jdhmnovel Chapter 329 The Request of the Younger Generation
Chapter 329 The Request of the Younger Generation
In the end, it was the arrival of Emperor Gu Li of Xia that saved Guan Liushui from her predicament.
After the five men bowed to Gu Li, Guan Liushui immediately explained Emperor Song's plan to Gu Li in detail and presented him with the imperial seal.
Gu Li looked at the imperial seal and couldn't help but laugh out loud, saying something to Xiao Aiyue.
"It seems your older brother is really desperate!"
"I knew my eldest brother would never stand idly by!"
Xiao Aiyue used the same address she used to the Song Emperor when she was a princess in the Song Kingdom, which made her seem more intimate and brought the relationship between the two countries closer together.
Thus, her eldest brother became Gu Li's brother-in-law.
It's only natural for a brother-in-law to help his sister's husband.
As expected, Xiao Aiyue's words pleased Gu Li, who smiled and shook his head.
"I really didn't plan to count on him, but I didn't expect him to have secretly trained a navy! It's really beyond my expectations. If it weren't for the impending war between Xia and Yue, he would never have revealed his trump card!"
As Gu Li spoke, he specifically glanced at the flowing water.
"Moreover, he didn't send his own officials to discuss cooperation with us. Instead, he approached Guan Liushui. No one would suspect that this child who can only sing and dance is actually a secret envoy sent by the Song Emperor!"
Gu Li used the word "surprisingly" three times in his two short paragraphs, which shows how shocked he was by the Song Emperor's actions.
In the end, Gu Li called out to the Song Emperor from afar.
"Xiao Zhensheng, you old fox!"
The five friends couldn't help but laugh when they heard Gu Li call the Song Emperor an old fox.
Gu Li quickly calmed down and beckoned Han Gu over.
"Jiancheng and Jiang Song haven't left yet. Take Guan Liushui to see them immediately, quickly discuss the contents of the alliance, and sign it with Guan Liushui right away!"
"Old slave obeys!"
Han Gu turned to leave with Guan Liushui, but Gu Li called him back.
"Wait, we need to refine our tactics for the war against Yue. Let them have dinner first, and then wait for me in the Imperial Study to discuss it together."
"Yes!"
Seeing that Gu Li had no further instructions, Han Gu led Guan Liushui to the Imperial Study.
Xiao Aiyue immediately instructed Green Ivy to serve the meal.
Having no autonomy over her marriage and being manipulated like a prop, Green Ivy, whose heart had been in her throat, finally calmed down, gave a reply, and hurried away.
When no one noticed her on the street, Green Ivy's heart began to race again.
She's already twenty-five this year, eight years older than Guan Liushui, who's seventeen. Isn't this like an old cow eating young grass? The Empress really knows how to flatter her.
Suddenly, Green Ivy no longer envied Qing'e, who had left the palace to serve at the Prince Xian's residence. She had regretted it so much back then, but now she was glad that a momentary lapse in judgment had allowed her to preserve her relationship with the Empress.
Next year, when she is released from the palace, the Empress will surely reward her handsomely, provide her with a small courtyard, help her find a good husband, and have another son or daughter. Her life will then be complete.
But that young man Guan Liushui was really handsome. In all her years in the palace, she had never seen a man more handsome than Guan Liushui, except for the three princes, whom she dared not even dream of.
It wouldn't be a bad idea to marry Guan Liushui, as she is the only, chief, and personal maidservant of the most favored Consort Shu.
Green Ivy mentally labeled herself with several more tags, and felt that Guanliushui was too high a rank for her.
It's a pity that Guan Liushui already has someone he likes. Otherwise, he could whisper in the Empress's ear again and have her issue an imperial decree to grant them marriage.
Thinking of this, Green Ivy's face turned as red as a monkey's bottom. She was so preoccupied with the thoughts of marriage that she almost forgot to serve dinner.
Meanwhile, the group of people who were eagerly waiting for dinner had already taken their seats in the main hall of Qilan Palace.
Zhao Xuan was the first to state her plans.
"Father, Mother, I intend to go to the North and South borders respectively with my father. I will go to the North and my father to the South, to participate in the war as archers and do my part. I hope that you will grant my request!"
"Isn't it inappropriate for a young woman like you to go to a place where men are marching and fighting?"
Xiao Aiyue's hand holding the teacup trembled, and she almost dropped it. This Zhao Xuan was truly audacious.
After hearing this, Zhao Xuan just looked at Gu Li expectantly without saying a word.
She had expected Xiao Aiyue to object, but fortunately, it wasn't her, the mother-in-law, who made the decision.
Gu Li did not give a conclusion immediately. After thinking for a moment, he pondered and said:
“Xuan’er is right. After all, this is the first time our Xia army has been equipped with crossbowmen, and time is tight, so we haven’t had time to conduct systematic and effective training.”
With you and Master Huang here, the archers can play their greatest role at crucial moments! Xuan'er, I agree, but you must protect yourself on the front lines!
"Alright! I understand, thank you, Father!"
Zhao Xuan couldn't hide her excitement and hurriedly clasped her hands in thanks to Gu Li.
Xiao Aiyue looked at Gu Li in shock, blinked, as if to say, "You agree to this?"
She couldn't openly question Gu Li's decision, so she could only give him meaningful glances.
Gu Li patted Xiao Aiyue's hand reassuringly.
"Xuan'er has been more like a boy than Xiao Wu since she was little. It won't be a problem to have her dress up as a boy. Besides, with Qin Shao and the four Ma brothers around, they will definitely protect Xuan'er. Don't worry."
Since Gu Li had already said so much, Xiao Aiyue could only let Zhao Xuan do as she pleased, but secretly she thought: Thank goodness! She couldn't control her daughter-in-law, but fortunately her son was well-behaved and never did anything out of line.
Xiao Aiyue never expected that her son would directly contradict her idea.
Seeing that Gu Li had granted Zhao Xuan's request, Little Fairy Doctor stood up and curtsied to Gu Li, her voice calm and indifferent.
"Your Majesty, I also want to go to the Northern Border with Xuan'er."
Gu Li looked at Little Fairy Doctor with curiosity.
"And why do you want to go?"
"It's very simple. With my medical skills, there might have been a hundred dead or wounded on the front lines, but if I went, perhaps only one or two would die or be wounded!"
Gu Li was speechless. Although Little Fairy Doctor's words were arrogant, she had real skills.
Gu Li could only give Little Fairy Doctor a thumbs up, his words laced with teasing.
"If that's the case, even if you don't volunteer, I'll still send someone to tie you up and bring you to the army!"
Little Fairy Doctor smiled slightly: "Your Majesty flatters me!"
"And I!"
Hao Xiong stood up impatiently, his eyes gleaming with confidence.
"I have always been Little Fairy Doctor's most capable assistant. Back in Jiaoyang Valley, no one was more suitable to take care of patients than me. I am best at decocting medicine, feeding medicine, bandaging, applying medicine, and comforting patients!"
"Exactly!"
Little Fairy Doctor nodded slightly, affirming Hao Xiong's statement.
Gu Li burst into laughter and said repeatedly:
"Excellent! It is said that when the youth are strong, the nation is strong! The younger generation of our Xia Kingdom has grown up, and they are all full of vigor and spirit. I am very pleased!"
Gu Zhanghua could no longer contain himself. He suddenly stepped forward to Gu Li and Xiao Aiyue and said loudly:
"Father, Mother, I will go too! I will lead the army as a wise prince! To boost morale! Only then can the soldiers fight with one heart and drive back the Rongdi cavalry!"
Xiao Aiyue suddenly stood up, her face turning deathly pale, her lips trembling, and her voice cracking.
"Don't go!"
"Why?! Yang Zilan can serve in the army, why can't I?"
Gu Zhanghua's eyes reddened with anxiety.
"How can you compare to Yang Zilan? He was the top scholar in the martial arts examination! And you? Can you even carry a spear or wield a knife? You can't even ride a horse!"
Xiao Aiyue clung tightly to Gu Zhanghua's arm, fearing that if her son were to slip from her grasp, he would immediately fly off to the battlefield...
OK!OK!
Xiao Aiyue shook her head frantically, her hairpins swaying precariously, about to fall to the ground...
Helpless, Gu Zhanghua carefully inserted the hairpin, one after another, back into place, preventing it from falling out.
“Mother, there is a way of martial arts and a way of literature! As a prince of the Xia Kingdom and a wise king of the Xia Kingdom, I have my mission!”
Seeing that reasoning with her son had failed and he showed no sign of changing his mind, Xiao Aiyue resorted to her ultimate weapon!
Her eyes were brimming with tears, about to spill over.
Gu Zhanghua had no choice but to turn his head away from his mother's tear-streaked face and look at Gu Li with anticipation.
"Father! Please grant my request!"