Chapter 89, Epilogue 1.

With the Turks and Tibetans, major threats, eliminated and all nations paying tribute, the goal of universal homage to the emperor has been achieved. However, this does not mean we can rest easy; it is precisely the beginning. Forcing surrender is a matter of war, but true integration requires time and a gradual, subtle process. Only by improving the lives of these people will they be less likely to cause unrest.

As for the various regions of Dayong, there are still many areas where Zhao Jialing and Xie Lanzhao need to put in their effort. Dayong's territory extends south to Linyi. The north is deeply influenced by the customs of the Han people, who all wear the clothing and customs of the Han Chinese. However, the south, especially south of the Five Ridges, has always been considered a treacherous area inhabited by insects, snakes, tigers, and leopards. The miasma there is deadly, and once someone is sent to the Lingnan region, their chances of survival are slim. As for Qianzhong, it is a vast and sparsely populated area with high mountains and deep forests that are difficult to climb, and no one is willing to go there.

The clear maps, the constructed roads, and the medicines developed by the Imperial Medical Academy and medical students did change the environment there to some extent, but the demons and monsters lingering in people's hearts did not dissipate. Zhao Jialing could understand; after all, those areas were places of exile, and suddenly including them in the scope of official promotions was something many people couldn't handle.

Historically, the country has always prioritized internal affairs over external ones. Everyone was single-mindedly rushing to Chang'an. Even the governors of Tongzhou and Huazhou were not as good as lower-ranking officials in the capital, let alone places like Chaozhou and Xunzhou, which were places where one could never return.

Zhao Jialing had initially considered using demoted officials, but she didn't have the habit of exiling people on a whim; most demoted officials were corrupt and incompetent. She wanted to send people there to do real work and improve the lives of the people. If those corrupt officials went there, far from the emperor's reach, it would certainly contradict her grand plan.

Xie Lanzhao said, "Let the ministers issue official documents to recruit." Many officials whose terms have expired are waiting for new appointments. With more officials than positions, the theoretical waiting time is three years, but in reality, some people wait for seven or eight years or even longer without being appointed. It's not that there are no jobs at all. Under the major reforms, many places need people, but they are unwilling to go, or they resign after less than a month.

Thinking of this, Xie Lanzhao frowned and said, "In the past, the prevailing attitude among scholars was that if they were slightly dissatisfied, they would threaten to resign. Scholars considered it a sign of being carefree to leave their posts and go to the mountains and forests. This behavior is disrespectful to the court and a disgrace to the people. Official documents must specify the term of office, and resignation without cause is not allowed. Once this is violated, the official position will be revoked."

With many people waiting to be elected, some might take a chance and try to secure a position first. These people, without careful consideration, end up finding excuses to resign, wasting a lot of time in the process.

Zhao Jialing nodded and said, "This is the first time officials have been selected in this way. I'm afraid the court officials will have objections."

Xie Lanzhao said coldly, "Whoever has objections can go." He himself was unwilling to go to Lingnan to serve as an official, so he couldn't possibly obstruct the court's selection of personnel, could he?

The new method of selecting people did indeed cause some controversy, but after seeing that the emperor and empress were very insistent, the voices of opposition subsided. Based on their understanding of the emperor and empress, if they were to persuade them further, they would just say "then go ahead." Those who remained silent were somewhat inclined to the mentality of "better to sacrifice a friend than myself."

After the Ministry of Personnel issued the official document, those awaiting appointments were in an uproar. Initially, many had approached it with a "let's give it a try" attitude; even the worst post offered a salary, and this special recruitment might even come with more rewards. However, upon seeing the additional conditions in the document, some hesitated. Either they themselves were unwilling to go, or they had families to support, whose members were frail and unable to withstand the journey. Even with these setbacks, the final number still exceeded the number of official positions. Since a first-come, first-served principle couldn't be followed, a merit-based selection process through examination was necessary.

Setting up the examination process was a piece of cake for the Ministry of Personnel, as the examinations conducted by the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Personnel could serve as references. However, the process itself left many with apprehensions. If official positions also required examinations, would it become a standardized system in the future? Wouldn't it eventually lead to high-ranking officials from various ministries competing for the position of prime minister?!

The results of the assessment were announced in the first month of the following year. Since the emperor and empress were both at Mount Li at the time, the appointed officials came to the Mount Li Palace to express their gratitude.

When Xie Lanzhao saw them, she glanced around and saw some familiar faces, such as Chen Xiyuan, Xue Yuanshuang, and even her young cousin Huan Chuxiang.

"Do you know how dangerous the journey is?" Zhao Jialing said. She would do her best to provide them with protection, but the mountains were high and the roads were long, and no one knew if they would encounter any accidents.

"Your Majesty, I know." Xue Yuanshuang bowed to Zhao Jialing and said solemnly, "But some things need to be done. If they won't leave, we will; if they won't do it, we will." Everyone knew who "they" referred to. The "great struggle" that had stretched from the time of the late emperor to the present was not yet over. They wanted to seize every opportunity; they were willing to be the pioneers.

Zhao Jialing then asked, "Even if I can never return to Chang'an in this lifetime?"

Xue Yuanshuang's eyes burned with determination, and she declared resolutely, "Even if I never return to Chang'an in this life!" From childhood, she had lived as a dependent, deceived by the Ma family, and practically a prisoner for life. She was unwilling to accept this life; she wanted to escape the cage, to break free from confinement. She was fortunate to meet Pei Wuwei, fortunate to meet a wise ruler, and fortunate to stand proudly in the court under the name Xue Yuanshuang. She had suffered, and therefore hoped to clear the way for future generations, leaving them a smooth and unobstructed path.

Zhao Jialing said "Good," and after offering encouragement and rewards, she stayed behind alone with Xue Yuanshuang and Huan Chuxiang. Huan Chuxiang had passed the imperial examination last time and was not yet capable of handling matters independently; she was Xue Yuanshuang's assistant, accompanying her to Guangzhou in the south. "I have a task for you," Zhao Jialing said, her eyes deep and meaningful. She gave Xue Yuanshuang and the others a detailed nautical chart, cleared her throat, and said, "There is a port over there, and foreigners occasionally come, but the port is too small. I hope it can become a pearl of the south. I will appoint you as the Military Commissioner of the Five Prefectures of Lingnan, and I will send shipbuilders to accompany you. In the future, we will set sail from here!" Her voice was firm and powerful, and before her lay a grand blueprint!

Xue Yuanshuang and Huan Chuxiang were startled and said in unison, "Your subject obeys the decree."

Knowing that the emperor was concerned about this matter, the imperial edict arrived quickly, and the people who had packed their belongings, along with their servants, craftsmen, and doctors, were about to set off.

Lishan Palace.

Zhao Jialing stood by the window with his hands behind his back, pondered for a moment, and said, "It's possible that this trip will truly be the last in Chang'an."

Xie Lanzhao smiled, her gaze fixed on the distant sky. She said, "The world is vast, why must it be Chang'an? Why must we be in Chang'an?"

"Do you have a heart set on traveling far away?" Zhao Jialing turned to look at Xie Lanzhao, his eyes filled with curiosity.

Xie Lanzhao pondered for a moment and said, "Occasionally." But she needed to stay in the central government; once she left Chang'an, it meant losing power and utter ruin. Later, she no longer had to worry about being expelled, but neither she nor her heart could leave Chang'an.

Zhao Jialing grunted and raised an eyebrow, saying, "Once someone is capable of shouldering great responsibilities, we'll travel the country." After Xie Lanzao was made empress, the court officials stopped criticizing their relationship and even hoped for harmony between the emperor and empress. However, their stubborn ways remained unchanged. They didn't believe they were the ones separating her and Xie Lanzao, yet they still tried to force people into their households, ultimately blaming it on the succession.

Zhao Jialing let it go in one ear and out the other. Later, some people went too far and started targeting the Empress, saying she was jealous and wanted to monopolize the Emperor. Zhao Jialing was more than happy with this, but she was fed up with all the accusations in their words. She questioned her ministers, "Are you hoping I'll die soon so you can gain the merit of supporting a new emperor?"

Only then did the court officials quiet down a bit. Year after year dragged on, and the ministers finally realized that the Emperor's resolve was as firm as a rock and unshakeable. They stopped trying to place someone between her and Xie Lanzhao, but they still tried various methods to find out who Zhao Jialing preferred. This was, in fact, something that couldn't be avoided.

All three of her young nieces were granted the right to attend court. Zhao Jialing observed their performance and had a plan in mind. She told her ministers, "The most capable should succeed. I will keep the candidates hidden in a secret box and will also leave a will in the future. When the two match, the successor will be determined." Although she said this, she also wanted to travel around with Xie Lanzhao. When the time was right, she could step down and become a carefree retired emperor. Wouldn't that be the best policy?

Zhao Jialing shared his idea with Xie Lanzhao, waiting for her to praise his great wisdom.

The relationship between the emperor and the crown prince is peculiar; it can quickly become tense and fraught with danger. What began as "my precious son" can transform into a wolf's ambition, eyeing the throne. All of this stems from the pursuit of power, and Her Majesty, however, remains remarkably clear-headed. Holding the reins of power, she is not prepared to be entangled in a life of power struggles. Her willingness to relinquish power, coupled with the crown prince's virtue, ensures a smooth succession.

Zhao Jialing turned around and hugged Xie Lanzhao's arm, happily imagining, "When that time comes, we'll set sail."

Xie Lanzhao smiled and reminded her, "Your Majesty, you've never even left the capital region."

Zhao Jialing blinked: "There will definitely be an opportunity." Emperors travel to all corners of the country, but it is a waste of resources and manpower, so in the end, only the imperial censors are sent to act as the emperor's eyes and ears. As for traveling incognito, Zhao Jialing didn't even need to think about it carefully; he knew what the court officials would say, such as "When the emperor travels incognito, he must have guards; traveling incognito will easily lead to a loss of authority" and "Traveling incognito will easily lead to danger."

She didn't believe in the idea of ​​losing authority; after rounds of propaganda, the notion that the emperor was divinely protected and a wise ruler had already taken root in people's minds. As for the danger, she readily agreed. The reforms had affected the interests of a certain group, and those madmen might very well go mad and try to assassinate her. In their logic, a new emperor meant a new court; if she disappeared, the reforms would naturally cease.

Even if it's impossible, we still need to dream, otherwise how much fun would life lose? Once he started talking, Zhao Jialing kept rambling on and on. He hadn't been to any of these places, but he knew them like the back of his hand when it came to describing the local customs, and he didn't stop until the city lights came on at night.

"Your Majesty is well-read," Xie Lanzhao said with a smile, tossing her long hair as she sat in front of the mirror.

"Isn't it all for the Empress?" Zhao Jialing snorted. She'd lost nine out of ten times betting on books and historical allusions; where would that leave the Emperor's face? While it would be difficult to catch up with Xie Lanzhao in every aspect, she had to keep up in terms of leisure and refinement. With her own efforts and Xie Lanzhao deliberately letting her win a couple of times, they could achieve a draw.

As she spoke, she walked up to Xie Lanzhao, smoothed her long hair, glanced out through the glass window, looked down at Xie Lanzhao, and said softly, "It's another year of red plum blossoms and white snow."

Xie Lanzhao's gaze sharpened, and she turned around suspiciously. When she met Zhao Jialing's pure and innocent eyes, her doubts deepened. These four words would normally be innocuous, but the way she uttered them at this moment made her seem ill-intentioned.

Zhao Jialing was simply admiring the scenery and reminiscing about the past, hoping to see a knowing smile on Xie Lanzhao's face. However, the slightly questioning look in her eyes and the faint blush on her cheeks made her pause. After a moment of realization, she blinked and understood. She was truly thinking differently now. She leaned close to Xie Lanzhao's ear and whispered, "What have you been thinking about?"

Xie Lanzhao realized she had misunderstood. She remained calm and pushed Zhao Jialing, but Zhao Jialing pulled her into a tight embrace.

Zhao Jialing said, "It's snowing, and it's cold."

Xie Lanzhao glanced at her sideways. With the brazier in the hall, how cold could it be? She said slowly, "It's late. It's time to go back to bed and rest."

"That's exactly what I was thinking." Zhao Jialing nodded seriously, then added, "Before that, shall we bathe together?"

Her desire to play in the water never subsided, and no one knew what Gao Shao had shown her. In fact, it had already happened when they first arrived at the Lishan Palace. In order to achieve his goal, His Majesty had made a bet with her on books and tried his best to win at chess, using a "win" as a condition to get her to agree. Her sweet words and coquettishness were effective; otherwise, His Majesty would never have won even once in a lifetime.

Zhao Jialing stared at her intently: "You're not going to back out now, are you? You promised."

Xie Lanzhao scoffed, "Didn't you already promise that?"

Zhao Jialing, though unconvinced, retorted confidently, "I never said it was just once." She stared intently at Xie Lanzhao, her eyes deep and unfathomable beneath her lashes. If she didn't refuse, then it was up to her.

The Lishan Palace has a hot spring bath, where the rising steam dispels the slight chill of the early spring.

Water slid over her delicate skin, and in the misty fog, it revealed a face as beautiful as a lotus emerging from water.

Zhao Jialing had thought of everything. She placed a small table within easy reach, on which sat a bushel of sweet drink. She poured herself a small sip.

Over the years, she had been intimate with Xie Lanzhao many times, but Xie Lanzhao's reserve could never be shaken off. She found the erotic pictures very amusing, so she mentioned to Xie Lanzhao that she wanted to try it. There were times when she refused, but in the end she nodded in agreement, and thus her wildness and reserve blended together, becoming even more intoxicating like aged wine.

"Want some? Just treat it as wine," Zhao Jialing asked in a low voice.

Xie Lanzhao glanced at her, the cup pressed against her lips, bringing a momentary chill. She took a small sip, but before she could swallow, she heard the cup clink against the counter, and then Zhao Jialing kissed her.

When lips and teeth touch, the tender, warm sensation is still intoxicating.

Their bodies pressed together, their two beating hearts beat in unison, as if they had merged into one, inseparable, each containing the other.

After a long while, Zhao Jialing looked up, her eyes bright and clear. Her hand, underwater, was wrapped around Xie Lanzhao's waist, her fingertips gently caressing her skin. Soft breaths echoed in her ears. Xie Lanzhao's gaze focused on Zhao Jialing's face, but quickly drifted away with the ripples in the water.

Last time, Zhao Jialing only held Xie Lanzhao in his arms and kissed her in the water, but later gave in to her wishes and returned to bed. This time, gazing at Xie Lanzhao's dazed expression, a different thought arose in Zhao Jialing's mind. His hand around Xie Lanzhao's waist suddenly tightened, and he lifted her onto the pool platform. Under Xie Lanzhao's slightly confused gaze, Zhao Jialing smiled sweetly at her, then leaned down and buried his face in hers.

Xie Lanzhao shivered. She stared in astonishment at Zhao Jialing's head, her face flushing even more, like a burning sunset. "Sixth Sister—" Her voice trembled, as if her soul had floated out from the top of her head.

Zhao Jialing raised her head slightly, her lips glistening brightly under the light. Her eyes were smiling as she placed her hand on Xie Lanzhao's leg, gently stroking it: "Good sister, stretch it a little wider."

The spring night is utterly silent, and the chill in the air is swept away within the curtained chamber.

She slept until late morning, her eyes still heavy with weariness, while Zhao Jialing was full of enthusiasm. As Xie Lanzao rose, she diligently followed, combing her hair, drawing her eyebrows, and adorning her with floral designs. The hairpins jingled softly on the small table, and Zhao Jialing looked at herself in the mirror, growing more and more satisfied. Since their marriage, she had insisted on drawing Xie Lanzao's eyebrows, and her skills had improved considerably; they were no longer the crooked, unsightly worm-like eyebrows she had initially possessed.

After staring intently for a moment, Zhao Jialing hummed in agreement and said, "We still need some fat."

Lip rouge, of course, is applied with the lips. Zhao Jialing reached out, dabbed some lip rouge on his lips, and leaned in to kiss Xie Lanzhao. He shifted slightly, and the lip rouge smeared onto her face, causing Xie Lanzhao to sigh. However, there was no court assembly; let His Majesty attend. A lively and playful heart is His Majesty's unchanging devotion.

"How about it? Does it smell better this way?" Zhao Jialing asked smugly.

"Yes," Xie Lanzhao replied, gesturing for Zhao Jialing to sit down and applying makeup to her eyebrows.

"Then I will give you lip rouge for the rest of your life."

"Only one lifetime?"

"Three lives".