Traveling through the Tang Dynasty: The Concubine Goes to War

Just when Yunxi didn't know what to do, Father Yang said again: "Xi'er, why don't you find a way to bring her back to the mansion and settle her down?"

"Dad, she could have left the palace. The emperor showed leniency and did not kill her. He only demoted her to a commoner. But she refused to leave the palace and even stabbed herself with a golden hairpin..." Yunxi told him everything Ye Ling'er had done in one breath.

"Alas!" Father Yang sighed and said to Yunxi, "Xi'er, Dad knows it's not easy for you."

"Xier, you must take good care of yourself and the prince in the palace! After all... in my heart, you are the most important..." Yang's mother said with concern.

"Daughter understands." Yunxi nodded with red eyes.

Father Yang patted Yunxi on the shoulder and said earnestly, "Xi'er, Dad will find a way to handle this matter. Just stay in the palace and I will have someone pass on any news to you."

Yunxi was touched and said, "Thank you, Dad." She knew that her father had always been her solid support.

After bidding farewell to his parents, Yunxi sat in the speeding carriage, with a lot of thoughts in his mind.

Why would Ye Ling'er rather die than leave the palace? Is there something else going on? Yunxi decided to find an opportunity to find out what Ye Ling'er had to say.

After returning to the palace, Yunxi found an opportunity and went to Ye Ling'er's residence the next day. She asked softly, "Ling'er, why would you rather die than leave the palace?"

Ye Ling'er's eyes revealed a deep sadness. She stared into the distance silently, as if recalling something. After a long time, she slowly said, "There is no place for me outside the palace anymore..."

"Why do you think so? You can go back to the Yang Mansion! It's your home there too. What's more, your adoptive parents are still there." Yunxi hurriedly comforted.

Ye Linger shook her head gently, with a bitter smile on her face, "My adoptive parents have taken good care of me and loved me since I was a child, but my adoptive mother has always been arrogant. If she knew that I was demoted from a concubine to a commoner, she would definitely feel very sad and disappointed." She paused for a moment, then continued, "As for the Yang Mansion, it is your home after all. They know very well what I did to you in the past, and I am sure they will not look at me in a good face anymore... Besides, I really don't have the face to face them..."

Yunxi listened quietly, feeling a surge of sympathy in her heart.

She said softly, "I went back to the Yang Mansion yesterday. My parents outside the palace are still very concerned about you. They asked me to convey a message, hoping that you can rest and recover from your injuries."

After hearing Yunxi's words, Ye Ling'er's eyes flashed with surprise and touching, but then she regained her composure.

"Thank you, Yunxi. But I really don't want to cause trouble to anyone anymore." Ye Ling'er lowered her head, her voice slightly choked.

Yunxi frowned slightly, thinking that Ye Ling'er might have some unspeakable difficulties.

"Ling'er, no matter what, your health is the most important. If you need anything in the palace, just tell me." Yunxi said sincerely.

Ye Ling'er raised her head and looked at Yunxi, tears of gratitude flashing in her eyes, "Thank you, sister. Actually... I don't know where to go in the future..."

Yunxi held Ye Ling'er's hand and encouraged her, "When you reach the top of the mountain, there will always be a way out. Now that things have come to this, we might as well accept it calmly and face it positively."

Ye Ling'er nodded slightly, a relieved smile on her face.

After Yunxi helped Ye Ling'er carefully check the wound and reminded Xiao Cui of some precautions, he left.

Outside the palace, on the parade ground, flags were flying and rustling. Han Xuan was wearing heavy black armor, and the red tassel on his helmet fluttered in the wind. He stood tall and straight like a pine tree in the center of the parade ground, like an unshakable mountain. His eyes were sharp and firm, revealing an unparalleled majesty and confidence.

Behind him were rows of neatly-formed soldiers, wearing fine armor, holding sharp weapons, with solemn and resolute expressions. Each of them exuded a powerful aura, as if ready to rush to the battlefield at any time and fight bloody battles for the country and the people.

Han Xuan looked at the elite army in front of him, and his heart was filled with infinite pride. He knew that this expedition was a heavy responsibility, but he was not afraid at all, because he believed in his own abilities and even more in the army he led.

As a burst of exciting drum beats sounded, Han Xuan raised the spear in his hand, pointed it forward, and shouted loudly: "Soldiers, listen up! Today we will go to the border to resist foreign invasion and defend our homeland!"

The soldiers shouted in unison: "Yes, sir!" The sound resounded through the sky and stirred the entire parade ground.

Han Xuan turned around and mounted his warhorse. He pulled the reins, the horse's hooves flew, and he led the army to set off in a mighty manner. Their figures gradually went farther and farther, disappearing into the horizon, leaving behind only the dust that rose all over the sky and their unwavering determination.

Inside the palace, in the Prince's East Palace, Yunxi just stepped in and saw Shangguan Yu playing Cuju with the Prince.

Shangguan Yu was seen with a strong and agile posture, kicking the Cuju ball up and down, which drew cheers from the prince; Xiaowan watched from the side with a smile on her face, clapping from time to time.

The other palace maids and eunuchs were busy with their own things, some were cleaning the courtyard, some were wiping the doors and windows. It was a busy yet harmonious scene.

When the prince saw Yunxi coming back, he quickly retracted his kick, walked up to her, took her hand and said, "Mrs. Yang, why haven't I seen you lately? What have you been busy with?"

Yunxi looked at the innocent and cute, slightly clingy prince in front of her, and a warm current surged in her heart. She couldn't help laughing and replied softly: "Prince, I have a lot of things to deal with recently. But seeing that you and General Shangguan are having so much fun, I feel relieved. By the way, Prince, how are you and General Shangguan playing Cuju? Have you made any progress?"

Hearing Yunxi's question, the prince raised his head excitedly, with a proud expression on his face, and said: "Yang Fumu, I am so awesome now! General Shangguan taught me a lot of skills, and I can now catch the Cuju steadily!" After that, he did not forget to show Yunxi the new skills he had just learned.

At this time, Shangguan Yu also came over. He saluted Yunxi first, then said, "Mrs. Yang, I have some free time today, so I came to practice Cuju with the prince. Judging from the prince's condition, it seems that his skills have improved."

Yunxi smiled and nodded, and said to Shangguan Yu, "Thank you, General Shangguan." Then, she turned to look at Xiaowan, who was looking at her expectantly.

Xiao Wan asked, "Sister Yunxi, have you dealt with Ye Ling'er's affairs?"