The next day, dawn broke.
Many shops on Chang'an Street were already bustling with people; some were housekeepers carrying bamboo baskets, buying breakfast, while others were laborers, eating a simple flatbread before heading off to work.
Breakfast was somewhat monotonous; there were no items like steamed buns or bread.
The most common staple was flatbread, also the first choice for many workers.
Its taste wasn't necessarily great, but it was cheap and filling.
If one had some spare money, they would eat a bowl of meat porridge.
The meat porridge was stewed with millet, with some vegetable leaves and minced meat added.
Just one bowl of this cost fifteen coins!
"Hehe, did you all hear about the Prince's Manor banquet last night?"
"Old man, do you have any inside scoop?"
Lin Xianhong, sitting in the corner, paused her movements, looking at the meat porridge in her bowl without much enthusiasm.
She wasn't picky about food originally, but having gotten used to eating at the Prince's Manor, she really couldn't get used to the food outside.
Since being divorced, Lin Xianhong hadn't eaten a proper meal.
Each time, she only took a few bites, and now she had lost a lot of weight.
She had to go see Madam Gu today, so she got up early, also wanting to know about the banquet.
She pricked up her ears, listening intently.
The old man laughed heartily, "My elder brother has some connections, so I know some news.
Last night's banquet, Prince Ning truly shone, and even His Majesty graced Ning Royal Mansion with his presence."
"His Majesty went too?"
"Good heavens, that's really rare!"
"His Majesty usually doesn't leave the palace."
The old man picked up his earthenware bowl, slurping his meat porridge, and continued, "Prince Ning's banquet naturally invited distinguished guests.
Halfway through the drinking, General Gu proposed a drinking game.
Prince Ning was the gatekeeper, and the Grand Tutor was the official.
Guests asked questions one by one, and Prince Ning could answer all of them fluently.
Don't you think that's impressive?"
"Whoa, that strong?"
"Didn't they all say Prince Ning was just a good-for-nothing?"
"Old man, are you perhaps deceiving us?"
"This old man never lies." The old man's expression was calm, and he said with a smile, "You can also think, if Prince Ning didn't have real talent and learning, could he inherit the title of prince?"
"What about later in the banquet?"
"Haha, that was too interesting.
The drinking game went full circle, and Prince Ning could answer everything.
General Gu then wanted to have a drinking contest with the Prince, and guess what happened?"
Lin Xianhong's spirit lifted.
Drinking contest?
Something must have happened!
She couldn't help but smile.
Thinking of Ning Que's miserable state made her happy.
"Old man, don't keep us in suspense."
"Quickly tell us what exactly happened later?"
"General Gu's alcohol tolerance wasn't good, and he lost to the Prince.
This in itself would have been fine, but the key is that he publicly defecated.
This old man is not exaggerating; he directly sprayed General Gu's face, and the smell lingered for a long time.
This angered His Majesty, and the banquet ended."
"Sprayed… defecated?"
"This…"
"Ugh!!!"
"General Gu is known for his elegant demeanor; I never expected him to lose control like that.
This really brings honor to the Gu Family… Haha, he actually pooped in his pants in public, so funny!"
Everyone burst into laughter.
Lin Xianhong, however, stood up in shock.
How could that be?
Could it be that Gu Yuan drank poisoned wine?
This…
Lin Xianhong clenched her hands tightly.
She had no appetite left at this moment.
Gu Yuan was a true prodigy.
He was also a famous dashing talent in Chang'an.
Something like this happening, he must be feeling terrible!
Lin Xianhong threw down the money for the meal and was about to leave.
The maid followed closely behind her.
Then she saw the Ning Royal Mansion's carriage procession appear.
The four-horse royal carriage in the middle was very conspicuous.
"What's going on?"
"Don't you know yet? Xiao Ning now has the qualification to establish his own residence and rebuild the Three Guards.
Today, he's probably going to Jingyang County to select suitable people."
"Good heavens, I need to quickly notify people."
"If chosen, there will be no worries in the future!"
"No, I'm going too."
Lin Xianhong stared at them blankly, very confused.
Normally, upon hearing about military service, everyone was unwilling to go.
Some even cruelly broke their own legs to avoid it.
Why, upon hearing that Ning Que was going to form the Three Guards, did everyone flock to it?
"Hehe, some people regret it, don't they?"
The old man stroked his goatee, standing by the side with a half-smile, saying, "Some people, ah, just lack self-awareness.
They always think everything is their own ability, not realizing how much others have helped.
Now they have nothing, but there's no medicine for regret in this world."
"You…"
Lin Xianhong was about to retort, but saw that the old man had already left.
Did she regret it?
No!
She would not regret it!
...
Jingyang County.
Ning Que stepped down from the carriage.
In the distance, many people were busy in the fields.
Following the guidance of the agricultural officials, they were planting winter wheat.
"Is this Jingyang County?"
"Mm."
Samuer dismounted gracefully.
Behind her, Western Liang warriors followed.
As the West Liang Princess, she was naturally very skilled at riding horses.
She also disliked riding in carriages.
Samuer looked around, whispering, "I heard from my father that Great Feng's most elite army is the Northwest Wolf Army.
And the most elite of the Wolf Army are Prince Ning's personal guards, most of whom come from Jingyang County."
"My father also said that Old Prince Ning's personal guards were very special.
Logically, the higher the rank of a military officer, the better the treatment.
This is true everywhere.
But Old Prince Ning did the exact opposite; the salary of a chiliarch was not even as good as that of an ordinary soldier.
Whenever there was a disaster in various parts of Great Feng, Old Prince Ning would lead his personal guards to provide relief.
Wherever Old Prince Ning went, there would be laughter and joy."
"You know quite a lot."
Ning Que smiled.
This was the very soul of Ning Wang Three Guards.
Even after suffering over ninety percent casualties, they could still maintain their combat effectiveness.
Even when surrounded in Hulu Valley with no ammunition or food, no one surrendered.
They resisted the main force of Western Liang's siege for over a month, and finally, all of them died in battle!
"My father also said that he never thought an army could be managed like this.
Soldiers brave life and death for fame and fortune.
But Prince Ning's personal guards were completely different; no matter how they were tempted, not a single one surrendered; they were true warriors!"
Ning Que just smiled.
This could be understood as faith!
Faith seems intangible, but it can be indestructible.
Samuer, however, looked serious.
Western Liang people have always respected warriors.
After Old Prince Ning and his personal guards died in battle, they collected their bodies and returned them all to Great Feng, without any conditions.
If it were anyone else, not desecrating the corpses would be considered good.
"Let's go."
"You will see what you want to see."
"When you go back, I hope you can tell them."
"Since an alliance was signed, you should abide by it."
"If war breaks out again, I will lead my personal guards to destroy your country!"
Ning Que's face held no smile.
At this moment, he was indescribably serious.
He brought Samuer here precisely to let her witness firsthand how he would re-establish his personal guards.
Through this method, he would completely eliminate Western Liang's intentions.
"I will." Samuer was very composed, then changed the subject, "However, as I told you before.
Gu Yuan humiliated my sister-in-law to death; we will definitely settle this score."
"If you can do it, that's best."
Ning Que said no more, looking into the distance.
News of his return had already spread.
More and more common people gathered.
"Prince!"
"We've come to sign up!"