Chapter 60 Rewards

After a chaotic scene, the imperial physician fed Emperor Xiao Jing a heart-protecting pill, and Emperor Xiao Jing finally woke up.

"His Majesty was just overwhelmed with anger and blood rushed to his head, which caused him to faint. He is not seriously injured."

"Rest well, just avoid any major emotional fluctuations," the imperial physician whispered to Empress Xu.

Empress Xu breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, nothing serious has happened. If something were to happen to Emperor Xiao Jing now, that would be a huge mess!

Empress Dowager Zheng and Consort Zheng showed no change in expression.

"Where is Vice General Han?" Emperor Xiao Jing asked.

"He's still kneeling outside. Should His Majesty call him in?" Empress Xu asked softly.

Emperor Xiao Jing nodded.

"I have more questions for him."

Before long, Vice General Han, who had been kneeling outside for half a day, was kneeling inside the Empress's palace again.

"I ask you, where is Shen Zhongren?" Emperor Xiao Jing, who had already sat up, looked at Deputy General Han.

"He was in the Weiyuan Army and did not return."

One reason is that he is injured and should not travel long distances.

On the other hand, Shen Zhong also said that the Duke had been thinking about returning to the Weiyuan Army for the past three years to fight for Dayu on the battlefield.

"Now that the Duke is gone, he must guard the northern lands of Dayu in the Duke's stead," Vice General Han said, bowing his head.

Emperor Xiao Jing sighed, his eyes reddening again.

That's definitely the style of the Duke of Dingguo; I've often heard him say that before.

A true man should fight on the battlefield; that is where generals are buried.

"Who else has seen this defense map?" Emperor Xiao Jing asked again.

“Our lord has seen it, and he sat there in a daze all night holding the defense map.”

"This humble general saw the Marquis secretly kowtow several times towards that desolate desert of the Northern Barbarians during the night," Vice-General Han continued.

Emperor Xiao Jing did not speak, but waved his hand, dismissing Vice General Han.

Now, he is completely convinced that the Duke of Dingguo is really gone.

Although many people had told him over the past three years that the Duke of Dingguo was probably dead, he still didn't believe it.

In his eyes, how could that genius who could win with fewer troops just disappear like that?

Based on his understanding of the Duke of Dingguo, he must be plotting something big.

However, he never expected that the Duke of Dingguo's grand plan was actually to investigate the defenses of the thirteen fortresses of the Northern Barbarians...

Emperor Xiao Jing was genuinely feeling sorry for him at this point.

My sworn brother, whom I grew up with, was thinking of the safety of Dayu even on his deathbed...

Huai Chen, Huai Chen, how could you be so foolish!

Back then, if anything happened, I could just go back to Beijing. As long as I came back, no matter what happened, he could definitely guarantee my safety!

Why......

The more Emperor Xiao Jing thought about it, the more he felt sorry for Shen Huaichen.

For three years, he had intentionally neglected the Duke of Dingguo's mansion, but the Duke of Dingguo continued to fight desperately for his kingdom in the north...

The more Emperor Xiao Jing thought about it, the more guilty he felt.

In the end, all he could think of were the images of the two of them together before he ascended the throne.

"Has the Duke of Dingguo's mansion heard the news?" Emperor Xiao Jing suddenly asked.

"We've already received the news."

The old lady fainted on the spot.

The Duchess of Dingguo also fainted on the spot.

"Madam Shangguan is currently helping to take care of things at the mansion over there," Empress Xu said softly.

Emperor Xiao Jing sighed and glanced at the people gathered in the hall.

"The Duke of Dingguo is the God of War of my Great Yu, and also my brother."

The stability of the Da Yu border was achieved by the Duke of Dingguo.

The death of the Duke of Dingguo is the greatest loss to our Great Yu.

The Imperial Household Department ordered that he be buried with the rites due to a prince.

All funeral arrangements were handled by the Imperial Household Department.

Furthermore, on the day of the funeral, all civil and military officials must attend to sincerely send off the Duke of Dingguo on his final journey.

The Crown Prince, the Prince of Qin, and the Seventh Prince escorted the coffin.

I will also see Huaichen off on his final journey that day.

After Emperor Xiao Jing finished speaking, everyone in the Empress's palace was dumbfounded.

To treat a subject with the courtesy due to a prince?

this......

It's one thing for the crown prince and other princes to escort the coffin, but for the emperor to personally go as well?

"Your Majesty, I know you are heartbroken, and I also know about your relationship with the Duke of Dingguo..."

"Mother, this is what I owe Huaichen."

If it weren't for me, Huaichen wouldn't have stayed in the North for so long.

Everyone thought he had disappeared, and there were many rumors circulating.

But even in his final moments, Huai Chen was still thinking about the safety of Dayu.

What good would it do to treat him with the courtesy due to a prince? I only feel that what I have done is not enough.”

Before the Empress Dowager could finish speaking, Emperor Xiao Jing interrupted her.

Empress Dowager Zheng wanted to say a few more words, but then she thought, "The person is gone, and no matter how much I reward him, he will never come back."

At least now they know that the Duke of Dingguo is really dead, which is good news for them.

The reason we didn't dare to make a move before was because we weren't sure if the Duke of Dingguo was alive or dead.

However, Empress Dowager Zheng also felt it was a bit of a pity.

If the Duke of Dingguo were alive, they would indeed not need to worry about the safety of the North.

"What the Emperor says is true. The Duke of Dingguo has devoted his life to the stability of the borders of Dayu. He deserves even the greatest favors," Empress Dowager Zheng said calmly.

Emperor Xiao Jing did not respond to Empress Dowager Zheng's words, but instead issued a second imperial edict.

“Shen Qingjun, the eldest son of the Duke of Dingguo, is hereby appointed as the heir apparent to the Duke of Dingguo. He may inherit the title upon reaching the age of eighteen.”

Shen Qingyue, the eldest daughter of the Duke of Dingguo, was granted the title of Princess of Pingning and given a fief of one thousand households.

The wife of the Duke of Dingguo was granted the title of First-Rank Protector of the Nation, and the old lady of the Shen family was also granted the title of First-Rank Protector of the Nation.

As for the following smaller ones...

"I will bestow titles and rewards upon him when he grows up."

After Emperor Xiao Jing finished speaking, no one in the palace said anything.

These rewards seem generous, but all of them combined do not equal the power of a living Duke of Dingguo.

"Your Majesty, I have given all these orders. Your Majesty should rest now!" Empress Xu advised.

The Crown Prince and the King of Qin also echoed this sentiment.

Emperor Xiao Jing nodded and waved for everyone to leave.

He was really upset and wanted to be alone for a while.

He admired and valued the Duke of Dingguo.

But as time went on, the Duke of Dingguo's prestige grew, and there were even rumors that half of the territory of Dayu was conquered by the Duke of Dingguo.

Emperor Xiao Jing's unease began to surface.

"Huaichen, don't worry, Da Yu will be fine."

I will certainly take good care of your wife, children, and elderly mother.

"I promised you, and I will definitely keep my promise." Emperor Xiao Jing made a silent vow in his heart.

Saha City, a thousand miles away in the north.

Shen Huaichen, now completely dressed as a Northern Hu person, sneezed several times in a row.

He was lying outside the tent, a blade of grass between his teeth, looking up at the sky.

Who's talking about me behind my back?

It's either Shen Zhong or those guys from the capital.

Well, the news should have reached the capital by now!

I wonder how the funeral went? What kind of coffin was used?

Or is Shangguan Jin talking about me?

Sigh, I wonder if Shangguan Jin's crying was genuine? She wouldn't be faking it, would she?

Shen Huaichen muttered to himself as he counted the stars in the sky.

There are so many stars, just like cattle and sheep on the grassland, too many to count.