Side Story 2: The Regent

Lou Jin and Ye Xunyang traveled for nearly two years, seeing famous mountains and rivers and experiencing local customs and traditions, before returning to the capital with great satisfaction.

However, what awaited them was not a rest, but a "huge" "surprise".

They had barely stepped into the Jinwang Mansion when Lou Yan arrived with Yu Beichen.

The usually aloof and composed Prince Yan now wore an eager expression that seemed almost as if he had been relieved.

"Third brother, you're finally back!" Lou Yan got straight to the point, placing a thick stack of military tallies, seals, and files on Lou Jin's desk. "This is the defense of the capital region and some of the government affairs I temporarily handled. Returning them to their rightful owner."

Lou Jin looked at the mountain of official documents and his eyelids twitched: "Brother, what are you doing...?"

Lou Yan looked completely at ease, even a little self-righteous: "I and Bei Chen have been in the capital for too long, and I need to go back to personally oversee and reorganize the military affairs in the Northwest. With you here in the capital, I feel at ease."

He paused, then added, "Father also gave his permission."

Standing beside him, Yu Beichen nodded slightly to Lou Jin and Ye Xunyang as a greeting, the meaning of which was clear: Take your husband away quickly, we are going back to the Northwest.

Lou Jin and Ye Xunyang: "..."

So, less than three days after returning, Lou Yan took Yu Beichen and fled the capital, the political center, back to their carefree northwest.

Lou Jin was left to ponder over the urgent official business in the study.

Seeing his lord's unusually bewildered expression, Ye Xunyang felt both sorry for him and amused. He rolled up his sleeves and said, "Your Highness, let me help you!"

Fortunately, after several years of reflection, Lou Shang has completely reformed itself, is now working diligently, and has also taken the initiative to share some of the administrative responsibilities within its capabilities.

Ye Xunyang, drawing on his experience in the military, handled the affairs of the Beijing garrison and other tasks requiring coordination in an orderly manner.

Even so, the three of them were often so busy that they were practically dizzy, and the light in the study stayed on all night.

Lou Jin reviewed memorials, Ye Xunyang checked military reports, and Lou Shang handled matters concerning the imperial clan and some affairs of the Ministry of Rites, effectively forming a small cabinet.

And what is their father, His Majesty the Emperor, doing?

The emperor seemed to have figured things out. He no longer suspected that his sons were all vying for his throne. Instead, he was annoyed that none of his sons were willing to inherit the throne, so he went to personally groom an heir.

He now spends most of his time teaching his two young princes and personally overseeing their studies. He seems to have more free time now, and recently he has also appointed three new young and beautiful concubines. He seems to be enjoying his retirement, playing with his grandchildren, and being surrounded by beautiful women.

Lou Jin, Ye Xunyang, and Lou Shang had a rare lunch together one day, and when the topic came up, they looked at each other speechlessly.

Ye Xunyang shoveled food into his mouth: "He's really taking this 'hands-off' approach to management to the extreme..."

Lou Shang nodded silently, deeply agreeing.

Lou Jin rubbed his temples and sighed, "Never mind, as long as the country is stable and Father is happy, that's all that matters."

The only thing that gave them some comfort was that, under the emperor's "personal" guidance, the ninth prince's academic performance had indeed improved by leaps and bounds, and his essays and policy proposals were quite well-structured, showing good potential.

Seeing their ninth brother's progress, the two older brothers finally felt that their hard work had not been in vain. They glanced at each other and resignedly continued to bury themselves in the seemingly endless official business.

Time flies, and years pass quickly.

With the combined support of Lou Jin, Ye Xunyang, Lou Shang, and Lou Yan, who was far away in the northwest, the court was stable and the country's strength was growing day by day.

The emperor gradually relinquished power.

A year later, the emperor officially issued an edict, appointing Prince Jin, Lou Jin, as regent and granting him the title of Minister of State, giving him overall control of the government.

At the same time, the thirteen-year-old Ninth Prince Lou Wu was appointed Crown Prince.

The imperial edict was issued without objection.

Lou Jin's prestige, ability, and loyalty to the royal family are evident to all the officials and civil servants.

Ye Xunyang saw that the burden on his prince's shoulders had become even heavier. Although he felt sorry for him, he could only work harder to help him with military affairs and become his strongest support.

Lou Shang also became more and more composed, and devoted himself to assisting his elder brother.

Three years later, the emperor passed away peacefully on a quiet autumn night, and the whole country mourned.

With the support of Regent Lou Jin, the Marquis of Zhongyuan, Prince Yan, and the court officials, the sixteen-year-old Crown Prince Lou Wu successfully ascended the throne and became the new emperor.

Lou Jin diligently followed the late emperor's dying wish and devoted himself to assisting in the administration.

He was both the new emperor's uncle and a strict mentor, imparting to him all his knowledge, principles of governance, and strategies for ruling the country.

He would handle all important matters of state first, then explain the reasons to the young emperor in detail, guiding him to think independently and make decisions.

Ye Xunyang then took control of the military power in the capital region, ensuring a smooth transition of power.

Lou Wu was exceptionally intelligent and deeply understood the value of his elder brother's assistance. He studied governance diligently and made rapid progress.

Several years passed in the blink of an eye. Lou Wu turned twenty and held a coming-of-age ceremony, officially becoming an adult.

Shortly after the coming-of-age ceremony, at a solemn court assembly, Regent Lou Jin, in front of all the civil and military officials, solemnly returned the Regent's seal and the mountain of memorials and documents to Lou Wu.

"Your Majesty has come of age, is wise and intelligent, and is capable of shouldering great responsibilities. Your subject, Lou Jin, today relinquishes the power of regency, hoping that Your Majesty will work diligently to govern and create a prosperous era." Lou Jin's voice was steady, carrying the relief of being relieved of a heavy burden and the expectation for the younger generation.

The young Emperor Lou Wu's eyes were slightly red. He personally descended the steps, helped up the kneeling Lou Jin, and said with emotion, "Your Majesty, you have worked hard for many years, assisting me in establishing the empire. Your kindness is like a second birth. I will certainly live up to your expectations and the trust placed in me by the late Emperor!"

When power was returned to the emperor, Lou Jin instantly felt a weight lift from his shoulders, as if a thousand-pound burden had been lifted.

He did not linger and soon submitted a memorial requesting to resign from all his positions in the imperial court.

Although the new emperor was reluctant, he knew that his elder brother's mind was made up, and he also understood the deep affection between him and General Ye. In the end, he granted the request and bestowed a generous reward upon him.

When the news reached the Northwest, Lou Yan only replied with a short letter: "At least you've been smart for once."

The same sense of relief and understanding of his brother's choice is evident between the lines.

Not long after, on a misty, rainy morning, two unassuming carriages quietly drove out of the capital and headed towards the warm water towns of Jiangnan.

Inside the carriage, Lou Jin held Ye Xunyang's hand, looked at the scenery rushing past the window, and smiled, "This time, we can really rest."

Ye Xunyang leaned on his shoulder, his face showing complete relaxation and contentment: "Yes, let's go to Jiangnan, buy a small courtyard by the water, plant some flowers, raise a few fish, you can read whenever you want, and practice shooting whenever I want, and there won't be so many annoying official documents anymore."

"Whatever you say." Lou Jin lowered his head and placed a kiss on his forehead.

The prosperity and power of the capital city are now just a thing of the past.

From then on, their world consisted only of each other, the apricot blossoms and spring rain of Jiangnan, and the love that grew stronger with each passing year.