Do you have the strength to force me to join the Liangshan bandits?

Chapter 725 Many thanks to the hero for saving my life, I have no way to repay this kindness [1st update]

Jiangnan is so beautiful...

Qu Lichuqing, the Northern Black Tortoise Mercury General, walked along the riverbank and felt that the mountains, water, and people at the southern end of the river were beautiful!

He lingered there, so engrossed that he forgot all about it.

Having been recruited by Emperor Gaozong of Song and stationed outside the city, Qu Lichuqing took two trusted confidants out for a stroll.

Upon reaching the riverbank, they came across a small tavern called Pipa Pavilion. Qu Lichuqing inquired and discovered it was a historical site associated with Bai Juyi, a poet from the Tang Dynasty.

He didn't know who Bai Letian was, and just went to the pavilion to have a few drinks.

Upon arriving at the pavilion, we found a clean seat, settled down, and ordered the waiter to bring us wine and dishes, which we then enjoyed slowly.

The bartender brought over two bottles of Yuhuchun wine, a famous and high-quality wine from Jiangzhou.

The bartender opened the mud pot and filled Qu Lichuqing's wine bowl. Qu Lichuqing drank the bowl of wine and said "delicious."

Looking out the window again, you can see the Xunyang River.

The scenery on the river was truly magnificent, as evidenced by the poem:

Rolling snow waves crash against the sky, a gentle breeze caresses the water's surface.

Purple Cloud Peak reaches the sky, Pipa Pavilion stands beside the riverbank...

"Shi Huo Zhu" Zu Xing and "Lou Jingou" Ali Yi were his confidants, and they sat and drank together.

Aliyi put down his wine bowl and sighed:
"If I could live here permanently, my life wouldn't have been in vain!"

"Yes!"

Zu Xing also sighed, "The good days we had in the north were nothing compared to those in the south..."

How can they be compared?

Qu Lichuqing agreed wholeheartedly: "I just don't know what important task His Majesty wants us to do."

"It's better to do it sooner rather than later. This way, we can settle down in Jiangnan and avoid having to live on the run like we did a few months ago..."

Ali Yi and Zu Xing both said that this was the best approach.

Just then, Ali Yi suddenly pointed to the riverbank and shouted:

"Brother, look! What an absolute beauty!"

Qu Lichu looked around and, sure enough, a graceful beauty emerged from a sedan chair and was playing by the river.

"what?"

Just then, someone next to them said, "Isn't this Princess Chongde?"
"You've come to the riverbank again today?"

"Is this a princess of the Song Dynasty?"

Qu Lichu was taken aback. He turned around and saw that the person speaking behind them was the bartender.

The bartender said confidently, "That's right, she was brought here from Tokyo by His Majesty."

"I love the scenery of Xunyang River and often come to play by the river in disguise."

"On one occasion, His Majesty came looking for me, and that's when I realized she was actually a princess..."

Aliyi's eyes lit up: "Since she is a princess, why did she only bring two maids and two guards with her?"

The bartender laughed and said, "This is called traveling incognito."

"If a large group of people are following behind, what is the point of calling it traveling incognito?"

"But with such a large entourage, how can we still have fun?"

Qu Lichu nodded: "That makes sense..."

Seeing Princess Chongde's graceful figure, Qu Lichuqing couldn't help but feel a surge of romantic longing.
If only I could kiss her...

"A few hooligans went by!"

Zu Xing suddenly shouted, and Qu Lichuqing snapped out of his daze and looked closely:
Sure enough, a few hooligans surrounded Princess Chongde and harassed her, and got into a verbal altercation with the two guards.

Unexpectedly, two ruffians stabbed the two guards in the back, and the two guards fell into a pool of blood... The two maids were practically useless; they couldn't even protect themselves, let alone protect Princess Chongde.

"Big brother?"

Zu Xing and Ali Yi looked at Qu Li Chuqing with shining eyes:
This is a golden opportunity to climb the social ladder!
If you don't go, we will!
"call--"

Did they even need to remind him? Qu Lichuqing simply jumped out of the third-floor window!
Upon landing, he bent his knees and performed a forward roll to cushion the impact of the fall, then sprinted away!

Seeing that several hooligans were already groping Princess Chongde, Quli Chuqing roared:
"Let go of that woman! Come at me if you have a problem!"

"Another busybody!"

Several thugs grinned maliciously as they released Princess Chongde and drew their knives.
"If you know what's good for you, get lost, or I'll send you on your way!"

"Hero, save me—"

Princess Chongde let out a sweet cry, and Quli Chuqing was instantly energized, drawing his sword and killing them one by one!
When Zuxing and Aliyi arrived, Qulichuqing was already holding Princess Chongde in his arms.

It wasn't that Qu Lichuqing had suddenly become a beast; it was when he helped Princess Chongde up from the ground that Princess Chongde, perhaps due to excessive fright, collapsed to the ground with her legs giving way.

Qu Lichuqing quickly embraced Princess Chongde, who looked up at him with a pitiful expression.
"Thank you so much, hero, for saving my life!"
"I have no way to repay your kindness, except to offer myself to you in gratitude!"

Qu Lichu was overjoyed, and naturally, the two of them secretly pledged their lives to each other.

Pretending not to know the extent of Princess Chongde's power, Quli Chuqing had Zuxing and Aliyi carry her in a sedan chair and send her home.

As expected, Qu Li met Emperor Gaozong of Song after leaving the capital.

"Thank you, General Qu, for saving my sister. I am deeply grateful!"

Emperor Gaozong of Song, admiring Qu Lichuqing, asked, "General Qu, would you be willing to become the son-in-law of my Great Song Dynasty?"

How could Quli not want to be cleared out?
Even if Princess Chongde had a round face, grasshopper eyes, a flat nose, and a toad mouth, he would still be willing!

Moreover, Princess Chongde was not only beautiful, but in Quli Chuqing's eyes, she was absolutely stunning!

So Emperor Gaozong of Song and Qu Lichuqing immediately got engaged, and Emperor Gaozong directly addressed him as brother-in-law.

Then Emperor Gaozong of Song held a grand banquet to entertain Quli Chuqing, Zuxing, and Aliyi.

After several rounds of drinks and dishes, Qu Lichuqing asked what important matter Emperor Gaozong of Song wanted to entrust to them.

Emperor Gaozong of Song did not say anything major, but promised that if Qulichuqing handled the matter well, he would be promoted to the second-rank position of Commander of the Palace Guards upon his return, while Zuxing and Aliyi would be promoted to the fourth-rank position of Deputy Commander of the Palace Guards.

"This matter is not yet settled. Brother-in-law, you should keep this to yourselves and not tell anyone else..."

Emperor Gaozong of Song winked, and Qu Lichuqing understood:
The brother-in-law meant that he shouldn't tell Zhi'er Fulang and Wuli Ke'an!
Qu Lichu immediately declared, "Is there even a need to say more? We're family!"

As the banquet drew to a close, Qu Lichuqing, quite drunk, went out to relieve himself.

As luck would have it, they bumped into Princess Chongde.

Fueled by alcohol, Qu Lichuqing embraced Princess Chongde.

Princess Chongde only offered a token resistance before the two became inseparable.

However, Princess Chongde was quite rational; she would accept a couple of kisses, but firmly refused any further advances.

Qu Li's attempt to clear out the market only satisfied his verbal urges.

Later, someone passed by, and Qu Lichuqing released Princess Chongde.

Before leaving, Princess Chongde gave Qulichuqing a token of their love: a fragrant handkerchief embroidered with a pair of ducks.

Qu Lichuqing was overjoyed, stuffing it into his bosom without saying a word to anyone. He even forgot to relieve himself and returned to the banquet.

Because Quli Chuqing, Zuxing, and Aliyi were all drunk, Emperor Gaozong of Song kept them overnight that night.

When Quli Chuqing left the city the next day, he still felt like he was in a dream. Fortunately, the handkerchief in his arms was still there.

He's really going to be the son-in-law of the Song Dynasty!

Slow!

Qu Lichuqing suddenly realized that he had forgotten something important!

(End of this chapter)