Jiuxi

Chapter 148 147 [This past years]

December 12, the [-]th year of Jianwu in the Southern Qi Dynasty.

In the afternoon, Baishi Ferry on the south bank of Hengjiang River.

The snow from the north is coming, and the river is filled with ice flowers. The sky and rolling mountains in the distance, the dead trees and desolate roads nearby, all look like a cold and pure white.

Beside the official road south of the ferry, dozens of well-packed knights were waiting quietly. Occasionally, they would quietly look toward the west bank of the river, sizing up the young man and woman who were still interested in strolling in this weather.

The wind was biting and chilly, but for Li Bingxue, who had strong martial arts skills and deep inner strength, she seemed not to feel the coldness in the air at all.

There is a simple pavilion with octagonal eaves at the end of the causeway, where you can overlook the vast river scenery. During the spring and autumn seasons, travelers often stop here, and some literati and poets have left magnificent poems here, but now it is naturally deserted.

Li Bingxue wore a satin fox-crotch pleated cloak and a bright red cloak, which made her fair skin look even more beautiful.

Lu Chen walked side by side with her. After this period of recuperation, his injuries have been basically recovered. On the one hand, the palace doctors are very skillful, and on the other hand, the rare medicinal materials in the palace can be used at will, even those sent by the powerful mansions are not included. He has taken countless supplements, so he is now gradually returning to the habit of exercising his inner strength.

The two of them stepped into the pavilion. Li Bingxue walked to the railing and said softly: "Although we have discussed it before, I still want to say that the name Lu Jing'an sounds really good. Your Majesty really doesn't have ordinary intentions for you."

Lu Chen looked at the vast scenery on the north bank, raised the corners of his mouth slightly, and smiled a little in his eyes: "I'm afraid that my father is not feeling well. He originally planned to wait for my crowning ceremony before deciding on the name."

Li Bingxue didn't know much about his father. She only knew that Lu Tong was a well-known wealthy businessman in Huaizhou. Hearing this, he chuckled and said, "It's rare for the emperor to give you a word. Nowadays, the words Lu Chen and Lu Jing'an have already spread throughout the country." In the land of Gyeonggi, your father will definitely be very happy if he finds out."

"hope so."

Lu Chen's tone was calm, but his mood was far from relaxed.

From the time he was injured in the assassination to the few days before leaving the capital, he had been living in Li's house to recuperate.

Although he lived in a separate small building, and he always followed the etiquette when getting along with Li Bingxue, and did not violate the rules at all, he always felt that it was not appropriate, especially when he thought of Lin Xi in the dead of night, it was inevitable that he would have a moment. A guilty feeling.

Li Bingxue made his thoughts very clear that day, and he seemed irresponsible if he didn't respond. However, every time he started, Li Bingxue changed the subject. After two or three times, he stopped mentioning it, because Li Bingxue Bingxue obviously didn't want to get an answer from him.

This is a very peculiar temperament.

Li Bingxue stared at the winter world, and suddenly took the initiative to raise a topic that she had deliberately avoided before: "Miss Lin is now the chief helmsman of the Seven Star Gang?"

Lu Chen said: "Yes."

Li Bingxue turned to look at him, with a bit of curiosity in her eyes: "Are you just so far apart?"

Lu Chen thought for a moment and replied, "That's all we have to do for the time being."

"It's really difficult."

Li Bingxue sighed softly and said slowly: "The Seven Star Gang is the largest gang in Jiangbei Green Forest. There must be many things to deal with in the gang. Miss Lin must stay to help her father. You have military affairs now, short I’m afraid I won’t be able to go north to look for her within the time. In fact, when we were in Jianghua City, I could see that there was a vague bond between you. But you are both young, so there is no need to rush.”

These words were open-minded and hearty, but Lu Chen became more and more puzzled when he heard them, so he asked: "Miss Li, I don't quite understand..."

"I don't understand why I can talk about your relationship with Miss Lin in such a glorious manner?" Li Bingxue took over the conversation very naturally.

Lu Chen nodded.

Li Bingxue retracted her gaze and looked forward, smiling: "I thought I made it clear that day."

Lu Chen said honestly: "It is indeed very clear, but because it is so clear, I don't understand it even more."

"You... you seem to be very smart at ordinary times, but you are very clumsy in this kind of thing. I don't know if you need me to go into more detail."

Li Bingxue let out a rare sigh, and then said: "I said that I have a crush on you, and I admit that you are the first man who has made my heart beat in so many years, but I never said that it is you who is the only one in this life. marry."

Lu Chen said calmly: "I know that Miss Li is a woman who is not inferior to men."

Li Bingxue nodded and said: "I told my brother that the Northern Expedition has not been completed, and my father is depressed. I hope to do more things. If I get married in the next two years, I will have to accept the life of a boudoir, a husband and a child. I will lead the troops to fight if I have the opportunity. I really can't make that choice, but I don't want to keep those words in my heart, so I will tell you straightforwardly."

Lu Chen couldn't help but feel something when he thought of another sentence she said that day.

"I hope that when my body is shrouded in horse leather in the future, I will have a good memory in my heart."

This memory refers to her revealing her feelings to Lu Chen and taking him to Li's house to recuperate after Lu Chen was injured. The two of them had a rare time together.

During that nearly half a month, she no longer thought about the border wars and court disputes. Apart from practicing martial arts diligently every day, she basically spent the rest of the time chatting and getting together with Lu Chen.

This seemingly simple and boring life is a rare relaxation for Li Bingxue, so she calls it a good memory.

She didn't embarrass Lu Chen or force him to give a positive answer, she just used that time to relax the tight strings in her heart.

Lu Chen may have subconsciously confirmed this. He was grateful for the other party's repeated help, and admired her open-mindedness and perseverance. At the same time, it was inevitable that he felt a bit of pity, so he did not choose to move out of Li's house immediately after walking on the ground.

"As for why I kept interrupting you and not letting you mention that matter..."

Li Bingxue paused slightly, lowered his head and smiled slightly: "I am also a woman after all. I know that such proactive behavior in this world is tantamount to deviant. I am afraid that not many women will be so straightforward and bold. I will say it as I say, and I will not deny it. , but if I were rejected directly by you, wouldn't I be very embarrassed?" She turned her head, with a hint of slyness on her face.

Lu Chen also smiled and said: "This reason... is very powerful."

Li Bingxue snorted softly, as crisply as broken ice: "Besides, I know in my heart that you look gentle but are actually very assertive. You didn't refuse on the spot just to take care of my face. You must have been thinking of a proper and tactful reason those days. Of course I can't give you this opportunity."

Lu Chen said with emotion: "No wonder I always feel so passive."

Li Bingxue pursed her lips and chuckled: "Don't forget that although I am not as good at planning the overall strategic situation as you are, I have led troops for many years and have often taken the initiative to attack, and I have a lot of experience in attacking battles. In terms of finding what to do in small-scale battles, The ability of opportunity, I am not necessarily weaker than you."

Lu Chen said sincerely: "Young lady is like a god in her military skills, Lu is willing to be defeated."

Li Bingxue's laughter became clearer and sweeter, and after a moment he said: "They say that Wenwen Township is the Tomb of Heroes, but why do I feel that after staying with you for a long time, I will have similar emotions? Hmm... Beauty is a disaster. There is indeed some truth to it, and the ancients sincerely did not deceive me."

Seeing her clear eyes looking him up and down, Lu Chen couldn't help but said with a little embarrassment: "Miss Li, if you ask me to go to the battlefield and fight my best, I will never frown, but if you ask me to dress up and put on makeup, it is difficult for me to obey. "

"Master Lu, don't be afraid, I won't bully you." Li Bingxue raised her smooth chin slightly.

Lu Chen took a step back.

Li Bingxue couldn't help laughing when she saw this, covered her mouth and laughed, and then said to him: "Actually, there is something I want to apologize to you for."

Lu Chen motioned for her to continue.

Li Bingxue said: "I saw that you were injured in an assassination that day. At first, I was worried that the assassins of the Puppet Yan would not die and would continue to harm you, so I asked your Majesty to take you to Li's house. But after you woke up, I insisted on asking you to stay. In addition to the reasons mentioned before, there is another reason for me to recuperate at Li's house."

Lu Chen looked at her calmly and said calmly: "What does Miss Li mean?"

Li Bingxue stretched her arms slightly, breathed in the clear and chilly air, and said slowly: "No matter what the reason is, you have lived in my house for more than half a month. After Miss Lin knows about this in the future, I want to see See if she’ll be angry with you for it.”

"Actually...I already thought of this after you explained it that day, girl."

Lu Chen said calmly.

A look of curiosity appeared on Li Bingxue's face.

Lu Chen smiled and said: "I will tell the truth, and senior sister will definitely not be angry."

"I had already guessed that this would be the answer."

Li Bingxue smiled, feeling a touch of sadness in her heart, and then changed the subject and said, "It's getting late."

Lu Chen raised his head and glanced at the misty sky.

In fact, the two groups of generals from Jingzhou and Huaizhou had already separated when they were in Songyangyi. The former turned northwest through Xinzhou and Yazhou to the border of Jingzhou, while the latter rushed north to the riverside ferry.

Li Bingxue admitted that she wanted to send Lu Chen to the river. Huo Zhen and others returned to Jingzhou in advance with Gu Waner and Mo'er. He Gui, Su Zhang and others also tacitly hurried back to Huaizhou. , leaving only the young man and woman and their guards moving forward slowly.

But no matter how they slowed down, it was time to part ways.

"In future wars, you should be more careful. Don't just think about killing generals and seizing the flag like you did outside Guangling City."

Li Bingxue stared into his eyes and whispered.

Lu Chen said: "You must also pay attention to safety when fighting the Northern Ranger."

"Ah."

Li Bingxue responded, stepped forward with a smile, and slowly opened her arms.

Lu Chen did not deliberately show off and accepted this courtesy hug calmly.

Li Bingxue whispered in his ear: "I have things I must do, and you also have your own responsibilities, and you have to find Miss Lin. Don't worry, I am not the kind of woman who is obsessed with jealousy. , I will not do something that makes you and I both unhappy. I don’t know when I will see you again after we say goodbye today. I hope you will cherish me a lot. If we can meet again on the battlefield in the future, I am willing to fight the enemy side by side with you."

Lu Chen took a breath, nodded and said, "It's my honor to get to know you."

Li Bingxue took two steps back, looked at Lu Chen intently for a while, and then strode out of the pavilion with a smile.

"Farewell."

"Bon Voyage."

Li Bingxue didn't look back, she just raised her hand and waved to him.

Lu Chen looked at the man dressed in red walking towards the vast space between heaven and earth. His vision was filled with pure white, except for the bright and stunning red.

(End of this chapter)