Love Lock

Chapter 61 Night of Snowstorm City Defense

At the same time, in Yong'an City, Beiguan.

The snowstorm blanketed Yong'an City in a silvery white. As the New Year approached and every household lit up their homes, the soldiers guarding the city walls, clad in heavy armor and thick cloaks, still shivered in the wind and snow.

Their faces were weathered, but their eyes shone with unwavering determination.

On this cold night, they used their own flesh and blood to build an unbreakable defensive line, protecting the city and the people behind it.

In the darkness of night, Cao Xiong, the newly appointed marshal of the Beiguan garrison, was dressed in silver armor and draped in a fiery red cloak.

He stood on the city wall, his bloodshot eyes glaring at the dark, boundless grasslands beyond the city.

The wind and snow on the grassland roared like a raging beast, trying to devour everything.

However, in Cao Xiong's eyes, this grassland was like his enemy, full of threats and challenges.

There is a marshal's mansion in Ling'an City built specifically for the marshal of Beiguan, but he has not had the opportunity to go to Ling'an City since he came to Beiguan.

The poor man hadn't had a full night's sleep in many days.

For days, the Turks have been sending out small groups of cavalry to harass the area. The time and place of their raids are unpredictable, as are the number of men involved. They appear and disappear unpredictably, using feints and diversions.

The Turkic cavalry were like ghosts, appearing at any moment, leaving Cao Xiong and his soldiers constantly on the run and unable to defend themselves.

He was constantly on the city wall, working under intense pressure, directing his soldiers to defend against the Turkic raids.

Originally, with the permanent garrison of Yong'an City, it would have been entirely possible to send out the city and kill the small group of Turkic cavalry that were harassing them.

However, the imperial military tally has not yet been delivered, so he only has the authority to train soldiers within the city, but not to mobilize troops to fight outside the city.

Therefore, he could only lead his soldiers in a frustrating passive defense on the city walls, unable to go out and pursue the enemy.

Otherwise, those small groups of cavalry would have been wiped out one after another without much trouble, and he wouldn't have ended up in such a sorry state.

"Marshal, you haven't rested for many days in a row. Your body won't be able to take it if this continues," Ma Cheng, the garrison commander of Yong'an City, advised worriedly.

When the situation is unclear, the soldiers can take turns resting, but he cannot.

Cao Xiong shook his head slightly, his gaze still fixed on the vast, dark grassland.

“I cannot rest. The Turks are harassing us every day; they must be plotting a large-scale attack. Especially today, we must remain vigilant and not give them any opportunity to take advantage.”

Ma Cheng sighed helplessly, understanding his concerns. So, he silently stepped aside and continued to direct his soldiers to strengthen the defense.

The wind and snow were howling incessantly, as if they were about to devour the entire world.

Cao Xiong's vision had become blurry, but his mind remained exceptionally clear.

He was no longer as panicked and helpless as he had been when he first arrived. Faced with relentless harassment, his combat experience was gradually improving.

Suddenly, a scout rushed over: "Marshal, something bad has happened! Turkic cavalry has been spotted again ten miles to the north."

Just as the first scout finished reporting, another scout rushed over, "Reporting to the Marshal, a large number of cavalry are approaching from the northwest."

Two cavalry forces attacked simultaneously?

Upon hearing this, Cao Xiong abruptly raised his head, a sharp glint flashing in his scarlet eyes.

"Damn it, I was right, they really don't want us to have a peaceful year. Pass down the order, everyone prepare for battle!"

At Cao Xiong's command, the soldiers on the city wall immediately went into battle.

They quickly adjusted their defensive fortifications and prepared weapons such as bows and arrows and oil...

Just as Cao Xiong was forcing himself to lead his soldiers to deal with the Turkic raids once again, the New Year's Eve banquet in the imperial palace in the capital had already officially begun.

The red plum blossoms in the palace were in full bloom, but due to the continuous snow and wind outside, the palace banquet, which was originally planned to be held in the Imperial Garden, had to be moved to the warmer Food Hall.

The dining hall was brightly lit and resplendent with gold and jade. As the palace banquet began, the flickering candlelight illuminated the men and women in their finest attire, their laughter and conversation filling the air.

The melodious sounds of string and wind instruments rose up.

In the center of the main hall, light singing and dancing filled the air, along with the aroma of delicious food.

The emperor and empress sat high on the dragon throne, while civil and military officials, concubines and noble ladies sat on both sides of the hall according to their official ranks. Everyone was listening to songs and watching dances, chatting and laughing.

Princess Chang Le, dressed in a pretty pink embroidered long dress, sat gracefully on her seat, but she had no interest in appreciating the singing and dancing. Her gaze kept drifting towards the palace entrance, and she was extremely anxious.

The carefree Prince Zhao Zun, whom she deeply admires, has yet to appear.

The Empress, understanding her thoughts, covered her mouth and chuckled, then leaned close to Emperor Jing's ear and whispered, "Your Majesty, look at Chang Le, her heart and eyes are completely devoted to Prince Xiaoyao!"

Upon hearing this, Emperor Jing realized that Zhao Zun's seat was still empty.

Just as he was about to send someone to check on Zhao Zun, he heard the eunuch outside the palace gate shout, "The Prince of Xiaoyao has arrived!"

Everyone turned to look, and saw Prince Zhao Zun, dressed in a dark brocade cloak embroidered with auspicious clouds, walking in with steady steps.

Behind him was a young woman dressed in ordinary clothes but with unparalleled beauty.

The woman had a delicate and sweet face, with a lively and refreshing air about her, as if she were an elf who had fallen from the celestial realm to the mortal world.

Wow! What a beautiful woman!

Everyone in the hall praised it.

Princess Chang Le's gaze immediately locked onto Han Lei.

Could this be the woman Zhao Zun has his eye on? Zhao Zun actually brought her to the palace banquet.

Princess Chang Le's resentment suddenly surged, so intense that her nails almost dug into her flesh.

Prince Xiaoyao led Han Lei to Emperor Jing and the Empress, and respectfully bowed, saying, "Your subject Zhao Zun is late, please forgive me, Your Majesty and Your Majesty the Empress."

Emperor Jing laughed heartily and said, "It's alright, it's alright. It's good that Prince Xiaoyao is here. The banquet has only just begun." Then, he looked at Han Lei and asked, "And this lady is...?"

Zhao Zun smiled slightly and introduced, "Your Majesty, this is Han Lei, the niece of the magistrate of Qingshui County, whom I have mentioned to Your Majesty before.

Han Lei gave a slight curtsy, her voice sweet and soft like the tinkling of a spring: "This commoner, Han Lei, greets Your Majesty and Your Majesty the Empress."

"There's no need for excessive formalities at today's palace banquet."

Emperor Jing's gaze lingered on Han Lei's beautiful face, and he couldn't help but exclaim, "Minister Zhao said that Miss Han is as beautiful as a fairy, but I didn't believe it. Seeing her today, I can see that her reputation is well-deserved."

The Empress secretly admired Han Lei's beauty and temperament.

She glanced sideways at Princess Chang Le, only to see that the princess's face had turned ashen. The Empress smiled slightly, already having made up her mind.

When Zhao Zun heard Emperor Jing personally acknowledge that Han Lei was as beautiful as a fairy, a huge weight was lifted from his heart.

He didn't want to wait any longer, so he let go of Han Lei's hand, clasped his hands in front of Emperor Jing, and knelt down on one knee.

"Your Majesty! Now that Your Majesty has met Miss Han, and we are mutually in love, I beg Your Majesty to grant us a marriage!"

"Uh……"

Emperor Jing bit his lip, glancing hesitantly at Princess Chang Le, his mind in turmoil as he pondered how to begin.

Just then, a hurried shout suddenly came from outside the bustling hall—

"Report... an urgent report from Beiguan..."

Requesting monthly votes, requesting monthly votes, requesting comments.


(End of this chapter)