Chapter 75: I Beg You Not to Interfere

Inside the Huang family's inner courtyard.

Hong Luan handed the two porcelain bottles to Huang Qing, smiling: "Young Master Li said these are Beauty-Preserving Pills—he really understands a girl's heart."

Huang Qing took the two porcelain bottles, cradling them fondly, a smile on her face.

But then she glanced at the distant smoke of war and sighed: "I wonder how Brother is doing over there."

At that moment, Huang Ling walked over and said: "Beauty-Preserving Pills? I've read widely, yet I've never heard of such a pill. I've heard Daoist Priests make Longevity Pills that are poisonous—could this be the same?"

Huang Qing frowned: "Sister, Shixiong isn't the type to act recklessly. If he says it's a Beauty-Preserving Pill, it must work—I trust him."

"You've only met him a few times, and you already trust him so much?" Huang Ling sounded upset: "I'm your own sister, yet you don't believe me."

Huang Qing sighed: "These are two different things."

"Sister, I'm just warning you not to take pills randomly."

"Sister, don't bother trying to persuade me anymore."

Huang Qing uncorked the bottle, poured out two green pills, and swallowed them whole.

The two pills dissolved instantly upon entering her mouth.

"Sister, don't eat them…" Huang Ling was too late to stop her; she stamped her foot: "Why are you so stubborn?"

"Sister, I'm nineteen, and in half a year I'll be twenty." Huang Qing's expression turned serious, almost cold: "I'm not like you—I carry foreign blood. You often say I deserve better, but how do you know Father and Mother never arranged a marriage to nobility for me?"

Huang Ling froze.

"Do you know how they see me?" Huang Qing pushed her long hair forward: "When they see this yellow hair, they sneer; when they see my eyes, their mockery deepens. They don't show it openly, but I feel it."

"Sister, you're beautiful—ignore them…"

"Your opinion that I'm beautiful doesn't matter—it's what men think that counts. I must marry someday."

Huang Ling opened her mouth but couldn't speak.

Now, Huang Qing's expression was filled with bitter sorrow, no longer the gentle, understanding girl she once was.

Yet Huang Ling still couldn't accept it: "Li Lin is just a Li Xunshou, just a Shou Ling man—he's not worth…"

"But he values me—do you understand?" Huang Qing's eyes sparkled with joy: "The moment he saw me, I felt it—he wants me to bear his children. That look—he wants me. It's clear, completely unhidden."

Huang Ling was stunned by her sister's fervor and murmured: "But he's… just an ordinary man."

"I'm just foreign-blooded, and I'm illegitimate. Honestly, my status is far less noble than Shixiong's." Huang Qing smiled: "Sister, you're the legitimate eldest daughter—you have the right to pursue nobility. I don't. And I don't think Li Shixiong is inferior to them. This is my best chance, my only true match. If I miss it, I'll regret it for life. I'm begging you, Sister—please don't ruin this."

Huang Ling stepped back instinctively.

She had even used the word "beg"—she could feel how deeply this mattered to her sister, how much resentment it stirred to be stopped.

"I just want what's best for you…"

"I don't need it."

Huang Ling finally couldn't hold back—she covered her mouth and ran off crying.

This was the first time her sister had ever "hated" her—it hurt terribly.

Huang Qing stood still, a flicker of guilt on her face, but then her expression hardened again.

Hong Luan whispered beside her: "Miss, did you speak too harshly?"

"I know my sister well—unless I say it like this, she won't give up." Huang Qing spoke softly: "Hong Luan, you understand too—this is my only marriage, the only one I truly accept."

Hong Luan smiled: "I support you, Miss."

"You've taken a liking to Li Shixiong too—do you think I don't know?"

Hong Luan blushed slightly: "Hehe, isn't that a good thing?"

On the other side, Li Lin and the others waited at the southern city gate; soon they saw Shi Dudou arriving with several hundred men.

Though there were only four hundred village troops, another two hundred auxiliary soldiers followed behind to carry supplies—now they numbered six hundred.

Shi Dudou rode a tall horse, bowed his fist: "Gentlemen, I thank you for this journey."

Everyone returned the bow.

Su Huafang said: "You're too kind."

The army set out, with the Shou Ling men following behind.

Normally, a six-hundred-man force would deter any ordinary Huang Gui, but one must always prepare for the worst—having Shou Ling men along meant any trouble could be handled.

Zhao Xiaohu clutched his spear and edged close to Li Lin, clearly nervous: "Lin Ge, will we get into trouble?"

"No," Li Lin smiled: "If anything happens, stay behind—understood?"

Zhao Xiaohu nodded vigorously.

Bai Xiaofan walked over and patted Zhao Xiaohu's shoulder: "Brother, I've got your back."

Zhao Hao added with a laugh: "Zhao Brother, don't fear—our Yulin County Shou Ling men are the most united. Just stay at the very back—we won't die until you're safe."

After learning Zhao Xiaohu was only thirteen, everyone treated him with extra care.

Hearing this, Zhao Xiaohu's nerves calmed considerably.

Nothing happened along the way.

Bo Bai Military Town was about five days' journey from Yulin County, but under forced march, they arrived in just three and a half days.

The northern gate of Bo Bai Military Town was closed, but patrols were visible atop the walls.

Seeing reinforcements arrive, a soldier shouted down: "Who are you?"

"Yulin County, Chief of Village Troops Shi Dazhu!"

"Wait—we'll open the gate."

Troops arriving from behind were almost certainly allies, so the guards opened the gate without hesitation.

Shi Dudou led the village troops into the city; Li Lin and the others followed.

There they saw Huang Qi standing ahead.

He wore a scale armor suit; the once elegant scholar now carried the air of a learned general.

Shi Dazhu hurried over to salute: "Colonel, the County Magistrate ordered me to bring four hundred militia soldiers to provide support."

Huang Qi's skin was no longer as fair as before; he returned the salute and said, "You've come right on time. With over four hundred men, the Bobai Military Town will surely hold until General Tang arrives with reinforcements."

After speaking, Huang Qi spotted Li Lin. He walked over quickly, patted Li Lin's shoulder, and laughed, "Brother Kunge, I didn't expect you to come too."

"I eat the government's grain—when trouble comes, I can only step up."

"But you've come at just the right moment. There's something I need you to act on and help with right now."

"What is it?"

"Come with me."

Huang Qi first had Captain Shi settle the soldiers, then had Su Huafang and the others find a barracks to rest in.

And he himself brought Li Lin to the south-facing city wall.

This was a fortress pass, surrounded by rivers that blocked the way. The enemy could only continue into the heartland of Great Qi by attacking this fortress up the slope.

Looking down from the high wall, the south was a stretch of plain, but not far off, a military camp was stationed.

And in front of the camp stood a very tall wooden pole, with several naked corpses hanging from it, swaying in the wind.

"Those are all soldiers of our Great Qi, yet the enemy has humiliated them like this." Huang Qi's tone carried grief and fury: "I heard you know the Fallen Thunder Incantation—can you help me use lightning to split that pole?"

The distance was enough; it could indeed be done.

Just as Li Lin was about to form hand seals and cast the spell, someone nearby shouted.

"Don't!"

(End of this chapter)