Chapter 47: Don

“Your Majesty!”

“Rui!”

Outside Pingcheng, they looked at each other, two trails of tears.

“It’s been many days—Your Majesty, how have you grown so thin?”

“I was betrayed by treacherous men; now I bear guilt and journey to Luoyangcheng, my future uncertain.”

“If Your Majesty has lost all spirit, how can this humble servant live on?”

Du Gu Ru’s eyes turned red; she pulled out a silk handkerchief and gently wiped away her tears.

Yuan Shen, seeing this, felt deep pity.

“Rui, after this parting, I do not know when we shall meet again. You should find a worthy husband and marry soon.”

“No, this humble servant will wait for Your Majesty’s return!”

“Rui!”

“Your Majesty!”

……

On the walls of Pingcheng, Li Shuang watched this scene and muttered to himself:

This damn green tea, her acting could win an Oscar!

Behind him stood Yang Kan and Gao Ang.

“In this chaotic age, martial prowess is the foundation of one’s standing. You must take warning—do not be ensnared by women’s charms, like Guangyang Wang, and become a laughingstock!”

Li Shuang’s words struck straight to the hearts of Yang Kan and Gao Ang.

How could women compare to training in martial arts?

“Master, rest assured—we train our sinews and bones daily, refining our martial skills. Our troops do the same.”

“Good!”

Inspector’s Mansion!

Li Chong was playing chess, heard footsteps, and without looking up, knew it was his son Li Shen.

“Yuan Shen left?”

“He left—I saw him off myself. That woman who nearly became Guangyang Wang’s consort came to see him off. The people of this northern frontier say she’s a beauty who brings disaster—but I doubt it. Her steadfast devotion is truly moving!”

Li Chong couldn’t help laughing at what Li Shen said.

“You really are…”

“Father, what’s wrong with me?”

Li Shen pressed, and Li Chong sighed helplessly:

“—You’re becoming just like Yuan Shen.”

Guangyang Wang was renowned; Li Shen took this as praise and felt a small thrill.

“Thank you, General, for your compliment!”

“I… your mother… forget it!”

Li Chong realized no matter how he scolded, he always ended up scolding himself.

Li Chong thought Li Shen would leave, but after a few moves on the board, there was still no movement beside him.

He looked up and saw Li Shen dressed not in his usual robes, but in full armor.

Li Chong frowned.

“What is this?”

Li Shen grinned, a touch of pride in his voice.

“The words you spoke to me the other day—I thought about them and gained insight.”

Li Chong grew interested and asked:

“What did you realize?”

“I’ve realized that even as Pingbei General, I need not be useless—I too can achieve glory. One day, I’ll crush Han Baling, destroy Yujiulu An’gui, return to Luoyangcheng, stand before the Son of Heaven, receive his rewards, and have my name etched in bamboo and silk!”

Li Chong’s face grew longer with every word. When Li Shen finished boasting, Li Chong fell silent for a long while.

Finally, he spoke:

“Son, you’re different from others—you needn’t waste your mind on such things.”

Faced with his father’s patient counsel, Li Shen was resentful.

“Father, don’t underestimate me. I’ve studied military texts since childhood—how am I any worse than that bandit?”

Looking at this absurdly confident son, Li Chong sighed and spoke plainly:

“All my life’s toil—no, not toil, my hard-won wealth—could keep you spending for generations. Take the money, play, spend it, keep women, waste it all, even go to brothels—why not do something decent?”

“Hmph!”

Li Shen refused to accept it.

“You’ve never seen me on the battlefield—how do you know I lack the potential of a great general?”

Hearing this, Li Chong clutched his chest, feeling suffocated.

Li Shen rushed over, his face filled with worry.

“Father, what’s wrong? Shall I call a physician?”

“I’m fine—as long as you stop dreaming of glory, I’ll recover!”

“This place, Pingcheng—I’ve been here so long I’m bored out of my mind. No wonder Emperor Xiaowen moved the capital.”

Li Shen sat with a group of followers against a wall, watching the passersby.

Unlike Luoyangcheng, Pingcheng didn’t strictly ban Hu clothing or the northern dialect.

Thus, attire here varied widely—even people from the Western Regions could be seen.

But due to its location, the city lacked Luoyangcheng’s prosperity.

Thus, entertainment was underdeveloped.

At least, that’s what Li Shen and his group of meritorious youths from Luoyangcheng believed.

“Big Brother, what are we doing here?”

“Guarding the city gate!”

“The northern rebellion’s about to break out—what a perfect chance for glory! Why did the Commander-in-Chief assign you to guard the gate?”

“I thought the same! Imagine if we earn glory here in the north—when we return, those Yuan princesses and noble ladies who never even looked at us before will be lining up to court us!”

“Exactly!”

Li Shen grew angrier by the thought and complained:

“My father spent his whole life striving—why deprive me of my right to strive?”

“Exactly!”

“Yi-xiong, what are you doing here?”

Li Shen, mid-rant, turned and saw Li Shuang behind him, grinning.

“It’s you, kid!”

Li Shen straightened his clothes and ordered his followers to stand.

“I’ve been ordered by the Commander-in-Chief to guard Pingcheng!”

“Brother, you’re fulfilling your duty admirably—I deeply admire you. But don’t forget rest and recreation—why not visit a singing and dancing house in Pingcheng?”

Li Shen, serious, was about to reply when his followers behind him grumbled:

“All of them are common, vulgar girls—boring!”

Li Shuang smiled.

“Brother, have you heard of a place called ‘Red Romance’?”

“Red Romance? What kind of name is that?”

“They say it’s the number one singing and dancing house in the northern frontier—equal to those in Luoyangcheng.”

Li Shen looked at Li Shuang with pity.

“You clearly haven’t tasted the real thing. When you go to Luoyangcheng, I’ll take you around—how could this place compare?”

Morning.

Li Chong rose, washed his face, and asked his servants:

“Why haven’t I seen Li Shen for days? Where’s he off to now? Not thinking of glory again, is he?”

The servants dared not answer; Li Chong grew irritable.

“What’s wrong?”

“Second Young Master took the Luoyangcheng meritorious youths to a singing and dancing house in Ma Yi called ‘Red Romance.’ They’ve been feasting daily, spending vast sums, and now they’re detained for unpaid bills!”

Li Chong’s eyes lit up, his face brightened.

“Then hurry and send money! Tell Qingzhun—not to fear spending, let him play as long as he wants!”

“Yes!”

The steward took two steps, then Li Chong called him back.

“Also, prepare ginseng, deer antler, goji berries—send them to Qingzhun!”

“Yes!”

Li Chong stroked his beard, deeply satisfied, and sighed:

“With my son like this, I have no worries!”