Chapter 215: Returning to Beijing with a Great Victory
"The Jiang family has made such a great contribution, I will definitely reward them generously."
"Especially Jiang Qingning. A mere woman possesses such courage and martial arts skills. I am truly pleased. My beloved concubine, how do you think I should reward her?"
A hint of surprise flashed across Concubine Qin's eyes, and then turned into deeper calculations.
She pretended to be thoughtful and said softly, "Miss Jiang has indeed accomplished a remarkable feat. A woman is as capable as a man. Ordinary rewards of gold and silver would be too cliché and unworthy of her achievements. In my humble opinion, Your Majesty should confer upon her the title of a princess, allowing her to enjoy the treatment of a princess and choose her own husband. This would demonstrate Your Majesty's great grace and willingness to reward talented people without any restrictions."
"Choose your own husband?" Lu Bin was stunned for a moment. "But hasn't she already made an engagement with He Ning? Besides, hasn't the Ministry of Internal Affairs been preparing for their wedding? If she changes her mind, I'm afraid the Zhenbei Palace and the Jiang family will..."
Concubine Qin smiled gently, her smile gentle, but her words were like a needle hidden in cotton: "Your Majesty is wise and considerate, but please consider that the Jiang family now wields a large army and is feared by the Northern Di people. The He family of the Zhenbei Palace has also been commanding troops and defending the area for generations."
"If these two families marry, it will become a powerful alliance, and military power will be too concentrated. This may not be beneficial to the court and will easily attract criticism from court officials. Although Your Majesty is kind and benevolent, you must also strike a balance, right?"
Concubine Qin looked at Lu Bin's expression and spoke carefully, "Of course, Your Majesty is so gracious that he is not afraid of these things, but we must always give more consideration. Moreover, I heard that Qin Xiu seems to be interested in Miss Jiang..."
"I'm really dissatisfied with Your Majesty. My younger brother, Qin Xiu, also likes Jiang Qingning. If Your Majesty hadn't granted the marriage, Jiang Qingning might have been one of our own. Then, if Your Majesty continues to favor our own family, won't they all be ours in the end?"
She didn't finish her words, but she just woke Lu Bin up at the right time.
Lu Bing suddenly realized that the Jiang family and the He family were both military families with great power. If they really became in-laws, what would happen?
He was so happy that he almost forgot about it.
On the contrary, Qin Xiu took the initiative to hand over the military order as soon as he returned to the capital, showing his loyalty and lack of ambition.
If Jiang Qingning could be assigned to Qin Xiu, it would not only be a favor to the Jiang family, but also balance the He family, and it would also win over Qin Xiu, who had handed over the military order, and the Qin Mansion behind him. It would be a win-win situation.
The more Lu Bing thought about it, the more he felt that this plan was brilliant. He looked at Concubine Qin with eyes full of admiration: "My beloved concubine is indeed intelligent and deeply favored by me. I will do as you say and reward Jiang Qingning generously first. As for her engagement with He Ning..."
He thought for a moment and said in a deep voice, "I will slowly try to negotiate and finally resolve this properly. My beloved concubine can quietly prepare first. If that brat Qin Xiu really has this intention, why not let me help him?"
Concubine Qin sneered in her heart, but her smile became more gentle and sweet. She snuggled into Lu Bin's arms and said, "Your Majesty is wise and compassionate to your subjects. You are truly a wise ruler throughout history."
Lu Bing was flattered and felt dizzy. As he hugged the beautiful girl, he felt that his move was a wise one.
Concubine Qin was affectionate with him for a moment, then left on the pretext of handling palace affairs. She also asked someone to summon Concubine Jiang in advance, and now they were just the right time to take over.
"Your Majesty, the Imperial Concubine is so good to you. Even I, an outsider, feel that Your Majesty and the Imperial Concubine have a deep love for each other." Lady Jiang's eyes were full of affection as she gently massaged Lu Bin's shoulders.
"The Imperial Concubine has been in the palace for almost twenty years and gave birth to Prince Yong. The entire Duke Qin's family is loyal to her, and the Imperial Concubine has been devoted to me for many years."
Lu Bin was very pleased. Thinking of what Lady Jiang said about the deep love between husband and wife, he remembered what he had promised the imperial concubine before.
If he wins this battle, he will make the imperial concubine the queen. Although the imperial concubine thought it was a joke and didn't take it seriously, he can't just say that the emperor never jokes, right?
"Come here! Grind! I need to issue an imperial decree!"
Excited, Lu Bing immediately asked someone to grind paper, and then wrote an imperial edict to enthrone Concubine Qin as the queen.
This decree was like thunder, instantly spreading throughout the palace and then shocking the entire capital.
No one expected that at this turbulent time, His Majesty would suddenly appoint a queen, and she would be the Concubine Qin who was still favored by the Emperor.
Concubine Qin... No, now she is Queen Qin.
When she received the imperial edict, she knelt on the ground and thanked him respectfully, but her lowered eyes were filled with coldness and a hint of mockery.
Grace?
It's just a pawn in the art of balancing.
What she wanted was never just the position of queen.
This was just the beginning, but her Yong'er was one step closer to the dragon throne.
Half a month later, the streets of the capital were deserted.
The main roads leading to the palace were already packed with eagerly awaited citizens.
When the Jiang-shaped flag appeared at the end of the field of vision, the entire capital city erupted in deafening cheers.
The triumphant army had shining helmets and armor, and fluttering flags. Although they had fought hard, they were all in high spirits and carried the murderous aura of a powerful army that had fought many battles.
At the front of the team, Jiang Baichuan and his son Jiang Qinghuai rode side by side. The old general was dignified and steady, and the major general was heroic, which attracted the admiration of countless people.
However, the most eye-catching figure in the crowd was the figure on the majestic white horse following closely behind.
Jiang Qingning.
She was not wearing military uniform today, but only a crimson riding and shooting suit. Her black hair was tied up high, and she was not wearing any makeup, but she was incredibly bright and beautiful.
The sunlight shone on her, as if it had given her a layer of gold.
She sat upright on her horse, her eyes calmly sweeping over the cheering crowd, with a faint smile at the corner of her lips.
"Look! That's Miss Jiang!"
"Oh my god! She's truly a heroine! Even prettier than the fairies in the paintings!"
"I heard that she killed the Northern Di barbarians with a single shot, making them cry for their parents!"
"The Jiang family is full of loyal and brave people! They are the patron saints of our Dagan!"
The people cheered and threw the flowers in their hands at her like raindrops, almost flooding the entire street.
Her elegance and achievements had long been spread to every corner of the capital through storytellers and teahouse conversations. Seeing her with one's own eyes now aroused fanatical worship.
The cheers continued outside the palace. The Jiang family, father and son, dismounted and strode into the palace gate amid countless admiring gazes.
In the Golden Palace, civil and military officials were standing on both sides, and Lu Bin, who was sitting on the dragon throne, was already grinning from ear to ear.
"Your Majesty, I, Jiang Baichuan, Jiang Qinghuai, and Jiang Qingning, bow to your Majesty. Long live the emperor." The three of them knelt on the ground and saluted in loud voices.
"My dear, please stand up. Please stand up quickly."
Lu Bin personally stood up and supported him, with an unprecedented enthusiasm and appreciation on his face.
"My three beloved ministers have worked so hard and made such great contributions to my great cause. I am so pleased, so very pleased!"
He had long thrown away his previous fear of the Jiang family's achievements being too great to be feared by the emperor. At this moment, his heart was filled with the joy of expanding the territory and leaving his name in history.
"I have already rewarded Yu Lin and Yu Sheng, father and son. Today, I will reward your entire Jiang family even more!" Lu Bing's voice was loud and clear, with an unquestionable determination.
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