Nine out of ten gamblers lose; I've run into a jerk!

Chapter 159 Heroes

Despite the lingering chill of early spring, the North Gate of Xuandu was quiet and solemn today, with soldiers lined up to clear the way, all to welcome the remains of the hero.

After an unknown amount of time, a procession finally appeared on the distant horizon, approaching from afar amidst billowing dust.

Qi Shang rode his horse, leading the demoralized troops slowly forward. As the city gate came into view, his mood grew heavier. The prince was dead, but he, the deputy general, was still alive. Of the more than 10,000 Lingxiao soldiers who went out, less than 1,000 had returned. He had no face to face the Marquis!

However, even the longest road eventually comes to an end. With his head down, Qi Shang could sense many people waiting at the city gate out of the corner of his eye. He raised his tired and lifeless eyes, and his first glance fell on a figure dressed in a bright red velvet outfit.

Qi Shang was slightly taken aback. At this moment, a soldier jogged up and approached. He recognized the man as Lu Yuan, a personal guard of the Marquis.

Lu Yuan leaned close and whispered a few words in Qi Shang's ear. Qi Shang's eyes flickered and his eyes reddened. When he looked at Shen Qing again, he was full of respect. He immediately dismounted, clasped his hands in greeting, and then ordered his guards to fetch the items.

The soldier returned quickly. Qi Shang stared intently at the tray for a moment, then solemnly took it and walked to Shen Qing.

A charred fragment of armor was visible beneath a tattered military flag.

"The battlefield is scorched earth; we have not found the Crown Prince's remains..."

Qi Shang's voice was somewhat hoarse.

The wind howls, the Yi River is cold; the brave warrior departs, never to return. Perhaps dying on the battlefield is the general's destiny.

Shen Qing was filled with emotion. He solemnly bowed to the man in broken armor and said, "Brother, go in peace. Leave your family and these soldiers to me."

Then Shen Qing took the guard's spear and, amidst the puzzled gazes of the crowd, tied the Lingxiao Army flag to the spear shaft and raised it high into the sky. The flag fluttered, and the sharp blade rang out with a metallic sound as it was vibrated by internal force.

"Heroes never die! May their souls return!"

The demoralized soldiers were moved by what they saw and shouted in unison:

"Return, soul!"

Lu Yuan was moved and gratified; the Marquis had not chosen the wrong person!

Qi Shang's pupils dilated slightly. Had the morale been mobilized just like that?

Soldiers cleared the way, and Shen Qing rode at the head of the column, holding the reins in one hand and a gun in the other, his high-tied ponytail fluttering in the wind.

Such a procession naturally attracted the attention of the people who stopped to watch.

Wow, what a cool young lady...

Before he could finish speaking, a member of the crowd slapped him, shouting, "Shut up! Don't disrespect the widow of a martyr!"

People's hearts are fickle, and Shen Qingxi's reputation among the people suddenly reversed.

And so, Shen Qing carried Lu Shizi's belongings and the remnants of his troops to the residence of the Marquis of Yongyi.

The Lu family had been waiting in front of the mansion gate. Shen Qing dismounted and bowed to the two of them as a junior.

"My dear, please accept my condolences as I send the young master home. Uncle and Aunt, please take care of yourselves."

Dressed in plain clothes, Madam Yang couldn't help but wipe away her tears with her handkerchief upon hearing this. Lu Xun and Lu Yuan, being young, were saddened but also curious about this suddenly appearing older sister, and couldn't help but secretly peek at her.

"Third Sister, you're so kind." Even though he knew it was all an act, Lu Zhen couldn't help but be moved.

Shen Qing anticipated that the Lu family would inevitably be saddened by the sight of the object and would need space to express their emotions. Since it was inconvenient for outsiders to be present, she did not disturb them any further and took her leave after fulfilling her courtesy.

Yang was still kept in the dark, unaware of Lu Zhen's illness and the schemes of the Shen and Lu families. She only heard that the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat had declared that the marriage agreement between the two families would be honored as scheduled. After Shen Qing left, she wiped away her tears and said to Lu Zhen, "My lord, Yu'er is not blessed. We should not delay such a good girl. Let's call off the marriage."

Lu Zhen looked at his wife, who was more virtuous than strong, and sighed softly. It was time to tell her the truth.