Time flies, and it's already mid-August.
During this period, Qin Chuan was obsessed with abstinence and health preservation. Not only did his face develop the pampered and noble air of a young man, but his eyes also became clearer and colder.
One day, he asked the eunuchs to bring a sofa so he could sit on the steps and bask in the sun. Suddenly, he found that the sunlight in front of him was blocked.
He knew then that it was Xiao Yue again.
When I opened my eyes, it was indeed Xiao Yue.
What do you want to do?
Qin Chuan squinted and gave her a disgruntled look.
The sunlight in Ziyang Palace had an indescribable strangeness. He was obsessed with health preservation and occasionally read scriptures, but at this moment he even believed in some metaphysics.
With Xiao Yue blocking his sunlight, he naturally didn't speak very kindly.
Moreover, in the entire palace, only Xiao Yue dares to be so disrespectful to him.
To his surprise, Xiao Yue replied as soon as he finished speaking, "Yes."
Qin Chuan didn't realize what she meant at this moment. Instead, he waved his hand lightly, signaling her to step aside. However, Xiao Yue did not step aside.
"Speak, what is it?"
"How boring."
Xiao Yue murmured something to herself, then handed over a letter from Loulan.
"I won't look, you read it."
Qin Chuan leaned back on the soft sofa, turned his face away, closed his eyes, and looked completely calm.
“I won’t read it aloud. The letter was written by the Loulan princess. She said she wanted to make peace with Daqian through marriage.”
Hearing this, Qin Chuan slightly opened his eyes, turned his face back, and glanced at Xiao Yue: "She says she'll just agree to a marriage alliance... Who does she think she is?"
"Go and summon Zhang Chaozong. I want him to lead troops to destroy Loulan."
Xiao Yue showed no intention of obeying the order and stood still.
What are you planning to do now?
Qin Chuan glared at her again, clearly annoyed.
This woman is becoming increasingly disobedient.
She's always reluctant to do anything you ask her to.
Xiao Yue then sneered, "Your Majesty is a wise and benevolent ruler, a sage who loves his people and is diligent in governing. I have received your decree, but the marriage alliance that Princess Loulan proposed this time is not what you think."
"What is it?"
"She said she wanted to make peace with you through marriage in order to preserve the Loulan Kingdom."
"What's the meaning?"
"What she meant was that she wanted to marry you so that you wouldn't attack Loulan."
Qin Chuan scoffed: "Who does she think she is? She's like a mantis trying to stop a chariot; she's overestimating herself."
Xiao Yue stared intently at Qin Chuan: "Are you really going to send troops to attack Loulan?"
Qin Chuan glanced at the eunuch Zhang Cheng beside him, and Zhang Cheng immediately understood. He and another eunuch helped him up from the sofa, one on each side.
Then, Qin Chuan stretched.
Zhang Cheng and another eunuch immediately began to gently pat his back and massage his arms.
After yawning slightly, Qin Chuan adjusted his sleeves, and Zhang Cheng, understanding, stopped serving him along with another eunuch.
"I didn't want to either..."
Qin Chuan spoke in a cold tone, as if it were nothing more than a casual remark.
After saying this, he paused for a moment before continuing, "However... I really don't have a good impression of Loulan. I remember when I first met Lou Shishi, she was very rude to me. When I pacified the Southern Xiongnu and saved Loulan, she was just as rude. To this day, I haven't seen her repay me in any way. As for the matter of mining Hetian jade, she hasn't kept her promise. Such a treacherous barbarian, if I don't conquer them, how can I win over the world?"
After hearing Qin Chuan's words, Xiao Yue was speechless. Upon careful consideration, she realized that Loulan was indeed a small country that had betrayed its promises.
Thinking of this, she nodded.
Just then, Grand Secretary Zhu Xizhou arrived to pay his respects, carrying an urgent official letter.
"What is it?"
Qin Chuan raised his eyelids and glanced at him briefly.
Zhu Xizhou immediately knelt down: "Your Majesty, I received an urgent message from Che Zhao of Loulan last night. The general of Loulan said that he has led his troops to escort the Loulan princess to the capital to plead guilty!"
"What?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yue's eyes widened in disbelief.
Qin Chuan also burst into laughter, a rare occurrence for him: "My good disciple has actually kidnapped that vile maid Lou Shishi. Very good! When will they arrive in the capital? I will personally go to welcome my beloved disciple."
Zhu Xizhou: "The express mail was sent back from the border and received by the Ministry of War. It was left unattended for half a day before being handed over to the Cabinet. According to my estimation, General Loulan and Princess Loulan should arrive at the north gate of the capital around sunset today."
"Very well! I will personally welcome my beloved disciple! Tell the Ministry of Rites to make preparations so that he will accompany me to the North Gate this afternoon to welcome General Loulan!"
Upon hearing His Majesty's loud command, Zhu Xizhou bowed his head and agreed.
"Go."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Xizhou slowly stood up and stepped back.
Qin Chuan glanced at Zhang Cheng and said, "Go and get some champagne. I'm in a good mood today."
Zhang Cheng gave a signal to the eunuchs around him. Some went to get champagne, some went to get wine glasses, and some moved a table. Two glasses were brought. These eunuchs could all tell that Xiao Yue was here and that His Majesty wanted to celebrate a happy occasion with her.
After pouring half a glass of champagne into each of the two stemmed glasses, Zhang Cheng bowed and flattered, "Your Majesty, this champagne is indeed an elegant thing; the aroma is so rich..."
Qin Chuan picked up his cup, let out a cold snort, but clearly enjoyed the flattery.
With a slight glance, Zhang Cheng immediately understood his meaning and handed the remaining glass of champagne to Xiao Yue.
"Your Highness, this is a gift from His Majesty."
Xiao Yue's face twitched, and she glared at Zhang Cheng: "You go down first, I want to speak with His Majesty alone."
Zhang Cheng ignored him and remained standing motionless behind Qin Chuan.
Xiao Yue rolled her eyes in exasperation.
It seems that her former brother-in-law, her husband, has truly changed his personality since becoming emperor. I remember before, he was quite servile, but now he's completely aloof and unapproachable...
If I had known this would happen, I would have been better off not telling him to practice abstinence and maintain his health...
Thinking about all this, Xiao Yue felt utterly helpless.
After drinking half a glass of champagne, Qin Chuan ignored Xiao Yue's wistful gaze and lay down on the sofa, lazily basking in the sun. Once he was warm enough, he would go into the palace to drink tea, read memorials, and handle some political affairs. When he got hungry, he would order the imperial kitchen to prepare some vegetarian dishes. He was so content that he almost forgot about time and himself.
In the afternoon, reminded by Zhang Cheng, he woke up, checked the time, and saw that it was the hour of You (5-7 PM). He then summoned the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Imperial Guard.
The grand royal procession left the city, temporarily blocking the streets. Only after the procession had passed did the streets return to their bustling state.
Qin Chuan rode in a luxurious extended limousine, driven by the eunuch Zhang Cheng. Several other vehicles followed behind, carrying high-ranking officials from the Ministry of Rites, a large number of officials pulled by four-wheeled horses, and Imperial Guards and Imperial Bodyguards on horseback...
Upon exiting the north gate of the capital, they indeed saw a Loulan army approaching from the south.
The lead brown warhorse was ridden by Che Zhao, while Lou Shishi was bound by him with hemp ropes...
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