Chapter 136 Good News: Third-Rank Imperial Concubine

Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, half a year has passed.

In the past six months, many things have happened. First, Consort Lan, the Emperor's favorite, gave birth to a prince. Mother and child were both safe. The Imperial Astronomical Bureau observed the celestial phenomena at night and said that a comet was about to appear, a sign of peace and prosperity for the country. The Emperor was overjoyed and made Consort Lan a concubine. He also granted a general amnesty. Xiao Qiyu, who was originally to be escorted back to the capital, was also pardoned and appointed as a seventh-rank military advisor, thus rightfully remaining in the northern desert.

That winter month, snow fell heavily, and the capital city was covered in a blanket of white for miles around.

Good news from the northern desert, accompanied by swirling snowflakes, arrived in the capital one after another. At first, it was about "stabilizing the situation and repelling the enemy attack," and then it was about "raiding the enemy camp and beheading two thousand."

The latest urgent dispatch reads: "The fire has burned the camps, severely damaging the main force of the Turkic royal court. Ashina Boketu has retreated 300 li."

The government and the public were shaken, and people's hearts were in turmoil.

In the imperial study, Emperor Jingming held the victory report, which was covered in sand and snow, and read it over and over again. His brows, which had been furrowed for half a year, completely relaxed, and he slapped the table and laughed loudly, his voice echoing through the palace.

"What a fine Xiao Qiyu!"

Emperor Jingming's eyes shone brightly: "When the army returns in triumph, I will reward him with ten thousand gold pieces and appoint him as the Grand General Who Conquers the Barbarians!"

Ma Dequan stood to the side, so happy he forgot himself: "This servant remembers that His Majesty said earlier that he would cut off his head."

As soon as he finished speaking, Ma Dequan turned pale with fright, wishing he could bite his tongue off. He lowered his head, trembling with fear, and dared not utter a sound.

Emperor Jingming merely cleared his throat and said in a deep voice, "Did I say such a thing? I don't remember it."

Ma Dequan was quick-witted. He immediately raised his hand and gave himself a light slap, his face all smiles: "Look at this damn mouth of mine, I deserve to be hit! I must be getting senile, my brain isn't working properly, I've remembered it wrong, I've remembered it wrong."

The emperor stared at the victory report in his hand. For some reason, he was overjoyed but lost some of his rationality. After a moment of contemplation, he frowned slightly and said, "The army has not yet returned in triumph. Xiao Qi is far away in the northern desert. With the news coming and going, he will not be able to receive my reward for a while."

He paused, then gently clapped the good news in his palm.

The soft rustling of snowflakes drifted in from outside the window, while the aroma of ambergris wafted from the Boshan incense burner, the smoke trailing long and lingering.

The good news paused in Emperor Jingming's palm, and the emperor's hearty voice immediately followed: "I've got it! If I can't reward him, I'll reward someone who can! This great victory is certainly due to the loyalty and bravery of the soldiers at the front and Xiao Qiyu's good planning, but if no one was willing to take the risk and shoulder everything for him, and fight for this life-or-death opportunity, how could he have successfully reached the northern desert, and how could he have achieved today's merit?"

Ma Dequan's mind was buzzing, and he vaguely sensed that some big news was about to come out. He said tremblingly, "Your Majesty, what are you planning to do..."

Emperor Jingming raised his head and said decisively, "I hereby decree that Cui Ying, the eldest daughter of the third branch of the Duke of Wei's family, is virtuous, intelligent, and wise, and is deeply aware of righteousness. When the country needed people, she was able to sacrifice the small for the greater good. Her actions are commendable and her aspirations are worthy of emulation. She is hereby granted the title of Lady of the Third Rank and enjoys the corresponding salary and honors as a sign of the court's recognition."

Ma Dequan gasped in astonishment: "My Emperor! A third-rank imperial consort! This is truly an unprecedented honor! Throughout history, apart from the few meritorious wives of the founding emperors, Miss Cui is probably the only one who has ever been granted such a young third-rank imperial consort!"

From then on, Cui Ying not only received her own salary, but officials of the third rank and below had to bow to her regardless of seniority or age. If anyone dared to contradict her, it would be considered "insubordination" and would be subject to serious accountability and punishment.

Emperor Jingming pondered for a moment and said, "Why not? Who told Cui Ying to have the courage to risk my wrath to protect her husband in battle? This sense of responsibility is beyond the reach of ordinary men. She dared to gamble everything on Xiao Qiyu, and now that she has won, this immense glory and honor is rightfully hers. This imperial decree is not only a reward for her, but also a declaration to the world that I am fair in rewarding and punishing, and loyal to the country. If there are those who are brave enough to take on responsibilities and save the nation in times of crisis, I will never be stingy with my honors."

Ma Dequan bowed deeply and exclaimed, "Your Majesty is wise! You are truly a reincarnation of Yao and Shun!"

Emperor Jingming waved his hand: "Alright, stop flattering me. Go and issue the decree. I heard that girl has been staying at home for the past six months and her personality has changed completely. She should have some fun."

"Yes, yes! This servant will take care of it right away!"

In less than a quarter of an hour, the procession carrying the imperial decree, escorted by the Imperial Guards, left the palace in a grand procession and headed to the residence of the Marquis of Dingyuan.

Soon, the news that Cui Ying had been conferred the title of Third-Rank Imperial Lady spread like wildfire throughout the capital, arousing envy among countless people. The noble ladies who had previously secretly watched the show and gloated over her misfortune now changed their tune and rushed to invite Cui Ying to various banquets to cultivate a closer relationship.

Cui Ying herself didn't react much, rejecting all the invitations and refusing to show up.

He only saw Chen Shuangshuang.

Chen Shuangshuang brought her daughter to the Marquis's residence to find her, ostensibly to "share in the joy," but she didn't say anything flattering. The two of them were as friendly as before, mostly talking about past anecdotes.

As snow fell heavily, the underground heating in Qiyun Pavilion burned brightly. On the crescent-shaped table by the window, a cluster of pale yellow wintersweet blossoms was displayed, their fragrance clear and refreshing. Several maids set up charcoal braziers under the eaves, roasted many chestnuts, and then plated them and brought them into the room.

Cui Ying had no interest in tasting the chestnuts. Since they had cooled down, she took one and gave it to the little girl in Chen Shuangshuang's arms, letting her hold it in both hands and gnaw on it. Chestnuts without shells are too soft and sticky, and young children are prone to choking on them. Cui Ying specially chose one with a shell for her, so she could not gnaw on it no matter what, and let her grind her teeth.

Unlike when she was born, this little princess has grown into a plump and adorable little dumpling, with round eyes that look just like her mother. Cui Ying couldn't help but take a few more glances at her.

"You like it? If you like it, I'll give it to you." Chen Shuangshuang joked, "I was just worried about not being able to get a full night's sleep. I don't trust my wet nurse, but I trust you."

Cui Ying glared at her and went to get some tea to drink: "I don't want any, I have enough crab roe."

If others heard their child being compared to a cat, they would surely be displeased, but Chen Shuangshuang didn't seem to notice at all. Instead, she smiled and said, "No rush, no rush. When your great general comes back, it won't be a matter of whether you want it or not. He's gone crazy after not seeing you for so long—"

Cui Ying nearly spat out her tea, then reached out and covered Chen Shuangshuang's mouth with her hand, scolding her with a flushed face, "What are you saying in front of the child!"

"Oh dear, she's only a few months old? She can't understand."

Cui Ying's cheeks were so hot they could roast chestnuts, and her originally dull almond-shaped eyes regained some of their luster as she glanced at Chen Shuangshuang: "You're getting bolder and bolder with your words these days. You weren't like this before."

Chen Shuangshuang said, "You're being overly restrained in your speech now. You weren't like this before, but—"

Chen Shuangshuang looked at Cui Ying's face and said with relief, "Your cheeks are finally looking rosier now, just like before, because I made you angry."

Cui Ying then realized that Chen Shuangshuang was doing it on purpose, just to make her seem more alive.

Something hard in her heart seemed to melt away, and Cui Ying's eyes became a little moist, but she quickly suppressed it and said in a relaxed manner, "Nonsense, when have I ever been different from before?"

Chen Shuangshuang said, "Stop pretending in front of me. I've known you since we were children. I can tell what you're thinking just by blinking your eyelashes. Ever since Qilang went to the northern desert, I haven't seen you smile. Given your nature of playing with crickets on the execution platform, unless you're extremely distressed, you can at least pretend to be relaxed."

Chen Shuangshuang paused, then sighed, "Third Sister, these past six months have truly been tough on you."

She had to endure the emperor's wrath, the gossip in the capital, and even the complaints from her own family.

Cui Ying didn't confide in anyone, and didn't even leave the house. She locked herself in Qiyun Pavilion, like an unclaimed relic, and half a year passed like this.

She used to be someone who loved being in a lively atmosphere.

Chen Shuangshuang couldn't continue speaking; her voice choked with emotion.

Cui Ying sighed, wiped away Chen Shuangshuang's tears with a handkerchief, and said softly, "How can you say she's so pitiful? I'm a grown man, surely I can bear the consequences of my actions? Since I, Cui Ying, have done it, I can bear the consequences. There's nothing to be sad about. We'll continue eating and drinking as usual, and life will go on as normal."

At this point, Cui Ying's eyelashes trembled slightly, but her expression remained unchanged: "As for Xiao Qiyu, his life and death are preordained, and his wealth and honor are determined by fate. Let him be; it's not something I can decide."

Chen Shuangshuang clearly didn't believe her, looking at her with teary eyes: "You've never worried about him?"

"No."

"You never even thought about him?"

"No."

Cui Ying said expressionlessly, "I haven't thought about him even a little bit."

Chen Shuangshuang: "..."

As evening fell, Chen Shuangshuang returned to the Duke of Huguo's mansion with her daughter. Cui Ying escorted the mother and daughter to the west gate and watched them get into the carriage.

As their parting was imminent, Chen Shuangshuang leaned out of the window, wanting to say a few more words to Cui Ying, only to find Cui Ying staring blankly at the horizon, his profile bathed in a reddish glow, making even the strands of his hair clearly visible.

"Third Sister, what are you looking at?" Chen Shuangshuang asked curiously.

Cui Ying said, "I'm watching the sunset."

The sky was ablaze with rosy light, and the fiery clouds were magnificent and dazzling.

She swallowed, suppressing the sorrow that was about to overflow, her expression remaining normal, only her eyes were slightly red:

"Shuangshuang, do you think that at this very moment, those people who are thousands of miles away from us will see the same sunset?"

...

The setting sun was like blood, the earth was frozen, the dark Qilian Mountains stretched endlessly, the world was vast and desolate, and the wind blew in with shouts of battle and the smell of blood, covering Xiao Qiyu in filth.

He squinted, raised his hand to wipe away the bloodstains that had splattered on his eyelids, and stared intently at the few figures tightly protected in the center of the retreating Turkic soldiers.

If we can capture these Turkic princes alive, it will surely boost morale and inflict a great defeat on the enemy.

"Sir, should we give chase?" The guard rode up, panting heavily.

Xiao Qiyu enunciated the word succinctly: "Chase".

He spurred the horse's flanks, and the black horse reared up, letting out a long neigh before charging forward like an arrow released from a bow. The sound of hooves thundered behind it as it followed closely.

A dazzling red light swept down from the horizon, its brilliant radiance stinging Xiao Qiyu's eyes. With the enemy army ahead, he glanced hastily at the irritating glow of the sunset, his eyes flickering slightly, momentarily lost in thought—

It resembles the color of Cui Ying's skirt.

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Author's note: Today we're also a long-distance couple!