12dz Chapter 677 Aunt
Chapter 677 Aunt
Being forced into something feels unpleasant, at least Lin Ping doesn't like it.
Even though he would have to go to the Daye Dynasty sooner or later, Lin Ping didn't want to do it this way.
But he couldn't refuse. First, he couldn't beat Lin Hao, and second, he didn't want to go against his mother's wishes.
Based on Lin Hao's vague answer, Lin Ping could roughly guess his mother's condition; even if she was still alive, she was probably terminally ill.
He was a filial son at heart and didn't want his stubbornness to worsen his mother's condition, so he reluctantly agreed.
Even so, he was still resentful, which is why he beat up Lin Hao.
Starting from Tianmu Mountain, the journey to Shuntian Prefecture, the capital of the Daye Dynasty, is nearly two thousand li (approximately 1,000 kilometers) and takes almost ten days even at a moderate pace.
After crossing countless mountains and rivers, and traversing countless dense forests and marshes, the two finally appeared before the Shuntian Prefecture.
"Is this the Shuntian Prefecture that has been prosperous for hundreds of years?" Lin Ping exclaimed, looking up at the towering city walls.
In this era of cold weapons, the Great Wall, stretching for thousands of miles, was the best barrier against northern nomadic tribes.
This destined Shuntian Prefecture to be a strategic location fought over by military strategists. During the Northern and Southern Dynasties, Shuntian Prefecture was known as Youzhou, and it began to prosper from that time onwards.
Throughout the Sui and Tang dynasties, the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, and up to the Song dynasty, the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun were constantly embroiled in war.
During the Yuan Dynasty, Shuntian Prefecture first appeared as the capital.
Since then, Shuntian Prefecture has maintained its status as the capital for a thousand years.
Facing this future capital, Lin Ping felt a surge of emotions.
The two entered through Yongding Gate and began to step into the outer city of Shuntian Prefecture.
This place is a gathering place for merchants, and the chaotic streets are bustling with crowds.
"This is just the outer city of Shuntian Prefecture. The streets are narrow and chaotic. If we go into the capital, the situation will be completely different," Lin Hao explained, seeing Lin Ping's dazed expression.
Lin Ping naturally knew the secret behind it.
Shuntian Prefecture was divided into four cities. The outer city was in the south, the capital city was in the north, the capital city contained the imperial city, and the imperial city contained the palace city, also known as the Forbidden City.
The inner three cities were the only ones that could truly be considered part of Shuntian Prefecture. After the Daye Dynasty established its capital there, the city was planned and constructed by the imperial court, resulting in streets that were not only neat and orderly but also spacious and accessible.
The outer city was a product of commerce. Wealthy merchants from all over gathered there built houses and residences on their own initiative, without any planning, which led to the chaotic situation.
Furthermore, land in Shuntian Prefecture was extremely valuable, and the streets were pitifully narrow.
After passing through the bustling outer city, the two arrived at the south side of Zhengyang Gate.
Looking at the five-zhang-high city wall, Lin Ping sighed. It was not even in the same league as the city wall of Yingtian Prefecture.
Lin Ping involuntarily stuck out his tongue, suddenly feeling as insignificant as a blade of grass.
He had originally had a slight idea to attack Shuntian Prefecture, but now that idea has been abandoned.
Regardless of how many soldiers are inside the city, once the city gates are closed, even a million-strong army cannot enter.
Not only were the city walls magnificent and spectacular, but the soldiers guarding the city were also full of energy, as if they had been injected with chicken blood.
After a thorough search, the two were finally able to enter.
"This is the place I arranged with your aunt. You'd better behave yourself later," Lin Hao earnestly instructed.
"I want to change my name," Lin Ping suddenly said.
He is a renowned general of the Wu Kingdom and is acquainted with Bai Tiantian. If he were to reveal his real name, he would likely be exposed.
When Bai Tiantian arrests him, all the missions will be in vain.
"Changing your name is fine, so Qingge won't know about your romantic history." Lin Hao gave Lin Ping a disdainful look, clearly saying: This isn't hereditary, absolutely not!
"Let's call him Lin Wuqing!" Lin Ping said.
This is his usual name, which not only allows him to remain anonymous but also gives people a sense of "keep away."
He also wanted to use this method to keep Meng Qingge away from him.
"How can I fulfill my mother's wish? What if Meng Qingge doesn't like me?" Lin Ping asked, mustering his courage.
But in his heart he thought something else entirely: "What a joke, how could Meng Qingge not like me? With Master Ping standing there, I guarantee she'll be completely infatuated with me."
A shadow fell over Lin Hao's face as he said seriously, "If I don't win her favor, I won't have fulfilled your mother's wish. I will kill you and then commit suicide!"
"Are you out of your mind?" Lin Ping cursed.
Will he be killed if he doesn't win Meng Qingge's affection?
Is there no justice left? Lin Ping seriously doubted that he was not his biological son.
He even considered changing the name to something more approachable.
“I’m not joking with you. In my heart, your mother will always be number one. If you fail to complete the mission, she will be heartbroken, and I will naturally have to kill you. After I kill you, she will also be heartbroken, so I will take my own life.”
Lin Hao said with a cold expression, his stern tone leaving no room for argument.
Lin Ping broke out in a cold sweat and nodded repeatedly, saying, "I will definitely win Meng Qingge's favor and I promise to fulfill Mother's wish."
"Lin Hao, is that you? Where's Qing'er?" At that moment, a sweet voice came from behind.
He slightly raised his eyes and saw a beautiful woman glaring angrily at Lin Hao.
"Ping'er greets Auntie." Lin Ping immediately recognized the person's identity and bowed respectfully.
This is Meng Qingge's mother, who controls the other party's marriage. As long as you appease her, you can naturally marry Meng Qingge.
Lin Ping was an expert at winning over his mother-in-law.
As expected, the beautiful woman raised an eyebrow and smiled, "What a good child. Let your aunt take a good look at him."
The beautiful woman looked Lin Ping up and down without any hesitation, nodding repeatedly, clearly satisfied with his appearance. However, her tattered clothes made her frown.
"Twenty years have passed, and you're still as poor as ever. Don't you even have enough money to buy your child a new outfit?" the beautiful woman angrily rebuked.
In front of her, Lin Hao had no temper at all, and was more like a child who had made a mistake.
"Let me introduce you. This is your mother's best friend," Lin Hao said, pointing to the beautiful woman.
"Just call me Aunt Huang." The beautiful woman smiled gently; even though she was old and her beauty had faded, she still possessed a stunning charm.
"How come the years haven't left any marks on her face?" Lin Ping asked, puzzled, before finally offering a smile: "Junior Lin Pingzhao greets Aunt Huang."
"This child is quite handsome, just like Qing'er back then. But clothes make the man, and this outfit is rather worn out. Your aunt will take you to buy some clothes." Huang Jiayu clearly liked Lin Ping.
Lin Ping was a great general, how could he not afford a piece of clothing? However, the journey to the capital was long, and even the most luxurious clothes were covered in dust.
"Although the clothes are old, they were sewn by my mother stitch by stitch, so I dare not complain about them," Lin Ping said sincerely.
Lin Hao was immediately stunned and had to admire Lin Ping's acting skills.
He had never even seen his mother, let alone sewed clothes by hand.
"Qing'er, don't worry, this boy will definitely be able to marry Meng Qingge." Lin Hao nodded in satisfaction.
If a handsome guy who can lie without blushing and whose lips are slick with honey can't find a wife, then all the men in the world are probably bachelors.