Deputy General Si Liang, standing by, saw her bewildered look and couldn't help but laugh. "General Zhongyong has an inordinately handsome face, even more handsome than some young men who rely on their looks for a living. That's why these men, seeing you, throw their pouches at you like crazy. If you were truly large and strong, with skin as dark as if smoked with charcoal, these people would at most compliment you on your prowess, but wouldn't be as excited as they are now."
Lakshmi nodded, half understanding, and then pulled the purse embroidered with mandarin ducks playing in the water from her dagger. Although she had been in this female-dominated dynasty for thirteen years, she had been stationed in the army for many years, so her understanding of the dynasty's customs and practices was not yet thorough.
Generally speaking, the men here naturally value their reputation more than their lives, but in a situation like today, where the empire has won a victory, it is a time of celebration for all the people of the Chisha Empire.
The young men no longer needed to abide by the rules of staying inside and outside the house. They mixed in the crowd, cheering and shouting, not really wanting to marry Lakshmi, but more wanting to take advantage of this great opportunity to have some fun.
Of course, if Lakshmi really wanted to marry one or two of them, these gentlemen who threw sachets would not refuse.
After all, those crowded on the streets are basically civilian men. If a man can really become a general, he can bring his entire family to the top in one step.
Apart from anything else, they had indeed spent many sleepless nights embroidering those purses, and they had a little delusion in their hearts, hoping that they would be noticed by the loyal and brave general at first sight.
And those truly noble people, such as the Second Prince of the Empire, His Royal Highness Ling Shuzhou, would never express their love loudly in a crowded street.
They had booked a restaurant on the main street early, sitting in the best vantage point to admire the general's grace and the majesty of the army's triumphal return. They also toasted with their friends and composed poems and music for the army's triumphant return, which was a pretentious act.
Ling Shuzhou reluctantly left the window only after the commander's procession had completely disappeared from view. Five years ago, in his mother's study, he had first met Lakshmi. At that time, he had been deeply captivated by her elegance and grace, and had vowed to marry no one but her.
The Chisha Empire didn't have a rule that prohibited court officials from entering politics if they married a prince. Ling Shuzhou had originally thought that marrying Lakshmi as her husband would be a simple matter. However, he never imagined that his younger brother, Ling Shuming, had the same ambitions and was also eyeing the position of a general's husband.
His fifth brother, Ling Shuming, was the firstborn of Madam Mei (Jiang He), whom the Empress Dowager greatly favored. Of all the Empress Dowager's children, with the exception of his eldest sister, Ling Xihe, who, due to her status as the Crown Princess, naturally received the Empress Dowager's love and guidance, the Empress Dowager's favorite was the fifth prince, Ling Shuming.
Ling Shuming was not as talented or handsome as Ling Shuzhou. If one had to find something special about him, it would be that he took after his father, being more gentle and easygoing than others. Ling Shuzhou could never understand why the majestic Empress Dowager would favor Ling Shuming so much.
It was not until one day when his father, Empress Fu Yijing, let it slip that he learned that Ling Shuming's eyebrows and eyes were somewhat like those of Empress Chunyi Pei Jiusheng. Because every time the empress saw this son, she would think of the old friend, so she liked Ling Shuming especially.
…
Imperial study.
Before entering the palace, Lakshmi had already removed her armor and weapons. She now wore a simple, moon-white brocade robe with floral patterns. She saluted the emperor, seated above her, and said, "I have fulfilled my mission in this expedition and have conquered the capitals of Southern Liang and Eastern Wu. Their monarchs have agreed to relinquish their imperial titles and become vassals of the Chisha Empire. They will pay a large tribute to our country every year."
As she spoke, she presented an envelope to the emperor. "This contains handwritten letters from the monarchs of Southern Liang and Eastern Wu. They both express their willingness to uphold the code of conduct as subjects. They only ask that after Your Majesty seizes their thrones, you bestow upon them the title of prince, allowing them and their descendants to enjoy eternal prosperity."
Those who surrender will not be killed and will be given mercy. This has been the policy that Ling Shumo has been pursuing over the years.
Ling Shumo took the letter and casually placed it on the desk, then personally helped Lakshmi up. "I've said that a loyal and brave general shouldn't be so polite when meeting me, but you're still so reserved every time you see me. I just played a game of chess with the princess, and since you're here, why don't you play a game with me?"
Lakshmi didn't take the emperor's words seriously, and remained respectful. She had traveled here for so many years, working hard to build her career, and hadn't yet married and had children, enjoying the good life. She didn't want to be dismissed from her official position for being arrogant and disrespecting the emperor.
Several attendants moved aside the screen embroidered with flowers, birds, and mountains. Lakshmi then saw that behind it was a very thick solid wooden chess table. The current Crown Princess Ling Xihe was counting the pieces on the board.
Lakshmi asked curiously, "I wonder who won this game?"
Ling Shumo said angrily, "What else is there to count? You've eaten so many of my seeds. No matter how many times I count, you win."
Ling Xihe smiled and bowed to Ling Shumo, "Mother Queen, I appreciate your kindness."
Ling Shumo got angry when he saw her grinning face, and raised his hand as if swatting a fly, "Get out of here, get out of here, there's really no fun in playing chess with you. Don't come to the Imperial Study if you don't have something to do. I feel annoyed just seeing you. Shi Qi, have someone clean up the chess table. I want to play another game with General Zhongyong."
Lakshmi was stunned when her name was suddenly called, then waved her hands repeatedly to refuse, "Your Majesty, I don't know how to play chess, so I'm afraid I can't accompany you." Before the time travel, she was a doctoral student in the Department of Chemistry. Researching gunpowder was easy for her, but playing Go was too difficult for her. If she played Gomoku, military chess, or checkers instead, she could probably compete with the emperor for a few rounds.
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