Chapter 132： Sequelae

When Meng Shike, who hadn't attended the court for many days, appeared in the Hall of Liangyi, he still looked dusty. He had just returned from the northern border, and he hadn't even had time to change his clothes that were wet by rain and snow.

"Your Majesty, Yeluyi has been found."

Bai Qingyang: "Where is he?"

Meng Shike: "In a border town in Bohai State."

Xie Zhi: "He actually hid in the territory of a powerful enemy, no wonder he was never found."

"The most dangerous place is the safest place." Bai Qingyang said, "For him, his brothers are more threatening than hostile countries."

Xie Zhi: "People who are chasing and killing Yeluyi are all over the grasslands looking for him now, and Yeludeira holds military and political power. Asking him to show up at this time is tantamount to letting him die. He will definitely not be willing."

Bai Qingyang nodded, then asked Meng Shike, "What is he doing now?"

"I heard that he is looking at the fields for farmers."

"There's a lot of drama in the King's Tent of the Grassland, and he still has leisure time to cultivate the land." Bai Qingyang said with a smile, "This prince is still unique as always."

Xie Zhi: "Isn't the north beginning to freeze, and the land is barren, what kind of land does he plant?"

Bai Qingyang: "Who knows."

Meng Shike: "Then what should we do?"

Bai Qingyang: "According to the original plan, talk to him, talk openly and honestly."

"What if he doesn't accept it?"

"He will definitely accept it," Bai Qingyang said affirmatively, "It's just a matter of time."

In this kind of matter, Bai Qingyang always calculates very accurately, it seems that everything is within her expectations, Meng Shike has long seen her terrifying foresight, and now she can only do as she says, anyway, this conspirator The layout of the article is never wrong.

"Abiding by the order, I will do it now." Meng Shike got up.

"Don't be too tired." Bai Qingyang looked at him, "Go after resting."

Meng Shike raised his hand: "Thanks to Miss's kindness, then Shike will leave first."

Xie Zhi watched him walk out of the hall, and said to himself, "It's really easy."

Bai Qingyang was amused by her words: "After all, it's Aye's old department, Chief Meng who is in charge of Qinzhou affairs."

In terms of execution and loyalty, Meng Shike has been recognized by the two generations of the Bai family. Li Zishou also said that he is very suitable for middle-level management, which means that he is really good at it.

"Mother, why do you have to give Yeluyi this cheap?" Xie Zhi expressed his doubts, "Since you know the general direction of the situation and Dasheng is capable of counterattack now, why don't you take this opportunity to bring down Shuobei? ?”

With the strength of Dasheng's army, as long as Bai Qingyang follows the practice of his previous life and defeats the eight major tribes of the grassland one by one, choking Shuobei's throat, even if he cannot destroy his country, he can force them to surrender.

Yelu Yiyuan is far away in the country of Bohai Sea, and the distant water cannot save the near fire. He is a prince who has lost his power, no matter how capable he is, he will not be able to restore the country.

Bai Qingyang shook her head, she knew what Xie Zhi was thinking.

"In my last life, I was able to covertly cover Chencang and attack the grassland people's homeland because Yeludila had already reached the hinterland of Dasheng. He was thousands of miles away from the grassland, so naturally he couldn't return in time to rescue him." Bai Qingyang analyzed calmly, " But this time, the prairie people are kept out of the country, and their cavalry are already fast, if I rashly send troops into the grassland, I'm afraid I won't get any benefits."

Bai Qingyang had a map in hand, she took a sip of hot tea, and then said: "It's not that I can't disintegrate the grassland, but in that case, Dasheng will have to spend a long time with Shuobei, and it's already mid-November now , approaching the end of the year, no one wants to fight a protracted war.

"The winter in the northern border is hard to bear, the longer the war lasts, the more casualties will be, and it is the common people who will suffer in the end.

"The purpose of our war is to drive the nomads back to the grasslands and maintain the stable life of the Dasheng people. If the war period is prolonged, won't the cart before the horse and backfire?"

Xie Zhi thought about it, and this is indeed the case. The once-and-for-all method is indeed feasible, but the price is not small.

"Besides, Yeluyi is a upright person, and his life was short in the first place. I can't bear to let him die like this in Bohai Kingdom." Bai Qingyang said again, "After all, the peaceful trade policy he issued after he came to power also made Daqing take advantage of it. A lot of profit, isn't it?"

"That's true." Xie Zhi nodded approvingly.

Among the prairie barbarians known for their savagery and cruelty, Yeluyi was probably the most fresh and refined one. Bai Qingyang was the first to change the country name, and when he became the Empress of the Qing Dynasty, it was not long after he succeeded Shuobei Khan to rule the grassland.

Both sides have gone through a lot of hard work to secure their respective positions. Compared to a fight to the death, it is safer to be kings of each other and not to invade each other. It was rare for the Central Plains and the Grasslands to have such a good neighborly relationship for a period of time, and the trade on the border also brought a lot of wealth to the Daqing government.

It's a pity that Ye Luyi died young, and the Shuobei people returned to their previous greedy and bloodthirsty appearance.

The army that Bai Qingyang had raised for ten years just came in handy at this time. Daqing's thunderous army went north to fight, wiped out the Shuobei Khanate in one fell swoop, and brought the grassland into Daqing's territory.

"So, helping Yeluyi is also for the sake of the future." Bai Qingyang said while sipping, "As for Shuobei, it won't be too late to destroy Yeluyi after he dies."

Dasheng can also take advantage of this time to train and train his troops to improve his combat effectiveness.

"It's not been a few years anyway." Bai Qingyang added.

Xie Zhi twitched the corners of his mouth. Although he always knew that Bai Qingyang was the one who would maximize his profits, hearing what she said was still amazing.

"I understand. Our top priority is to use Yeluyi to attack Yeludeira and end the war as soon as possible, right?" Xie Zhi concluded.

Bai Qingyang hummed: "It's best to end before December 22."

After hearing this, Xie Zhi asked in surprise, "Winter Solstice? Why?"

Bai Qingyang answered Xie Zhi's question: "winter solstice is the ancestral tradition of the Central Plains. I want to organize the most solemn ceremony for her as a return gift to thank her for the Mid-Autumn Festival." It was even stained with a touch of crimson, looking a little shy.

Xie Zhi saw it and was quite surprised.

In the past, Bai Qingyang rarely showed an overly vivid expression. She had too many extreme negative emotions in her heart. If she could barely suppress it, she could still maintain a desolate and distant appearance; if she couldn't suppress it, she would make some crazy moves.

For example, he ran to the former site of the prime minister's mansion alone and committed suicide.

But now, Bai Qingyang has become more and more cheerful and lively. Her sincere joy and optimism can sometimes even infect Xie Zhi.

Is it because of Li Zishou?

To be able to get Bai Qingyang's favor and attention, that person is also an extraordinary person.

Xie Zhi looked at his friend who fell in love for the first time, and joked in a relaxed tone: "I don't think the empress just wants to repay the favor, she must have other plans, right?"

Sure enough, after hearing this, Bai Qingyang felt the warmth on his face become even hotter: "What, what do you mean by having other plans, I just, just..."

In the past, the gifted woman of Linjing who was able to speak well, and the regent queen who was not angry and pretentious in the court, now she looked like a young girl who had her heart broken.

"...Well, I just have other plans." There was no way to deny it, so Bai Qingyang could only nod in resignation.

With her appearance, Xie Zhi couldn't restrain his curiosity: "That's why you like the Queen so much?"

Bai Qingyang hummed in a low voice, hooked his fingers to the end of his hair, and curled it round and round.

Just thinking of that person, just reciting her name silently, the whole person feels a kind of secret satisfaction.

Xie Zhi looked at her blushing face: "..." I'll go, who is this?

Is this still the all-powerful and unsmiling founding empress of the Qing Dynasty? ?

"It's too exaggerated." Xie Zhi clicked his tongue.

"I can't help it, I just like it." Bai Qingyang said with some distress, "Sure enough, women and women are a bit strange, right?"

Xie Zhi raised his eyebrows: "It's okay." Who isn't?

"It's not good at all. If she and I were a man and a woman, wouldn't we be able to be together justifiably?"

"Aren't you justified now?"

"..." Bai Qingyang sighed softly, "There is a name for marriage, but there is no actual marriage..."

"Then do you want to give up because you are both women?"

"How is it possible?!" Bai Qingyang replied decisively, "I will never give up."

"That's right, since it's the person you've identified, then let's go after her." Xie Zhi admired her courage and determination, "You are Bai Qingyang, you can win even Jiangshan, and you must be alone .”

"That's needless to say? It's you, so what about your family?"

"My family..." Xie Zhi paused and became a little embarrassed, "It's still the same."

"You two are really not together?"

Xie Zhi shook his head: "I confessed to her, but she didn't respond."

Bai Qingyang: "She doesn't accept you?"

Xie Zhi shook his head again: "I didn't refuse or accept, it's still the same as before."

"Stable as a rock..."

"Actually, this is pretty good now. I don't care about worldly stereotypes, but I don't want them to hurt her. As long as she is by my side, I am already satisfied."

"Unrequited love is painful."

"I understand…"

The moment she realized that she had unreasonable thoughts about Yang Dejin, she was ready to bury it.

She didn't have the courage to go forward like Bai Qingyang, and she couldn't start well and end well. It was precisely because she understood this that she wanted to stop losses in time. It was a wise decision to maintain the status quo.

Xie Zhi coughed twice: "Back to the point, that means we not only need to finish the war as soon as possible, but also prepare for the suburban sacrifice ceremony at the same time, right?"

"Well, it's already mid-November, and the winter solstice is less than one and a half months away."

"Time is running out..."

"I also feel a little overwhelmed..."

"What are you talking about, this is the gift you want to prepare for her, isn't it?" Xie Zhi looked more serious than the Lord, "Ye Luyi has already been found, and it took more than a month."

"You will be very tired during this time."

"The important affairs of the country are enshrined in the army. These two things are reasonable and necessary. As a subject, you should devote yourself to it." Xie Zhi paused, and then said, "And Her Majesty is also my benefactor, Xie Zhi. I also want to do something for her."

"Thank you very much, Xie Zhi." Bai Qingyang said gratefully from the bottom of his heart.

Xie Zhi laughed lightly: "It's serious."

"Serious? What's serious? The battle is serious?!" Li Zichou's voice suddenly sounded.

Both Bai Qingyang and Xie Zhi were taken aback, they watched Li Zichou running over from the front hall.

"Reward!" The moment she saw her, Bai Qingyang's brows were filled with joy, and she immediately went up to meet her, "Why are you here? Are you cold? Come and sit."

Ever since Li Zishou woke up, Bai Qingyang had been very caring towards her, and his words and deeds were especially warm.

Bai Qingyang held her hands and rubbed them together, muttering, "Hands are red from the cold." While speaking, he led her to the seat.

"I'm fine. Compared with this, what's more serious? Is the border war not going well?" Li Zishou was still very concerned about the conversation he heard when he entered the palace.

Bai Qingyang had no choice but to say, "The border war is going well, you misheard."

"Really…"

"Don't worry, with me here, the prairie people won't be arrogant for long."

"Oh…"

"Why did you suddenly come to Liangyi Hall to look for me?"

"I just want to see you and ask if you have time for dinner."

It was rare for Li Zifu to come to her on his own initiative. Bai Qingyang was a little happy, but also a little embarrassed: "I still have a bunch of papers that I haven't reviewed yet."

"I'll approve it for you."

"No, you are just sick..."

"I'm already on the seventh day of recovery, and I can come to help."

"…Ok."

The intimate conversation and movements between the two were so natural, Xie Zhi watched from the side, feeling very relieved. It can be seen that Bai Qingyang really likes Li Zishou very much, and Li Zishou also cares about Bai Qingyang very much.

He also personally came to pick Bai Qingyang back to the palace for dinner, really... enviable.

Just as Xie Zhi was thinking this, another voice sounded at this moment: "Xie Zhi, are you here?"

Yang Dejin walked in with her hands in her hands, with a hood on her head, shouting and looking around.

Xie Zhi was taken aback for another moment, then got up and walked in front of her: "Why are you here?"

Yang Dejin said: "I heard that you are in court, shall I pick you up from get off work?"

Xie Zhi blinked, a little flattered: "And then?"

"And then? Then go home for dinner, what else can I do?" Yang Dejin didn't understand, so, "What's the matter? You look dumbfounded."

"It's okay, it's nothing." I just feel a little happy.

Xie Zhi asked again: "Are you here with Her Majesty the Empress?"

"Yes," Yang Dejin pouted towards the outside of the gate, "I just met Li Xunchao, and I chatted with her outside for a while, I was so cold to death."

"Then shall we go home?"

"Okay, your home or my home?"

"my home."

"Okay." After Yang Dejin finished speaking, she tilted her head, and looked at the two tired and crooked people behind Xie Zhi, "Li Zishou, Bai Qingyang, then I will take them away."

"Okay, let's go back quickly."

In this way, Xie Zhi was pulled away by Yang Dejin, and Li Zichou also proposed to go back to the imperial study to critique the papers together.

The earth dragon was burning inside the imperial study room, making it warm and insulated from the bitter cold wind outside.

Bai Qingyang hugged the dark gray cloak that Li Zichou had taken off, and hung it on the shelf beside him.

"So many discounts." Li Zichou was dumbfounded.

This was too much, twice as much as what she used to handle in a day, scattered all over the desks and cases, and there were even a few stacks on the carpet.

"Fortunately, not all of them are important matters." Bai Qingyang said, "Some memorandums are written on trivial matters, or some extremely hypocritical compliments.

"Voting is nothing more than to test and please, it is really boring.

"You don't need to worry about these contents, just throw them aside."

Li Zichou breathed a sigh of relief. Presumably some ministers were still intimidated by the queen regent and felt uneasy about her completely different way of governing.

but…

Li Zichou said casually: "Qing Yang, you are really skilled."

As expected of the heroine of the original work, even if she became a monk halfway, her abilities and methods make her hard to come by.

But Bai Qingyang asked after hearing this: "Do you mind? If you mind, I can return the imperial court to you right now."

Originally, she planned to take over the war before returning to power, but she didn't want the other party to misunderstand that she had the intention to replace him, so as long as Li Zifu wanted, she could hand over power immediately.

But Li Zichou just thought it was funny: "Why? What do you care about?"

Bai Qingyang: "I just think..."

"I don't have anything to worry about when you come to regent. I'm happy to be free." Li Zishou pulled her over, "Okay, hurry up and work, our task is very difficult."

"Ok."

The two sat down in front of the case together, and each of them dealt with half of the case.

Li Zichou has been in bed for more than 50 days and has been unemployed for a week after waking up. Li Zichou has not touched government affairs for two months, and she is full of energy at the moment.

It's just that when she picked up the pen, she felt something wrong in her hand, which made her face change. Presumably it was just that she hadn't held the pen for a long time, and her hand felt unfamiliar, so she twisted her wrist and picked up the pen again.

But it still doesn't work, as long as the whole arm is raised, the hand holding the pen will tremble uncontrollably, as if being pulled by the old injury of the shoulder blade, unable to exert strength.

Bai Qingyang naturally noticed it too, her lips parted slightly, a little dazed. She remembered what Dr. Hang said after she took out the arrowhead in the paddock before.

If the recuperation is not proper, it may range from falling bone pain to severe disability.

Only medication and rest combined with proper exercise can restore the previous state. But Li Zichou had been in a coma for too long, and she recovered from her injuries, but the sequelae probably could not be avoided.

Bai Qingyang muttered, and touched her trembling hand: "It's all my fault..."

"It's not your fault!" Li Zichou immediately denied it.

She held Bai Qingyang's hand, looked at her without blinking, and said softly: "Qingyang, don't blame yourself for all your mistakes, you didn't do anything wrong."

Bai Qingyang lowered his head, still very annoyed: "But I...Emperor Hang has already said it, but I..."

"Qing Yang, my injury is already healed, and my arm is fine." Li Zishou comforted her, "It's my own fault, you don't need to do this."

"But your hands are shaking."

"It's just trembling, it's not that I can't write, you see."

As Li Zichou said, he raised his pen again, and wrote the words "Bai Qingyang" on the rice paper. It was majestic and beautiful, but it seemed that it lacked some strength.

Bai Qingyang looked at the black and white words on the paper, looked at his own name, and felt mixed feelings in his heart.

The first time she saw Li Zichou writing was in the palace examination in spring. She wrote all ten exam questions by herself. Her calligraphy was originally vigorous and vigorous, but now...

"I'm going to call the doctor."

"No need..."

"You must call the imperial physician!" Bai Qingyang was very persistent.

Li Zishou could only nod his head: "...that's fine."

This time it was Doctor Hang who came. He massaged Li Zichou's shoulders and arms and came to a conclusion.

Li Zifu's arms can't use too much strength, and he can't do movements that require high precision. There are sequelae, and there are also reasons for being bedridden for a long time. The imperial doctor prescribed a prescription for her, and moderate exercise can reduce hand tremors. symptoms.

It's just Li Zifu's hand, which doesn't affect daily life, but it's impossible to draw a bow and shoot an arrow.

For this reason, Bai Qingyang's mood was still very low.

After the imperial physician retired, Li Zishou turned around and advised her: "It's okay, it's just that I can't draw the bow, anyway, my archery skills are just like that."

Bai Qingyang said sullenly: "I like the way you draw your bow."

"Eh?"

"I like the way you look at your target, it's... chic."

Of course, she mainly likes Li Zishou.

Li Zifu was caught off guard by the praise, and was a little shy: "Is that so..."

"Don't talk about drawing a bow and shooting an arrow, you can't even hold a slightly heavier object now." Bai Qingyang said regretfully, "It would have been nice if I had stopped you then, so you wouldn't be hit by the arrow, and you wouldn't injured."

She was talking about Li Zichou entering the mountain alone.

"Qing Yang," Li Zichou said helplessly, "the target of the killers is me, whether I enter the mountain or not, they will find a chance to kill me."

"Then you shouldn't lie to me! You shouldn't face the danger alone. I don't dare to think, if something happens to you..." Bai Qingyang was a little excited. After so long, she still couldn't let go.

It's the same with the assassination and the poisoning, accidents happen to Li Zishou from time to time, and Bai Qingyang is always worried about her.

Li Zishou brought her the hope of starting over, and gave her the courage and confidence to act rashly. If Li Zishou was gone, Bai Qingyang would definitely collapse completely.

Li Zichou was injured, but she had to bear the heavy worries and misses. The more I thought about it, the more afraid I felt, and the more I thought about it, the more I felt wronged. Li Zichou could always easily let his emotions fall.

what…

Li Zichou looked at her trembling shoulders and felt dazed.

I made her cry again...

Bai Qingyang was choking with his head down, when he was suddenly pulled into a warm embrace, and Li Zichou comforted the person in his embrace.

"I'm sorry, because I have something to do."

"Then have you considered my feelings? If you really..."

"I made sufficient preparations before entering the mountain. As soon as my whistle sounds, Zhou Huaijin will immediately dispatch the imperial army to support."

"But your gong didn't ring until the end."

"Well... because I still want to confirm something."

"If I don't show up in time, the blade will fall on you."

"Yes... thank you."

"I don't want to listen to your thanks, I want you to promise that you are not allowed to make fun of your own life anymore."

"Well, no more."

"Don't lie to me again!"

"Okay—I will never lie to you again."

"And never...leave me."

"..." Li Zifu was silent for a second, but still agreed, "Okay, I promise you."

The author has something to say:

The confession between Bai Qingyang and Xie Zhi:

Xie Zhi: That's why you like Li Zishou so much?

Bai Qingyang: I like it.

Bai Qingyang: Don't you also like Yang Dejin?

Xie Zhi: Yes.

Li Zichou and Yang Dejin's dead duck's mouth is hard:

Li Zichou: Xie Zhi likes you.

Yang Dejin: Bai Qingyang likes you.

Li Zichou: You are talking nonsense!

Yang Dejin: You talk nonsense!