[Wuxia] The Duan Family Women Generals (Complete) - 35

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Chapter Six – Escaping Misfortune, Xu Youliang Becomes a Disciple; Old Friendships End, the Imperial Sister Gets Married.

Last time, Cao Yunlong swung his fork at Duan Lingfeng
. Xu Youliang saw that Lingfeng neither dodged nor flinched, and the fork touched her hair. Xu Youliang closed his eyes, thinking, "It's over!" He only heard a "Hey!" Opening his eyes, he saw Cao Yunlong on horseback, fork in hand, searching frantically left and right. Duan Lingfeng stood on the hill behind Cao Yunlong's horse, a cold smile on her face.
Cao Yunlong searched for a long time but couldn't find Duan Lingfeng. Suddenly, he heard a cold snort behind him. Knowing something was wrong, he quickly swung his fork behind him. Xu Youliang was astonished to see Duan Lingfeng somehow twist her body, leaping more than ten feet into the air, her legs clamping onto the trunk of a nearby cedar tree, hanging there headfirst.
Cao Yunlong missed again with his fork, breaking out in a cold sweat. He spun his horse around several times but still couldn't find Duan Lingfeng. Suddenly, he heard a noise from a tree beside him. Looking up, he saw Duan Lingfeng's head only half a foot away from his own, hanging upside down with her hands holding a sword. He was shocked and struck down with his fork again, smashing a two-inch-deep crater into the trunk of the fir tree. Duan Lingfeng somehow moved up about two feet, barely dodging the fork.
Cao Yunlong felt every hair on his body stand on end. He retreated several steps with his horse, exclaiming, "What kind of kung fu is this?"
Duan Lingfeng jumped down from the tree and said, "Lord Cao, you should know that there are always people more skilled than you. When I was born, my martial arts were already far superior to yours. Now, I have a renowned master and practice diligently every day, making even greater progress. You are busy with fame and fortune all day long, so you have no time to practice martial arts. Therefore, the gap between us is naturally wide, and there is no need to be surprised. If you are willing to give up the temptations of fame and fortune, retire from the army, and focus on your martial arts, you will naturally improve. However, since we have fought here today, you must know my kung fu skills. I wonder if I can save my husband?"
"My dear sister, your martial arts are superb. I admire you. As the saying goes, a person should know their own limitations. Even if I wanted to stop you from taking your husband, I couldn't. Please go ahead." Cao Yunlong knew that Duan Lingfeng's martial arts were now close to that of a demigod, and he could not contend with her. Helpless, he had no choice but to release her.
"So, Lingfeng is gone. I have one more piece of advice for Lord Cao. Your past conduct is truly despicable; I only hope you will become an upright person from now on. Also, stop harming women, or you will die at their hands sooner or later." Having said this, she walked to Xu Youliang's side, tucked him under her arm, and leaped onto the towering fir tree, disappearing in the blink of an eye.
Cao Yunlong's face flushed red and then paled after hearing those words, but he was too ashamed to refute them. He could only return dejectedly, write a memorial to the court, and say that Duan Lingfeng, a remnant of the former Zhen Dynasty, had resisted the soldiers and rescued Xu Youliang.
Meanwhile, Xu Youliang heard a whooshing sound beside his ears, as if he were walking in mid-air. Knowing that Lingfeng had indeed become a half-immortal and that his life was no longer in danger, he relaxed and began to observe Lingfeng more closely. He was now nestled under Lingfeng's arm, inhaling a warm, fragrant scent. His body was pressed against her soft ribs, warm as spring. Looking closer, his face was only half an inch from her breasts, their movements intermittently bringing them together. The softness and warmth caused him to unconsciously become aroused, making him blush with embarrassment. Fortunately, Lingfeng was focused on walking; otherwise, it would have been incredibly awkward if she had seen him.
They walked for what seemed like an eternity, only knowing they were far into the mountains. Finally, Lingfeng placed Youliang gently on the ground. Looking around, Youliang found himself in the heart of a vast mountain range, with towering peaks and deep valleys, surrounded by lush greenery and breathtaking scenery.
Youliang hurriedly bowed deeply, saying, "Thank you for saving me, sister. I have lived two lives."
Lingfeng blushed slightly and quickly returned the bow, saying, "Since we are destined to be together, we will be family sooner or later. Since you haven't joined our sect yet, it was naturally me who saved you. In the future, your martial arts will be limitless, and I will have someone to rely on. You shouldn't be so polite."
"I will do as you say, sister. How did you know I was in danger?"
"It was my master's divine calculation that commanded me to go and save you. After that, you will be free from suffering and danger."
"I see. Where is my master?"
"He is in the forest ahead."
"Quickly, take me to pay my respects."
"Follow me, Xu Lang."
The two walked and talked, reminiscing about their separation. Before long, they reached the depths of the forest and saw a huge rock, shaped like a lotus seat, upon which sat an old monk with white hair and beard.
Lingfeng hurriedly stepped forward and knelt down to pay her respects.
When Xu Youliang looked at the old monk, he saw a ruddy complexion and a solemn appearance, resembling the Buddha. He couldn't help but feel reverence and knelt down, begging the old monk to accept him as a disciple.
The old monk said, "Youliang has arrived."
"I've arrived."
"It's good that you've arrived. I, Xingkong, since we two have a karmic connection as master and disciple, there's no need for pretense. I will accept you as a lay disciple."
"Thank you for accepting me, Master." Xu Youliang then gathered some soil to make incense and bowed four times in accordance with his master's wishes.
Xingkong said, “Youliang, although your martial arts are not yet top-tier, your foundation is quite deep. If you follow the right path, your future is limitless. Come here, I will open the life-and-death gate for you, and your future martial arts practice will be able to advance by leaps and bounds.”
“Thank you, Master.”
Youliang followed his instructions and climbed onto the boulder. He sat cross-legged on the rock as Xingkong had instructed, closed his eyes slightly, and practiced breathing exercises. Due to his strong foundation, he immediately felt his blood and qi surging and gathering at the top of his head. Xingkong, standing behind him, struck the top of his head with a palm. Youliang instantly felt the blockage at the Baihui point suddenly clear, and his blood and qi flowed like a great river. Following Xingkong's instructions, Youliang guided his blood and qi through the microcosmic and macrocosmic orbits several times before stopping. He felt refreshed and overjoyed, and bowed again to thank his master for his kindness.
Xingkong nodded and said, "Indeed, indeed. I am content to have two disciples like you. From now on, I will travel the world. You and Lingfeng, take good care of yourselves."
Youliang exclaimed in surprise, "Master, why are you leaving us so soon after accepting us as disciples?"
Xingkong said, "I have long wished to travel, only to wait for you to enter my fold. I have already passed on all my martial arts secrets to Lingfeng, but she is, after all, a woman, and her foundation is insufficient. Some martial arts are not fully mastered. I have ordered her to pass on the skills in my place. In the future, your achievements will surpass those of Lingfeng."
"Yes."
"Also, you and Lingfeng are destined to be together. In the past, I asked you to fulfill the mandate of Heaven to quell the chaos in the world. Now that your mission is complete, you and Lingfeng will bow before me and complete the ceremony of husband and wife. Then find a quiet place to practice diligently for three years. After you have mastered the martial arts I have taught you, you can travel the world together, upholding justice. At that time, there are still important matters for you and your husband to handle."
"Yes."
“Youliang is the son of a man and the lord of Nanling. He will bear the responsibility of ensuring the continuation of several clans in the future. Besides Lingfeng, he will have several concubines. Lingfeng must not be jealous.”
“Lingfeng understands.”
“In that case, you two should bow three times here to complete the ceremony of husband and wife.”
Lingfeng blushed deeply upon hearing this and dared not raise her head. Youliang knelt beside her, first bowing to heaven and earth, then to their master, and then exchanging vows.
Xingkong nodded and said, “You two are now people of the martial world, no need to be bound by worldly etiquette. My great matter is completed, I will depart now. We will meet again in the future.” Before he finished speaking, he had already disappeared.
Youliang did not expect his master to leave so suddenly, and stood there stunned, unable to comprehend it for a long time.
Lingfeng, standing beside him, gently placed a jade-like hand on his arm and said timidly, "Husband, Master is a highly accomplished monk, far beyond the reach of ordinary people. There's no need to be surprised. We should obey Master's orders and find a quiet place to practice martial arts."
"Mm," Youliang agreed, turning to look at Lingfeng. Her jade-like face was flushed with shyness, and she lowered her head, not daring to meet his gaze. She had completely lost the imposing presence of a marshal she once possessed. He couldn't help but feel a surge of affection, pulling Lingfeng into his arms and kissing her lips several times, saying, "Sister, today we are married. We should first find a place to consummate our marriage, otherwise it will be unlucky for us."
Lingfeng grew even more shy, burying her head in Youliang's shoulder and whispering, "There are two caves behind the forest, where my master and I stayed when we arrived here. Let's go there and complete our marital vows. Tomorrow, I will teach you the martial arts of our sect."
"As you wish, sister," Youliang said, embracing Lingfeng. Following her directions, they walked about half a mile and indeed saw two caves.
Lingfeng pointed and said, "This one is where my master meditated. His robes and alms bowl are gone; he has gone far away." Then she and Youliang entered the other cave, which was no more than three zhang deep. There was a bed of dry grass, and several large red new cloths hung upside down as curtains, clearly prepared for their wedding night. Youliang felt even more aroused.
The two newlyweds embraced and sat on the bed. Lingfeng trembled with shyness, unable to control herself, which aroused Youliang. He pulled Lingfeng onto his lap, kissing her lips tightly while gently loosening her clothes, and soon she was completely naked. Youliang had seen Lingfeng's body before. Although several years had passed, she had become even more mature and beautiful, with fragrant, snow-white skin. Youliang couldn't help but grope her, touching her intimate parts. Lingfeng buried her face in his chest, moaning softly.
After playing for a long time, Youliang sucked on her nipple. Lingfeng was aroused and trembled all over, covered in fragrant sweat. She reached down to her crotch and felt a soft tuft of hair and warm, moist labia. A clear spring gushed from her vulva. Knowing that she was moved, he laid her down on the bed, took off his clothes, and pressed himself against her body.
Lingfeng trembled even more violently under his pressure, her head shaking wildly, moaning incessantly. This aroused Xu Youliang, who raised his manhood and thrust it into Lingfeng's most sensitive spot, penetrating her completely. Lingfeng cried out, "My brother! You've ruined your sister!"
Hearing this, Xu Youliang's excitement grew even higher. He thrust into Lingfeng with great force, thoroughly enjoying her.
Since Fengling's death, Xu Youliang had not had any relations with women, while Lingfeng, past her prime and newly married, was like dry tinder igniting a raging fire, their pleasure reaching its peak. Afterwards, they embraced naked, completely open.
For three days, night after night, they were inseparable. Xu Youliang, who had previously had five wives and concubines, was a master of the art, and he had Lingfeng completely captivated, losing all desire for pleasure.
After three days, Lingfeng said, "Master asked me to teach you martial arts. Now that we are husband and wife, I will first teach you breathing techniques and lightness skills."
"I will do as you say, sister."
Xu Youliang already had a foundation, and Xingkong had helped him pass through the barrier of life and death, so learning martial arts was very easy for him. In just half a month, Youliang was able to leap two or three zhang high.
Lingfeng said, "With your lightness skill, you can leave now."
"Where to?"
"I rescued you at Dafang Mountain. Do you think the imperial court would let you go so easily? They'll definitely search for you there. It won't be safe here sooner or later. Why don't we, husband and wife, travel north across the country, pass Xuanwu Pass, and then head north to Baima Mountain? That's where the Hu people live, not under the jurisdiction of the Great Water Dynasty. My master taught me martial arts there; it's very safe."
"That's good, but my martial arts are not yet fully developed. What if we encounter government troops along the way? Wouldn't that be troublesome?"
"No problem. With your lightness skill, although you might not be able to win in a fight, the walls of most prefectures and counties won't be able to stop you. Martial arts are all about diligence. We'll practice as we go. With your foundation, by the time we reach Baima Mountain, your lightness skill will be almost as good as mine." "
In that case, I'll do as you say, sister."
The two packed their belongings, put on short-sleeved robes, each took the precious sword passed down by their master, and left the cave, heading north.
What other changes await on this journey? We'll find out in the next chapter. Chapter 7 of
Imperial Chapter 007 – The Daoist nun Jingyun suffers a brutal dismemberment; Youliang and his wife offer a proper burial to their former subordinates. It is said that Xu Youliang and Duan Lingfeng, having completed their wedding ceremony, traveled north hand in hand. They traveled by night and rested by day. Although the court had drawn their portraits, they stayed in the mountains during the day and traveled only at night, so no one recognized them. Moreover, at midnight, the couple used the opportunity of their journey to practice their light-footed skills. Lingfeng would lead the way, and Youliang would chase after her. When he caught up, he would embrace her, and they would playfully tease each other on the ground and under the covers, finding it quite enjoyable. Youliang was particularly enthusiastic. In just over ten days, he had already covered two hundred li a day and could leap five zhang in one bound. He had also learned to climb rocks and walls, surpassing even the Feng siblings in their abilities. The two left Dafang Mountain and, under cover of night, entered Nanling Pass. The area was all plains, so during the day they had to find deserted temples to stay in, continuing their journey only at night. At dawn one day, they reached a point a hundred li south of Yecheng, where they found the Temple of the Heavenly King. The building was dilapidated, covered in dust, and long since devoid of incense. It was a perfect place to stay. The two hastily cleaned the backyard, where the Taoist priests had once lived, spread out their bedding, and fell asleep in each other 's arms. Suddenly, they heard voices ahead. They quickly got up and listened closely. They discovered a group of thieves dividing their loot in the main hall. After dividing the spoils, the bandits ate, drank, and celebrated, gradually beginning to ramble incoherently. One of the thieves said, "This deal was all thanks to that nun Jingyun. If it weren't for everyone in the capital being so eager to see her beautiful body, we would have had to go through a lot more trouble." " That's right. That nun Jingyun was once a general under Xu Youliang. She was young, but she wasted her life trying to save him. It's a real pity." "What a pity. Even thieves in the martial world, when they commit crimes for money, killing their hostages is just a matter of a single cut. It's unbearable to see such a beautiful young woman suffer such torture." "Who says otherwise?" When Youliang heard that the nun was one of his generals, he remembered Hu Yue, who had saved him at the Jade Dragon Ridge intersection. Ignoring Lingfeng's advice, he rushed towards the front courtyard. When he reached the main hall, just as he was about to make his move, he saw that the thieves were already lying on the ground, staggering. Lingfeng was standing in the middle of the hall. He knew that Lingfeng had arrived first and had subdued the thieves. Lingfeng said cautiously, "My husband didn't even inform his wife beforehand. He was too reckless. With your current martial arts skills, killing them would be as easy as turning your hand. But to capture them, you'd need to practice for a while longer. They're not particularly wicked. What if you fail?" Youliang, realizing his own recklessness, could only humbly reply, "Sister is right. I just overheard them talking about the Daoist nun being tortured. I remembered Hu Yue saving me at Jade Dragon Ridge, and I was worried she might be captured and suffering. That's why I couldn't help myself. I won't do it again." "That's understandable. I wonder if they're talking about Hu Yue. Let's ask her." Lingfeng told Youliang to cover his face with a black cloth, and she covered her own with a red cloth. Then she walked up to a middle-aged thief and released his pressure points. The thief awoke, and upon seeing his surroundings, immediately understood what had happened. He hurriedly bowed and said, "Two heroes, my brother and I have no grudge against you. What is the meaning of this?" Lingfeng replied, "Do not be afraid. I overheard you discussing a young Daoist nun suffering in the capital. She seemed to be someone we knew, so we came to inquire. After asking, we went our separate ways, with no intention of harming each other." "I see. May I ask, heroine?" "What is the background of this Daoist nun? Why is she suffering?" "That nun's Dharma name is Jingyun. She's in her early twenties, very young and beautiful. It's said she was originally the wife of Zheng Mingde, a general under Xu Youliang, and her real name was Hu Yue. After Xu Youliang surrendered to the Great Water Dynasty, Hu Yue renounced worldly life and became a nun at Yulonggang. Some time ago, Xu Youliang rebelled and was wanted by the court. Unexpectedly, he managed to escape. The Northern Azure Dragon King, Hua Rong, chased him to Yulonggang overnight, but was stopped by this nun, Jingyun, who let Xu Youliang go. She herself was captured by Hua Rong and taken to the capital for questioning at the Ministry of Justice. It's said that Jingyun confessed to her crimes without hesitation, and the Emperor was furious, ordering her execution." "Where is Jingyun now? Is it possible to rescue her?" Youliang asked anxiously. "It's too late. That little Taoist nun was sawed in half in the bustling market outside the southwest gate of the capital the day before yesterday. Her body is now in three pieces and is being displayed at the three city gates of the capital." Upon hearing this, Youliang's eyes filled with tears as he said, "It's all my fault. If I had learned the lightness skill a few days earlier, I could have saved Hu Yue from Ruohai."

Lingfeng hurriedly advised, "Husband, don't act like a woman. This is Hu Yue's fate, perhaps Heaven wants her to fulfill her loyalty to her sovereign. Normally, Hu Yue's crime is treason, and she should be executed without delay. If nothing unexpected happens, she would probably be dead more than ten days ago. So, it's been delayed until today, perhaps Heaven is deliberately keeping her alive so that we can collect her body. This might not be a bad thing."
Youliang had no choice but to listen to Lingfeng and stop crying.
Lingfeng found out that these people were from the Swallow Gang, knowing that the Swallow Gang were righteous heroes who robbed the rich to help the poor. She released everyone's pressure points, told them to prepare food, and they all ate together, spending the day in the Heavenly King's Palace.
The thieves, knowing they were friends from the underworld, were no longer afraid and even chatted with them.
A thief asked, "You two are exceptionally skilled in martial arts, but we've never heard of you before. May we ask your names?"
Youliang didn't know how to answer, but Lingfeng stepped in and said, "We are husband and wife, not from the Central Plains. My husband calls himself Xiaoyao Shanren (逍遥山人), and this is our first time in the Central Plains."
"I see."
From then on, Youliang had the martial arts name Xiaoyao Shanren, and later he, Lingfeng, and their concubines were known as the Xiaoyao Couple (逍遥侠侣).
That evening, the two packed their belongings, bid farewell to the Swallow Gang, and the Swallow Gang returned south to their headquarters, while Youliang and his wife headed north to the capital.
Meanwhile, the Daoist nun Jingyun, after being brought to the capital, was imprisoned in the No. 1 prison and handed over to the Ministry of Justice for investigation. Jingyun had long been prepared to die, so there was no need for her to explain. In the main hall, she answered ten questions for every one asked, confessing in detail how she saved Youliang, thus avoiding a period of torture.
The Ministry of Justice sentenced Jingyun to death by a thousand cuts for treason in court and sent all the case files to the palace. Feng Qing, wanting to inquire about Xu Youliang's whereabouts from Jingyun, delayed the execution for many days before issuing the decree.
The day before the execution, Jingyun was given a feast of "killing wine" and meat, and female jailers were ordered to help her bathe and change clothes. She was stripped of her prison clothes and put on a Taoist nun's Eight Trigrams Immortal Robe, but underneath she was completely naked.
Jingyun knew that during the execution by a thousand cuts, she would be completely naked, so she didn't find it strange and allowed them to serve her.
The next day at four in the morning, the Ministry of Justice took Jingyun from the prison to the main hall, read the imperial edict, and then ordered her to be bound.
The bailiffs dragged the beautiful Taoist nun Hu Yue to the ground, broke her shackles, and stripped her of her Eight Trigrams Immortal Robe, instantly transforming her into a naked white sheep. They then bound her tightly with ropes, and a execution token was inserted behind her back.
Look at them, one groping her breasts, another reaching for her crotch, they've thoroughly ravaged Jingyun's body, teasing her for a long time before finally ordering two executioners to seize her arms and drag her out of the Ministry of Justice.
The streets were already crowded with people who knew the news, and when they saw Jingyun's snow-white skin, her two vermilion nipples, and her dark pubic area, they were all excited and cheered.
Looking again at the main road, there was a wooden donkey, four feet tall, with a dark, shiny wooden pestle on top, as thick as a teacup and seven inches high. When Jingyun saw it, her face flushed, she closed her eyes, and kept chanting "Amitabha Buddha."
Jingyun was lifted high above her head by axemen, and two more axemen came, grabbed her two jade feet, spread them apart, and supported her beautiful buttocks, lifting her up and onto the donkey's back. They aligned her hairy flower with the top of the wooden pestle, stood her up, and then lowered her down, thus inserting a beautiful young Taoist nun into the wooden pestle. The yamen runners and soldiers played music and pushed the wooden donkey, parading it through the streets and alleys of the capital. With
each movement of the wooden donkey, the huge pestle thrust wildly into Jingyun's vulva, making Jingyun's eyebrows furrow, moaning incessantly, feeling like she was dying and coming back to life, her eyes filled with tears of shame, only able to chant the name of the Heavenly Venerable countless times.
They swam from early morning until noon, finally reaching the bustling market. There, a sea of people crowded around a five-foot-high platform. A wooden donkey stood beside the platform, where axemen grabbed her arms and lifted her onto it. Her legs were overflowing with lustful fluid, soaking her jade-like thighs and dripping onto her feet.
Jingyun saw two wooden stakes standing on the platform, and a large saw on the ground. Terrified, her rear twitched wildly, and her heart pounded.
The axemen placed Jingyun on a long table, laid her face up, spread her legs, and exposed her private parts to the crowd below.
At two quarters past noon, four axemen lifted her up, carried her to the stakes, and held her upside down. Soldiers used ropes to bind her feet to iron rings at the top of the stakes, then untied her hands and removed them from the base of the stakes.
Two executioners picked up a large saw and swung it between Jingyun's legs, spreading her legs wide and revealing her beautiful vulva. The saw, with its teeth about half an inch long, was sharpened to a chilling edge. Even before it touched her private parts, Jingyun writhed in terror, her small anus twitching wildly as she screamed "Ah! Ah!"
At noon, the fire-workers lit three cannons with a deafening roar, and the executioner threw down the pyrotechnic token.
The two executioners pressed the saw down, the teeth landing squarely on her clitoris. Jingyun screamed in agony, but the executioner ignored her, pulling the saw apart with a swift, sharp pull, and blood flowed freely.
After several more saw cuts, the pubic bone was broken, and the saw cut into the coccyx. Jingyun was in excruciating pain, screaming in agony.
The large saw was indeed powerful; after only a dozen or so cuts, it reached her waist, splitting her pelvis in two. Her large and small intestines flowed out of the wound, and blood flowed like a river.
The officials of the Ministry of Justice had intended to inflict more pain on Jingyun, but after sawing halfway through, the blood had drained, and Jingyun died, no longer crying out. The executioner didn't care about that and continued sawing her body down to her neck, then severed her head with a single stroke, leaving the body in two separate pieces. He then pulled out all the internal organs and threw them into a bamboo basket, leaving only the uterus, bladder, and half of the rectum on the body.
The execution was complete. The supervising official ordered Jingyun's head to be hung at the south gate, while the two halves of her body, cleaned of blood, were hung at the east and west gates, where the common people could watch and admire them. Her entrails and other remains were thrown into a mass grave, left for wild animals to devour.
Poor Hu Yue, a brave and loyal female general, met a tragic end in the capital.
You Liang and Duan Lingfeng, upon learning of Hu Yue's death, were deeply grieved and wished to collect her body.
That night, using their light-footed skills, they arrived at the south gate around midnight. They saw that the city wall was nine zhang high, the gate was closed, and the lanterns and torches on the wall illuminated the area as if it were daytime. On the wall, less than three feet from the top, hung Hu Yue's head.
Although Youliang had learned some light-body skills, he hadn't practiced for long and could only leap five or six zhang (approximately 10-13 meters). While he could still climb the city walls, he was still vulnerable to being spotted by the soldiers. So he said to Duan Lingfeng, "I haven't mastered it yet, so I'll trouble you, sister." "
Of course," Lingfeng replied, tightening the silk sash around her waist to make herself look more lithe and agile. Then she drew her sword, leaped seven or eight zhang (approximately 33-43 meters) high, and with a swift stroke of her sword, cut the rope holding the severed head. She then landed gracefully, catching the head silently.
Youliang secretly praised her, quickly taking Hu Yue's head. Seeing Hu Yue's wide-open, beautiful eyes filled with intense resentment, Youliang cried, "It's all because of my mistake that the general suffered. It's my fault. Now I will collect the general's body and bury it with General Zheng. General Hu can rest in peace."
Strangely enough, as soon as he finished speaking, Hu Yue closed her beautiful eyes.
Xu Youliang placed the severed head in a pouch at his waist and, after discussing with Duan Lingfeng, decided that the two would go to the east gate and the west gate respectively to retrieve Hu Yue's body, and then meet at the north gate.
Whether Xu Youliang and Duan Lingfeng retrieved Hu Yue's body is unknown; we'll find out in the next chapter.
(Empire

Chapter 8 - Eliminating Dissidents and Unleashing a Bloodbath, Gathering Old Troops in Hidden White

Horses) The story continues: Xu Youliang and Duan Lingfeng split up to go east and west to retrieve Hu Yue's body.
Youliang used his internal energy to travel west, arriving in the blink of an eye after more than twenty li.
Outside the city gate, a gate-shaped wooden frame stood by the roadside. Half of a woman's corpse, tied by the feet with rope, hung upside down from the beam. Torches were planted around it, and a dozen soldiers stood guard.
The imperial court had always dealt harshly with rebellion and treason. After Hu Yue was sawed in half, the two halves of her body were hung at the east and west gates, but unlike a severed head, they were not hung high up, but by the roadside so that passersby could see every detail of her body. Some audacious ruffians even came closer to publicly humiliate and play with her body.
You Liang saw this and, realizing that his lightness skill was insufficient to silently snatch the corpse from the crowd, he had no choice but to forcibly take it.
With this thought, he drew his sword, quietly approached, and when he had enough steps, leaped to the roadside.
Although Xu Youliang's martial arts skills were not as good as Duan Lingfeng's, he was still a general and dealing with a few soldiers was not difficult for him. However, he did not want to kill more people, so he held back and fought for a while longer before knocking out more than a dozen soldiers. He then cut the ropes binding Hu Yue, grabbed her ankle, hoisted half of her body onto his shoulder, and ran westward.
The soldiers on the city wall had already seen the fighting below and hurriedly reported to the night watch officer. When they came out to see what was happening, Youliang had already snatched Hu Yue's body. Although Youliang's lightness skill was not practiced for long, it was still astonishing. Everyone only saw a black shadow shooting westward like an arrow, disappearing in the blink of an eye. They were stunned and only thought to chase after him after a long time, but it was too late.
Youliang first ran westward out of the soldiers' sight, then turned north, until he reached the north gate, where he saw Duan Lingfeng waiting there, also carrying half of her body.
The couple met, said little, and hurried northward side by side for fifty li before finding a dilapidated temple. They lit candles and laid Hu Yue's body on the ground. Lingfeng, being a woman, had learned some needlework in her spare time while following Master Xingkong over the years, and carefully sewed up Hu Yue's body.
Liang watched from the side, occasionally weeping, and Lingfeng felt saddened as well.
Soon, the body was sewn up. Lingfeng went to the town ahead to find a coffin shop, roused the shopkeeper from his bed, and bought a coffin, funeral clothes, incense, candles, and paper money. The shopkeeper, still half-asleep and reluctant, was astonished to see Duan Lingfeng, a woman, carrying a coffin on one shoulder and funeral clothes and incense in the other, leaping onto the roof and disappearing. His tongue lolled out, unable to retract for a long time.
Duan Lingfeng returned to the dilapidated temple and, together with Youliang, dressed Hu Yue, placed her in a coffin, and then chose a secluded hillside to temporarily bury her, marking the spot. Later, they indeed returned to exhume her bones and reunite her with her husband in a grave.
Although Hu Yue had suffered such torment, being personally buried by her former master was a rare stroke of luck compared to those female generals captured by the enemy and left without a proper burial.
After burying Hu Yue, it was already dawn. The couple found a secluded spot in the mountains to rest, planning to continue their journey later that evening.
Further north lay the mountains, leading to the ancient northern city pass. Xu Youliang, remembering his absence during the numerous battles fought in Feng County, invited Lingfeng to change their route westward, bypassing Feng County and heading north to Xuanwu Pass to enjoy the scenery.
The two men traveled westward from outside the north gate of the capital, passing through the city all night. They rested at dawn and continued their journey that evening. Passing through Heming Prefecture, they saw several human heads hanging from the city walls, along with the naked corpses of women and children, the reason for which remained a mystery. Seeing a notice on the wall near the city gate, they learned it was about the murders and approached to investigate. Their anger flared.
It turned out that since Cao Yunlong reported that Duan Lingfeng had kidnapped Xu Youliang, Feng Qing had been living in constant fear, issuing orders to all prefectures and counties to capture Youliang and Lingfeng to prevent future trouble.
However, Xu Youliang had not been captured; instead, Hu Yue's head and corpse had been stolen under cover of night, clearly the work of Xu Youliang's remaining followers. Feng Qing was even more restless. Empress Qi, upon learning of this, advised Feng Qing that Xu Youliang's former subordinates were scattered throughout the land, posing a great threat to the court, and must be eradicated completely.
Feng Qing found this reasonable and
immediately issued an imperial edict to search for and arrest Xu Youliang's remaining associates. Anyone connected to Xu Youliang was to be executed along with their entire family. As a result, all of Xu Youliang's former subordinates still serving in the army were dismissed and arrested. They were all subjected to brutal torture. Those who could not withstand the torture and confessed to having affairs with Xu Youliang were all executed along with their families, leaving no trace. The entire country was plunged into bloodshed; three thousand households, totaling over twenty thousand people, were killed.
Some who were shrewd enough to escape earlier, and others who had retired from the army years earlier, were all wanted by the government with their portraits drawn.
What Youliang saw were his former subordinates. One of them was a lowly deputy commander in Heming, supporting his wife and children. He had been captured by his superiors and subjected to all sorts of cruel torture. When he couldn't withstand the torture, he implicated several others, who were also arrested. They were beheaded in the bustling marketplace of the prefecture, and their heads were hung on the city wall. Then, his wife, children, and the elderly were all captured. The men were beheaded, and the women and children were stripped naked, dragged through the streets, and strangled with ropes. Their bodies were left to decompose in the wind.
Youliang was furious that so many of his former subordinates had been harmed because of him, and he decided to storm the capital to seek revenge on Feng Qing.
Duan Lingfeng hurriedly stopped him, saying, "Husband, there's no need for this. As the saying goes, a gentleman's revenge is never too late, even after ten years. You and I are just two people now. Even if we had extraordinary abilities, we could not withstand Feng Qing's power with the entire nation. I believe that Feng Qing's wanton killing will inevitably cause public resentment, and the Great Flood Dynasty will surely be defeated sooner or later."
You Liang also knew that with his own strength, he could not shake Feng Qing in the slightest, so he could only endure and wait for an opportunity. Hearing Lingfeng's words, he first secretly took the corpses down from the city and hastily buried them, and then continued westward. In the cities they passed through, there were many people who had been killed, and You Liang collected and buried the bodies for them.
Because of these innocent people who were killed, their journey was delayed for several days, and their travel habits were also changed. In order to find out about the situation of their subordinates who were implicated in the executions, the two would occasionally go to teahouses and taverns to sit down.
One day, they arrived at Fengtang, a small town fifty li east of Fengjun. The two men, their faces half-hidden by headscarves, went to eat at a small shop. Suddenly, they saw a troop of cavalry escorting a wooden cage prison cart and a horse-drawn carriage past. Inside the cage was a disheveled man, and from the carriage, they could faintly hear a woman sobbing.
Youliang recognized the man in the cage as familiar, and upon closer inspection, he was shocked to find it was none other than his own general, Guan Yuqing.
Guan Yuqing had rendered countless merits under Xu Youliang's command, and it was Xu Youliang who persuaded him to surrender, leading him to submit to the Dashui army. He knew that Feng Qing would never trust Xu Youliang's former subordinates and that trouble would inevitably follow him sooner or later, which was why he had retired to his hometown. However, he was still reported to the authorities and captured.
Local officials, knowing he was a general under Xu Youliang, dared not act on their own and specially sent men to escort Guan Yuqing and his young wife Bai Yushuang's son, Guan Xing, who was not yet a year old, to the capital. Unexpectedly, Youliang encountered them here.
Youliang quickly told Duan Lingfeng what had happened, and Lingfeng said, "Since we've encountered them, we should save them."
The two paid for the food and drink and secretly followed the prison cart for twenty li before stopping when they saw the people stop at an inn.
That night, the couple arrived outside the inn, jumped over the wall, and saw the wooden cage in the backyard. Guan Yuqing was still locked in the cage, and two soldiers were guarding it.
Youliang's martial arts skills were not yet fully developed, so he dared not make a move. Lingfeng picked up a tile from the roof, crushed it in her hand, and threw it, striking the two soldiers in pressure points and immobilizing them.
Youliang and Lingfeng quickly jumped down and went to the wooden cage. Lingfeng broke several of the round logs on the cage with her hands and then used her sword to cut open Yuqing's shackles.
Guan Yuqing, bewildered as to who had rescued him, looked at Lingfeng with suspicion: "Who are you?"
"General Guan, look closely, don't you recognize Youliang?"
"Ah! It's you, my lord? What are you doing here?"
"It is indeed Xu Youliang, and this is my wife, Duan Lingfeng. Knowing you were in trouble, I came to rescue you. Where are your wife and children being held? I need to go and rescue them."
"They're all locked up in the west wing of the front courtyard, guarded by soldiers."
"No problem, husband, take General Guan and go first. I can handle things here." Lingfeng said, and then vanished.
Youliang hurriedly grabbed Guan Yuqing, tucked him under his arm, leaped over the wall, and left the shop.
Guan Yuqing was astonished, his jaw agape. He hadn't expected his lord's martial arts to have reached such a level after only a few months apart. He hadn't even seen Lingfeng's skills yet; if he had, he would be utterly astonished.
In truth, Youliang had only just begun his training and hadn't been practicing for very long. After carrying Guan Yuqing four or five miles outside the town, his internal energy was already depleted, so he had to put Yuqing on the ground and sit down together to regulate his breathing. Guan Yuqing was restrained by the wooden cage and couldn't move. Her hands and feet were numb and couldn't recover for a while. She just sat on the ground, staring blankly at Youliang. A moment later, Duan Lingfeng descended from mid-air and landed on the ground, setting down Bai Yushuang and her young son. Guan Yuqing then stood up, pulling Bai Yushuang to kneel down with a thud: "Thank you, my lord and Your Highness, for saving our lives."
Youliang hurriedly pulled Yuqing up, saying, "Get up, get up. I am no longer your lord, and you are no longer your subjects. Because of Youliang alone, countless people have suffered needlessly, and Youliang cannot bear it. It would be better for me to die and offer my head to Feng Qing, so that no one will suffer because of me."
"No, no!" Upon hearing this, Yuqing knelt down again with a thud: "My lord, please don't say such things. No matter where we are, you are still Yuxin's lord. How can a subject live when the lord dies? My lord's words are going to shame Yuqing to death."
"Oh dear! General Guan, you mustn't act like a child." Youliang pulled Yuqing up again.
"My lord, you must not entertain the thought of suicide again. Even if you were to pass away, Feng Qing might not spare your former ministers. Why not regroup and gather our old troops to seize Feng Qing's territory?"
"General Guan, it's not that I don't want to do this. However, since the three families raised their armies, several years have passed, with constant warfare and widespread suffering. Of the tens of millions in the Central Plains, less than eight million remain. Now, the people yearn for stability. If we go against the will of the people, we will surely fail!"
"My lord, what do you suggest?"
"I want to temporarily retire to the mountains with my wife, practice martial arts, teach our children, and observe the changes in the world. Although Feng Qing has committed some atrocities while in power, if he were to govern diligently and care for the people, it would be a blessing for the world. In that case, we wouldn't need to leave the mountains. If he disregards the suffering of the people and acts tyrannically, I will not leave the mountains, and the people will certainly not forgive him. Why rush things? If I hadn't ignored my uncle's advice, we wouldn't have suffered the defeat at Tiger Head Ridge. The will of Heaven cannot be defied."
"So, where does my lord intend to go?"
"My wife and I will head north, pass through Xuanwu Pass, and enter Baima Mountain."
"If my lord does not mind Yuqing's dullness, I am willing to accompany you and serve you."
"If Yuqing is willing to go, I
, Youliang, would be more than happy to oblige." Lingfeng and Bai Yushuang were also delighted, for this way they would be away from the dangerous Central Plains and would have more companions. Lingfeng was particularly fond of Yuqing's child, Guan Xing.
Thus, the group did not go to Feng County but changed their route to the north. Along the way, Youliang and Lingfeng passed on some of their lightness skills to Yuxin and her husband, and they practiced as they went. By the time they reached Xuanwu Pass, Xu Youliang could already leap onto the city wall on his own. Although Guan Yuqing and Bai Yushuang lacked foundation and had not practiced for long, Lingfeng assisted them, and they also easily climbed the city wall.
The soldiers guarding the city suddenly saw four dark figures leaping up the wall below, and they were stunned and at a loss. The four ignored them, used their lightness skills, and headed due north.
Later, Guan Yuqing's family and Youliang's family lived together in Baima Mountain. Guan Yuqing later entered the pass several times, gathering Youliang's former followers to form a gang, and brought some of the core members to live with them in the mountains. Later, when Xu Youliang's grandson raised an army against the Great Flood Dynasty, the sons of these people were all founding heroes, not to mention...
The group arrived at Baima Mountain and settled in a secluded spot, practicing martial arts and studying military strategy daily. Not long after arriving in Baima, Lingfeng became pregnant and gave birth to a son at full term, named Xu Qing. He was handsome, and the couple loved him dearly. They lived in the mountains for several years until Xu Qing was three years old. Youliang, having mastered his martial arts, then descended the mountain for the first time and returned to the Central Plains.
However, after Youliang's absence for several years, many changes occurred in the Central Plains.
What happened? We'll find out in the next chapter.

Chapter 9 of Imperial Decree 009 – Driven by Love and Hatred, Cao Yunlong Frames Xu Youliang; Empress Qi Slanders Him.

Leaving aside Xu Youliang's departure from Ruohai and his hiding in Baima Mountain, Feng Qing's confiscation of Xu Youliang's former subordinates resulted in the deaths of countless people. Even Shi Wenlong and Hua Feng were imprisoned. Had Feng Qing not temporarily forgotten them, they would have been killed long ago. Just then, the ambitious Western Rong King Wu Dehai was about to invade the Central Plains, and no one could stop him. Only then did Feng Qing remember the two generals in prison, granting them a pardon and appointing them as commander-in-chief and deputy commander to conquer the Western Rong. They then served on the border for decades, dying in office.
As for Cao Yunlong, ever since Hua Rong visited him and they discussed framing Xu Youliang, Cao Yunlong had been captivated by Hua Rong's beauty.
If we were to discuss who was the most beautiful woman in the martial arts world at that time, the first choice would undoubtedly be Duan Lingfeng, the younger sister of the Great Zhen Emperor. Although Duan Lingfeng was already in her thirties, she diligently practiced internal energy cultivation and possessed the art of preserving her youth, still appearing as if she were in her early twenties. She could be considered the most beautiful woman in the world. Next was Hua Rong. Hua Rong was younger than Lingfeng, and also had fair skin and a slender figure. Cao Yunlong
, a master of such beauty, was naturally attracted to her. Therefore, he often used excuses to go to Bailong to invite Hua Rong to hunt, showering her with attention. At first, Hua Rong didn't take it seriously, but as time went on, she became wary. It turned out that Hua Rong was not a heartless person; she simply disliked the rudeness of martial generals and preferred refined and cultured individuals. Cao Yunlong was not only a martial artist but also a lecherous devil, and unpredictable. Hua Rong felt displeased whenever she saw him. One day, the two went hunting in the forest again. Cao Yunlong, seeing no one around, rode his horse to Hua Rong's side and reached out to put his arm around her shoulder. Unexpectedly, Hua Rong swerved her horse aside, nearly causing Cao Yunlong to fall off.
Hua Rong said, "Southern Azure Dragon, please have some self-respect."
Cao Yunlong replied, "Northern Azure Dragon, don't do this. Since ancient times, men should marry when they come of age, and women should marry when they come of age. I, the Northern Azure Dragon, am already twenty years old; logically, I should have found a good match. You are the Northern Azure Dragon, and I am the Southern Azure Dragon; you are unmarried, and I am unmarried. Where in the world can we find such a well-matched couple? Why don't you marry me, sister?"
"Lord Cao, please don't say such things. Although it's said that marriage should be between equals, it still requires mutual consent. The world is full of beautiful women, and Lord Cao is a dragon among men. If you were to marry, which woman wouldn't want to curry favor with you? I, Hua, am ugly and dare not accept Lord Cao's favor. Let's not mention this matter again."
Since Cao Yunlong had taken a liking to Hua Rong, how could he give up so easily? He grinned and kept talking nonsense, which annoyed Hua Rong, who said, "Lord Cao, stop talking. Hua Rong does not wish to marry you." "My dear, give up now!"
Cao Yunlong pressed, refusing to let it go. "Could it be that Bei Qinglong already has a lover? I only want Bei Qinglong; it doesn't matter which lover you have."
Hua Rong glared at him, annoyed. "Lord Cao, don't be rude! Although I, Hua Rong, am a woman, I act with integrity and uprightness, unlike you, who are fickle and unfaithful."
Cao Yunlong, equally annoyed, retorted, "How can Bei Qinglong speak like that? I am not a fickle and unfaithful person!"
"When Lord Cao first emerged from seclusion, he was the vanguard of the Great Zhen Dynasty. Instead of serving the Great Zhen, you cowardly and greedy for life, betraying your commander and kidnapping the Imperial Sister Duan Lingfeng to present to Wang Bingzheng. Afterwards, you helped Wang Bingzheng attack Xu Youliang from both sides. Seeing the situation was unfavorable, you turned against him and attacked Wang Bingzheng instead. Even more hateful is that Xu Youliang, so magnanimous, took you in when you sought refuge with him, disregarding past grievances. Yet you betrayed him on the battlefield, capturing Xu Youliang's wife and surrendering the pass, causing Xu Youliang's defeat. Tell me, aren't your actions those of a fickle and opportunistic person?"
People fear having their shortcomings exposed, just as trees fear having their bark peeled. After Hua Rong's scathing rebuke, Cao Yunlong, unable to save face, lowered his head and rode away.
Once Cao Yunlong was gone, Hua Rong knew his words had been somewhat inappropriate, but words spoken are like water spilled—they cannot be taken back. He could only let it be.
As for Cao Yunlong, after being rebuked by Hua Rong, he returned home embarrassed and furious. Back at his residence, he sat sullenly for a while, then wrote a letter and sent it to Hua Rong.
The letter contained all of Hua Rong's words, implying that if he wanted a good future, he should agree to the marriage; otherwise, he would report Hua Rong's words to the court.
Hua Rong, who was most averse to being threatened, especially with his life's destiny as a bargaining chip, tore the letter to shreds and told the messenger, "Go back and tell your master, Prince Cao, let him say what he wants. Hua Rong is upright and honest, and has nothing to fear from gossip!"
Cao Yunlong was a petty man. When the messenger returned with the news, he was so angry that his eyes blazed with fury. He said, "That bitch is so ungrateful! If I write a memorial and submit it to the court, she'll probably be executed by slow slicing! Fine, fine, Hua Rong, if I can't use your body, I'll make you ride on a wooden donkey and be pointed at by a thousand people and laughed at by ten thousand!"
Thinking of this, Cao Yunlong wrote a memorial, saying that Hua Rong praised Xu Youliang for being magnanimous, which was intended to slander the court. According to the law at that time, praising a rebel was considered being a rebel. This was why Cao Yunlong dared to use this to threaten Hua Rong.
Hua Rong, having driven Cao Yunlong away, was also filled with fear. She worried that one day the court would receive Cao Yunlong's memorial, and she would be in deep trouble. From then on, Hua Rong lived a secluded life, only active outside Baihu Pass. Whenever summoned by the court, she would feign illness and refuse to leave. This was because a quarter of the Great Water Dynasty's army was stationed in Baihu, and their fighting strength was comparable to half a country. Therefore, living in Baihu, Hua Rong was not afraid of the court's actions.
Cao Yunlong submitted his memorial, waiting to see Hua Rong's downfall. However, not long after, the court returned the original memorial, with Feng Qing personally writing in vermilion ink on it: "Meddling in other people's business!" This made Cao Yunlong feel extremely embarrassed.
When this news reached Baihu, Hua Rong was secretly pleased, believing that the court truly trusted her. From then on, she was extremely cautious in everything she did, daring not to overstep her bounds again.
Several months later, someone carrying the imperial seal requested an audience outside the Prince's Mansion, claiming to be the newly appointed Chief Clerk Fan Lingyun, who had come to pay his respects to the Northern Azure Dragon.
The clerk was an officer in the army who would work for Hua Rong, so Hua Rong invited him in.
Before long, a man entered from outside. He was only twenty-five or twenty-six years old, with a fair complexion and a refined air. Upon seeing Hua Rong, he knelt down to pay his respects, his posture upright and his manner gentle and courteous. Hua Rong, who was usually indifferent to officials, took a great liking to this man upon seeing him and quickly extended his hand, saying, "Mr. Fan, please rise."
Fan Lingyun stood up, and Hua Rong then asked for a seat. Fan Lingyun thanked him and sat down. Hua Rong said, "Mr. Fan, where did you serve before? I've never seen you before."
"Your Highness," Fan Lingyun replied, "I come from a poor family and am just a scholar. During the war, I stayed home to serve my elderly mother and dared not go out. Now that the world is at peace, and the Emperor has reopened the imperial examinations, I thought: 'I will learn both literary and martial arts and serve the Emperor.' Therefore, I bid farewell to my mother and went to the capital to take the exam. I was fortunate enough to pass, and the Emperor personally selected the top scholar and ordered the Ministry of Personnel to find vacancies. I was appointed as the registrar of Bailong Pass."
"So you are the new top scholar! My apologies for not recognizing you sooner." Upon hearing that he was the top scholar, Hua Rong's fondness for him increased even more.
"Your Excellency's praise is truly praiseworthy. As the saying goes, 'A scholar is useless in a hundred ways.' I am but a humble scholar, how can I compare to Your Excellency's skill in riding a horse and wielding a spear, fighting on the battlefield? I dare not accept such respect."
Hua Rong was even more pleased and immediately ordered a banquet to
welcome the top scholar. During the banquet, Hua Rong only asked Fan Lingyun for advice on poetry and prose. It turned out that Hua Rong himself had learned a few books such as the "Three Character Classic" and the "Thousand Character Classic" from his master, and had even composed a few couplets and some mediocre poems. However, when he met a true scholar, he couldn't help but laugh awkwardly. Fan Lingyun answered ten times for every one of them, his words were appropriate and his replies were witty, praising Hua Rong and making Hua Rong very happy.
After being praised by Fan Lingyun, Hua Rong simply started composing poems with him. Fan Lingyun's literary talent was brilliant, and every time he composed a poem, he would secretly flatter Hua Rong, making Hua Rong even more fond of him.
From then on, Hua Rong couldn't bear to be apart from Fan Lingyun for a single day. She would invite him to her residence daily to compose poems and exchange essays, seeking his guidance in literature. Inevitably, feelings developed over time, and she fell ill with lovesickness. Little did she know that this was exactly what Tao Xiuying was planning.
It turned out that Cao Yunlong had submitted a memorial accusing Hua Rong, and when Feng Qing was reading it, Empress Qi happened to see it. She
seized the opportunity to fabricate many accusations against Hua Rong. Feng Qing, who had long harbored this intention, wanted to frame Hua Rong. At this time, Feng Qing also needed Tao Xiuying's help, consulting her on every important matter. Tao Xiuying advised, "Although Hua Rong is arrogant due to her achievements, she holds a high position in Bailong Pass, possesses superior martial arts skills, and has many followers. Sending generals to arrest her might backfire. It would be better to
keep her calm for now and then plan your next move." Therefore, Feng Qing followed Tao Xiuying's plan, returning Cao Yunlong's memorial verbatim, aiming to appease Hua Rong first and then capture her within Bailong Pass when she was careless.
At that time, the imperial examinations were being held, and Fan Lingyun, handsome and talented, achieved the top rank in the examinations. Feng Xiaoyu, seeing him, fell in love and went to see Empress Qi, asking her to act as matchmaker before the Emperor, hoping to marry Fan Lingyun. However, Tao Xiuying also took a liking to Fan Lingyun and suggested to Feng Qing that Fan Lingyun use his charm to seduce Hua Rong.
Feng Qing weighed the options, but decided that the affairs of state were more important, so he refused Empress Qi's request and personally summoned Fan Lingyun, asking if he had the courage to go to Bailong Pass to win over Hua Rong.
Although Fan Lingyun was a scholar, he was bold and immediately agreed. This is how Fan Lingyun went to Bailong Pass.
Hua Rong, unable to escape the allure of love, was thus able to successfully carry out the charm scheme.
Several months later, unable to bear her longing any longer, Hua Rong secretly sent a secret letter to Tao Xiuying, along with several treasures, asking her to act as matchmaker before the Emperor, hoping to marry Fan Lingyun.
We don't know how Tao Xiuying will use her scheme, so let's find out in the next chapter.

Imperial Chapter 010, Chapter Ten – A Handsome Man and a Beautiful Woman: The Top Scholar's Wedding, Hua Rong's Joyful Celebration.

It is said that Tao Xiuying received a secret letter from Hua Rong and hurriedly went to see Feng Qing, saying, "The matter is settled."
Feng Qing immediately issued an imperial decree, ordering Xiuying to go to Bailong Pass to deliver the decree and preside over the wedding on behalf of the emperor.
On this day, Tao Xiuying arrived at Bailong Pass. Upon hearing that the imperial decree had arrived, Hua Rong and Fan Lingyun hurriedly bathed and changed their clothes, opened the ceremonial gates wide, and welcomed Tao Xiuying in, kneeling in the courtyard to receive the decree.
Tao Xiuying unfurled the imperial edict and proclaimed: "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Fan Lingyun, the newly appointed top scholar and registrar of Bailong Pass, is diligent and incorruptible, which greatly pleases the Emperor. He hereby bestows upon him the title of 'Companion Prince' as a reward. Furthermore, it is said that men should marry when they come of age, and women should marry when they come of age. Now, there is Hua Rong, the Northern Azure Dragon King, who is of suitable age and appearance, and is a perfect match. Therefore, this marriage is hereby granted . The Left Prime Minister, Tao Xiuying, is appointed as the marriage envoy to preside over the wedding on behalf of the Emperor
. A pair of jade horses are also bestowed as a congratulatory gift. This is the imperial decree!" Upon hearing this, Fan Lingyun and Hua Rong shouted "Long live the Emperor!"
and kowtowed in gratitude for the Emperor's grace. A marriage was granted, but why the title of "Companion Prince"? It turns out that although the registrar's position was not low, it was far inferior to Hua Rong's title of "Northern Azure Dragon King." In ancient times, men were superior to women, and a marriage between men of different ranks was considered inappropriate. Therefore, when granting the marriage, Fan Lingyun was first granted the title of "Prince" to ensure a proper match. Fan Lingyun, simply to marry Hua Rong, managed to obtain the title of "Prince," a stroke of incredible luck.
Upon hearing the imperial decree, Hua Rong was overjoyed. He hurriedly hosted a banquet for Tao Xiuying and arranged for her to rest at the Jinting Inn. There was no need for extensive construction to build a new palace; Hua Rong temporarily resided in Xu Youliang's former palace, tidying it up and adding a plaque that read "Double Palace." He first had Fan Lingyun move in to become the head of the household. Then, on an auspicious day, Tao Xiuying officiated the wedding, bringing Hua Rong in a grand sedan chair carried by eight bearers. They paid respects to Heaven and Earth, their ancestors, and the Emperor's grace in bestowing the marriage upon them. The couple then exchanged vows and were led to their bridal chamber. Tao Xiuying presided over the ceremony and hosted a banquet in the front hall for the officials of Bailong Pass.
Fan Lingyun and Hua Rong were truly delighted.
After the banquet, Tao Xiuying returned to the inn, while Fan Lingyun stood with his hands clasped in front of the palace gate to see her off. He then returned to the palace and, led by palace maids, went to the bridal chamber in the back courtyard.
The bridal chamber was Hua Rong's former bedchamber, now occupied by Fan Lingyun.
Hua Rong, dressed in a bright red auspicious robe, sat bowing by the bed, looking every bit the part of a female marshal. On this joyous day, hearing the palace maid lead the groom in, her heart pounded like a rabbit's.
Upon entering the bridal chamber, Fan Lingyun had already lifted Hua Rong's veil and they had drunk the nuptial wine. Then Fan Lingyun went to the front hall to entertain guests and hadn't spoken a word to Hua Rong, leaving her impatient.
Now, hearing the groom return, knowing they would share the bed and be intimate, she felt a mixture of anticipation and fear, her hands trembling with anxiety.
The palace maid removed the red shawl from the groom's robe, removed his new crown, served him fragrant tea, and then quietly excused herself.
Fan Lingyun turned and locked the door, fetched a lamp from the table, and carried it to the bedside.
Hua Rong glanced sideways at Fan Lingyun, secretly pleased by the groom's handsome appearance, but then shyly lowered her head, not daring to look
any longer. Fan Lingyun brought a lamp to the bedside and shone it on the beauty on the bed. She was no more than twenty years old, with a face more beautiful than a fairy, a delicate figure, and a blushing face that evoked pity.
Fan Lingyun was captivated by her beauty and immediately began to recite: "A hundred charms by the bedside, a thousand beauties under the candlelight."
Hua Rong was most unable to resist Fan Lingyun's poetry, his tenderness expressed in the verses, making it even more nauseating. Hearing this line, she lowered her head to her chest, her peach-blossom face turning even redder.
After speaking, Fan Lingyun placed the lamp on the bedside table, walked closer, and placed his hand on Hua Rong's jade-like shoulder. Hua Rong felt a warm current spread from her shoulder to her whole body, and she involuntarily closed her eyes, let out a soft moan, trembled all over, and her body went limp, burying her head against Lingyun's chest.
At this moment, silence spoke louder than words. Fan Lingyun naturally understood Hua Rong's feelings, and quickly cupped her face, taking her cherry lips into his mouth and gently sucking on them, making Hua Rong feel weak and boneless, almost unable to sit still.
Lingyun, knowing the situation, quickly removed her phoenix crown, plucked the pearl flowers from her hair, and untied her wedding robe. Then, with one hand under her arm, he embraced her jade-like body, kissing her tightly, while the other hand went behind her back to untie the ribbons, remove her bodice, and then loosened her belt, pulling her up so that her trousers slid down to her knees.
Hua Rong was both shy and happy at this moment, simply burying her head in her lover's arms, letting her jade-like body be completely exposed.
Fan Lingyun undressed Hua Rong, laid her down on the bed, then removed her shoes and socks, and then held her two jade-like knees, pulling off her trousers. Looking down at her two pink buttocks from behind her legs, he couldn't help but feel an iron hardness in his lower body.
Fan Lingyun stripped Hua Rong of her clothes, and then removed his own wedding attire, sitting naked on the edge of the bed. He gazed intently at Hua Rong's body; her delicate figure was slender and alluring, her breasts high and firm, her waist slender and her hips shapely. Her pubic hair was dark, and her face was flushed with a rosy blush—truly a beauty that would shame the flowers and eclipse the moon, rarely seen in the world. He couldn't resist his arousal, and turned to lie on his side,
embracing the beauty and groping her freely. Hua Rong trembled even more violently at the groom's touch, her body drenched in fragrant sweat, her legs parting without warning, her juices flowing freely.
When Fan Lingyun's hand reached between Hua Rong's legs, he felt the labia tightly gripping his fingers, a surge of clear fluid welling up within him. His heart pounded, and he rolled over, placing Hua Rong beneath him, her legs spread on either side of him, his massive member thrusting wildly into her crotch.
Hua Rong, struck by his treasure, arched her back, her mind already in a daze, only able to moan incoherently.
Seeing this, Fan Lingyun hurriedly bent over and thrust his large member straight in.
Hua Rong felt a sharp pain below and involuntarily clenched her abdomen, crying out, "Brother, you're so valiant, you've ruined me!"
Hearing this, Fan Lingyun felt his own lower body harden even more. Regardless of the consequences, he pressed his chest against her breasts and shook them wildly, displaying his prowess by thrusting between her legs, saying, "Sister's hole is tight, brother can't care!"
Hua Rong, feeling hot all over from the thrusting, clutched the brocade quilt tightly with both hands, raised her legs to the sky, and pressed her most precious part against Fan Lingyun's precious member.
This chaotic struggle lasted for half an hour before stopping.
Hua Rong had no idea that Fan Lingyun, a mere scholar, possessed such a large and fine member, and was so valiant in battle. She placed all her affections on him, tightly embracing his neck and holding him close.
Fan Lingyun never imagined that Hua Rong, a military general, would be so delicate and charming, like a little girl from a humble family. He felt a surge of affection and pulled her into his arms, patting her bottom as she fell asleep.
When he awoke that night, Fan Lingyun, still aroused, stroked the beauty in his arms. Ignoring her deep sleep, he rolled over and pinned her down, thrusting his spear into her again. Hua Rong, still yielding to his advances, made love three times that night.
From then on, Hua Rong and Fan Lingyun were inseparable, sharing the same bed and sleeping with their legs intertwined.
As the saying goes, "Every creature has its nemesis." Hua Rong was originally a proud person, never one to submit to others, but she was completely captivated by a few lines of poetry from Fan Lingyun. At home, she was like a mouse before a cat; if Fan Lingyun told her to go east, she wouldn't dare go west. If Fan Lingyun was ever in a bad mood, Hua Rong would willingly suffer, taking off her pants, kneeling on the bed, her snow-white buttocks raised high, letting Fan Lingyun beat and scold her without complaint. However, once those beautiful buttocks were raised and her two orifices exposed, Fan Lingyun couldn't bear to hit her. At most, he would lightly pat her buttocks a couple of times, mutter a few curses, pretending to punish her, and then, full of excitement, he would embrace Hua Rong and penetrate her from behind for a lewd act.
That night, Hua Rong and Fan Lingyun lay on the bed, having just finished their lovemaking, embracing each other. Although Fan Lingyun's member was soft, Hua Rong still let it remain inside her. Leaning against her husband, she softly said, "Brother, the Mid-Autumn Festival is on the fifteenth of next month. Why don't we, husband and wife, go to the countryside to find a place to admire the moon?"
"As you wish, sister."
The two were discussing moon-viewing when Fan Lingyun suddenly choked up.
Hua Rong panicked upon seeing this and said, "A man doesn't easily shed tears. What's wrong, brother? Has sister done something wrong? If so, please punish me, brother." With that, she threw off the quilt, knelt up from under it, bent over, and stuck out her beautiful buttocks, begging for a beating.
Fan Lingyun quickly sat up, pulled Hua Rong back down, and covered her with the quilt, saying, "This is just brother being moved by the scene; it has nothing to do with sister."
Hua Rong hurriedly asked why. Then Fan Lingyun said something.
What did Fan Lingyun say? Let's find out in the next chapter.

Chapter 11 of Imperial Decree 011 – Scholar Fan Wins Over the Queen with Love, Tao Xiuying Captures Hua Rong with a Scheme

. The previous chapters told the story of Hua Rong falling in love with the scholar Fan Lingyun and entrusting Tao Xiuying to act as matchmaker,
arranging her marriage to him. Fan Lingyun was exceptionally talented and handsome, and Hua Rong had long harbored feelings for him. Therefore, after their marriage, she was completely obedient and compliant to Fan Lingyun.
That night, after their intimate moments under the covers, they chatted and talked about appreciating the Mid-Autumn Festival moon. Suddenly, Fan Lingyun burst into tears.
Hua Rong, seeing her husband in tears, panicked, wondering what she had done to offend him.
Fan Lingyun said, "This is just my feeling triggered by the scenery; it has nothing to do with my sister."
Hua Rong asked again, and Fan Lingyun replied, "As the saying goes, 'One misses one's family even more during festivals.' Now I hold a high position, wear fine silks and satins, eat delicacies, and have my sister by my side—how carefree I am! Yet, I can't help but think of my elderly mother at home, alone in her humble dwelling, anxiously awaiting her son's return. As a son, filial piety comes first; how can I allow my children to enjoy themselves while my mother suffers? I feel ashamed, hence my tears."
"What is it? It turns out it's because my mother-in-law is all alone at home. Tomorrow, I'll send a few people to her house to bring her back. We'll visit her morning and evening, inquire about her well-being daily, and let her enjoy all the riches of the world. This is the blessing of raising a son."
“It’s rare to find such a virtuous and kind sister. However, my mother has been widowed since I was young, raising me with great difficulty. Now she has become the top scholar and married such a beautiful wife. It is only right that her son personally escorts her to her post, so that she can have a grand welcome in front of the villagers.”
“Since we are here to fetch my mother-in-law, as her daughter-in-law, I should personally serve her. It is I who have failed in my duty. Since you are so filial, I will accompany you so that I may meet my mother-in-law and be able to take care of her at her bedside.”
“If you wish to go in person, I would be delighted. However, I am very busy with official duties at Bailong Pass. Do not delay important matters.”
“No problem, no problem. The bandits outside the pass have been quelled. Local officials will handle the minor matters. There is no need for you and me to do it. I can go.”
“If that is the case, why does the court refuse to enter the pass after several summons?”
“We are husband and wife, so I will not hide this from you. It is all because my younger sister’s achievements are too great and I am afraid that the emperor will be wary of me and want to kill me. If I leave Bailong, I am afraid that he will take advantage of me.”
“If that is the case, then it is better for you not to go, sister.”
“No, no. It is a daughter-in-law’s duty to bring my mother-in-law to her post. How could you, sister, not fulfill your filial duty? You must go.”
“If you are going, take more troops with you to avoid any accidents.”
“No. My mother-in-law lives hundreds of miles away. Even if we brought tens of thousands of troops, it wouldn’t be enough. It would be too conspicuous. If the court finds out, it might cause trouble. It would be better if you and I, husband and wife, travel light, taking only a few guards, and go quietly.”
Fan Lingyun was secretly delighted upon hearing this and quickly embraced Hua Rong, kissing her repeatedly.
Early the next morning, the two packed their things. Fan Lingyun disguised himself as a wealthy man, while Hua Rong dressed as a martial arts master. They selected four highly skilled guards to act as escorts. They entrusted the affairs of Guanzhong to the central military officer for the time being and left Bailong Pass, riding northwest.
It turned out that Fan Lingyun’s ancestral home was Fan Family Village, three hundred miles east of Beisha River, where he lived with only his elderly mother.
The group, traveling light and on horseback, arrived at Fan Family Village in less than three days.
Upon reaching the village, they found it to be a small village with only about thirty households.
Everyone dismounted at the gate of the Fan family's house, and Fan Lingyun went to knock on the door.
A short while later, footsteps sounded, and the door opened, revealing an old woman with white hair, her dim, aged eyes darting aimlessly across Fan Lingyun's face.
"Could it be that Yun'er has returned?"
Lingyun hurriedly knelt down and kowtowed, saying, "Mother, it is indeed your son Yun'er who has returned."
Upon hearing this, the old woman embraced him tightly and wept, "My son, you went to take the imperial examination, how could you have been gone for so long? Your mother missed you terribly."
Fan Lingyun quickly recounted his success in the examination and everything that followed, then waved his hand and said, "Sister, come and greet your mother."
Hua Rong also hurriedly stepped forward and knelt down, saying, "Mother-in-law, I, your humble daughter-in-law, pay my respects to you."
The old woman pulled her hand and said, "Young hero, please rise quickly, I dare not accept such an honor. My son, who is this? I cannot accept such a bow."
Fan Lingyun quickly said, "Mother, I have now received the Emperor's great favor and been granted the title of Prince of the North. This is the wife bestowed upon me by the Emperor, Hua Rong, who is also the Imperial Prince of the Northern Azure Dragon. She is your daughter-in-law, and it is only right that I pay my respects to you, Mother."
"Oh my! My son, you've gotten married! And it was by imperial decree! Amitabha! What good fortune has our family accumulated? Quickly, help her up."
Hua Rong, seeing the old woman's kindness and respect, was deeply grateful. He hurriedly presented the gifts of greeting and summoned all the guards to pay their respects to the old woman. He then explained his intention to bring his mother-in-law to her new post and enjoy a life of comfort. The old woman
was overjoyed and quickly invited everyone to sit down. She went outside to greet the villagers and told them about her son's arrival.
Soon, the villagers all came to the house as guests. Upon hearing that Fan Lingyun and Hua Rong were both princes, they dared not sit down or speak carelessly.
Hua Rong had the guards distribute the gifts he had prepared to the villagers, who thanked him profusely.
After everyone left, the old woman pulled Fan Lingyun and Hua Rong to sit on the kang (a heated brick bed), chatting incessantly about everyday matters. Hua Rong, completely unsuspecting, remained silent. After a long while, as the sun began to set, the old woman said, "My son, let me go to the market to buy some wine and food. You've walked for so long, you must be hungry."
Fan Lingyun replied, "Mother, you don't need to go to so much trouble. I've eaten too many delicacies this year, and what I really want is your cornbread stew."
"No, no, you should eat it. How can my virtuous wife and the guards eat such coarse food?"
Hua Rong quickly said, "We can eat it, we can eat it. We all come from poor families and have been away for many years. Home-cooked food tastes better than delicacies."
"Alright then, but we should still buy some wine and meat to eat." As she spoke, the old woman took a fifty-tael silver ingot from the silver Fan Lingyun had given her earlier that day and said, "I'm afraid no one in this village has ever seen such a large silver ingot. I'll ask your cousin Yue'er next door to buy it for me in town." With that, she went out of the courtyard and returned a few hours later to put some firewood on the stove to boil water and cook.
Hua Rong, who couldn't cook, came over to help add firewood and start the fire, while Fan Lingyun pumped the bellows. The family of three chatted idly, enjoying each other's company.
Soon, the aroma of corn wafted from the pot, and a young man called out from outside, "Auntie, the things are here, where should we put them?" The old
woman replied, "Just put them in the yard."
The gate opened, and the young man entered, leading several cart-pushing workers who carried a whole jar of white wine and a pound of cooked beef into the yard. One of the workers put down a silver ingot, saying, "Madam, my master says that even if we sold our shop, we couldn't find such a large ingot. Let's keep it on credit for now, and pay later when we've saved up enough." Fan Lingyun, hearing this, said, "Worker, we'll be leaving in a few days. Take this silver back and tell your master that it's a gift for him, and he doesn't need to keep the change."
"Thank you, sir."
"That's fine."
The worker thanked them profusely and left. The old woman looked very reluctant to part with him. Hua Rong said, "Mother-in-law, there's no need to be reluctant. Once you're in your post, whatever you want to eat, wear, or use, just tell the palace maids and eunuchs to do it, and you won't even need to spend any money."
"Really?"
"Really."
"That's good then. I wonder what good deeds our ancestors accumulated? Amitabha."
The old lady called to the young man, "Yue'er, go and tell all the villagers for me to invite them to my courtyard for a drink."
"I know."
The young man went, and soon a large group of villagers came to the courtyard to congratulate Fan Lingyun's family. Then they lit the lamps, set up tables and chairs in the courtyard, played drinking games, and ate and drank together.
The old woman ordered wine and meat to be set out in the main room, invited several guards to sit down, and then called her son and daughter-in-law to the east suite.
The meal lasted until the first watch of the night. Some of the villagers were so drunk that they had to be carried away, while others were half-drunk and talked nonsense before leaving. Only Yue'er stayed to help tidy up the courtyard before leaving.
The guards dared not drink too much, but they ate quite a bit of beef.
Hua Rong, unaware that her mother-in-law had a high tolerance for alcohol, drank more than a dozen cups with Fan Lingyun without getting drunk, only her face flushed and she smiled broadly.
After the meal, the old woman escorted Fan Lingyun and Hua Rong to the west suite, took out the satin quilt that her family had given her as part of her wedding dowry for her son and daughter-in-law, and then went to deliver blankets and quilts to the guards, busying herself all night. Seeing that everyone was asleep, she chuckled and went back to the east suite to sleep.
Seeing his mother go to sleep, Fan Lingyun, emboldened by the alcohol, carried Hua Rong to the kang (heated brick bed), quickly undressed her, revealing her beautiful body, and then pounced on her, taking advantage of her.
Although the Fan family was poor, seeing the deep affection between the mother-in-law and her husband, she was moved and couldn't help but love Fan Lingyun even more. Seeing her husband embrace her, she spread her arms and legs, limp and helpless, letting him loosen her belt and clothes, stripping her like a white lamb. After caressing her, he thrust his penis inside, and she began to move wildly.
Hua Rong's heart was filled with desire, her cherry lips slightly parted, murmuring softly, yielding to his pleasure. Fan Lingyun thrust into her four or five hundred times before finally ejaculating, but he still kept his penis inside her, and they fell asleep in each other's arms.
At midnight, Fan Lingyun woke up, gently nudged the beauty beside him, but there was no response. He then got up again, spread Hua Rong's limbs, erected his jade stem, and fought again.
Only then did he dress, get off the bed, and go to the main room to gently knock on the door of the east suite. After only one knock, a low voice came from inside: "Who is it?"
"It is I, Fan Lingyun."
The old woman came out from the door and said, "Your Highness, how is the matter?"
"As the Prime Minister expected."
"Now that this matter is accomplished, Your Highness deserves the greatest credit."
"It is all thanks to the Prime Minister's brilliant plan."
Needless to say, this was a scheme to lure Hua Rong out of Bailong Pass. The old woman was actually Tao Xiuying, the Left Prime Minister, in disguise. The people in the manor were all soldiers carefully selected by Tao Xiuying, all to trick Hua Rong into leaving so they could be arrested.
What will become of Hua Rong? We'll find out in the next chapter.

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