Peaceful Farm Life

Chapter 1490: Chapter 1491: Are There Any Conditions?

Xiao Changyi also heard the sound of the flute, but he did not immediately walk towards An Jing. Instead, he waited until he had arranged everything properly before walking over to her.

When Xiao Changyi reached An Jing’s side, her ”Liangzhou Melody” had finished playing.

Initially, An Jing intended to play casually, but as she played, she became more immersed in it. Even when her flute music stopped, she found herself unable to come out of it, still lost in its reverie.

Where there is war, there is death.

”Laugh not at the drunk lying on the battlefield, how many who went to war in ancient times ever returned?” She hoped they could all return.

Xiao Changyi said nothing, just sat beside An Jing and stretched out a hand to hold one of hers tightly.

An Jing, somewhat dazed, stared at the hand holding hers for a while before slowly turning her head. She did not speak, only smiled at Xiao Changyi, a small smile that was enough to reassure him.

”Husband, how much longer will this war last?” An Jing suddenly asked. They had left the Imperial Capital on November 6 last year, and it was now July 20. It had been nearly nine months.

Nine months...

An Jing felt that these nine months had been very long, yet she did not know how many more such periods of nine months they might endure.

Xiao Changyi tightened his grip on her hand slightly, and after a long pause, he spoke softly, ”In a few days, we will reach Shuangli.”

He did not answer how much longer the war with Chilin would last because he truly did not know.

There were thirty-three cities, including the Imperial City, within Chilin’s territory, and they had only captured Jingye City so far.

How much longer this war would last, he truly did not know.

An Jing did not mind whether Xiao Changyi answered her question. She merely watched the distant sunset quietly for a while before smiling faintly, ”It doesn’t matter how long it takes, as long as we are all safe and sound, as long as everyone is safe and sound.”

Xiao Changyi had been watching the sunset with An Jing. Hearing her words, he turned to look at her profile, shaded in a golden glow from the sunset. He hadn’t intended to say anything, but in the end, he answered An Jing’s earlier question, ”Everyone believes this is fate and that we will soon return.”

He paused for a moment and then gave a rough timeline, ”At most, five years.”

An Jing also turned her head, smiled at Xiao Changyi, and after a long gaze, replied with a smile, ”Hmm.”

Although she replied, she knew that this ’five years’ was merely her husband’s way of comforting her.

She was no fool; the situation was constantly changing. The war between Xiyun and Chilin could end soon, or it could last until both she and he were old.

...

On July 25, at a location ten miles from Shuangli City, Xiao Changyi had the army set up camp there.

While the army was setting up camp, Xiao Changyi sent Meng Lanqing with a team to scout the current situation of Shuangli City.

Xiao Changyi sent Meng Lanqing at noon, and Meng Lanqing returned in less than two hours.

Upon his return, Meng Lanqing happily reported to Xiao Changyi, ”The general defending Shuangli City, Qiao Shouye, found us, but he is willing to comply with fate and surrender without a fight.”

The others were all very pleased to hear this.

Only Xiao Changyi showed no signs of joy and asked, ”Are there any conditions?”

Meng Lanqing replied, ”There is one condition, but he is unwilling to discuss it with me, wanting you, Great General, to go there once. If you agree, he will open the city gates and, along with the people of Shuangli City, welcome the Xiyun Army into the city.”