Chapter 84

Half a month after Yan Mingting left, there was nothing unusual in the General’s Mansion, but Zhao Yelan was a little busier, leaving early and returning late every day, often called into the palace to discuss issues with Nanjiang, and at the same time did not give up continuing to search for Zhao Xu trail.

Judging from the current situation, Zhao Xu may have fled to southern Xinjiang, united with the new king to seize the power in southern Xinjiang, and then triggered a war with the Xuan Dynasty in an attempt to usurp the throne.

But Zhao Yelan also suspected that Zhao Xu probably hadn’t escaped yet, he must still be hiding in a corner, and he should have been in touch with Nanjiang a long time ago, so he was afraid that Zhao Xu still had eyes and ears in the capital.

He informed Zhao Xuan of these concerns, and Zhao Xuan replaced the imperial army with a group of loyal people, and then searched the officials’ mansions, searching almost three feet into the ground, but found no one.

Zhao Xuan even believed that the people had fled to southern Xinjiang, and waited for Yan Mingting to execute these wolf-minded people on the spot.

“The army has been traveling day and night, and has reached the border of southern Xinjiang.” Zhao Xuan handed him the brochure.

There were only a few concise words on it, reporting the itinerary and the next battle plan, but Zhao Yelan looked at it for a long time, as if he wanted to see every stroke and every stroke grow old.

Zhao Xuan snatched the notebook from his hand: “If you keep reading, it will be dark.”

Zhao Yelan smiled mischievously.

“Did he not write to you?” Zhao Xuan asked curiously.

“wrote.”

Of course it was written, but it was different from the solemn tone in the booklet, the letter to him was full of Yan Mingting’s distinct personal style.

If you see any strange flowers and birds on the road, you must describe them in detail, and then include a feather or flower petal in the letter.

Even if you are on a hard journey, you will complain for a whole page, and between the lines reveals your desire to ask for comfort, so it will not be just a short sentence “I have reached the border smoothly all the way” on the booklet.

Yan Mingting probably came to write letters whenever he was free, so Zhao Yelan received one or two letters almost every day, as if this person had never traveled far, and kept nagging in his ear.

He would write back too, and after receiving the feathers and petals, he sent some freshly roasted tea from the house.

Yan Mingting murmured thinking about him in the letter, so he drew a small portrait of himself, but when he picked up the pen, he smiled viciously and drew a half-cloaked portrait.

When Yan Mingting opened it, he almost had a nosebleed, and then sent Feng Yanshi back to him.

When Zhao Yelan received the letter, he couldn’t help but blushed slightly, thinking that he was becoming more and more shameless, but if the letter was stolen, he would have no face to live in this world.

“What are you thinking? Why are you still blushing?” Zhao Xuan asked.

Zhao Yelan came back to his senses: “Your Majesty was wrong, I just… feel a little hot, and it’s too hot today.”

“It’s raining outside.” Zhao Xuan pointed to the rain curtain outside.

“…”

There was a lot of rain in spring, and it never stopped, so Zhao Xuan asked him to stay for a meal. The two of them were eating and chatting about the current situation, which really reminded them of the scene of the past.

Zhao Xuan noticed that he had been looking at the rain outside and the flowers in the rain, and asked, “Are you still afraid of the rain?”

Zhao Yelan was stunned for a moment and looked away. Many images suddenly appeared in his mind, and finally disappeared like a passing cloud. He shook his head and laughed: “When it rains, I haven’t thought of my parents for a long time.”

“Then what are you thinking?”

Zhao Yelan looked sideways, looking at the rain-drenched flower outside the door, remembering that at this time last year, he also looked at the withered flowers and plants in the mansion like this, his heart was ashamed, as if the whole world was full of rain and rain, and he had no hope for the future. Not a single ray of light could be seen.

“I was wondering when will the sun come out?” Zhao Yelan smiled.

“It’s already You hour, even if the rain stops, the sun won’t come out.”

Zhao Yelan nodded, thinking that his sun had already come out.

After the army entered southern Xinjiang, there were fewer letters. Firstly, the journey was long, and secondly, Yan Mingting became busy.

Yan Mingting did not attack Southern Xinjiang directly, but first went to meet several other princes in secret. After finding allies, he decided to rescue the former Southern Xinjiang king together, and was willing to help them clean up the internal affairs in the name of helping them, on the condition that the original friendly countries be restored relationship, regular pilgrimage.

The people in southern Xinjiang have been divided into two factions, those who advocate war and those who advocate peace. Not long after the civil strife broke out, Yan Mingting led a large army into the Xuan Dynasty, making the situation even more severe.

The newly-appointed king and eighth princess of Nanjiang directly lead troops to confront Yan Mingting head-on, threatening to drive foreigners and traitors out of southern Xinjiang, and a war is imminent.

The terrain in southern Xinjiang is remote and rugged, which is not conducive to immediate combat. In addition, the poisonous poison in southern Xinjiang is very powerful, and the Eighth Princess and others dared to usurp the throne and lead the war in advance because they had already made sufficient preparations for the battle, so this battle was not a problem. Not an easy task.

Before leaving, Yan Mingting said that the battle in southern Xinjiang was easy in order to reassure Zhao Yelan, but he knew that no war was easy.

Zhao Yelan has not received a letter for five days. The last letter said that he has reached a cooperation with several Southern Xinjiang princes. Although these people are not very smart, at least they are famous for their talents, and they understand the local terrain and environment. , can give some guidance to the army.

Zhao Yelan estimated the time, it should be in a state of war now, and finally it was no longer calm, and it was difficult to sleep or eat.

When everything was quiet at night, Xiao Gao heard movement outside, and ran out quickly, saw Zhao Yelan running, and quickly chased after him: “My lord, why don’t you rest?”

“I couldn’t sleep, so I just got up and exercised.” Zhao Yelan said panting.

He lay in the room for a long time, and when he closed his eyes, he saw Yan Mingting’s figure in battle. He was always worried, because he couldn’t see it with his own eyes, so he was even more worried. Touching the cold mattress next to the pillow, I felt no drowsiness, so I simply got up and stretched my muscles and bones to make myself stronger.

If there is another time, he must follow in person.

“My lord, you can’t run like this.” Seeing that he had lost the strength to walk, Xiao Gao was still struggling to run forward, persuading him, “The body also has limits, so be careful to hurt yourself until the general comes back.” , it’s my fault that I didn’t like you.”

As soon as Zhao Yelan heard this, he leaned against the pillar next to him and stopped, gasping for breath, and asked with a smile: “Then what will you tell him when he comes back?”

“I’ll tell him that we all miss him, and I can give him all the candied haws I bought recently.” Xiao Gao said generously.

Zhao Yelan laughed, laughed, and suddenly coughed again.

“Oops, the wind is very cold at night, my lord, go back to the house quickly, don’t catch the cold.” Xiao Gao began to worry about his body again. He didn’t need to worry about these things when the general was here. The adults took good care of her, and she hasn’t caught a cold for a long time.

If your lord gets sick again while the general is away, it will be his fault!

Xiao Gao took him back to the room in a panic, then ran to the kitchen to make medicine, brought it back to the room, and said cautiously: “It’s been raining recently, just in case, sir, why don’t you drink some medicine first?”

In fact, Zhao Yelan just sneezed twice suddenly, and he felt that there was nothing serious about it, but when he looked at the medicine bowl, he decided to drink it up in one gulp, fearing that he would really get sick, and it would be bad if Yan Mingting came back to see it .

Three days later, the imperial court received a note from the front line. The current battle is fierce, but they have the upper hand.

Zhao Xuan sent someone to the Hanlin Academy to inform Zhao Yelan. After receiving the news, Zhao Yelan heaved a sigh of relief and ate a lot faster.

Ruan Xian and the others sat around eating and discussed with him what happened on the battlefield. Although these civil servants usually thought the generals were rude, at this time, they couldn’t help but admire them.

Zhao Yelan briefly told them about the current situation, and then hurried to the Ministry of War to make sure whether the food and grass were sufficient and whether the delivery team was going well.

After confirming these things, he went back to the General’s Mansion to ask if there was any letter today, and Butler Tan hurriedly handed him the letter received in the morning.

He quickly opened the letter and read it word by word, with a smile on his face.

“What did the general say in the letter?” Seeing his long-lost smile, Butler Tan guessed that it was good news, and couldn’t help asking.

“He’s coming back.” Zhao Yelan said.

The report to the imperial court used a conservative statement, but the letter to him stated that the Eighth Princess’ party was at the end of its strength and would be able to return to the imperial court within a month.

“He’s coming back!” Zhao Yelan repeated again.

“I heard it, I heard it, the old slave heard it.” Butler Tan turned around with a smile and told the others the good news.

Zhao Yelan still had to go to the Hanlin Academy. He packed the letter, didn’t even sit in the sedan chair, and rushed over quickly all the way. As he walked, he suddenly laughed and trotted forward.

At the corner, he accidentally bumped into someone.

“Oh, where are you going in such a hurry?” the other party asked.

Upon hearing a familiar voice, Zhao Yelan raised his head to look at Gu Niaoyou, and said with a smile, “Yan Mingting is coming back.”

“That’s great, it’s a good thing.” Gu Niao said.

Zhao Yelan nodded and asked her, “Where are you going?”

“Don’t mention it, there is a difficult guest in the building, I have to help him find something.” Gu Niao said.

“need my help?”

“No need, I can handle it.” Gu Niaoyou twitched the corners of her mouth and asked again, “When the army returns triumphantly, won’t the emperor come out to greet him personally?”

“Should be, to show respect and reward.”

“That’s right. Well, I won’t talk to you anymore, I have to go to work.”

Just as Zhao Yelan walked away from her, she heard her call out to him again.

“Zhao Yelan, take care of your health during this time.”

“Hmm.” Seeing that she hesitated to speak, Zhao Yelan asked, “Is there anything else?”

“Also… a new batch of tea and spices arrived in the building, let Xiao Gao come over to pick them up some other day.” Gu Youyou smiled, “You know, I only give the best things to my friends.”

Zhao Yelan smiled at the corner of his mouth: “Okay, I’ll send someone to pick it up when Yan Mingting comes back. I’ve been busy recently.”

“it is good.”

Ten days later, the imperial court received good news from the front line that the second prince and the eighth princess had been captured by Yan Mingting and beheaded personally. The old king of Nanjiang was rescued by Yan Mingting, and he sat back on the seat of king of Nanjiang again, and signed an agreement to make Yongshi a good friend with the Xuan Dynasty and pay tribute in pilgrimage.

Zhao Yelan wrote the edict together with several scholars, and when it was handed over to the palace, Zhao Xuan jokingly asked him what reward he would seek for Yan Mingting this time.

Zhao Yelan said: “This time, I just beg Your Majesty not to give him another marriage.”

Zhao Xuan frowned slightly, and said in embarrassment, “It won’t happen this time.”

Zhao Yelan smiled: “Speaking of which, we both have to thank His Majesty for the marriage contract.”

Zhao Xuan smiled helplessly, then looked at him intently: “Mengting.”

Zhao Yelan was taken aback. He hadn’t mentioned this name for a long time, so he was in a daze.

“You’ve never really liked me, have you?”

Zhao Yelan was dumb, silent for a moment, finally raised his head and looked into his eyes: “Yes.”

Zhao Xuan put her hands behind her back, her fingers clenched tightly, but she let go helplessly. Ever since Zhao Yelan stopped hiding his affection for Yan Mingting, he could more or less see what it was like for Zhao Yelan to really like someone.

After a long time of falsehood, he will take it seriously, but when he sees that the other party is sincere, he will find how ridiculous it is to make the falsehood come true.

The two were quiet for a long time, then Zhao Xuan suddenly smiled: “I’m just pretending to be passionate, but you’re right if you don’t like me, because I will never give up the country just because I marry a man.”

The corner of Zhao Yelan’s mouth curled up: “Yes.”

“Only Yan Mingting doesn’t matter. He’s short-sighted, and you are short-sighted. You should let him marry you.”

“Yeah.” The smile in Zhao Yelan’s eyes deepened, “Your Majesty knows everything.”

After the two talked, they both felt unprecedentedly relaxed. Zhao Xuan has been sitting on the throne for a long time, and he is no longer as tense as he was in the first few days. Instead, he wants to get back to the most simple state, such as one or two close friends, or a bosom friend.

“Okay, if you have nothing to do, you can go back first, I have to go to Concubine Xian to have dinner.” Zhao Xuan said.

Zhao Yelan returned to the General’s Mansion and opened the letter he received today. Yan Mingting said in the letter that he had not found any trace of Zhao Xu in southern border, so he had to send some people to stay and help the king of southern border deal with follow-up matters while continuing to search in southern border.

And he himself will hurry back to see him.

Lying on the bed, Zhao Yelan read the letter several times before folding it and placing it under Yan Mingting’s pillow.

It has been forty-six days since Yan Mingting left, and there are thirty-nine letters stored under the pillow.

Soon, these letters will be replaced by people.

Thinking of this, a smile appeared in Zhao Yelan’s eyes, and he fell asleep on Yan Mingting’s seat.

According to the regular journey, it would take more than 20 days from southern Xinjiang to the capital, but if Yan Mingting was on the road day and night, it would be at least half as fast.

So from the eighth day after receiving the letter, Zhao Yelan began to guard the gate of the city.

He was bumped into by Li Yucheng several times, and Li Yucheng laughed at him: “Oh, Wangfushi is going to the gate of the city again!”

Zhao Yelan kicked his ass: “Go do your business.”

Li Yucheng covered his **** and laughed: “I said, can you pay attention to your image in public?”

Zhao Yelan was startled, and subconsciously thought he was talking about his appearance, and then remembered that he always only fell asleep in the middle of the night these days, so he must be very haggard.

“Go and find Yin Pinglu.” Zhao Yelan ordered.

Then, Li Yucheng stood in the rouge shop, watching Yin Pinglu choose the powder cream for Zhao Yelan, he really… had to give a thumbs up.

“In terms of beauty, it has to be you, Zhao Yelan.”

Zhao Yelan started to go to bed early and get up early, and every day when he came back from the Imperial Academy, he would go back to the mansion, put on the best clothes and go to the gate of the city to wait.

After such a few days, everyone in the city knew about it, and they went to the gate of the city to see the excitement when they had nothing to do, which turned into a wonderful sight.

On this day, Zhao Yelan came to the city gate again, and when he heard Li Yucheng calling him, he turned his head and saw that this fellow had placed a chair beside him.

“Come on, I’ve prepared a special seat for you. How tiring it is to stand all day long.” Li Yucheng said.

Zhao Yelan gave him a blank look, and sat down on it grandly.

Li Yucheng handed him another bunch of grapes.

There were still people shouting under the city tower: “Master Zhao, do you want to buy some melon seeds?”

“Master Zhao, I have sweet candied fruit for sale!”

“Master Zhao, candied haws! I’m selling candied haws, which is General Yan’s favorite!”

Zhao Yelan: “…”

The setting sun began to fall towards the west, dyeing half of the sky red, and the common people also put away their minds of watching the excitement, and went about their own affairs, and the streets were full of people coming and going.

At this time, there was a sound of horse honking in the distance.

It is Yan Mingting’s hard-earned horse.

Zhao Ye suddenly stood up from the chair and looked far away, only seeing the figure of the fast horse running down the city wall in a hurry.

“Oh, slow down.” Li Yucheng watched in horror from behind, afraid that he would fall down the city wall. Fortunately, Xiao Gao immediately followed, which made people feel more at ease.

Zhao Yelan hurried to the outside of the city gate. Hearing the sound of horseshoes getting closer and closer, he couldn’t help being overjoyed. His heart was about to jump out. He pretended to be calm and straightened his hair and clothes.

“How do I look now?” Zhao Yelan asked Li Yucheng.

“It’s so good-looking.” Li Yucheng nodded fiercely.

Zhao Yelan looked forward again until he saw sweaty horses appearing in the center of his field of vision little by little, but his smile gradually froze.

He frowned slightly, and looked at Li Yucheng and Xiao Gao suspiciously. The two obviously didn’t expect this to happen, and were even more surprised than him.

Zhao Yelan walked slowly to the side of the horse, looked up at the horse’s back, there was no one on it, and looked at the road ahead, there was still no sign of Yan Mingting.

He turned his head to look at the sweaty horse, and his tone became cold: “Where is your master? Why are you back?”

The horse raised its head and neighed, then leaned its head over and rubbed against him.

“I asked you something! Why did you come back by yourself? What about your master? Where did you take him?!” Zhao Yelan pushed its head away, his eyes were red, and he shouted hoarsely.