kingnovel Chapter 282 On the way home
Chapter 282 On the way home
Night falls again, lights flicker in the camp, and everyone's heart is filled with expectations and hopes for the future.
Regardless of the fatigue from the journey, Fan Heng rode his horse day and night with only one thought in his mind.
Convey Xiao Zhixue's heroic deeds to the emperor as soon as possible.
The outline of the capital city gradually became clear in the morning light. The ancient city walls bathed in the first rays of sunlight looked solemn and majestic.
He entered the palace gate and walked through the corridors of the palace, each step filled with firm determination.
When he saw the emperor, although Fan Heng's face was tired, his eyes were shining with excitement.
He described in great detail how Xiao Zhixue broke into the enemy camp alone and used her wisdom and courage to force the Emperor of Dongchu to write a letter of surrender in his own handwriting.
The ink on the yellowed paper was not yet dry, which not only marked the end of the war, but also witnessed Xiao Zhixue's heroic deeds.
When the emperor heard the news, he was very pleased. He was not only pleased that the country had gained such a loyal and brave general, but he was also impressed by the woman's courage.
The emperor's decree was like a spring breeze, warm and sudden, and spread throughout the court in an instant.
The news that Xiao Zhixue was canonized as Marquis of Nanyi was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, causing ripples.
Yuexianyuan, a beautiful garden famous for its sunset glow, became her residence.
The reward of one thousand taels of silver was enough to prove her great contribution; and the hundred acres of fertile land was the reward for her hard work for the country and the people.
All of this has written a brilliant chapter in the history of Xiliang, which inspires admiration.
Fan Heng took the opportunity to propose a marriage for his beloved son Fan Yanmu. His words were sincere, revealing his admiration and respect for Xiao Zhixue.
The emperor knew very well that Fan Yanmu had a unique personality and had never been interested in marriage, so he was very curious about the relationship between him and Xiao Zhixue.
The image of Xiao Zhixue gradually became vivid and mysterious in the emperor's mind. He decided to witness the charm of this legendary woman with his own eyes. He also wanted to see with his own eyes what kind of person could make a cold and arrogant prince like Fan Yanmu fall in love with her.
The order was like an arrow, quickly penetrating through layers of checkpoints and reaching the border.
At the same time, the emperor's special envoys shouldered the important task of traveling to various military strongholds, delivering the good news of peace to the soldiers fighting bravely along the way.
Their faces were filled with incredible joy, and the dawn of peace seemed to have illuminated the way home.
The recall order from the Emperor of Dong Chu was like a breeze that blew away the war clouds, and the enemy's retreat gradually dissipated the smoke of war on the border of Xiliang.
The generals' initial confusion turned into excitement. When they realized that all this was caused by the letter of surrender from the Emperor of Dong Chu, the desire for peace in their hearts became more urgent.
They prepared their teams, set out on their journey home, and gathered in the capital with expectations for the future.
Fan Heng's steps as he walked out of the palace seemed particularly relaxed. He immediately ordered the messenger to ride as fast as possible to bring the good news to his son and Xiao Zhixue who were far away at the southwestern border.
When the news broke in the border camp, Fan Yanmu and Xiao Zhixue looked up at each other almost at the same time, their eyes meeting, filled with infinite longing for their future life.
After receiving his father's order, Fan Yanmu did not hesitate at all. He quickly arranged for the army to return to Beijing, leaving only a few people to guard the border.
He and Xiao Zhixue rode out together, the two horses galloping like the wind, crossing the wilderness and rushing towards Nanchong City.
After half a day, they were close to the outskirts of the city. The guards at the city gate saw Fan Yanmu from afar and recognized his identity, and they felt awe.
Although their understanding of Xiao Zhixue was not as deep as that of Fan Yanmu, they had heard many legendary stories about the newly-appointed marquis. Naturally, they did not dare to neglect her and quickly opened the city gate to welcome the two distinguished guests into the city.
Arriving at Shengyuan Mansion, Fan Yanmu and Xiao Zhixue dismounted. The knocking sound in front of the mansion door immediately attracted An Ying'er's surprised look.
The news quickly spread throughout the mansion. When Xiao Zhixue's family heard this sudden good news, they were all in tears and extremely excited.
The brothers and sisters of the Xiao family could not contain their joy; they believed that Xiao Zhixue would eventually become the pride of the family.
With Xiao Zhixue being awarded the title of nobility, the displacement she once experienced seemed to have become a thing of the past.
Under Xiao Zhixue's arrangement, the whole family began to pack their luggage and prepare to move to the capital.
This is not just a geographical migration, but also a turning point of destiny. For the Xiao family, the once unattainable life in the imperial city is about to become a reality.
Xiao Zhixue promised that she would lead everyone to open a new chapter, away from wandering, and find their true belonging.
When Liu Yin brought Xiaojun and cautiously asked if they could go together, Xiao Zhixue felt a complicated emotion.
In the end, she used gold ingots as a means of help, hoping that she and her son could live a peaceful life in Xiliang. This sudden kindness made Liu Yin grateful and she vowed to repay this kindness in the next life.
Xiao Zhixue gently comforted the mother and son. Her eyes were full of hope for the future and care for the weak, as if she was a rare ray of warm sunshine in this troubled world.
The moment Liu Yin heard the news, her brows slightly frowned, then relaxed, and the turmoil in her heart quietly subsided.
Ding Qiang's indifference and alienation year after year, like the biting cold wind in winter, gradually solidified her once passionate emotions.
Now, that sense of relief is like the melting ice and snow in spring, bringing a glimmer of hope for new life.
She secretly vowed to devote all her energy to Ding Xiaojun's growth and cultivate a pillar of talent that would be useful to the country.
On the side, Yu Yin witnessed this moment silently, with indescribable emotions surging in her heart.
Having lost both her parents, she was left alone to guard the family's legacy, surrounded by loneliness and solitude.
In recent days, her friendship with Liu Yin and Ding Xiaojun has quickly heated up. The heartwarming moments of the three of them getting along kept replaying in her mind, giving her an idea - to invite Liu Yin to stay, rely on each other, and spend the future together.
Xiao Zhixue and Fan Yanmu sat side by side on the strong horses, leading the team slowly out of Nanchong City.
Behind him, the property looted from Longgou Village had been loaded and ready to be used as supplies for the journey.
Xiao Zhixue had no objection to this arrangement, and her expression revealed determination and courage.
Lu Li and the Cao brothers, Qiao and Chuan, each drove a fully loaded carriage. The convoy slowly left Xiliang and headed towards the capital.
During the journey, everyone talked and laughed, and was full of infinite yearning and anticipation for the upcoming new life.
The capital city was far away from Xiliang. They had to sleep in the open air, cross wilderness and forests, and after three days and three nights of travel, they finally set foot on the land of the capital city.
The bustling and noisy capital city before them, with crowds of people surging in the streets and alleys and towering tall buildings, dazzled these friends from remote villages and they couldn't help but marvel at it again and again.
Such a magnificent city seemed to have opened the door to a new world for them. If it weren't for Xiao Zhixue, they might never have been able to witness such a scene in their entire lives.