Chapter 356: Change
Editor: Atlas Studios
After Mu Yangling returned to the city tower, she touched the hard bow again and again before reluctantly returning it to Xu Shi. “Master Xu, thank you for your bow and arrows.”
Xu Shi quickly waved his hand. “Miss Mu, how can you return it? You should keep this. Such a precious bow should be paired with a heroine. This bow rightfully belongs to you.”
As he spoke, Xu Shi wiped his tears. “20 years ago, after losing the Jingzhao Prefecture,I’ve always hoped that the Imperial Court would be able to recover it. Who knew that it would really happen now?”
“Old Master Xu, the Jingzhao Prefecture hasn’t been taken back yet,” Mu Yangling quickly stopped him. Since they still didn’t know what the situation in the Jingzhao Prefecture was like, such a statement couldn’t be spread. Otherwise, what if they ended up failing?
Wouldn’t the people drown Qi Xiuyuan with their spit?
“Soon, soon. General Qi is wise and mighty. Since we’re able to defend Xingcheng Pass, he will definitely be able to take back the Imperial Capital.”
Mu Yangling didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He sure sounded more certain than her.
However, Xu Shi refused to take back this bow. Back then, he had spent a lot of money to build it to mock others. Who would have thought that this bow would one day be used to resist the Jin people?
Therefore, he felt that he was indeed very far-sighted. How could he, who was far-sighted, put this bow aside? He should let it play its role on the battlefield.
Seeing that Mu Yangling had accepted the bow and arrows, Xu Shi left in satisfaction.
Meanwhile, in Xingzhou Prefecture, because of the withdrawal of the Jin soldiers, everyone relaxed and a smile appeared on their faces. However, after Mu Yangling relaxed at the beginning, she began to pay attention to the battle at the Jingzhao Prefecture.
As the Jin soldiers retreated, news between them and the Jingzhao Prefecture began to flow smoothly. Qi Xiuyuan had already taken down the Wu pass, and Xingping, Lintong, and Gaoyang in the Jingzhao Prefecture had already been taken down by him. Now, they had already arrived outside Chang’an County, where the prefectural capital of the Jingzhao Prefecture was located. Jiang Ze had also led another army to recover Lantian and Xianyang. Mo Xiong was still outside the San pass, but there was no news of Qi Haoran. Although Mu Yangling was worried, there was nothing she could do. He had always liked surprise attacks and strange battles. Who knew what he was up to?
The next day, Mu Shi asked one of his battalion commanders to come back and replace Mu Yangling. That battalion commander said very politely, “Miss Mu, Battalion Commander Mu wants you to go home and take a look at the old and the young. He worries they’re suffered a fright.”
Mu Yangling heaved a sigh of relief and immediately said, “Thank you, Uncle. I’ll go back now.”
Mu Yangling was also worried about the situation at home. There was not much use for her to stay here now, so she might as well go home first.
Mu Yangling rode back quickly. The soldiers who were still squatting on the city gate tower immediately shouted when they saw Mu Yangling’s horse, “Miss Mu is back. Miss Mu is back.”
Song Zhi came out with a smile and asked anxiously, “Miss Mu, is there any news from Jingzhao Prefecture?”
“The general has already arrived in the city. When I left, they had already taken back five counties.”
Song Zhi was overjoyed. “In that case, victory is just around the corner.” Seeing that Mu Yangling was still on her horse and did not come down, he immediately understood that she was in a hurry to go home. He quickly made way and said, “Then Miss Mu, go home and take a look first.”
Mu Yangling nodded and turned to say to the regiment commander, “You guys guard the city gate for the time being. You can arrange the details yourself.”
There were more than ten soldiers and more than ten bailiffs guarding the Mu family’s door. It was obvious that the regiment commander and Song Zhi had sent their men respectively. All the families had their doors closed and did not dare to go out. When they heard the sound of horse hooves, they secretly stood on their tiptoes and looked out. When they saw Mu Yangling return, they heaved a sigh of relief.
Mu Yangling knocked on the door and Xu Jian carefully opened it. When he saw Mu Yangling, he was instantly overjoyed. “Miss is back. Miss is back.”
Xiuhong and Bowen ran out of the room quickly. Shu Wanniang followed closely behind them. When she saw that Mu Yangling was fine, her eyes turned red.
Xiuhong and Bowen ran over to hug Mu Yangling and cried, “Sister, why didn’t you tell us that you were leaving?”
Mu Yangling only stroked their heads and nodded slightly at Shu Wanniang and Great-aunt. Smiling, she said, “I’m back.”
She looked up and saw Liu Lang standing at the door. Slightly stunned, she asked, “Why are you here too? How dare you go out at a time like this?”
“Why wouldn’t I dare when the Jin soldiers had yet to attack this place?” Liu Lang changed the topic and asked with a smile, “How is it? I heard that you went up the city tower to defend the city? How do you feel?”
Seeing Shu Wanniang and Great-aunt’s faces turn pale, she glared at Liu Lang. Of all things, he had to ask her this?
Mu Yangling hugged Shu Wanniang and Great-aunt’s arms and said with a smile, “Great-aunt, Mother, don’t worry. I’m fine. I’m not injured at all. Father is also fine. Because he still has to guard the city now, he’ll probably only be back after a while.”
Shu Wanniang wiped her tears and didn’t blame her. After turning around, she went to the kitchen. “I’ll make you some delicious food. Look at you. You’ve lost weight in just a few days.”
Great-aunt didn’t lecture her and went into the kitchen to help.
Mu Yangling didn’t expect to be let off so easily. She was stunned for a moment before waving her hand to get Bowen to send the guards at the door back. “Go into the house and get some copper coins. Give them more, since they’ve been fearfully guarding for a few days.”
Bowen agreed. Because he had exchanged a lot of copper coins when giving out the salary last time, Bowen wrapped some of them in books and went out.
Xiuhong went into the kitchen to get more than 20 bowls. She said to Liu Lang, who was standing there in a daze, “Why are you still standing there? Hurry up and help carry this pot of soup to the door. It’s such a cold day. We have to let the guards drink a bowl of hot soup before leaving.”
Mu Yangling praised Xiuhong for being thoughtful. “Open the door. If there are women in the backyard, we won’t invite them in. If they don’t mind, they can make do at the gatehouse.”
Mu Yangling helped move some stools out. Seeing that everyone was busy, Bosi and Kejia also carried a stool out with all their might.
The soldiers and bailiffs outside were originally calm, but later on, they became a little uneasy.
They had been guarding here for three days, so it was only right for them to receive some rewards. However, they couldn’t help but feel warm inside when they were invited inside to drink soup. Moreover, they could see that the young masters and young ladies of the Mu family were also helping to carry the stools.
They accepted it, feeling grateful. Mu Yangling handed the matter to Bowen, who brought a bowl of broth to thank them for taking care of the Mu family for the past three days.
After drinking the broth and chatting for a while, he politely sent them away.
Then, Bowen sent Xu Jian and Chen Sanzhu away. After closing the door, now that it was only the Mu family inside the house, he immediately rushed in to ask Mu Yangling about the war.
Although they had fled a war previously, they had never seen a real battlefield and were very curious about it.
However, Mu Yangling did not have much to talk about. She had not had a good sleep for two consecutive days. After drinking the soup, she felt warm all over and felt sleepy as she sat there.
Seeing this, Shu Wanniang chased the children out and asked Mu Yangling to wash up before going to bed. She would wake her up when it was time for dinner.