She.
Captain Jiang was taken aback.
Qingyuan Prefecture, bandits.
These two words quickly made Captain Jiang suddenly realize.
Back then, Miss Jun was kidnapped by a group of bandits. Not only did she not leave, but she stayed at their hideout. Then, she suddenly disappeared with them altogether.
The whole Zhangqing Mountain seemed as if no one had ever lived there.
They left abruptly without leaving a trace.
"So Miss Jun went to Hejian," he said, with frustration, "I should never have assumed she'd return to Yangcheng and only searched southward."
Who could have thought she'd go to such a dangerous place and do something so unbelievably risky?
Does she know what she is doing?
Isn't she just a doctor?
"Truly devoted to the nation and its people," Lu Yunqi said.
In Lu Yunqi's mouth, devotion to the nation and its people was never praise, just as bringing disaster to the nation wasn't always scorn.
But to Princess Jiuli, those four words were undoubtedly commendation.
"It's her?" She was both astonished and elated, "It's really her."
It seemed strange, yet also fitting.
"Someone who can come up with something as life-saving as vaccination—how could she just stand by and watch the people suffer?" She smiled faintly as she spoke.
That smile slowly faded, leaving a tinge of bitterness lingering on her lips.
If it had been my sister, she would have done the same, wouldn't she? That strong-willed, naive girl who always said those defiant words growing up.
When she learned her father's illness could not be cured, she said, "I'll cure him."
When she heard the shame of the kingdom's fall back then, she said, "I'll avenge it."
When everyone sat around, whether happy or sad, she would suddenly raise her chubby little hand and shout such things.
Naive and laughable, always disrupting the conversation.
She did it on purpose because they wouldn't let her go to the garden or climb trees, walls, or catch birds and fish in the imperial palace.
But later, she did indeed go on to try and do what she said, though she never cured her father.
If she were still here today, wouldn't she also have run away from the Lu Mansion to the northern lands?
Just like back then when she followed Divine Doctor Zhang without telling anyone.
Princess Jiuli pursed her lips and smiled.
Although this residence and this world seemed to her like a cage, as long as one has wings, they can surely still fly out of it.
That Miss Jun, didn't she also face so many difficulties and still press forward step by step, unstoppable?
If she were still here, what would she be like now?
Princess Jiuli felt her nose tingle and took a sip of tea to mask her emotions.
"Saving the world and its people… not necessarily," Lu Yunqi said.
Princess Jiuli put down her teacup and looked at him.
"People are always selfish; there's no shame in that," she said. "Even if she had other motives, the things she did were indeed saving lives and aiding the people. The beneficiaries are the common folk, and that's a good thing."
Lu Yunqi's expression remained impassive, silent.
"So she's engaged to the Duke of Chengguo's heir now, isn't she?" Princess Jiuli added, smiling with a hint of sentimentality, "That's wonderful."
"What's so wonderful?" Lu Yunqi said.
His tone, though phrased as a question, carried no real inquiry, only assertion.
Princess Jiuli looked at him.
"I know you think the engagement might be fake," she said. "But regardless of its authenticity, she now holds the status of the heir's wife. Certain things, you can no longer act with impunity."
"Certain things" naturally referred to Lu Yunqi's relentless difficulties and his unwavering determination concerning her.
Lu Yunqi chuckled.
"Princess, you truly don't understand me," he said. "True or false, it makes no difference to me."
Princess Jiuli watched him rise.
"Lu Yunqi, if you're willing," she said, "I could understand you."
Lu Yunqi seemed momentarily taken aback by her words.
"No need," he said promptly.
"You don't need, nor do you want others to understand you. Just letting yourself sink into your own madness—what meaning does it bring to your life?" Princess Jiuli shook her head as she spoke.
Lu Yunqi's lips curled into a faint smirk.
"The meaning of living?" he said, looking at Princess Jiuli. "Princess, for someone like you, what's the meaning of living?"
"Someone like you."
Those four simple words succinctly encapsulated her current existence.
Now, her—and to be precise, them, her and her brother—
Their existence was nothing but a mockery.
Forgotten, guarded against, loathed, despised.
Living, no one cared; dying, people would cheer.
Living like this, what was the point?
Princess Jiuli fell silent for a moment.
"You said she distributed porridge along the way. Not only porridge but pots, bowls, and utensils too," she said.
Thinking of the scene, her lips involuntarily curved into a smile.
"She hurried to rescue lives. Her presence must have brought such joy and comfort to those anxious and desperate souls."
"She personally led troops to block the Jin thieves at the front. How reassured the people of Bazhou must have been."
"At times of crisis, amidst hopelessness, having someone suddenly appear to save them, protect them, and deliver hope—what a beautiful thing that is."
Her smile grew brighter as she looked at Lu Yunqi.
"To witness the beauty of the world and the joy it brings—that's the meaning of my life."
Lu Yunqi watched her and chuckled.
"Me too," he said.
With that, he turned and strode away.
Yes, the meaning of his life was to grasp what was most beautiful to him, never to lose it.
As he walked, Jinyiwei rushing up from outside quickly stopped and saluted.
"Sir, shall we head to Dingzhou? Should we mobilize people from there?" one asked quietly.
Lu Yunqi kept walking past him without stopping.
"No need," he said. "She'll return on her own. Isn't everything she's done thus far just for her return?"
...........
"Duke, where are you headed?"
After having settled in Dingzhou Prefecture for several days, the officials were surprised to hear of the Duke of Chengguo's plans to leave, rushing to ask.
Back then, the Duke stationed himself in Baozhou. Now that Baozhou had fallen to the Jurchen people, they had thought he would remain in Dingzhou.
"To Hejian Prefecture," the Duke of Chengguo said warmly. "That's the most suitable place."
He extended his hand to draw a line across the table.
"Baozhou, Xiongzhou, Bazhou."
The three regions all bordered Hejian. His hand paused on the table.
"I will station myself here—continue to station myself here," he said.
That one word, "continue," brought tears to the eyes of the officials present.
Though the borders had shifted, the Duke of Chengguo would still station himself in the most dangerous place.
"Yes," they said in unison. "Please oversee the reorganization of the army."
Now that three counties had been ceded, and various forces had retreated in chaos, it was indeed time to restructure.
The Duke of Chengguo nodded.
"Rest assured, with the army reorganized, we can still defend the northern lands. Even if the Jin thieves have entered Hebei Road, they won't be able to cross the border," he said.
The officials present responded in unison.
"As long as you're here, Duke, none of us will be afraid," a general said, his eyes reddened with emotion.
Someone outside hurriedly stepped in, momentarily stunned by the atmosphere, and halted in place.
The people inside all looked toward him, displeased by his interruption.
"What's the matter?" a dignitary asked with a frown.
The man hesitated, his gaze falling on the Duke of Chengguo.
"Speak," the Duke of Chengguo said.
The man lowered his head, presenting a letter.
"News from the capital says His Majesty summons the Duke to return immediately," he said softly.
Return to the capital?
The room froze in tension.
"Considering such significant events, it's only right for the Duke to return and report to His Majesty," a general said in a forced, wry smile.
The messenger lowered his head further.
"His Majesty has appointed Uncle Qinghe to take over the defense of Hebei Road, as Commander of the Army," he continued.
Uncle Qinghe!
Taking over the northern lands!
The room's expressions shifted dramatically at these words.
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Thanks to Inch of Fragrant Incense, Amao574, and Southern Ice for their generous rewards of He's Bi (*^__^*)
Thank you all.