RPAGF Chapter 1050 But
Chapter 1050 But
The north wind blew the remaining snow, swirling it around the towers of Yanmen Pass. Shen Qingci stood at the edge of the battlement, gazing at the land outside the pass that had been stained with countless blood. The silver armor on his body shone coldly in the setting sun. This armor belonged to Xiao Heng. The fatal arrow mark was still on the shoulder armor, which she had carefully embroidered with gold thread. From a distance, it looked like a red plum blossom that would never fade. Three months ago, Xiao Heng collapsed in the Mid-Autumn moon. Shen Qingci held his cold body and sat on the tower all night. At dawn, she closed his eyes with her own hands, then turned to the stunned soldiers and said, "Although the general is gone, Yanmen Pass cannot be lost." She put on his silver armor and picked up his spear. The spear still retained the warmth of his palm, and it was heavy, pressing her arm so hard that it hurt. But as she stood atop the city walls, gazing at the howling Northern Di cavalry below, she suddenly understood the look in his eyes whenever he donned armor and went into battle—it wasn't a lack of fear, but rather a determination to crush and swallow that fear, transforming it into a fierce defense of his homeland. The Northern Di assumed their commander was dead, their defenders in disarray. But they hadn't anticipated that the marquis's wife, once mocked as a "fragile woman," would hold out for three months with the remnants of her army. Shen Qingci deployed her troops using the military tactics taught to her by Xiao Heng, using her medical skills to treat the wounded. Even in the most critical moment, she personally lit the signal fires on the beacon towers. Now, with their food and fodder exhausted, the Northern Di finally withdrew. On the day of their retreat, the soldiers at Yanmen Pass spontaneously formed two columns and watched as Shen Qingci, leading the snow-white pony with Xiao Heng's coffin on its back, slowly emerged from the city gates. No one spoke, only the rustling of flags in the wind and the occasional suppressed sob. "Everyone, cheer up!" Shen Qingci pulled the reins, her voice hoarse but powerful, "We're taking the general home." The journey home was long, a full month. Shen Qingci remained clad in her silver armor. During the day, she was the general commanding the remnants of the army, directing the troops forward and handling various emergencies. At night, she stayed by Xiao Heng's coffin, taking out the military books he often read during his lifetime and reading them to him word by word, as if he were still by her side, listening with a smile. The snow-white pony seemed to understand its master's sorrow, and it walked with exceptional calmness, never neighing. That day, the team finally arrived outside the capital. From afar, the tall city walls and towering towers could be seen, and the city gates were crowded with people. The people had heard that Weiyuan Hou had repelled the Northern Di and came to greet them, hoping to catch a glimpse of this hero. But as the team approached, a commotion broke out among the crowd. "Who is leading the team? Why is he wearing the armor of Marquis Weiyuan?" "Looking at the figure, he looks more like a woman..." "Where is Marquis Weiyuan? Why is Marquis Weiyuan nowhere to be seen?" The discussion became louder and louder, filled with confusion and uneasiness. Shen Qingci ignored it, straightened her back, and looked firmly at the familiar city gate. Her face was covered with a veil, hiding most of her face, revealing only a pair of calm eyes. Shen Qingci did not dismount until the team reached the palace gate. She raised her hand to take off her helmet, revealing her long hair that was a little messy due to the wind. Then, she slowly took off the silver armor on her body, and the sound of the armor plates colliding was particularly clear in front of the silent palace gate. When the last piece of armor fell to the ground, revealing her plain white dress and pale, thin face, an uproar instantly broke out in the crowd. "It's the Marquis' wife!" "Where's the Marquis of Weiyuan? Why is the Marquis' wife wearing a general's armor?" "Could it be... the Marquis of Weiyuan..." Various speculations and sighs intertwined together, like an invisible net, covering the palace gate. Shen Qingci turned a deaf ear to them. She walked to the coffin, gently stroked the coffin, and whispered: "Xiao Heng, we are home." Seeing this, the eunuch who had been waiting in front of the palace gate hurried forward to lead the way: "Marquis' wife, His Majesty is waiting for you in the Golden Throne Hall." Shen Qingci nodded, signaled the guards to temporarily place the coffin, and then followed the eunuchs, step by step into the magnificent palace. In the Golden Throne Hall, the atmosphere was solemn. The emperor sat on the dragon throne, looking at the thin woman in plain clothes below, his eyes full of complex emotions. He knew the news of Xiao Heng's death, and he also knew that it was this woman in front of him who led the remaining troops to defend Yanmen Pass. "Ms. Shen," the emperor began, his voice tinged with a barely perceptible sadness. "Marquis Weiyuan sacrificed his life for his country, making invaluable contributions. I wish to posthumously confer the title of Loyal and Brave Prince upon him to honor his achievements. What do you think?" Shen Qingci knelt slowly, her movements formal and respectful. "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness." Her voice was calm, devoid of any emotion. "But my husband often said that all he wanted was peace and prosperity for the country and the people, and never sought any reward." The emperor paused, as if he had not expected her to refuse. Shen Qingci raised her head, her gaze clear and resolute. "I venture to ask Your Majesty to replace the reward with a clinic at Yanmen Pass. It's a remote location, and there's a shortage of military doctors. Soldiers often die without timely treatment. If a clinic could be built and qualified physicians stationed there, it would relieve the suffering of the soldiers at the border." The entire court, both civil and military, was surprised by this remark. No one had expected that this recently widowed marquis' wife would seek not wealth and glory, but the welfare of the soldiers at the border. The emperor was silent for a moment, with a hint of admiration in his eyes. "Okay." He said in a deep voice, "It will only be a hindrance for women to accompany the army. Some people even secretly said that Shen Qingci was a flower in a greenhouse and could not withstand the wind and frost of the border. Until that day, Captain Zhao was hit by a stray arrow in a surprise attack. The arrow went deep into his lungs. The military doctors shook their heads and said there was no hope. Just when everyone thought that Captain Zhao was dead, Shen Qingci insisted on giving it a try. She knelt in the tent for three days and three nights, personally giving Captain Zhao acupuncture, changing the dressing, and feeding him medicine. Her eyes were red and her voice became hoarse. In the end, she actually pulled Captain Zhao back from the gates of hell. The temperature was so hot that it hurt her heart. "Don't be afraid..." Xiao Heng raised his hand with difficulty and wiped the tears from her face with all his strength. His hands were cold and weak. "I promised you that I would take you home..." "You'll be fine, you will be fine! "Shen Qingci gently rested his head on her knees, tears rolling down like beads with broken strings, dripping onto Xiao Heng's face. Trembling, she untied the medicine bag from her waist and carefully tore open the wound on his back. When she finally found the arrowhead and wanted to pull it out, she discovered that the arrowhead was poisoned. The poison was black and emitted a pungent fishy smell, which was obviously a highly toxic poison. "Wanqing, get the best snow lotus! Quick!" Shen Qingci roared, her voice shaking with fear and despair.