Chapter 93 Triumphant Return
The 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month is the Little New Year.
The snow in the capital has melted, revealing the long-unseen bluestone pavement.
On this day, the nine gates of the capital were opened wide, and tens of thousands of people spontaneously flooded the streets without any government organization. They carried red silk, flowers, and even freshly steamed buns, blocking the Zhuque Avenue leading from Deshengmen to the palace.
Today is the day that the guardian deity of the Great Gan Dynasty—Regent Shen Jin—and the legendary "goddess" queen who can summon wind and rain, are returning to the capital in triumph.
"They're here! They're here!"
"The Black Armor Army! It's the Regent's Black Armor Army!"
With a series of uniform, thunderous hoofbeats, a large black banner with the character "沈" (Chen) in gold lettering appeared on the horizon.
Immediately afterwards, the iron cavalry that had once struck fear into the hearts of their enemies in the north slowly drove through the city gates, kicking up clouds of dust.
The leader, with his hair bound by a golden crown and dressed in black robes and crimson skirts, wore no armor, yet his casual attire exuded more majesty than any suit of armor. His incomparably handsome face remained as cold and stern as ever, but when he looked to his side, a barely perceptible hint of tenderness would appear in his eyes.
Beside him were no other generals, only a luxurious carriage with its curtains still drawn.
Jiang Mianmian sat gracefully in the carriage, dressed in a bright red royal princess's court dress, her makeup exquisite, as dignified as a Bodhisattva.
But only Shen Jin knows how... down-to-earth this "Bodhisattva" is right now.
[My goodness! So many people?]
Is this what top-tier celebrity treatment is all about? Is this a large-scale fan meeting in period costume?
Look at that auntie, she's screaming herself hoarse! And that scholar, his shoes have even fallen off, yet he's still waving his hands!
[I'm touched, but... could you please stop throwing things?]
"Smack!"
A bright red apple, tracing an arc, hit Jiang Mianmian squarely on the forehead.
Although Jiang Mianmian could hide, she had to maintain her dignified image in public!
Just as the apple was about to "explode" on its head, a long, slender hand reached in from outside the carriage and caught it steadily.
Shen Jin rode his horse close to the carriage. He held the apple in his hand and nodded slightly to the old woman who had thrown it, as a way of thanking her.
"Ahhh! The Regent is looking at me! The Regent has taken my apple!"
The woman was so excited that she fainted on the spot.
Jiang Mianmian: [...]
[Chen Jin, are you exuding charm or creating chaos?]
"Take it."
Shen Jin wiped the apple and handed it to Jiang Mianmian, "You haven't had breakfast yet, have this to tide you over."
Jiang Mianmian took the apple and, using her wide sleeves as cover, secretly took a bite.
Mmm, so sweet.
For Apple's sake, I'll reluctantly continue being this "mascot."
The procession continued onward.
The cheers grew louder and louder, even drowning out the sound of gongs and drums.
"Long live the Regent! Long live the Queen!"
"May the gods bless our great endeavor! The Shen family army is mighty!"
The sound rose higher and higher, resounding through the sky.
In the hearts of the people, this battle not only protected their homes but also demonstrated the might of the nation. And all of this was brought about by the Regent and the Queen.
As for the young emperor sitting in the palace, and the empress dowager ruling from behind the curtain...
Who still remembers?
Hearing the deafening shout of "Your Majesty," Shen Jin's expression did not show much joy; instead, it darkened slightly.
He glanced in the direction of the majestic imperial palace.
[His achievements were so great that they threatened the emperor's authority.]
These are the four words that powerful ministers throughout history have been most wary of.
To some, the cheers that fill the city today are probably more jarring than war drums and more piercing than swords.
"Your Highness."
Jiang Mianmian seemed to have noticed something as well. She put down the half-eaten apple, quietly reached out, and tugged at Chen Jin's sleeve.
[Shen Jin, listen.]
Everyone is calling your name.
Although I know this is dangerous and will easily make people hate me, but...
She looked at the tearful people lining the streets, [But this is what you deserve. It's what you earned with your life.]
[No matter what I'll face once I enter the palace, no matter what kind of trouble that old hag will cause...]
Jiang Mianmian's fingers gripped his sleeve tightly. "I'm here."
If they dare to bully you, I'll smash them to death with gold bricks!
A surge of warmth welled up in his usually reserved heart.
He took her hand in his own, their fingers intertwined, ignoring the countless shocked eyes around them.
"good."
He whispered, "With the princess's gold bricks, I... have nothing to fear."
...
The procession finally arrived at the main gate of the palace—the Meridian Gate.
The atmosphere here is completely different.
There was no cheering from the people, only a deathly silence. Two rows of imperial guards, holding long halberds, stood expressionless on either side.
Behind the imperial guards, civil and military officials lined up on both sides.
At the very top, above the nine steps.
The young emperor, Shen Xingchen, wearing an ill-fitting dragon robe, was excitedly standing on tiptoe to look outside. If it weren't for the Empress Dowager holding his shoulders firmly, he probably would have already rushed down and thrown himself into Shen Jin's arms.
The Empress Dowager was not wearing a phoenix robe today, but rather a plain dress. However, her well-maintained face was covered with a layer of frost thicker than winter snow.
She looked at Shen Jin, who was being escorted by thousands of people, and listened to the cheers that were still going on outside the city. The jealousy in her eyes was like the forked tongue of a venomous snake.
[Chen Jin... You're so impressive!]
Does this vast empire belong to the Shen family, or to you, the Regent?
Since you don't want to relinquish power, then don't blame me for being ruthless.
Shen Jin dismounted, then turned around and helped Jiang Mianmian down from the carriage.
The two stood side by side, walking up the red carpet step by step.
"Your subject is cautious and prudent."
"Your Majesty, I am Jiang Mianmian."
"I have successfully completed my mission and returned victorious. I pay my respects to the Emperor and the Empress Dowager."
The two did not kneel, but merely bowed slightly in greeting.
This is the Regent's privilege, and a reflection of his current prestige.
"Royal Uncle! Royal Aunt!"
Shen Xingchen finally broke free from the Empress Dowager's grasp and rushed down like a cannonball, grabbing Shen Jin's leg and crying out, "Waaah...you're finally back! I missed you all so much! No one's been checking my homework!"
Shen Jin's originally cold and hard expression softened instantly, and he patted his head: "Your Majesty has grown taller."
Jiang Mianmian smiled and pinched his cheek: "Oh, you've gotten a little chubby? Did you sneak some fried chicken?"
Shen Xingchen blushed: "No...no! I'm just growing!"
This heartwarming scene of the "family of three" reuniting deeply stung the Empress Dowager's eyes.
"Cough cough."
The Empress Dowager coughed heavily twice, interrupting their reminiscing.
She slowly walked down the steps, forcing a forced smile on her face:
"Your Majesty, you have had a long journey. Your Majesty's contribution to this great victory in the north is immense. The Empress Dowager and the Emperor... will certainly reward you handsomely."
The word "reward" was pronounced very heavily.
"but……"
The Empress Dowager abruptly changed the subject, her gaze sweeping over the three thousand black-armored elite cavalry behind Shen Jin, her expression becoming somewhat meaningful.
"Now that the war is over, shouldn't this military power... be put to rest? Your Highness is bringing so many menacing troops into the capital; I'm afraid... it might disturb His Majesty's presence."
The true intentions are revealed when the map is unrolled.
Upon meeting, before even having a celebratory drink, he wanted to seize military power?
Jiang Mianmian rolled her eyes inwardly.
[You old hag, your eating manners are truly disgusting!]
Is this a case of discarding a useful tool after it has served its purpose, or simply abandoning someone after they have served their purpose?
If we hand over this military power, will my wife and I even be able to leave this palace alive tonight?
Shen Jin stared directly at the Empress Dowager, a cold sneer curling at the corner of his mouth.
"Your Majesty is overthinking it."
He didn't respond to the topic of "handing over the command," but instead said calmly, "These soldiers have just crawled out of piles of corpses, and they do indeed carry a murderous aura. However..."
Shen Jin stepped forward, his aura exploding, forcing the Empress Dowager to take a half-step back.
"It is precisely because of this murderous aura that we can deter villains and protect this great land."
"If the Empress Dowager feels disturbed..."
Shen Jin smiled slightly, a smile that exuded a chilling, domineering aura:
"Then why don't we... let the Empress Dowager go back to Cining Palace to rest? It's quiet there, and she won't be able to hear the footsteps of this fierce army."
The entire room fell silent.
This is... openly confronting the Empress Dowager?
Is this... a sign that things are about to fall apart?
The Empress Dowager trembled with rage, pointing her finger at Chen Jin: "You...you're being insolent!"
"Your subject dares not."
Shen Jin waved his sleeve and said, "I am only thinking of the greater good. The soldiers are all waiting for the victory banquet tonight. If the Empress Dowager is unwell, I... will not force her."
Having said that, he didn't even glance at the Empress Dowager's distorted face, but directly took Jiang Mianmian's hand and said to the young emperor:
"Your Majesty, let's go. I brought you a specialty of Northern Yan... dried beef."
"Yay!" Shen Xingchen cheered and ran after him excitedly.
The Empress Dowager was left standing alone in the wind, bewildered.
Jiang Mianmian followed behind Shen Jin, her heart practically bursting with applause for her husband.
[So handsome! So incredibly handsome!]
This is what you call saying the harshest things in the gentlest tone!
[You old hag, trying to seize power? Maybe in your next life!]
Let's go, let's go to a feast! Tonight I'm going to eat the imperial kitchen out of business!
The group marched in a grand procession toward the Hall of Preserving Harmony.
This so-called "triumphant return" came to an end amidst the cheers of the people and the resentment of the Empress Dowager.
But everyone knew that this was just the beginning.
The sword of Damocles that had been hanging over his head, threatening his authority with his achievements, was finally... about to fall.
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