Chapter 997: Chapter 997: Return ho in glory! (Part 3) Chapter 997: Chapter 997: Return ho in glory! (Part 3) “`
The Palace was located in the center of Gongzhou City.
The war left this great city with countless desolation and despondency.
Originally, the most central area should have been the most prosperous, yet as everyone’s footsteps drew nearer, all they saw were vast tracts of scorched earth, with the shocking ruins of broken walls and columns. And the “Palace” at the very heart of this wasteland bore no sign of human life.
“Initially, as I was leading the army to the city’s gates, Zhao Dun stubbornly resisted. When he saw it was a lost cause, he set fire to the Palace and led his n through secret tunnels in an attempt to escape. The Marquis Yongwu’s forces stayed behind to fight the fire, while I led my soldiers in hot pursuit to overtake them.”
Di Yelei’s voice was especially heavy as his footsteps slowed down, as if he were counting the green stone slabs around him.
“We managed to stop them near Chaotian Gate. Alas, at that mont, several of Zhao Dun’s devoted generals fiercely protected him. Although we had superior numbers, due to the dangerous terrain there was truly a point where ‘one man held the pass, and ten thousand could not break through.’ In the end, we captured a few key enemy generals along with Zhao Dun, but still, a significant number of fish slipped through the net. Our army also suffered heavy losses…”
As he recounted the story, a blood-soaked battle unfolded before everyone.
Liu Sisi stood silently, seeing a huge stone monunt ahead, she couldn’t help but slowly approach and reach out to touch it.
A large hand beside her took the initiative.
Di Yelei caressed the stone monunt, the sigh in his eyes particularly intense: “Over there, the Marquis Yongwu led his soldiers to fight the fire, but the flas were too fierce, and only a fraction of valuable items could be rescued. Afterwards, this portion of the treasures was handed over to His Majesty, to be deposited in the national bank. His Majesty had held great expectations for the gold and silver acquired from the suppression of the rebels. Yet, a single fire reduced everything to ashes. His Majesty’s rage was indeed thunderous…”
Liu Sisi gasped: “There was such an incident? I’ve never heard anyone ntion it before!”
“Those who are not privy to the details of this matter wouldn’t know, and those who are privy naturally keep their lips sealed. It’s not strange that you’re unaware.”
Di Yelei let go of the lancholy in his heart: “Co on! Let’s take a look. Passing through here and walking a little longer, there will be a place to rest.”
Having said that, he let go of the stone monunt and took the lead, guiding everyone forward.
After crossing the scorched land, they soon began to see hos one after the other. Continuing on, just as Di Yelei had said, they ca to a building with the words “Flying Horse Hostel” hanging high above on the building.
So this was the famous Flying Horse Hostel!
Liu Sisi’s face lit up with joy, finally understanding the origin of Di Yelei’s words.
“This is the place where Third Brother and I were reunited initially. Now returning to the old place, the feelings in my heart are quite different.”
Di Hongyuan beside her was also very moved, looking up at the four big characters, his gaze was exceptionally profound.
“Let’s go in. After so many days on the ship, once on land, we shall rest well tonight.”
Everyone entered the hostel, got their rooms arranged, and called for hot water to wash up. Liu Sisi fell asleep as soon as she hit the bed, sleeping very soundly.
She slept pleasantly until she awoke to find the evening sky filled with rosy clouds.
Outside, there was a low argunt between Di Yelei and Prince Luo. It seed they were in a disagreent, with neither willing to concede to the other. Seeing Liu Sisi erge, they both fell silent simultaneously, exchanged a glance, and resud their seats without another word, the expression on both faces rather unpleasant.
“`
Liu Sisi hurriedly changed the subject to divert the two’s attention, “The day has turned to evening, and now that we have returned to our hotown, I just don’t know what specialties the cooks in the hostel have that we could try.”
Compared to Di Yelei’s thoroughly darkened face, Prince Luo seed like a true local, taking the lead in ordering dishes.
“The most famous here should be the braised rooster and pickled peppers with fish in pickled cabbage. Additionally, let’s have one serving of authentic konjac duck and deep-fried pork in return. Right, and pickled ginger, that’s the real delicacy. Make sure not to forget it.”
Liu Sisi covered her mouth with a light laugh, “It seems that Uncle Prince Luo knows what’s delicious here even better than we locals from Gongzhou do.”
This made Prince Luo laugh proudly, “Ruyu, you do not know, this pickled ginger naturally has a sweetness to it. After being salted and pickled, it is crisp and sweet in the mouth, retaining so of the young ginger flavor, yet with a clear sweetness like that of sweet corn, and especially crispy. Whether it’s stir-fried with at or eaten directly, it’s one of my favorites. I still rember the first ti I ca to Gongzhou City with His Majesty for the morning al, and what we had was this ginger fried at.”
Prince Luo wore a face full of nostalgia, clearly missing those days from the past greatly.
“Since Uncle Prince Luo recomnds it himself, we will be in for a treat tonight.”
Liu Sisi directly conveyed the order for the dishes.
Looking at Di Yelei whose face remained dark and Prince Luo’s calm deanor, Liu Sisi’s eyes twinkled, “When Uncle Prince Luo first ca to Gongzhou City, it must have been many years ago, right?”
Prince Luo glanced at Di Yelei, smiled with the corner of his lips raised, and began to talk, “Ruyu is correct. When I followed His Majesty back then, I was just of age. When I arrived at Gongzhou City, I was at the vigorous and competitive age, and it just so happened that I gave His Majesty a hand. These years, being ennobled by His Majesty as a noble prince, I have lived a lifeti of glory, and it is His Majesty’s grace, as well as my honor.”
Prince Luo’s words carried a deep significance.
Liu Sisi did not want to dwell on this topic and brushed it off with a laugh.
In the evening, she asked Di Yelei.
Di Yelei, however, refused to say much, “There’s nothing much to it, it’s just disputes over political views in the court.”
Since he would not speak, Liu Sisi did not press the matter.
When Liu Zhi’er returned, it was already the ti when lanterns first lit up.
It was evident she had been crying, with her eyes reddened, yet she seed quite spirited.
“I didn’t see Er Mao. According to the neighbors, Er Mao’s foster mother treats him very well. His foster father passed away before the year started, so he went back to the hotown with his foster mother. They have no children of their own and doted on Er Mao like a precious bead… Child has their own fortune, so I am relieved.”
As she spoke, tears fell again from Liu Zhi’er’s eyes and she quickly took out a handkerchief to wipe them.
“Second Sister, don’t cry. Children will grow up and fly towards their own sky, just like Xiaoxiao and Niuniu. Knowing that the child is well is better than anything.” Liu Sisi consoled her softly.
Liu Zhi’er nodded, “I understand…” but the tears kept falling.
It was because she understood that she had co back this ti.
She sincerely hoped that Er Mao would find his own way in life!
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