Epilogue Five Imperial Sisters
The fighting in the northern border was finally over by late April. The nomadic tribes that had repeatedly invaded the northern border had completely surrendered to Daye, ensuring peace and stability on the border for at least a hundred years.
If there is no war for a hundred years, the people can rest and recuperate in peace, and the money in the national treasury will not have to be continuously sent to the battlefield, but can be used to develop national strength.
This laid the foundation for a stable and prosperous dynasty.
All the generals in the northern border have returned to Beijing. Gu Zheng volunteered to go to the northern border to guard the border, but Xiao Chenglan did not agree.
He fought all his life and should have spent his later years in peace in Beijing.
Last year, when the Xue family plotted a rebellion, Gu Xiaoran spread false information, delaying General Gu from following orders to mobilize troops, which resulted in the Guards' lack of timely support and the deaths of many soldiers.
In consideration of the Gu family's past contributions and Gu Zheng's atonement for his crimes, Xiao Chenglan only sentenced Gu Xiaoran to death and did not blame the Gu family too much.
Gu Zheng has the blood of soldiers and the loyal souls of the Gu family's ancestors on his body. He has no position to plead for Gu Xiaoran, but he still does it.
He knew what the outcome would be.
Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven, and you must give an explanation to the soldiers who fought to the death to defend the palace.
He hated Empress Dowager Xue for leading Xiaoran onto a path of no return. If Empress Dowager Xue had not brought Xiaoran back from Nianci Temple, in a few years, he would have shamelessly begged His Majesty to bring Xiaoran back.
Even though Queen Mother Xue had been killed by a cup of poisoned wine, the hatred in his heart was still hard to dispel.
However, rather than hatred, he felt more regret in his heart.
**
Jiang Zhao made his mark in the southwest and became completely famous in the battle in the northern border.
But what followed was some family controversy surrounding the young general.
Jiang Zhao heard it more or less, but he didn't care.
What he cared about was to rush back to the capital before the end of May to attend Lin'er's first birthday party.
Xiao Chen'an was born on June 1, the third year of Jiaqi's reign. Xiao Jinhuan was the same age as him, so they both held the "Zhuazhou" ceremony together.
After much haste, Jiang Zhao finally returned to the capital at the end of May, once again exhausted.
Jiang Yingli first held a welcoming banquet for him.
Jiang Zhao looked at his nephews whom he hadn't seen for more than half a year and missed them very much.
When he left, the two children could only sit, but now they can crawl around flexibly and are very noisy. Ah Fu has been taken care of and has a fair complexion and looks very healthy.
On June 1st, the prince's and princess's one-year-old birthday banquets were held with great ceremony.
However, compared to the queen's coronation ceremony, it is less serious and more interesting.
The specially built small round table was covered with a red velvet carpet, and the edges were filled with items for the "Zhuazhou" ceremony.
There are jade seals, brushes, small swords, musical instruments, bronze mirrors, cakes, jade ruyi, and peace locks...
The little prince and princess were carried onto the stage and placed in the middle. Xiao Chenglan and Jiang Yingli stood at the front, Jiang Zhao was a step behind, and the other concubines and ministers were watching the ceremony from their respective seats.
As soon as Xiao Chen'an was placed on the round platform, he started to crawl. Perhaps he had seen the jade seal often, and when he saw the familiar thing, he quickly crawled over to get it.
It was naturally a good omen that the prince went to grab the imperial seal, and everyone was happy.
Xiao Chen'an grabbed the thing and crawled back to Jiang Yingli and Xiao Chenglan proudly.
"Lin'er is awesome."
"What does Ah Fu want? Bring it to our father, the emperor, and our mother to see."
Jiang Yingli clapped her hands lightly, encouraging Xiao Jinhuan who was standing still.
Xiao Jinhuan looked at Jiang Yingli talking, grinned, and crawled towards her.
There was a safety lock in front of Jiang Yingli. Seeing this, Jiang Yingli coaxed him even more excitedly.
"Yes, Ah Fu, come here, Mother has some good stuff here."
Xiao Chenglan smiled faintly and watched Xiao Jinhuan crawling over.
Just as Xiao Jinhuan waved her little hands to grab the safety lock, Xiao Chenan grabbed her hand.
Xiao Jinhuan opened her eyes wide and looked at her royal brother, grinning, and shook his hands with both hands.
Jiang Yingli looked at Xiao Chen'an, pointed at their clasped hands, and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, look, these two children are inseparable. They have such a good relationship. Ah Fu, let go of your prince brother first and take this safety lock."
Xiao Chenglan gave Jiang Yingli a gentle smile in return, and when she turned around, a strange expression appeared on his face.
He looked at the two children's clasped hands and frowned slightly.
He extended his hand and called out softly, "Afu, look here, Father."
At his gentle call, Xiao Jinhuan finally let go of Xiao Chen'an with one hand and waved towards Xiao Chenglan.
Soon, her eyes finally fell back on the safety lock she was about to grab.
Jiang Yingli was very happy to see that she was finally going to catch it. She shook her head and the peony pinned in her hair fell down.
Xiao Jinhuan grabbed the peace lock and Peony together.
Jiang Yingli was extremely happy and rubbed her little face: "Afu is really great. He even helped mother pick up flowers for hairpins."
Xiao Chenglan's eyes fell on the elegant Yaohuang peony, then glanced at Jiang Yingli who was immersed in joy, but in the end he said nothing.
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