Chapter 61 Where does it hurt?
Xiao Fuguang looked at him with a confused look on his face.
Do you want to listen to what you are saying? If it weren't for my status, I really want to ask you, where does it hurt?
"What did you just say, Regent?"
Xuanyuan Jing looked at her and spoke seriously.
"Fuguang, I know you are different from other women. There is no one else in the Regent's Palace. My mother had a difficult delivery when she gave birth to my sister, Princess An Ning. After my father passed away, I took An Ning with me and opened my own palace. The palace is very quiet. An Ning is weak and has a good personality. I am sure you will get along well..."
Listening to Xuanyuan Jing's words, Xiao Fuguang's brows furrowed even more tightly, and he quickly raised his hand to stop him from speaking any further.
"No...wait a minute...um...Regent, maybe, maybe, maybe on the battlefield I behaved a little differently from those ladies from the Imperial City, and you just found it novel. There's really no need for us to discuss marriage."
Xuanyuan Jing was surprised to hear this. What woman in the world wouldn't be grateful to be admitted to the Regent's Palace? Why was she avoiding him like the plague?
"Fu Guang, but what about me makes you dissatisfied?"
As for marriage, I have experienced it twice in my two lifetimes combined. All men in this world are sophisticated egoists. If you use a man as a backer, you are pushing yourself into the abyss. It is enough to lose this heart once, Xiao Fuguang said hurriedly.
"No, Your Majesty, you are very good. You are handsome, skilled in martial arts, talented, good at commanding the army, and a good official. You are a good official in the hearts of the people."
"But I don't want to get married. I've already become the Imperial Master, and I want to learn astrology well so I can inherit my master's legacy in the future."
In a paragraph, no matter how gorgeous or nice the first words are, the words after the word "but" are the most important, Xuanyuan Jing looked at her and said.
"Even if we get married, you will still be the Imperial Master's apprentice. You can continue to learn astrology. I will not restrict your freedom."
Why couldn't this person understand? Xiao Fuguang couldn't help but put his hand on his temples.
"Prince Regent, well, I have no interest in the affairs of the mansion. I just want to live a simple life. You are of noble status and so beautiful. There are so many women in Xuanyuan waiting in line for your favor. Why would you set your sights on someone as uninterested as me? Right?"
Seeing her repeatedly refusing, Xuanyuan Jing spoke helplessly.
"But you can't stay single for your whole life. Your mother will be worried too. Fu Guang, after all, we are already husband and wife..."
Hadn't we agreed to just pretend nothing had happened? Xiao Fuguang felt like he'd be treasonous if he kept talking.
"Prince Regent, um, is there such a thing? Why don't I remember it?"
Xuanyuan Jing's eyes flashed with surprise when he heard this, and then he realized that Xiao Fuguang was deliberately playing dumb and trying to avoid the topic. He smiled helplessly.
"Forget it, Fu Guang, I was abrupt. Marriage is indeed a matter that requires careful consideration. I shouldn't be so impatient. I am willing to give you enough time. If you have made up your mind and are willing to marry, I can go to the Marquis' Mansion to propose marriage at any time."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Fuguang secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
"Thank you for your understanding, Your Majesty."
Xiao Fuguang bowed and saluted with a sincere attitude.
The atmosphere between the two of them suddenly became subtle and harmonious. The heavy snow was still falling, making the figures of the two people particularly clear.
The atmosphere was a bit awkward. Xiao Fuguang touched the tip of his nose. What topic could he find to talk about?
"Lord Regent, this battle has been won, and the people of Yanmen City can return home. However, it's snowing now, and we have to wait until tomorrow. Yanmen City is in ruins right now, and we must find a way to restore the people's homes."
Xuanyuan Jing nodded slightly, with approval in his eyes.
"Fuguang is absolutely right. Post-war reconstruction is the top priority. I have ordered the preparation of food, medicine, and other necessary materials for reconstruction. We must ensure that the people can safely survive the winter and that their lives can be restored as soon as possible."
Still calling her Fuguang? Can she call her Miss Xiao? But Xiao Fuguang didn't dare to correct her.
"Your Majesty the Regent is very thoughtful. I admire you."
Then the conversation took a sudden turn.
"But getting the people back to live here is a big problem. Houses can't be built in a short time, and it's Chinese New Year, and many houses in the city are already destroyed."
"But the military camp is in the suburbs and won't be affected. Why not build temporary wooden houses and tents next to the camp? If you've gone to stay with relatives, you can come back after the New Year and slowly rebuild your home. If you have nowhere else to go, you might as well settle down in the military camp first."
"When the heavy snow stops, we will have the soldiers help rebuild our homes together, so that we can show that we are one family, military and civilians."
Xuanyuan Jing's eyes were filled with admiration when he heard this, and he nodded quickly.
"Miss Xiao is indeed thoughtful. I will let Lin Ji do it."
Xiao Fuguang continued to speak.
"Your Highness, this is the time to demonstrate that the army and the people are one family, and that you love the people like your own children. The soldiers have just won a victory. I feel that if the soldiers treat the people with courtesy and take good care of the women and children, it will surely earn Your Highness a good reputation."
Although she didn't say it explicitly, Xuanyuan Jing understood what she meant.
"Don't worry, Fuguang. I will issue an order. Anyone who takes advantage of their victory to oppress the people will be punished by military law."
Xiao Fuguang bowed slightly when he heard this.
"Your Highness is wise. Fuguang would like to thank you on behalf of the people of Yanmen City."
Imperial city.
Go to court on the first day of the new year.
Emperor Xuanyuan received the first good news.
At this time, he was holding the memorial from the North with a smile on his face.
"Good, good, good, my dear ministers, good news has come from the northern border. The regent arrived in the northern border and assisted Yanmen City, repelling the Beipan Army and saving Yanmen City."
In the hall, all the ministers were jubilant upon hearing the words. They congratulated Emperor Xuanyuan and praised the bravery and wisdom of Regent Xuanyuan Jing.
"As expected of Xuanyuan's God of War, he is truly invincible and unbeatable."
"Yes, no matter how arrogant Ren Beipan is, he will be defeated when he meets our Regent."
"The Regent is truly a pillar of the country. His achievements should be recorded in history and passed down through the ages!" An old minister stood up and spoke earnestly, his eyes full of admiration.
Emperor Xuanyuan's expression darkened. It turned out that letting Xuanyuan Jing go to the northern border had both advantages and disadvantages.
A minister noticed it and spoke respectfully.
"As a court official of Xuanyuan, it is my duty to serve the court. Now that the Regent has secured Yanmen City, I believe he can also repel Beipan. The Emperor has been extremely worried about the people of Beipan lately. Now that there is good news, the Emperor should also pay attention to his own health."
Another minister spoke up.
"Yes, Your Majesty has worked hard these days, always worrying about food and the people. Now that Yanmen City is safe, Your Majesty can rest assured."
Emperor Xuanyuan's expression improved a little.
"If the Regent truly repels Bei Pan and prevents him from attacking, he will indeed be commended. However, there is one more thing to consider. That is Xiao Fuguang, the daughter of the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery and a disciple of the Imperial Master. This battle was won thanks to her for dealing with the beast army in Southern Xinjiang. Otherwise, this battle would have been very dangerous."
"Since ancient times, men who have made contributions have been crowned kings, ministers, and promoted to higher positions. This is the first time in Xuanyuan that a woman has taken control of the battlefield. Do you have any suggestions?"
Inside the hall, the ministers looked at each other, obviously surprised by the question raised by Emperor Xuanyuan.
It is rare in Xuanyuan history for a woman to make great contributions, especially one who played a key role on the battlefield like Xiao Fuguang.
A middle-aged minister said after pondering for a moment.
"Your Majesty, Miss Xiao's contributions are indeed not to be underestimated. However, since ancient times, it has been difficult for women to enter the court, let alone be granted titles or official positions. However, her heroic deeds are a blessing to our Xuanyuan clan."
"I think you can bestow gold, silver, jewelry, fertile land, and beautiful houses as a token of your majesty's grace. At the same time, the Emperor can personally inscribe a plaque with the words 'Heroine' and hang it in the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery's mansion as a token of your recognition."
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