Chapter 112 "If Ah Lang could know this from beyond the grave, he would think..."

Ji Chengning and Cui Yao exchanged a glance, both seeing a thoughtful look in each other's eyes.

“Ah Yao”.

Cui Yao snapped out of her daze.

Ji Chengning shook his sleeve, and Cui Yao then realized that her fingers had somehow hooked onto his sleeve. The young marquis laughed and said, "Since you're so reluctant to part with me, why don't you hang yourself on my waist?"

Cui Yao smiled slightly, "I would like to," he also stood up with Ji Chengning, his clear voice ringing in his ears, and he chuckled softly, "I'm just afraid Chengning will find me a nuisance."

Ji Chengnin flicked his finger and tapped him on the lips. "That's a heartless thing to say."

He stepped out the door, thought for a moment, then turned back. "If I come back late today, don't wait for me for dinner, okay?"

Cui Yao lowered his head, neither saying yes nor no.

Ji Chengning went out and saw an unfamiliar eunuch standing in the main hall. Upon seeing Ji Chengning, the eunuch first greeted him respectfully and said in a soft voice, "Young Marquis, please come with me to the palace."

Ji Chengning nodded slightly, and the two rode back to the palace. Ji Chengning glanced at the man out of the corner of his eye and saw that he was following him closely, about three steps away.

"May I ask your name, sir?"

"Your Highness, my surname is Xu."

“Oh,” Ji Chengnin smiled slightly, “Eunuch Xu, but Eunuch Qin is nowhere to be seen today.”

Eunuch Xu lowered his head, "Teacher Qin has other important matters to attend to."

Ji Chengning's eyes narrowed slightly. He looked at Eunuch Xu again, but the man was still very respectful, his face looking like it was covered with a clay mask. Knowing he wouldn't get anything out of him, he turned away.

They remained silent the entire way.

Upon arriving at the palace, Ji Chengning felt that the atmosphere was unusually different today. The autumn wind was chilly, whistling through the passageway. He was followed by palace servants, but he could not hear a single word spoken. Only the sound of footsteps and the wind mingled together.

It was exceptionally quiet and deserted.

Eunuch Xu led him to the Imperial Study, quietly opened the door, and said inside, "Your Majesty, the Heir Apparent of the Marquis of Yongning has arrived."

Ji Chengning saw a tall figure standing by the window from afar. He quickly stepped forward, bowed, and greeted His Majesty, "Your subject Ji Chengning greets Your Majesty."

"Creak—"

The door was closed again.

The last ray of sunlight danced on the magnificent dragon pattern on the man's robe, shining brightly, before being abruptly cut off at the dragon's eyes.

Everything fell into darkness.

The emperor stood by the window, silent.

Ji Chengnin wasn't in a hurry. Ever since he was punished by kneeling for a night, he had no more unease about the emperor making people kneel and wait.

However, his second uncle's words reached his ears again, "The various barbarian tribes outside Changyang Pass have always been eyeing us covetously. Back then, the heir of the Tilan tribe was killed, and now..."

Ji Chengning took a deep breath and caught a glimpse of something.

After a long while, the emperor seemed to wake up from a dream and came back to his senses. He seemed to only then notice Ji Chengnin. "Chengnin, get up."

Ji Chengnin stood up.

The emperor's tone carried a hint of intimate complaint, "You've been corrupted by your second uncle, and you're growing increasingly distant from me." He tilted his head slightly, "Please take a seat."

Immediately, a palace servant brought forward a soft cushion.

Ji Chengnin sat down.

The emperor continued, "I remember the first time you came to the Imperial Study, you weren't even as tall as the desk. Such a big child, yet you were quite bold. You ignored everyone else and only wanted me to carry you."

The emperor's tone revealed a hint of melancholy.

Ji Chengnin looked up in disbelief, only to find himself face to face with the emperor.

The latter was truly filled with nostalgia.

Ji Chengnin's heart skipped a beat, and that nauseating feeling, as if he had swallowed human flesh, began to surge up again. Stomach acid eroded his throat, causing severe pain, but his expression remained unchanged as he respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, I was young and ignorant in the past, and my behavior was unrestrained. It was entirely thanks to Your Majesty's tolerance that I am who I am today."

The emperor stared at him without blinking.

His gaze lingered for a few seconds.

His voice was becoming more and more like Ji Lin's, and more and more like his own voice after he ascended the throne... His thoughts were abruptly cut off. The emperor composed himself and said, "Show the military report to the young marquis."

A palace servant presented a military report, which Ji Chengnin received with both hands.

He skimmed through the content, his expression growing increasingly grim as he read.

How dare these barbarians do such a thing...!

By the end, I was completely expressionless.

He looked up, and his usually affectionate eyes were now filled with a murderous intent, a chilling light that sent shivers down one's spine.

And I am also relieved.

The emperor was naturally pleased.

He had already guessed what Ji Chengnin would say.

Sure enough, the military report rang out with a whoosh, and the long, slender hands, bruised and battered from countless battles, stretched taut under the strain.

The next second, Ji Chengnin knelt down on one knee, gave a solemn military salute, and cupped his hands, saying, "Your Majesty, please appoint me as a general. Even if I die ten thousand times, I will definitely recover the lost territory, drive away the barbarians, and restore peace to the people on the frontier!"

It was a resounding statement.

The military report fell at Ji Chengnin's feet, and because its owner used too much force, it was torn open, leaving a gaping hole.

The emperor's eyes shone with even greater satisfaction. He strode forward and patted Ji Chengnin on the shoulder, saying, "Good, good, good. I knew it. Only you, only you."

Only Ji Chengning could be so fearless, not seeking rewards after success, nor fearing blame after defeat, and advancing relentlessly despite being outnumbered.

He looked at the young man in front of him, felt the cold, hard touch of his palm, and was momentarily stunned.

"In addition to the Zhongzhou army, the Cangzhou army will also be available for your command on this expedition. You can control the troops of both states. As long as you need them, the court will provide them without hesitation. You don't need to think about anything else," the emperor said, patting Ji Chengning's shoulder heavily as if to cover something up. "I only want you to return in triumph."

"yes!"

The emperor looked at Ji Chengnin's face. The youthful innocence and delicate features of a young man were almost unrecognizable. Ji Chengnin's features were still lush and beautiful, but compared to his previous androgynous appearance, he now had a sharper edge. The emperor softened his voice, "It's a pity that I originally intended to let you inherit the title after you came of age, but I didn't expect that war would break out again."

A slight smile finally appeared on Ji Chengnin's tense face. "When I return victorious, Your Majesty may bestow upon me the crown."

"Very well!" The emperor pressed his palm firmly on Ji Chengnin's shoulder. "If you return victorious, what does a marquis title matter? I will bestow upon you the title of Duke of Anguo!"

Ji Chengnin kowtowed deeply, "Your subject will certainly not fail in your mission."

"By the way," the emperor continued, quite pleased with the harmonious atmosphere between the emperor and his ministers, "your grain transport officer is very good. I have carefully read the military report you sent. This man has made great contributions, yet he is not interested in fame or fortune. He is indifferent to fame and fortune, but I cannot fail to reward him for his merits."

Ji Chengning's heart sank suddenly.

However, he still maintained a look of deep respect and admiration, asking, "What does Your Majesty mean?"

"I have already sent Qin Min to convey the imperial decree that the Ministry of Works is in need of a vice minister. Cui Yao's previous official position was indeed a bit low, but the merits he has made deserve this favor of being promoted beyond his rank."

now.

Inside the Qinglu Guard's office.

Qin Min had finished reading the imperial decree and said with a smile, "Lord Cui, please accept the decree."

Cui Yao rose to receive the imperial decree, saying, "I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty's great favor."

Qin Min glanced at Cui Yao and thought to himself, "He is indeed a rare beauty. No wonder the young marquis, who is so proud and arrogant, could refuse to marry him."

However… Qin Min’s heart skipped a beat. Why did this person look so familiar?

He couldn't help but take a closer look, but he really couldn't remember where he had seen Cui Yao before. People who served the emperor had memories far superior to others. However, no matter how Qin Min thought about it, he couldn't recall any interaction between himself and Cui Yao in the past.

He couldn't figure it out, and finally wondered if it was because he was getting old and his eyesight was failing.

He smiled and said to Cui Yao in a warm and friendly tone, "To be promoted beyond one's rank is an honor that only the ministers in the court and you, Lord Cui, can match. The last time something like this happened was six years ago."

Cui Yao lowered his head, his posture extremely respectful and submissive. "Your Majesty's kindness to me is as heavy as a mountain. I will," he said in a pleasant voice, each word clearly enunciated, "repay you with my life, even if it means burning myself to dust."

Qin Min smiled, "Since Your Excellency has received the decree, this servant will return now."

"I'll take my father-in-law."

"No need. No need." Qin Min seemed to know Cui Yao very well and was happy for him. "Please wait, sir."

...

Half an hour later, in the Imperial Study.

Qin Min returned to report, only to find the emperor standing by the window in the howling autumn wind. Qin Min quickly stepped forward and asked with a gentle smile, "Your Majesty, the autumn wind is so cold. Why are you standing by the window?"

She turned her head and scolded in a low voice, "What a foolish servant! His Majesty is standing in the wind, and you didn't even know to put a coat on His Majesty?"

The emperor glanced at Qin Min with a bored expression and waved his hand dismissively.

Qin Min gestured for the palace servants to leave.

The emperor suddenly said, "Qin Min, do you think I'm getting old?"

Qin Min paused, carefully examining the emperor's face, before flashing a radiant smile. "Your Majesty is in the prime of your life, how can you be called old?"

The emperor sneered, "Words of flattery."

Qin Min knelt down with a thud. "Your Majesty, everything I have said is true. Even if I had nine lives, I would not dare to deceive you. You are the Emperor, and may the Emperor live ten thousand years."

In the past, the emperor would have given a few perfunctory reprimands, and the matter would have been over.

However, Qin Min held his breath and listened as the emperor said, "I feel that I am getting old."

Qin Min was startled.

The emperor did not notice Qin Min's pale face; he looked out the window.

As early autumn arrives, the edges of the lush sycamore leaves in the courtyard are gradually turning frosty.

“If I were not old, why would I suddenly think of the past?” The emperor’s gaze fell on the leaf that had begun to turn gray. “When I see Ji Chengning, I can’t help but think of him and his mother.”

Whom is Your Majesty referring to, Ji Ji Ji, Ji Lang?

Qin Min felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave. He dared not utter a sound and kowtowed deeply, hoping that His Majesty's interest in reminiscing about the past would soon subside.

"When A-Lang first achieved great things, he was about the same age as him, with the same features and the same stubbornness," the emperor said softly.

Also, generally speaking, they are extremely loyal.

But why did the Ji siblings, who were so loyal to him back then, refuse to return to the capital for several years in the end? And even when they did return, they acted like ordinary subjects, engaging in empty pleasantries.

A flash of ruthlessness crossed the emperor's eyes as he said indifferently, "Tell me, what happened back then..."

He paused, Qin Min's heart pounding like a drum. He knew that these words were left for him by the emperor, and he felt that the emperor's gaze on him was like a guillotine that would take his life.

His mouth tasted bitter, but his mind raced. He spoke with righteous indignation: "It's all the barbarians' fault for being cunning, causing His Majesty to lose his beloved general. Now they are constantly harassing my territory. They deserve to die!"

The emperor looked away.

yes.

If it weren't for them, Ah Lang wouldn't have died, and Ah Chen wouldn't have lost his legitimate identity. He wouldn't have resented Ah Lang for his death. If it weren't for those barbarians, he, Ah Lang, and Ah Chen would still be best friends, and that friendship would never change.

"I will arrange for her son to avenge Alang," the emperor said with a smile. "If Alang knew this in the afterlife, she would surely be very pleased and grateful."