Kunning Palace.
Queen Chen started busying herself in the morning and prepared a table full of sumptuous dishes.
Upon hearing that Liu Hao had returned to the palace, she hurriedly sent Nanny Chen to call someone.
I was waiting in the main hall of Kunning Palace, eagerly waiting.
Not long.
The eunuch guarding the gate rushed into the palace and reported: "Your Majesty, the Emperor and His Highness are here!"
Empress Chen hurried to the gate of Kunning Palace to greet him. Looking at the figure approaching from afar, she couldn't hide the smile on her face.
Liu Hao also saw his mother standing at the door and hurriedly trotted forward.
"Your son pays homage to the Queen Mother. Are you well?"
"Good! It's fine!"
Empress Chen looked Liu Hao up and down and nodded repeatedly: "It seems that you are living well outside. I am relieved."
"Well, Xue'er is the most virtuous. She takes good care of my daily life."
"That's good! You two are a perfect couple, one at home and the other outside."
The family of three returned to the hall and sat down together.
Empress Chen then asked Liu Hao seriously, "What are your plans for you and Xue'er?"
"We've already agreed that we'll get married when we get back this time."
"Okay, okay! Tomorrow, Mother will have someone go to the storehouse to count the betrothal gifts."
Liu Hao quickly refused: "Mother, I have some in my house. The Ministry of Rites prepared it according to the regulations. I will add some more."
"You two are the only ones my mother has. I have been saving up the betrothal gifts for you since you were little. The Ministry of Rites will prepare 120 loads, and I will prepare another 60.
One hundred and eighty loads of betrothal gifts allowed Xue'er to marry into the mansion in a grand ceremony.
Keep your things. When you have children, they will be needed in many places."
Liu Hao smiled and replied, "Thank you, Mother."
"Why thank you so much? You're all doing well. Your mother is so happy."
Emperor Dongling narrowed his eyes in smile when he heard this.
"One hundred and eighty lifts, that's quite a feat for you two. But Xue'er is worth it."
Tomorrow, I will discuss this with Nangong Honglie, and then have the Ministry of Rites choose a good date, so we can get the wedding done before the New Year."
"Isn't it too hasty to do it before the New Year? If you want to get married, the main courtyard of my son's mansion needs to be cleaned up again."
Queen Chen smiled and patted Liu Hao on the shoulder.
"Don't worry, Mother has already asked Xile to clean up the main courtyard, so there will be no problem getting married tomorrow."
Emperor Dong Ling waved his hand: "Alright, let's eat first. Where's Old Five?"
"He went with Minister Chen of the Ministry of Justice to Li County to handle some matters. He said he wouldn't be back for ten days or half a month."
"Oh, that's what happened. I forgot about it because I was so happy."
Liu Hao was a little confused: "What is it that requires them to handle it personally?"
"Oh, this is a long story! Let's eat first and then we'll talk about it slowly."
A family of three had their meal happily.
After taking a bite of the dish, Liu Hao was intoxicated: "The food made by my mother tastes just like I remember it!"
Empress Chen smiled and picked up some food for Liu Hao: "If you like, eat more. Your Majesty rarely cooks for herself now."
"Well, mother, make sure you rest well and don't get too tired."
After eating and drinking, the family of three moved to the main hall to drink tea.
After carefully inquiring about Liu Hao's life in Xiyue, Emperor Dongling and Empress Chen nodded with satisfaction.
Now we come to the matter of Li County.
Emperor Dongling frowned.
"Over the past two months, a strange incident has occurred in Li County. A mysterious force seems to be searching for a mysterious woman.
Any young woman who looked to be around 20 years old would be abducted, given a blood test during a ritual, and then sent back.
The people of Li County were in a state of panic, and young women were staying at home, not even daring to leave the house.
Liu Hao was puzzled. "So, these women were only tested for blood and not harmed?"
"Yes, but without exception, they all have a moon-shaped mark on their foreheads, the kind that can't be washed off."
"Is that group only looking in Li County?"
"Well, there is no leaving Li County at the moment."
"To think there was such a thing! Who on earth is that force looking for?"
“I don’t know. Although they didn’t kill anyone, they caused panic among the people, which is very strange.
That's why my father sent Minister Chen and Lao Wu to investigate. Lao Wu will handle this matter, so you don't have to worry about it.
You've all been exhausted from the journey, go back and rest."
"Yes! I have left the palace and returned home."
"Go ahead. Attend the morning court tomorrow and explain the situation in Xiyue to the ministers. Xue'er and her daughter will come to the palace later."
Liu Hao bowed in response and walked out of the palace briskly.
The next morning court session.
When the ministers saw Liu Hao appear, they all bowed and said, "Second Prince, please tell us what is happening in Xiyue?"
Liu Hao smiled and nodded.
"The Xiyue royal family colluded with the demons and murdered children. I'm sure you all know this, so I don't need to elaborate.
A rough estimate shows that more than 800 innocent children died as a result of this, which aroused the wrath of heaven and the resentment of the people. The gods brought down punishment and the royal family of Xiyue was exterminated.
At that time, Beiyue and Nanjin stationed troops on the border, and they were about to divide up Xiyue.
The people did not want their homes to be divided up, nor did they want to become slaves of a conquered nation. With the help of the gods, they persuaded the Emperor of Xiyue to write a letter of surrender..."
After Liu Hao explained the whole story in detail, some old ministers were so moved that they burst into tears.
"Although it's a bit unkind, it's fortunate that the Xiyue royal family committed suicide, so Xiyue was able to submit to Dongling, and Dongling's territory was able to remain intact."
"Yes, that's cause for celebration!"
"Your Highness, the Princess, and Madam Xue have made great contributions to Dongling during this trip. I request that the Emperor give them appropriate rewards."
The ministers all agreed: "Yes, this way the gods will think that the emperor rewards and punishes clearly."
Emperor Dongling happily agreed: "The spirits around Madam Xue and Princess Dingguo did play a crucial role in the surrender of Xiyue this time.
Minister Zeng of the Ministry of Revenue, please withdraw 10,000 taels of silver from the national treasury as a reward for the mother and daughter."
Zeng Mingshu responded.
The ministers talked at once.
"Ten thousand taels of silver is a fortune for ordinary people like us, but to a god, it's probably nothing.
Do you think the gods would find it too little?"
"I don't think so. It's Dong Ling's intention."
"Hehe... Second Prince, let Madam Xue and the princess speak well of us to the gods, asking them to look after us in Dongling."
These guys...
Liu Hao smiled faintly and nodded.
She understood the ministers' thoughts very well. No matter what their purpose was, Jiuer was happy to get the money.
"Everyone, rest assured. As long as Dong Ling is well, does not make any mistakes, and does not do anything that will anger heaven and man, the gods will protect Dong Ling."
"Of course, of course..."
After the court was dismissed.
Emperor Dongling called upon Nangong Honglie and his son to enter the imperial study together.
"I called you here today to discuss the marriage of Hao'er and Xue'er.
In this matter, I am just a father, you can ask for anything you want."
Nangong Honglie and his son looked at each other.
"Your Majesty, can you ask for anything?"
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