In a lounge, Xiuxiu was curled up on the sofa. Her tears were not dry and she stopped crying. She stared blankly at the paintings on the opposite wall. Xiang Xiaoqiang and Qiu Qiu sat beside her.
Qiu Qiu took a handkerchief and lovingly wiped the tears on her face.
On the contrary, Xiang Xiaoqiang seemed a little uncomfortable. The fiancée who was so frivolous and frivolous in the morning turned into a princess at night. This was a huge change.
At this time, Xiang Xiaoqiang should have hugged Xiuxiu in his arms and comforted her, but Xiang Xiaoqiang had a psychological barrier. He was restrained and timid, for fear that Xiuxiu would think that the person he was hugging was not Xiuxiu, but the princess.
In fact, this is Xiang Xiaoqiang's standard way of using oneself to save others. At this moment, Xiuxiu huddled up with her arms folded around her body, feeling extremely lonely in her heart. She very much hoped that Xiang Xiaoqiang could hug her like he did in the car in the morning. But this person who likes to take advantage of others on weekdays
The man she was cheap with was now like Liu Xiahui, who couldn't be more well-behaved. She was not as bold as Qiu Qiu, and she would never be able to take the initiative to throw herself into someone's arms.
"Oh, look at you two!" Qiu Qiu couldn't stand it anymore and pushed Xiuxiu towards Xiaoqiang. She felt sour in her heart and said angrily, "Xiaoqiang, Xiuxiu is so pitiful, you just sit there stupidly."
Xiuxiu fell into Xiang Xiaoqiang's arms, pressed her face against his chest, sniffed twice, and was as gentle as a kitten.
Xiang Xiaoqiang hugged this real Ryukyu princess, his heart was beating fast, he didn't dare to touch around with his hands, he just tried to comfort her clumsily.
...God, is this considered a treasure?
Just now, Xiuxiu had categorically refused to admit that the King of Ryukyu was her father, and only admitted that she was her mother's daughter. Asked Xiaoqiang how she recognized Concubine Chen, Xiuxiu just said that when she was at Ningbo Naval University, her mother was seriously ill.
, the family had no money and had no choice. She received a telegram from her younger brother saying that her mother asked her to go to Prince Shang's Mansion in Nanjing to ask for living expenses. Xiuxiu was very surprised at the time. She didn't know why her mother was sick, so she could ask for living expenses from Prince Shang's Mansion. Then she thought about it,
My surname is also Shang, so maybe I have some relatives in Prince Shang's palace.
When she arrived in Nanjing, she timidly went to Prince Shang's Mansion and reported her mother's name. Unexpectedly, just like poking a hornet's nest, a lady asked someone to bring her in. She was first interrogated like a thief, and then she was humiliated and scolded.
She scolded her mother for what she did to King Shang back then, and said many unpleasant things. Xiuxiu heard it like a thunderbolt and didn't believe it at all. After the empress finished scolding, someone drove Xiuxiu out, and she knelt down and begged, regardless of Xiuxiu.
, not even a penny.
Xiuxiu was eager to save her mother and came to beg her for several days. Finally, the crown prince Shangrong went out and passed by the door. He saw that this girl looked a bit like him and she might be her sister. On a whim, he took out a few Mingyang from his pocket and threw it to her.
But this act, like sending away a beggar, finally angered Xiuxiu. She threw down the few banknotes and left Prince Shang's Mansion without looking back. At that time, she cried and swore that she would never step into this place again in her life.
place.
Finally, he returned to school and spoke to Qiuqiu. Without saying a word, Qiuqiu asked her family for a sum of money to give to Xiuxiu, saving her mother's life.
Xiang Xiaoqiang and Qiu Qiu looked at each other, and Qiu Qiu nodded, indicating that this was the case.
Xiu Xiu started sobbing again and said to Qiu Qiu:
"I'm sorry... I never have the money to pay back, Qiu Qiu, I..."
"What are you talking about!" Qiu Qiu pretended to hit her, "Begging for a beating!"
Xiang Xiaoqiang asked: "That empress is this Concubine Chen, right?"
Xiuxiu nodded.
As for who Xiuxiu's mother was and how she met Ryukyu King Shanggui back then, Xiang Xiaoqiang and Qiu Qiu were very curious, but they both knew it was best not to inquire about this matter. This was a pain point in Xiuxiu's heart.
"To your lord."
Xiuxiu clung to Xiang Xiaoqiang's arms and whispered.
"Ahem," Xiang Xiaoqiang looked at Qiu Qiu and said coquettishly, "Xiuxiu, you should do the same as Qiu Qiu and call me Xiaoqiang."
Xiang Xiaoqiang obviously felt that Xiuxiu's heartbeat was speeding up. After a while, he heard Xiuxiu still shouting in a low voice:
"To...my lord."
Alas, this girl hesitated for a long time, but still couldn't change her words. Maybe she was like him at the moment, the more she wanted to avoid this princess status, the more timid she became. Isn't Xiuxiu afraid that she would think that she was using her noble status to speak arrogantly?
At least tonight, when this incident first came out, she would never dare to change her name to "Xiaoqiang".
Xiang Xiaoqiang sighed:
"What's wrong?"
"I...I don't want to go get the medal. I...just want to stay in this room."
"Gah?" Qiu Qiu became anxious upon hearing this, "How can this be done? This is Her Majesty the Queen..."
Xiang Xiaoqiang stopped Qiu Qiu, mustered up his courage, held up Xiuxiu's face, stared at the porcelain doll-like skin and tearful eyes, and said slowly:
"Xiuxiu, you have to be brave. Don't care about Concubine Chen at all. Remember, you are the princess of the Ryukyu Kingdom. No one can change this. Those people outside will only envy you. As soon as you go out, they will come over
To please you..."
Xiuxiu gently broke away from his hand, took a deep breath, and said firmly:
"Sir Xiang, from now on, the word 'princess' will never be mentioned again. I have nothing to do with that family. I am just my mother's daughter... I have never had a father. I am Xiuxiu, a member of the Ming Dynasty Navy
Second lieutenant, Mr. Xiang’s adjutant. I still..."
She blushed, bit her lip, and it took her a while to muster the courage to continue:
"Still... still Mr. Xiang's fiancée."
Xiang Xiaoqiang's heart warmed, and he felt a sense of relief spread throughout his body. He hugged Xiuxiu into his arms again and kissed her lips gently.
Qiu Qiu stood up and murmured:
"I'm going... I'm going to see if the awarding ceremony has started."
Then he went out quietly.
…
Tonight's "main course" - the investiture ceremony has begun.
Concubine Chen and the Crown Prince thought that Xiuxiu came here tonight just to accompany Xiang Xiaoqiang as his fiancée. When they saw the Queen Zhu Yourong personally put a first-class plum blossom medal on Xiuxiu's chest, their eyes
All straight.
At this point, Xiu Xiu, like Qiu Qiu, finally received the first-class Plum Blossom Medal.
Lieutenant Colonel Rommel, staff officer of the People's Guard Mobile Force, Major Gao Dayi, commander of the 1st Motorized Rifle Regiment, Major Zhang Ruhai, commander of the 1st Motorized Rifle Regiment, Major Sun Baoguo, commander of the 2nd Motorized Rifle Regiment, Major Fan Boping, commander of the 3rd Motorized Rifle Regiment,
Captain Shi Shengli, commander of the 1st Tank Battalion, each received a first-class Plum Blossom Medal.
People's Guard Commander Xiang Xiaoqiang, People's Guard Mobile Force Commander Li Gensheng, and Capital Garrison Commander Wang Hantang each received a higher-level Suzaku Medal, Level 2.
Several division commanders under Wang Hantang who were effective in combat also received the First-Class Plum Blossom Medal. Among them was Hou Hekun, commander of the 26th Division, the commander who humiliated deserters. He himself was wounded and came here with his arm hanging.
After the medals were distributed, these people stood together wearing their medals while photographers took pictures.
Just when everyone was about to come forward to congratulate them, a loud announcement was made at the door:
"Chief of General Staff of the Supreme Command - Mr. Zhang Zhaoxian is here!"
Everyone murmured for a while and moved out of the way. A gray-haired old marshal strode in holding his hat and holding his sword.
This is another heavyweight figure. Everyone is guessing in their hearts, has there been any change in the war situation and has come to report to His Majesty? Or is the old marshal unable to stand His Majesty's "medal party" and has come to advise?
But looking at His Majesty's confident smile and the two officers holding something behind Zhang Zhaoxian, everyone felt that it was not what they imagined.
The old marshal Zhang Zhao looked serious at first, bowed to Zhu Yourong, then turned around, looked at the row of young people wearing medals, and smiled.
Phew! Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, it seems that they are not here to be unhappy with His Majesty.
Zhang Zhaoxian ordered:
"Capital Garrison Commander Lieutenant General Wang Hantang, People's Guard Commander Colonel Xiang Xiaoqiang, please step forward."
Wang Hantang and Xiang Xiaoqiang didn't have time to think too much. They raised their legs and stepped forward neatly.
Zhang Zhaoxian smiled slightly and announced:
"In view of the outstanding talents and outstanding contributions shown by the two men in the battle to defend Nanjing, after study by the Supreme Command and the Army General Staff, and with the approval of His Majesty, today Lieutenant General Wang Hantang is promoted to the rank of General, and Xiang Xiaoqiang is promoted to Colonel
To the rank of major general."
With a gesture, the two officers beside him held two trays and stood next to Xiang Xiaoqiang and Wang Hantang. Zhang Zhao first took off their epaulettes and collar badges, then picked up new epaulettes and collar badges from the tray and put them on for them.
Xiang Xiaoqiang felt a burst of ecstasy in his heart, his chest was beating non-stop, and he tried hard to control his expression, but finally couldn't control it and grinned widely.
Looking to the side, Wang Hantang was also grinning from ear to ear, with the same surprise expression on his face. It seemed that he had no prior knowledge.
Zhang Zhao first gave Xiang Xiaoqiang the rank of major general, shook hands with him, and said with a smile:
"Congratulations, General."
To the general!
From now on, I am a general! The military rank is finally commensurate with my position as "commander".
Xiang Xiaoqiang's face flushed with excitement, and he held the old marshal's hand tightly:
"Thank you, sir!"
Then he stood at attention and saluted. Zhang Zhao also saluted him first.
Xiang Xiaoqiang realized that he might be the youngest general in the history of the Ming Dynasty. He couldn't help but feel a lot of emotions in his heart. He had only been in the Ming Dynasty for more than a month. At the beginning, he was just an "intermittent paranoid" patient who was released from the Jinyiwei ward without even a piece of clothing.
No. Today he has become a young general. Isn't there a movie called "From a Slave to a General"? Although I have a higher starting point than a "slave", I can still be regarded as "from a young strong to a general"...
Zhang Zhaoxian took another set of military uniforms from his entourage and presented them to Xiang Xiaoqiang. Xiang Xiaoqiang took them with both hands respectfully.
Wang Hantang originally wore a general officer's uniform. When he was promoted to military rank, he only had to change his collar insignia and epaulettes. But Xiang Xiaoqiang originally only had a school officer's uniform, so he was given a general officer's uniform.
Xiang Xiaoqiang held up this precious general's uniform and saw that under the big-brimmed hat, the uniform was folded squarely. The cut and decoration were a grade higher than his own. And it seemed to be made of all wool. Of course, it was much more than that.
There are also summer uniforms, spring and autumn uniforms, military uniforms, training uniforms, military uniforms, coats, cloaks, new swords, guns, leather boots... This is just a ceremony.
After the awarding was completed, the two people turned back and faced the guests in the venue, receiving a flood of applause. There were a few more flashes of white smoke, and the photographer captured this moment in the image.
The subordinates of the two men below clapped most enthusiastically, applauding their superiors. Especially Xiang Xiaoqiang’s people, their palms turned red with excitement, and their faces turned red with excitement. They knew that Xiang Xiaoqiang had been promoted to general.
Soon it will be time for them to rise to the occasion.
Qiu Qiu clapped her hands excitedly, her face full of happiness. Xiu Xiu also smiled. She felt that this was God's compensation. Although she had experienced the pain of revealing her identity tonight, she was now facing Xiang Xiaoqiang.
Compensation came back. Xiang Xiaoqiang is now his only support, as well as the support of his mother and younger brother. If anything happens in the future, he will no longer have to go to Prince Shang’s Mansion to beg for money from that family... Xiu Xiu held tears in her eyes and felt sorry for Xiang Xiaoqiang from the bottom of her heart.
Be happy and happy for yourself.
The core awarding and awarding ceremony was completed, and amidst applause, tonight entered into the actual core program.
The buffet started, and the atmosphere returned to its original casualness. The guests carried champagne and dinner plates, gathered around the dining table to eat their favorite food, and laughed and chatted in groups of twos and threes.
The center of the topic is nothing more than two: Xiang Xiaoqiang, the youngest general who was newly released tonight, and the mysterious Ryukyu princess-Shangxiu.
In order to protect Xiuxiu, Xiang Xiaoqiang asked Qiuqiu to send her back early, and then come back to be his female companion.
In full view of everyone, the "mysterious princess" with a medal hanging on her head lowered her head, wrapped in Xiang Xiaoqiang's coat, and protected by Qiu Qiu in her arms, she quickly passed through the talking crowd and floated away.
Experienced guests all realize that there will be exciting topics in the upper class of Ming Dynasty for a long time to come.
Besides, there will probably be some reaction in the tabloids tomorrow.
Zhu Yourong didn't know what was going on because she came late. She felt that the center of attention at this time should be hers. But when she saw that everyone was talking about Shang Xiu enthusiastically, and some said "Princess, Princess",
Only after asking did I find out about the previous scene.
Reason told her that her status was not suitable for inquiring into such gossip, but women's curiosity was very strong. Zhu Yourong was scratching his heart, and finally couldn't help it. He called Concubine Chen over and asked a few roundabout questions.
.
Concubine Chen did not dare to hide it from Zhu Yourong, but she was not willing to admit that Xiuxiu was the daughter of Prince Shang. She just said that this girl had come to Prince Shang's palace once to ask for money. Who knew her details? But Zhu Yourong thought of Shangxiu and Shanggui,
Shang Rong's appearance is immediately understandable.
Zhu Yourong sipped the sour champagne in his mouth, feeling a little frustrated for no reason in his heart.
...It can be seen that Xiang Xiaoqiang loves Qiu Qiu very much. But no matter how much he loves Qiu Qiu, Qiu Qiu is just the daughter of a gangster, and her status is far from his. Now he has Shang Xiu by his side. Although she is
She is an illegitimate daughter, but her noble bloodline is about to catch up with him... Moreover, her appearance is not inferior to his at all...
Zhu Yourong was absently playing with the ivory-handled folding fan in his hand, and suddenly woke up: Why should I compete with them? What is the need to compete with them? It's really inexplicable...
She subconsciously took off her gloves, grabbed the cold champagne glass, and then put her palms on her hot cheeks to cool down...
Xiang Xiaoqiang was both excited and embarrassed tonight. Because both topics were closely related to him, he naturally became the center of attention in the next few hours.
Although it was a Western-style buffet, many people still followed Chinese customs and went over to toast to Xiang Xiaoqiang. Xiang Xiaoqiang was poured a lot of drinks. Qiu Qiu felt sorry for her husband, so she stepped forward and drank a lot for him. Xiang Xiaoqiang
Only then did I realize that Qiu Qiu was quite a drinker.
Fortunately, the alcohol content of the champagne was low. If it had been wine, with so many glasses, the two of them would have had to get under the table.
Xiang Xiaoqiang was in this kind of situation for the first time, and he was the center of the topic. Naturally, he was no match for these salon veterans. He said a lot of wrong things and made a lot of jokes throughout the night. More than one person jokingly called him "the Prince Consort".
Zheng Gongyin even pulled his arm and asked jokingly, did he realize that the thing in his hand was a treasure, so he hurriedly sent it home for fear of being stolen here? Zheng Yutang also came and patted his shoulder, half-seriously.
I asked him, half-assedly, what was the secret to snagging a princess?
Xiang Xiaoqiang was naturally ashamed and embarrassed.
While dancing, Xiang Xiaoqiang discovered that in addition to being a good drinker, Qiu Qiu was also a very good dancer. Not only was she good at waltzing, but she could also dance tango, which was just becoming popular at the time and was very difficult!
Xiang Xiaoqiang couldn't dance, so he was forced to dance a few waltzes by Zheng Yucong and several other young female officers. After stepping on all their shoes, he fainted and fell down on the sofa to watch others dance.
Qiu Qiu danced on the stage, almost from beginning to end, from the elegant British waltz, to the unrestrained Viennese waltz, to the wild tango, she didn't miss a single one, becoming the star of the dance floor tonight, almost
It overshadowed Zhu Yourong.
Xiang Xiaoqiang looked at Qiu Qiu on the field, his face turned red and covered with sweat. He was dancing with all his strength and suddenly felt a little distressed.