rewarded today. You keep half for yourself, and I'll take the rest back later."

  Geng Sanyou chuckled and joked, but Chen Daniu ignored him, holding up the water bottle "gurgling" as he poured water. Just then a messenger rushed into the camp, panting for breath.

  Report—

  "What's wrong? Has the sky fallen?"

  The orderly was covered in cold sweat, rushing over hastily, waving a piece of paper and a small cloth package. The package was made of green cloth, with something unknown inside, which seemed to be stained with a layer of fresh blood, looking dark and eerie.

  "General!" The orderly was out of breath and exclaimed urgently: "You quickly look, look..."

  "What are you looking at? I'm illiterate anyway."

  Chen Daniu took a drag on the paper handed over to him, glared at him for a moment, and then slapped it onto the table.

  "Ge San Er, read."

  Gao San took a look at the pale face of the orderly and picked up the paper, but after just one glance, his expression changed drastically.

  "Something's wrong with Big Cow, his sister-in-law has been kidnapped by people from Jin Gong."

  "What? What did you say?" Chen Dainiu stared at him, tilting his head to look at the words on the paper, "What does it say upstairs?"

  Geng San swallowed his saliva, and his back felt a chill. "The leader said that you, Ding An Hou, should bring 100 taels of gold to Songzi Slope before sunset to redeem the person. Only you are allowed to go, otherwise, they will kill your sister-in-law, and use this finger as proof."

  "As soon as the two words 'hand finger' entered his ears, Chen Daniu glanced at the messenger who didn't dare to lift his head and suddenly reacted, hastily opening the green cloth package. Inside, he indeed found a bloody finger wrapped up. Moreover, it was obviously a woman's little finger. The finger had been chopped off at the root, looking gruesome."

  "Damn it!"

  Chen Daniu shouted angrily, grabbed the steel helmet hanging on the rack, put it on his head and was about to go out. Geng Sanyou was startled and quickly went up to hug his waist.

  "What are you doing?"

  Chen Daniu glared at him fiercely, his face full of anger.

  "My wife has been kidnapped, what can I do?!"

  Geng Sanyou turned his head to take a look at the bloody fingers on the table, then looked at Chen Daniu who was furious, and grasped him tightly without letting go. "Daniu, listen to me! You can't go alone. I'll get the troops ready immediately. Damn it, a group of desperate people dare to play with the Jinwei Army."

  "Do you think I'm an idiot?"

  Chen Daniu's arm suddenly exerted force and flung him away, staring at the messenger as he shouted.

  "Go and get me a sack of stones, put it on the horse! Geng Saner, after a while you take the brothers to ambush far away, without my order, don't dare to show your head."

  Digression

  The dish is served! (I'll correct the typo later!)

  Those who think the story is interesting and have expectations, just pop up a bubble haha.

  If you think the story is not good, then don't bother commenting... haha!

  Acknowledgments

  Dear [113729256622], you have been upgraded to a member of the club.

  Dear [Zhu Xi Quan Han] and [18925940877], you have been upgraded to Yuanjie.