AMLFS Chapter 94
by VolareChapter 95: Sickness
Another half month passed, and Zhao Fangye’s troops finally arrived in the Northwest.
This vast and barren land became their temporary refuge.
As soon as Zhao Fangye’s army entered the city, the people of the city came out to welcome them.
Every commoner’s face was filled with enthusiastic smiles, holding some of their own food, waiting for the soldiers to pass by so they could hand it to them.
However, Zhao Fangye’s army had strict discipline, and the soldiers were not allowed to privately accept the people’s offerings. Due to military regulations, the soldiers did not accept anything but verbally thanked the people along the way.
Such a scene of harmony between the army and the people was rarely seen in the capital. The common people of the capital had a sense of fear towards the soldiers.
The Song family also lifted the car curtain to observe. Although it was the barren Northwest, the commoners here were not the miserable people they had imagined.
On the contrary, the people were very enthusiastic and simple, without any sense of barbarism or lack of education from a barren land.
Everyone was dressed decently, with healthy and rosy complexions.
Song Zigen lifted the car curtain and looked at the people of the Northwest, nodding slightly with approval in his eyes.
It was not easy for Zhao Fangye to manage such a barren and desolate land in the Northwest in such an orderly manner, and to protect the people from foreign invasions. This showed that Zhao Fangye was not as cruel and ruthless as the rumors said.
It was just those censor officials in the capital who indiscriminately smeared him without distinguishing right from wrong.
As soon as they entered the Northwest city, Zhao Fangye immediately began to deploy his forces with several of his subordinates.
With the Crown Prince in his hands, Noble Consort Xiao and the Chancellor wouldn’t dare to act rashly for the time being. But they wouldn’t just sit and wait for death either.
Zhao Fangye knew that his forces were not yet sufficient to overthrow the entire court.
What those ministers said in the court in the past, that he possessed a million troops, was nothing but nonsense.
The national strength of the imperial court had weakened in recent years. The power of the aristocratic families was deeply entrenched. This time, Zhao Fangye wanted to eradicate their generations of glory.
These maggots attached to the decaying dynasty would never allow anyone to end their breeding ground and shake their power. Relying on his strength alone was definitely not enough to contend with the court.
Therefore, General Sikou Lanfeng, who was stationed in the south, came into his view.
Lanfeng came from a family of generals, was brave and good at fighting, and had a high prestige in the army. Her father was also a fierce general in his early years. It was only that he had retired behind the scenes in recent years.
If he could win her over to his camp, the troops in her hands would undoubtedly be a powerful help to Zhao Fangye. Thinking of this, Zhao Fangye immediately wrote a letter and had someone send it to the south with all speed.
This time, Sikou Lanfeng’s arrival not only transferred a large part of the southern troops but also brought a personal secret letter from the old general.
In the study, Zhao Fangye explained the various matters and asked everyone to go down and handle them. After everyone left, Sikou Lanfeng looked at Zhao Fangye, who was standing in front of the terrain map, and said, “Your Highness, my father ordered me to bring a letter. He said to present it to Your Highness for your personal inspection.”
As she spoke, Sikou Lanfeng took out a secret letter sealed with wax from her bosom and handed it to Zhao Fangye.
This letter was entrusted to her by her father before she left, instructing her to bring it to Zhao Fangye. She didn’t know what was written in it. She only followed her father’s wishes and carefully kept it until she personally presented it to Prince Zhao of the Ning district.
Hearing this, Zhao Fangye turned around. His eyes fell on the letter in her hand. His face was still indifferent and expressionless. However, he already understood in his heart.
To be able to agree so readily to be his assistant, there must be a motive.
He thought that he had already retired behind the scenes to enjoy his old age, and that power and wealth should not be what he was seeking.
The only…
Zhao Fangye’s eyes fell on Sikou Lanfeng, and he reached out to take the letter and open it. The content of the letter was concise, with only a few words.
Sikou Lanfeng stood behind him and saw Zhao Fangye chuckle after reading the contents. The laughter contained a bit of ridicule and seemed disdainful.
Seeing this, she guessed that there must be something offensive written in the letter and quickly knelt down to apologize: “My father…”
Before the words of apology could be said, she saw Zhao Fangye’s light-colored eyes fall on her without a trace of warmth. His tone was indifferent and emotionless as he said, “It seems that he is very considerate of you, his daughter.”
After saying that, he threw the letter on the ground and turned back to look at the terrain map on the wall.
Sikou Lanfeng felt a faint sense of unease about Zhao Fangye’s words. She hurriedly picked up the letter from the ground and, after quickly reading it, broke out in a cold sweat.
Her father was really senile!
He dared to propose the absurd idea of making her the Empress to Zhao Fangye. In recent days, everyone with discerning eyes could see the weight of the Ning Wang Consort in Prince Zhao of the Ning district’s heart.
Forcing her to squeeze in was just courting death, wasn’t it? Moreover, she had finally had the opportunity to gallop on the battlefield, so how could she be willing to return to the palace walls and be confined to the harem!
“Your Highness! My father is senile! Lanfeng would never dare to covet the position of Empress. Moreover, my ambition and ideal is to fight on the battlefield and make contributions to the country. Please forgive me, Your Highness! Please don’t take my father’s muddled words to heart.”
Sikou Lanfeng’s words were earnest, and she prostrated herself on the ground after speaking. However, she was a little uneasy in her heart, not knowing if her explanation would be accepted by Zhao Fangye.
Zhao Fangye’s eyes were still on the terrain map on the wall, even though Sikou Lanfeng’s heart had been sinking and floating several times. On the contrary, he still had the same indifferent expression, as if this was just an insignificant matter.
Finally, after Sikou Lanfeng’s heart had risen to her throat for the nth time, Zhao Fangye’s eyes finally moved away from the terrain map and fell on Sikou Lanfeng, who was kneeling on the ground.
It was still the same calm voice: “General Lanfeng, there’s no need to be nervous. The old general is just anxious about his daughter. How could this Prince punish you? Moreover, this Prince still needs General Lanfeng’s help. It’s understandable that the old general asked this Prince for a favor.”
Hearing this, Sikou Lanfeng hurriedly said, “I only hope to be able to gallop on the battlefield and have my own achievements. Although I am a woman, my ambition and ideals are no less than those of a man! Love is not what I seek, and I ask Your Highness to allow me to display my ambition!”
“I didn’t expect General Lanfeng to have such ambition and vision. What a remarkable woman. How could this Prince not fulfill your wish? Since that’s the case, this Prince will grant you this favor.” Zhao Fangye’s expression was indifferent, and his sharp eyebrows and eyes were still stern. Only the corners of his lips carried an imperceptible smile.
He was very satisfied with Sikou Lanfeng’s understanding of the situation.
Because he was preparing for the rebellion, Zhao Fangye had been leaving early and returning late during this period. Song Huaixi was very bored staying in the city alone, so he loved to go and play with Sikou Lanfeng.
In comparison, Sikou Lanfeng had fewer matters to deal with. Every time Song Huaixi went to find her, she was always happy to take the time to play with him.
Ever since Song Huaixi saw Sikou Lanfeng, he had been attracted by her special temperament. He had never seen a woman like her. So strong, so unrestrained.
She perfectly combined the gentleness of a woman and the perseverance of a man. She had strength, was powerful, and confident. Her face was always filled with the joy of pursuing dreams and ambitions. There was no fear, no social persuasion.
So free and unrestrained.
Song Huaixi admired her very much, feeling that she was sometimes like a big sister and sometimes like a hero.
On the vast grassland, Song Huaixi straddled a small mare, his eyes sparkling with excitement and nervousness.
Lanfeng stood aside, her figure tall and straight, with a hearty smile.
“Huaixi, don’t be nervous. Riding a horse is like walking side by side with a friend.” Lanfeng held the reins and stood beside him, encouraging him with a gentle and firm voice.
Song Huaixi sat on the horse and took a deep breath, nodding and soothingly stroking the mare’s fur. Then, he tightly grasped the reins.
Lanfeng patiently guided him: “Relax your body, feel the rhythm of the horse, gently kick the horse’s belly with your feet, and let it move forward.”
Song Huaixi carefully tried according to Lanfeng’s instructions. The horse began to move forward slowly, and his mood gradually relaxed.
“Well done, Huaixi!” Lanfeng praised with a smile, “Now you can slowly increase your speed and feel the wind.”
The mare carried Song Huaixi slowly running on the loess, he tightly grasped the reins, feeling the wind whistling in his ears, his heart beating faster, and his body trembling.
It was a novel, exciting, and unprecedented feeling. Later, he learned that it was called courage.
“Don’t be afraid, Huaixi!” Lanfeng shouted from afar when she saw that he was a little nervous, “Believe in yourself, you can do it!”
Hearing her voice, Song Huaixi seemed to have some strength injected into his heart, he also wanted to be as good as General Lanfeng.
Song Huaixi straightened his back and drove the horse to trot slowly on the plain.
Lanfeng looked at Song Huaixi’s gradually skilled movements, her heart full of surprise. She didn’t expect that Song Huaixi didn’t seem to be the parasitic vine she had imagined.
If she had to say it, he was more like a small grass, a small grass that could grow vigorously no matter where it was. A small grass that could bring vitality and greenery to people.
“Huaixi, you are really amazing!” Lanfeng smiled and said loudly to him, “Keep up the good work, you will succeed.”
Hearing the praise, Song Huaixi sat on the horse and turned back, his eyes filled with a strong smile.
He really thought General Lanfeng was very good!
Back in the city, Song Huaixi carried a food box to find Zhao Fangye. On the way, he inadvertently heard two maids gossiping through a window.
The faint female voice came from inside the window: “Do you think our young lady and Prince Zhao of the Ning district are really a good match?”
“Of course, a talented man and a beautiful woman. In the future, when the Prince ascends the throne, our young lady will be the Empress.” Another person echoed.
“Be the Empress? Who did you hear that from? Isn’t there also the Ning Wang Consort? How can it be the young lady’s turn?” Another maid obviously didn’t believe it. Being a good match was one thing, but being the Empress was another matter entirely.
Being questioned, the maid said unhappily, “You don’t know, I went to serve tea to the master that day and saw it with my own eyes. The master said that the Prince must establish our young lady as the Empress when he ascends the throne. Otherwise, why would our young lady help the Prince fight the war!”
“That’s true, that Ning Wang Consort is just a simpleton, how can she compare to our general?”
“That’s right, the mother of a country can’t be a simpleton, right?”
The voices of the two gradually dissipated, but Song Huaixi, carrying the food box, suddenly lost his appetite.
He stopped moving forward and turned to walk towards his room.
Empress? Song Huaixi remembered that Zhao Fangye clearly wanted to make him the Empress. But Sister Lanfeng also wanted to be the Empress.
His heart felt like it had been struck by a heavy hammer, and he couldn’t describe the feeling.
Sister Lanfeng was so good, but when he heard others say that Lanfeng and Zhao Fangye were a good match and that he was a simpleton, his heart still uncontrollably became sour.
They were clearly right, so why did he still feel so sad when he heard it?
After returning to his room, Song Huaixi couldn’t eat his meal.
He thought about those words, and the more he thought about them, the sadder he became. In addition, he was not used to the climate and soil of the Northwest, and his body was already a little uncomfortable.
For a time, he fell ill.
Zhao Fangye heard from his subordinates that Song Huaixi had fallen ill, and without caring about anything else, he stayed by Song Huaixi’s bedside, taking care of him day and night.
Song Huaixi lay in bed, his face pale, his tightly closed eyes slowly opening. Zhao Fangye sat by the bed and, when he saw that he was awake, his face immediately showed a look of surprise, with some dark circles under his eyes.
“Huaixi, you’re awake?” Zhao Fangye asked softly, reaching out and touching Song Huaixi’s forehead. “Fortunately, you don’t have a fever.”
He carefully helped Song Huaixi up, letting him lean on his shoulder. Zhao Fangye picked up a bowl of fragrant porridge that had been prepared on the side and gently stirred it with a spoon.
“Come, Huaixi, eat something.” Zhao Fangye scooped up a spoonful of porridge, blew on it to cool it down, and brought it to Song Huaixi’s mouth.
Song Huaixi opened his eyes slightly and looked at Zhao Fangye. He frowned wearily: “I don’t want to eat.”
“Be good, you’ve been sleeping for a long time, and it’s uncomfortable not to eat.” Zhao Fangye coaxed him gently.
Hearing his gentle words, Song Huaixi’s nose felt sore, and he opened his mouth and slowly ate the porridge, but his heart felt very uncomfortable.
Zhao Fangye stayed by his side patiently, wiping away the soup from the corners of his mouth from time to time.
“I want to sleep.” Song Huaixi closed his eyes after finishing the porridge, his voice weak.
“Okay, sleep, I’ll watch over you.” Zhao Fangye tucked Song Huaixi in and gently patted his shoulder.
Zhao Fangye sat quietly by the bed, looking at Song Huaixi’s pale face. Zhao Fangye felt distressed, thinking that he was not used to the climate and soil of the Northwest.
Lanfeng also came to visit Song Huaixi.
She looked at Song Huaixi’s sick appearance, and her heart also ached. How could he suddenly fall ill?
Seeing that he was asleep, Lanfeng sat in front of the bed and said to Zhao Fangye, who looked a little tired, “Your Highness, I heard that you have been guarding the Wang Consort day and night, you should go and rest quickly. After all, the generals are still relying on Your Highness to lead the overall situation.”
Hearing this, Zhao Fangye looked at the sleeping Song Huaixi and said, “Order someone to take good care of him.”
When he woke up again, only Lanfeng was left in front of the bed. Song Huaixi looked at her, and the sourness in his heart could no longer be suppressed.
“Sister Lanfeng, can you not take Zhao Fangye away? I know that I am a little fool and not as good as you. But I really like Zhao Fangye.”
Song Huaixi sat on the bed and sobbed, tears streaming down uncontrollably.
Lanfeng was stunned for a moment, and then she realized that the reason why Song Huaixi fell ill was because of this.
Who was the one who dared to gossip in front of him! If Zhao Fangye knew about this, what would happen?
She quickly squatted down, tightly grasped Song Huaixi’s hand, wiped away his tears, and said anxiously, “Huaixi, don’t misunderstand, there is nothing between me and the Prince! Others are just talking nonsense! I don’t like the Prince! The Prince is yours, no one can take him away!”
Hearing Lanfeng’s words, Song Huaixi looked at her with a pair of red and swollen eyes and asked seriously, “Really?”
Lanfeng looked at him and smiled, “Really, really! Song Huaixi. I admire the Prince’s courage and responsibility, but I don’t have that kind of feeling for him. You must believe in the Prince’s love for you. For you, he is willing to be an enemy of the court, and this deep affection will not change easily.”
Song Huaixi slowly stopped crying after hearing Lanfeng’s explanation.
Lanfeng looked at him and said quickly, “Huaixi, can you not tell the Prince about this? Let’s just treat it as a secret between us, okay?”
If Zhao Fangye knew that this was the reason why he was sick, then there would definitely be a bloody storm. The people who gossiped would definitely have a very miserable ending.
Moreover, she already knew who had spread the news to Song Huaixi’s ears.
Hearing her request, Song Huaixi was a little puzzled at first. But he realized that he had misunderstood and was a little embarrassed. Therefore, he happily agreed to keep the secret.
He also childishly reached out and made a pinky promise with Lanfeng: “Pinky swear, no changes for a hundred years! We can’t tell anyone about this in the future.”
Lanfeng was amused by him and couldn’t help but say, “Okay! Huaixi must get well soon!”
With the knot in his heart untied, this small grass called Song Huaixi began to regain its vitality.
The imperial court learned that Zhao Fangye had already entrenched himself in the Northwest and was very panicked. They began to send a large army to encircle and suppress him, ordering that the Crown Prince be rescued at all costs.
Grand Commandant Xiao had been unable to attack because the Crown Prince was in Zhao Fangye’s hands. But at this moment, he couldn’t withstand the pressure and planned to attack the cities of the Northwest.
War was imminent, and Zhao Fangye stood on the high platform, his light-colored eyes staring at the high-spirited soldiers below the platform.
“Purge the Imperial Court, and restore peace! Purge the Imperial Court, and restore peace!”
The soldiers shouted in unison, their voices shaking the sky.
Standing under the city, Song Huaixi looked at Zhao Fangye, his eyes full of worry.
He was experiencing war for the first time, and he knew that it was a very bad and terrible thing.
But Zhao Fangye was going to do such a terrible thing.
Lanfeng stood behind Zhao Fangye and also tightened the sword in her hand.
The war began, and smoke filled the battlefield of the Northwest. Zhao Fangye commanded the army and engaged in a fierce battle with the imperial court’s army.
Lanfeng led her elite troops, charging forward like a sharp sword, directly piercing the enemy’s heart.
Song Huaixi waited in the rear, and his heart was tightly gripped for some reason, worrying about Zhao Fangye and Lanfeng.
He could only make a wish to the Bodhisattva, hoping that they, Zhao Fangye and Lanfeng, would be safe and sound.
On the battlefield, the situation was changing rapidly. Zhao Fangye’s army was very brave, but the imperial court’s troops also had the upper hand.
However, Zhao Fangye and Lanfeng led the soldiers to fight all the way, unstoppable, and repelled the enemy’s attacks again and again.
Just as the battle entered a white-hot stage, Lanfeng keenly discovered a flaw in the enemy’s defenses. She led a cavalry force without hesitation and launched a fierce attack on the enemy’s weak link.
This sudden move completely disrupted the enemy’s formation, and Zhao Fangye took the opportunity to command the army to launch a full-scale counterattack.
After the smoke cleared, corpses lay scattered on the battlefield, and blood stained the earth red.
But the joy of victory was on everyone’s face. Zhao Fangye and Lanfeng walked off the battlefield tiredly, returning to the city with a great victory.
Song Huaixi, who was anxiously waiting at the city gate, rushed forward when he saw them. He suddenly threw himself into Zhao Fangye’s arms.
“Dirty… Huaixi.” Zhao Fangye hugged him helplessly, touched his head, and said softly.
He looked at Zhao Fangye, who was covered in blood, his eyes filled with tears.
“Zhao Fangye, you’re finally back, I was so worried about you.” Song Huaixi said, his voice choked with emotion.
Zhao Fangye gently hugged Song Huaixi, wiped away his tears, and comforted him, “Don’t be afraid, we won. I’m back.”
Lanfeng looked at them, her eyes also filled with emotion. But she knew that this was just the beginning.
Through this war, Zhao Fangye’s power in the Northwest was further consolidated. He also began to prepare to counterattack the imperial court, completely overthrowing this decaying dynasty.