Chapter 142

Zhao Youze stared at Jiashan with a warm look. He stood up slowly, walked to Jiashan's side, and said with a smile: "Sister, don't cry."

"I have a different opinion from you."

"You think that Father is creating trouble for Zhuang Gong, but I think that Father has a sincere heart."

"Over the years, my eldest brother and I have been at loggerheads. Do you think my father can't see this? Think about it, if it weren't for this incident, my eldest brother would have gone to his fiefdom soon. While my father is still alive, my eldest brother and I will live in peace. But after my father passes away, my eldest brother will not be willing to be inferior to others and will definitely raise a wall between us. By then, either I can't tolerate him or he will rebel against me. Only one of us can survive."

"It is true that father deliberately allowed my eldest brother to get too involved with the King of Qin and the Marquis of Anding. But the evil that father fostered was the King of Qin and the Marquis of Anding, not my eldest brother. Although my eldest brother has been deposed, at least he can save his life and leave behind the bloodline of Huaiqing."

"Sister, you might as well think carefully about whether father is trying to save him or harm him." Zhao Youze's voice was clear and had a strange power to soothe people's hearts.

Jiashan calmed down, and his confused mind finally became clear.

She had a clear idea in her mind and said slowly, "Yuankang is right."

"It's just my petty mind," Jiashan said.

"Don't blame my sister," Zhao Youze smiled, revealing a few crystal white teeth, looking clever and cute, "My sister is just too concerned and confused."

"The person who leaked this news to my sister on purpose is the one who deserves to be punished." A murderous look flashed across Zhao Youze's eyes. He straightened his body, and the majesty of a superior was faintly revealed. "Tell me who it is, and I will beat this person with a stick to vent my anger on my sister."

When Jiashan thought of Li on that day, he couldn't tell for a moment whether she was a fan of the authorities like himself or was really trying to provoke him.

After thinking about it, Jiashan said, "Forget it. There's no need to get angry with a dead person. Besides, she did me a favor."

Jiashan has already obtained evidence of Marquis Anding's collusion with the enemy from Huaiqing's wet nurse. The evidence is very detailed and can even be traced back to the time of the previous emperor. No wonder Li said that it involved the Marquis Yongding's Mansion.

With this evidence in hand, as long as Fu Xiao can return safely, the case of Yongding Hou will be able to see the light of day again.

Even if Jiashan didn't say it, Zhao Youze could guess it. He held the teacup in one hand, gently pushed away the floating leaves on the surface, and said in a calm voice: "It must be Li."

"She is much more dangerous than Concubine Zhuang, or even Princess Qin," Zhao Youze said, "No wonder father is determined to destroy the entire Pingyang Marquisate."

The final mastermind of the palace rebellion case that day was identified as the Pingyang Marquis's Mansion, so the Pingyang Marquis's Mansion was destroyed, and Zhao Youcheng was painstakingly preserved. As for the Qin Wang, Emperor Zhanghe seemed to be very kind to this brother, and the imperial edict announced to the world did not even mention his involvement in the rebellion. It only said that he and the Qin Wang's son were loyal to the master, and when the turmoil broke out, they entered the palace to defend the king, but were cruelly killed by Pingyang Marquis. After Qin Wang's wife learned about this, she was too heartbroken and passed away soon after.

Some ministers and common people cried for a while for the loyalty and bravery of the King of Qin and his son. The deep brotherly love between Emperor Zhanghe and the King of Qin was also talked about with great relish.

This was a decision made after Emperor Zhanghe and Zhao Youze discussed it. Emperor Zhanghe did not want to be alone, or even worse, to be seen as a tyrant by the people. If everyone in the world knew that his own son and brother had joined forces to rebel against him, people would inevitably suspect that he was not wise, otherwise how could he end up being deserted by his relatives and friends.

Now, just one or two simple methods can win people's hearts. What's more, the King of Qin, his wife, and his son were all executed in the same way. Different paths lead to the same destination, so why not do it?

Emperor Zhanghe once said to Zhao Youze: "The way of the emperor is lonely, but don't let yourself become a lonely person. It's lonely at the top. Yuankang, you are a smart child. You should understand what I mean."

"Yes, I understand."

It was also because of this understanding that Zhao Youze understood better that Emperor Zhang He signaled him to come over today because he wanted to tell his elder sister something.

Zhao Youze bowed slightly. This prince, who was second only to the emperor, spoke to Jiashan almost in a bowing manner. He said in a gentle voice: "Sister, you have my father and I to protect you. You can rest assured. When I was young, you protected me. Yuankang will never forget this."

"No matter who I am, my love for you will always remain the same." Zhao Youze smiled faintly and said very seriously.

Jiashan's eyes were red, and she looked at Zhao Youze carefully, without blinking. After a moment, she nodded, her voice slightly hoarse: "Sister believes it."

Two months later, Jiashan successfully gave birth to a son, and both mother and child were safe. The only pity was that it was not the happy birth that everyone expected, and this time she gave birth to a big fat boy again. This big fat boy was not as big as the shocking "7.7 jin" when Xuan Ge'er was born, but just over 6 jin, and still very healthy.

On the day of Jiashan's birth, Madam Pei, Gu Junyi, and even the already married Princess Qinghe all came. Only Crown Princess Shanshan arrived late, and due to her status, no one said anything.

The Crown Princess smiled and said, "I am late. I have a great happy event. It is just right for today's scene. It can be regarded as a double happiness."

Gu Junyi was the most talkative person here, so he continued, "Judging from the Crown Princess's expression, there must be good news from the northwest."

"That's right!" The Crown Princess smiled, "Before I came here, the Crown Prince just returned to the East Palace and told me personally. The Grand Duke fought a great battle! And he was with Lieutenant General Fu. During the time when Lieutenant General Fu was missing, he was not defeated and fled, nor was he captured. He actually went straight to the Turkic royal court!"

"The eldest son-in-law is also a skilled and courageous man. The Turkic Khan Yeli believed that he was new to the battlefield and lacked experience, so he pretended to be defeated. In order to paralyze the enemy, he did not hesitate to use himself as bait and penetrated deep into the enemy camp. He happened to cooperate with Lieutenant General Fu in the royal court. The two of them have already captured the young Khan Yeli alive and are preparing to return to the court."

"Really?" Jiashan, who had just given birth, took a deep breath, forced herself to stand up, and asked with joy on her face.

The Crown Princess smiled and said, "I'm not lying, sister! When I left the palace, the Crown Prince had just issued a handwritten decree to lift the ban on the Fu Mansion, and he also sent someone to escort Madam Fu here."

Qinghe said, "This is a rare happy event. It seems that today is a good day. The emperor's sister gave birth to a baby boy, and there are frequent good news from the northwest. It can be seen that the second young master will have good fortune in the future."

Jiashan touched his son's tender face and said with a smile, "Then I will accept the good wishes of the Crown Princess and Qinghe and give him the nickname Shuanghaoxin."

"It's hard to have both, but double happiness is different," Mrs. Pei said with a smile, "When the prince consort comes back, it will be triple happiness."

Zhan Yue was the commander-in-chief of this campaign. He first successfully relieved Marquis Anding of his military power, thus avoiding a mutiny in the army, and then captured Yeli Khan alive. He was indeed instrumental in this. As long as he returned to Beijing, he would be granted a title of nobility and appointed as prime minister.

But Jiashan didn't care about these things at the moment. She just glanced at her son's prominent physical features again and said with a smile, "I'm afraid that when he comes back and sees Shuangxi, he will be even more disappointed."

Only Jiashan knew how much Zhan Yue wanted a daughter. Especially after seeing that Gu Junyi and Pei Yuantang's daughter was growing up to be more and more beautiful, Zhan Yue wanted a daughter-in-law who looked like Jiashan even more.

Before leaving, he also said that he would bring some fun things from the northwest for his daughter, so that when she returned, she would not refuse to love her father.

It is conceivable that when he found out that it was just another mud boy, Zhan Yue would have a look of regret on his face.

The victory news from the northwest was rushed to the capital from the army, because Yeli Khan was captured alive. The significance of this battle was different and would involve the diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Emperor Zhanghe ordered them to escort Yeli Khan to the capital immediately. As for how to deal with this little Khan lion after returning to the capital, that was a matter for the six ministries and the emperor and the crown prince to worry about.

On the day Zhan Yue entered the capital, as a sign of respect, Zhao Youze, the crown prince, personally left the capital and, under the protection of the East Palace guards and the newly appointed Nine Gates Admiral, walked 500 miles to welcome the triumphant return of the army.

The whole capital was filled with joy. This was a rare victory, and even more so for Zhan Yue and Fu Xiao.

's military exploits.

Even in front of so many ministers and soldiers, Zhao Youze did not distance himself from Zhan Yue and still addressed him by his seniority: "Brother-in-law and General Fu have worked hard and made great contributions. My father specially sent me to welcome them in person."

"I am extremely sorry to trouble Your Highness." Zhan Yue bowed politely.

Zhao Youze smiled, gave him face again, and personally stepped forward to help him up. The mighty Northwestern Army was stationed outside the city, and the prisoner cars of Yeli Khan and Anding Hou and others were transferred to the East Palace guards for escort.

At this time, the court meeting had already ended, so Zhan Yue went directly to the palace to report the whole situation to Emperor Zhang He. Emperor Zhang He said yes repeatedly, and seeing that he looked exhausted, he smiled and said, "We will discuss the merits and rewards at the court meeting in a few days." He did not stay for long and let him go back to the palace to change his clothes and wash up.

On this day, the school was closed for the holiday. Xuan Ge'er did not go to review because he had just had a younger brother. He stayed by his brother's side, watching Shuangxi sleeping, and asked Jiashan: "Mother, why does my brother sleep every day? When can he go riding with me?"

Jiashan rolled up the book and tapped his little head gently, saying with a smile: "He is so young, you have to give your brother some time to grow up slowly."

"Alas," Xuan Ge'er held his face and sighed, "If my brother doesn't grow up quickly, Zhu Rong will grow into a very big horse. What will I do if my brother can't climb up then?"

"Then let your father choose another pony for him," said Jiashan.

Speak of the devil, and Zhan Yue entered the door at this time.

He bathed at a post station before entering Beijing and changed into clothes that had never been worn on the battlefield, but he was still afraid that the bloody smell on his body would scare Jiashan and the child. After entering the palace, he took off his court clothes, put on his casual clothes again, and rubbed his hair with soap nuts before he stepped into the palace.

"Princess." Zhan Yue immediately hugged Jia Shan in his arms, his lips gently touching her hair, and said in a low voice, "Do you miss me?"

Jiashan's eyelashes were almost wet at this moment. She hugged Zhan Yue tightly and said in a soft voice: "Yan Qing, do you still need to ask such nonsense between you and me?"

Zhan Yue put his arms around Jia Shan's waist, his lips moving: "My dear princess, I miss you too."

The two hugged each other tightly for a moment, and Zhan Yue leaned over to kiss away the tears from Jiashan's eyes.

Seeing Xuan Ge'er lying in front of the crib and watching the baby sleeping, Zhan Yue deliberately walked over and asked Xuan Ge'er, "Do you like it?"

"Well, my younger brother is very cute." Xuan Ge'er said instinctively.

After answering, Xuan Ge'er realized that his father, whom he had been thinking about day and night, had returned! Xuan Ge'er then clung to Zhan Yue like a sticky rice dumpling, uncontrollably wiping his tears of joy on Zhan Yue, and yelled, "Dad——"

"Tsk." Zhan Yue was afraid that Xuan'er would wake up the child, so he carried him away from the bed and sat down next to Jiashan.

After a while, Zhan Yue seemed to have just reacted, and he was stunned for a moment before asking, "Brother?"

"Yes." Xuan Ge'er said seriously, "My mother gave me a younger brother!"

Jiashan burst into laughter and calmly turned his head to observe Zhan Yue's expression.

"Well..." Zhan Yue said, "My brother is fine too. Everything is fine, everything is fine."

Jiashan was very nervous and asked, "Is everything really okay?"

"Well..." Zhan Yue said, "However, I brought back a few small skirts with local characteristics from the northwest, but unfortunately I didn't have the chance to use them."

As he spoke, he stood up, walked to the crib, gently picked up his little son, and looked closely at his long eyelashes and his plump, white face.

Then, Zhan Yue pulled back the blanket and took a look at his son's lower body: "She's so white, is she really not a girl?"

Jiashan caught a glimpse of his movements and couldn't help laughing, saying, "He is whiter than when Xuan was born. His wet nurse's milk is also good, so he is white and plump."

After solemnly confirming the gender of his son, Zhan Yue sighed, then carefully touched his sleeping son's face, kissed him lovingly, and asked Jia Shan, "Have you chosen a name?"

"I gave him a nickname, Shuangxi." Jiashan said, "The day I gave birth to him, the good news from your side came back. The Crown Princess said that this was a double happiness coming to the door. I thought it was a good omen, so I just named him Shuangxi."

Common people always like to give their children some vulgar names in the hope that they will have good luck in raising children. Jiashan also thought at first that the name Shuangxi might be too auspicious, and worried that his son would not be able to handle it. But Mrs. Pei said, "What can't be handled? His parents, grandparents, and uncles are all very famous people, so naturally any name can handle it."

"Now that the country is peaceful and the people are safe, let's call it double happiness. I'm sure the prince consort will like it too."

Sure enough, after hearing this, Zhan Yue smiled and said, "It's such a coincidence, it really fits the saying of double happiness."

After seeing his younger son, Zhan Yue asked about his older son's studies.

Xuan Ge'er hadn't seen his father for a whole year. He always regarded his father as the most mighty hero. These days, he heard from his followers that Zhan Yue had won a great victory, so he kept pestering Zhan Yue to tell him about what happened on the battlefield.

Seeing that Zhan Yue's eyes were still red, Jia Shan felt sorry for him for having to guard the border for a year and sleep in the open air. So he leaned over and took Xuan Ge'er from Zhan Yue with great effort, coaxing him, "You can listen to the story slowly. Let your father go downstairs to wash up and rest first, then we can talk."

Xuan Ge'er was very obedient. Although he was a little unwilling, he still hugged Zhan Yue and then let go. He hung his head and said, "Okay then."

Zhan Yue rubbed his furry head calmly and said, "Dad will tell you when he puts you to sleep tonight."

Xuan Ge'er's eyes suddenly sparkled, and he said excitedly, "Okay! I'll wait for Dad!"

At night, Zhan Yue picked out some interesting stories to tell Xuan Ge'er. Who knew that Xuan Ge'er became more and more excited as he listened, waving his fist and shouting, "Next time I will ride Zhurong to fight with my father." Zhan Yue was both relieved and troubled, and it took a lot of effort to coax him to sleep.

After coaxing the eldest son, he went to Jiashan's room to see her and the youngest son. Shuangxi was well-behaved and had gone to bed early with the nurse, leaving Jiashan sitting in the middle of the bed waiting for him, with her hair full of black hair and her eyes sparkling.

Zhan Yue's heart moved, and he walked over and lay down beside Jiashan. He hadn't slept on such a soft and comfortable bed for a long time, and he couldn't help but sigh.

Jiashan tilted his head to glance at him and asked, "Is Xuan-ge asleep?"

"Just fell asleep." Zhan Yue said.

Jiashan said: "He is grown up now, don't spoil him too much, it's not good for him to be lawless."

"It doesn't matter if our children are lawless." Zhan Yue said indifferently, "Besides, Brother Xuan is quite sensible. I tested his knowledge today and he answered every question word for word. I heard from Chen Chu that he treats his younger brother well. A son with such a personality is hard to find in other people's houses, so it's okay to pamper him a little."

Jiashan knew that he had not seen the child for a year and was now cherishing him, so he did not say anything to spoil his mood. He just suppressed his blush and whispered, "Undress."

Zhan Yue was stunned for a moment, and gently rubbed Jiashan's green fingertips: "I just came back, and the princess is going to be so enthusiastic?"

"Stop talking nonsense." Jiashan's expression was unusually rude. She said, "Untie it right away and let me see it."

When Zhan Yue was bathing in the afternoon, Jiashan called Liu Qi, who had been following Zhan Yue, and asked him in detail whether Zhan Yue had encountered any danger this time.

Liu Qi wanted to keep it a secret at first, but Jiashan's eyes were like sharp swords, and he used both coaxing and threats, and with his own wife Su Yu's help, Liu Qi knew he could not keep it a secret, so he told him everything.

Zhan Yue's military exploits this time sounded great, but his opponent, Yeli Xiao Khan, was the most powerful warrior who had grown rapidly in the Turkic people in recent years, and it was not easy to deal with him. Zhan Yue used himself as bait and was injured several times. In the last battle with Yeli Khan, although Yeli Xiao Khan was captured alive, Zhan Yue did not get any good results and even nearly lost his life.

He was shot in the chest by Yeli Khan, and the wound was only two inches away from the heart. Thanks to the timely treatment of the accompanying military doctor and Zhan Yue's strong will to survive, otherwise he would have died on the battlefield.

Zhan Yue knew what Jia Shan wanted to see, and paused for a moment: "It's too bright, I'll go turn off the two lights."

"Why turn off the lights?" Jiashan's expression changed slightly. Knowing that he was being reluctant, he pulled his fingertips out of his hand and pretended to be angry. "Zhan Yanqing, if you don't untie it, I'll do it myself."

Zhan Yue was afraid that she would be really angry, so he had to slowly undress her. He saw a shocking scar on her chest that was once spotless.

Zhan Yue didn't dare to look at her expression and turned his head away. Jia Shan raised his eyes slightly and his gaze stayed on his chest for a long time, so long that Zhan Yue's hands that opened his shirt began to feel numb, and Jia Shan moved over and leaned on his chest.

The sound of a hot and powerful heartbeat came into Jiashan's ears, and her eyes were shining with moisture. She couldn't help but kiss along his exposed skin, the touch of her lips was raw, and finally stopped at the tail of the scar.

"Yanqing." Jiashan asked hoarsely, "Does it hurt a lot?"

Her breath was warm and itchy on my skin.

Zhan Yue's eyes flashed, and he put his arm around Jiashan's waist. His throat seemed to be blocked by something and he couldn't speak.

After a long while, Zhan Yue took her out of his arms, stroked Jia Shan's eyebrows with one hand, lifted her face with his fingers, and kissed her carefully: "It hurt a lot. Later, I thought of you and the child, and finally I felt much better."

Jiashan's heart was trembling with pain because of his words, but he still struggled to get out of his arms and said in a low voice: "You still said! You clearly promised me that you would cherish your own life, Zhan Yanqing, is this your cherishment?"

"Shuangxi almost didn't even get to see her father, and you still dare to say that!"

Zhan Yue stared into her red eyes, leaned over and kissed her again and again, smiled faintly and said, "I'm sorry."

"What's the use of saying sorry?" Jiashan couldn't help wiping away tears. "If you can't save him, others will congratulate you on your victory, but have you ever thought about us, mother and son?"

"It's a pity that the bones by the Wuding River are still the people in the dreams of the Spring Courtyard."

"From now on, are you going to be just that person in the dream?"

Jiashan was held tightly by Zhan Yue, but she couldn't help but use one hand to hit him. However, she was worried that his injury had not fully healed, so she didn't dare to hit him too hard. She hit him on the back a few times with her fist and then stopped.

Zhan Yue held her face and wiped away her tears carefully: "Of course not. I don't want to be a person in a dream, so I came back, back to the princess, back to see Xuan Ge'er and Shuang Xi."

"My princess, I am wrong." Zhan Yue said, "I made you worry about me."

"The opportunity was so good that time. I had to take down Yeli Khan, otherwise the northwestern border would be disturbed all year round and the people would suffer." Speaking of the border war, Zhan Yue's tone seemed to become serious all of a sudden, his chest felt warm and strong, yet comfortable and safe.

Zhan Yue said: "I stayed in the border town this year and saw that the people there were poor and destitute because of the wars year after year. It was a far cry from the wealth and prosperity in the capital."

"I promised them that I would let them live and work in peace and not worry about the Turks coming to harass and plunder again," Zhan Yue said, standing like a mountain. "We must fulfill our promises, right?"

"Just as I promised the princess that I would return home safe and sound, I will definitely return safely. I cannot break my promise to my wife, nor to the people." Zhan Yue said, "A gentleman's word is as good as gold. Princess, do you believe that I am a gentleman?"

Jiashan raised his head slightly to look at him, and saw his bright and crystal eyes like a wolf under his thick brows.

Jiashan's throat rolled, and he felt that he was deeply struck by the belief and will in those eyes.

She suddenly regretted her nagging behavior just now, which made her seem petty for no reason. She said, "You are the most outstanding gentleman, and every word you say is of great value."

Jiashan took a breath, and her curled eyelashes trembled: "Yanqing, I should say sorry."

"You have won the first battle, but I blame you for these childish affairs," Jiashan rubbed his face against his heart, "Can you forgive me?"

"Good princess." Zhan Yue gently rubbed her hair a few times, as if he was soothing a little leopard that had just retracted its claws. "We have met again after a long time, let's not say such awkward words, okay?"

"Okay!" Jiashan nodded vigorously, her almond-shaped eyes full of water.

Zhan Yue's eyes were gentle, and his palms stroked Jiashan's back back and forth, with increasing strength, mixed with passion and desire.

Jiashan was still thinking about what he had just said. He thought about it for a while and asked, "Do you like the Northwest very much?"

"How could that be?" Zhan Yue smiled. "You haven't been there. If you were there and found the climate was dry, dusty and violent, you wouldn't ask such questions."

"But when you mentioned the people of Northwest China just now, your eyes lit up," Jiashan said, "a light that had never appeared before."

Zhan Yue paused for a moment, then forced a smile and said, "The people there are simple and honest, and it's easy to win their love. Their love makes me feel needed, as if all the military tactics I've learned over the years have meaning."

"I don't like the Northwest, I just like a peaceful and prosperous era, and this peaceful and prosperous era is beautiful only with you." Zhan Yue said seriously.

What a peaceful and prosperous time with her, what wonderful words.

Jiashan embraced him, as if to welcome a mountain: "After we drive away the Turks completely, can you take me with you?"

"Although you have mentioned many shortcomings of that place, I still want to see the place that Yanqing pacified with his own hands, walk through the battlefield where you fought, and meet the people you promised."

"Okay." Zhan Yue agreed steadily, "I will definitely take you there."

Jiashan buried his face in Zhan Yue's chest, closed his eyes, and felt his thriving muscles and the hot red heart beneath his hot skin.

This is her hero, and also the hero of the whole world.