"Fourteen years ago?"
"Well, fourteen years." The elegantly dressed man in the carriage sighed and said to Guo Ye, "Boy, your face is exactly like your father's! Anyone familiar with you can guess at a glance that you are Guo Honglei's son."
The young man couldn't help but touch his face, wondering, "Who are you? There aren't five people in the entire Northwest who address my father by his name in that tone." He nodded and said, "Many people say so. They all say we look very similar. However, I'm nowhere near as tall and strong as my father now."
"Hahaha." The stranger was kind and talkative. "Kid, work on your physique. You'll be strong in a few years."
Guo Ye puffed out his chest and said, "I've been practicing since I was a kid!"
On horseback, Jiang Yushu frowned in surprise, lost in memories. She thought, "Fourteen years ago? It was so long ago, some of my memories are already blurry."
Back then, my whole family was serving sentences and being exiled to the military to cultivate the land. When I was pregnant with Ye'er, I was still living in Liu Village, Yuehu Town, running around, busy planting potatoes... While thinking, she was also filled with emotion. She raised her eyes and looked at the elegant and noble man in the carriage. In a moment, she suddenly shuddered and suddenly realized:
Back then, I was a convict farming, toiling away in the fields, living among the villagers, and working with crops all day. Prisoners were restricted in their movements, and at most, I was ordered to go to the county seat twice a year to report on the harvest to the county magistrate. Aside from the county officials and the centurions of the garrison, I didn't know any dignitaries.
But I remember that I once met a prince by chance, a nobleman!
Jiang Yushu suddenly slapped her forehead, her eyes wide in surprise. She looked at the slightly wealthy man, struggling to recall him from her memory, and blurted out, "Fourteen years ago, on the eve of the recapture of Yongzhou, the imperial court allocated grain and fodder to Xicang. That day, on the official road near Yuehu Town, you and your brother were responsible for escorting the grain and fodder, right?"
The man in the carriage smiled in surprise and replied sternly, "You stared at me for a long time, and you finally remembered? I thought you had completely forgotten."
In today's world, how many people can call themselves "this king"?
After Emperor Chengguang passed away, the crown prince ascended the throne as Emperor Yongqing. After purging dissidents with drastic measures, he rewarded his obedient younger brothers. Among them, Emperor Yongqing's younger brother, the Ninth Prince, was given the title "An." Only Prince An was of the same age as the man in the carriage.
"Your humble servant, your humble servant has not forgotten." Jiang Yushu was embarrassed. She realized that she had been sitting on the horse and looking down at the prince. She felt it was inappropriate. She quickly dismounted and waved to her son and entourage to dismount. She forced herself to calm down and tentatively knelt down.
"No need to be polite!" Prince An immediately stopped him. "There are too many people here. Don't disturb the common people."
"Yes." Jiang Yushu quickly approached the carriage window, bowed, and apologized softly: "Ahem, your humble servant is clumsy and foolish. I failed to recognize His Highness Prince An in time. This is really wrong. I hope you will forgive me for my impoliteness. Your Highness, please forgive my humble servant for my poor eyesight."
Prince An was kindhearted by nature. He waved his hand leisurely, "There's no need to panic, County Magistrate Jiang. I was just joking. We only met once, over a decade ago. You're quite good at remembering this."
Jiang Yushu breathed a sigh of relief, "Thank you for your tolerance, Your Highness."
This prince? His Highness Prince An? Guo Ye and the yamen runners were stunned and at a loss, staring at each other in disbelief. They wanted to imitate the magistrate and kneel down to salute, but when Prince An said, "No need for that," they stopped, bewildered and nervous.
At this time, at the rear of the convoy, Ji Xuelian, the prefect of Yongzhou, had just emerged from a simple carriage, his back aching from the jolting ride. He was spotted by the sharp-eyed Guo Ye, who immediately told him, "Mom, look, it's Prefect Ji!"
Jiang Yushu followed his instructions and saw the prefect nod. She understood immediately, and her doubts about Prince An's identity were instantly dispelled. After all, more than a decade had passed, and he had gained weight and his appearance had changed significantly, making her unsure.
"I don't know if my cousin came to Tuning with me?" Guo Ye looked around expectantly.
She replied softly, "Don't look for him. He definitely hasn't come. Your cousin went out on a business trip a while ago."
"Oh." Guo Ye couldn't hide his disappointment. He always liked the gentle and elegant Pei Wenfeng.
Jiang Yushu glanced at the carriage in front of her, secretly guessing the identity of the owner. She asked respectfully, "It's getting dark, the spring is still chilly, and the nights in the north are still cold. Your Highness has come to Tuning. Would you please condescend to rest in the county government office?"
"I have been ordered by the emperor to inspect the border, so naturally I have to visit the government office first."
Oh, it turned out to be the imperial envoy. She perked up and said, "Yes."
Prince An and his entourage squeezed into the crowd of people entering the city, moving slowly. Having seen enough of the novelty, they ordered, "This is too slow to enter the city. You lead the way, and have the guards in front follow."
She nodded in acceptance, explaining, "The city gates are closed at 4:45 PM, so there are more people." She wanted to ask who was in the carriage in front, but thought better of it and held back. She led the horse to the front to clear the way, calling to her son, "Ye'er, let's go."
"Oh." Guo Ye led his horse and followed his mother.
Seeing this, Prince An raised his voice and asked, "Boy, do you want to know how I, the prince, knew your father?"
The boy was full of curiosity. Guo Ye stopped and asked hesitantly, "How did you know each other?"
"Come up, I will tell you!" King An stared at the young man who looked like Guo Honglei, and couldn't help but recall his own boyhood. On a whim, he wanted to express his feelings.
"Ah?" Guo Ye was at a loss and looked at his mother subconsciously.
Prince An raised his head and asked, "Why? Don't you dare?"
Serving the emperor is like serving a tiger, and serving the prince is not easy either, even though Prince An is approachable.
Jiang Yushu suddenly felt embarrassed, worried that her son would offend the royal family, but she couldn't afford to offend Prince An in public. She quickly considered and said gently, "You are lucky that His Highness doesn't look down on you for your youth and ignorance. Why don't you hurry up?"
"Okay." Guo Ye turned around obediently.
"Wait a moment." She grabbed the child's arm and said, "Give me the sword. Mother will keep it for you." She took the opportunity to whisper in his ear, "He is the brother of the current emperor, His Highness Prince An. You must respect him and not be rude or reckless. You must be careful with your words and actions!"
"I understand."
However, even though Guo Ye had removed his sword, he was still searched by two guards. Only after confirming he was unarmed was he allowed into the carriage. The young man, with a strong sense of pride, had been pampered and flattered since childhood. He was very unhappy about being searched for the first time, but he managed to hide his displeasure, lowering his head and bending over as he entered the spacious carriage.
The car door was closed, and I couldn't see what was going on inside the car or hear any conversation.
Jiang Yushu was worried, fearing that her son would respond inappropriately, be wronged, or be punished. She acted as if nothing had happened, led the horse away, and only got on the horse when she reached the front, leading Prince An and his party to the county government office.
On the way, she was worried and looked back from time to time. After a moment, she waved to the county magistrate.
"What are your orders, sir?"
She thought for a moment and then gave a serious order, "You heard it just now. This time, not only is Prefect Ji here, but also His Royal Highness Prince An, and a nobleman whose status should be no less than Prince An's. I'll be here. You go back to the government office and prepare for the reception."
"Okay, okay." Huang Yichun nodded repeatedly, very nervous. "I'll rush back to the government office to make arrangements!"
"Wait!" the magistrate stopped the county magistrate and warned him, "Remember, don't rush to prepare delicacies or other items. It's easy to make mistakes in a hurry. Just use the best. For example, the standard of the last reception we gave the prefect was enough to express our sincere respect."
Huang Yichun nodded vigorously, "I understand, I understand."
"go."
"Yes!" He pointed to two subordinates, spurred his horse into a trot, and wished he could fly back to the county government office.
Jiang Yushu continued to lead the way. When they arrived at the gate of the county government office, dusk was falling and the evening breeze was blowing.
She was worried about her son, so she dismounted in a hurry and walked quickly back. She stopped at the first spacious carriage, then made up her mind and walked quickly towards Prince An's carriage.
The carriage door opened and the guards quickly placed the horse stool. Prince An appeared first and Guo Ye took the initiative to support him, but Prince An waved his hand and stepped on the horse stool to get off the carriage by himself. Guo Ye followed and jumped nimbly.
"Your Highness, please slow down." Jiang Yushu stopped. Prefect Ji Xuelian arrived in a simple carriage behind her. He smiled and said, "After several days of travel, we're finally here."
Prince An looked around with great interest, "Yes, we are finally here. It is really not easy to come to Tuning!"
"It's been more than three thousand miles. You must have worked hard. Please come into the yamen and have a rest." As she spoke, Jiang Yushu waved her hand quietly. Guo Ye understood and moved behind his mother without leaving a trace. He stood quietly with a smile on his lips and eyebrows.
In a blink of an eye, Prince An led the crowd toward the first spacious carriage, offered his hand to support it, and said cheerfully, "We've arrived at the Tuning County Court! Prince, come here, slow down."
"Thank you, Uncle Wang." The Crown Prince, Zhao Minyu, was wearing a sandalwood casual suit with gold thread. His every move was calm and unhurried, and he looked elegant and noble.
Prince?
The prince is here too?
Jiang Yushu gasped, and everyone was stunned again. She quickly recovered, feeling duty-bound, and led her companions to kneel and greet the crown prince, saying respectfully, "Your humble servant greets His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prince An."
The others knelt down hastily and saluted in unison.
Prince An was concentrating on admiring the sunset, waving his hand without turning his head. The Crown Prince was twenty-seven years old, with a square face and thick eyebrows. He wore a purple gold and jade crown. He had a majestic demeanor, but not a trace of arrogance. He looked down and smiled, saying, "There is no need for such a grand ceremony, County Magistrate Jiang. Everyone, stand up."
No need? When meeting a noble for the first time, you have to kneel.
"Thank you, Your Highness." Jiang Yushu stood up and bowed again: "Master Ji."
Prefect Ji Xuelian nodded and said amiably, "Your Highness the Crown Prince and Prince An have come a long way and must have been very tired. You should quickly prepare to receive them."
"Yes." She raised her hand to invite, "Your Highness, Your Majesty, Your Excellency, please, come this way."
The prince put his hands behind his back and walked steadily. While observing the surrounding environment, he said gently: "Uncle An, it's windy outside. Let's go into the county government office and rest."
Prince An, still unsatisfied, strode after his nephew, pointed at the setting sun, and asked with a smile, "Prince, look, how does the sunset over this frontier compare to that in the capital?"
The prince turned his head as instructed, gazing out at the setting sun. He slowly replied, "The scenery is magnificent. The frontier is flat, with no mountains blocking the view. Compared to the capital, the view is much wider."
"Hahaha, yes, magnificent!"
"Uncle Wang, please."
"Alas," Prince An couldn't help but sigh. "Fourteen years ago, my brother and I escorted grain to Xicang Heqin. We stayed there for several months, witnessing the soldiers' march and successful recapture of Yongzhou. Afterward, we had no time to stay for long and hurried back to the capital to report. It wasn't until today that I set foot on Yongzhou!"
The prince praised: "Father and uncle Wang were truly hardworking and brave in their time."
"I shall do my utmost to carry out my duties as ordered by the emperor."
…
It was time to get off work, but none of the clerks or constables left and all stayed in the yamen waiting for orders.
Jiang Yushu led the way, answering questions, asking the prefect, or socializing and chatting, keeping her eyes and ears open, and being extremely cautious.
Most guests who come from far away are eager to change clothes when they arrive at their place.
Jiang Yushu welcomed the distinguished guests into the main hall and served them tea personally. The prince and others drank only two sips before leaving. They first went to the guest room to change clothes and take a bath, and rest for a while, which not only relieved their fatigue but also made it easier for the county magistrate to prepare for the welcoming banquet.
The emperor's eldest son and younger brother suddenly arrived, and the officials of the frontier county government ran around, busy arranging a dinner, accommodating the royal family and their entourage, as well as their luggage, horses, etc.
Half an hour later, when Jiang Yushu was checking the furnishings in the banquet hall, she finally had time to ask her son, "Ye'er, what did you and Prince An talk about? Did you offend him?"
"No, how could I dare to offend him? In fact, we had a very pleasant chat." Guo Ye took out a jade pendant from his arms, "The prince gave me a jade pendant, saying it was a meeting gift and asked me to play with it."
Jiang Yushu glanced at it and asked softly, "The gift given by the prince is called a reward. Have you thanked him for it?"
"Of course, I thanked him on the spot."
"Very good. Courtesy is always welcome. In front of elders and dignitaries, you must not be disrespectful, and certainly not arrogant. A gentleman should be humble and steady. Remember that?"
“Remember!”
Guo Ye stuffed the jade pendant back into his arms and excitedly explained, "Prince An said that he and my father met twenty years ago. At that time, they were hunting in the mountains outside the capital and simultaneously spotted a deer. My father was quick and shot the deer with an arrow. The prince followed up with an arrow. The two of them kept firing arrows at each other, refusing to give in. As a result, they inexplicably came to blows! The prince was His Royal Highness at the time, and he didn't reveal his identity. My father, young and energetic, and with great martial arts skills, defeated His Royal Highness and won the prey."
"They didn't know each other until they fought. From then on, they often went hunting together until the Guo family was confiscated and exiled." Guo Ye leaned closer and whispered, "Mother, is what the prince said true?"
Jiang Yushu whispered back, "Yes, it's true. I once asked your father. Foolish boy, what are you doubting? Why would a dignified prince lie to you?"
"I always feel that my father, a descendant of a noble family, who is so high and mighty, can actually be friends with the prince? It's simply unimaginable." When Guo Ye was born, his grandfather the Marquis and his uncle the Crown Prince had already passed away, so when talking about the royal family in the capital, he always felt that it was out of reach and unimaginable.
Jiang Yushu sighed, tapped her son's forehead, and whispered, "Why not? Even among the royal family, there are people who are approachable. Besides, back then, when the Marquis of Jingyang's Mansion was still standing, your father's status, while not as high as that of a prince, was still distinguished and prestigious. He was qualified to make friends with a prince."
"Hehe, come to think of it!"
Guo Ye scratched his head, suddenly remembering that he had forgotten to report something important, and hurriedly said, "Ah, I almost forgot! Mother, I have good news for you. The prince said that my father has been promoted!"
"Father got promoted again."
Jiang Yushu's eyes lit up. "Really? How come I haven't heard anything about it?"
"Your Highness is well-informed. He wouldn't lie to me. The letter announcing the good news may not have reached Tuning yet."
Jiang Yushu was excited and delighted. "What position did he get promoted to? Where will he be transferred to?"
"Tach, Commander of the Tach Guards!"
"Ah? Tacha?" Jiang Yushu was startled, feeling both happy and reluctant. "That place is quite far from Tuning. I can't do that anymore. I can't do that anymore—but a promotion is always a happy thing! Generally, officials have to move to another place after serving for a few years, just like before, when he was transferred from Heqinwei to Tuningwei."
The boy was overjoyed and admired his father immensely. "If our ancestors knew, they would be very happy!"
"Of course!"
The mother and son chatted happily for a while, and Guo Ye remembered something else, "Also, I asked for something for you."
Jiang Yushu was about to be separated from her husband again, and she couldn't help feeling melancholy. She came back to her senses and asked in surprise, "What are you asking about?"
"You have already served for six years. When the prince mentioned this, I took the opportunity to inquire about your transfer."
It's impossible for an official not to care about the changes in his or her official position. Jiang Yushu was stunned for a moment, then asked with bated breath, "What did the prince say?"
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