Chapter 76 076 The Su Chen Family.

Night has fallen.

The cold wind blowing on my face was icy and biting.

Xie Lanzhao did not sit quietly in the side room, but instead stood with her hands behind her back in the courtyard gazing at the crescent moon.

The shimmering moonlight spread like water, casting crisscrossing shadows on the bare tree branches, which swayed back and forth in the wind.

Even though the scene before her eyes had nothing to do with the person, Xie Lanzhao still inexplicably thought of His Majesty and the carefree smile she gave when she saw her off at the palace gate.

She acted impulsively while in the palace.

Xie Lanzhao sighed softly, her eyes filled with confusion and bewilderment. Her heart had been restless for a long time, and ripples were spreading through her mind.

She recalled that her grandmother had asked her during dinner earlier that day if she had any worries.

She remained silent for a long time before shaking her head. She had something on her mind, but was she troubled? Xie Lanzhao knew the answer was no.

When were her thoughts stirred? She couldn't remember. Perhaps it was many years ago, perhaps after hearing His Majesty's innermost thoughts, perhaps after witnessing His Majesty's transformative change… The paths she thought diverged had ultimately converged at some crossroads. After all the twists and turns, everything had turned out as she wished. But should this unspoken understanding continue indefinitely? Was it appropriate to remain in ambiguity? How could she bring it up? And what would her answer be after it was brought up?

Thoughts swirled in her mind, the phantom before her growing larger and smaller, voices echoing in her ears, sometimes discussing politics, sometimes revolving around romance. She seemed to hear His Majesty say to her, "I am a peerless beauty, it is only natural that I am coveted." Xie Lanzhao blinked, and the phantom vanished. She smiled helplessly, exhaled a breath of stale air, and turned to walk into the house.

The biting wind couldn't blow away my jumbled thoughts.

Once inside the house, Xie Lanzhao's gaze fell upon the miscellaneous books laid out on the table, and her eyes narrowed again.

The book was delivered by Gao Shao, whose ambiguous gaze and smug, amused attitude were on full display.

After hearing His Majesty's thoughts, she had a premonition that this day would come. She initially intended to throw it away, but as she approached the task, other thoughts began to surface. Those involved are often blinded, while bystanders see things more clearly; perhaps she could use an outsider's perspective to see what Her Majesty and she were like. However, she clearly overestimated the curiosity of those seeking to gain insight. Indeed, given the word "locked" in its title, what kind of serious book could it possibly be?

However, some things can still be found in it. For example, she became an aide to Princess Zhongshan and became estranged from His Majesty, who was still a princess at the time. This was a betrayal... In the first few years after His Majesty ascended the throne, the atmosphere in the court was stagnant and tense, partly due to the struggle for power and partly due to the aftermath of "betrayal of the master"...

Xie Lanzhao was puzzled. Was she really that cruel to His Majesty? Besides, did His Majesty resent her that much? To the point of imprisoning her in the deep palace? With His Majesty's courage, she probably wouldn't go that far. Moreover, she didn't think His Majesty would do such a thing.

"It's just a novelist's words. Even if you hear only a few words, how can you know as clearly as the person involved?" Xie Lanzhao chuckled and put the miscellaneous books at the bottom.

·

In the following days, the court remained relatively calm.

Zhao Jialing and Xie Lanzhao had discussed the matter of seeds, and the Secretariat directly drafted the imperial edict. Which of the ministers couldn't see Xie Lanzhao's intentions? But the situation was such, the tide was surging and unstoppable, and no one raised any objections. With this matter settled, the remaining task was to welcome the Turkic hostage; in times of peace, the proper courtesy must still be shown.

In mid-November, the Turkic envoys officially arrived in Chang'an.

In this freezing cold season, the wind blows snowflakes down in a flurry.

The envoys sent by the Turks were specially selected. These men had traveled to and from Chang'an several times, had dealt with the people of Dayong many times, and could speak some fluent Mandarin. They were familiar with the customs and traditions of Chang'an and knew how to deal with court officials. Confident in their abilities, they couldn't help but reveal a hint of self-satisfaction when communicating with the children of the Turkic Khan.

But as they stepped onto Suzaku Avenue, their high-pitched voice suddenly dropped. The sound abruptly ceased, like a chicken being strangled. A group of Turkic envoys stared dumbfounded at the wide, open road ahead, unable to utter a single word.

It wasn't like this when I last came to Chang'an.

"What is that?" a clear, crisp voice asked. It was a woman speaking Mandarin, but with a slightly strange accent. The woman was the daughter of the Turkic Khan, named Ashina Bilian. Not far from her, a man with the same look of curiosity, was her half-brother, Ashina Tumen. Their mother was Han Chinese, and therefore not highly regarded in the royal court. When they needed to be sent as hostages, they were packaged together and sent over.

The Turkic envoy, who claimed to be an expert in Chang'an, could not answer.

The official from the Court of State Ceremonial overheard the Turks' conversation, and a slow smile crept onto his lips. He said in a low voice, "It's a divine object." This cement paving significantly reduced wind and sand, but its true value was most evident during harsh rainy and snowy weather. Rainwater didn't accumulate on the streets, making it better than stone slab roads. As for snow, it was much easier to clear, eliminating worries about ice, snow, and mud piling up and making the roads slippery and difficult to traverse.

The Turks smiled ingratiatingly, wanting to ask a few more questions, but the official from the Court of State Ceremonial raised an eyebrow, keeping his words hidden and refusing to continue.

The welcoming banquet was held at the guesthouse where the Turks were staying. The highest-ranking person present was the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies; the prime minister was not present, and His Majesty the Emperor was even less likely to attend. The Turks were somewhat dissatisfied, but remembering the Great Khan's orders, they could only suppress their anger.

Zhao Jialing didn't go in person, but the Turks' reactions and words soon appeared on her desk. It wouldn't be a problem to receive them in the palace, but with the Turks' treacherous ambitions, too much courtesy might make them take advantage. A perfunctory reception was sufficient. Normally, they would rest for a while after arriving in Chang'an, but the very next day, Zhao Jialing received a memorial from the Court of State Ceremonies stating that the Turkic prince and princess requested to enroll in the Imperial Academy.

"Are they really that diligent and eager to learn?" Zhao Jialing asked, somewhat surprised. She looked at Xie Lanzhao, who had been summoned, and asked, "Is that permitted?"

“According to the old system, there’s no need to stop them,” Xie Lanzhao said. After a moment’s thought, he added, “These two were born to Han Chinese mothers and speak some Chinese. Once they enter the Imperial Academy, they won’t need any translators.” The Turks’ choice of them as hostages was also deliberate. On the one hand, their relatives had no power in the Turkic Khaganate and no one would protect them; on the other hand, the Turks felt that their half-bloodline was closer to the Great Yong and wanted to use this opportunity to gather some information.

The initial shockwaves reached the Turks, but how much they believed them was uncertain, as they hadn't witnessed it firsthand. The Turks were willing to back down because he wasn't confident of taking Longxi. The Tibetan Empire's internal strife wasn't the opportune moment he was waiting for.

Zhao Jialing frowned, pondered for a moment, and said, "If the Khan dies, given their status, at most they'll get a few herds of cattle and sheep, right?" The current Khan of the Turks is powerfully unifying the eastern and western tribes, suppressing the tribal chiefs. He's in his prime; the possibility of him suddenly dying is relatively small. "Hostages aren't very useful."

Seeing Zhao Jialing's expression, Xie Lanzhao guessed what she was thinking. She smiled and said, "At least it's a symbol, the Turks have submitted to me." Alliances with these vassal states are the most ridiculous things; to make them bow down, the only way is through overwhelming power. Of course, this doesn't mean other methods are unusable. "Your Majesty, just consider it a minor matter."

Zhao Jialing nodded, with a hint of teasing, and said with a smile, "It can't be the kind I ordered."

In the guesthouse.

Ashina Tumen complained, "Can't we see His Majesty?"

Ashina Pilian glanced at him lazily: "Who are you to require His Majesty the Emperor to personally greet you?"

Ashina Tumen was speechless for a moment, then said, "Why do we need to enter the Imperial Academy so quickly?"

"Or are you going to count sheep in the guesthouse?" Ashina Bilian said bluntly. "You don't expect to wander around Chang'an at will, do you?" Even envoys from foreign vassal states have restrictions on their entry and exit; hostages like them are even less likely to be allowed to roam freely in Chang'an. They couldn't bribe the servants in the guesthouse, so the Imperial Academy was probably the best way to find out what they wanted. She believed the Emperor of Dayong wouldn't refuse their enrollment.

“Why not? Agu said there are many fun things to do in Chang’an. We are guests, and Dayong will cover our food expenses, so we don’t need to worry about money,” Ashina Tumen said.

This remark only elicited mocking laughter from Ashina Pilian. Having been repeatedly humiliated, Ashina Tumen grew angry, his round, bearded face turning a deep liver color. He roared, "Go to the Imperial Academy yourself!"

Ashina Pilian: "Oh." Her gaze shifted to the attendant beside her, and she asked, "Agu, the prime minister of Dayong is a woman. I've heard that women in Dayong can hold official positions, is that true?" The envoys who brought them to Chang'an were returning to the Turkic territory, leaving only a few attendants behind. Agu was one of those who stayed. He was a Sogdian, fluent in Dayong Mandarin, and familiar with the Sogdian merchants in Chang'an, knowing the local customs and traditions.

Before Agu could answer, Ashina Tumen mocked, "Sister, do you still want to stay in Chang'an as an official? I will definitely help you bring this news back to the grasslands. Even women can become officials, this—" The whip whistled through the air, striking Fantou's weak leg and instantly lacerting Ashina Tumen's wound. The rest of her words were drowned out by her terrified expression.

The annoying flies stopped buzzing, and Ashina Pilian was satisfied. She raised her chin toward Agu, gesturing for him to answer.

“Yes.” Agu nodded, his voice deep and rough. “But since last year, Dayong has stopped granting official positions so easily; one has to pass various examinations.” He only knew half of what he’d heard from others, but it was very strict. He saw Ashina Bilian’s ambitious eyes, hesitated for a moment, and then said, “The Imperial Academy seems to have a bad reputation.”

Ashina Pilian was taken aback: "Isn't it the official school of Dayong?"

Agu: "The emperor of Dayong didn't like it, so he set up a separate Mingde Academy."

Ashina Bilian pondered for a moment and asked, "Where do the children of high-ranking officials and nobles study?"

Agu truthfully stated, "Most of them are at the Imperial College."

Ashina Pilian nodded, but secretly memorized the three characters "Guozijian" (Imperial Academy).

Ashina Tumen, still feeling a lingering pain on his face from the whip, couldn't hold back his words and said enthusiastically, "I just love messing around."

Agu glanced awkwardly at Ashina Tumen, but did not answer.

If these words got out, people would think they were disrespectful. The Great Khan sent them here partly to appease Dayong, and partly to gather information and find out whether the message sent back by the tribute envoy was true or false. Did Dayong really possess a terrifying weapon capable of splitting mountains and seas? Looking at that strange, hard road, it seemed that Dayong truly had divine protection.

In short, the requests of the two guests from the grasslands to enter the Imperial Academy were quickly granted. The Turkic prince looked disgruntled, while Ashina Bilian was delighted. As for the Imperial Academy—mostly filled with the descendants of high-ranking officials and nobles, accustomed to foreign visitors—it was a miracle they didn't incite hatred, let alone any curiosity whatsoever.

The Imperial College has been busy with its own affairs lately. Besides the year-end exams, they've also arranged a private competition with Mingde Academy. This has left them with even less time to deal with the new students.

Although it was said to be done in private, it was spread around and even Zhao Jialing in the palace heard about it.

"How are they planning to compete?" Zhao Jialing asked with great interest, even considering sneaking out to watch the competition.

Xie Lanzhao said, "A poetry gathering, polo, or Cuju (ancient Chinese football)." The Imperial Academy and Mingde Academy differed in their focus; only literary and martial talents could be tested. Those from noble families in the Imperial Academy, though lacking in scholarly intellect, were quite adept at entertainment. As soon as she finished speaking, she looked up and saw the Emperor's bright, clear eyes. Xie Lanzhao's eyelids twitched; she guessed the Emperor wanted to go. Sure enough, the next moment she heard, "I want to go and see."

"Hasn't the Imperial Academy undergone a complete transformation? Their changes need my witness," Zhao Jialing declared emphatically.

Xie Lanzhao frowned slightly, a look of hesitation lingering on her face. After a while, she tentatively asked, "Want to stay at my house for the night?"

"Huh? Such a good thing?" Zhao Jialing's eyes lit up, and he nodded hurriedly, "I accept your invitation."

“I should have asked a question,” Xie Lanzhao said, glancing at her.

His skill at feigning deafness came in handy. Zhao Jialing pretended not to hear and said with a bright smile, "Wubenfang is closer to Taiji Palace than to Daming Palace. How about this, I move back to Taiji Palace to handle government affairs?"

Xie Lanzhao: "Your Majesty, it would be so easy for you to return to Taiji Palace with just a word." Since the reign of Emperor Renzong, the offices of the Secretariat, the Chancellery, the Palace Secretariat, the Censorate, and other government offices have all been located there. If Your Majesty makes a move, all the officials must follow suit, not to mention the inner palace. "If it were just for my sake that I would mobilize so many people, I would truly become a sinner for all eternity."

Zhao Jialing's smile remained unchanged: "I don't want you to bear a bad reputation either, so I've come up with another good idea for you."

Xie Lanzhao's heart skipped a beat. She couldn't possibly move her to the palace, could she? Should she really accept the word "locked"?

Zhao Jialing blinked, her eyes shining with pure light, and announced excitedly, "I have had a house purchased in Guangzhaifang."

Xie Lanzhao breathed a sigh of relief, thinking with a touch of relief that she was glad she hadn't asked that question.