My vicious dog, my horse, I can do whatever I want with it

Chapter 177 No Status

"General, do you mean to start a war again?" Wen Nian asked Zong Yanli while facing the campfire, gently turning the roasted chicken.

"Father means not to fight." Zong Yanli shook her head and roughly told Wen Nian what Zong Yanhongjing had just said to her. She said with a relaxed look, "Father's thoughts are profound, and I agree with him."

Although Zong Yanli now holds a high position, it can even be said that his military achievements are even better than those of his father.

But Zong Yanli still listens to her father's teachings, and deeply feels that her father's vision is far better than hers. She does not want to be the one in charge just because she is in a high position now.

Zong Yanli said with a serious look in his eyes: "It's not that I won't intervene in the dispute between Gao and Jin."

"What is the general's plan?" Wen Nian asked in a low voice.

"Send a counselor to the Emperor of Jin." Zong Yanli smiled. She wanted to maintain a certain balance between Gao State and Jin State, or in other words, she wanted Jin State to last longer.

"It's easy to say but difficult to do." Zong Yanli now has a general idea in his mind, but it's not yet completely perfect. He needs to wait until after the New Year, when Zhan Haoyue and Gongsun Pu return, before he can discuss it.

"I believe in the general." Wen Nian looked at Zong Yanli steadily, his eyes full of trust.

Zong Yanli looked up at him with a smile, and his whole body showed a sense of relaxation.

The two chatted idly, mostly talking about military matters, without revealing any personal feelings.

If there was anything unclean, it was probably the countless times that Wen Nian looked at Zong Yanli.

The roast chicken was ready. Wen Nian took off the short-bladed dagger from his waist, wiped it with a handkerchief, then cut off the meat and handed it to Zong Yanli.

"Well, it's crispy and well roasted." Zong Yanli didn't hesitate. After tasting it, he cut the meat and ate it himself.

She was not particular about food, as she was used to it in the army. She cut the meat and ate it with her hands, looking very heroic.

Wen Nian didn't think there was anything wrong with it, and shared the roast chicken with Zong Yanli, sprinkling some seasoning on it from time to time to make it taste better.

After eating half of it, Zong Yanli looked around and said with some regret: "What a pity that they didn't bring the wine."

Wen Nian said a little embarrassedly: "I didn't know where the wine was, and I didn't ask. I'll get it next time."

Zong Yanli laughed, and after they had eaten their fill, they put out the sparks and went back to the courtyard side by side. Wen Nian stood under the corridor, watching Zong Yanli go into the house, a gentle look spread in his eyes, and a smile curved at his lips, as if he especially cherished the time they spent together alone.

After Zong Yanhongjing came back, Zong Yanli's life did not change. He either went to the army or practiced swordsmanship at home.

When Zong Yanli and Wen Nian were practicing, Zong Yanhongjing came to watch for a while. Now, Zong Yanhongjing no longer has anything to give Zong Yanli.

His children are becoming more and more outstanding, and their abilities have already far surpassed those of their old father.

"Ali, I heard that when you captured Luoshang Pass in Qing Kingdom, you captured a man named Yang Wei?" After Zong Yanli and Wen Nian finished their sparring, Zong Yanhongjing called Zong Yanli to ask.

"There is such a person." Zong Yanli thought for a moment and nodded, "The spearmanship he uses is exactly the same as Wen Nian's."

"It is said that he is the apprentice of Wen Nian's father..." Zong Yanli had previously written a letter to inform Zong Yanhongjing of this matter. Later, Sha Haoqian, the garrison commander of Luoshang Pass, surrendered, and Zong Yanli handed Yang Wei over to Wen Nian for disposal, and Yang Wei eventually returned to Sha Haoqian.

Zong Yanli did not inquire about what Wen Nian and Yang Wei had talked about, and had already rushed to Yao'an Pass.

Zong Yanhongjing nodded slightly and said, "I forgot about this when I sent you the letter. I only remembered it today when I saw you two sparring."

Zong Yanhongjing turned around and called Wen Nian over, and had a closer conversation with him, confirming that there was indeed such a person as Yang Wei back then, but Wen Nian's father did not think that he was a legitimate disciple, and only mentioned it to Zong Yanhongjing twice.

Wen Nian nodded and said, "I know that Yang Wei has lived in Qing Kingdom for many years, and Sha Haoqian, the garrison commander of Luoshang Pass, has done him a favor, so he finally chose to stay with Sha Haoqian."

In fact, what Wen Nian didn’t say was that it was Wen Nian himself who persuaded Yang Wei to stay.

Yang Wei thought that the incident with the Wen family was caused by some enemy or someone trying to steal the Wen family's spear skills. In fact, it was none of those things. It was just ordinary thieves and thugs who attacked the village and robbed the family's property.

Wen Nian's family was not a noble family, nor a famous family; they were just an ordinary military household.

It wasn’t just the Wen family who suffered casualties during the attack on the village that year.

Yang Wei learned the whole story from Wen Nian, and also knew that those bandits and thugs were killed or escaped and there was no way to catch them. Yang Wei no longer had the goal of avenging his mentor, and Wen Nian didn't want Yang Wei to follow him.

Since his father did not acknowledge him as his disciple, he did not want to go against his father's wishes.

Therefore, he persuaded Yang Wei to stay with Sha Haoqian. If they had the chance to meet again in the future, they might have a chance to fight side by side.

"That's a pity." Zong Yanhongjing probably had the same idea as Zong Yanli. Wen Nian had been alone all his life. If he could meet Yang Wei, he would barely have another relative.

Wen Nian lowered his head and said nothing, but Wen Nian had been alone for many years and no longer cared about these things.

Zong Yanli replied, "It's okay, just follow me in the future."

Zong Yanli's words were calm, but when Wen Nian heard them, he couldn't help but look up at Zong Yanli, his ears turned slightly red and his eyes were full of joy.

"Father, why didn't Fourth Uncle come back with us?" Zong Yanli changed the subject and asked with raised eyebrows.

"I forgot to tell you." Zong Yanhongjing finally realized and said, "Your fourth uncle has married in Shouxi County. The girl is a silkworm farmer from a farming family. She is pregnant now."

“!!!!——” Zong Yanli’s eyes widened in shock and disbelief.

Fourth uncle is really like this, if he doesn't make a sound, he will make a big splash!

Zong Yanhongjing smiled and said, "Don't blame me for not telling you earlier. Your fourth uncle kept it a secret and only told me when he was about to get married."

Zong Yanhongjing got angry when he talked about this. Later, after interrogation, he learned that it was Zong Yanfeiyi who rescued the girl who went to the mountains to pick mulberry leaves while on patrol. He gradually got to know her and fell in love with her.

Originally, Zong Yan Feiyi was worried that he would feel unsafe in the army, so he rejected the girl. But the girl came to the military camp. Zong Yan Feiyi was not a heartless person, so he softened his heart at that moment. Later, things became much simpler.

"The wedding was simple, but the girl was not wronged. Later, your mother made up for the betrothal gifts. Now your fourth uncle has settled down in Shouxi County." Zong Yanhongjing was so happy to see Zong Yanfeiyi getting married.

"That's a good thing..." After a brief shock, Zong Yanli calmed down and said, "Fourth Uncle is really something. He didn't even write me a letter."

"Haha, you were fighting the enemy in the heartland of Qing Kingdom at that time, and your fourth uncle was afraid that you would be distracted." Zong Yan Hongjing smiled and explained a few words to help Zong Yan Feiyi.

"Then I should also give Fourth Aunt a gift as well." Zong Yanli thought to herself that when her father returned to Pingnanying, she could help her bring the gifts to her Fourth Uncle and Aunt.

When Han came to call the father and son to eat, Zong Yanli hurriedly went to tell Han about Zong Yan Feiyi.

Han was aware of the situation, and when she learned that Zong Yanli was going to prepare gifts, she generously gave some advice.

In the blink of an eye, New Year's Eve arrived.

This was probably the first time that Zong Yanli had spent New Year's Eve with his family after spanning two lifetimes.

She looked at the table full of dishes, at her father and mother sitting together, and then at her loving sister and the child in her arms. At this moment, Zong Yanli finally had no regrets. All the regrets of her past life were finally fulfilled at this moment.

She hoped that the long river of time would stop at this moment. She had dreamed countless times that tonight would never end.

but……

"This is for the general." After the New Year's Eve dinner, Wei Songhe took the two children to set off firecrackers and fireworks. Wen Nian held a small pendant in his hand and handed it to Zong Yanli.

Zong Yanli turned his head and looked at the love knot woven with red rope in Wen Nian's palm. It was decorated with white jade beads. It was slightly delicate and seemed to clearly show Wen Nian's intentions when the fireworks were lit.

Wen Nian stared at her and said, "I hope that I can be with you year after year in the future."

"No status, no love."

"Always be loyal to the General."

The sound of firecrackers exploded in my ears, but it could not cover up the sound of the New Year.

He lowered his head slightly, and the lowered head seemed to express his loyalty. At this moment, Zong Yanli couldn't even tell whether this was a romantic confession or a pledge of loyalty. Only one thing was clear: no one else could covet the man in front of him.

Zong Yanli lowered his eyes and looked at Wen Nian who had his head lowered.

After a long while, he raised the corners of his lips slightly, reached out his hand as if he was petting a puppy, touched his head and whispered, "Got it."

She took the knot from Wen Nian's hand, played with it for a few seconds, and then hung it around her waist.

He looked so casual and indifferent, as if what he had just answered was just a trivial matter. Wen Nian stood there in a daze, not quite understanding whether the general accepted him or rejected him.

Until Zong Yanli's words came: "Why don't you come quickly? It's time to go to the ancestral hall to keep watch."

Wen Nian suddenly woke up as if from a dream, and hurriedly followed, even his steps seemed a little erratic.

After Zong Yanli and Zong Yanhongjing went to the ancestral hall to pay homage, they changed into their official robes and hurried into the palace to congratulate the emperor. It was already late at night when they returned after receiving the New Year gifts and rewards. After lighting the eternal lamp for their family members, the father and son stayed in the ancestral hall until dawn.

"Come, let's practice spear skills today." Zong Yanli was not sleepy. When it got light, he pulled Wen Nian to practice with him.

Wen Nian continued to practice diligently as always, and the relationship between the two seemed to have not changed at all.

If Wen Nian hadn't looked at the love knot he had made himself hanging around Zong Yanli's waist, he would have doubted whether last night was just a dream.

Zong Yanli used his spear skills casually, but after a few rounds he realized that he was no match for Wen Nian and stopped.

"Young General! Something happened in the palace!" Zong Yanli was just thinking about letting Wen Nian try out his knife when he turned around and saw a servant running in from outside, shouting, "The Imperial Concubine was assassinated!"

“What!?” Such a big thing happened on New Year’s Day?

Zong Yanli looked up in astonishment, then turned to Wen Nian with a frown and said, "Go prepare the horses!"

The palace was also in chaos. When Zong Yanli arrived at the palace, he found out that Gao Jiayue had been poisoned. She was still vomiting black blood. The imperial physician gave her acupuncture repeatedly. If it had been a little later, Concubine Gao would probably have died.

Zong Yanli and Zong Yanhongjing entered the palace together. After asking about the whole story, they both looked gloomy.

"How is His Royal Highness the Crown Prince?" Zong Yanli asked first.

"Your Highness is fine. He went to pay his respects to the Emperor early today." The palace servant who replied was also greatly relieved. Fortunately, His Highness the Crown Prince did not have a meal with the Imperial Concubine today. Otherwise, if such a young child like His Highness the Crown Prince was poisoned, I'm afraid...

"Have all the people who delivered the meals today been under control?" Zong Yanli nodded slightly and asked again.

“They’ve all been caught.”

Zong Yanli said nothing more. Investigating cases and verifying evidence was not her strong point. The palace had already started an investigation. She was now concerned about the extent of the damage to Concubine Gao's health.

The imperial physician worked for a long time but could not give a definite answer. An hour later, Concubine Gao stopped vomiting dirty blood and fell into a deep sleep. The imperial physician pierced Gao Jiayue's fingertip with a silver needle and saw that red blood flowed out. He then slowly breathed a sigh of relief.

The life was saved.

"This poison is truly vicious and terrifying. We cannot predict what will happen next." The imperial doctors did not dare to boast and only said some polite words.

"Mother——!" The prince came back after hearing the news, not knowing what had happened, and now he ran back crying.

"Your Highness." The eunuchs and palace maids did not dare to stop him forcefully. Finally, Zong Yanli reached out and grabbed He Honglang's collar. The little child struggled with his hands and feet, but when he saw that he could not move forward, he raised his head with tears in his eyes.

Seeing that it was Zong Yanli who stopped him, he immediately flattened his lips, hugged Zong Yanli's legs and cried, "Teacher, what happened to my mother?"

Zong Yanli patted He Honglang's head soothingly and said, "As long as I'm here, your mother will be fine."

Zong Yanli immediately ordered people to surround the imperial concubine's palace gate, and then sent someone to the army with his own order to mobilize people, directly taking full control of the palace inside and outside.

"If the real murderer is not found today, no one is allowed to leave the palace." Perhaps at this moment they truly realized how much say Zong Yanli had. The troops that were dispatched in an instant surrounded the palace, making almost everyone feel like there was a giant sword hanging over their heads.

"Your Highness, just wait patiently." At the same time, Wei Songhe also brought his people into the palace, making it clear that he wanted to interfere in the investigation of the case.

Wei Songhe greeted Zong Yanli and Zong Yanhongjing, and then started the investigation directly, from the identification of toxins in the food source to the interrogation of people inside and outside the palace. He participated in the whole process in every detail to guard against any suspicion of covering up.