HLnovel Chapter 912 Your Highness, it's been a long time
Chapter 912 Your Highness, it's been a long time
Cheng Qianli clenched his raised hand into a fist.
He was the eldest son in the family, several years older than his younger brothers and sisters. When his mother brought his sister home, he knew that she was not his biological sister, but his cousin.
He met his little cousin when she was born with his mother. His mother even joked with his aunt that if they were destined to be together, they might be betrothed when they grew up, and she would treat his little cousin like her own daughter.
Later, the Rong family's affairs happened suddenly. When his mother brought his little cousin back and said she was his own sister, he didn't believe it at all. He even overheard his grandmother cursing his mother in private, saying that she couldn't even support her own daughter and was always holding someone else's daughter like a treasure.
He didn't understand why his mother brought his little cousin home to raise as her younger sister, but he liked that sweet and soft little cousin who was different from everyone else in the family. So he knew, but he never called her out on it.
He secretly asked his father, who only said that she was his sister and that he would know when he grew up.
He buried this secret in his heart from then on. Later, when he followed his father to the northern frontier and went to the battlefield, he finally understood his father's words.
If the northern border cannot be defended, countless innocent children like my cousin will lose their parents and homes in the future.
From that time on, the secret was no longer a secret.
Cheng Ruoxue is Cheng Qianli's younger sister.
He was heartbroken upon learning of her death.
He could understand his mother's feelings at that moment. She truly hated the injustice of the world and wished that she herself would suffer a shorter lifespan instead of being bullied like this by her child.
Therefore, they must win this battle.
It wasn't just to avenge his sister, but also for the countless people behind him, and for those who had been enslaved and were desperately waiting to return to their homeland.
He knew that Cheng Shujin had been stubborn since childhood. Because she had a perfect older sister, she inherited the characteristics of the Cheng family and always wanted to compete with Ruoxue. However, she was not as clever as Ruoxue. Every time she was beaten, she became more determined. She was both naive and loved to flirt. But it was precisely because of this competition over the years that she forgot that she actually cared a lot about her older sister.
This silly girl.
Ruoxue is so smart, how could she not understand her thoughts, so she always had her completely under her thumb.
Looking at the stubborn tears that Cheng Shujin refused to shed, Cheng Qianli simply couldn't bring himself to slap her.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Cheng Shujin suddenly shoved Cheng Qianjun aside, grabbed the saddle, flipped herself onto the horse, and charged off without looking back.
Cheng Qianli turned around, and his lieutenant came over anxiously and asked, "General, I'll go and bring her back!"
Cheng Qianli mounted his horse. "No need. She's right. What do the sons and daughters of the Cheng family have to fear from death!"
"All soldiers, heed my command! Slay the Yan traitors and reclaim our lost territory!"
The soldiers followed suit, raising their arms and shouting, "Slay the Yan traitors and reclaim our lost territory!"
The soldiers followed Cheng Qianli out of the city gate and rushed towards the enemy.
……
Helian Chi sent out scouts back in waves, and it wasn't until noon that news finally arrived.
"King Lu's men have arrived!"
Helian Chi clenched his fists so tightly they cracked: "Once I take Qin Prefecture, I'll kill him with my own hands!"
Helian Cheng wiped the blood from his face and reported breathlessly, "Uncle, now is not the time to condemn. Zong Que has somehow acquired a new crossbow that can fire in rapid succession. We have suffered heavy losses, but fortunately, Prince Lü arrived in time. We will definitely be able to take Qin Prefecture today!"
Helian Chi suppressed his anger and shouted, "Go and bring him to me!"
Helian Cheng quickly sent someone to invite Prince Lu.
However, when the others returned, they brought back the news: "Your Highness, Prince Lu said he has no experience and wants Your Highness to be the vanguard, while he will be responsible for covering the rear!"
"I'm going to kill him right now!" Helian Chi angrily drew his sword and was about to leave.
Helian Cheng quickly ordered someone to step forward and pull him away.
"Uncle, please calm down! If we fight amongst ourselves now, we won't be able to attack the city today! If we retreat now, we can still make it!"
Helian Chi kicked away the soldier who was holding him, his chest heaving violently with anger.
The fighting continued in the distance, and the city gates of Qinzhou were right in front of them.
The Dugu family only listens to that old witch. If he really kills that old witch's son now, there will definitely be infighting. If this is delayed any longer, there will be no hope of attacking the city today.
We must either retreat now or fight with all our might to capture the city.
The supplies are running low. If he can't take Qin Prefecture today, he'll have to beg for mercy from that old hag King Lu's bastard child.
"Attack the city!" Helian Chi leaped onto his horse. "Charge!"
Helian Cheng mounted his horse and shouted, "Attack the city!"
……
On the city wall of Qinzhou across the river, Zong Que put down his binoculars, raised his hand, and gave an order.
"Retreat! Open the city gates!"
Upon receiving the order, the deputy general immediately descended from the city wall and relayed the command to Cheng Qianjun.
Cheng Qianli had cut down countless enemy soldiers and seen how many fallen men beside him. Upon receiving the order, he reacted swiftly, "Retreat—"
The city gates opened, and the soldiers quickly retreated back into the city.
At the same time, another urgent report arrived.
"Your Highness, the Fourth Prince has led an army of 30,000 to provide support and has already arrived outside the city!"
"Open the south gate and let them in!" Zong Que ordered.
"Yes!"
Cheng Qianli led his troops back to the city gate and immediately climbed the city wall. "Your Highness, the soldiers have retreated back into the city! This humble general will escort you away!"
"Don't worry about me. Pass down the order: as soon as Helian Chi's troops enter the city, immediately close the city gates and stop his reinforcements outside!" Zong Que said.
"Block them outside the city gate?" Cheng Qianli was completely baffled: "How can they be stopped?"
"Then we'll have to take a gamble." Zong Que gazed into the distance. "Let's go!"
"Yes!" Cheng Qianli hurriedly turned and left.
Helian Chi quickly led his army into Qinzhou City. However, several waves of Yan troops tried to capture the city tower, but they were bitten by insects that appeared out of nowhere, as if they were possessed and could not climb the city tower no matter what they did.
Helian Chi was so focused on seizing Qin Prefecture that the strange occurrences on the city wall didn't reach his ears in time.
As soon as Helian Chi's army entered the city, the city gates were quickly closed.
Zong Que, clad in silver armor, stood atop the city wall, beside a pretty young girl who sat askew on the back of a giant python.
Below the city tower, Lin Wuji, now known as Dugu Ji, the Prince of Northern Yan, sat on his horse, looking up and meeting Zong Que's gaze.
"Your Highness, it's been a long time."
(The name Qianli was misspelled in this charter and has been corrected.)