Chapter 23 (1/2)
The carriage staggers to carry Murong Zhining to the south, leaving the people she loves and those she loves far behind. The outline of the imperial city is more and more blurred. Murong Zhining murmurs in her heart: goodbye to my little brother, goodbye to Caisang, goodbye to the emperor. No, no more! A clear tear rolls down from Murong Zhining's face, her heart is like a pool of stagnant water, without half a ripple.
Yan Feng sat alone in the Royal study, silently staring at the ”detour beam”, he became more and more withdrawn. Except in the court, he did not see Chiu Yun Yuexuan in private. At the thought of chiyun Yuexuan taking Murong Zhining away, his heart was empty, and he was suffering from colic, which made his heart ache.
Qi Shangming looks at him behind Yanfeng, red eyes, shakes his head, and doesn't know how to comfort him. It is said that the emperor is in love with each other day and night, and only he understands the mind of Yanfeng. At this time, Qi Shangming felt guilty. If he didn't give an idea to send Murong Zhining to Minghui palace for Yanfeng, if he didn't stop Yanfeng from sending people to recover Murong Zhining, maybe Yanfeng would not be so miserable now.
After a bumpy day, Murong Zhining was drowsy all the way. In the evening, chiyun Yuexuan picked a place near the river and ordered the team to stop and take a rest.
A short guard helped Murong Zhining out of the carriage and took her to a camp. The short guard bowed: ”I'll be waiting on Murong girl from now on.” Murong Zhining is surprised. She is a woman.
Murong Zhining is very curious to ask her: ”how can there be women in the army?” The woman ran a shop for her in a low-income way: ”the maidservant's name is Luo siyao. The father of the maidservant is a sinful official. The whole family of the maidservant was implicated and assigned to all the soldiers as slaves. It was general chiyun who ordered his maidservant to serve you. ” Murong Zhining pondered for a moment and nodded his head: ”there are really official women in the army who have been assigned.”
Murong Zhining shows Biwu to Luo Siyao and asks if she has seen her before. Luo siyao took over Biwu and looked at him carefully: ”although I haven't seen this jade, my maid knows that it's made of a precious and rare jade called Imperial Green. Those who can afford this jade are either emperors or princes. Miss Murong, it's better to show the jade to the general. After all, the general has more knowledge. ” Murong Zhining droops her eyes: ”I will ask casually, there is no need to alarm the general. And he won't answer that for me. ”
Murong Zhining looks around the account, the space is not very big, like a tiny room. The tent was carpeted, with a low table in the middle and two cushions around it. Murong Zhining sits down on the cushion. She points to another cushion to let Luo siyao sit down. Luo siyao lowered his head and said, ”I dare not be presumptuous. I am just a military slave.”
Murong Zhining said sadly: ”sit down, it's OK. I'm a person who doesn't even deserve to be a servant. If you don't dislike me, you can call me Zhining. ” Luo siyao said in dismay, ”that slave servant will call your name when no one is around.”
In a short time, there was a guard to Murong Zhining sent dinner, is three steamed bread and a bowl of porridge. Murong Zhining asked Luo siyao to eat with her. Luo siyao, with a red face, sat on the cushion opposite her and grabbed a steamed bun to eat. Two people are eating while talking, Murong Zhining is curious to ask: ”you these official slaves, what do you do in the army?”
Luo siyao's eyes were red: ”I'm lucky. I only do some chores with the blessing of general chiyun. The fate of the other government ladies who became military slaves was extremely tragic. ” Luo siyao blushed, and then said, ”they are like concubines in the army, at the mercy of others. Those officers and men practice war in the daytime, and practice official slavery in the army at night. ”
Murong Zhining red eyes: ”the fate of this woman is not a few good.” Luo siyao looked at her admiringly: ”Miss Murong, it's very good. It's also a blessing to be a concubine who can chide general Yun. ” Murong Zhining's face sank: ”I'm not his concubine. You can call me by name later.”
After supper, Luo siyao asked people to bring in a waist high bucket. Later, someone brought in two buckets of hot water and poured them into the bucket. Luo siyao pulls a curtain to let Murong Zhining bathe. Murong Zhining marveled that there were such conditions in the army.
Luo siyao chuckled: ”not everyone has this treatment, only a few generals can enjoy it. All the other soldiers ran into the river and washed themselves. Our officials and slaves can only go to the river for bathing. General chiyun didn't give orders. I asked people to fight for water. ” Luo siyao wipes her body for Murong Zhining and sees the shocking mark on her back. The wound of the brand seems to have just healed. Some places have scabs, and some places still have pus flowing out. You can see the two words of chiyun vaguely. Luo siyao looked at her heart and was afraid.
Luo siyao asked in bewilderment, ”Why are you branded as a war horse? I've seen general chiyun before, and the deserters captured in the battlefield are also branded, but they are branded on their faces. ”
Murong Zhining's eyes were filled with tears: ”I am the animal of chiyun family, so you don't need to treat me as the master. I'm not as good as you.”
Luo siyao carefully rubbed her wound: ”the general is also kind to the servants. He has never seen her beat the slaves in the army, nor heard of anyone who was branded.” Murong Zhining naughty way: ”that's because, I am a obedient slave.” Luo siyao said angrily, ”can you still laugh? I look at the pain, the wound has pus, not good protection, will be infectedMurong Zhining turns to look at Luo siyao: ”siyao Can you do me a favor? The women who have been in your army are brave. Can you gouge out the mark on my back with a knife? I'm not afraid of pain. ” Luo siyao cried out in fear: ”please let go of the maid, girl Murong. The maid has no courage. Besides, that will kill you. ”