Chapter 65 Bei Pan's Marriage Proposal
Gu family.
Mrs. Gu looked at Gu Xiu who had returned with a smile on her face.
"The general is back, that's great. As long as Chuan'er comes back, our family will be reunited. Chuan'er also made great contributions to the victory in the North. Our Gu family will prosper in the future."
Gu Xiu followed Mrs. Gu into the house.
"Well, the Emperor has sent me a message. This time, Chuan'er not only fought with the Regent to repel Bei Pan, but also carried out a secret mission. He won't be back for the time being. However, the Emperor understands that we haven't seen each other for a long time, so he specially allowed me to keep an eye on the Imperial City for a few more days."
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Gu's smile froze slightly and she asked with concern.
"Secret mission? Then Chuan'er won't be in danger, right?"
Gu Xiu spoke calmly after hearing this.
"Madam, Chuan'er has grown up and has been on the battlefield many times. You don't have to worry so much. The fact that the emperor secretly assigned Chuan'er an errand proves that he values Chuan'er, and it also proves that he values the Gu family. As his mother, you should be happy."
Madam Gu said with some disappointment.
"As a mother, I am naturally happy that Chuan'er has been favored by the Emperor. It's just that I haven't seen Chuan'er for a long time. A mother worries about her son even when he is thousands of miles away. I also love my son dearly."
Gu Xiu spoke slowly after hearing this.
"Tomorrow is Beipan's banquet for peace. Prepare well for the banquet. Remember, keep Linan in check. Now that Chuan'er has made great military achievements in the northern border, the Gu family's previously lost reputation can be restored. You people in the backyard must not make any more mistakes."
Mrs. Gu spoke quickly after hearing this.
"Yes, General, don't worry, I will discipline Linan."
"I've been pretty strict with her these days, so she'll know what to do and what not to do."
At this time, South Courtyard.
Zhuang Linan stood up and spoke anxiously when she saw Bing'er walking in.
"How is it? Did you find out anything?"
"Why hasn't the Major General returned yet?"
Bing'er shook her head when she heard that.
"I haven't found out. I've tried every possible method and every possible person I could find. I only know that General Gu and the Regent repelled the Beipan Army before."
"As for why he didn't return, I really can't find out. I suspect the young general is cleaning up the mess. After all, the war just ended, and the regent has returned, so he has to leave a key figure on the battlefield."
Upon hearing this, Zhuang Linan sat down on the chair, looking tired.
"Even if he has to stay behind to clean up the mess, he should at least write me a letter back."
"Bing'er, I always feel like something is wrong, but I can't put my finger on it."
Upon hearing this, Bing'er walked forward and poured a cup of hot tea for Zhuang Linan.
"Madam, if you are really worried about the Major General, why not ask the General and his wife? The General has returned today, and the Major General is now their only son. The General and his wife must be worried too."
Zhuang Linan shook her head slightly when she heard this.
"I can't ask, and they won't tell me. Ever since the Gu family's reputation was damaged, they forbid me from asking about Chuan'er's affairs."
"If I show that I care too much about Chuan'er, I'm afraid mother will make me behave again."
"Tomorrow, take some more silver and go out to see if you can find out anything. Chuan'er went out with the Regent. See if you can get in touch with the people around the Regent."
Bing'er shook her head when she heard that.
"Madam, I've tried it, and the people around the Regent can't get in touch with him at all. But if you're really worried, maybe we can ask Miss Xiao."
"In this battle, Miss Xiao also went to the battlefield..."
Speaking of Xiao Fuguang, Zhuang Linan's expression also darkened. There was another very important reason why she was so anxious to see Gu Chuan, and that was because she was afraid that their old love would rekindle on the battlefield.
"Bing'er, do you think it's possible that Gu Chuan fell in love with Xiao Fuguang in the Northern Territory?"
Having been with Zhuang Linan for many years, Bing'er knew that the young lady had been uneasy these days, fearing that the young general would fall in love with Xiao Fuguang after spending too much time with him.
"Young Madam, don't worry. After what happened before, how could the young general still have any feelings for Miss Xiao?"
Zhuang Linan sighed lightly, her eyes full of worry.
"But human hearts are unpredictable. On the battlefield, life and death depend on each other, and it's inevitable that some inappropriate feelings will arise. Moreover, Xiao Fuguang is now famous, so how can I not be worried?"
Bing'er comforted.
"Young Madam, you're worrying too much. The Young General has deep feelings for you. You've been friends for many years. Don't you understand his character?"
Zhuang Linan felt a little relieved when she heard this, but then her brows furrowed again.
"That being said, I still feel uneasy. Well, I think Xiao Fuguang will also attend tomorrow's banquet. I'll find a chance to ask her then."
In the palace.
Since they were hosting a defeated country, it was natural that Xuanyuan would demonstrate its strength. The banquet was held with great ceremony. In the magnificent hall, the lights were bright, illuminating the faces of every guest.
The dignitaries of Xuanyuan were dressed in gorgeous clothes, chatting in groups of three or five, and the atmosphere was warm and solemn.
As Emperor Xuanyuan and Empress Yao Guifei entered the hall, everyone bowed and took their seats.
The eunuchs beside Emperor Xuanyuan shouted.
"Xuan Beipan's envoys come to see you."
The envoys from Beipan slowly walked into the hall. Their clothes were very different from those of the Xuanyuan people. They were colorful, but also revealed an exotic style.
With humility on their faces, they saluted Emperor Xuanyuan.
"Meet Emperor Xuanyuan."
Emperor Xuanyuan spoke politely.
"Envoy Bei Pan, please excuse me. Today is a special welcome banquet for you all, and also a banquet to celebrate the victorious return of Regent Xuanyuan. There is no need for formalities. Please take a seat, Envoy Bei Pan."
Xuanyuan respected the left as the most respected. At this time, Xuanyuan Jing was sitting to the lower left of Emperor Xuanyuan. The Beipan envoy glanced at Xuanyuan Jing's position.
"Thank you, Emperor Xuanyuan."
Then he followed the eunuch's instructions and took his seat.
Emperor Xuanyuan nodded slightly to the Queen.
The queen gave the order.
"Singing and dancing will be served, and food will be served."
At the queen's command, melodious music sounded and a group of dancers in colorful clothes walked into the hall. They danced gracefully to the music, adding a bit of liveliness and festivity to the banquet.
At the same time, exquisite dishes were served on the table, the aroma filled the air and made people salivate.
Xiao Fuguang sat next to Madam Xiao, wearing a very low-key white dress, and the hair accessory on her head was also a simple white jade hairpin.
Xuanyuan Jing's gaze fell on her, and he remembered her in red clothes on the battlefield, and clenched the wine glass in his hand.
The Beipan envoy raised his wine glass.
"Emperor Xuanyuan, Hu Yanqing offers you a toast."
Hu Yanqing, the eldest prince of Beipan, actually came to Xuanyuan in person.
Emperor Xuanyuan calmly picked up the wine glass.
"You are too polite, Grand Prince. Since you have come to Xuanyuan in person, you must fully appreciate the customs and culture of Xuanyuan."
Hu Yanqing drank the wine in the glass in one gulp.
"Of course. As our two countries continue to maintain good relations, I will definitely come to Xuanyuan often."
Then he poured another glass of wine.
"Prince Regent, this cup is a toast to you."
Xuanyuan Jing picked up the wine glass with a serious face. He didn't refuse, but he didn't say a word.
As expected of Xuanyuan's God of War, he was indeed quite aloof. Hu Yanqing glanced at the wine in the glass and drank it all.
Then he took out a list.
"Emperor Xuanyuan, we have learned that Xuanyuan is short of warhorses. This time, we from Beipan come with full sincerity. We are willing to provide Xuanyuan with one thousand Ferghana horses and two Iceberg Snow Lotuses. In addition, last year's war caused the people of Xuanyuan to suffer, and Beipan is willing to provide 600,000 taels of silver as compensation."
The hall was silent for a moment as everyone listened to Bei Pan's compensation and gifts.
There was no joy on Emperor Xuanyuan's face. It was only 600,000 taels of silver. The expenses of this army were more than that, not to mention the subsequent pensions and the money needed to rebuild people's homes.
"Beipan's sincerity..."
Looking at Emperor Xuanyuan's expression, Huyan Qing hurriedly bowed.
"Emperor Xuanyuan, I know this amount of silver is not enough to compensate Xuanyuan for his losses, but Beipan is poor, so this is all we can offer. However, we are absolutely sincere in our desire to befriend Xuanyuan."
"So please give us some more time, Xuanyuan. Next year we can provide Xuanyuan with another thousand Ferghana horses."
If you ask what is the most precious thing in Beipan, it is naturally Beipan’s Ferghana horses. In the past, you couldn’t even get one even if you spent money. Now Beipan is willing to send 1,500 horses to Xuanyuan, which shows that Beipan is indeed poor.
Upon hearing this, Emperor Xuanyuan spoke slowly, his expression unmoved.
"I deeply sympathize with Beipan's situation. Due to the climate, I also feel deeply for the people of Beipan. However, my great prince, what will happen if you, Beipan, break your promise regarding the 1,000 Ferghana horses for next year?"
Upon hearing this, Hu Yanqing glanced at the woman next to him who was wearing gorgeous clothes.
"Emperor Xuanyuan, the one beside me is Beipan's most noble princess, and also my biological sister. I, Beipan, am willing to marry the princess to Emperor Xuanyuan, thus establishing a harmonious relationship between us."
"Also, I heard that Xuanyuan had a remarkable woman, the Princess Protector of the Country. She is stunningly beautiful, intelligent, and courageous. I am willing to marry her as the Prince Consort of Beipan. She is also a promising future companion."
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