3 Reunion
◎ "How are you?" King Zhao was the first to speak.◎
In March, the spring breeze is warm.
The morning mist had not yet dissipated, but Suzaku Street was already empty. Commoners poured into the streets, eager to catch a glimpse of His Royal Highness Prince Zhao leading the Black Armor Army in triumph.
Three thousand Yulin soldiers were on standby to protect this bustling capital.
Even though Gu Ningxi had anticipated the grand occasion today, he was still shocked by the huge crowds in front of him even though he left the house half an hour earlier.
Carriages had long been unable to pass through, and along the wide streets, a Yu Lin Lang holding a banner stood solemnly every three steps.
On the way to the city gate, the badge in Gu Ningxi's hand was checked three times before he was allowed to pass.
She found the team of sixth-rank officials and stood with her colleagues from the Ministry of Works.
His Majesty personally welcomed Prince Zhao back to court, and the imperial carriage would depart from the palace in a moment. Civil and military officials gradually arrived. Gu Ningxi looked up and saw that those standing in the front row were all dressed in red and purple, making them particularly eye-catching in the sunlight.
The turquoise official uniforms were much darker and stretched out to occupy a large area of open space.
Gu Ningxi originally wanted to see where his cousin was, but had to give up in this situation.
After waiting bored for a long time, Gu Ningxi occasionally chatted with his colleagues beside him.
The sun was shining brightly, the crowds were bustling, and with the eunuchs singing in unison, the bustling city walls suddenly became quiet.
The imperial guards led the way with imperial ceremonial processions. From afar, the emperor's procession looked majestic and imposing.
"Your Majesty, I bow to you. Long live Your Majesty."
The ministers kowtowed, and three cheers of "Long live the emperor" resounded through the heavens. Emperor Mingde, donning the Nine-Dragon Crown, ascended the city gates, surrounded by his ministers. The founding monarch, a man of great satisfaction, was accompanied by Crown Prince Lu Heng.
Today, he is welcoming the return of another beloved son.
The military bugles sounded loudly, the music was resounding, and the marching footsteps were in unison. They were less than a hundred steps away from the city gate.
When the country was first established, the men who fought on the battlefield showed the power of the Jin Dynasty, and the people of the Jin Dynasty were all happy and proud of it.
Amidst the numerous visual barriers, Gu Ningxi could only occasionally glimpse the grandeur of Prince Zhao's triumphal return. Even within the midst of such a grand event, even she could hardly grasp the full picture.
She looked at the city wall, and for the first time couldn't help but wonder what kind of scenery the emperor would see from where he was.
When history books are written in the future, King Zhao's triumphant return will surely be recorded in a vivid and colorful volume.
Flags fluttered in the wind, and Gu Ningxi listened to the changing rituals and music. It must be that King Zhao had dismounted to pay his respects to His Majesty.
She greeted everyone with the greetings: "Your Highness Prince Zhao respectfully welcomes you."
"Welcome His Royal Highness Prince Zhao."
"Long live His Royal Highness Prince Zhao."
The crowd was surging, and the Royal Guards had already cleared a path in advance.
The imperial carriage returned to the palace in a grand procession, and the people cheered.
Gu Ningxi followed the officials' footsteps and passed a whole half day in a hurry while waiting.
…
The celebratory banquet in the Taiji Hall had already been prepared, waiting for King Zhao to return to the palace to host the banquet.
Emperor Mingde sat alone in the throne, facing south, with the Crown Prince and Prince Zhao following him on his left and right. The Ministry of Rites had naturally obtained His Majesty's approval for this arrangement, as Prince Zhao's position was almost equal to that of the Crown Prince.
Gu Ningxi was not of high rank, but because he held the position of Crown Prince's Assistant, he was usually ranked behind the Crown Prince. His immediate surroundings were all colleagues from the Crown Prince's Palace. With Prince Zhao's achievements so high that they threatened the Crown Prince, Gu Ningxi saw that they all looked unhappy.
Originally, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was the only one standing out, and there were constant open and covert struggles in the Eastern Palace, but now everyone seems to be united against a common enemy.
Gu Ningxi could drink quite a bit, and he drank three or four glasses of wine with his colleagues.
After a few songs and dances were over, when the official announcing the imperial edict stood up at the emperor's command, all the civil and military officials held their breath and listened attentively, waiting for the emperor to reward the soldiers who had come on the eastern expedition.
The throne of the Crown Prince would naturally remain in his hands. His Majesty issued an edict elevating Prince Zhao to the rank of Superior First Rank, placing him above the nobility. He also authorized Prince Zhao's palace to establish its own offices and recruit talented individuals. He also appointed Prince Zhao's Lu Jing as the Minister of the Grand Secretariat of the Eastern Shaanxi Circuit, the Right Military General, and the Governor of Yizhou.
Gu Ningxi roughly calculated that King Zhao had held eight or nine official positions in total, and he was afraid that he himself might not remember them all.
In addition, Emperor Mingde gave King Zhao four copper furnaces and allowed him to mint coins on his own.
Except for the position of crown prince, the emperor has bestowed almost all honors.
"Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace."
The ministers had different expressions. King Zhao wiped out the two countries of Zheng and Xia in one battle, and the rich lands of Henan and Hebei all belonged to the Jin Dynasty. Any reward would be just right.
When King Zhao returned to the table after thanking him, Emperor Mingde laughed heartily and drank another cup with him.
"Go on."
The imperial edict announced, unfolding in his hand, that most of the generals who had made outstanding contributions during the Eastern Expedition had served under King Zhao. With each edict of praise, the hearts of those in the Eastern Palace inevitably sank a little, yet they had to conceal it on their faces.
Seeing that Gu Ningxi was still in the mood to eat, an official from the Eastern Palace behind him sincerely admired him.
Since even Lord Gu, who is the first to be affected, is not worried, there is no need for them to worry at this moment.
Gu Ningxi ate half a Hu pancake and had no appetite. However, she had been standing at the city gate for half a day and could not bear it without eating something.
In the long list of rewards, Emperor Mingde singled out a young general and conferred on him the title of Marquis of Wu'an.
He was one of the three generals of the Black Armor Army under King Zhao, the son of the former Duke of Bohai, Xie Qian.
King Zhao campaigned across the country, gathering countless renowned generals under his command. Gu Ningxi inadvertently raised her eyes, and when she took in the face of the young general in the center of the hall, it was as if all the noise and bustle of the banquet had vanished from her, becoming invisible.
Gu Ningxi tried his best to control his expression, his knuckles turning white from gripping the wine cup so tightly.
She was sure that she had never seen this young general who was so proud and had made outstanding military achievements, but he looked exactly like the one in her dream.
The dream from a month ago flooded into his mind. He was clearly the young general who guarded Yingtian Gate after the palace coup in the dream.
Gu Ningxi carefully recalled the words of the people in his dream. When checking the token, they called him, "Thank you, General."
"Master Gu, Master Gu?"
The one who reminded her was a colleague in the East Palace who was on good terms with her: "Why is Lord Gu so absent-minded?"
The word "absent-minded" was a euphemism. Gu Ningxi regained consciousness and looked down to see that most of the wine in his glass had spilled, and some was even on his robe.
She forced a smile at her colleagues and said, "I was just thinking about the Ministry of Industry."
After all, it was covered up. The maid at the banquet took a towel and squatted down to wipe the wine stains on the table for Gu Ningxi.
"Thank you."
"You are very kind, sir."
Gu Ningxi's gaze fell back into the distance. Fortunately, her position was inconspicuous, and probably no one noticed this episode.
The singing and dancing continued, and the wine and food in the hall were constantly flowing. However, not a single word or thing from the second half of the banquet entered Gu Ningxi's mind.
…
The moon was above the willows, and by the time the banquet was over, it was already dark, and the palace lanterns were lit one after another.
After leaving the Taiji Hall, Gu Ningxi found an excuse to say goodbye to his colleagues and walked alone on a quieter path.
Moonlight shone through the branches and leaves, and Gu Ningxi leaned on the white marble fence with both hands. The evening breeze blew, but it couldn't dispel the chaotic thoughts in her mind.
Palace coup, General Xie, King Zhao...
The noise from the palace banquet could be heard from afar, and dreams and reality were intertwined, making it difficult to distinguish them.
Is it really just that what you think about during the day will lead to dreams at night?
But all the coincidences piled up together, forcing her to think deeply.
The dream was too real, especially the burning palms on her waist, and the endless...
The shadows of the trees swayed, and the green leaves on the trees sparkled softly under the starlight.
His thoughts were in a mess. When Gu Ningxi noticed the movement and turned around, he was caught off guard and met the eyes of the person who came.
An octagonal glazed palace lantern illuminated the path before him. In the center, surrounded by a crowd of ministers, stood His Royal Highness Prince Zhao, dressed in a dark brocade robe with cloud patterns. The black jade crown that bound his hair was gentle and translucent, as if trying to mask some of his sharpness.
As their eyes met, Gu Ningxi was alone, staring blankly at him who was the center of attention.
"How are you?" King Zhao spoke first.
Xie Qian raised his eyebrows in slight surprise. Judging from the tone of His Highness, the blue-robed civil servant in front of him seemed to be an old acquaintance of His Highness.
He looked curiously. Even in the dim moonlight, he could still tell the man before him was exceptionally striking. The moonlight outlined his delicate jade-like features, his cyan robes swaying in the wind, making him look like a banished immortal beneath the moon. His lips were slightly pale, and he wondered what he was thinking about here alone.
The courtyard was silent. Gu Ningxi realized what was happening and bowed, "Your Highness, I pay my respects to you. May Your Highness receive your blessings."
The evening breeze blew between the two. Three years had passed, and when they finally met face to face again, a gap was inevitably created.
"Get up." Lu Jing said lightly.
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Gu Ningxi consciously made way, and the sense of alienation between his brows inevitably dissipated a little because of the dream.
Lu Jing didn't say anything, but with just a glance, Sun Jing, the steward beside him, immediately understood: "I understand."
His Royal Highness Prince Zhao left, leaving behind Gu Ningxi and a eunuch from Prince Yu's palace. Gu Ningxi recognized him; it was Cheng Wen, who had been with Prince Zhao since childhood.
Cheng Wen said, "I, your servant, am here to escort Lord Gu out of the palace on orders from His Highness."
Gu Ningxi was stunned and looked at the figure that had already walked away.
…
It was late at night and most of the carriages at the palace gate had left, with only a few remaining.
Li Ping, driving the car, wiped the sweat from his forehead as his master showed up for a long time. There was a banquet in the palace today, so as usual, they could only wait outside the palace gates.
Several colleagues who were on good terms with the Lord have already returned home, so logically speaking, Lord Gu would not stay in the palace for long.
Li Ping was puzzled, and seeing another carriage leaving, he couldn't help but feel more anxious.
He jumped off the carriage and went to wait at the palace gate.
After about another stick of incense, Li Ping finally saw his master, but he saw someone following him.
"Goodbye, Lord Gu." Cheng Wen bowed and watched Lord Gu leave before returning to the palace to report.
Li Ping received the man and took the cloak as instructed by his wife: "Your Excellency looks unwell, but are you feeling unwell?"
Gu Ningxi smiled bitterly: "Is it so obvious?" She tightened the laces, already exhausted, "Let's go back."
"Yes, sir."
…
Gu Ningxi slept very restlessly that night. Even though she was exhausted, she tossed and turned on the couch until the latter part of the night before she could finally fall asleep.
The bright moon silently illuminated an unfamiliar and luxurious palace in front of me.
The beams were sandalwood, the floor was paved with golden bricks, and the night-shining pearls in the corners shone softly. The antique shelves were filled with rare treasures, a glance at which one could find a white jade plum vase, a gold filigree inlaid with gemstones, a Ganoderma lucidum ruyi, and a red and white agate peach blossom vase—each one of them a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
On the north shelf hangs "Landscape with River Boats" by the ancient painting master Li Sidao, which has a magnificent artistic conception and is worth a fortune.
It's no exaggeration to say that such a palace is comparable to the imperial design. She is the head of the Ministry of Works and knows the furnishings of the palace best.
A nine-paneled jade screen separated the second room. Before the dressing table sat a young woman, her skirt of emerald peony brocade trailing to the ground, adorned with pearls and jade.
Three or four maids helped her to wash and dress up, and the three-layered sandalwood carved dressing box was open.
"This pair of jade phoenix hairpins is a new creation from the inner court; this warm Hetian jade hairpin is a tribute from the outer court; and here are several pairs of hairpins. Which one would you like to wear today, Your Majesty?"
"It's all right." Her voice was calm.
The maid hesitated, then finally chose the Hetian warm jade hairpin. Another maid, smiling, held up the powder box and said, "Your Majesty will be here tonight. Would you like to try the jasmine scented water?"
"No need."
The maids carefully tied her hair up, and the already gorgeous bun became even more elegant after careful decoration.
The bronze mirror reflected the woman's gorgeous face. No matter how brilliant the flower ornaments on her forehead were, they still couldn't hide the gloom between her brows.
She is like a gift, carefully dressed up, waiting to be appreciated.
The scenes in the dream are scattered and the red candles are swaying.
Through the brocade curtains decorated with jade and scattered flowers, one could faintly see the intertwined figures on the couch.
The emperor casually threw the warm jade hairpin from Hetian on the small table beside the couch, and the girl's black hair fell down and scattered on the pillow.
The jade pendants hanging on the four corners of the brocade curtain swayed constantly, and from time to time one could hear her suppressed, gentle humming.
The moonlight is dim and the night is still long.
The emperor's command was hoarse and low, manipulating the person into his desired position at will: "Here...separate a little further."
【Author’s words】
It's not rebirth, it's just a dream from the previous life
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