stormy clouds

Chang Luoyun's slender fingers pointed at the location of Qingzhou in the "Mountain and River Map", "Back then, Uncle Yanqing got a map by accident, and I had nothing to do, so I embroidered this mountain and river map based on the map.

Because he is familiar with Qingzhou, he embroidered all the main roads leading to Qingzhou. "

"Look here," Chang Luoyun moved his finger to one place, and upon closer inspection, he could see that it was a winding path. "This road passes through a forest and enters Qingzhou City, because almost no one walks there on weekdays, and there are no officers and soldiers guarding it here."

Mu Jingyi pursed his lips with a smile, "If that's the case, you can bypass the city gate and enter the city. When the time comes, there will be a pincer attack from both inside and outside, and the Xia thief will have no way to escape."

Chang Luoyun turned around and looked at him: "You promised me to go back to Qingzhou with me during the Spring Festival this year, Lord Hou, please don't break your promise."

Mu Jingyi knew that she was worried, and seeing how charming she was with her little daughter, he said, "I promised you, so I naturally take it to heart."

"That's good," Chang Luoyun breathed a sigh of relief, "Actually, I am born with no great ambitions. The only thing I want is to be by my side who care about me and those who care about me."

"I know." Mu Jingyi rolled up the "Mountain and River Map" with downcast eyes, "I have already explained to Yan Qing and Liang Qi that if there is any change, you will go to Luoxia Mountain."

Chang Luoyun was silent, "Don't worry, if that's the case, I will do my best to protect my mother."

"Not only mother, but also you." Mu Jingyi grabbed Chang Luoyun's hand, "In my heart, you are as important as mother."

-

Mu Jingyi left Lindu City before noon.Chang Luoyun stood on the gate of the city, watching Haohao Tangtang's team disappearing, turned around and went down the tower.

Bi Yan and Qing Luo followed her silently.In fact, since this morning, the people gathered in twos and threes at the market have already begun to discuss the war in Qingzhou.

After all, Qingzhou is not far from Lindu. If Qingzhou is breached, there will only be Cangzhou in front of Lindu.

Back at the Marquis of Changping, Chang Luoyun called Liang Qi and Wang Yanqing over, and ordered:
"Uncle Yanqing, tomorrow you will make arrangements for the people in the mansion. Except for those who are really important and cannot escape, the rest will be arranged by Liang Qi."

Wang Yanqing agreed, and Chang Luoyun said to Liang Qi: "In the past few days, everyone is not allowed to go out of the house before dark, and try to keep the lights on as little as possible at night, and send more people to guard the warehouse."

Liang Qi glanced at her, and answered "Yes" with his hands clasped.

"The Marquis is not here during this time, we have to be more cautious, those who don't listen to the greetings in the mansion will be severely punished." Chang Luoyun said: "In addition, choose a few reliable and better skilled ones to guard in the old lady's yard."

Wang Yanqing and Liang Qi couldn't help but look at each other when they came out from Chang Luoyun's place.

Wang Yanqing watched Chang Luoyun grow up since he was a child, and he was naturally very pleased to see that she was so thoughtful and organized in doing things now.

Liang Qi said indifferently: "The dozen or so people left by Lord Hou are the elite of the Black Armored Army, but Mrs. Hou said that she wants to use all the available people in the mansion, so shopkeeper Wang will take the trouble to send all the young and strong men over."

Wang Yanqing nodded, "Naturally, I will get their list tomorrow."

The two went back separately.

In Qingzhou City, apart from the patrolling soldiers, the whole city was silent.

This is already the No. 12 day of Xia Bing's siege. In the Prince's Mansion of Anjun, the Princess of the County looked at the half-closed moon in the sky, with a worried expression on her face, "Baoqin, has the military ration been reduced today?"

"Princess, the master said that if the Xia soldiers don't retreat in this half month, food and grass will be in a hurry." Baoqin brought a cup of snow fungus soup to the princess of the county, "Princess, you haven't eaten anything all day, you should eat some at least."

Princess Anjun glanced at the porridge and said, "I don't need to stew these in the future. I will eat whatever everyone eats, and I don't need to ask the kitchen to make it."

Most of the grain in Qingzhou is bought from Xia Guo. When the summer grain harvest was bumper this year, Xia Guo cut off the grain supply in Qingzhou. Coupled with the severe drought in many places in Qi State, some grain shops raised prices on the ground.

Before the food problem was solved, Xia Guo suddenly sent troops to Qingzhou, and the city guards and people were trapped in the city. Not to mention the people starving, even the soldiers in the army changed their three meals a day from rice to porridge.

Baoqin looked at Princess An's dry and peeled lips, moved her mouth, and finally said nothing.

The princess of the county asked again, "Where is Zi Chu, haven't you returned from the city tour with the prince?"

After returning from Lindu, King An not only taught Zi Chu riding and archery in person, but also took him with him when he dealt with government affairs on weekdays.

Zi Chu is also up to date, since he came to Qingzhou, he has never been sick.A boy in his teens has grown up visibly with the naked eye.

Baoqin said with a smile, "Your Majesty works hard, and he hasn't come back yet."

Princess Anjun smiled, "Okay, you can send this bowl of snow fungus soup to Zichu, and serve me another bowl of white porridge."

Baoqin originally wanted to persuade the princess of the county to drink the snow fungus soup, but seeing her unquestionable softness, she swallowed the words she wanted to say.

She picked up the snow fungus soup and walked outside.Just now, the curved moon was covered by dark clouds, and the courtyard became darker and darker.

As soon as he went out, he saw a lantern approaching the door, and a tall figure stepped up the steps facing him.

Baoqin hurriedly stepped aside, bowed and called out, "My lord."

A corner of the black cloak on King An's body was lifted by the wind, and he had already entered the courtyard.

Baoqin quickened his pace, since the prince is back, the prince will naturally come back too.

The snow fungus soup in his hand was still hot, Shizi could just drink it while it was hot.

What Baoqin didn't know was that Prince An, who was in a hurry, didn't go to the study as usual, but went directly to Princess Princess' room.

Seeing Anjun Wang strode in, the princess was startled, she immediately got up and said, "My lord."

King An signaled her to sit down with gestures. He untied his cloak and handed it to his followers, "You go down first."

He bowed and exited personally, and closed the door behind him.

King Anjun sat down without speaking, Princess Anjun felt a kind of pressure on him that she had never felt before.

But he didn't tell her, and she didn't ask first.

"Jingshu, I'll have someone send you and Zichu back to Lindu tomorrow." After a while, King An finally spoke.

He looked a little tired, and his deep eyes were blood red from days of sleeplessness.

Princess Anjun clenched her fingers and then let go, Qingzhou has fallen!
Her pale lips trembled slightly, but she still said firmly: "At this time, I will not leave Qingzhou."

There was a trace of sadness in King An's eyes, and through this sadness, Princess An seemed to see the tears in the eyes of the always strong man in front of her.

Are you hallucinating?For so many years, she had never seen this man like this. Even when Zhu Yu died, all she saw was his indifference.

She suddenly panicked, stood up with one hand propped on the corner of the table, "No, you don't have to try to convince me, even if I die, I will not leave the palace and Qingzhou."

"Jingshu," the sadness in King An's eyes was even worse, "I'm sorry for you."

"My lord," Princess An Jun looked at him blankly.

Prince An stood up, put his hands on her shoulders, and said with a sad face, "Zi Chu was wounded by a sword, you must take him to Lindu."