The daily life of a cold and aloof general raising his wife

The two parted on bad terms.

Xia He looked at Jiang Shurou with a worried expression.

Jiang Shurou lowered her eyes, making it impossible to discern her thoughts.

**

A few days later, Song Wenying came to the general's mansion.

"Why are you here?" Jiang Shuwan asked, puzzled.

Just a few days ago at the banquet, she mentioned that things hadn't been peaceful lately, and Jiang Shuwan knew she wouldn't come unless there was something important.

“Li Ning hasn’t been to the Prince An’s residence for several months, and my mother-in-law was worried, so she asked me to go to the Duke of Ying’s residence to visit her.”

After Song Wenying finished speaking, she couldn't help but frown slightly.

"what happened?"

"I felt something was off about her when I saw her today," Song Wenying said, expressing her doubts.

"What's wrong?"

"Can't tell."

When Song Wenyin visited Li Ning today, she noticed that Li Ning looked unwell and spoke somewhat unnaturally.

"Where is the Duchess of England?"

Jiang Shuwan realized that she hadn't seen the Duchess of England for more than half a year.

"I did not see the Duchess of England today; the servants said she left the manor."

Song Wenyin had no doubts about this.

She stayed at the general's mansion for half an hour before leaving.

Jiang Shuwan didn't take Li Ning's matter to heart.

The next day, an urgent report came from Beicheng: the Turks had suddenly attacked Northern Qi. Northern Qi was short of troops, so Li Shu wrote to Beicheng for help. Beicheng sent a team to support Northern Qi, but the Turks were coming in a fierce manner and Northern Qi's troops were simply not enough.

Emperor Mingde immediately summoned his ministers to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Finally, General Shen was dispatched to Beicheng to support Northern Qi.

The Empress was filled with unease upon learning this news in Kunning Palace.

Xie Huai'an knew best about both the journey to the North City and its defenses. He was stopped by General Shen as soon as he came out of the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

General Shen's request for directions was of utmost importance, so Xie Huai'an went with him to study the routes.

Xie Huai'an didn't return from outside until it was completely dark.

Jiang Shuwan rushed to greet him when she saw him return.

News of the Northern Qi affair had already spread throughout the capital, and Jiang Shuwan couldn't help but worry for Li Shu after learning about it.

"Is the Emperor sending you to Northern Qi?"

Xie Huai'an shook his head.

"It's General Shen."

Jiang Shuwan was somewhat puzzled. "You've been to Northern Qi before and are more familiar with the routes there. Logically, the Emperor should have sent you there."

“I just finalized the route with General Shen. He will set off early tomorrow morning. I tried to probe him, but he is very tight-lipped.”

Their eyes met.

They had the same idea: if Emperor Mingde didn't send Xie Huai'an to Beicheng, it was probably because General Shen had received other orders besides supporting Beicheng.

Jiang Shuwan sat on the stool in a daze, muttering to herself, "I hope I'm just overthinking it all."

Xie Huai'an remained silent, because based on his understanding of Emperor Mingde, he was very likely to abandon Li Shu for the sake of the country.

"No, I have to tell Ashu in advance."

After Jiang Shuwan finished speaking, she walked to the desk, and Xie Huai'an followed to grind ink for her.

After writing and letting it dry, put it in an envelope.

"I had someone deliver it overnight."

After Xie Huai'an finished speaking, he walked out of the house.

**

Northern Qi Dynasty

Li Shu sat on the dragon throne, while two people stood inside the hall.

"The city is in chaos now, and if you don't leave now, you may not be able to leave when you want to."

"Yes, Your Majesty. Before coming to Northern Qi, Your Majesty repeatedly instructed your subordinates to ensure your safety."

These two were sent by the Empress to protect Li Shu.

"If I leave, Northern Qi will be completely without a leader, and this place will become easy prey for the Turks."

Li Shu didn't want to leave. There were people in this city here, and since she had become the queen, she couldn't abandon the people of a city for her own safety.

The two saw that Li Shu insisted on not leaving.

The two men knelt down to pledge their loyalty, saying, "Your subordinates swear to protect the Queen with their lives."

The thought of the current situation in Northern Qi gave Li Shu a terrible headache.

"You guys go down."

"Yes."

The two bowed and left.

By now, the Emperor should have received the urgent report. I wonder when the reinforcements will arrive?

The Northern Qi palace is now heavily guarded; not even a stray cat would be easily let go of by patrolling personnel.

The next day, Zheng Congying went to visit Li Shu.

"I discussed this with my second uncle yesterday. My lady, you should be prepared to retreat to the north city at any time."

Duke Zheng and Zheng Congying discussed for half the night and came up with a way out for Li Shu.

"What do you mean? The Turks have invaded the city again?" Li Shu hadn't received any news.

"No, we're just worried about your safety. Northern Qi is no longer safe. You should go back to Daqing."

"How could I abandon you and the people of the city? As long as I am the Queen of Northern Qi, I will not abandon the people here. I swear to live and die with Northern Qi." Li Shu's voice was firm and powerful.

Zheng Congying had anticipated that she wouldn't leave before he arrived, but hearing it with his own ears still stirred his heart.

How could he not be moved by such a resilient and courageous woman?

Zheng Congying knelt on one knee, saying, "On behalf of the people of the city, I thank Your Majesty."

Li Shu walked to his side and helped him up personally. "General Zheng, I don't know military strategy or martial arts, so I can't be of much help on the battlefield. But I will be obedient. If you need me, just tell me. If you need me to go to the battlefield to cheer on the soldiers, I will do my duty without hesitation."

"I know."

The two looked at each other and smiled at the same time. Zheng Congying looked at her with admiration and respect.

After Zheng Congying left, Wei Chi arrived.

"What does the Queen mean by this?"

Wei Chi looked like he was there to interrogate him.

Li Shu chuckled, "You've always wanted to leave, this time I'm setting you free."

Early in the morning, Li Shu sent Xianglian to find Wei Chi and tell him that she was letting him leave. Only then did Wei Chi come to find Li Shu.

"What do you take me for? You think I'll come when you want me to come, and leave when you want me to leave?"

Wei Chi's voice sounded somewhat angry.

Li Shu looked at him and said, "You should know the current situation in Northern Qi. Aren't you afraid of dying?"

"I just want to be with you."

Li Shu was stunned. They had been together for over a year, and Wei Chi had never said he loved her, nor had he ever acted inappropriately during that time.

Wei Chi walked over and hugged her. "Silly girl, let's get married after this is over."

After saying that, he added, "It's not a fake marriage, it's a real, proper marriage."

Li Shu stiffly raised her arm and hugged him tightly, "Okay."

The two hugged each other tightly.

No matter what the future holds, they will move forward hand in hand.

**

Daqing

With the war in Northern Qi becoming increasingly intense, and the imperial court having also wiped out a branch of the Tongtian Sect, the people in the court have been filled with anxiety lately.

Emperor Mingde entrusted Xie Huai'an with full authority over the task of suppressing the rebel King Tongtian Sect, so Xie Huai'an was very busy every day, getting up before dawn and returning after dark.

Xie Mingyu hadn't seen Xie Huai'an for over half a month. Today at dinner, she couldn't help but ask, "Why hasn't Father been eating with Yu'er lately?"

Jiang Shuwan said softly, "Your father has been quite busy lately. How about he spends some quality time with you after he's done with this?"

Xie Mingyu nodded obediently, "Okay."

Although Xie Mingyu was a bit mischievous at times, she was a very obedient child and listened to everything Jiang Shuwan said.