Chapter 3180: Changes in the World
After a long while, she finally said, "Then what does the emperor plan to do?"
Zhu Feng said, "A few years ago, I began to have people prepare a long-distance fleet in Zhoushan, hoping to open up a sea route. Back then, Emperor Gaozu's maritime ban prevented the Central Plains from setting foot on the ocean for decades."
Nan Yan opened her eyes wide: "Your Majesty, do you want to open a route to the Western Ocean just like you sent people to the Western Regions?"
Zhu Feng nodded.
"We've been preparing for so many years, but haven't put it into action. Firstly, there are still some problems in the court that haven't been resolved, and I can't take my mind off it. Secondly, I haven't selected the people who are truly useful."
“…”
"After all, traveling to the West is not something that can be accomplished overnight. Ordinary people would probably give up if they encountered even the slightest hardship."
“…”
"Since he said he wants to go out to sea to look for Zhu Chengjin, let him go."
“…”
"It's good to open a way."
After saying this, he let out a long sigh.
Nan Yan looked at him, helplessness written on her face and engraved in her heart.
She whispered, "Your Majesty, are you willing to do this?"
Zhu Feng smiled bitterly: "I'm reluctant, but what can I do?"
“…”
"I've said it before, at this age, I've become indifferent to everything. Even if I'm the emperor, rich as the world, there will always be grains of sand that I can't hold."
As he spoke, he subconsciously clenched his fist.
Looking at his hands - Nan Yan still remembered that Zhu Feng's hands used to be very powerful. It felt like one punch of his could kill a tiger. Now, his fists were also big and should be very powerful, but the finger bones were protruding and the veins were bulging, giving people an especially thin and even fragile feeling.
She felt sad and couldn't help but hold Zhu Feng's hand and gently stroke the back of his hand, as if to soothe the sadness in his heart.
Feeling Nan Yan's touch bit by bit, Zhu Feng smiled faintly.
Said: "I have long since become indifferent to it."
Nan Yan held his hand for a long time before she softly said, "No matter what, I'm still here."
Zhu Feng smiled bitterly and said, "Fortunately, you are still here."
The two of them cuddled quietly for a while. The sky outside gradually darkened. Nan Yan remembered something and asked, "They are leaving. When are they leaving?"
Zhu Feng said, "Going out to sea requires more preparation and more things to do than going anywhere else. Although I have already sent an order to the officials in Nanjing, asking them to gather troops here, just like Gu Yiyou and Tong Sinian went to the Western Regions, it would be best if we could gather a caravan to go with us."
“…”
"I will also send my instructions to Zhoushan, asking the fleet there to prepare until they are ready in Nanjing."
“…”
"After two months, when they are ready, they can depart from Jinling for Zhoushan."
"Two months later?"
Nan Yan said, "But we will be leaving for Beijing in two days."
Zhu Feng looked down at her and said, "So, neither you nor I can send them off."
“…”
"Okay."
“…”
"It's them who want to leave, not us. We should let them see us off. Don't leave sadness and sorrow to you and me. We shouldn't have suffered so much in vain."
Hearing this, Nan Yan couldn't help laughing and reached out to gently hit his chest.
"Your Majesty's words are hypocritical. Who can let your Majesty suffer injustice?"
Zhu Feng just smiled after being hit by her.
In this way, two days later, the emperor's carriage returning to Beijing was ready, and naturally he still traveled by water as before.
Early in the morning, colorful flags were already flying along the riverside.
Nan Yan followed Zhu Fengtian and set out from the Jinling Palace before daybreak. When they arrived at the riverside, the sky was just getting light. All they could see were the fluttering colorful flags and the vast river. The mist on the river had not yet dissipated, and it was diffused like layers of gauze. They could not see the other side, nor could they see the way forward.
Nan Yan stood on the dock and frowned subconsciously when she saw this scene.
She knew that this was just on the river.
If it were the sea, it would be even more vast and boundless. She had once gone out to sea because of Prince Ning's affairs and encountered a shipwreck. The fear brought by the deep sea still appeared in her dreams from time to time. Every time, she was scared to the point of being covered in cold sweat and woke up trembling.
But, that was still just a short distance from the coast.
What would it feel like to go deep into the ocean?
Thinking of this, she couldn't help but look back, and sure enough, she saw Ye Zheng and Ran Xiaoyu following the imperial carriage. The two men jumped off their horses. Ye Zheng's face was also very pale, even bloodless, and he slowly walked in front of Zhu Feng.
The two didn't know what else to say.
Nan Yan's gaze kept following Ran Xiaoyu, watching her follow behind Ye Zheng. After standing for a while, she could still feel the imperial concubine's gaze and couldn't help but look up.
Nan Yan looked at her quietly.
The two of them seemed to be in a standoff, but this time, it was Ran Xiaoyu who lowered her head first. She slowly walked in front of Nan Yan and said, "My Lady, have a safe journey."
Nan Yan said: "Then what should I say to you?"
Ran Xiaoyu lowered her head and said softly, "If I have the chance, I will come back to visit you, Madam."
Nan Yan smiled bitterly and said, "You followed Ye Zheng south for two whole years this time. When I saw you again, it felt like the world had turned upside down. But a long ocean voyage can take more than a year or two to come back. Who knows, by the time you return, the world may have changed so much that I won't even know what it has become."
Ran Xiaoyu said softly, "Don't say that, Madam."
“…”
"Although everything changes, I know that some people and things remain fresh over time and will never change."
At this point, she smiled again and said, "Actually, it's a good idea for me to leave now. In the past, there were always knots between the Empress and the Emperor that couldn't be untied, and there were always things going on in the harem. Even with my skills, even if I stayed by the Empress' side, no one could get close to her. Now, the Empress and the Emperor have put aside all their past grudges and there are no more grudges. The concubines in the harem don't dare to act rashly in front of the Empress, so I'm no longer of much use. Instead, I'd rather go out and see if I can be of any use."
“…”
"Although Ruoshui is young, she is smart and sensible. She is more suitable to be with the Empress than a servant."
“…”
"As long as the Empress and the Emperor live their lives wholeheartedly, I believe everything will be fine."
Nan Yan looked at her, shook her head and chuckled: "These words, were they taught to you by Ye Zheng?"
“…”
"He's good at poaching people."
Ran Xiaoyu also smiled.
At this moment, both of them saw a familiar tall figure walking over. When they turned around, they saw that it was Xu Shifeng who was escorting the emperor back to Beijing this time.
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