Cultivation: I Can Reincarnate Into Various Worlds-Chapter 81. The world looks sideways (seeking to read more)

If Xu Xing had escaped prison and ended up a commoner, had she gone to him then, Xu Xing would only have been overjoyed. They would have lived in mutual respect, a couple retired to the countryside. Because at that time, Xu Xing would have had nothing; she would have been following him in his moment of despair.

But given Xu Xing’s current status, going to him now would only be self-inflicted humiliation. A mere Zhangtairen, what right does she have to be the wife of a powerful lord?

If she hadn’t borne a son, Xu Xing might have cared for her out of old affection. But she did bear him an heir. If there is an heir from the official wife, that heir is chosen; if not, the eldest son is chosen. As a woman with no power or influence, she could hardly elevate her status through her son. Her fate would be to perish in harem intrigues or die by her husband’s ruthless hand—killing the mother to secure the son...

"Madame..." Xiu Lan hesitated. "Isn’t that too pessimistic?"

Hearing Zhao Yunniang’s assessment, Xiu Lan also began to feel that seeking him out to "recognize kin" was not a good path.

It was just that they had been living in seclusion in Gucheng City for a long time, and the escorts from the Escort Agency had frequently tendered their resignations, intending to return to their former posts. The household was unsettled. Although the issue with the escorts could be easily resolved by hiring new ones, it wasn’t a long-term solution.

"It’s late. Go to bed," Zhao Yunniang said, her eyes brimming with tears, offering no further explanation. freёwebnoѵel.com

She blew out the candle flame and lay down on the soft couch, still dressed. Xiu Lan only knew that King Xing Tian was renowned and, even after fighting his sworn brothers, hadn’t dealt them fatal blows, showing himself to be a man of sentiment and righteousness. But I, having been with Xu Xing for so long, how could I not know my husband’s cruel nature? However, to speak ill of my husband was truly not the conduct of a good wife. Thus, I said no more.

The night passed, her pillow and quilt soaked with tears. It wasn’t until Lu Zhang wailed loudly that Zhao Yunniang found the strength to rise, pick up her child, and prepare to nurse him.

Just then, Xiu Lan, who had gone to the East City market for provisions that morning, rushed into the master bedroom, quite forgetting her manners.

However, before Zhao Yunniang could reprimand her, Xiu Lan quickly closed the chamber door and whispered, "Madame, good news! Today, when I went to the market for provisions, I heard a rumor that King Xing Tian of Guanxi Road has issued an order for his men to search for an old sword from his youth..."

"Old Sword?" Zhao Yunniang was perplexed.

Xiu Lan began to explain everything.

Romantic tales like "South Garden’s Lost Love, Old Sword Deep Love" have always been popular with the public. Moreover, Xu Xing himself intended to cultivate an image as a magnanimous leader who understood and valued human connections. With the aid of the Jianghu people under the Five Tiger Hall, the story spread from Guanxi Road throughout the lands north and south of the great river in less than half a month.

From noble families of long lineage to common folk in humble alleys, everyone eagerly discussed this tale.

"He..." Zhao Yunniang’s voice trembled. "Did he really say that?"

For the first time in over a year of displacement, a light shone in Zhao Yunniang’s eyes. She, too, didn’t want her child to be fatherless from birth, nor for herself to be without support.

"Yes..." Xiu Lan patted her chest in assurance. "I’m absolutely certain."

"Quick! Pack our belongings! We’re heading north!" Zhao Yunniang ordered decisively.

「One and a half months later.」

Mount Siming finally faced the Imperial Court’s campaign of encirclement and suppression. Because Guanxi Road was quite close to the borderlands, this time Emperor Chongming not only dispatched fifty thousand Forbidden Army troops and one hundred thousand Local Army soldiers, but also specially mobilized thirty thousand Outside Iron Riders, who usually defended against the Tartars.

Unlike the Forbidden Army, which couldn’t withstand a real fight, the Outside Iron Riders were battle-hardened, frequently engaging the Tartars, and were the elite of the elite. It is said that training a single Outside Iron Rider cost at least 50 taels of silver, and this did not even include extra expenses like warhorses and armor. Commanding one hundred thousand Outside Iron Riders was the true source of Emperor Chongming’s confidence in suppressing the Righteous Army rebellions across the land.

However, Xu Xing, long prepared, had no intention of clashing head-on with this force of nearly two hundred thousand official soldiers.

The roar of cannons, ten thousand taels of gold. An army marches on its stomach; provisions precede troops. Feeding nearly two hundred thousand men and horses each day was an immense expense. Even though the Imperial Court had the Cao River to transport grain from Jiangnan, as long as Mount Siming could withstand the first few waves of attacks, the Imperial Court Soldiers would retreat on their own within one or two months. Xu Xing knew exactly how much silver was in the National Treasury; it had long been unable to cover expenditures.

Furthermore, using his title as Deputy Alliance Leader, Xu Xing had notified the Righteous Army forces in Jiangnan West Road: as soon as the Imperial Court Soldiers began transporting grain via the Cao River, they were to dispatch small units to plunder supplies and create disturbances. Plundering the official soldiers’ grain would strengthen their own forces; why wouldn’t these 17 Kings in Rebellion gladly do so? While heavy troops guarded the vicinity of the Cao River, its extensive length made it truly difficult to defend completely.

The mountain pass leading to his territory was a strategic chokepoint. To defend against Imperial Court Soldiers, Xu Xing had long since fortified it, making it impregnable. Soon, thanks to Mount Siming’s preparations, a month of siege by the Imperial Court Soldiers proved fruitless, and they had no choice but to temporarily withdraw.

It is worth noting that in this campaign, the commanders of the Outside Iron Riders witnessed the Imperial Court’s weakness. Coupled with Xu Xing’s continuous dispatch of envoys to persuade them, these commanders—whose troops were already arrogant and whose leadership had grown lax—gradually developed rebellious intentions towards the Imperial Court. Consequently, while their initial attacks were passable, their later efforts became merely perfunctory, aimed at preserving their strength. After all, commanders who lost too much of their force would genuinely face public execution by Emperor Chongming. As for commanders who still possessed significant forces, Emperor Chongming could only grit his teeth and tolerate them, not daring to antagonize them for fear they would rebel at the slightest provocation.

There was already a precedent for such matters. When the official soldiers had cornered the Eighteen Rebel Kings, the Forbidden Army had routed, while the Local Army commanders simply watched and reaped the benefits. The Imperial Court had no reaction and issued no punishment to these Local Army commanders. After that incident, the Imperial Court’s veneer of authority was torn away. The humiliated and enraged Emperor Chongming, however, severely punished the Forbidden Army Generals. Even Taiwei Wei Wentong, who had pleaded to retire, was not treated kindly and was directly stripped of his rank, reduced to a commoner. With such a harsh and ungrateful Emperor, the generals naturally dared not pledge their lives in service. Moreover, the survival of Mount Siming, occupying Guanxi Road, was also beneficial to these local power factions. Thus, the siege, through a process of attrition and token efforts, gradually fizzled out.

「Shenjing, Forbidden City, Xuanhua Palace.」

"Damn that King Zhenbei!" Emperor Chongming seethed. "I married my most beloved Anren into their family as a daughter-in-law, and this is how King Zhenbei repays Imperial grace?"

Upon learning of the defeat on the front line, Emperor Chongming had become instantly enraged after leaving the court session. He rushed into Xuanhua Palace. Gazing at the familiar arrangements and mementos of Princess Anren, the sight made him think of her, and he continuously cursed King Zhenbei.

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger," Consort Han said, holding up a small bowl of porridge to comfort Emperor Chongming. "This is pear porridge your concubine simmered. Please have some..."

As she fed porridge to the Emperor, she said softly, "King Zhenbei must be considering the broader situation, so he dared not exert his full strength. He likely wishes to preserve his forces to protect Shenjing. Compared to Xu Ni, the Tartars are indeed the greater threat..."

Of course, she knew King Zhenbei Li Liang commanded his own army and was dangerously autonomous, heeding mobilization orders but ignoring imperial decrees. That was why, to placate King Zhenbei Li Liang, Emperor Chongming had no choice but to marry his most cherished Princess to the Prince of the Northern Town. But she couldn’t voice these truths; to do so would be to rip open Emperor Chongming’s old wounds. So, she feigned ignorance, playing the part of a simple woman oblivious to matters of state, all to gently persuade the Emperor.