Chapter 1144: First Volume, Chapter 1144: The Spring Festival Draws Near

First Volume, Chapter 1144: The Spring Festival Draws Near

As the Qin Family basked in the joy of their recent wedding, news of troop movements in Gusu City reached Jingdu.

According to the original plan, the offensive against the powerful clans of Nan Jing was to begin after spring arrived—following the Spring Festival.

But as Gusu City's defenses grew ever stronger, further delays would only increase the difficulty of a siege.

After an emergency meeting in the Imperial Court, the decision was made to adjust the plan.

The Jingji Garrison and the Imperial Party's main forces stationed in the Central Plains assembled twenty thousand troops and immediately marched toward Gusu City.

The remaining generals and armies would proceed according to the original plan, advancing steadily.

Yet everyone knew that these twenty thousand troops were but a drop in the ocean compared to Gusu City's strength; no matter how imposing their presence, they could not launch a direct siege.

After all, the garrison within Gusu City was far too large, and with the entire Nan Jing region behind it, capturing the city could no longer be achieved merely by sheer numbers.

The true purpose of these twenty thousand troops was to pressure Gusu City and slow its fortification progress.

If ignored, Gusu City would act without restraint, pouring manpower and resources into its defenses at a pace of "a thousand li per day."

Conversely, even without directly attacking Gusu City, merely stationing troops nearby would force it to hesitate.

Yet mobilizing twenty thousand troops was no trivial matter.

Before troops move, grain and forage must precede them.

Fortunately, the military campaign against Nan Jing did not launch directly from Jingji toward Gusu City—it relied on the Central Plains as a forward base.

As long as the Central Plains held firm, the military supply line could be drastically shortened.

By the time the twenty thousand troops assembled, half a month had passed; by the time they successfully rendezvoused in the Central Plains, over a month had gone by.

Only when the twenty thousand troops finally stood before the city walls, garrisoned fifty li from Gusu City, did they realize the Spring Festival was less than two days away.

Inside and outside Gusu City, a chilling atmosphere reigned—there was not a trace of festive joy as the Spring Festival neared.

To guard against a sudden enemy siege, Gusu City's defenders sharpened their weapons and readied their armor; everyone held their posts, daring not to slacken for a moment.

Even Lin Wenwan personally journeyed to the City Wall to inspect it, watching every move of the enemy army outside.

Correspondingly, the enemy forces outside dared not relax either.

After all, they were already on the Front Line; though fifty li from Gusu City, that distance was but a single hour's ride for fast-moving cavalry.

The defenders inside could launch cavalry raids against the punitive army at any moment.

If the Nan Jing cavalry struck now and inflicted heavy casualties, it would greatly boost the morale of Gusu City's defenders.

This would make the upcoming siege even more unfavorable.

As both sides cautiously stood off, Jingdu presented a completely different scene.

Every household hung lanterns and decorations, welcoming the arrival of the New Year.

The Qin Family's atmosphere was especially festive; having just celebrated a grand wedding, they now welcomed the New Year, and every face bore a faint, lingering smile.

How wonderful it would be if life could remain this happy and carefree forever.

"Feng'er, damn it, where has that brat disappeared to again?"

"Everyone else is putting up Spring Festival couplets—our Door is still bare."

"This task falls to the Eldest Son—it's tradition. Go find that brat and bring him back at once."

With the Spring Festival approaching, all official matters were postponed until next year; Qin Tianhu had finally managed to take a day off, planning to put up couplets with Qin Feng today—only to find…

That brat had vanished as if evaporated; a search of the entire Wangye Fu turned up no trace.

Along with him, four women—Shen Qingci and others—had also disappeared, as well as…

Meanwhile, by the lake in Jingdu, Qin Feng and the women stole half a day of leisure.

With the campaign against the rebel party of Nan Jing now imminent, Qin Feng would soon be heading to the Front Line.

So, in these final moments of free time, they came here for a picnic.

A heavy snowfall had occurred just days prior, blanketing the entire lakeside in thick snow, turning the landscape white as if it were a fairyland.

Besides the Qin Family, Zhao Yuxiong and the Princess of Qiyang Commandery had also come—and of course, Qin Xiaofu was there too.

Four horse-drawn carriages stood by the lake; the group, clad in thick overcoats, gathered around a firepit Qin Feng had built himself, its flames burning brightly.

The firepit had three stoves: two piled high with food, the third heating wine.

Though Li Xiaolan and Jing Qianying were pregnant, their pregnancies were still early, and with Qin Feng's easygoing nature and the help of numerous maids and attendants, they were well cared for.

Though everyone felt the two women should rest more, and that such cold weather made it unwise for them to venture out,

Qin Feng overruled all objections and forcibly brought them out, determined to lift their spirits.

After all, cooped up at home day after day, they'd grow bored to death.

The two women fully supported Qin Feng's decision—they had long been tired of staying indoors and welcomed the chance to get out.

Yet to keep them warm, Qin Feng had gone to great lengths.

He had modified one of the carriages.

He removed the side panels, creating a space sealed on three sides and open on one.

Inside, he lined it with cotton quilts and velvet blankets.

It not only blocked the wind and retained heat but was also incredibly soft and comfortable.

That wasn't all—he had set up a separate stove nearby to boil water.

Whenever the water boiled, he poured it into jars, sealed them tightly, and tucked them into the carriage's corners, then covered them with quilts.

Thus, even as snow lay thick outside, the inside of the carriage remained warm and cozy—a stark contrast.

Originally, this carriage had been prepared solely for Li Xiaolan and Jing Qianying.

But because it was so comfortable, Shen Qingci, Liu Hongyan, and Xie Yun'er—Xiao Xiangxiang—all slipped inside.

Qin Feng sighed inwardly; had he known, he would have modified more carriages.

The women either sat cross-legged inside the carriage or dangled their legs outside, smiling playfully at Qin Feng.

Qin Feng, along with Zhao Yuxiong, Qin Xiaofu, and a group of male servants, was overwhelmed with busyness.

"If only every day could be like this, how wonderful it would be?"

Xiao Xiangxiang sat on the edge of the carriage, smiling as she sighed.

A careless remark instantly sparked intense discussion among the women.

"Yes, such comfortable days are rare."

"In just a few days, Feng'er will be off to Nan Jing."

"Ah, we finally got to stay in Jingdu for a while, and now, before we know it, we're leaving again."

"Others envy Feng'er for being the Qin Wang, second only to the Emperor—but I'd rather he return to how he was before, so he could stay by our side forever."

"But Feng'er will eventually become a man—he cannot be kept."