The people Song Qingping sent to Jiulianping have returned and brought back fifty sharpshooters, who are waiting outside the tent.
Li Laiheng stepped out of the tent.
"I've seen the general." Many of the soldiers crossed their hands and saluted.
"Well," Leghorn glanced at everyone with serious eyes. They were all handsome, but there was no leader among them. He hesitated, turned to Song Qingping and asked:
"Just them, okay?"
"My lord, I wanted to ask Wei Shun Shun from the Children's Camp to go with me, but then I thought about it, Shun Shun is only 17 years old this year, so I'm afraid he doesn't have enough experience..." He paused, coughed twice and then said:
"So..., we really can't spare any manpower now." After saying that, he looked at Leghorn with helpless eyes.
"In that case, let's wait. Hanju has been going to Xingshan for almost a whole day, and it's time to come back."
Before he finished speaking, he suddenly heard a few whinnies coming from the east gate, and then several strong horses galloped towards them. It was Kuang Han who was lifting them up.
Hanju immediately dismounted and met Laiheng. After Qingping explained the purpose of his trip, he got on his horse and wanted to lead the team.
"Wait a minute." Laiheng called Kuang Hanju, took a few steps closer, took the horse's reins, and told him:
"Just protect him secretly. You don't need to let Niu Xi know about it. I have a letter here. You go and give it to Hei Yougong and he will make arrangements for you. You have to be smart and cautious when you go. Whether you succeed or not is up to you." After finishing speaking, Give him an unsealed letter.
"Don't worry, Mr. Guo, I will be very concerned about it." After saying that, he nodded and smiled at Li Laiheng, then waved back and ran towards the west.
After the meal, someone outside the tent shouted a horse neighing. When Li Laiheng heard the sound, he knew that it was Zhang Shun's troops from the central military camp who had come down the mountain.
He looked at the sky and it was almost midnight. "If I don't go up the mountain, I'm afraid grandma will be blamed." He thought to himself.
"Qingping, let's go." He turned around and called Song Qingping out of the tent. He also had to give Zhang Shuner some advice.
The soldiers waiting outside the door had already taken Laiheng's black pony.
"Go and call Zhang Shun." He ordered another soldier.
After a while, Zhang Shun came forward.
"Zhang Shun'er, have all your soldiers arrived?" Lai Heng asked.
"When I returned home, I left five hundred people to guard the stronghold, and the rest are here." Zhang Shun said.
"All five gates must be guarded. Do you think there are enough manpower?" Lai Heng knew that he was asking this question knowingly, and it was definitely not enough!
At this time, Qingping came out of the tent, and her soldiers immediately brought over a tall maroon war horse. Naturally, Qingping heard Laiheng's question just now and said:
"My lord, this is what I ordered him to do. If you want to blame me, blame me." After saying this, he made a move to kneel down. Lai Heng grabbed him and still said to Zhang Shun:
"Zhang Shun'er, in this case, you should know that the stakes here are very important. The families and children of our soldiers are all on the mountain. Now, this is the last door. If the enemy attacks, what will you do?"
Zhang Shun was shocked when he heard this. After thinking about it, he straightened his face and said:
"You will have to die to reject it!"
Leghorn nodded, sighed deeply, shook his head again, and said:
"Zhang Shun'er, don't be careless!" He patted him on the shoulder. Without waiting for Zhang Shun's reply, he turned around and climbed onto the back of the black horse and galloped up the mountain with Song Qingping. Their soldiers also hurriedly mounted their horses to follow closely.
Not long after, Li Laiheng and his party arrived at Jiulianping. Because Qingping's waist was weak and she couldn't ride for a long time, she dismounted and took a rest.
The journey from the foot of the mountain to the top of Maolu Mountain is sixteen or seventeen miles, and a rugged mountain road winds up. There are green pine trees everywhere and lush forests everywhere. Although it is not as majestic as Mount Emei, the cliffs are tall and steep, the mountain is majestic, and the scenery of this mountain is truly extraordinary! At this time, the warm autumn sun shines on the green, yellow, and red leaves, which makes people feel relaxed and happy.
Seeing such scenery, listening to the surging pine waves, and the gentle breeze gently blowing across his face, Li Laiheng felt relaxed. Suddenly, he accidentally caught a glimpse of the simple stone archway not far away with the word "Zhenyi" engraved on it. That was the site of the palace built when my grandma was pardoned by the Southern Ming Dynasty a few years ago.
"Gotta get going," thought Leghorn.
"What on earth does grandma want to discuss with me?" He walked towards Song Qingping while thinking about it and asked:
"Qingping, are you leaving?"
"Yes, Duke, let's go." Qingping responded.
So everyone mounted their horses and started walking again. When they were not far from Ciqing Palace, Li Laiheng suddenly stopped and said:
"Qingping, listen, I can vaguely hear the sound of silk, bamboo and flute pipes. Do you hear it?"
Song Qingping listened carefully and seemed to have heard it, so she smiled and said:
"My lord, if the sound of silk and bamboo sounds is heard, it must mean that there is some happy event in Ciqing Palace and people are having wine to celebrate."
Lai Heng was suspicious and walked dozens of steps to arrive at the gate of the Duke's Mansion. Suddenly, I heard the sound of firecrackers crackling in Ciqing Palace, mixed with the cheers of the guards and maids.
Laiheng and others hurriedly dismounted and walked to Ciqing Palace with Qingping.
Today is indeed different from the past. There are four brand new red lanterns hanging high outside the door of Ciqing Palace, with many flower baskets placed on both sides. The guards and maidens have also put on festive costumes, with smiles on their faces. Seeing Lai Heng's arrival, a dozen palace maids suddenly walked out of the palace carrying red gauze palace lanterns. They all greeted Lai Heng by the door of the palace. Then they heard the sound of "The Duke of the Kingdom has arrived!" and the sound of silk and bamboo pipe music suddenly sounded. .
At this time, another person walked out of the door, with a light body and an affectionate look on his face. He looked at Lai Hengfu Yifu and said:
"Brother Laiheng, please come to Military Advisor Song!" It turned out to be Chen Min'er.
At this time, Lai Heng became even more suspicious, "Why is it so grand?" But he couldn't ask more questions and just followed Chen Min'er inside.
The mansion is not very spacious, and there are no pavilions or pavilions. You can reach it after turning around two verandahs. There were many guests in the hall. Laiheng took a closer look and saw Mrs. Zhenyi chatting happily with the white-haired old man.
"Ah, it's Grandpa 'Old Fairy'." Laiheng took a few steps closer.
When everyone saw Laiheng arriving, they stood up quickly. Mrs. Gao then said:
"Leghorn, this way."
At this time, Mrs. Gao did not look like an old woman who was over sixty years old at all, but more like a young woman who still retained her charm. Laiheng knew that it should be the Rong Qing Dan that had exerted its effect. Look at the smiling mother, Mrs. Huang, sitting next to her.
"Oh, my God!" Leghorn couldn't believe it. He almost didn't recognize him. Is he so young? Leghorn felt relieved and immediately laughed, walked to his grandmother and mother, squatted down, held their hands, and said a little excitedly:
"Grandma, mother, you almost make me unrecognizable!"
"Oh, this is all the work of the matchmaker,...she,..." Mrs. Gao hesitated to speak.
"Come on, Laiheng, come and meet your 'old fairy' grandfather." Mrs. Gao wiped the corners of her eyes and said.
Li Laiheng stood up quickly, came to the white-haired old man, looked at the old man and said:
"Is it really you? Grandpa 'Old Immortal'?"
"It's me, it's me, little Laiheng, you still remember me!" The old man looked at the tall Li Laiheng and said with a smile.
I saw Li Laiheng holding the old man's hand and immediately kowtowed three times on the ground. He also said, "I have seen Grandpa 'Old Immortal', I have met Grandpa 'Old Immortal'."
"Okay, okay, okay! Little Leghorn, get up quickly, there is still something waiting for you!" The old man smiled and pulled Leghorn up from the ground and pulled him to his side. Mrs. Gao looked around at everyone with a smile on her face and ordered:
"Everyone, sit down and let the banquet begin." He then said to Laiheng:
"Let's talk while eating too."
There were many people in the hall at this time, and a banquet was arranged in the side hall next to it. Chen Miner led them to the side hall. Duke Long, Li Yong's family members, Hui Jian, the leader of Feng camp, and Wei Shunli from Tongzi camp also arrived, as well as several girls raised by Feng who were very close to Chen Min'er.
At Mrs. Gao's table are the 'Old Immortal', Laiheng's mother Mrs. Huang, Zhang Xiaobao's mother 'Princess Zhong' Huiying, 'Linguo Gong' Li Laiheng, military advisor Song Qingping and the manager of 'Ciqing Palace' Chen Qiaoer.
Leghorn always felt something was wrong.
Chen Qiaoer, yes, it’s Chen Qiaoer! Lai Heng was slightly surprised. Isn't she the manager of Ciqing Palace? Why is she sitting here?
He looked at her with his eyes. Chen Qiaoer had been standing behind Mrs. Gao and Mrs. Huang. Li Laiheng hadn't paid much attention since he walked in. Now this look shocked Laiheng!
I saw that she was wearing a five-phoenix bun with emerald beads on her head, a Chaoyang Five Phoenix hairpin with pearls on her bun, a pure gold hoop around her neck, and a narrow jacket of golden peony and red brocade. Wearing a colorful engraved silver fox jacket on the outside... her face is like a peach blossom, very charming, and her eyes are of infinite sparkle, which makes Li Laiheng's heart tremble...
"Laiheng, Laiheng!" Seeing Li Laiheng's condition, Mrs. Gao hurriedly shouted for fear that he would lose his composure in front of everyone. Everyone laughed secretly in their hearts.
"Are you in such a hurry?"
"Uh-huh!" Leghorn agreed quickly as if he had woken up from a dream.
Mrs. Gao cleared her throat and said:
"Everyone is not an outsider, let me make it clear." Looking at Chen Qiao'er, I saw that Chen Qiao'er was no longer as capable as before. Instead, she was just shy and reserved. She remained silent, her cheeks were red, and her head was drooped. is lower. But vaguely, people with a discerning eye can detect the joy on her brows.
"As the saying goes, men should be married when they are older, and women should be married when they are older. We have been busy fighting against the Qing soldiers in the past few years. But we have neglected the important matter of marriage in Laiheng. I feel deeply guilty in my heart, but the war has to be fought, and life still has to be lived. ? So Princess Zhong and I took the initiative as matchmakers, obtained Qiaoer's consent, and let Laiheng Qiaoer get married two days later." After saying that, he looked at everyone present.
Everyone is happy.
Then the 'old god' spoke first:
"This is a good thing. I didn't expect that I would drink Little Leghorn's wedding wine as soon as I came here, hahahaha!"
Chen Qiao'er became more and more embarrassed at this time, her heart was beating wildly, but she was very eager in her heart and wanted Li Laiheng to agree.
Only then did Li Laiheng realize that everyone was here for him today. No wonder Chen Miner spoke to him in a strange tone at the foot of the mountain. He raised his head and looked at Chen Qiao'er again. He was so charming, but...
"Laiheng, please stand up and say something." Mrs. Huang said to Li Laiheng with a smile.
Song Qingping just looked at Laiheng and smiled, and Laiheng winked at him, hoping that he would defend her to his grandmother and the others. No, the Qing troops are coming!
But Song Qingping is such a smart person, he will not offend Mrs. Gao because of Laiheng's family affairs, not to mention this is a good thing! He knew that Laiheng was asking him for help, and he also saw that the girl Chen Qiaoer was willing in her heart. So she simply didn't look at him, picked up the wine glass in front of her and started drinking.
Finally, after a fierce ideological struggle, Li Laiheng plucked up the courage to say:
"I disagree!"
When Chen Qiaoer heard this, her face turned pale and her heart sank. This was something she had never expected. She stood up unsteadily while holding on to the tabletop, and staggered out. Everyone was stunned, only to hear the Queen Mother shouting loudly from behind:
"Qiao'er, Qiao'er, come back!"
In the corner of the screen, Chen Min'er secretly rejoiced, "Thank God, I finally have a chance!"
She straightened her clothes, stood up, hid her inner joy, and walked towards Li Laiheng and the others.
The Queen Mother saw her and said:
"Min'er, please advise your sister to go. We'll consider this matter in the long run. Don't let it get to you." Then he started scolding Laiheng, and Chen Min'er nodded in agreement.
"There are three types of unfilial piety. The greatest is not having an heir. What reason do you have to disagree? You are in your thirties, are you still ignorant?"
"Grandma," Li Laiheng felt aggrieved and said:
"The enemy is expected to attack soon. Now is not the time to talk about this."
"When will that happen?" Mrs. Gao asked. It has been like this for more than ten or twenty years.
Li Laiheng felt that he could not answer, so he remained silent and buried his head in eating.
The 'Old Immortal', Mrs. Huang, and Princess Zhong all tried to persuade Mrs. Gao not to be angry with Laiheng again. They all said, "Maybe he has his own ideas."
After dinner, everyone resigned. Laiheng also wanted to leave, so he went to say goodbye to the 'old god'.
"Grandpa 'Old Immortal', you shouldn't leave when you come back this time, right?"
"Haha, I'm not leaving. I want you to find someone to pass on my mantle. I wonder if you have a suitable candidate, little Laiheng." 'Old Immortal' said with a smile.
Laiheng knew that the old man had extraordinary medical skills after joining the rebel army for decades. There were a lot of disciples, but most of them died in the army, and a few of them must have never been heard from, so I agreed without thinking about it. I said goodbye to the 'old god' and my mother, and then came to the Supreme Madam and said:
"Grandma, the burden on my grandson is too heavy, and I don't dare to hope for the reality of marriage. Grandma, my grandson is unfilial, and your love for your grandson will be in vain!"
There was no one in the room at this time. Mrs. Gao burst into tears and choked with sobs:
"Laiheng, when you grow up, you no longer listen to grandma... I have watched the Qiaoer sisters grow up since they were young. They have no relatives alive. It is really pitiful! Alas, if you still have your father Li in your heart, If you live with your grandfather, you will listen to my advice and marry Qiaoer to inherit the Li family, and I will be willing to die immediately!" After saying this, he wanted to kneel down to Laiheng.
"Grandma!" Li Laiheng was shocked and knelt on the ground before Mrs. Gao, holding her with both hands.
"Then let's get engaged today. When the war subsides a bit, our grandson can marry Qiaoer. What do you think, grandma?"
Mrs. Gao looked at Laiheng and felt relieved, then she helped him up and said:
"Okay, that's all. Since the Tatars are coming, take care of yourself." After saying that, he dragged his slightly tired legs and walked towards the inner room.
After bidding farewell to the Queen Mother, he immediately joined Song Qingping and went to the Duke's Mansion to pick up the "Book of Heaven" and immediately ran down the mountain. On the way, Laiheng sighed helplessly and said to Song Qingping:
"Oh, Qingping, since ancient times it's hard to have both loyalty and filial piety!"
…
