During his time in Jiankang, Chu Changning spent his days taking his son to the hunting grounds to practice martial arts and archery, and going to the Imperial Hospital to get medicine to regulate his body.
The previous dynasty was in an uproar over her investiture. Sometimes, even late at night, the imperial study was brightly lit, with ministers kneeling on the ground to offer their advice.
Some members of powerful families even deliberately crashed into the emperor's carriage, bleeding profusely from their heads, to earnestly remonstrate with him.
It is said that His Majesty is gentle and mild-mannered, so this time he should not insist on establishing an empress against the wishes of his ministers.
Unexpectedly, the minister who had pressured the emperor was killed on the spot for "offending the emperor," and his body was paraded through the streets and sent out of the palace.
No one expected that this emperor, who came from a prestigious family and was always respectful to scholars, would be so cruel. They couldn't help but think of his past exploits in conquering the north.
Although there were many aristocratic families and scholars, the Emperor of Qi was a powerful and ruthless warlord who conquered the north, held military power, and clashed with various local lords. He was not a pampered young nobleman from an aristocratic family.
After this incident, seeing that no one from the Yan family came out to object, no one dared to speak out indignantly, and the Ministry of Rites began to prepare for the investiture ceremony.
The palace embroiderers came to take Chu Changning's measurements and also brought her the Empress's seal.
Several months were still until the Empress's coronation ceremony. The war in the north was intense, and Yan Beimo was very busy, but he would always return to the palace to be with her at night.
The two slept in the same bed every day, appearing to be deeply in love.
Wang Hezhan made a special trip to Jiankang because of this matter. As soon as he entered the Hall of State Affairs, he saw Chu Changning sitting on the dragon throne, and his expression immediately turned cold.
Where is His Majesty?
Chu Changning wasn't going to put up with him. She flipped through the memorials in her hand and ignored him.
Wang Hezhan, "---"
A wicked woman who murdered her husband.
It's obvious she has ill intentions. He doesn't believe Yan Er doesn't know this, or that he's lost his mind, spoiling a vixen who wants to kill him like this.
He strode into the hall, heard rustling sounds coming from the inner chambers behind him, and took his seat.
When Yan Beimo came out of the inner hall carrying his son, he saw him sitting casually at the lower seat, speaking in a calm voice.
"What is it?"
Wang Hezhan glanced at the oblivious Chu Changning and spoke.
"The King of Mobei received an imperial edict from the Western Regions to reinforce the troops in the Beiling area with 200,000 troops."
Mobei has always maintained good relations with Yanbei Mo, but in the entire northern frontier, the Western Regions are the most powerful. No matter how much the thirty-six kingdoms secretly plot, they all outwardly submit to the Western Regions royal court as their master.
"On New Year's Eve, Helian Ye was seriously injured. After returning to the Western Regions, he reinforced the border and made peace with the northern kingdoms. In a few months, the north will be engulfed in a rebellion."
Yan Beimo placed his son on the imperial table, his expression indifferent.
"Let them fight."
Upon hearing this, Wang Hezhan glanced at Chu Changning, who had his eyes lowered, and spoke up.
"Many gentry families in the north are plotting rebellion, but the Yang family of Hongnong and the Lu family of Fanyang both intend to send their eldest daughters into the palace. Your Majesty, why not grant them the title of imperial concubine?"
"Your Majesty's mother is from the Lu family of Fanyang, and your cousins are all stunningly beautiful. Wouldn't it be even better to strengthen family ties through marriage?"
Chu Changning paused, holding the memorial, looked up, and tugged at Yan Beimo's robe.
"Your Majesty, I am hungry."
Yan Beimo glanced sideways at the person clinging to his clothes and acting coquettishly, and raised an eyebrow.
"You've just eaten."
"---"
Chu Changning paused, took his hand, and said softly, "Two days ago, Xiaobai left me behind again. Your Majesty, please accompany me today."
Wang Hezhan couldn't stand Chu Changning's attitude, so he snorted and decided not to add to the annoyance. He then got up and took his leave.
He stepped out of the palace gates, looked at the majestic palace, and headed straight out of the palace.
"Young master, Miss Xie has already set off for Xunyang. Should the people on the estate be withdrawn?"
Wang Hezhan paused and turned around.
"She left? Who let her leave?"
An Yi reminded him, "You're getting married early next month."
Wang Hezhan paused, then said sternly, "Didn't you even say goodbye before you left?"
"---"
Where have we gotten?
An Yi said, "Miss Xie said that she would trouble you to take care of her during this time, and that there is no need for us to go to Xunyang. So our people did not go with her."
No sooner had he finished speaking than he was kicked in the chest, and An instantly fell to the ground, immediately lowering his head.
"Your brains have been eaten by a dog."
When Wang Hezhan said he wanted to get married and send Xie Rongyue to Xunyang in the north, she coaxed him to return to Yandu.
The aunt in the Xie family treated her well, and there were rumors in the clan that Xie Rongyue didn't want her aunt to worry about her, so she went back and explained to her. She also wrote a letter to Lu Yu and was relieved to learn that he was safe.
During that time, she stayed at Wang Hezhan's estate, enjoying the melting snow and the sparse plum blossoms, brewing wine and having a pleasant time. Every day, the room was filled with the warmth and fragrance of spring, and the two became much closer.
During the Spring Festival, he went to Jiankang, and she secretly slipped out to see the lanterns and enjoy the festivities.
With Wang Hezhan's wedding day fast approaching, Xie Rongyue informed the people on the estate and, along with her maid, set off for Xunyang.
The moonlight by the window gradually moved westward, and the sky slowly brightened.
When Xie Rongyue woke up at the inn, she opened the door and saw Fu Yun carrying food.
"Miss, why don't we just skip Xunyang? The people here are so hospitable. Wouldn't it be better if we just stayed in Fancheng, bought a courtyard house, and settled down?"
Because of the rain, Xie Rongyue has stayed in Fancheng for a few days.
She wandered around and, upon hearing Fu Yun's suggestion, was somewhat tempted.
But then she thought about it again. In this chaotic world, with war everywhere, the two women had no protection, so she hesitated.
"Let's eat first."
Fu Yun said, "That general forced Miss to go to Xunyang for the sake of his wife. He's a real scoundrel."
"Although Xunyang has someone to take care of him, what if he remembers you one day? Does Miss want to become his mistress?"
Xie Rongyue chuckled, "The young masters of noble families in Yandu are all very heartless, and the noble ladies are all beautiful and graceful. They forget about them in no time."
"That's true, but Miss can't stay unmarried for the rest of her life just because of him, can she?"
"How can someone who is already past her prime, let alone get married?"
Fu Yun paused, remembering her aunt's instructions, and sighed inwardly.
Having stayed in Fancheng long enough, Xie Rongyue went to the dock after dinner. Upon hearing that the ship could not yet set sail, she frowned slightly.
This small town is located near the north, with a quiet environment and bustling streets.
Remembering Fu Yun's suggestion, she pursed her lips.
Although Wang Hezhan intended to part ways with Yan Wu because of her.
But if she stays in Xunyang, what if she gets married and has children one day and runs into him again? It would be really embarrassing. It would be better to cut off all contact completely.
But how could these two frail women survive in this chaotic world?
Xie Rongyue couldn't help but calculate the money she had received. If she didn't go to Xunyang and couldn't get the shops, estates, and land, would the money she had be enough for them to live on?
"Fuyun, if we calculate the amount of money we have on hand according to the standards of ordinary people, is it enough for the two of us to live comfortably for the rest of our lives?"
Although she was skilled in embroidery and calligraphy, in those days, without a father, brothers, or family, two young women would surely be devoured alive. She dared not show her face in public to do business.
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