Chapter 61: Night Watch in the Snowstorm
At the same time, in Beiguan Yong’an City.
The city of Yong’an was draped in a blanket of silver as a storm raged. As the New Year approached and every house lit their lamps, the soldiers on the city walls, clad in heavy armor and thick cloaks, still shivered in the fierce wind and snow.
Their faces were weathered, but their eyes shone with unwavering determination.
In this frigid night, they used their bodies to form an indestructible defense, protecting the city and the people behind it.
In the darkness, the newly appointed Marshal of the Beiguan Garrison, Cao Xiong, stood clad in silver armor with a fiery red cloak.
He stood on the city wall, his bloodshot eyes fixed on the dark expanse of the plains beyond.
The wind and snow on the plains roared fiercely like a wild beast, threatening to consume everything.
However, in Cao Xiong’s eyes, these plains represented his enemy, fraught with danger and challenge.
In Ling’an City, a residence specifically built for the Beiguan Marshal awaited him, but he hadn’t had the chance to visit since his arrival at Beiguan.
Poor him, it had been many days since he had a proper night’s sleep.
For consecutive days, the Turkic forces sent small cavalry units to harass them. The time and place of their attacks were unpredictable, making them elusive and using diversionary tactics.
The Turkic cavalry were like phantoms, capable of appearing at any moment, leaving Cao Xiong and his soldiers defenseless and constantly on the run.
He was ceaselessly tense, tirelessly managing defenses against the Turkic harassment on the city walls.
Originally, given the sporadic cavalry raids, the garrison of Yong’an City could easily eliminate them by launching an offensive.
However, the court’s Commander’s Seal had not yet arrived, restricting him to only training the soldiers within the city and not allowing them to pursue the enemy outside the walls.
Thus, he could only lead the soldiers in passive defense on the walls, rather than chasing them outside the city.
Otherwise, these small raids could be easily dispatched without any hassle, and he wouldn’t be in such a humiliating state as now.
"Marshal, you’ve gone without rest for several days; your body won’t hold out if this continues," Ma Cheng, the defending general of Yong’an City, advised worriedly.
In uncertain situations, the soldiers could take turns to rest, but he could not.
Cao Xiong slightly shook his head, his gaze never leaving the dark expanse of the plains.
"I cannot rest; the Turkic people harass us daily, surely plotting a large-scale attack. Especially today, we must remain vigilant and not give them any opportunity."
Ma Cheng sighed helplessly, understanding his concerns. Thus, he silently retreated to the side, continuing to command the soldiers to strengthen their defenses.
The wind and snow howled unabatedly, seemingly wanting to swallow the entire world.
Cao Xiong’s eyes had already turned blurry, but his mind remained exceptionally clear.
Now, he was no longer as panicked and helpless as when he first arrived. Facing the constant harassment, his combat experience gradually improved.
Suddenly, a scout rushed over: "Marshal, bad news! Turkic cavalry were spotted ten miles north again."
After this scout finished reporting, another scout quickly came running and said, "Reporting, Marshal, a large cavalry force is approaching from the northwest."
Two cavalry units attacking simultaneously?
Cao Xiong lifted his head sharply, a flash of sharpness glinting in his bloodshot eyes.
"Damn it, I knew it, they really don’t want to let us have a peaceful New Year. Pass down my orders, prepare to engage!"
With Cao Xiong’s command, the soldiers on the city wall immediately entered combat readiness.
They quickly adjusted the defensive fortifications, preparing weapons like bows, arrows, and fire oils...
While Cao Xiong mustered his spirits and led the soldiers to respond to the Turkic harassment once more, the New Year’s Eve feast at the imperial palace in the Capital City had officially begun.
The plum blossoms in the palace were in full bloom, but due to the continuous wind and snow outside, the feast originally planned to be in the imperial garden had to be moved to the warm Food Official Hall.
The Food Official Hall was brightly lit and resplendent with gold and jade.
The feast started with candle flames flickering, illuminating men and women in splendid attire, filled with laughter.
The melodious sound of string and bamboo rose gracefully.
In the center of the grand hall, light singing and graceful dancing, with the aroma of delicious food lingering in the air.
The Emperor and Empress sat high on the dragon throne, surrounded by civil and military officials, concubines, and noblewomen seated according to their ranks, all enjoying the performance with casual chatter and laughter.
Princess Changle, dressed in a lovely pink gown embroidered with branches, sat upright in her seat, yet her mind was not on the performances, her eyes frequently glanced towards the hall’s entrance, filled with anxiety.
The one she admired and loved, Prince Xiaoyao Zhao Zun, had still not shown up.
The Empress, understanding her thoughts, softly laughed and whispered to Emperor Jing’s ear: "Your Majesty, see how Changle, that child, is completely enamored with Prince Xiaoyao!"
Upon hearing this, Emperor Jing noticed the empty seat meant for Zhao Zun.
He was just about to send someone to check on Zhao Zun when he heard the eunuch shout from the hall entrance: "Prince Xiaoyao has arrived!"
Everyone turned to see Prince Xiaoyao Zhao Zun walking in steadily, clad in a brocade cloak embroidered with auspicious clouds.
Behind him, he led a stunningly beautiful young woman in ordinary attire.
The woman’s face was charming and sweet, her expressions lively and fresh, like a spirit who had fallen from the celestial realm.
Wow! What a beautiful woman!
Everyone in the grand hall exclaimed in admiration.
Princess Changle’s gaze immediately locked onto Han Lei.
Could it be that this is Zhao Zun’s favored woman? Zhao Zun actually brought her to the palace feast.
A surge of resentment rose in Princess Changle’s heart, her hatred so intense that her nails almost dug into her flesh.
Prince Xiaoyao led Han Lei to Emperor Jing and the Empress, respectfully greeting, "Minister Zhao Zun apologizes for the lateness, begging indulgence from Your Majesty and Your Highness the Empress."
Emperor Jing laughed heartily, replying, "No matter, no matter, it’s good that Prince Xiaoyao is here. The feast has just begun." Saying this, he looked toward Han Lei, asking, "And this is..."
Zhao Zun smiled slightly and introduced, "Your Majesty, this is the niece of the County Magistrate of Qingshui, Miss Han Lei, whom I mentioned before."
Han Lei gracefully curtseyed, her voice sweet and soft like the sound of tinkling spring water: "Humblest daughter Han Lei greets Your Majesty and Your Highness the Empress."
"At today’s palace feast, no need for formalities."
Emperor Jing examined Han Lei’s delicate face, unable to help from praising, "Mr. Zhao mentioned Miss Han is as beautiful as a heavenly maiden, which I found hard to believe. Seeing you today, it is indeed no exaggeration."
The Empress secretly admired Han Lei’s beauty and grace as well.
She glanced sideways at Princess Changle, seeing that her expression had turned ashen. The Empress smiled slightly, already making plans in her mind.
Zhao Zun, hearing Emperor Jing personally acknowledge Han Lei’s beauty, felt a huge weight lifted from his heart.
He didn’t want to wait any longer, letting go of Han Lei’s hand, he knelt on one knee before Emperor Jing.
"Your Majesty! Since Your Majesty has seen Miss Han, and we are both deeply in love, I request Your Majesty to bless us with marriage!"
"Uh..."
Emperor Jing pressed his lips, casting a hesitant glance at Princess Changle, struggling with how to respond.
At that moment, an urgent shout rang out from the bustling hall—
"Report... urgent news from Beiguan..."