◇ Chapter 98 (98) Before the Storm
When the new emperor ascended the throne, the envoys from the North Sea Territory should have stayed to watch the ceremony. If they went back rashly now, wouldn't it be a clear statement that the two tribes in the North Sea Territory did not support the King of Longxi?
Compared to them, Mobei had already submitted and sent gifts. Bo Kang quietly suppressed the document bearing Da Xi Mi's official seal and returned home to inquire about Lianzhi.
"I don't know." Lianzhi blinked, as if she really didn't know why Da Ximi made this decision. "Perhaps the Helan tribe has important matters to attend to. Speaking of which, they should have left long ago. The Helan people are better at fighting than socializing. Da Ximi is already the most eloquent official in the Helan tribe. It's really embarrassing for her to have to deal with you."
"The coronation ceremony is only a little over two weeks away," Bo Kang advised. Since the Helan Tribe was now considered Lianzhi's maternal family, he naturally sided with Lianzhi's family and couldn't help but offer a few more words of advice. "If the new emperor misunderstands, wouldn't that affect the relationship between Daning and the Helan Tribe?"
Lianzhi, however, seemed completely unconcerned: "It doesn't matter. Chen Fengke is dead, so I don't need to marry into the alliance. The alliance between Daning and Helan has already disbanded. The Helan are not Daning's vassals, so sending them gifts will suffice. Now that they have found me, they will retreat to the northern part of Beihai and stop interfering in worldly affairs. I guarantee there will be no conflict with Daning."
When he was in power, although Lianzhi had only a vague understanding of political affairs, he was smart and perceptive enough to never cause any trouble. He was also aware of the undercurrents among the court officials and relatives. It didn't make sense that after three years, he would become stupider and not expect this.
Bai Kang stroked his chin and looked at him. Lian Zhi shook his finger and looked at him coquettishly: "Do you think I'm lying to you? I'm telling the truth. Da Xi Mi is not good at dealing with these things. Can't you see that she rarely talks to you, and it's not convenient for me to show up. If you really don't believe it, then I'll go and persuade her."
Bai Kang was half-convinced, but he remained cautious. Yu Yao and her tribe's envoys would remain in the capital until three days after the new emperor ascended the throne. These days, Bai Kang often visited Chang Yuzhu. He was in much better spirits and could occasionally chat with Yu Yao.
"I heard that you and Lianzhi are going to get married again." Chang Yuzhu sat on the bed wrapped in a quilt without any image, revealing an awkward and melancholy smile, "Don't worry, I will definitely be well by then, and you will definitely have to contribute to the money."
"By then, even if you're not fully recovered, I'll still pull you up. But I won't have to do it myself." Bo Kang said slowly, "Miss Yan is now in charge of the palace's food."
Chang Yuzhu's eyes lit up. Bai Kang stopped talking and said he would come back to see him when he got better.
Now that he thinks about it, Chang Yuzhu, as his best brother, has had a really rough road in love. In comparison, he and Lianzhi really love each other.
I have to help my brothers.
Lianzhi's words were indeed more powerful, and she quickly convinced Da Ximi. Bo Kang had already made up his mind: he would take Lianzhi back to Rongcheng first, and then return to Beihai Territory. They would then leave together.
At the beginning of February, Princess Jinyang returned to Yanmen. Calculations by the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Astronomical Observatory determined that the new emperor's coronation ceremony would take place on February 22nd, a perfectly auspicious date. Twenty days would suffice for the round trip.
That morning, Bai Kang watched Lianzhi eat breakfast as usual before letting him go back to sleep. Before leaving, he also instructed Liang Ye not to let Lianzhi sleep with his head resting on his head, and to let him drink lotus root powder, honey water, etc. after he woke up.
He was a little uneasy that day.
For some reason, he couldn't stop thinking about the lotus branches in the mansion. Perhaps it was fate, but the Ministry of Rites dismissed early today. As Bai Kang was about to return home, he suddenly had an idea and said to the coachman, "Let's go to the posthouse."
Princess Jinyang's convoy had already left the city, followed closely by a large merchant caravan. The snow hadn't yet melted, leaving the gravel covered in black remnants of snow. Withered grass grew thickly, and the official road snaked off into the distance. The golden carriage at the center of the convoy stood out, its wheels creaking as they rolled over the stone steps, leaving several snow-slicked marks on the road.
There was no difference. Perhaps he was overthinking it. Just as Bo Kang was about to descend the city wall, he caught a glimpse of a white figure leaning out of the window of the golden carriage and glancing back.
With a white veil covering his face, a golden bell on his head, and soft beige fur wrapped around him, he looked furry all over.
Among the businessmen in dark brown robes, he stood out.
It's a lotus branch.
He is in Princess Jinyang's car!
Bai Kang was stunned for only a moment, then he immediately rushed down the city wall and spurred his horse to catch up. The horse ran slowly and the distance gradually widened. Bai Kang didn't care that the convoy opposite was the Princess Jinyang's convoy, and shouted loudly: "Lianzhi!"
There was no response, his voice drowned out by the whistling wind, making it difficult to reach him. Against the wind, Bo Kang used all his strength to shout again, "Chen Fenglian!"
The golden carriage seemed to stop briefly, but it seemed to be just an illusion.
The convoy's speed actually increased, and soon left Bo Kang far behind.
"Princess Jinyang's convoy has arrived in Fancheng." Qinghe handed over a cup of tea. "Sir, please go and rest first."
"Yeah, Bai Kang." Chang Yuzhu coughed twice and tried to persuade him, "You look worse than me now, like a ghost. Hahahaha... burp."
Bai Kang didn't smile, or even look up, his hands folded to support his head. Even though he couldn't see his face clearly, he could still feel the fatigue on his body. Chang Yuzhu didn't know how to comfort him, so he could only say dryly: "Don't be like this, brother, didn't you comfort me? You also know where he is, you can go find him."
It was easy to find them. This time, Lianzhi hadn't tried to hide at all. She didn't even need to search for them; the convoy's whereabouts were clear at a glance.
But he left again without saying goodbye. When he was caught up, he ran faster than a rabbit.
I was clearly listening to him talking about what to do for the second wedding banquet last night, and how to explain their affairs to the Queen of the North Sea.
Yuyao brought people over to deliver the tranquilizing soup. Chang Yuzhu saw her and said anxiously, "Princess! My sister-in-law should have told you what he was going to do. Please comfort Jie Baikang!"
Although this was Chang Yuzhu's first time begging her, and she wanted to help, she was helpless and could only spread her hands. Bai Kang looked at the veil that was clenched in his hand and was slightly deformed, and sighed deeply.
"Yes or no……"
They both thought they heard Bai Kang talking, but his voice was so quiet that they leaned over to listen. Bai Kang muttered, "Maybe I've been talking about holding a wedding banquet and taking him back to Rongcheng lately, and I scared him."
"Xiaozhu isn't that timid," Yuyao couldn't help but interrupt. Baikang ignored her and continued to mutter to himself, his voice dark and his teeth clenched tightly. "Maybe I haven't taken good care of him these past two days, and he's mad at me again."
"Bai Kang!" Chang Yuzhu shouted. Bai Kang looked up and gave a somewhat forced smile.
Bai Kang didn't stay long. Although Chang Yuzhu suspected he would collapse in the carriage on the way and wanted to see him off, Bai Kang refused. Back at the mansion, just as he reached the gate, Xiao Bai licked his paw and ran over to rub his legs.
"You little thing! Your father left us an orphan and a widower and ran away, and you're so heartless." Bai Kang picked up Xiao Bai and scratched its chin. Xiao Bai rubbed his palm and purred contentedly.
Lianzhi usually fed the cat, so Bai Kang had no idea how hungry the cat would be. It wasn't until Xiaobai licked his lips and knocked over the celadon bowl under the bed that he realized this.
"What do you think? Should I go look for your father?" Bai Kang sighed as he looked at Xiao Bai, who was eating meat with big mouthfuls. "I don't even know why he left again."
Little Bai didn't understand any of this, and Bai Kang didn't expect it to understand. Seeing it drowsy after eating just a little, with its head resting in his palm, Bai Kang called Liang Ye over and asked him what was wrong.
"I don't know either." Liang Ye said dazedly, "The young master cares a lot about Xiaobai and usually doesn't let us interfere with his care. You can ask Eunuch Wen. The young master only lets him touch Xiaobai."
It seems that we should let Lao Wen come back tomorrow. After all, the dust has settled now and the capital is safe enough. Bai Kang had just finished giving instructions to the butler when he suddenly thought of something and suddenly realized it.
Xiao Bai is still here, and Lao Wen is still here too.
Putting aside the fact that Lianzhi hadn't concealed her whereabouts, if Lianzhi wasn't going back to the capital, she should at least take Lao Wen with her. Bo Kang had to admit that if she had to choose between him and Lao Wen, Lianzhi probably wouldn't choose him.
So, Lianzhi will definitely come back.
Thinking of this, Bai Kang suddenly understood, and the heavy stone in his heart fell to the ground. He quickly wrote a letter and asked Qinghe to rush it to Fancheng, making sure it was delivered to Lianzhi by tomorrow.
"I never thought." Bai Kang grabbed Xiao Bai's pink paw and sighed, "There will come a day when I can use a kitten to control the princes."
Fancheng, post station.
The separate courtyard was brightly lit. Several barbarian guards, dressed as merchants, stood guard outside, moving goods. Lianzhi untied her veil and was about to leave when a nine-foot-tall, dark-skinned barbarian stopped her. "Your Highness has ordered that no one be allowed in or out."
"Don't you have eyes? Can't you see who I am?" Lianzhi said coldly. However, the other party remained unmoved. During the stalemate, Arus came out of nowhere and stood in front of Lianzhi: "How can you speak to the eldest princess's brother with such a tone?"
"His identity is unknown, and His Highness has never acknowledged him," the barbarian guard replied.
Arus said nothing and drew the scimitar from his waist. The other party was frightened and reluctantly moved aside.
"Where are you going?" Arus asked.
"Didn't you see? I need to get some water to wash." Lianzhi raised the small basin in his hand. Arus didn't move, and took the basin from him. "Let others do this kind of thing. There are many servants in the inn."
After saying this, he said meaningfully, "I thought you regretted it. You wanted to go back to the capital to find Bo Kang."
"Have you forgotten who first proposed going to Yanmen?" Lianzhi raised her head and glared at him fiercely. "I'm not bringing you along just to make you question me. Arus, watch your attitude."
The man didn't speak, his nose as sharp as a blade. Lianzhi couldn't see his expression, but she could feel that Arus's aura had weakened.
The servant quickly brought water over: "Prince, the hot water is here."
"Wash your face." Arus said stiffly. Lianzhi glared at him again. He touched the scimitar at his waist and said, "I'll watch you outside the door."
"You are monitoring me." Lianzhi sneered and slammed the door.
The nights in Yanmen were even colder than in the capital. The distance was pitch black, not even the light of fireworks could be seen. Even in the depths of winter, the nights in the capital were bright. Lianzhi dipped her hand into the basin of water.
It's cold. Very cold.
He quickly wiped his face with a towel and was about to sleep wrapped in a quilt when an old servant from the inn came shakily over, carrying a basket. "Who is Master Lian?"
Are you calling him?
From outside came the voice of Arus, awkwardly speaking in the Fancheng dialect to the old servant. After a while, the door was pushed open a crack, and Arus handed in a damp envelope: "Yours."
The envelope only had the words "lotus branch" written on it, with no signature. It was written in Bai Kang's handwriting.
Lianzhi suddenly felt a little warmer. But he didn't open the letter. There seemed to be more than one gaze on him from outside the door. He turned the envelope over and over for a long time, then tore it in half.
February 21st, the day before the new emperor ascends the throne.
The clan members have already decided on a reign title. After tonight, the King of Longxi will be the legitimate emperor of the Daning Kingdom, with the title of Emperor Chengming.
The Imperial Household Department was still frantically inspecting imperial seals and imperial robes, while the Imperial Astronomical Observatory was busy observing celestial phenomena from a side hall of the Purple Palace. Bo Kang was also at the Ministry of Rites, copying the late emperor's will and the new emperor's accession edict.
After deliberations at the Imperial Clan Court, the "last will" stated that Emperor Jianguang would abdicate the throne to the Prince of Longxi before his death, and the former Crown Prince would be sent to the Imperial Mausoleum. It was past three in the morning when all the edicts were copied. Sitting on the stone steps, Bo Kang saw a familiar figure hurriedly passing by in the distance, accompanied by a group of young palace maids.
Although they were heading in the opposite direction, the leader clearly saw him, paused, and stepped forward. Bo Kang was forced to stand and bow, "Lady Yan."
Yan Xi Niang glanced at him twice, and after a long moment, she revealed a faint smile: "Master Bai, long time no see."
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