From a son-in-law to a favorite of the empress

Chapter 645

On the ninth day of November, Huang Taiji summoned 90,000 troops and set out from Shengjing to attack Shanhaiguan.

They saw the opportunity and did not hesitate. After only one day of rest, they began a crazy attack.

Although Qu Shaogeng was well prepared, he only had 50,000 soldiers, some of whom were new recruits this year. Facing such a huge challenge, he was under too much pressure.

He couldn't sleep at night, so he just stayed on the city wall and kept an eye on the situation of the war.

"Damn it! Huang Taiji is a madman! Looking at this battle, there must be 50,000 or 60,000 people!"

Qu Shaogeng gritted his teeth and said, "He didn't leave any for himself! If he can't take Shanhaiguan with all his strength, how can he, the emperor, sit firmly?"

At this moment, he couldn't complain. In this cold winter, the vigorous defense battle was in full swing.

"Governor! The letter from Shenjing has arrived!"

A personal guard came with the inner guards of the inner court and handed over the letter.

Qu Shaogeng opened it and frowned more and more. When he saw the end, he was horrified.

"Ninety thousand?"

He suddenly looked at the inner guards of the inner court and said loudly: "Are you sure the content above is correct? The Eastern Tartar suffered heavy losses last time and we killed tens of thousands of people. Can they still come up with ninety thousand this time? Is Huang Taiji so capable of recruiting troops?"

The inner guard said in a deep voice: "This is the information obtained by the spies in Shenzhou with great difficulty. We often verify it through multiple sources of information and will not make mistakes."

Qu Shaogeng said: "Nonsense! I have fought for so many years, and I can't tell how many people the other side has. Come on this battle, the other party came at most 50,000, what about 40,000? "Speaking of which, he looked miserable and exclaimed:" Xuanfu! " Tai Chi sought Shanhaiguan, but in fact, he directly killed Xuanfu to Shenjing. This trick was driven straight into the bottom of the kettle, and he couldn't stand it! Qu Shaogeng's heart was sinking. Chu, there are only 3,000 battalions and Shenji battalions left in Shenjing, and 50,000 people add up. The key is still being rectified. How can there be any combat power? The Xuanfu Army has left, and the capital of Shenjing is empty. We can't rely on the Wucheng Army to fight! Nonsense!

No! The Jizhou Army and the Leiden Army can support Shenjing!

No, Xuanfu is too close to Shenjing. The Leiden Army may not be able to make it in time. The Jizhou Army can, but in the battle of Shanhaiguan at the beginning of the year, the Jizhou Army was almost dead. The newly recruited young men have no combat effectiveness.

Shenjing is in danger!

We must go back!

…

It snowed in Shenjing in winter.

There is no war here, no baptism of blood and fire, only prosperity and peace.

Although it is cold, there are still people coming and going on the streets. People are wearing cotton jackets, some are laughing and talking, and some are busy. It can be said to be very lively.

It was getting dark, the snow was heavier, and people on the road gradually went home together.

In this cold wind and snow, a woman in a red coat walked alone on the street.

She walked slowly, not fast, and finally arrived in front of a mansion.

She looked at the tall and magnificent door. Above the vermilion, a plaque was hung. The four characters "Weiguogong Mansion" were majestic and oppressive.

She was stunned for a moment, stretched out her hand to hold the door knocker, and wanted to knock on the door, but stopped for some reason.

"He married the daughter of the top scholar in the Jinke exam, which will help his political future."

"Xue Ningyue's father is the governor of Xuanfu, a second-rank military officer, which will help his position in the army."

"The Qu family is a big family in Jinling, and Qu Shuyuan was once the prime minister and the leader of the Qi Party, which will help his prestige in the court."

"Princess Qinshui will help him control the royal family."

Inexplicably, Cai Ni suddenly remembered her master's words, and her heart was stabbed.

She lowered her head in inferiority and let her hand go from the door knocker.

"Silly disciple, what can you bring to him? As a demon girl of the Wusheng Sect, a courtesan, and a disciple of a princess of an enemy country, you will only bring him political pollution and plant the seeds of disaster."

Thinking of this, Cai Ni's nose felt a little sour, and she felt aggrieved.

But what can I do?

I am an orphan with no one to rely on. I learned martial arts from my master and lived in the Wusheng Sect.

I have used up all my luck in my life to meet the young master.What can I do?

Not only can I not help the young master, but I will also drag him down.

Now the young master is the Duke of the State, and he lives so well, why should I bother to disturb his life.

The inferiority in Cai Ni's heart surged like a tide, she lowered her head and choked, unable to say anything.

This noble mansion may not accommodate a witch like me.

It is better to continue wandering, wherever I go, that is home.

She turned slowly, but happened to see a carriage stopped, and a girl wearing a light blue cotton jacket and a snow-white shawl got off the carriage in small steps.

In the wind and snow, the lanterns at the gate of the mansion emitted a dim light, and the two looked at each other.

The next moment, Xue Ningyue exclaimed: "Sister Cai Ni!"

"Ning..."

Before Cai Ni opened her mouth, she saw a figure coming in front of her.

The next moment, she was hugged tightly.

"Sister Cai Ni! You are finally home!"

Xue Ningyue hugged her and said excitedly: "That's great, that's great, we all miss you so much."

"Until you were in Shenzhou, Sister Jianjia was also very worried, and she even asked Master Zhuang if he had heard of you."

The wind and snow were so cold, and the young girl's embrace was so warm.

Cai Ni was speechless for a moment, and stammered: "I...I...I am accompanying Master...Um...Ningyue, is Jianjia worried about me too?"

Xue Ningyue smiled and said: "We are all worried about you. My husband always talks about you, saying that you only have Master in your heart and don't know how to go home."

"Go home..."

Cai Ni looked back at the magnificent gate and murmured: "Can this be my home?"

Xue Ningyue held her hand and smiled: "It is our home. Your yard has been prepared for a long time, and someone is cleaning it at any time."

"Sister Jianjia said that it must be kept clean, so that you can move in directly when you go home, and you won't be disgusted by the mess."

Cai Ni pouted and said: "I won't be disgusted."

"Let's go! Go home!"

Xue Ningyue pulled her, the door of the mansion slowly opened, and the two girls walked into the mansion holding hands.

The Duke of Wei's mansion became lively.

Hearing that Cai Ni was back, Jian Jia, Qu Ling, Zi Yuan, Qing Yuan, Mo Xiang and a group of maids came out to greet her.

Even Madam Xue and Chen came out of the room and smiled as they came to the hall.

It was so warm and lively here.

Cai Ni was dazzled for a moment and didn't know what to say.

Zhao Jianjia held Cai Ni's hand tightly and said with a smile: "This is my mother, this is Ningyue's mother."

Cai Ni was a little nervous and bowed quickly: "Hello, two aunts."

Chen smiled kindly, patted the back of Cai Ni's hand, and chuckled: "Good child, why bother to be polite, you are a capable person, I often heard your name when I was in Yunzhou."

Cai Ni lowered her head with a sense of inferiority. Yunzhou... that is the name of the courtesan...

Mrs. Xue also said: "I have heard that Miss Cai Ni can sing and dance, write poems, and is good at calligraphy and painting. She is simply a versatile person."

"If you are not a girl, you will definitely have no problem passing the imperial examination."

Chen smiled and said: "Cai Ni's calligraphy is very good. Ziyi once mentioned it. When you are free, you can also teach your aunt."

"Ah? Oh... OK..."

Cai Ni nodded subconsciously, not knowing what to say, but feeling warm in her heart.

Looking at the smiling faces around her that welcomed her and seeing the freshly prepared meals on the table, she seemed to realize that she really had a home.