Chapter 5: Into the Pot and onto the Blade

  Gao Qianxue turned her face to look at Lingyun, her eyes clear and transparent, making Lingyun somewhat puzzled in his heart. Could it be that Gao Qianxue really fell in love with him at first sight? Because he saved her, and because of that so-called skin-to-skin contact, she developed feelings for him, and therefore would not marry anyone else? However, he quickly shook his head and chased away this absurd idea. He was a man with rich romantic experience, originally about to enter the marriage hall, how could he be easily bewildered? Gao Qianxue must have an ulterior motive, yes, it must be so.

  Gao Qianxue picked up the dagger and put it away, stood up, tidied her clothes, then called out to the willow tree not far behind. Instantly, the little girl Mulan who had been with them for a few days walked over. One hand was carrying a snow-white fox fur coat, and the other was carrying a wine jug. Gao Qianxue first took the fox fur coat, walked over and put it on Lingyun's body, then opened the wine jug and handed it to him.

  "Yi Lang has just recovered from his illness, don't get sick again."

  Lingyun was indeed a bit cold, having just waded through the water and sat here blowing in the night wind for a while. He picked up the wine jug and took a big gulp, not too strong, but as soon as the wine entered his stomach, it immediately made him feel a warm and hot sensation rising from his lower abdomen. He drank two more mouthfuls, and then felt that Gao Shanshan was even more mysterious and unpredictable. It seemed that she had long expected to run away from marriage tonight, and had even calculated that he would come over by boat, waiting for him here, and had even prepared warm clothes and wine, but deliberately didn't bring them out at first. She made him blow in the cold wind and night dew for half a day, only calling out Mulan after he agreed to the marriage. If he hadn't agreed earlier, what would have happened now? He didn't know, but with 99% probability, Gao Shanshan was unlikely to really commit suicide in front of him.

  "Mulian, prepare hot soup, serve Mr. Yi to take a bath and change clothes, then instruct the kitchen to prepare some light food, plain porridge and small dishes are fine, Mr. Yi's body is weak after illness, he should eat less and drink more."

  Gao Qianxue suddenly changed into a different person, no longer being melancholic, but instead becoming a considerate and thoughtful fiancée.

  Lingyun blinked and didn't bother with these things anymore. Since she had decided to stay, what was the point of saying more?

  "Shouldn't we postpone the wedding date? Tomorrow is a bit too rushed." Lingyun said, wrapped in his fox fur coat, as he was about to leave, tentatively asking Gao Shanshu.

  "Everything will be ready, tomorrow is a good day, it's not suitable to change again, Yilang go back and rest well." Gao Qiong Xue smiled, but Ling Yun always felt that she smiled like a fox who had just stolen a chicken.

  Under Mulan's accompaniment, Lingyun returned to the wooden house by the pond. When passing in front of the family servants on the boardwalk, he felt a slight flush on his face, thinking that his escape was unnoticed, but now it seems that everyone had watched a free show. Indeed, when they arrived at the house, the hole had already been repaired.

  "Brother-in-law, the hot soup is ready, let's take a bath!" Little Mulan's usual sulky expression was gone, replaced by a smiling face. Even her way of addressing him had changed, directly calling him "brother-in-law". This title left him speechless for a long time. Why not call him young master or something? Calling him brother-in-law sounded like he was the one who had married into the family. Unfortunately, he corrected Little Mulan several times, trying to get her to change her way of addressing him, but this little girl just wouldn't budge. Under Mulan's lead, after returning to the house, Lingyun was thoroughly scrubbed by the three little girls. If it weren't for his injuries, he would probably have been forced to soak in that big bathtub a few more times. After bathing and changing clothes, Old Man Qian came over to change his dressing, took his pulse again, and confirmed that his condition hadn't worsened. He said a few things about what to pay attention to, then left with his medical box on his back.

  After tossing and turning for half the night, Lingyun was indeed tired. He blew out the light and soon fell fast asleep.

  In Gao Shallow Snow's courtyard, the Gao family sisters had yet to fall asleep.

  "Did he really agree?" Gao Mingyue grasped her sister's hand in excitement.

  "Hmm, he has agreed, although it was under the threat of my suicide that he did. But indeed, he has agreed to marry me, and the wedding is still tomorrow. The only change is that it will no longer be a uxorilocal marriage."

  Gao Mingyue raised an eyebrow, "Hmph, after marriage, we'll still be living in Gao Family Village. What's the difference between this and being a son-in-law?" However, she also knew that whether or not to become a son-in-law made a big difference for a man. Even if they would still live in Gao Family Village after marriage, as long as there was no formal title of son-in-law, it was still very different.

  "Sister, I just received news from the north that Yin Yang Wang has finally decided to send troops. The White Mountain tribe and others have already responded." Gao Qiu Xue grasped Gao Ming Yue's hand tightly and comforted her, "Sister, the day of revenge has finally arrived. This time they will attack Liao Xi Ying Zhou, and those who betrayed the court and our uncle in Ying Zhou City will not be able to escape."

  The two sisters' eyes met, and she could clearly see the intense changes in Gaomingyue's eyes. "Has Gao Yuan finally decided to send troops?"

  "Umm, the rabbit dies and the fox grieves. Moreover, Gao Yuan is young and vigorous, not like his father Gao Tuan who was tolerant. Last year, Gao Tuan died of worry and anxiety, and Gao Yuan succeeded him, but Yang Jian did not confer upon him the title of King of Goguryeo, instead demoting him to Duke of Liaodong. How could this be tolerated by Gao Yuan, a young ruler who had just ascended to the throne and wanted to make a name for himself? Last year, Emperor Sui first allowed Dugu Qie Khan to kill Princess Ashina of Northern Zhou, then on one hand gave him Princess An Yi as his wife, while on the other hand lavishly rewarded Dugu's uncle's son, the former Mohe Khan's son, Ashina Helan, ultimately succeeding in driving a wedge between Dugu and Tuli. Dugu was furious and broke off relations with Sui, allying himself with the Western Turkic Khan Dalou to attack Tuli together. When Tuli's army was defeated, Yang Jian immediately sent Longsun Sheng to lure Tuli Khan into surrendering at Chang'an, and conferred upon him the title of Qimin Khan, settling him in Shuozhou. Speaking of these events, Gao Shanshui sneered, 'Yang Jian is most skilled in plotting, the Turkic heroes of the northern grasslands ultimately only tearing each other apart, no longer having the strength to invade southwards. In those years, Goguryeo had allied itself with Chen to resist the north, but now Chen has been destroyed for nine years already, and the Turks are busy with internal strife, unable to spare any energy. The Khitan in the north of Yan Mountain have also surrendered to Sui, if Goguryeo still remains unmoved, it will not be far from destruction and extinction.'"

  "Sister, did Gao Yuan defeat the Sui army?" asked Gao Mingyue, clenching her fist.

  Gao Qianxue stroked her long hair, "Who loses or wins doesn't matter, as long as I can avenge my blood feud."

  "What should we do?"

  "Gao Yuan hoped that we could get in touch with the powerful families of Jiangnan, create chaos in Jiangnan and attract some attention from the Sui Dynasty."

  Gao Mingyue furrowed her brow, "The Western Liang and Southern Chen have been extinct for many years, and the Xie and Chen families were all relocated to the Guanzhong region. Moreover, eight years ago, people from Wuzhou, such as Wang Wenxu, Gao Zhihui from Yuezhou, Shen Xuan from Suzhou, Cai Daoren from Le'an, Li from Jiangshan, Wu Shihua from Raozhou, Shen Xiaocheng from Wenzhou, Wang Guoqing from Quanzhou, Yang Baojing from Hangzhou, and Li Chun from Jiaozhou, rose up in rebellion against the Sui dynasty. At that time, the situation was so turbulent, but in the end, it only served to increase the fame of Sui generals such as Yang Su, Shi Wansui, Mai Tieguai, and Lai Hu'er. Since the great chaos in Jiangdong was pacified eight years ago, Emperor Yang Jian sent his second son, Jin Wang Yang Guang, to govern Yangzhou for several years. Although Yang Guang is a member of the imperial family, my sister also knows that he has exceptional literary talent, is courteous and humble, and married Princess Lanling Xie of Western Liang as his consort. He governed Jiangdu for many years, bringing great comfort to the southeast, and has immense prestige in Jiangdong. Many Jiangdong scholars are under his sway. Furthermore, Lü Foxu pacified Lingnan, earning the trust of the Yi and Yue tribes. The south is now at peace. It would be very difficult to stir up rebellion in Jiangnan."

  "I know it's difficult, but if this can be done, it will greatly help Gao Yuan. Gao Yuan's success is our success. Sister, relying on our own strength, we should not think about having a day of revenge for the rest of our lives. For over a decade, how much longer do we need to wait? Watching Yang and Sui become more and more powerful, while we run around in hiding, I feel guilty towards those who have passed away. If we don't take action now, I'm afraid we'll never have another chance. Before today, I had given up hope, thinking that we would never have another opportunity again. Now, although the opportunity is slim, we absolutely should not let it slip away."

  "Sister, tell me, what should I do?"

  Gao Qianxue grasped Gao Mingyue's hand, "It's indeed difficult to stir up a massive turmoil in Jiangnan, but we can't give up. I plan to contact the dissatisfied aristocratic families and powerful clans of Jiangdong together."

  "Are there still any aristocratic families and powerful clans in Jiangdong who dare to stand out?"

  In the ninth year of Kaihuang, Southern Chen was destroyed. In the tenth year of Kaihuang, almost all of Jiangnan rebelled, but the momentum of rebellion against Sui was great, and the defeat was even faster. After that turmoil, which aristocratic family in Jiangdong dared to rebel against Sui again?

  "Don't worry, there are people like us." Gao Qianxue said, "Gao Ding has already contacted an ally and will come to meet us in a few days."

  Exterminating the nine clans, a crime within the ten unpardonable evils of great rebellion, yet the two sisters of the Gao family were discussing it calmly, as if those noble ladies were discussing a poem or an embroidery, just that ordinary.

  "Sister, before Gao Ding returns, let's settle everything in the mansion. You just focus on preparing for your new marriage and enjoying it." Gaoming Yue revealed a smiling expression, she was very clear about their identities and what they had to do. Unlike before, once Gao Ding returned, what they would be doing would truly be dancing on the blade's edge, risking their lives with every step. Who knew which day they would lose their lives in their confrontation against the powerful imperial court?

  Perhaps that's why my sister suddenly wanted to marry a guy she just met. Before the dangerous action officially begins, marrying a man who is not unpleasant, but rather good, being a wife, living a normal life, and even if that day really comes, it will be a complete woman, without regret. If you can leave behind one son or one daughter, it would be even better.

  "Sister, you have a good eye for people, that Yi Feng is actually quite handsome!" Ming Yue said with a smile.

  "Hmm!" Gao Qianxue responded absent-mindedly, her mind wandering off to who-knows-where, her gaze slightly dazed.

  Along the Yangtze River, the river wind blew against Wei Bao's clothes, making a rustling sound. He urged his horse on with all his might, galloping wildly. Behind him, not far away, a cavalry of over ten people was chasing after him in hot pursuit, both men and horses were dressed in black.

  Outside the city of Yangzhou, a merchant caravan of several dozen people was approaching with over ten horse-drawn carriages. Beside the carriage, a woman wearing a hooded cloak sat on horseback following the caravan, her black veil falling from her head to cover her entire body. At this moment, a cloud of dust rose up in front of them on the main road, and a rider came galloping over, dismounting his horse in front of the woman's horse. In a low voice, he said: "Master, someone saw Second Brother leave Yangzhou city three days ago, but then there was no more news from him. It seems like he suddenly vanished outside Yangzhou city without leaving any trace."

  The woman's voice inside the carriage was as cold as an iceberg, "Qī Yāo last appeared in Yangzhou, and now that èr Láng has arrived in Yangzhou, there is no news of him either. It seems that things are more serious than we thought!"

  New book on the rise! Everyone, let's work together and blow away those chrysanthemums in front of us!