"Um."
"Don't try to play tricks on your brother, and don't even think about running away. You have to come with me this time, or I'll punish you."
Gu Moli opened her mouth, but then swallowed her words back.
A few breaths passed.
"... good."
Gu Moran had his back to her, one hand resting on the window frame.
"And, my younger sister."
Gu Moli looked up.
"From now on, don't be reckless. Don't act foolishly. As long as you're alive, everything else is still possible."
The teacup in Gu Moli's hand had gone cold, but she was still holding it.
After a long while, he finally managed to utter a sentence.
"My elder brother is the same."
The moon outside the window had somehow retreated back into the clouds.
Water droplets were still dripping from the eaves, falling one by one onto the stone slabs under the eaves with a muffled sound.
At daybreak.
Three thousand suits of armor appeared on the drill ground outside the east gate of Luoyang.
Mei Hongye didn't sleep all night, his eyes were as red as a rabbit's. He personally led Mei Boqian and brought out all the capable soldiers from the Marquis's private army camp.
The armor was old, but polished to a shine.
The weapons were sharpened, and the spearheads gleamed coldly.
There weren't enough warhorses, so they gathered 1,200; the rest were infantry.
Mei Boqian stood at the front of the line, wearing a worn-out fish-scale armor, his helmet fastened in his hand, his face pale.
The things he saw in the hallway last night are still swirling in his mind.
The floor was littered with dead bodies, the younger brother was nailed to the bedpost, and Gu Moran was wiping his hands with his back to everyone.
He has practiced martial arts since childhood and considers himself quite courageous.
But he never wants to see that scene again in his life.
"Boqian."
Mei Hongye walked up to him, his voice very low.
"Um."
"Once we arrive in Qi and Lu, obey orders and don't try anything funny." Mei Hongye pulled his shoulder armor straps tighter.
"If Prince Yi tells you to go east, you go east; if he tells you to lie down, you lie down."
"Knew."
"I already know." Mei Hongye's hand stopped on his shoulder strap, and he looked up at him.
The old marquis's eyes were sunken, and the corners of his mouth drooped down; he looked ten years older overnight.
Be careful in everything you do, and never act impulsively.
You are the eldest son, and your younger brother is gone. From now on, the family's fate rests on your shoulders.
He fastened the shoulder armor securely.
"If you become crippled, the Mei Clan will be wiped out."
"When making any decision, think of Dad's words."
This empire will eventually belong to this prince. If you follow him and work hard, you will be doing a great service to him.
Remember these words, okay?
Mei Boqian swallowed hard and nodded.
Just after Chen Shi (7-9 AM), a troop of cavalry came from inside the city along the official road.
Leading the way was Tuoba Mang, a big guy who was wearing a full set of heavy black armor today, with two mountain-splitting axes at his waist and several strings of dried garlic hanging on his horse's back. It was unclear whether they were for warding off evil spirits or as provisions.
The troop following behind him had a completely different demeanor compared to the soldiers of the Marquis of Luoyang's Residence.
The soldiers of the Marquis's mansion were neatly armored and lined up in orderly ranks, but the spirit they exuded was that of guarding the house and protecting the property.
The group of men behind Tuoba Mang wore armor with wear marks and repaired welds, and some even had fresh scabs on their faces. They walked with their weapons in their hands and their eyes constantly darting to the sides, like a pack of wolves just emerging from the mountains.
Mei Boqian glanced at it, his tongue went dry.
Tuoba Mang rode over, glanced at the three thousand soldiers of the Marquis's mansion on the training ground, and snorted.
That's all?
Mei Boqian stepped forward and clasped his hands in a gesture of respect.
" The Marquis of Luoyang's Residence has three thousand elite troops, fully armored and with ample provisions."
"Alright." Tuoba Mang plucked a bunch of garlic from his horse and ate a clove. "The prince said your soldiers are under my command. You are under my command too. Do you understand?"
Mei Boqian opened his mouth and looked at his father standing by the training ground.
Mei Hongye turned his face away.
"I... I understand."
"Hmm." Tuoba Mang chewed on garlic, exhaling a pungent breath from his nostrils.
"If anyone falls behind on the way, I won't wait for them. If anyone dares to run away, I'll chase after them myself. And if I catch them, my axe won't discriminate."
And also...
Looking at the towering, muscular man before him, Mei Boqian felt a chill run down his spine.
Because of the difference in accent, he didn't fully understand what Tuoba Mang was babbling about, but he dared to ask more questions and nodded repeatedly.
Zhen Meili pointed to the shop on the street corner with a bronze abacus hanging on it and began to tell the story of the Zhen family's pig iron business in Luoyang back in the day.
"See that signboard? It used to be my second uncle's shop. Later, my third uncle used it to pay off a debt. Then, my third uncle used it to pay off a gambling den. The gambling den owner thought the location was bad, so he sold it to this blacksmith shop."
She spoke until her throat was dry, and several vegetable vendors by the roadside couldn't help but look up to listen.
Gu Moran held Gu Moli's wrist to prevent her from being separated by the oncoming crowd, while keeping his other hand tucked into his sleeve as he listened to Zhen Meili recount the rise and fall of a shop in a way that was more convoluted than the imperial court.
The main street of Luoyang was much busier than the streets along the East Sea. Pedestrians crowded the sides, while carriages slowly passed through the middle.
The shouts of vendors selling steamed buns mingled with the cries of those carrying loads on shoulder poles, and the aroma of scallions from the oil wafted on the breeze.
Yun Shuyue carried a string of candied fruit, taking a bite every three steps, her cheeks never idle.
"That restaurant up ahead, that's the real gem in Luoyang."
Zhen Meili raised her hand and pointed to the three-story wooden building at the end of the street, her tone tinged with pride.
"Back then, my landlord treated my uncle to a feast. After he finished eating, he exclaimed on the spot, 'The dishes here come one after another, the food and lodging are wonderful!'"
Murong Xue held the reins and glanced at the plaque that read " Yibin Pavilion ".
"Your voice is too loud."
"So what? We're just known for our loud voices here."
Gu Moran suppressed a laugh and pulled Gu Moli closer to her.
Gu Moli wore a light blue long dress, her hair was adorned with only a white jade hairpin, and she wore no other jewelry. She walked among the crowd without standing out.
However, having grown up in the palace, her demeanor was more graceful than that of ordinary women, attracting frequent glances from passersby on the street.
She first glanced at her own brother, then swept her gaze over the women behind Gu Moran.
Murong Xue wore black soft armor, with a scarlet whip wrapped around her waist.
Shen Ling'er carried a medicine chest, dressed in simple clothes, and held a small porcelain bottle containing pills in her hand. As she passed the pharmacy, she couldn't help but look at the counter.
Lin Qingdai led two spare horses, her expression indifferent.
Yun Shuyue ate a sugar-coated fruit, her mouth covered in sugar frosting.
Zhen Meili was still talking about how her uncle used three cartloads of scrap iron to exchange for fifty catties of good tea.
Gu Moli finally looked at Meng Jiuning.
Meng Jiuning was dressed in a Dali Dali-style dress, with a jade sachet hanging from her waist. The fabric and embroidery were not things that ordinary merchants could afford.
She stood in the crowd, her posture still dignified, her fingertips still holding the tassel of the sachet.
Seeing her made Gu Moli feel even more uncomfortable.
Even while strolling around and watching the commotion, the woman's eyes remained fixed on Gu Moran.
My mood worsened.
Gu Moli's understanding of "brother taking you to tour Luoyang" is that it only involves the brother and sister.
Who knew my brother brought a group of women with him?
A burning anger.
"Brother, is this young lady the one from Dali?"
She softened her voice, making it sound like she was asking a casual question.
Meng Jiuning paused for a moment.
Gu Moran his head and glanced at his younger sister.
"Yes, her name is Meng Jiuning, and she's a friend from Dali."
"So you're a girl from Dali."
Gu Moli turned around, a smile playing on her lips.