Chapter 89: Besieging the City (7)

  Early morning. The city is very lively.

  The door was suddenly opened. Nalan Xianyu, who was lying on the bed, suddenly woke up with a start. Nan Gongyin was still in a daze. She covered him with the quilt and pulled down the curtains for him. Turning back to look, she was taken aback.

  The empress stood at the door with a pale and haggard face. Her eyes were dull and her gaze was empty, staring blankly at some point without looking at Nalan Xianyu. She didn't move at all. What shocked Nalan Xianyu was that her hair had turned white overnight.

  Her face had many more wrinkles. Originally a stately woman in her early forties. Overnight, she became an old lady who looked like she was over sixty. She slowly walked to the bedside, her eyes still staring at that point.

  Her footsteps were very slow, each step seemed to sink heavily as if stepping on air. The soles of her shoes rubbed against the ground, making a "squeaking" sound. Nalan Xianuo retreated to one side, but her heart couldn't help but ache.

  She finally walked to the bedside, but couldn't bear to open the curtains, as if afraid of startling Nan Gong Jin awake.

  Suddenly, she said in a cold voice: "Get out."

  Nalan Xixi trembled and immediately turned around. She hadn't walked a few steps when she heard sobbing sounds coming from behind her. She quickened her pace, forcing her eyes open, her eye sockets reddening.

  Walk out of the room. The city under the castle is crowded. The people in the city are holding all kinds of food and squeezing at the city gate, wanting to give it to the soldiers who are defending the city. The wine shops near the city gate have hung up signs that read: "Free for military personnel".

  There is no fear of war drawing near. The enemy is right outside the gate. They remain calm and composed.

  Nalan Xixi rubbed her temples, which were slightly painful. She hadn't had a good night's sleep in over a month. She turned around, wanting to go back. Suddenly, a childish voice came from downstairs: "Long live the Queen Mother, long live, long live, forever and ever."

  Suddenly, the city fell silent for a second. People looked up at the castle tower in unison. Immediately afterwards, the citizens of the city knelt down one after another. For a moment, the loud voice echoed throughout the city in unison: "Long live Her Majesty the Queen, long live Her Majesty the Queen, may she live forever."

  Nalan Xixi's footsteps came to a halt. She turned around and nodded slightly towards them.

  The common people kowtowed. "Thank you, noble lady."

  They immediately got up, but the city was still quiet. At this time, the little beggar who had stopped her that day emerged from the crowd. "Your Majesty hasn't eaten yet, has she? Your Majesty, come down quickly. Xu Lao San's steamed buns are big and white, and they smell great... Your Majesty, you and the generals all come over to try some. Bring some for Wang too. They're really delicious."

  The other common people were silent and didn't say a word. They still don't know what kind of temper the queen has, nor do they know if the little beggar's impoliteness will offend her.

  At this time, a man came out and shouted: "The little beggar is right, my Xu Lao San's steamed buns are truly famous throughout the world. Your Majesty, please come down and try some."

  Listening to Xu Lao San's blunt and self-satisfied tone, the common people burst out laughing, a joyful atmosphere filled the air.

  Nalan Xixi stood still on the spot, looking at the happy smiles of the people below, her face slightly pale.

  At this time, a burst of applause and cheers erupted from the crowd. "You, Xu Lao San, really didn't brag. It's really delicious. More fragrant than meat. I like it. When I come back from battle, I'll open a shop for you. Let's call it Xu Ji He Xian Bao Zi Dian."

  Everyone turned around to look, and He Xianzhen was standing at Xu Lao San's stall eating a rice ball. Everyone burst out laughing again. Xu Lao San didn't understand. "Hey, why does my Xu Lao San's rice ball shop need to add the general's name?"

  He Xian said discontentedly: "You fool, I'm spending money to open a store for you, what's wrong with hanging my name? Besides, I am the famous General He Xian, hanging my name can bring you business."

  "Drumming up business." Old Xu San was skeptical. "Summoning souls would be more like it."

  The common people laughed again. Nalan Xianyu stood there quietly, watching their joyful voices and laughter, her eyes trembling slightly.

  Suddenly, a warmth spread through her palm. She lowered her head and saw a little girl holding two snow-white steamed buns, shoving them into her hands. Nalan Xianuo was taken aback, subconsciously taking the buns.

  "Queen Mother, eat mantou." The little girl was teething and couldn't enunciate clearly. Nalan Xinnuo listened to her childish voice, and a certain soft spot in his heart was touched.

  She squatted down, originally wanting to pinch her little face, but realized that her hands had been stained with too much blood. It's better not to let the child get stained with bloody aura. She nodded and smiled: "Thank you."

  The little girl's face turned slightly red. "Your Highness, you look very good when you smile. Your Highness, you should smile more often. The king doesn't like to smile much anymore. If you don't either, Yaya will be scared."

  The villagers noticed this side and looked up one after another. Narlan Xianuo had never faced a child before, and was somewhat flustered. She smiled and nodded, but her eyes were already red.

  The little girl saw Nalan Xingde's slightly red eyes and felt a bit anxious. "If you really don't want to smile, then it's okay not to."

  Nalan Xixi nodded slightly, her chest heaving with surging emotions, almost unable to hold back a loud cry.

  "Princess, that's all for now, I'll take my leave first." The little girl said, making a clumsy curtsy. Then she continued: "Princess, originally Yaya also wanted to marry the king, but mother said Yaya was too young."

  The little girl finished speaking. The people under the city wall laughed. Their laughter covered up Ya Ya's last words.

  "Yaya will grow up to be a queen just like her mother, so she can fight against the enemies with the king and protect father, mother and many people."

  The joyful voices and laughter under the city wall. The silhouette of Xiao Yaya. All seemed like sharp swords piercing Nalan Xinnuo's heart.

  In another hour, she will open the city gate and welcome their enemies into the city. Originally immersed in a peaceful life, they will hold their respective children and watch the unfamiliar army pass by the door.

  Maybe they just walked by coldly. Coldly occupied.

  Maybe they will be roughly driven out. They will never have a home again.Maybe Xiaoyao will not find her father and mother, and she will lose the opportunity to protect them before growing up.

  Maybe they will be even more cruel and turn this place into a hell on earth where blood flows like rivers.

  And at this moment, they believed her. They revered her. They... were grateful to her.

  It's almost noon. The Silver Armor Knights have changed shifts again. The people at the foot of the city have once again enthusiastically sent over lunch.

  He Xian stood on the city wall, gazing far into the enemy camp with a furrowed brow. Behind him, Huo Zhe walked out of the building and saw He Xian standing motionless. He approached him. "What are you thinking about?"

  He Xian gazed at the enemy camp and said calmly: "They have been very quiet all day today."

  Huo looked into the distance and nodded slightly. "Mm."

  "Ho Zhi..." Suddenly, He Xian's voice became tense. Ho Zhi raised his head and followed his gaze to the distance, where a dense black army had appeared from somewhere, marching in this direction.

  Huo's eyes widened in shock. His face suddenly turned pale. He gradually realized something.

  At this time, the sentinel shouted loudly: "The enemy is coming... Prepare..."

  At this moment, all the warriors carrying defensive equipment rushed towards the city gate tower. He shouted loudly: "Master..."

  However, Nalan Xiong did not come out. He anxiously ran to the room behind him. Huo's face turned pale and his expression gradually became icy cold. He turned around and walked towards Nan Gongyin's room.

  "Master..." wasn't found in the room. He ran out again and saw Huo Zhe walking towards him. He rushed up to grab Huo Zhe, anxiously asking: "Do you know where Master went?"

  Huo Zhe faintly shook his head and continued walking in. Seeing Huo Zhe's indifference, He Xian hastily said: "What's wrong with you? The enemy army is coming... You..."

  "Master... hurry back..." At this time, the white silver armor knight on the city wall shouted loudly.

  He turned back and looked down at the city below. All he saw was Nalan Xianyin standing alone in front of the city gate, with the enemy army getting closer and closer.

  "Master, come back quickly!" He Xian shouted loudly at the foot of the city wall. Suddenly, his hand felt a chill and Huo Zhe pulled him over, shaking his head.

  "What does it mean? The master is still downstairs... The master she..." Suddenly, He Xian's eyes widened.

  He suddenly remembered Nalan Xixi's apology to him last night. He suddenly recalled the orders Nalan Xixi gave to Huo Zhe last night. She wanted to give up... She wanted to open the city gate.

  Outside the city gate, Nalan Xinnuo stood still in front of the gate. Under the tall city gate, her figure looked thin and weak. The autumn wind blew by, and her black sleeves fluttered with the wind. She coldly gazed at the army approaching from afar, getting closer and closer.

  The army stopped about 100 meters away. A team of soldiers escorted a car frame towards the city gate.

  On the castle walls, the silver armor knights continued to shout loudly for her to return. They shouted until their voices were hoarse. But they still didn't stop shouting. They had unconditional trust in her. They wouldn't believe she would abandon them.

  Inside the city gate, the common people heard the shout of the Silver Armor Knight and knew what had happened. They pushed hard on the city gate, and the huge gate was pushed open with a loud rumble. Inside the city gate, the common people cried out loudly for her to come back.

  Nalan Xixiao's eyes were red-rimmed. She struggled to keep her eyes open and prevent tears from falling.

  On the carriage, Huangfu Ling slowly walked out. Behind him, Nangong Yan had already been untied. Huangfu Ling looked at Nalan Xianyu with a cold smile. Immediately, the soldiers beside him pushed Nangong Yan to Nalan Xianyu's side.

  Nangong Yan didn't hesitate and ran towards the city gate. She still had many things to do. Nalan Xianyu looked at him coldly. Huangfu said coldly, "It's time to end this."

  The city gate opened with a loud rumble, and Nangong Yan rushed in. Suddenly, the civilians surged out of the city. Narlan Xianuo was taken aback for a moment before turning around and shouting loudly: "Don't come over!"

  The common people did not hesitate. Yaoyao's mother and the little beggar ran ahead. "Mother, come back quickly..."

  Huang Pu Ling coldly laughed and said, "Attack."

  Behind him, the crossbowmen stood in a row, ready to fire. The leader of the crossbowmen waved his hand and shouted loudly, "Fire!"

  "Don't..." Nalan Xiong's head turned back in shock. A shrill cry pierced the sky, drowning in a rain of arrows.