The next day.
The news that the Marquis of Dingbei was about to set out on a military expedition had spread to every corner of Lige City.
As a highly respected general in Lixia and the dream lover of many young ladies in boudoirs, Lu Yan's departure was as eye - catching as his arrival in Lige City a few months ago.
The entire Wutong Long Street was packed with people, stretching all the way to the General's Platform. However, everyone failed to see the expected sight of Lu Yan in armor, commanding a large army. On the General's Platform, Lu Yan walked up slowly in his battle gear and then knelt down respectfully in front of King Xia Jie.
Behind him, there were only Xu Ruhui and Chen Luo.
Under the watchful eyes of the common people, King Xia Jie handed the marshal's seal to Lu Yan.
At this moment, history was made—Lu Yan became the first general in Lixia to take command of an army without an existing military force.
The common people were in an uproar. Even those young ladies who adored Lu Yan sensed something amiss. They nervously clutched their handkerchiefs and looked worriedly at Lu Yan kneeling on the General's Platform.
Chen Qi walked onto the platform holding the imperial edict in both hands and began to read out the edict appointing Lu Yan as the marshal. Since Lu Yan had no army, the edict was read out amidst the sighs of the common people. After that, King Xia Jie returned to his dragon throne and sat there, propping his head up with his hand, looking tiredly at Lu Yan, who was kneeling in the middle of the General's Platform in his armor.
After a while, he slightly parted his lips and said, "Begin."
Chang Changqing and Shen Yu, who were standing beside him, received the order and began to direct the people from the Divination Hall to conduct the sacrifice before the army set out. Of course, since there was no army, this sacrifice was not as long - winded as usual.
Chen Luo stood under the platform with his arms folded across his chest, looking at Lu Yan on the General's Platform, and said with a smile, "The Marquis of Dingbei taking command alone can be said to have made history."
Lu Yan didn't like Chen Luo, and naturally Xu Ruhui had no good impression of him either. He glanced at Chen Luo and sneered, "Don't you think your position here makes you look like the soldier he brought?"
Chen Luo glanced at Xu Ruhui, frowned, and said, "Is this how the Marquis of Dingbei teaches his subordinates?"
Xu Ruhui looked straight ahead without blinking and said, "Who said I'm his subordinate? I'm his elder."
Chen Luo: "… Your relationships in the Northern Kingdom are really complicated."
Xu Ruhui said, "I dare not say so, but it's better than you coming and going alone."
Chen Luo felt embarrassed and changed the topic. He continued maliciously, "Isn't your marquis on good terms with the young master of the Shen family? How come he's taking command, but that person didn't come to see him off?"
Xu Ruhui said, "What business is it of yours about my senior brother's private affairs? You'd better think about yourself."
Chen Luo snorted and said, "How dare you talk to this marquis like this? Do you believe that this marquis will send someone to kill you?"
"Talk to me after you can beat my senior brother."
"How did he become your senior brother again?"
"Oh, I, his elder, allow you to fight with him first."
Chen Luo: "…"
He was too lazy to argue with Xu Ruhui anymore. He looked around on his own. Unexpectedly, this glance shocked him. He saw a person with an indistinct face hiding in the crowd. The person's eyes were full of murderous intent, glaring at him as if they wanted to skin and gut him alive. He shivered all over and took a step back.
He was about to call for someone when unexpectedly his body was suddenly bumped by Xu Ruhui beside him. He let out an "ouch" and staggered. When he finally stood steady, he couldn't see that person anymore.
"Hey, chatterbox, did you see that strange guy just now?!" Chen Luo nudged Xu Ruhui with his elbow and pointed in that direction.
"No." Xu Ruhui replied without thinking.
"Don't you even look?" Chen Luo got a bit angry. "Then why did you bump into this marquis just now?"
"I was squeezed and couldn't stand steady." Xu Ruhui lied.
Chen Luo frowned and looked at him, then snorted and turned his head, muttering, "Just wait. When I get to Xiqin, will your Marquis of Dingbei still be as arrogant as he is now? To defend against the Western Rong tribe, he'll still have to come and discuss things with this marquis..."
Xu Ruhui didn't listen to him anymore. In his sleeve, he tightly held the dagger that the person had given him last night.
On the General's Platform, Shen Yu was finishing up the final part of the sacrifice. He slowly retracted the flaming ritual staff in his hand and spun it in the air to form the shape of a war - horse totem. Then he said seriously, "Pacify the enemies and stabilize the country, and show the might of Lixia. Marquis of Dingbei, it's time to set out on your expedition."
-
Shen Qingfeng was standing on a small hillside on the outskirts of Lige City, dressed in white. His long hat covered his face tightly. Beside him was a carriage that Shen Shiqiu had arranged in advance.
The spring was still a bit cold, and the gentle breeze blew. Shen Qingfeng felt a bit cold. He rubbed his hands together. A Man, who was standing beside him, quickly took out a warm hand - warmer from his bosom and handed it to Shen Qingfeng, complaining, "I said the young master would be cold. You didn't believe me at first. Now it's okay. Fortunately, I made full preparations..."
Shen Qingfeng laughed a few times, reached out his hand and stroked A Man's small head, and said softly, "Yes, A Man is really thoughtful."
A Man turned his head and snorted, saying, "We've been waiting for a long time. Why haven't they come yet?"
Shen Qingfeng was also a bit anxious. But Shen Shiqiu had told him that he had arranged everything about Qi Siyu properly and told him not to worry, so Shen Qingfeng didn't say anything more.
"It's already Chenshi (7 - 9 am)." A Man said.
Hearing this, Shen Qingfeng was stunned for a moment. It was already Chenshi. In Lige City, Lu Yan should have already taken command and set out. He wondered if he could see Lu Yan's departure from this remote place.
Just as he was thinking, A Man's eyes suddenly lit up. He pointed in the direction of Lige City and said, "Young master! Young master! Look, isn't that the person we've been waiting for?"
Shen Qingfeng looked in the direction A Man pointed. In the distance, there was a figure carrying another person and rushing towards them quickly. It was Mo Yunchen and Qi Siyu.
A Man jumped up happily and said, "This morning, the master said that Wang Mazi from the Qi Mansion would definitely be reliable. I was still wondering if an informant with such an ugly name was trustworthy!"
As they were talking, Mo Yunchen had already used his light - body skill and reached in front of the two of them. Both he and Qi Siyu were wearing the clothes of the Qi family's servants. Presumably, they hadn't had time to change after disguising themselves.
Shen Qingfeng was just about to say something when he saw that Qi Siyu on Mo Yunchen's back had his eyes tightly closed and his face was an unnatural red. He was shocked and quickly asked, "What's going on?!"
Mo Yunchen gasped for breath, shook his head, and after putting Qi Siyu on the carriage, he turned around and said, "He has a fever."
Shen Qingfeng frowned and asked, "How did he get a fever?"
Mo Yunchen sighed. He held Qi Siyu's hand and said remorsefully, "This guy, Siyu... He refused to eat or drink to resist the arranged marriage and even threatened to jump into the pond to commit suicide..."
Hearing this, Shen Qingfeng sighed. He took out his money bag from his bosom and handed it to Mo Yunchen, saying, "Siyu is a man of true feelings. Well, take this travel money. Now go far away to the south of the Yangtze River. You need to make proper arrangements on the way. Siyu is still sick. You two should leave Lige quickly and then find a doctor to treat him."
Mo Yunchen held the money bag in his hand and looked at Shen Qingfeng gratefully. Then he took a step back and bowed deeply to Shen Qingfeng, saying sincerely, "I, Mo Yunchen, will never forget the kindness that Young Master Shen and the Shen family have shown to the two of us. If there's anything you need me to do in the future, I will surely remember today's kindness and do my best to help!"