Due to the major changes in the court, this year was particularly lonely.
There was no hustle and bustle of the banquets in previous years, nor the bustle of lights and decorations in the capital. Even the annual banquet in the palace was only hastily held.
It was not until March after the New Year that the turmoil gradually subsided and the entire court returned to normal.
It took three full months to renovate Princess Yuan Zhao's mansion before it gradually returned to its original appearance.
This year, spring came a little later in the capital. In early March, when the grass and trees had just sprouted and all things were reviving, the case of the Gale Valley was finally settled.
——After several months of thorough investigation, the Dali Temple finally reached a conclusion.
Huo Pingchang is the main culprit in this case. He colluded with the former king of Beiqiang, collaborated with the enemy and committed treason, and assassinated the main general Huo Pingyuan, resulting in heavy losses in the battle of Jifeng Valley.
Emperor Xuan issued an edict——
Huo Pingchang is dead, and his crimes are known to the world, as a tribute to the souls of the soldiers who died in the war.
The Huo family case was also concluded.
"Considering Huo Yan's ten years of meritorious service, I will use his merits to atone for his crime and not implicate the Huo family members."
The once glorious Huo family fell from grace and nearly perished because of the Huo Pingchang case.
Now, under the decree of Emperor Xuan, the matter has finally been settled and preserved.
But the Huo family, which once held the military power in the northwest, has lost its former glory.
The military power of the Northwestern Army was divided into two, with Prince Yu and Huo Yan taking turns garrisoning the Liangzhou camp.
At the same time, Emperor Xuan also conferred titles on his grandsons Yuan Xuan and Yuan Nan'an.
The two men fought in the Northern Qiang army when they were young, fought bloody battles on the battlefield, made military achievements, were awarded the title of captain, and officially entered the military ranks.
This decree shocked the whole world.
There are actually women who can join the army?
Some ministers in the court also wanted to discuss it, but from Emperor Xuan to the Crown Prince and Prince Yu, no one had any objection.
Therefore, the court, which had just experienced a thorough baptism, reacted particularly quietly to this matter.
Immediately afterwards, the imperial edict arrived at the princess's mansion.
It is an imperial decree granting marriage.
"——The Emperor issued an edict——
Today, we have Huo Yan, the son of the Huo family. He inherited the family's knowledge at a young age, and has served in the army for ten years. He has galloped on the battlefield, repeatedly made remarkable achievements, protected the country and the people, and was feared by the northwest. He is a pillar of the great cause, admired by the people, and I commend him very much.
Princess Showa was gifted with intelligence, good character, gentleness, and chastity. She had the ambition to be a heroine and possessed the character of a royal family. She was truly the pride of the country.
Now, considering that Huo Yan has made outstanding military achievements and is loyal, and the princess is in love with him and has a firm heart, they are a good match.
Princess Zhaohe was specially granted marriage to Huo Yan as his legal wife, and an auspicious day was chosen for the wedding. The couple were united in heart and would be forever united in love.
I hereby—"
Zheng Lu personally went to the princess's mansion to announce the imperial decree. After reading it, he handed the imperial decree to Yuan Zhao with a smile.
"Congratulations, Your Highness, your wish has come true."
Yuan Zhao bowed his head and took it, "Your Majesty, I thank you."
The children behind him were all smiling brightly. Yuan Qiyu hadn't reacted yet and went to his sister to ask,
"Second sister, what is the friendship between Qin and Jin?"
Yuan Nan'an raised his eyebrows and said,
"This means that from now on, Daddy will be the real Daddy."
Yuan Zhizhi clapped her hands and mumbled, "Good! Good! Good!"
Yuan Qiyu was stunned for a while after hearing Yuan Nan'an's explanation.
That's great! It turns out that daddy has a formal status now?
However, Yuan Nan'an, after hearing the decree of marriage, thought about something in his heart, and pondered in his eyes...
Zheng Lu helped Yuan Zhao up and said to her, "Your Highness, His Majesty has taken into consideration the several young men and women. In addition to the eldest son who has already served in the court and the second young lady who has joined the army, he has also granted fiefs to the remaining third son and Miss Zhizhi as a token of His Majesty's grace..."
…
That night, Gan Tang was chattering around Yuan Zhao about the wedding arrangements, so excited that he couldn't stop.
At this time, Biyun knocked on the door and whispered, "Your Highness, the second young lady is here."
Gan Tang paused, turned around and saw Yuan Nan'an pushing the door open and entering.
She smiled slightly, nodded knowingly, and then consciously retreated.
There were only mother and daughter left in the room. Yuan Zhao patted the seat beside him and said softly,
"Nannan, do you have something to ask mother?"
Yuan Nan'an walked over and sat down next to his mother. He looked up at her with a rare calmness on his face.
"I went to see my third uncle today. He said that he would return to Liangzhou after my mother and father's wedding."
Yuan Zhao gently embraced her and asked softly,
"Are you happy?"
Yuan Nan'an frowned slightly, as if hesitating, and after a moment he slowly said,
"Happy, but also... unhappy."
Fortunately, she finally took a solid step towards her dream.
But the unhappy thing is that this trip to Liangzhou means traveling alone and leaving my mother for a long time.
Yuan Zhao looked at her complicated expression, sighed softly, raised his hand to tidy up her hair, and spoke in a gentle tone with a hint of reluctance.
"Your Third Uncle is here, Xuan'er is here too, I don't think you will suffer."
She paused slightly, looked down at the young yet resolute face in her arms, a soft touch flashing through her eyes.
"However, you are the only girl in the family after all, so you must protect yourself well when you are outside."
She was naturally worried, but she also understood that since Yuan Nanan had made up her mind to take some paths, she could only let her go on her own.
Yuan Nan'an lowered his eyelashes and said softly,
"I know."
Yuan Zhao patted her back gently and chuckled.
"In half a year, your father will also go to Liangzhou. If you miss mother, come back with your uncle, and mother will naturally come to see you."
Her tone was gentle, like the gentle spring breeze outside the window, soothing the faint uneasiness in the girl's heart.
"It won't be long."
Yuan Nan leaned quietly on Yuan Zhao's shoulder, and nodded gently after a while.
But when it came to Huo Yan, Yuan Nan'an hesitated for a while, and finally told Yuan Zhao about an idea that had been weighing on his mind for some time...
…
After Yuan Nan'an left, Yuan Zhao sat there thinking about her words.
Just as I was lost in thought, I suddenly heard a crisp "pop" coming from the window, as if something had gently hit the window frame.
She came back to her senses, stood up and opened the window, and the night wind blew in with a bit of spring chill.
In the moonlight, a familiar figure sat on the courtyard wall.
The man was dressed in a black robe, with one knee bent, one hand casually placed on his knee, and the other hand lightly weighing two small stones, turning them between his fingertips.
The moonlight was cold, shining on his resolute brow bones, making his outline even sharper and deeper.
He tilted his head to look at her, the corners of his lips slightly raised, and a hint of teasing in his eyes.
"Your Highness, why are you still not resting so late? Are you thinking about me?"
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