New and dark light years

Chapter 517 The Dragon from the Abyss Finally Raises Its Head

Huang Ling emerged from the secret passage.

She has been inside for almost seven days, and all she does is eat and sleep.

I could only wipe my body with water every day, and after a while, I felt like my body was starting to stink.

As the sunlight streamed in, she subconsciously squinted for a while after being in the dark for so long before daring to open her eyes gently.

But it still felt glaring.

She walked slowly forward, heading towards the backyard.

But after only a few steps, he was overtaken from behind.

Fang Fengyi's newly acquired concubine walked very fast, and even bumped into her with her shoulder.

Huang Ling's eyes were full of anger, but she held back.

She continued to move forward.

The house didn't seem to have suffered much damage; everything looked quite complete, not as terrible as she had imagined.

As she approached the backyard, she heard a scream and instinctively quickened her pace.

Then she saw that annoying concubine standing in front of her husband, Fang Fengyi, covering her mouth.

Her husband looked a little pale, but otherwise seemed fine... She was about to be happy, but then she was stunned.

Because she saw that her husband's left sleeve was hanging down empty.

"Husband!" Huang Ling ran over, her eyes filled with tears: "How could you..."

Fang Fengyi looked at his two women and smiled, "It's just a broken hand, it's nothing."

It's fine to say, but... with his hand broken, he will no longer be qualified to rise in the officialdom.

The Great Qi Dynasty placed great importance on the appearance and demeanor of its court officials.

No matter how talented someone is, it's difficult for someone who is ugly to become a high-ranking official.

Those with limb disabilities are in a similar situation.

Huang Ling knew this, and she was even more aware of her husband's pride and arrogance. Losing an arm at this moment was tantamount to severing her husband's spirit.

Sure enough, she saw...heartache in Fang Fengyi's eyes.

The concubine cried as she comforted him, "It's alright, my husband. You are still the legitimate son of the Fang family, and you are still in charge of this family. Don't be afraid."

Fang Fengyi raised an eyebrow, his gaze towards his concubine turning somewhat cold.

He then looked at Huang Ling and asked, "What do you think?"

"My lord... there is more than one way to advance in your career than through officialdom. You should be able to find other ways to prove yourself."

She spoke as she walked over.

Fang Fengyi chuckled, his expression softening: "To be a merchant?"

"No, we will have more children, raise them to be successful, and support the Fang family again."

Fang Fengyi nodded: "That makes some sense."

Huang Ling then asked, "How is the situation at home?"

“My father was killed by the rebels, and his coffin has been hanging in the courtyard for three days now.” Fang Fengyi sighed. “We wanted to hold a grand celebration, but the entire capital has been ravaged by war, and almost every family is holding a funeral. Even if we wanted to invite people, we couldn’t. No one else would come, and we wouldn’t go either.”

The concubine cried out dramatically, "Those thieves were so vicious! The master died such a tragic death!"

Huang Ling stood up: "Then I'll go to Madam's place and take good care of her."

At this moment, the most heartbroken person must have been Fang Fengyi's mother.

Fang Fengyi shook her head: "No, the family has already prepared a new coffin."

Huang Ling was taken aback for a moment, then asked, "What do you mean?"

Fang Fengyi said calmly, "My mother was the first to come out. When she heard about my father, she couldn't catch her breath and passed away too. Now, the aunts in the family are helping her dress for her funeral."

The concubine's eyes first showed a hint of joy, then became teary.

Huang Ling's eyes were filled with disbelief.

When the Huang family was still in power, Madam Huang treated Huang Ling quite well.

Even after the Huang family lost power, Madam Huang never made things difficult for her; she just wasn't as enthusiastic.

"My lord, please accept my condolences and don't think too much about it. Take care of yourself." Huang Ling quickly walked to Fang Fengyi's side and looked at him anxiously.

Fang Fengyi's expression was quite calm, or rather, serene, even giving off a sense of dazedness, as if he were in a trance.

This situation occurs when the situation is too painful, causing the emotional center to 'freeze', which is a form of self-protection by the brain.

And this pain will slowly unfold in every night that follows.

For example, suddenly thinking about my parents, I burst into tears.

"I'm fine." Fang Fengyi patted Huang Ling's hand.

He's realized now that when things really happen, his wife's reaction is more normal.

The concubine's crying and fussing seemed rather fake.

"By the way, the Di people have now been defeated by the military governor of Cangwu Road. They didn't take a single prisoner; they were all buried alive." Fang Fengyi's face showed satisfaction: "I usually don't respect Li Lin, but on this matter, I'm willing to bow down to him. He's currently fighting with the rebels near Yuyang County. If he can kill Zhang Zouzhi, I will bow three times and kowtow nine times when we meet again to repay his great kindness in helping my Fang family avenge their family."

Fang Fengyi's eyes suddenly became bloodshot.

He didn't hate the Di people very much, after all, they only took some gold and silver and some women.

However, the rebels of Da Shun actually killed his father and indirectly caused the death of his mother.

This is the real mortal enemy.

Huang Ling looked at her husband with heartache.

“Li Lin is not the mediocre person you described. He is a true hidden dragon.”

Upon hearing Li Lin's name, Huang Ling's expression immediately became unnatural.

Her husband's praise made her feel even more ashamed.

Fang Fengyi naturally saw this scene as well, but this time he seemed indifferent.

"Li Lin killed the Di people and rescued most of the women who had been kidnapped. He has already sent people to the city gate. Go and see if you can bring Xiao Juan and Yin Ping back... if they are willing to come back."

Was Xiaojuan taken away?
Huang Ling's mind was in turmoil, but she still stood up and nodded.

She naturally felt more affection than hatred towards Xiaojuan.

After all, the two were as close as sisters and grew up together. Although Xiao Juan revealed some of her "shameful" things to her husband, she was also one of his concubines.

The husband is the head of the household, so from this perspective, Xiaojuan's actions are understandable.

"Then I'll go out, sir."

"Hmm...bring more servants, just in case something goes wrong."

"it is good."

Huang Ling arrived at the central courtyard, summoned a dozen or so servants, and then headed outside.

At the same time, she noticed that the house was much quieter, with fewer people around, and she understood why her husband wanted her to handle even such small matters personally.

There aren't enough people left.

She got into the sedan chair and, escorted by a dozen servants, crossed the streets.

The once bustling and lively streets, which were teeming with people even late at night, have become unusually deserted.

Although some people were walking around, most were in a hurry, and most of them were carrying yellow paper and incense.

The faint sound of weeping could be heard from all directions.

Although some shops have opened, there are hardly any people around.

Because there were fewer people on the streets, the pace of travel was much faster than usual, and it only took the time it takes for two incense sticks to burn before we arrived at the city gate.

A large crowd had gathered there.

Moreover, there were many sedan chairs. Huang Ling lifted the curtain and saw that most of them were women coming to pick up people. It was easy to imagine that almost every household was short a lot of manpower.

"Alas, the calamities of war are far greater than those of natural disasters."

Huang Ling stepped out of the sedan chair and came to the front of the city gate.

The city gate was only slightly ajar, and a group of well-armored soldiers were guarding a large group of women, waiting there.

People from the southern border regions and those from the Central Plains look slightly different. This group of people are clearly from Jin County, since Huang Ling grew up in Jin County and can tell the difference.

Seeing these people's faces now, she actually felt a sense of familiarity.

The leader was a young general who looked quite heroic.

Whenever someone came looking for a woman, he would have both parties verify each other's identities before allowing someone to take the woman away.

Huang Ling also stepped forward.

Before she could even speak, the young general recognized her and respectfully cupped his hands in greeting: "Are you the young lady from the Huang family?"

Huang Ling was somewhat dazed.

How long has it been since she last heard that title?

It's been almost three years.

Now everyone calls her 'Fang Huangshi'.

"Who are you?" Huang Ling asked.

She didn't recognize the person, but upon closer inspection, he seemed somewhat familiar.

“I am your personal guard. You came along to escort your wife when you were getting married, so I recognize you.”

It sounded confusing, but Huang Ling understood it perfectly.

This man was one of Li Lin's personal guards, whom he had always kept by his side. He had seen him before and recognized him.

She had no recollection of this person because he shouldn't have shown any talent that caught her attention before.

And they were merely servants.

But now, the other party is a young and promising general. What a huge change!

Who brought about such a big change in him?
Li Lin!

Huang Ling suddenly realized that this previously insignificant servant had such an opportunity, and what level Li Lin had advanced to now.
"Are you here to find someone too?" the young general asked.

Huang Ling nodded.

Just then, someone in the crowd shouted, "Madam, we're here!"

Huang Ling looked over and saw several women squeeze out from the crowd.

"Yinping, Huamei, Jinxi... are you all alright?"

"We're fine."

Several women rushed up to Huang Ling, laughing and crying at the same time.

Huang Ling looked around, then glanced at the crowd, and asked, "Where's Xiao Juan?"

By this time, she had mentally prepared herself.

But some people gave her a different answer.

"Xiao Juan was taken away by the military governor."

"Yes, yes, she called him 'son-in-law' and was then assigned to live on the city wall, while we lived in the simple barracks. I'm so jealous."

"Xiao Juan is alright, so why wasn't she sent back?" Huang Ling asked.

The women looked at each other in bewilderment.

They had their own guesses, but dared not tell Huang Ling.

Hearing these words, Huang Ling felt a surge of resentment.

"Absurd! That scoundrel Li Lin already has my elder sister and Hongluan, why is he still trying to steal my maid? It's disgusting..."

At that moment, an angry shout rang out.

"Young lady of the Huang family, watch your words!"

Huang Ling turned her head and first saw the young general looking at her with icy eyes.

Meanwhile, the soldiers of the Jin County government nearby had already placed their hands on the handle.

Huang Ling was so frightened that her body trembled and her face turned pale.

After a moment, the young general put away his imposing manner and said, "Madam Fang, you and my master are practically family. We shouldn't interfere in your affairs, nor should we. But my master has been incredibly kind to us, and we lowly people can't bear to hear anyone speak ill of him. Please understand."

Huang Ling, being from a wealthy family, immediately regained her composure after realizing she was not in mortal danger.

She then bowed slightly and said, "It was my fault, sir, please don't blame me."

The young general returned the salute with clasped hands, and the matter was considered closed.

At this moment, a woman nearby came over and asked, "You brought them here, so why didn't you just let them leave and find their own homes? Why did you make someone come to pick them up?"

Huang Ling had intended to leave, but upon hearing this, she stayed to hear what was going on.

The young general said, "My master said that the capital has just suffered a great disaster, and the security situation may not be very good. If we leave these women at the city gate, they might be targeted by people with ulterior motives. Wouldn't that be like going from one danger to another? Besides, if someone comes to pick them up, it means they still have a home to return to. If no one comes to pick them up after three days, we will take them back to Jin County."

The woman smiled and said, "Your military governor is quite shrewd. I've come to see if my maids are here..."

"Yes, yes, madam, we're here."

Several women squeezed out.

Huang Ling felt uneasy listening to people praising Li Lin.

Because she remembered her evaluation of Li Lin when she first met him four years ago: all looks and no ambition, not a good match.

Looking back now, it seems so ridiculous.

She just didn't understand why Li Lin wanted to take Xiao Juan away.

She returned to the gate of the mansion with six maids. Just as she was about to enter, she saw the steward approaching.

"Madam... there's something I'm not sure if I should say."

"Speak," Huang Ling said, frowning.

When a servant speaks like this, it means that the matter must be addressed.

“I went to the Yang residence yesterday for official business. While waiting in the side hall, I saw Miss Xiaojuan.”

Huang Ling's eyes widened: "Wasn't Xiao Juan taken away by Li Lin? How come she's at the Yang residence! Is it the Yang residence of the Imperial Concubine?"

"Yes."

"This doesn't make sense. Perhaps you've mistaken someone for someone else, butler Bai. It's just a similar-looking person."

"No, I'm sure it's her. Miss Xiaojuan even greeted me first."

Huang Ling's eyes were slightly red. She said to the other women, "You all go back to your residence first. I'm going to the Yang residence."

After saying that, she got back into the sedan chair and arrived at the side gate of the Yang residence.

Although she was the daughter-in-law of the Fang family, she dared not claim to be particularly powerful in the face of the Imperial Concubine Yang's household.

Moreover, when visiting someone's home without invitation or consent, one usually enters through a side door.

"I am Fang Huangshi, daughter-in-law of the Fang family. May I ask if you could inform Xiao Juan in the household that I wish to see her?"

The two men guarding the side gate, seeing that Huang Ling was dressed in an extraordinary manner, and that she was traveling in a sedan chair with servants, did not dare to neglect her.

Besides, she only wanted to see Miss Xiaojuan, not the Imperial Concubine, so she could still pass on this message.

Seeing the guard go inside, Huang Ling waited anxiously.

Not long after, a figure walked out from inside; it was none other than Xiao Juan.

"Xiao Juan, I'm so glad you're alright." Huang Ling took a few steps forward and looked her up and down. "But what are you doing here at the Yang residence? Weren't you taken away by Li Lin?"

(End of this chapter)