At the third watch, the night was dark and the temperature was slightly cold. Shengze handed a cloak to Yunchuan and said, "Have you remembered everything I told you? Have you brought everything you need?"
"Don't worry, I'm sensible." Yun Chuan said with a smile and put on the cloak himself. Yun Xi quickly walked over to help tie the ribbon on the collar and said: "Yun Chuan, be careful in everything. Brother Yang, you must be sure. Take good care of her."
Yang Qingyuan nodded and said: "Don't worry, I will protect her. Please take care of Brother Wenhan these days. Thank you very much when I come back."
"Well, Brother Wenhan, leave it to us. When I just changed his dressing, he had to come out to see you off. His current body can no longer be infected with wind and cold, so I stopped him." Yun Xi said. .
"Don't worry, he will be well taken care of by Yun Xi." Yun Chuan patted Yun Xi on the shoulder, then flew on his horse and said to Sheng Ze and Yun Xi: "We are setting off, you should go back quickly."
"Pay attention to safety." Yun Xi said with a slightly choked voice.
Yun Chuan and Yang Qingyuan waved their hands, raised their whips, and with a crisp "drive~", the two horses galloped into the night.
Yun Xi and Sheng Ze stood there for a long time looking at the figures disappearing into the night, until a gust of cool wind blew and they came back to their senses.
Shengze glanced at Yun Xi, who was holding his arms, and said, "Go back, we're already gone."
"Well. Thank you very much this time." Yun Xi looked at Shengze, feeling guilty, "I hope everything goes well."
"She values friendship most, and will definitely do what she decides, not to mention that this person was injured trying to save her." Shengze looked up at the starry sky with a sad expression, "Those who value friendship will have a difficult life."
Yun Xi was speechless. Although Yu Wenhan was injured while saving Yun Chuan, this incident was caused by Yun Xi. If it weren't for her, Yunchuan wouldn't have changed his mind and gone with them halfway. Yun Xi was filled with emotion. For the first time, she imitated the behavior of prairie people. She crossed her hands on her chest and said silently to Changshengtian: I hope Changshengtian will bless Yunchuan to get the snow lotus and return safely.
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On the vast grassland, the two of them were galloping all the way, with gusts of cold wind passing by, carrying a little morning dew and slapping their faces. Yunchuan has been accompanied by horses since he was a child. Although in the past ten years, several major ethnic groups in the grassland have been in check and balance with the Central Plains, and there have been fewer battles. However, as a nomadic people, it is common for them to ride horses all night and camp overnight. Yunchuan has long been accustomed to it. She looked at the man beside her who was following him like the wind. His eyes were like torches, staring straight ahead. From time to time, he would shout "drive" from her throat, which would spurt out like a jet of fire. Yunchuan had a strange thought: this deafening "drive" might be the only way he could vent his anger.
It was already the fifth watch, and the morning star in the east slowly rose, and a ray of morning glow appeared on the horizon. The shallow red light was like a gentle veil, gently covering this vast grassland. Yunchuan shouted to Yang Qingyuan: "There is a small forest about three miles ahead. Let's take a rest next to it."
"Okay!" Yang Qingyuan nodded slightly, still looking ahead.
The two gradually slowed down until a small birch forest appeared in front of them, and a small stream flowed through the forest. Yang Qingyuan reined in the reins and looked around - green grass, silver trees and clear streams, as if it was a world away.
Yunchuan jumped off his horse and found a piece of grass to feed his horse. Looking at the thoughtful Yang Qingyuan, he said: "What are you thinking about? Feed the horse quickly, we will have to rush on our way soon!"
Yang Qingyuan came to his senses and quickly jumped off the horse. After settling the horse, he found a piece of hay beside Yunchuan and sat down.
"Do you want to take a rest? I'll wake you up when the horse is full." Yunchuan asked softly.
"No, I'm not tired." Yang Qingyu took a sip of water and replied.
"You have to think about it, we can't rest until noon." Yunchuan stood up, walked to the horse, gently stroked the horse's mane, and then said, "I don't care, we In the prairie, other than riding horses and hunting, there is nothing much to do for fun.”
"Although our Dawei is located in the Central Plains, our ancestors are Xiongling people. Although they have long been integrated into the Central Plains culture, the blood of the Xionglings still flows in our bodies. I can still cope with this kind of long journey." Yang Qingyuan said slowly.
"Well, that's true. Speaking of which, you Dawei should belong to the same clan as our Tusang and Huangbei, and are both descendants of the Xiongling people. After you took over the Central Plains, you reformed and promoted agriculture. The land was fertile and you had strong financial resources. You also wanted to We, the northern nomads, are all under our control. I admire the great talents and strategies of the ancestors of Dawei, but we like this kind of free nomadic life. Even if we sometimes encounter hunger, cold, and illness, the survival of the fittest and the good will Born in heaven, this is how life should be." Yunchuan said.
"The 'born in accordance with nature' you mentioned must be good? It has been nearly two hundred years since Dawei believed in the teachings of Confucius and Mencius, and the country and the people from all over the world are peaceful. But among the ethnic groups in the desert, resources are scarce, so they sometimes make alliances and sometimes turn against each other. The so-called We are born according to nature, but there is no way to change the status quo." Yang Qingyuan retorted, "If you have the opportunity to choose the living environment, what do you think most people will choose?"
Yang Qingyuan turned to look at Yun Chuan who was petting the horse, feeling somewhat regretful for telling her these inhuman truths. This woman's status in the desert is certainly not low. She can enjoy a free life in the desert and is less involved in the interests of the ethnic group, so she can retain this rare "innocence".
"Well, you are right. Most of the 'Heaven's Will' are made by the strong. Dawei is indeed the strong one at present. The 'Heaven's Will' they made is nothing more than surrendering and obeying their orders. When there are foreign enemies We are just here to act as a shield against the invasion." Yunchuan walked up to Yang Qingyuan, pointed at the grassland in front of him and said, "If you people from Dawei were allowed to settle here, would they be able to survive? Autumn and winter here are long and bone-chillingly cold; spring is The time is short and not suitable for growing food; although the climate in summer is pleasant, wild beasts are out and about, and you can fall into the wolf's mouth if you are not careful. In such an environment, you have to teach ethics to a group of people who have no food to eat, no warmth to wear, and no guarantee of their lives. Humility, will anyone listen? Although I have never been on the battlefield, and I don’t want to see the killing, I can understand their original intention and thoughts. Guarding your wife and children, taking up arms for a three-quarter acre of land, It’s better than becoming Dawei’s slave and human shield.”
Yang Qingyuan looked at the bright-eyed woman in front of him with some surprise. The judgment of the word "innocence" seemed a bit too arbitrary.
"When I say 'live according to nature', I only mean that life, old age, illness and death are all natural. You have never heard the loud singing of a nomadic woman, never seen the praying face of the old white man, never drank from the clear spring in the snow-capped mountains, never chased the Fiery sunset, you have been away from here for 200 years, and you will not understand the depth and vastness of this place." After Yunchuan finished speaking, he sighed deeply and looked into Yang Qingyuan's deep eyes, wondering if he could understand his feelings. .
When Yang Qingyuan heard this, his heart ached. He didn't expect that Yun Chuan was a woman who knew everything about her, and he was a little impressed. Although he received preferential treatment in Dawei and traveled to mountains and rivers, he was far less fond of his family and country than Yunchuan. In his heart, what is more is the indescribable persistence and the persistence that he has to uphold.
Thinking of this matter, Yang Qingyuan suddenly became suspicious: What is the identity of this woman? There have been many flaws in the identities of himself and Yu Wenhan in the past two days. The young prince of Xiayi has been making insinuations and must be conducting various verifications. The relationship between Dawei and the grassland ethnic groups is complicated, so it is better to be careful and not talk too much about border affairs, otherwise it will not delay the important matter of saving Yu Wenhan.
"These things are not something ordinary people like me need to think about. There are disputes in the world, and some people have to worry about them." In order to cover up, Yang Qingyuan quickly stood up from the ground, untied the horse's reins, and said: "Let's go, we still have to worry about it." Mind your own business.”
Yun Chuan looked at the background of him getting on the horse and shrugged helplessly, thinking that this man was really too wary. He had sincerely treated him, but he was on strict guard against him. Yun Chuan thought to himself: "Why are you pretending like this? You are good at riding and shooting, and like to read military books. You have disliked fighting for power since you were a child, and you have longed for the smoke of the desert. I have heard about you for almost eight years. It's okay, I don't believe it. It’s so difficult to open the lock on your heart. One day, I’m going to walk in openly and see if it’s really what I thought.”
It was already dusk, and the two of them rode at high speed and arrived at the territory of the Yuezhi tribe an hour earlier than expected. In order not to alert others, they found a secluded forest two miles outside the tribe to rest for a while, and took out the clothes they had prepared long ago to disguise themselves.
The two of them each put on the costumes of Yueshi guards, and Shengze also carefully prepared Yunchuan's beard. Yun Chuan put on his beard and turned around, making Yang Qingyuan's eyes widen in shock. "It's ugly, isn't it?" Yun Chuan asked.
"No, no." Yang Qingyuan obviously said something against his will.
"You were so scared that your eyes almost popped out just now, and you said it's not ugly?" Yun Chuan touched the beard on his face, sighed and said, "I'm willing to go all out for my friends."
"Is your beard turned upside down?" Yang Qingyuan came closer and took a closer look.
"Reverse? How come it's reversed? Isn't it like this? There's no mirror here, how should I stick it?" Yun Chuan asked in surprise.
"Tear it off and I'll put it on for you." Yang Qingyuan took the beard that Yun Chuan had torn off. It turned out that the beard was attached backwards and had grown on his face instead.
This is the third time that Yun Chuan has been so close to Yang Qingyuan. His breath, lips and eyebrows are clearly visible between the two fists. Yun Chuan heard the "dong dong" sound in his heart, and he didn't know whether it was his own or the other person's. Her eyes couldn't avoid looking at Yang Qingyuan's face. Those bright black eyes were like a bottomless pool, reflecting her own shadow, as if she was sucking herself in: the man's breathing was intermittently beating. Touching his own cheeks, his fingers accidentally touched his face, just like the warm and pleasant summer lake water; and those broad arms, there was a faint smell of sweat, which faintly spread to his nose. inside.
Yun Chuan took a deep breath, almost greedily, but he didn't know how to exhale it, so he had to hold it in, his cheeks turned red, and his eyes were as wide as copper bells. generally.
"What's wrong with you? Are your eyes so big?" Yang Qingyuan finished helping Yun Chuan put on his beard. He dropped his hands as if relieved and asked, looking at Yun Chuan's bulging cheeks and wide eyes.
After putting on his beard, Yun Chuan quickly turned his head and let out the breath he was holding in his heart. Because he was holding his breath for too long, Yun Chuan involuntarily patted his chest and gasped: "It's okay, it's okay. I was too close just now. I was afraid that if I exhaled, it would affect your performance, so I had to hold it in. Fortunately, you were quick, and I almost lost my breath."
Yang Qingyuan was speechless for a moment after hearing this explanation. In the past few days, he could always see the shadow of Xi'er in Yunchuan. He knew clearly that this was impossible, but this kind of trance made him a little obsessed.
"Hey, aren't you worried about me? I'm fine now." Yun Chuan looked at Yang Qingyuan, who was a little overwhelmed, and felt a little happy. He pulled him to sit down on the floor and said, "Let's talk about business. I'll talk first. Please add to my plan if you have any opinions."
Yunchuan said: "Our grassland gathering will be full of singing and dancing, and lights will be decorated. You can see the faint music coming from the piano, it should be preparations for the party. After a while, the lights will be brightly lit, which means that the banquet is about to begin; As soon as the singing starts, we have entered the main topic; when the sound of dancing gets louder and louder, and the group starts dancing, it is not far from the end. So when the lights turn on, we have to rush over immediately; as soon as the singing starts, we have to take action; If the crowd starts dancing, we must evacuate quickly.”
Yang Qingyuan nodded and motioned for her to continue. Yun Chuan broke off a branch and drew on the ground with the afterglow of the setting sun: "Before departure, I discussed with Shengze that the yurt where the white lotus and snow lotus is stored is most likely to be in two locations - one is where Mingcheng monk Du Khan lives. One of them was General Wei Xu, whom Shangdu Khan trusted most. Shengze checked carefully and found that Huang Bei brought a total of 20 people this time, 15 of whom were guards and maids. In order not to lose the momentum of this welcome banquet, I I guess Shangdu Khan will bring at least 10 people to attend, and the remaining people will hold tents. After we pass, I will go to the kitchen to get some food and use the food to lure people away, and you can take the opportunity to go in and check."
"Well, that's a good idea. They have been working hard all day, and that's when they are most sleepy and hungry." Yang Qingyuan nodded in praise, sighing that Yunchuan turned out to be a brave and resourceful woman.
"You must be careful when you go in to check. Huang Bei is well versed in mechanisms. When you see Xuelian's box, be sure not to open it head-on." Yun Chuan was worried, but as she was the only one who knew the local accent, she had to do it herself to lure the guards away. "Oh, by the way, if you find a century-old snow lotus, take three petals from the middle and put them in this box immediately."
"Well, don't worry, I have experience in avoiding the traps of the agencies. Leave the external matters to Miss Yunchuan, and I will take care of the internal matters." Yang Qingyuan was grateful.
Yun Chuan nodded and said: "We are friends in times of need. From now on, please call me Yun Chuan. Everyone says that I am the most unwomanly person. You scream like a 'girl, girl', and I feel uncomfortable listening to it." .You don’t know that my family wants me to learn the gentleness and gentleness of women from the Central Plains. You have also seen this habit of mine. It will be difficult in this life."
"Who said that women must be gentle and discreet?" Yang Qingyuan looked at Yunchuan with certainty and said, "Most prairie women can shoot arrows, ride horses, and are good at martial arts. Their living habits are not different from those of men, so why do they need to be treated like women? Like steel and iron, but also like water and jade?"
These few words sounded special to Yun Chuan. It turned out that the iron-faced Yang Qingyuan was so straightforward in praising people. She obviously felt that her cheeks were slightly hot. She turned her head away in embarrassment, thinking about these words, and rolled the branch on the ground randomly.
"Miss Yunchuan, uh, Yunchuan." Yang Qingyuan didn't notice Yunchuan's thoughts at all and asked thoughtfully, "When I sneak in, if there is an emergency, just cough twice and I will know How to behave. If I leave the yurt, I will signal it by the cuckoo call."
Yun Chuan nodded stupidly: "Okay, I understand." Then he took a deep breath and said, "By the way, there is one more thing. If we are accidentally discovered, Shengze asked us to push him. I don’t think so. I know Brother Wenhan is very important to you, but we can’t involve another person in order to save one person, right? Moreover, the relationship between him and Huang Bei is quite complicated..."
Before Yun Chuan could finish speaking, Yang Qingyuan interrupted: "I have never thought of using this method, so I will not pry into his private affairs. I am bound to win the Centennial Snow Lotus, but I will never trap my friends in injustice." .If you can’t steal it tonight, leave the rest to me.”
"Well, you can leave the rest to me." Yun Chuan thought to himself. Seeing Yang Qingyuan's firm face, Yunchuan felt even more at ease. Although I only got along with the person in front of me for a few days, his story has been with Yunchuan for eight years. Although he is not as bright and lively as the "Yang Qingyuan" in the story, this "Yang Qingyun" who is persistent, cold, affectionate and righteous has Yang Qingyuan", for some reason it moved her heart even more.
