Chapter 137 Holding hands for the rest of my life, with you by my side, this life is enough.
When the news of Jiang Yu's critical condition came again, Shen Yujiao couldn't sit still. After all, Jiang Yu had collapsed while saving her. But now, she didn't know how to bring it up with Jiang Chen. Through the crack in the window, she looked at the light shining in front of her, and her brows gradually furrowed.
After the chaos that had gripped the palace during the day, it was difficult for things to return to normal so quickly. Both the court and the harem had a host of matters to attend to. The shadowy figures reflected in the lamplight were Jiang Chen leading officials in handling state affairs, and things had been bustling about here as well.
"Sister-in-law?"
Princess Yong'an called out softly, and Shen Yujiao finally came back to her senses and looked at her. This little girl's determination was beyond everyone's imagination. These days, the palace has been in such chaos, yet she has managed to defend the Qian Yuan Palace.
Everyone assumed that Princess Yongjia was in charge of things at Qianyuan Palace, but few people knew that it was actually this princess, forgotten and ignored by everyone, who was in charge of the overall situation.
Princess Yongjia was initially imprisoned in a cabinet, but later she was ordered to be escorted to guard the emperor's bedside. For as long as the late emperor had passed away, Princess Yongjia guarded her father's body.
I heard that when the Qian Yuan Hall opened its doors today, Princess Yongjia was already in a daze. Consort Yao finally saw her daughter after a long time, but she immediately broke down when she saw her daughter's dazed and confused expression.
Princess Yongjia, who was so arrogant and domineering in previous years, did not become a powerful and influential princess in this struggle for the throne. Instead, she was tormented to the point of mental instability. It goes without saying how much regret Consort Yao felt. After learning that Princess Yong'an was behind all of this, she wished she could tear her in two.
Unfortunately, Jiang Chen's return to the capital to succeed to the throne was perfectly legitimate. Everyone knew that Princess Yong'an was an adopted daughter raised in the Kunyi Palace. The affection Yongjia had for Jiang Yu was no less than that Yong'an had for Jiang Chen.
Therefore, when Princess Yong'an reappeared before everyone, she became the imperial heir with the most say in this generation, second only to Shen Yujiao.
Seeing that Shen Yujiao had come to her senses, Yong'an continued, "The late Emperor's Consort Shu, Yao, has already ordered people to keep an eye on her. Currently, the palace affairs are being managed by Zhou, the head lady-in-waiting who was in charge when the late Emperor was alive. She was also in charge when the rebel Prince Jiang Jin controlled the palace. Although everything is done according to palace regulations, I feel that right now..."
"Yong'an—"
Shen Yujiao interrupted her apologetically: "You did a very good job in this palace coup. Now that the Empress Dowager has just recovered from the tense situation, I will need your help with the palace affairs. Right now, I have some more important things to do. Please draft a plan for the personnel reductions first, and I will tell you how to modify it later."
Princess Yong'an was slightly taken aback, then nodded: "Yes, then sister-in-law, please go ahead with your business. I will take my leave now."
Seeing her get up, Shen Yujiao added, "The guards at Fuhui Palace have been removed. Go back to Consort Rong's place tonight. She must be very worried about you after not seeing you for so long."
Having already taken a few steps outside, Yong'an stopped in her tracks upon hearing these words. She bowed her head for a moment, then turned around and performed a deep kneeling bow to Shen Yujiao: "Thank you, sister-in-law."
This was a favor bestowed upon her by her sister-in-law, who went beyond what her brother, the emperor, could have given her, and she was extremely grateful.
Princess Yong'an's identity was already sensitive. As the Empress Dowager's adopted daughter, she should have severed ties with her birth mother, not to mention that her birth mother was a femme fatale who brought ruin to the country during the late emperor's reign. Now that the late emperor has passed away, her mother has been able to survive to this day thanks to the care of the Crown Prince. This matter could be a big deal or a small deal in the court. Whether her mother should be buried alive with the emperor or only be able to live on in the future depends entirely on the new emperor's decision.
However, Shen Yujiao's intention was to have Rong Shi live in the palace as the Noble Consort Rong, which was already beyond the best outcome she could have imagined.
The two sisters-in-law had an extraordinary relationship before, and now Shen Yujiao's words have made Yong'an devoted to her even more. There may be many people who want to help, but not everyone can actually spare Rong's life. After all, the price is not small, and not everyone can bear it.
This is like providing timely help in times of need or adding to someone's success; saving a life is even more important.
With the debt of gratitude for saving his mother before him, Yong'an hesitated repeatedly before leaving, but still turned around and curtsied again: "Sister-in-law, Seventh Sister may go to the palace to see me in the next few days."
Upon hearing this, Shen Yujiao glanced in the direction of Qingjue Temple and nodded in agreement: "I understand, you may go."
After Princess Yong'an left, Shen Yujiao sent someone to the front to deliver a message. Jiang Chen quickly arrived at the back hall and asked as soon as he saw her, "What happened?"
"Just now, someone from Taiwei Palace came to report that Jiang Yu is too deeply poisoned and may not make it."
Jiang Chen was taken aback by these words, but he quickly recovered and said, "Then let's go take a look."
Shen Yujiao was surprised that he was the one who suggested it first. She had a whole speech ready, but no chance to voice it. She asked with some concern, "Is it alright?"
After all, the relationship between their two factions was naturally antagonistic, and in the eyes of outsiders it should have been a fight to the death, like Li Jiancheng and Emperor Taizong Shimin, or Emperor Yongzheng and the other eight princes. But the two of them knew that this was not the case.
The fact that Jiang Chen told Jiang Jin about the deadly servant saving Qi Jing during the day was just the tip of the iceberg in Jiang Yu's plan.
From the day Huan Wang's banner was planted in the northern border army camp, Jiang Yu began to pave the way for today: rescuing Qi Jing, guarding the northern border, and persuading Zhao Wang. If he hadn't fallen ill during the war, he wouldn't have handed over all the planning to Jiang Chen to reap the benefits.
The fact that Jiang Chen is standing here at this moment is the most powerful proof that Jiang Yu simply wants to protect this land.
Just as Jiang Chen said, Jiang Yu genuinely cared about the fate of the Great Xia Dynasty. It was precisely because he knew the devastating impact Jiang Jin's actions would have on the dynasty that he tacitly approved the three-day lockdown of the palace for the ascension to the throne. Ostensibly a power grab, it was actually a way to appease Jiang Jin and stop the bloodshed. And it was for this reason that he deliberately released the Prince of Tai, protected the Prince of Wu under the guise of a hostage, and insisted on holding the sacrificial ceremony to give Xu Zhiyuan the opportunity to blow up the city gates...
Each step was interconnected; without any one of them, Jiang Chen would not have been able to return to Xiajing at the last minute.
The water surface eventually cleared, allowing the grand plan hidden beneath to be revealed. Beneath the absurd mirage lay his painstaking efforts, brick by brick.
Jiang Yu was not lying; he had promised Shen Yujiao, and he would never break his word.
That's why Shen Yujiao felt extremely guilty and restless. When she thought about the wound on his chest and the stab she had made earlier, she felt even more guilty. Perhaps without that stab, the poison wouldn't be acting so badly now. Even if she wasn't Shen Yujiao, she still owed Jiang Yu a debt.
Seeing her red eyes and the obvious self-blame on her face, Jiang Chen felt a pang of heartache. He stepped forward and gently comforted her, "If General Qi hadn't been so honest with me along the way, I wouldn't have known these things. He intended to keep it from everyone, so naturally neither you nor I would have known beforehand. You can't be blamed for this."
Shen Yujiao knew that saying anything more would be useless, so she subconsciously touched the imperial concubine bracelet on her wrist: "Let's go."
In just one day, the Taiwei Palace was completely different inside and out. The people living here were no longer the new emperor, but the rebel king's accomplices. If Jiang Chen hadn't spoken up, this place would probably have become a prison.
At this moment, the outside of Taiwei Palace was completely silent, and only the inner hall was lit. Jiang Chen and Shen Yujiao came in person, which startled the palace servants. Shen Yujiao walked hurriedly, and as soon as she entered the inner hall, she saw Jiang Yu lying on the bed, barely alive. After just one glance, she could no longer speak.
Back in the northern frontier, she thought that Jiang Yu was already at his weakest state when she saw him then, but seeing him today, she realized what it meant to only exhale and not inhale. Jiang Jin had used a ruthless method to kill her, but now all the poison had spread throughout Jiang Yu's body.
"Your Majesty, please forgive us," the imperial physicians knelt in the hall, the head physician, Wang, said, "Prince Huan has been poisoned for too long. By the time we began treatment, we had already missed the optimal time. In addition, Prince Huan's health was already compromised beforehand..."
He couldn't continue. Even without this calamity, King Huan wouldn't have lived a long and peaceful life, let alone with the fact that the poison was so vicious. Under such circumstances, even if Hua Tuo were alive, he couldn't snatch a life from the clutches of the King of Hell. They had truly done their best.
Jiang Chen felt terrible upon hearing this. He sighed and asked, "How much longer can you hold on?"
"It'll be over in the next day or two..."
Upon hearing this, Shen Yujiao swayed slightly. Jiang Chen stepped forward to support her and whispered comforting words in her ear, but Shen Yujiao was truly unable to hear anything at this moment.
Ah Jiao... she broke her promise, I'm sorry for letting Ah Jiao down.
Seeing her distraught appearance, Jiang Chen sighed and dismissed everyone in the hall. He helped Shen Yujiao sit down in front of Jiang Yu's bed, then knelt down to look her in the eye and gently comforted her, "Jiaojiao, Doctor Luqiu treated him before and said..."
“I know,” Shen Yujiao’s vision began to blur, and she choked out, “I know he has already lost all his money, but he did it for me back then, and he does it for me today.”
“No,” Jiang Chen quickly grasped her hand. “Don’t think like that. He did it for Miss Shen, and Miss Shen did it for him back then. It’s a karmic debt between them due to some twist of fate. Don’t take all the blame on yourself.”
“Jiang Chen…” Shen Yujiao could no longer hold back, her voice trembling with sobs: “You don’t know, I… I’ve met Miss Shen once before.”
This time it was Jiang Chen's turn to be shocked, because he had never met Crown Prince Chen before. Under his shocked expression, Shen Yujiao recounted in detail the situation when she met Shen Yujiao.
"How am I supposed to explain this to her...?"
The first time I truly felt sorry for Shen Yujiao was after learning about Jiang Yu's health condition in the Northern Frontier.
The second time I felt sorry for her was when Shen Yujiao took advantage of their friendship to impersonate Shen Yujiao and enter the palace.
This was the third time she had felt deeply indebted to someone.
"Ah Jiao..."
A hoarse murmur startled Jiang Chen and Shen Yujiao, who exchanged a glance before turning to look at the weak Jiang Yu on the bed.
"You're awake?"
Jiang Chen made a move to call the imperial physician in, but before he could speak, he was weakly pulled by the person on the sickbed. He turned around and saw that Jiang Yu's ashen face was gradually regaining color: "Ah Chen, you've made it back..."
At this moment, Jiang Chen's feelings were also extremely complicated. He nodded to Jiang Yu: "Thanks to my elder brother's rescue, I was able to escape from the encirclement and suppression by the grassland allied forces."
Jiang Yu shook her head slightly with difficulty: "It's because you... proved yourself..."
He was having great difficulty speaking at this moment, and he had to catch his breath after saying just a few words. But seeing his face gradually turning red, Shen Yujiao and Jiang Chen both realized something.
"Ah Chen..." Jiang Yu sat up with his help, her eyes pleading, and said, "I... today I want to... ask you for three imperial decrees..."
Jiang Chen didn't hesitate at all: "Brother, just say what you want, I'll agree to everything."
Jiang Yu was fully aware of all the sacrifices Jiang Yu had made for the Great Xia Dynasty. Even if he had done things that had earned him infamy but were not deserving of any blame, Jiang Yu would still fulfill all of Jiang Yu's last wishes, just for the sake of the arrow he had taken for Shen Yujiao today.
"Is Ajin... still alive?"
Unexpectedly, the first person he asked was the King of Zhao. Just thinking about the instigator made Jiang Chen's face turn sour. He didn't mention that Jiang Jin had gone mad, but just nodded slightly.
Seeing this, Jiang Yu opened his mouth with difficulty and said, "Please, Brother Chen... spare his life... whether it's confinement or exile... let him live a good life..."
These words reminded Jiang Chen of Princess Yongxian's solemn kowtow at Qingjue Temple that day. He closed his eyes and promised, "I will strip him of all his titles, demote him to a commoner, and find a courtyard in the suburbs of the capital to keep him under guard."
Thank you...
Is there anything else?
“Yes, that’s true…” Jiang Yu’s gaze shifted, finally settling on Shen Yujiao: “Today’s celebration… is just for show, please don’t mind it…”
“I understand,” Jiang Chen nodded emphatically, “I have never minded about it.”
After saying these few words, Jiang Yu was already feeling weak, but she still mustered her strength to say, "That's good..."
"The second imperial decree... I ask you, Brother Chen, to write a letter of divorce to Madam Liu... to return her to the Liu family... and for me... say... I'm sorry..."
Jiang Chen couldn't help but frown at this request. Regardless of Liu's stance, she had once tried to put Shen Yujiao to death. He closed his eyes briefly, but ultimately agreed: "Okay."
“One last thing…” Jiang Yu’s expression suddenly turned solemn: “I beg you, Brother Chen… after my death, bury me in Yu Mausoleum, right next to… your elder brother…”
Such a request brought tears to Jiang Chen's eyes, and he nodded earnestly: "I promise you."
Seemingly surprised that he granted these three requests so readily, Jiang Yu leaned against the pillow, breathing heavily, but his eyes were full of gratitude: "Thank you."
After saying that, his gaze fell on Shen Yujiao. Jiang Chen saw this and immediately stood up and said, "I have some things to do ahead of me. Let Jiao—let Ajiao talk to you some more. After all, you two have been friends since childhood."
Jiang Yu watched his departing figure and sincerely said, "Ah Chen... thank you..."
His thank you was so soft that the silence in the hall after he finished speaking seemed so natural. His voice was like the whisper of the evening breeze, lingering in one's ears almost imperceptibly, softening one's heart. Shen Yujiao already felt guilty, and now that only the two of them were left in the hall, she began by saying, "I'm sorry..."
"Don't be sad..." Jiang Yu's voice was barely audible, "It's not your fault..."
Shen Yujiao looked up at him, her eyes red. She couldn't reconcile the dying patient in front of her with the once dashing Prince Huan. Her gaze involuntarily fell to his chest, and large tears rolled down her cheeks.
"Don't cry... Ah Jiao..."
This unchanging murmur stirred a deep bitterness in Shen Yujiao's heart. She stared at Jiang Yu, her mind filled with countless thoughts. After a long while, she made a momentous decision.
She solemnly declared, "Jiang Yu, I am not Shen Yujiao."
This secret, known only to her and Jiang Chen in the Great Xia Dynasty, was now solemnly revealed to Jiang Yu.
"I am not originally from the Great Xia Dynasty. The place I live in is separated from the Great Xia Dynasty by thousands of years. The reasons and twists are too complicated to explain. In short, overnight, the world changed, and when I woke up, I became Miss Shen."
As she spoke, her gaze remained fixed on Jiang Chen. Seeing that he had initially shown a slight shock in his eyes, but had now regained his composure, she had a vague idea: "You...believe what I said?"
This situation was so shocking that even in modern times it would be unacceptable if she and Jiang Chen hadn't experienced it firsthand. However, Jiang Yu, an ancient man, seemed to have known it all along. Seeing her disbelief, he slowly nodded and said, "In that case... there is an explanation."
Upon hearing this, the two of them suddenly understood; all the strange things they had felt before now had an answer.
It turns out she really wasn't her.
So he really did know I wasn't her.
"Then... what about Ah Jiao?"
Finally, the topic came up again. Shen Yujiao slowly closed her eyes, and the scene of Peach Blossom Spring appeared before her eyes once more. She choked up as she said that Shen Yujiao had already perished in the fire in Jiangnan, on the very day he married the Princess of Huan.
“But she, until her death... until the very end... was always thinking of you, never blaming you in the slightest. She knew all your difficulties; she was just too desperate. Jiang Yu, if she hadn't been so attached to you, I wouldn't have come to Daxia. All the longing and unbreakable bonds in her heart were for you.”
Unlike Jiang Yu, Shen Yujiao didn't have the same composure. By this point, she was already sobbing uncontrollably: "She was afraid you wouldn't be doing well, afraid you couldn't let go of her, afraid your obsession was too deep, afraid you'd end up all alone..."
These fragments of words pieced together a series of images. Jiang Yu looked at the woman in front of him. She had the same face as A Jiao, but she was not the person he was thinking of. He did not doubt the truth of her words; on the contrary, he believed it without a doubt. He listened quietly, and the tenderness in his eyes gradually overflowed.
Thank you...
After hearing all her secrets, Jiang Yu sincerely thanked her. He was truly grateful that she had survived in place of A Jiao. If she hadn't come to Da Xia, he probably would never have known what A Jiao was thinking until his death.
"I'm conveying her last wish to you..." Shen Yujiao looked at Jiang Yu, her voice choked with emotion as she said each word, "She hoped that you could be happy."
"I won't be King Huan... I'll go back to being Jiang Yu..."
He murmured those words repeatedly, a smile playing on his lips, tears welling in his eyes. When he looked at Shen Yujiao again, it was as if he were looking at her through a misty haze. He softly called out, "Ajiao..."
The call was so soft, even more ethereal than the wisp of wind that had drifted away in the evening breeze. Sitting there, watching him close his eyes weakly, a faint and gentle smile still lingering on his lips, Shen Yujiao was momentarily speechless.
The clear moonlight streamed into the inner hall through the window lattice. A gust of wind, seemingly from nowhere, extinguished the last remaining light in the hall. Chen Yujiao sat under the cold moonlight, letting icy tears slide down her cheeks. She lowered her head deeply, completing a silent mourning.
With her last bit of strength, Shen Yujiao removed the jade bracelet from her wrist and placed it in Jiang Yu's palm, helping him to hold it tightly.
Gazing at the clouds at sunrise, a tapestry of vibrant colors, I recall the past: willows swaying gently, childhood sweethearts, companions cherished by time...
On the day of Jiang Yu's funeral, a torrential downpour occurred. When the coffin was being carried into Yuling Mausoleum, someone reported that the rebellious king had committed suicide. Jiang Chen and Shen Yujiao stood side by side in the rain, holding umbrellas, to see Jiang Yu off on his final journey.
The next day, Lady Liu, the former wife of Prince Huan who had been divorced by imperial decree, suddenly died at home. After the Liu family submitted their memorial, Jiang Chen felt a mix of emotions. In the end, he generously rewarded Lady Liu's father and brothers, posthumously conferred upon her the title of First-Rank Lady Kejing, and built a separate tomb for her in the Liu clan.
With the passing of Lady Liu, the turmoil in the capital finally came to an end, and Xiajing City, located under the emperor's nose, gradually returned to its former bustling prosperity. The vibrant atmosphere of the city once again filled the void, except for Qingjue Temple on the outskirts of the capital, which never opened its doors to visitors again and never regained its former glory of incense offerings.
Jiang Chen assumed personal rule before ascending the throne. With numerous affairs of state to manage, he meticulously sorted them out, putting the long-delayed government back on track. On his very first day in the palace, he issued his first imperial edict—
He Zhiju, the heir apparent of the Marquis of Zhongyi, was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Zhongyi and granted the title of General of the Cavalry. He was to lead an expedition to quell the Northern Barbarians. King Tai Jiang Yan was appointed as the Left General, and the Emperor's brother-in-law Jiang Zhigong was appointed as the Right General. In addition, Qi Jing, the commander of the Northern Frontier Camp, was to lead another army north to wipe out all the grassland tribes. Both armies received the order and set off immediately.
"The day Ziwang returns in triumph will be the day I ascend the throne."
One sentence silenced all the ministers kneeling in the main hall of the palace. The Northwest Expedition was not a simple battle. The battle against the Northern Barbarians was of great significance to the Great Xia. Fortunately, He Zhiju and Qi Jing were both brave enough. Since the army set off, the court had received news of victory every day. The border of the Great Xia, which had been fighting for several years, was re-planned in just three months.
As the first autumn leaf fell, Jiang Chen received a personal memorial from He Zhiju: "As expected of the Emperor, the Northern Barbarians have been destroyed."
The Great Xia Dynasty thus unified the grasslands and deserts.
On the day He Zhiju returned to the capital in triumph, Jiang Chen, along with Shen Yujiao and all the civil and military officials, waited at the city gate early in the morning. The people of the city lined the streets to welcome him, and the capital city of Xia witnessed a grand occasion that had not been seen for decades.
"Sister-in-law, the people are so happy."
Princess Yong'an stood beside Shen Yujiao, watching the jubilant crowd below the city gate, and sincerely praised this statement.
Shen Yujiao pulled her close and patted her shoulder, saying, "The greatest wish of the people is for our Great Xia to be prosperous and strong, and for the court to be clean and honest. Only in this way can the people live and work in peace and contentment."
Whether in the capital or in a remote border town, the people's greatest hope is the same. Therefore, when they learned that Marquis Zhongyi had annihilated the Northern Di and was about to return to the capital in triumph with the Northern Frontier army, they were genuinely happy. The lively scene in the city today was not fake at all.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, the army has entered the outskirts of the capital and will reach the city gate in another quarter of an hour!"
Although the coronation ceremony has not yet been held, people inside and outside the palace have been calling Your Majesty and Your Majesty for some time now. Upon hearing this, Shen Yujiao couldn't help but clench the hand of the person beside her. He Zhiju's triumphant return meant that this dynasty was about to begin a brand new chapter.
As the messenger had announced, in less than a quarter of an hour, the massive army could be seen approaching them from the city tower. The soldiers were all dressed in uniform, except for a few at the very front who wore armor. When the army stopped in front of the city gate, Jiang Chen led the others down from the city tower.
The newly built city gate is more imposing and powerful than the old city gate. Xu Zhiyuan destroyed not only the city gate that represented the past, but also the history that was past. The history of military officers dismounting and putting away their swords in front of the city gate and only being able to walk behind civil officials is no more. Now, the soldiers of the Great Xia can stand tall and proud in front of the city gate.
He Zhiju led his generals to dismount and approach the new emperor and empress, kneeling respectfully. He then proclaimed loudly, "Your subject, He Zhiju, was ordered to lead the western and northern expeditions. Our Great Xia army marched up the three prefectures of the northern border, recovering thirty-seven tribes of the grasslands, including Kaze, Duoshi, Yuzhi, Talado, and Hehushe. We then traveled west along the Hejian Prefecture, using the Weizhou long road to reach the capital of the Northern Di. Our army has lived up to Your Majesty's expectations and finally destroyed the Northern Di. I, as the commander-in-chief, am leading my troops back to the capital today to report to Your Majesty!"
As he finished speaking, the soldiers behind him knelt down one after another, with the commander and deputy commanders leading the way in saluting: "Your subjects He Zhiju/Qi Jing/Jiang Yan/Jiang Zhigong kowtow to wish Your Majesty good health."
If it weren't for the fact that the affairs of the court couldn't do without him, Jiang Chen originally intended to personally lead the expedition. He regretted it for quite some time after the army left the capital. But now, seeing the triumphant return of the Great Xia generals, he couldn't help but feel his heart surge with emotion. He said loudly, "My good sons of Great Xia, in this battle, you are all the backbone and good generals of Great Xia. Today, on behalf of the millions of people of Great Xia, I thank the generals of my Xia army."
As he spoke, he waved his hand behind him and said, "Someone, bring the wine."
Zhu Yu had been waiting for a long time. When His Majesty spoke, he led a group of eunuchs forward. He held a tray with silver wine cups on it, while the eunuchs behind him carried wooden buckets filled with tens of thousands of wine cups and thousands of catties of fine wine. Every soldier returning to the capital with the army today would receive the Emperor's gift of victory wine. The last time such a grand occasion was during the reign of Emperor Taizu when General Shen returned to the capital in triumph.
"In the past, the Great Ancestor bestowed fine wine to comfort the thousand troops led by the Duke of Cheng. Today, I also follow the example of my ancestors and bestow favors upon my generals. Gentlemen, raise the wine in your hands and drink with me this fine wine that represents the peace and prosperity of the Great Xia Dynasty!"
As he spoke, Jiang Chen personally poured a cup of wine for He Zhiju. The Duke of Cheng, standing in the former position of the old Duke of Cheng, presented the wine cup to Qi Jing, while Shen Yujiao, standing beside Jiang Chen, represented the Empress Dowager and handed the wine cup to Jiang Zhigong. Princess Yong'an, as the model among the princesses of this generation, poured wine for her sixth brother, Jiang Yan.
This scene stirred the hearts of the onlookers outside the city and the soldiers inside. They raised their wine cups high, shouted "Long live the Emperor!" three times, and wished the Great Xia Dynasty a long and prosperous future. Only then, led by their commander, did they drink the wine in their cups.
It was unclear which side of the people raised their voices, but a wave of shouts quickly followed. Jiang Chen and Shen Yujiao stood in the very center of the wave, feeling the surging emotions of the masses and truly experiencing what Kangding, a prosperous dynasty, was all about.
With the army returning to the capital, Jiang Chen had no more reason to refuse the throne. Upon returning to the palace that day, the area outside the court hall was filled with kneeling ministers requesting his presence.
While He Zhiju and others were away fighting, Jiang Chen also acted as a dutiful son and grandson in the palace. He had the Qian Yuan Hall, the former residence of the late emperor, cleaned and emptied it. He did not live there himself, but instead moved into the newly renovated Zi Chen Hall to show his remembrance of his father. He would only go there from time to time during the day to offer sacrifices and mourn the late emperor's kindness.
He didn't ask the Empress Dowager to move out of the Kunyi Palace, where she had lived when she was Empress. Since there had been no Empress Dowagers in the palace for several generations, the Cining Palace had long become a mere decoration. Instead of undertaking a major renovation, he expanded the Kunyi Palace and re-hung the plaque for the Cining Palace. The Empress Dowager still lived in the main hall there.
Shen Yujiao, however, was still concerned about Princess Yong'an and her daughter. After discussing it with the Empress Dowager, she issued an edict to allow Consort Rong to move in as well. Thus, the two of them lived in the east and west side halls to accompany the Empress Dowager, while she herself moved to Qionghua Palace, which was not far from Linzichen Palace.
After the late emperor passed away, Shen Yujiao made proper arrangements for all the women in the harem. Those who had sons who had been granted the title of prince, such as Consort Qi, Consort Zheng, and Consort Jiang, were granted permission to live in their princely residences to support the dowager consorts. The others who had lower ranks and no sons were given a courtyard in a remote part of the harem and were settled in a unified and proper manner.
Jiang Chen and Shen Yujiao's treatment of the late emperor was impeccable, leaving no room for criticism. Moreover, under their leadership, the entire palace and its inhabitants observed a period of fasting and vegetarianism for a full hundred days. There are very few emperors who have gone to such lengths.
Whether it was to perform the full courtesy from the bottom of his heart or to wait a while to adjust his state, three or four months had passed, and everything had long since settled down. Therefore, Jiang Chen did not refuse too much this time.
The Imperial Observatory quickly calculated an auspicious day, and the Ministry of Rites drafted the detailed procedures for the grand ceremony. Ten days after the army's triumphant return, Jiang Chen officially ascended the throne with the support of the officials.
Although the ceremony was held quickly, because there had been a three or four-month break beforehand, preparations in all aspects were complete. This time, when Jiang Chen ascended the throne, he also chose to ride in the imperial carriage with Shen Yujiao, giving her the honor and dignity of being on par with the emperor.
Unlike the day Jiang Yu had planned to ascend the throne, this day was a bright and sunny day. Jiang Chen and Shen Yujiao stepped onto the altar in the presence of civil and military officials and the people of the capital. After offering sacrifices to Heaven and the ancestral temple, Jiang Chen officially ascended the throne as emperor and changed the era name to Jingyou.
The first thing the new emperor did upon ascending the throne was to bestow honors and rewards upon the former court and the imperial harem:
Before He Zhiju went to war, he inherited his father’s marquis title. After he conquered the tribes of the northwestern grasslands, Jiang Chen bestowed upon him the honors of his grandfather, making him the first general of the new dynasty to be granted the title of Duke. His grandfather was also posthumously honored as Grand General of the Pillar State.
Besides him, all the generals who made meritorious contributions in this expedition were rewarded, either with titles of merit or with imperial favors. The King of Tai granted him a fief and appointed him as the Grand General of Weizhou. Qi Jing and Jiang Zhigong were also promoted two ranks. Shen Xun also made meritorious contributions in this expedition. Jiang Chen no longer had him deal with grain, but instead put him in charge of the Ministry of Revenue's land tax.
On the very day that Shen Xun took office as Vice Minister of Revenue, Duke Shen Boyi of Cheng submitted a memorial requesting to resign. Jiang Chen rejected it several times, but he could not resist the Duke's insistence. In the end, he could not persuade him to resign from his actual duties and allowed him to return to Jiangnan Prefecture. He also added several honorary titles and rewards, thus preserving the glory of the Shen family of Jiangnan.
In addition, other positions from the previous dynasty were also significantly adjusted. Most of the officials who had been demoted early during the Rebellion of the Rebellious King for their outspokenness or desperate appeals received imperial edicts to reinstate them.
When Jiang Chen was the crown prince, he interacted with court officials and had a general understanding of how to select officials. He knew who was loyal and who was treacherous without needing anyone to remind him. The talents selected in the last imperial examination were given important positions.
After stabilizing the previous dynasty, the emperor bestowed titles and honors upon the imperial harem.
First, Empress Jiang, the birth mother, was honored as Empress Dowager. The concubines of the late emperor were promoted one generation according to their original rank. All the princesses of Jiang Chen's generation were granted the title of Eldest Princess. Princess Yong'an was even more honored than her sisters, receiving a real title according to the regulations for legitimate princesses. To show his love for this younger sister, Jiang Chen also reserved a piece of land in the busiest market to build a princess's residence for her, where she would live after her marriage.
Moving from the Eastern Palace's inner courtyard into the inner palace was far too easy. Since Jiang Chen only had one Crown Princess and one Consort when he was the Crown Prince, Shen Yujiao naturally became the Empress after he ascended the throne. Consort Chu was granted the title of Noble Consort and lived in the Fuhui Palace, where Noble Consort Rong had previously lived.
The sons of the Shen and Chu families were promoted to higher ranks and titles multiple times. The old Imperial Tutor Chu was even honored with the title of Duke Wen of Chu, becoming the first Duke Wen in the dynasty to be given a surname. There were even rumors that His Majesty had already reserved the posthumous title "Wenzheng" for the old Imperial Tutor Chu.
This was an excessive honor for the Chu family. His Majesty explained that the Consort had helped the Empress during the chaos in the capital, which had severely damaged her health.
Outsiders don't know exactly what merits the Consort has made, but since His Majesty says she has made merits, then she has made merits. Moreover, judging from His Majesty's words, the glory of the Chu family was obtained at the cost of the Consort's life. Suddenly, the glory that the Chu family has obtained seems not so easy.
If the rewards and punishments up to this point were still within the bounds of propriety and reason, then these last two imperial edicts were an unexpected surprise that shocked the court and the public, and caused a great deal of discussion among civil and military officials.
The late Crown Prince Yu was posthumously honored as Crown Prince Huixian during the reign of the previous emperor. After the current emperor ascended the throne, he was posthumously given the temple name Ruizong and the posthumous title Zhaosheng Wenwu Muxiao Yuan Emperor.
This decree was somewhat unexpected, but the two were brothers born of the same mother, and the late Crown Prince Yu had made outstanding political achievements during his youth, so he was indeed worthy of this posthumous honor. However, another decree caused a stir in the court and the public: Jiang Chen recognized Jiang Yu's succession.
"The eldest son of the late emperor, Yu, was posthumously honored as Emperor Xianzong, with the posthumous title of Emperor Huisheng Deming Gongding Xian."
The imperial edict nearly caused chaos in the court with the officials' discussions. Jiang Chen sat on the dragon throne, watching the censors and officials argue for five or six days without stopping. His eyes darted around, recalling the words Shen Yujiao had advised him to say the night before:
“The Great Xia is not a single country, and the monarch does not only represent the court. Politics is woven from the achievements of all officials. If we want to posthumously honor Jiang Yu, we must gain the approval of all officials. Rather than forcibly bestowing such an honor, we should tear off the fig leaf of the royal family. After all, some things are not completely sealed off. Rather than hiding them, we should lay them out and make them clear.”
Jiang Chen found this very reasonable; he had wanted to do it for a long time.
"quiet--"
As Zhu Yu echoed his words, all the civil and military officials in the entire court fell silent. Everyone looked toward the emperor, who stood with a dignified and imposing countenance, exuding authority without anger.
Seeing that the crowd had quieted down, Jiang Chen cleared his throat and slowly began to speak: "I know that you, my esteemed ministers, have different opinions on the matter of posthumously honoring Emperor Xianzong. For me, this is both a family matter and a matter of state. This posthumous honor is to honor my elder brother's contributions to the Great Xia Dynasty. However, if you are unaware of these matters, it will be difficult to convince the people of the world. Therefore, I am giving you all an explanation..."
He slowed his speech and recounted to the assembled officials the things Jiang Yu had done for the court, excluding the most secret and unspeakable matters. The officials then gained a general understanding of the efforts Jiang Yu had made for the Great Xia Dynasty when he was the Prince of Huan.
"...Therefore, I believe that posthumously honoring Emperor Xianzong is both a matter of sentiment and reason, and an explanation to the Great Xia Dynasty, and even more so to the late Emperor."
After the last sentence was uttered, no one in the hall dared to object. The officials looked at each other, as if they had no reason to object anymore.
"But...wouldn't that mean the Yu Mausoleum wouldn't conform to regulations...?"
Someone said something that made everyone suddenly realize what was wrong—
Yuling was originally built by the late emperor for his beloved son. Jiang Yu died young before reaching adulthood, and the mausoleum, which cost a fortune to build, exceeded the standards for a crown prince. Now, if it were to be used as an imperial mausoleum, it would seem rather simple. Moreover, more than one emperor lies in Yuling.
After Jiang Yu's death, due to his divorce from Lady Liu, he was not buried with her. Respecting his wishes, the Emperor instead buried him in Jiang Yu's tomb. If they were to be posthumously honored as emperors, it would be far too inappropriate in terms of protocol, and besides...
"Throughout history, there has never been a precedent for two emperors being buried together. Perhaps we should..."
The official realized his words were wrong as soon as they left his mouth. It wasn't entirely untrue; wasn't the Qianling Mausoleum an example? But that was a special case. They were husband and wife, while these were brothers. What did this mean?
In the end, Jiang Chen made the final decision: no renovation, no reconstruction, and no disturbance to their peace. The Yu Mausoleum would be repaired and expanded when the imperial court unified the construction of the mausoleums.
The matter was finally settled. Jiang Chen sat at the head of the table and exchanged a glance with the Prince of Han. He nodded slightly to him before speaking. The person who had mentioned Yuling was from the Hanlin Academy and was also the Prince of Han's man. The topic had changed from whether or not to posthumously confer a temple name to whether or not to expand the imperial mausoleum. The topic was changed so cleverly that he appreciated the Prince of Han's favor.
"You mean Jiang Jin is trying to make advances towards you?"
During dinner, Shen Yujiao heard about the events of the previous dynasty and was quite surprised. Jiang Chen noticed that she had even forgotten to put the food she had picked up into her mouth, so he simply lowered his head and bit into it himself.
"Anyway, this isn't the first time."
He was the first to know about the late emperor's serious illness. It was the Prince of Han who sent the news to the Eastern Palace and the Prince of Huan's residence. In this way, they were able to make preparations in advance. As for the matter of surrendering, Jiang Jin was familiar with it after a few times.
"Jiang Xiaochen! Can't you pick up the food yourself?" Shen Yujiao snatched back her chopsticks and glared at him, muttering under her breath, "You're usually so arrogant outside, but you're so unruly around me."
Jiang Chen smiled and placed another piece of beef on her plate, replying with a smile, "What's the point of being so serious if I have to put on airs in front of you?"
Shen Yujiao certainly didn't really blame him. As she put the piece of beef into her mouth, she suddenly remembered something: "Qi Zheng went to the palace today, and I asked Yong'an to entertain him."
“Hmm…” Jiang Chen suddenly thought, “The army is about to return to the northern frontier, he probably wants to say goodbye.”
As he said this, there was a hint of a smile in his eyes. In his eyes, Qi Zheng and Yong An were childhood friends. If they weren't childhood sweethearts, they were playmates unlike anyone else.
Shen Yujiao nodded: "He wanted to say goodbye, but besides Yong'an, he also asked about Chu Rou."
When this topic came up, the two looked up at each other without prior arrangement, and after a moment, they tacitly lowered their heads to eat again.
For no other reason than that Chu Rou was genuinely injured in this great battle.
Qi Zheng is now a highly respected young general in the Northern Frontier Camp, following his father. He is also a promising young representative among the second-generation elites in the capital. Although he appears successful, he has never forgotten Chu Rou, nor has he forgotten the days when he followed the Crown Prince and wandered around searching for his father.
During the most difficult time for this child, it was Chu Rou who took care of him and accompanied him through it all. In the end, it is easy to add flowers to brocade, but difficult to provide charcoal in the snow. Qi Zheng is not a heartless child; on the contrary, he is very grateful. If it weren't for Chu Rou, he would not have grown up properly to this day, and he would not have met his father again in the Northern Border.
Those warm embraces that sheltered him in the freezing snow, those lights that illuminated his despair in the darkest of times, those supports that gave him when he was all alone and helpless, and that night when everyone disagreed with his going north with the army, it was Chu Rou who begged He Zhiju to secure his future.
"Princess, please beg Your Majesty for me. I really want to see the Imperial Concubine, even if it's just through a curtain or a screen, or even just standing in the outer hall and saying a few words to her. Others may not know, but you do. I lost my mother at a young age, and the Imperial Concubine is like a sister and a mother to me."
When this message reached Shen Yujiao, it left her in a very difficult situation.
"So you're here to make things difficult for me?" Jiang Chen sighed and turned to look at her. "Why don't you ask Chu Rou about this? After all, this is a crucial time. If you can hold on, it's better not to lose sight of the bigger picture."
Before Jiang Yu's coronation ceremony, Jiang Jin guarded the inside and outside of the imperial city with impenetrable security. In order to allow Xu Zhiyuan to return to the Ministry of Works to make advance arrangements, to seek help from the Prince of Tai's Mansion, and to allow her to eventually return to the Chu family, Chu Rou held a long sword to her neck and questioned him every three steps and shouted angrily every five steps as she left through the main gate of the East Palace.
When the land was being acquired and the mansion was being built, Jiang Chen got involved through the Ministry of Works, making sure that the Duke of Yi's mansion was built very close to the Eastern Palace. This little scheme made it easier for Chu Rou to sneak back to the Eastern Palace under the cover of night and cause a ruckus in the early hours of the morning.
As dawn broke, the Crown Prince's concubine, sword in hand, walked step by step, rebuking the soldiers in the city. In recent days, which high-ranking family in the capital hadn't been cautious in their words and actions? The capital was never short of powerful and influential people, but no one had ever dared to defy the odds and rush in.
Therefore, when they saw this scene, the soldiers under martial law in the city were all dumbfounded. Everyone held long spears with sharp blades pointed at Consort Chu, but they dared not take a step forward. They retreated step by step like a human wall, and in the end, those who were guarding became those who were escorting.
Thanks to Chu Rou's diversionary tactic, Xu Zhiyuan successfully escaped and planted explosives, while Chu Rou's advance towards the Chu residence was thwarted.
The commander of the Imperial Guards was different from the others. He was promoted by King Zhao himself. Compared to the fear of others, he also had a sense of loyalty to King Zhao. Even if it was not much, it made him the only one among the soldiers who dared to stop Chu Rou.
“My lady, please forgive my rudeness, but the city is still under martial law. If you carry a sword in the street like this, you will be imprisoned in the imperial prison.”
Opposite her stood imperial guards clad in armor and wielding sharp blades. Seeing the wariness on their faces, Chu Rou suddenly laughed: "Is that so? You're going to arrest me and take me to the imperial prison..."
Having said that, she changed to holding the sword with both hands, taking a half step back with her right leg, assuming a defensive stance. The sharp blade was no longer grazing her neck, but instead cut through the air with a whistling sound, just as Shen Yujiao had taught her in the past—
"Then let's give it a try."
Adorned in magnificent robes and with exquisite features, Chu Rou was a picture of a refined lady just by standing there. Yet, the noblewoman in the painting now displayed a posture of impending battle. How contradictory, and how shocking!
The commander of the Imperial Guards showed no fear when facing the warriors, but when facing Consort Chu, he subconsciously took a half step back: "Your Highness, I do not wish to harm you. Please put down your sword, and I will escort you back to the Eastern Palace."
Chu Rou narrowed her eyes slightly as she looked at him: "Insolence!"
During the standoff, the group was only one street away from the Chu residence. The commander of the Imperial Guards thought it would be bad to cause a scene here, and he also remembered that his superiors had given orders to keep the people of the Eastern Palace under strict guard. So, he gritted his teeth and stepped forward to try to take the sword: "Your Highness, please forgive me."
"Whoosh—"
The sword blade sliced through the brocade, and blood gushed out, dripping onto the ground and splattering like flowers. Everyone was immediately terrified.
"Your Highness!"
The commander of the Imperial Guards, no longer concerned with the arrest, quickly took a few steps back and raised his hands: "Your Highness, this humble subject..."
Chu Rou, enduring the pain in her arm, raised her head and preemptively said, "When the late emperor was alive, our Great Xia was peaceful and prosperous, and the people lived in peace and contentment. Even when enemy invaded from the border, the people of Xia Capital never suffered from political turmoil or palace coups. Now, before the new emperor has even ascended the throne, he wants to kill me, the Crown Prince's concubine whom the late emperor bestowed upon me by imperial decree, in the street!"
She shouted with almost all her might; though the sound wasn't loud, it sent a chill down the spines of everyone present. The Imperial Guard commander quickly looked around and, seeing that the doors of several nearby houses were already shaking, he knew in his heart that something was wrong.
The area around here is inhabited by many renowned upright civil officials, most of whom live next to the Chu family. Chu Liangdi's shout might just attract the Chu family disciples who are fearless enough to rush up at any moment.
Almost instantly, he made a decision: "Your Highness, I deserve to die. Please forgive me. However, Your Highness's health is of utmost importance and cannot be delayed. How about I escort you back to the Chu residence, which is the nearest one?"
Seeing how quickly his attitude changed, Chu Rou stopped making sarcastic remarks and returned to the Chu family smoothly under his escort. In this way, she had a reason to make a fuss about her serious illness.
"...Originally, I was planning to take this opportunity to fake my death. Chu Rou has rarely appeared in the capital in recent years, and few people in the army have seen her. I thought it was foolproof, but I just missed Qi Zheng."
When the Northern Frontier Camp returned to the capital, General Qi brought Qi Zheng with him to almost every banquet. As the favored youngest son, Qi Zheng had also participated in a great victory. Countless imperial relatives wanted to curry favor with this young general, and even aloof figures like the Prince of Han sent him invitations.
But Qi Zheng had never seen Chu Rou.
Logically speaking, His Majesty currently only has one Empress and one Consort in his harem. At banquets like this, whenever the Empress is present, the Consort should also be qualified to accompany her. However, Qi Zheng waited and waited, and even when the army was about to return to the northern border, he did not see even a glimpse of Chu Rou's clothes. That is why he made this request to Princess Yong'an today.
This was too difficult to handle, so Jiang Chen and Shen Yujiao simply passed the problem on to Chu Rou.
Inside Fu Hui Palace, Chu Rou leaned against a pillow, while A Jun held a book in her hands. Seeing Chu Rou slightly raise her chin, she turned a page. Chu Rou's left arm was injured, so the fruits and snacks were placed on a small table on her right.
When Shen Yujiao entered the hall, she saw her reading a book, casually picking up a grape and putting it in her mouth. Although she was injured, she seemed quite content.
"Your Majesty has such refined tastes."
Chu Rou knew it was her without even looking up. Her beautiful eyes sparkled with a smile. She didn't get up immediately as usual, but instead patted the seat next to her and said, "Please sit down."
Ah-Jun, holding her book, quickly stood up and stepped aside. Shen Yu-Jiao walked over and sat in her seat, asking with a smile, "How are you feeling today?"
Chu Rou turned her head and glanced at her still-bound left arm, and said with a wry smile, "I really feel much better. Even if it's a broken bone, a hundred days is enough time to recover. But you all insist on not letting me loosen my grip even a little."
"I was just worried you hadn't taken good care of them..." As she spoke, Shen Yujiao picked through the fruit in the plate, seemingly unable to find anything satisfactory, and asked, "Didn't the Imperial Household Department send you any fruit?"
"Does Your Majesty not like what I have?" Chu Rou turned to A-Jun and gave her a look: "Have someone go out and prepare some new ones."
After receiving the order, A-Jun led the palace maids out. Seeing that the hall was empty, Chu Rou lowered her voice and asked, "Is there something you need?"
Facing Chu Rou, Shen Yujiao told her with a sense of helplessness about Qi Zheng's desire to see her. After hearing this, Chu Rou hesitated. Besides seeing Qi Zheng, she had more to think about: "Perhaps... I should stay in the palace."
Shen Yujiao was stunned: "What do you mean by that...?"
It wasn't easy for Chu Rou to make this decision. By announcing the death as a concubine, the Chu family could gain the greatest benefit, and she could regain her freedom and truly be with He Zhiju.
They have all paid a lot for this, walked for a long time, and finally made it to this day, but she actually said she wanted to stay in the capital?
"I......"
Chu Rou knew that everyone was working hard for them, and even her staying behind would make others think that she was caught in the middle between the Emperor and the Empress. Even in terms of status, she didn't want to be that superfluous person, but—
"It's because Grandfather was injured that day. Although I'm much better now, Grandfather is still quite old..."
Seeing her eyes redden, Shen Yujiao felt a little sorry for her. She understood the meaning behind those words. Chu Rou lost her father at a young age and was raised by the old Imperial Tutor Chu. The bond between the grandfather and granddaughter was deep. If her status changed in the future, He Zhiju would not be able to bear seeing her as a concubine without a title. He would definitely treat her with the respect due to a principal wife. Once she became the Duchess of Yi, she would find it difficult to return to the capital and would no longer be able to see her grandfather.
One problem remains unsolved, and another difficulty arises.
Shen Yujiao couldn't help but sigh: "In that case, you should rest for now. The army will be setting out in a few days anyway. If you've made up your mind, come and talk to me again."
Seeing the person get up and leave, Chu Rou felt she should say something, but even though the words to make amends were on the tip of her tongue, she couldn't bring herself to say them.
After returning home, Shen Yujiao told Jiang Chen about the matter. Jiang Chen hesitated and asked, "Should we call He Zhiju over to discuss it together?"
Neither of them had much experience as matchmakers since it was their first time.
So, that very night, just as the banquet at the Duke of Yi's mansion ended, a group of northern frontier generals, all drunk and being helped to their rooms by their servants, arrived in a chaotic scene. A servant from the Duke of Yi's mansion came to report: "His Majesty has decreed that the Duke of Yi be summoned to the palace for an audience immediately."
In an instant, all the military officers who were still somewhat conscious were stunned.
"Could it be that His Majesty found out we were drinking and making merry here, and is therefore angry?"
The speaker was Old Zhou, who was a bit thick-skinned. Zhao Lao Er walked over and patted him on the shoulder: "Don't overthink it. Before the army sets off, His Majesty will personally host a banquet to see us off. How could he be angry just because we have a meal together on our day off?"
"That's right, things are not what they used to be. The current emperor won't concern himself with such trivial matters as eating and drinking among his generals."
It's no wonder that Old Zhou was subconsciously afraid of this. During the reign of the late emperor, even when they were far away on the frontier, they dared not frequently gather to drink and make merry, for fear of being accused of forming cliques for personal gain. They were all military generals who held military power. Once such a reputation spread, it would be a small matter if they were beheaded, but it would be a big deal if their entire family was implicated.
"But..." Old Zhou gasped for breath, "If it weren't for this, then summoning Ziwang to the palace at this time..."
Could something have happened in the palace?
He Zhiju rushed into the palace, his heart pounding in his chest. The world had finally been stabilized, and Xiajing was finally enjoying a long-awaited period of peace and tranquility... Hearing the eunuch's report, he quickly shook off his thoughts and followed.
"Brother has finally arrived!"
Before He Zhiju could kneel and pay his respects, Shen Yujiao hurriedly pulled him aside. He glanced at Jiang Chen's expression and quickly pulled back, saying, "Your Majesty is now the Empress, you should...be more composed..."
"So composed, huh?"
Shen Yujiao glanced helplessly at Jiang Chen. Their eyes met, and Jiang Chen pulled Shen Yujiao to sit opposite He Zhiju. After much hesitation, he slowly spoke, "I called you over here tonight, not for any other reason..."
That night, the Duke of Yi was kept in the palace all night without leaving. The soldiers of the entire Northern Frontier Camp were on tenterhooks all night. The next morning, as soon as the sun rose, news spread from the palace:
The Duke of Yi was reprimanded by the Emperor for making a mistake, and the Empress was also implicated. The Emperor ordered the Duke of Yi to go north with the army to guard the northern frontier and not to return to the capital without an imperial edict.
Although it was just hearsay, the news spread throughout the court the very next day. Since His Majesty didn't come forward to clarify anything, everyone believed it to be true. Besides being shocked, these people reacted very quickly. The entrance to the Duke of Yi's mansion, which was bustling with visitors just a few days ago, was deserted today. Old Zhou, who was staying at the Duke's mansion, was so angry that he cursed, "They are all sycophantic rats who believe whatever they hear!"
Seeing him pointing to the sky, Zhao Lao Er quickly stepped forward and pried his finger off: "Keep your voice down, do you want to cause trouble for Zi Wang?"
This farce went so far that even General Qi rushed over upon hearing the news. As soon as he entered the hall and saw the scene, his face immediately darkened: "What is going on here!"
The officers bowed to him upon seeing him, but Qi Jing ignored them. He glared at Old Zhou and then walked straight to He Zhiju: "Ziwang, what happened?"
He Zhiju also bowed to him politely, saying, "Uncle Qi, you are too kind. It was my fault for acting carelessly and incurring His Majesty's displeasure."
Qi Jing was taken aback at first, then realized what he meant and patted his shoulder: "You... sigh, if His Majesty orders you to return to the Northern Frontier, then you should make arrangements for this residence as soon as possible."
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone in the hall looked on incredulously. Old Zhou even stood up straight: "General, what makes our Ziwang—"
With a glance, Old Zhou's words were left unsaid. Qi Jing waved his hand at the crowd: "What are you all standing here for! Since His Majesty has given the order, let's make arrangements as soon as possible. The return to the north may have to be brought forward. Haven't you all had enough of your leisurely days?"
"Your subordinate admits guilt!"
They didn't know what crime he had committed, but given General Qi's expression, they had to adjust their attitude first.
Seeing that everyone was behaving themselves, Qi Jing stopped talking and waved his hand to take away all the generals in the hall. A few who were on good terms with He Zhiju were reluctant to leave, but they were dragged away from the Duke's mansion by their companions.
Qi Jing led his men back to the camp outside the capital on horseback. All the way, he thought: Zi Wang is a very meticulous person. It is impossible for him to be careless. Moreover, he and His Majesty have a life-and-death friendship. His Majesty almost treats him like a brother. Even if it is a huge crime, His Majesty would not be so angry. In addition, this matter came too suddenly.
Then there is only one possibility—His Majesty and Ziwang are setting up a scheme together. He doesn't know why, but if both of them are interested, he will help them out.
"Father, Father, Father—"
The sudden noise startled Qi Jing. When he came to his senses, he found that his youngest son had already run up to his horse. Startled, he quickly tightened the reins, then dismounted and scolded his son: "What are you doing in such a panic?"
"Is Brother Ziwang going back to the northern frontier? Why is that?"
"Why so many whys! How could you possibly fathom the Emperor's will!"
At the same time, A-Jun stood in front of Chu Rou's bed with a troubled expression: "We really can't find out any news from the previous dynasty, and besides, how can we possibly fathom the emperor's will?"
No sooner had she finished speaking than a "crack" was heard. Ah-Jun looked in the direction of the sound and saw that the white jade pen holder under her mistress's hand had broken in two. Her fair hand was slightly red from the force of the blow. She was startled and cried out, "Miss..."
Chu Rou only realized something was wrong when she heard her call. Looking down, she saw that the white jade pen she had cherished for many years was broken in two. She was stunned for a moment, then quickly got up, said "All matters in the palace are entrusted to you. Do not see any visitors, no matter who they are," and then left Fu Hui Palace quickly.
Late autumn should be a time of desolation, but the palace today is a sight to behold that evokes a sense of melancholy.
Previously, fallen leaves were considered unlucky by the noblewomen in the palace, and palace servants would immediately come to sweep them away whenever they fell. However, the Empress, who had just entered the palace this year, liked the golden scenery of the ground, so golden ginkgo leaves and fiery red maple leaves could be seen everywhere in the palace.
As Chu Rou ran out of the palace, it was sunset. Bathed in the afterglow of the setting sun, the entire palace was shrouded in a golden-orange hue. Running eastward, she stepped on golden ginkgo leaves and fiery red maple leaves in the chilly season, her skirt fluttering among the fallen leaves.
She ignored the strange looks from the palace servants along the way, and disregarded the rules and regulations that usually bound her. The voice in her heart grew stronger and stronger. She had never run so fast before, as if she was afraid that if she slowed down even a little, she would miss something. She dared not stop for a moment until she arrived at Qionghua Palace.
"Ah Jiao!"
Hearing the familiar voice, Shen Yujiao turned her head in surprise. She saw Chu Rou dressed in a light blue palace gown, as if she had rushed over at breakneck speed. Her hair was slightly disheveled, her breath was short, and there were a few fallen leaves stuck to the hem of her skirt. This was quite different from her usual dignified and quiet appearance.
Shen Yujiao wanted to ask with concern, but before she could speak, Chu Rou rushed to her and knelt down: "Your Majesty, I have thought it through—"
"Although my marriage was bestowed upon me by the late Emperor, my relationship with Your Majesty has always been that of ruler and subject. I am twenty-one years old this year, and with a long life ahead of me, I do not wish to waste the rest of my life in the palace. Before entering the Eastern Palace as a concubine, I had a marriage agreement when I was young, though it was just a childhood betrothal. However, my fiancé's family was destroyed, and the marriage vanished like smoke. But..."
A gentle evening breeze rose in the distance, blowing into Qionghua Palace and scattering fallen leaves from the treetops and ground. Chu Rou, kneeling amidst the fiery red glow, stood tall and resolute, her gaze exceptionally firm. She spoke each word earnestly:
"Today, I dare to call myself a close friend. If A-Jiao still considers me a friend, please allow me to leave the palace, to settle our past regrets, and to rekindle our relationship. If A-Jiao is already disappointed in me and unwilling to listen to my repeated words, then I will ask Your Majesty for permission to exchange all my merits during this rebellion in the capital for a chance to fake my death."
Her arrival was sudden, and her words were equally sudden, a stark contrast to the attitude she had heard and seen during their previous meeting. Shen Yujiao was somewhat incredulous, but she didn't dwell on it for long. She quickly recovered and asked, "Are you serious?"
Can she really let go of the Chu family, the heavy burden of her family, and her responsibilities as the second young lady of Chu? Even if she could agree to all of that, she couldn't believe that last layer—the mental cage and shackles that bound her as a woman of the Great Xia Dynasty.
Although she had only just begun to speak, Chu Rou smiled knowingly: "Originally, it was impossible, but His Majesty and the Empress's performance was so realistic that the audience was so engrossed in the play that they unconsciously became clear-headed."
If Shen Yujiao could maintain her composure just now, a crack appeared in her previously calm expression after hearing this sentence. Her lips twitched involuntarily, and she was speechless for a moment.
This action, when seen by Chu Rou, actually made her smile with relief, as if a huge weight had been lifted from her heart. Her straight spine, which had been held so taut just moments before, suddenly relaxed, and she simply knelt on the ground, looked up at Shen Yujiao, and gave her a genuine smile.
At this moment, both of them were laughing, but Shen Yujiao looked helpless while Chu Rou looked cunning.
One advantage of intelligent people speaking to each other is that they don't need to spell everything out to be understood. However, there's also a downside to intelligent people speaking to each other—
Shen Yujiao shook her head and sighed, "You really are..."
They thought their performance was flawless, but little did they know that even when Chu Rou was driven by emotion, she never lost her rationality. She was too clever and too perceptive; such a little trick could not fool her.
The Northern Frontier Army's return to camp was brought forward, but even so, the "Hidden Dragon Army" did not lack the dignity it deserved. Three days before the army broke camp, Jiang Chen led civil and military officials in a farewell banquet. At the banquet, he, along with the Empress and Princess Yong'an, once again toasted the generals, giving the Northern Frontier Army ample respect.
The most pressing concern in the army was His Majesty's attitude toward He Zhiju. This delicate stalemate improved on that day. Jiang Chen was in high spirits at the banquet and immediately arranged a marriage for He Zhiju. The young lady came from the Shen family of Jiangnan, a direct descendant of the Empress's maternal clan. Since He Zhiju had grown up in the Shen family since childhood, this matter became a beautiful story.
The wedding was not held in the capital. Firstly, the army was about to set off, and the itinerary could not be changed. Secondly, even if it was an imperial decree to grant the marriage, it would not be appropriate to offend the young lady. What family would be willing to arrange a marriage so hastily and carelessly? Therefore, the marriage was set for half a year later, when spring was in full bloom, and the Duke of Yi's mansion would welcome their mistress.
With this imperial decree granting the marriage, He Zhiju could not possibly be stationed in the northern frontier for the rest of his life. However, after receiving the decree and expressing his gratitude, he followed the emperor's previous wishes and said that the wedding would be held in the northern frontier. Jiang Chen and He Zhiju made some suggestive gestures on the surface, but eventually agreed. Since it seemed that He Zhiju was at a disadvantage, the dowry for the Duke of Yi's mansion and the Shen family girl in the northern frontier was prepared by the palace.
So, on the day the army marched north, tens of thousands of soldiers escorted the ten-mile-long red bridal procession prepared by the emperor and empress for the future Duchess of Yi.
Standing atop the city wall, Shen Yujiao shook her intertwined hands and laughed, "These days, brother is jokingly called the 'Red Makeup General' in the capital."
Jiang Chen watched the long procession of the army gradually disappear into the distance, raised his chin and said, "This is the pomp and circumstance I prepared for the Imperial Uncle."
"Imperial brother-in-law?" Shen Yujiao was both amused and exasperated. "Jiang Xiaochen, you need to get this straight. Chu Rou is now a daughter of our Shen family. I'm no longer considered part of the husband's family, but rather part of the wife's family. You'd better think carefully about which side you're on."
Jiang Chen pretended to be troubled for a while, then leaned close to her ear and whispered, "In the end, I'm on your side, so it's up to you how many gifts to give to both your family and the groom's family."
Shen Yujiao smiled unconsciously as she faced the rising sun. She turned to look at Jiang Chen and saw him smiling broadly in the dawn. She felt that the youthful spirit in his eyes was just as it had been back then, and she couldn't help but sigh, "We've walked hand in hand to this day, and now the whole world knows that you are mine."
These words made Jiang Chen unconsciously tighten his grip. He looked at the departing army, let out a long sigh, and thought that he was willing to walk hand in hand with her for a lifetime on this seemingly endless road.
“Jiaojiao, when we were little, before we knew what love was, I was happy to see you. Whether it was seeing you standing at the door washing up with sleepy eyes after morning exercises, or running and jumping with you on the way to and from school, or at school or at home, even though we saw each other every day, I still felt happy to see you.”
He turned to look at Shen Yujiao, his eyes gentle, his tone solemn: "Jiaojiao, the road ahead is long, but the thought of seeing you every day in the future makes me feel that this life is enough."
As dawn broke and the morning light shone upon her, Shen Yujiao, for the first time, did not avoid his gaze during his confession, nor did she try to change the subject with jokes, nor did she shyly avoid the topic. Instead, she earnestly made a promise, signing a contract for their past and future lives.
"Jiang Xiaochen, I will hold your hand and grow old with you."
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