Xi Chenzhou personally helped Tongsu back to the throne, then turned back to stand with the generals and soldiers. Palace servants began to read the imperial edict, recounting the Northwest Army's achievements in guarding the border and destroying the Northern Rong.
The soldiers knelt down to receive the imperial decree, shouting that they would protect the country and their homes and be loyal to the emperor.
Xi Chenzhou led 300,000 border troops back to the capital, but more than 100,000 remained to guard the border. This imperial edict, along with the rewards, will be sent to the Northwest by express courier to be read to the soldiers who have not yet returned.
The rules of the Kang Dynasty were different from those of others.
The victorious soldiers entered the city at dawn. The late emperor, considerate of their hard work, allowed them to rest for a day before holding a banquet in the palace to reward them near dusk.
After welcoming the soldiers into the city, Yun Zong hurriedly left, and Tong Su also returned to the palace with Qing He's help.
"He's so handsome."
"Yes, yes, General Xi is definitely the most handsome!"
"I have never seen such a heroic and handsome man."
"Of course, Your Majesty! The young men in the capital all consider delicate and frail to be beautiful. How many of them can be as heroic and strong as General Xi?"
“He is more capable and competent, and can build his own empire without relying on family support.”
"That's right! General Xi broke through the enemy camp at the age of seventeen, sealed the Wolf Mountain at the age of twenty, and now he has slaughtered the Northern Rong and brought peace to the northwest of Da Kang. He is indeed the strongest!"
Qinghe's words were full of praise for General Xi Chenzhou, and Tongsu became even more curious. She couldn't wait to attend the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, which she hadn't been interested in before.
"Based on General Xi's achievements, when he returns to the capital to be rewarded, he will undoubtedly be granted the title of Marquis—the title and the fiefdom will be the best of the best."
Tongsu made up her mind, but didn't tell anyone.
She was eagerly anticipating what was to come, but when Yun Zong came to test her again, she pretended to be the same as always, never disliking the crude and contemptible manner of soldiers.
As expected, Yun Zong did not suspect anything and said with a smile, "If Your Majesty is not pleased, then just ignore him. I have asked the Hanlin Academy to draft several titles to be bestowed upon General Xi, and Your Majesty can choose one from them."
Tong Su unfolded the paper that Yun Zong handed her. Several titles were written on it: "Marquis of Pingyang, Marquis of Wuyang, Marquis of Xuanping, Marquis of Qinghe, Marquis of Xinwu, Marquis of Fenyin..." The meanings and connotations were all conventional and unremarkable.
She said lazily, "Neither is good."
"Oh? Neither is good? Then what are your thoughts, Your Majesty?"
She gave Yun Zong a deliberately mocking look: "What use are my insights? I still have to obediently memorize the imperial edict you gave me and recite it when I get to my destination. Are the titles I've come up with really useful?"
Yun Zong had no doubts and smiled, "If Your Majesty has really come up with a good idea, then we should naturally follow Your Majesty's orders. In that case, I will first hand over the imperial edict that is missing the title to Your Majesty. Your Majesty can fill in whatever you think of."
Yun Zong didn't think the little empress could come up with any nice titles. He was more looking forward to making a big blunder so that Xi Chenzhou would lose face and the empress would hate each other.
Tong Su sneered inwardly. In front of Yun Zong, she stamped the imperial edict with the imperial seal but did not fill in any title, and sent him away first.
Yun Zong left the Qianqing Palace with a light, dismissive snort.
His aides followed behind, saying, "Your Majesty, His Majesty is becoming increasingly arrogant and willful, and he doesn't even respect you. This is not a good omen."
"What's there to be afraid of?" Yun Zong said dismissively. "She's just a silly, willful young girl, impulsive and short-sighted. She's nothing to worry about. What's there to be afraid of?"
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