Chapter 22: She’s also a good actress
At this very moment, Gu Yu felt as if he were at a modern-day concert. A group of fans, having finally seen the idol they had longed for, could only release their joy through loud shouts and wildly waving arms, wishing they could leap directly in front of their idol.
However, their fervent gazes were almost becoming tangible in Gu Yu’s eyes.
Normally, when they went out, the young women and little wives who always liked to stare at him were now waving their arms at Gu Mengyao, completely disregarding their composure.
To them, Gu Mengyao was not only someone to respect and envy, but also someone they deeply admired.
She had joined the military as a woman, the daughter of a high-ranking official in her prime, not only repelling the soldiers of the enemy country but also achieving victory against a stronger foe!
After all, when the news from the border first reached the capital, the bad news of multiple countries’ soldiers gathering could not be concealed.
If it weren’t for the Iron-blooded methods previously used by Empress Bai Qian to suppress the officials, the circle of nobility in the capital would have likely collapsed first. In their state of great anxiety, they were even more distressed, unsure of what fate awaited them.
The country shattered, the family destroyed.
They would die with it!
Just as the many ministers were filled with endless anxiety, the price of ironware and grain in Linfeng Kingdom began to rise, puzzling the civilians who were still unaware of the news.
As the saying goes, good things never leave home, but bad things travel a thousand miles.
Some officials who were not convinced by Empress Bai Qian’s authority could not let this opportunity pass them by. They directly sent people to spread the news from the border battlefields, letting everyone know how dire the current situation was.
The speed at which rumors spread was hardly any different from an epidemic, and soon the people of the capital became aware of it.
This was as good as stirring up a hornet’s nest.
Not only were the citizens filled with fear and anxiety, but some even took advantage of the situation to commit robbery and offenses, acting as if they were enjoying themselves in the moment, much to the cold amusement of the officials who came to apprehend them.
The higher-ups had their worries, and the lower-downs had their fears.
As for those who were neither here nor there, they didn’t need to think too much. Simply following Empress Bai Qian was enough.
Just do your job and collect your pay, whoever gives them silver is the boss!
After all, no matter what, the situation had already developed to this point, and no amount of fear or panic could change it.
Moreover, according to their buddies in the Imperial Guard, after this matter spread, Empress Bai Qian continued to do whatever she was supposed to do, ate well, and completely disregarded it.
Such confidence also boosted the morale of those below, and their courage surged infinitely.
If the woman who had reached the highest position in Linfeng Kingdom didn’t possess the ability to plan and strategize, they wouldn’t believe it even if they were beaten to death.
What’s more, this time Gu Mengyao personally donned her armor and led the troops to confront the enemy.
Even though the numbers of both sides were unequal, the Imperial Guards stubbornly believed that the final victorious country would be Linfeng Kingdom.
Because their country had Gu Mengyao personally leading the campaign!
Those who didn’t know Gu Mengyao might look down on her because she was a woman, but those who did know her knew that she was not to be underestimated.
Anyone who underestimated her would eventually be deeply shocked.
Even among men, no one was as powerful as Gu Mengyao…
So, while the Imperial Guards remained calm and composed, the government soldiers also decided to proceed according to the old pattern.
Not blindly following the trend.
Just like these fellows who were greedy for temporary pleasure, thinking that the future was bleak, they didn’t care even if punishment and long-term detention awaited them.
However, they didn’t know that if they encountered bad luck, they might even be exiled to remote areas to do hard labor.
If Linfeng Kingdom managed to repel those enemy troops, these people wouldn’t even have time to cry.
Now, the results were out.
Those people had lost their gamble.
It was time to accept their punishment and pay the price for their previous foolishness.
“A’yu, why is the entry into the city so grand this time? We’ve had several victories before, but nothing like this fanfare.”
As Gu Yu and Gu Mengyao rode their horses at the front of the procession, because of their proximity, Gu Yu could hear Gu Mengyao’s quiet words.
Gu Yu tilted his head slightly and looked at Gu Mengyao’s stern expression, almost spitting out his laughter. He really didn’t expect his little wife to be such a good actress.
If Gu Mengyao hadn’t also tilted her head and winked, Gu Yu would have doubted if he had just hallucinated.
However, since Gu Mengyao wanted to put on a show, Gu Yu wouldn’t be so tactless as to ruin it at this moment. So, he spoke in the same tone, “Before, we were always at the back of the formation. Even if we were a little further ahead, it wasn’t as satisfying as this reversal of winning against the odds.”
Gu Yu smiled, speaking with his lips barely moving, which made Gu Mengyao stare in surprise, thinking that her little husband was also a master!
Was this ventriloquism???
Indeed, what can’t Gu Yu do!!!
“Is it that exaggerated? This war ended more easily than usual, and I didn’t feel much. It just felt like… um, a funded trip, yes, that’s the word.”
It had to be said that Gu Mengyao and Gu Yu were truly a couple; they were flawless when it came to putting on an act.
The two rode their horses forward leisurely, ignoring the noisy sounds around them, appearing as pleasant as strolling in the countryside.
Not to mention their handsome and beautiful appearance; just looking at them was pleasing to the eye.
At least, compared to those rough and burly generals with beards half a foot long and bell-shaped eyes as wide as saucers, who looked like fierce ghosts that could guard a house in an ordinary family, Gu Mengyao and Gu Yu were simply fairies and celestial beings descended from heaven!
Their outstanding looks, like a crane standing out among a flock of chickens, directly made the people of the capital support and love them even more.
In this world that judges by appearance, it has always been this way, no matter which dynasty!
“Mengyao, you’re learning quickly! I also feel that this war was resolved very quickly. I hope that after the Witch Priest dies, there won’t be any more trouble.”
Upon hearing Gu Mengyao’s reply, Gu Yu’s lips curled into a wry smile, thinking that although this war was easy, it didn’t mean that future wars would be the same.
As long as there was war, there would be bloodshed and death.
Using explosives to scare the other party was merely a temporary measure. Once the other party figured out more secrets about explosives, targeted countermeasures would likely emerge.
Therefore, Gu Yu did not regard explosives as the only means, and placed more hope on Gu Qingheng.
That’s right, his own cheap brother-in-law.
Although explosives were a temporary measure, they could buy a few years. During this time, Gu Qingheng would also grow a few years older and likely gain more influence in the imperial court.
At that time, helping Empress Bai Qian conquer other countries would prevent wars from happening again.
As for other matters, such as killing the donkey after it has served its purpose, those were things Gu Qingheng would need to consider in advance.
And he and Gu Mengyao would lead their children around to play, while also earning countless amounts of silver, making him feel incredibly happy just thinking about it!