flstandardbreds Chapter 160 Moving the Muscles
Chapter 160 Moving the Muscles
Upon hearing this, General Lu looked to her deputy for help. In a way, she and Ling Huanan became acquainted through a fight. Back then, she had been beaten up by him before she was convinced of his worth.
The lieutenant shrugged helplessly, revealing an expression of resignation.
General Lu had no other choice but to follow closely behind, dejected.
Thus, as soon as Ling Huanan returned, he went straight to the training ground. Apart from a personal guard who drove the carriage, only his deputy general and General Zhao accompanied him. The rest of his personal guards went to perform their duties.
Outside the martial arts arena.
As soon as Ling Hua Nanfang stepped off the carriage, she saw a burly woman rushing towards her. Her face was honest and simple, and she was crying and sniffling.
"Your Highness, you're finally back! I've missed you so much!"
The lieutenant couldn't help but roll his eyes, thinking to himself: He probably wants the prince dead!
General Zhao looked at the bruise on the woman's lip from his blow and felt that he had been too lenient.
Ling Huanan was about to turn around and help Xue Wen down from the carriage when he saw a large, dark-skinned woman lunging at him.
Feeling Xue Wen's hand on his outstretched left hand, Ling Huanan frowned, flicked his robe with his right hand, and kicked out sharply with a clean and decisive motion: "Get lost."
With a loud bang, the mountain-like figure was sent flying several meters away, raising a cloud of dust with a 'bang'.
"Cough cough... spit..." The honest woman coughed a few times as she was choked by the dust, then got up, spat out the saliva with dirt in her mouth, and walked towards Ling Huanan again.
This time, however, he didn't dare get too close, only standing beside the deputy general with a simple, honest smile: "Second brother, why didn't you say hello when you got back?"
Seeing that she showed no sign of guilt, the lieutenant was indignant but said perfunctorily, "Third brother."
The woman's smile froze when she saw her dismissive attitude and tone.
Ling Huanan helped Xue Wen down from the carriage and solemnly introduced him to the group: "This is my husband, Xue Wen."
"My lord." General Lu was the first to clasp his hands in greeting. She was not foolish either; seeing how much Ling Huanan valued Xue Wen, she knew that Xue Wen must hold a special place in his heart.
Seeing the other party's attitude, Xue Wen was somewhat flustered, but he quickly regained his composure and remembered that the deputy general had just addressed him as "Sister Lu," so he returned the greeting and said, "General Lu, there's no need for such formalities."
Seeing the other party's polite manners, General Lu's expression became even more sincere.
The composed woman's eyes held a clear understanding. Although the military was slow to receive news from the capital, she had her own channels. She already knew about Ling Huanan's divorce and remarriage, and this woman must be Ling Huanan's beloved!
"Haha! Your Highness is so fortunate to have married such a handsome husband." She first congratulated Ling Huanan, then cheerfully said to Xue Wen:
"Greetings, my lord! My name is Ling Hu, one of the prince's four lieutenants. Please feel free to give orders if needed in the future..."
Xue Wen smiled slightly and returned the greeting: "Then Xue Wen thanks General Ling in advance."
Ling Hu waved his hand dismissively, saying, "No need! No need! The prince and I are like sisters, so the prince's husband is naturally my husband too... cough cough..."
Sensing Ling Huanan's murderous gaze, she realized she had misspoke and quickly tried to smooth things over: "Of course he's also my brother-in-law... brother-in-law! Haha! Look at my mouth!"
Xue Wen couldn't help but chuckle, but before he could speak, he heard Ling Huanan's cold voice: "Alright!"
"I haven't stretched my muscles in a long time. You, come and exchange a few blows with me." After settling Xue Wen in, Ling Huanan walked directly to the martial arts stage, pointed at Ling Hu who was grinning at Xue Wen, and said with a meaningful look in his eyes.
Ling Hu looked in the direction Ling Huanan pointed, glanced around in confusion, and only reluctantly walked up after confirming that he was being called.
Seeing this, General Lu secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
On the martial arts stage, the exchange was initially quite even, but before the time it takes to drink a cup of tea was over, all that could be heard were the sounds of fists hitting flesh and Ling Hu's cries for mercy.
Xue Wen and the others felt pain just looking at it.
After it ended, Ling Huanan jumped off the stage, pulled Xue Wen aside, and facing away from Ling Hu, who was lying on the ground unable to get up for a long time, he said coldly:
"Don't think that just because I'm far away in the capital I don't know what you've done. I'm giving you the day to release Fu Ge and plead guilty, or you'll know what I'm capable of!"
After saying that, he led the group back to his own tent.
On the way back, Xue Wen learned that Ling Hu was an orphan with no name. Because she was dark-skinned and strong, everyone called her Hu Zi (Tiger).
She joined the army fifteen years ago and was appreciated by Ling Huanan for her bravery. She later saved Ling Huanan's life and was promoted. She was also given a surname.
Ultimately, he was ranked alongside General Zhao, Ling Huanan's deputy, and Fu Ge as one of the four great generals under the Prince of Dingbei.
Whether it was insatiable greed or something else, she actually committed treason! If she confesses this time and makes amends for her past mistakes, perhaps her family can be spared, considering that she once saved Ling Huanan.
……
Meanwhile, in the capital, at the Grand Tutor's residence.
The Grand Tutor's mansion is bustling with activity today, as the Grand Tutor's grandson, the renowned scholar of the capital, Ji Heng, is choosing a wife.
Many famous women received the invitation and were overjoyed, while those who heard the news but did not receive an invitation were filled with regret.
The women who entered the mansion with their invitations were all led to a high, open house with a beautiful view and the name 'Lotus Breeze Pavilion'.
This elevated, open-air building is also known as a waterside pavilion, which is a pavilion built on a platform by the water, with part of it on the shore and part of it extending into the water.
Built along the water with a prominent embankment, it features only pillars and decorative windows, without walls, and includes a waterside railing or benches for people to sit and lean on. It offers scenic views, provides shade, and is convenient for recreation and contemplation, with an overall open and airy feel.
It was June, and the lotus flowers in the water were in full bloom, adding even more color to the scene.
Some talented women, moved by the moment, began composing poems, creating quite a lively atmosphere...
Opposite this waterside pavilion is a separate hexagonal pavilion, which is covered by gauze curtains on all sides. Inside the gauze curtains, there are also screens to prevent people from peeping in.
There were three people in the pavilion: Ji Heng, the protagonist of today's civil and military marriage contest, and his personal servants Yantai and Ji Wan.
"Young master, it's almost time, but Miss Lin doesn't seem to have arrived yet. What should we do?" Yantai kept tiptoeing towards the waterside pavilion. He understood the young master's feelings, so he couldn't help but feel anxious.
Ji Wan, who was standing to the side, also stood up abruptly, angrily about to leave the pavilion: "This Lin Shu really doesn't know what's good for her. Little brother, you wait, I'll catch her for you..."
"Sister, wait!"
Ji Heng was sitting in the center of the pavilion. Hearing this, he gently stopped her, then continued to slowly wipe the strings of the zither in front of him with a handkerchief, seemingly not caring at all: "She will come."
"Young Master...!"
"Alright, it's time. Let's go out and announce the questions." Yantai was about to say something more when Ji Heng gently interrupted him.
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