Wuyi.
He remembered this name.
**
The capital, Yongâan.
After seven days of hard riding, Si Fuqing finally arrived in Yongâan.
She was dressed in white, with JIANG Haipingâs coffin behind her, and the JIANG family armyâs banner ahead.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
The citizens of Yongâan automatically stepped aside to make way, watching the escort pass with tears in their eyes.
This journey was exceedingly long, and when Si Fuqing reached the Marshalâs Mansion, she hesitated to enter.
It was Lady JIANG who heard the commotion and came out herself.
Si Fuqing spoke softly, âLady.â
Lady JIANG was startled, âYou areâ¦â
With a loud thud, Si Fuqing knelt on one knee, holding up JIANG Haipingâs armor with both hands. Her voice was faint, âLady, I am sorry.â
To Lady JIANG, the words âa family of loyal martyrsâ were unbearably heavy.
After sending off her husband, she sent off her son, and after her son, her daughter.
She had waited in the Marshalâs Mansion for so many years, only to see one lifeless body after another, draped in white cloth.
Lady JIANG was stunned, her eyes momentarily vacant, and she did not shed a tear. She said softly, âSo it wasnât an illusionâ¦â
Steadying herself, she immediately went forward to help Si Fuqing up, âCome in, you must be hungry? Iâll have Xuanjin prepare some food for you.â
Si Fuqing was led into the Marshalâs Mansion.
With no one around, Lady JIANG finally embraced JIANG Haipingâs head and wailed.
But even while crying, she had to control herself, so as not to disturb JIANG Zhaoyue, who was still waiting for JIANG Haiping to return.
In the inner courtyard, JIANG Zhaoyue reached out her hand, âBig brother, when will father come back? I miss him.â
JIANG Xuanjin said softly, âHe has already returned.â
He was in the sky, still guarding his country and home.
âOh.â JIANG Zhaoyue blinked, âThen why canât I see him?â
This was the first time Si Fuqing saw the living JIANG Zhaoyue.
She was only seven years old then, still an innocent little girl.
Si Fuqing took out a sandalwood box, âThe marshal had other matters, he asked me to bring this gift to you first.â
JIANG Zhaoyue happily accepted it.
âLittle sister.â JIANG Xuanjin crouched down, ruffling her hair, âBig brother has to leave, to the north. When I come back, Iâll bring you beautiful jewelry and prepare plenty of dowry for your grand wedding.â
âHey, big brother, donât steal my job.â Beside him, the second son of the JIANG family elbowed his chest, âIâll handle little sisterâs dowry. Watch me kill thousands of barbarians and bring their heads for little sister.â
âGreat, great.â JIANG Zhaoyue clapped her hands and jumped, âWhoever kills the most enemies will be my best brother.â
âThen I am surely the best brother.â The sixth son of the JIANG family said proudly, âIâll trample big brother and second brother under my feet.â
The second son of the JIANG family roared in anger and chased after him.
JIANG Zhaoyue was their only sister, and naturally, she was to be cherished.
Si Fuqing stood aside, listening clearly, her fingers clenched.
But JIANG Xuanjin never returned.
None of the nine brothers of the JIANG family returned.
In the summer of 682, JIANG Xuanjin charged into the barbarian commanderâs tent alone, fighting a hundred enemies and ultimately dying in battle, at barely twenty years old.
âBrother Wuyi, I have something to tell you.â JIANG Zhaoyue suddenly grabbed Si Fuqingâs sleeve, âCome with me.â
Si Fuqing was momentarily stunned and was pulled aside by Jiang Zhaoyue.
At this moment, she put away her smile, âActually, father is already gone, isnât he? I know, you donât have to hide it from me.â
Si Fuqing was silent for a moment, âYes, but the marshal was preparing to see you marry.â
âMarry? No.â JIANG Zhaoyue said with a calmness and composure beyond her years, âThe JIANG family guards the nationâs borders. I am a JIANG.â
Si Fuqingâs body trembled.
The earlier innocence and laughter were actually a fa?ade to comfort Lady JIANG and JING Xuanjin.
âI often heard my father and brothers talk about how the barbarians massacred the people of Northern State.â JIANG Zhaoyue raised her head, âBrother Wuyi, if you were me, what would you do?â
Si Fuqing was taken aback, her fingers slowly clenching into a fist, âThe hatred of the nation and family cannot be forgotten, and will not rest until death!â
During the old emperorâs reign, the barbarians had nearly occupied all of Northern State, establishing their own court.
Countless citizens of Xia were humiliated and killed, many people displaced.
There were even two occasions when they reached Yongâan City in Central State, threatening to overthrow the Great Xia Dynasty.
The court ignored Northern State, letting cities fall.
In such isolation and helplessness, even JIANG Haiping was powerless.
Until Emperor Yin ascended the throne, Northern State began to be reclaimed.
But it wasnât something that could be eradicated in just a few years.