They had been companions since childhood and stayed together as they came of age. Their bond was even closer than that between Feng Jingye and Feng Linyuan in their youth.
Moreover, Feng Zhen knew when to yield. He always silently stood by Feng Linche's side, protecting him, as well as his country and people all the way.
Yet, it was this very man who was ultimately killed on the battlefield because of Feng Linche.
The emperor's hand finally trembled slightly.
Today, if Feng Zhen were here, how could he, Feng Linche, have ended up in such a plight?
After all, Feng Zhen was the only one in the world who would never betray or abandon him, no matter how he treated him.
A place in his heart that had always been as hard as iron suddenly ached. Feng Linche's eyes turned red. His lips quivering, he staggered towards Feng Linyuan, step by step.
"I, I know..."
But Feng Linyuan didn't even look at him. He just turned around and left with Bai Zheng.
"I know I was wrong... A Zhen..."
The words of repentance vanished into the air as soon as they were spoken. No one knew if the departing person or the one far away could hear them.
As soon as Feng Linyuan stepped out of the imperial study, his thin lips were tightly pursed, and his face was as cold as water.
Bai Zheng knew he was in a bad mood. She gently held his hand all the time and quietly accompanied him as he knelt in front of the memorial tablets of the ancestors of the Marquis of Dingyuan's Mansion.
It wasn't until he had composed his emotions and the lines on his face softened a bit that he waved his hand to let Feng Jingyi, who was waiting outside, come in.
"Congratulations, Your Highness the Fifth Prince. I heard that His Majesty has named you the crown prince?" Bai Zheng was the first to speak.
Feng Linche's health had deteriorated significantly, and he could no longer manage the court. Without someone to suppress him, Feng Jingyi no longer had to be cautious. Even his whole demeanor had become more imposing and amiable, which was something the former Feng Jingyi had never been.
Bai Zheng was truly happy for him.
Feng Jingyi nodded. "Zhuo Yi and Princess Yunxi of the Western Liang killed the crown prince of our Great Zhou and forced their way into the palace. Their crimes are heinous. They have now been beheaded in public. It's just that... there will surely be a fierce battle with the Western Liang."
As he said this, he looked at Feng Linyuan hesitantly. "My lord, could you..."
Since Zhuo Lingxiao's death, the two countries had been at odds with each other.
Moreover, Feng Jingye had really died at the hands of Princess Yunxi. Empress Chu had issued an order to behead her as soon as she was rescued.
A fierce battle between the Great Zhou and the Western Liang was now inevitable.
And at present, in the court of the Great Zhou, was there anyone more suitable than Feng Linyuan?
The Marquis of Dingyuan's Mansion had always been the nemesis of the Western Liang.
Bai Zheng sighed in her heart. She could guess Feng Linyuan's answer without even thinking.
"My lord, I understand Your Highness's request. Please go back first. I'd like to have a chat with my lord."
She said softly.
Feng Jingyi frowned. He seemed afraid that Feng Linyuan would not agree, so he gritted his teeth and added a few more words. "I'll clean up all the problems in the court. My lord doesn't have to worry about any distractions. I won't let go of any of those who owe debts to the Marquis's Mansion and the Changping Army."
Feng Linyuan nodded.
Feng Jingyi had said all he could. Seeing this situation, although he didn't want to leave, there was nothing he could do. He had no choice but to walk out reluctantly.
After Feng Jingyi left, only Feng Linyuan and Bai Zheng were left in the room.
Bai Zheng walked behind Feng Linyuan, wrapped her arms around his waist, and leaned her upper body against his back.
"I won't stop you." She whispered. "But you have to take me with you."
Feng Linyuan frowned. He turned around and pulled Bai Zheng into his arms, making her sit on his lap. He carefully chose his words. "Not to mention that it's a long journey of thousands of miles. You've never been on a long trip before, and you may not be acclimatized. Just the fact that the swords and arrows on the battlefield are ruthless, I may not be able to protect you well..."
"If you don't take me, you won't be able to leave this door." Bai Zheng pouted and rarely showed a stubborn attitude like a woman.
Feng Linyuan took a deep breath twice. "Zheng'er, I can agree to anything else, but this is too dangerous. After all, this is a war."
Bai Zheng looked directly into his eyes. She wasn't angry. Instead, there was a smile on her lips as she asked, "What about you? Why do you have to go? All the debts of revenge have been repaid. Feng Linche has even issued a 'Decree of Self - Blame'. The wars of the Great Zhou will never end. You're not the savior of the Great Zhou."
"I know." Feng Linyuan stared into Bai Zheng's eyes and said quietly. "But I'm still the Marquis of Dingyuan of the Great Zhou after all. I can't just watch the people of the Great Zhou be caught in the war, become displaced, and be separated from their wives and children... while I act as if it has nothing to do with me. I, I can't do it."
What Feng Linyuan didn't say was that on the mourning hall, the ancestors of the Marquis's Mansion through the generations were all watching him. Moreover, the Western Liang still owed him 100,000 lives.
"If you can't do it, neither can I." Bai Zheng replied calmly. "Back then, my grandfather went to the battlefield, and my grandmother resolutely followed him. She even left my newly - born uncle behind for this.
I never thought I was similar to my grandmother before. Now it seems that she is truly my real grandmother."
As she said this, as if remembering the angry look on He's face whenever she saw her, she twitched her lips. "My grandfather had the ability and courage to protect my grandmother back then. How come the magnificent Marquis of Dingyuan is so timid?"
These words left Feng Linyuan speechless.
The story of Bai Qiying taking his wife to fight on the border back then had once been a beautiful tale in Yongding City. Otherwise, he wouldn't have heard about it even after decades.
"You have to believe me." Seeing his expression soften, Bai Zheng looked up and smiled gently. Her smile was full of proud frost - like charm.
"I once told you that I don't want to be a woman confined to the inner courtyard. Although life is just a few decades, I want to see the boundless rivers and mountains with you.
Not just blindly hiding behind you, but being a woman who stands by your side and walks shoulder to shoulder with you."
Hearing these words, Feng Linyuan was a bit dazed. As time seemed to overlap, he seemed to see the former Bai Zheng sitting in the carriage, with one foot hanging by her side and the other tucked under her body, lazy and unrestrained.
A complex look flashed across his eyes quickly, but it disappeared in an instant.
"A Yuan, let Zheng'er accompany you to conquer this world. How about that?" Bai Zheng's voice rang out again. It was still calm, with a touch of elegance and the coquettishness of a fifteen - year - old girl.
Feng Linyuan looked at her. The woman in front of him had a pair of clear black - and - white eyes. When she said these words, her eyes were so bright that they seemed to hold the entire starry sky.
The summer evening breeze passed through the courtyard gate, blew through her black hair, and made the hairpins on her head jingle.
"Okay."
He heard his own clear voice.
***The End***
Thank you all for your support over the past year. I'll write a few side stories to fill in some of the holes in the story if I get the chance.
Ah, I'm really reluctant to part with Zheng'er and the Marquis!
I hope this story has touched your heart.
I also hope that you can have someone like Zheng'er's companion, who will accompany you to see the boundless rivers and mountains.