Chapter 266 Aunt and Nephew
Su Qingwan felt an indescribable bitterness in her heart when she heard what Lu Nianqing said.
"Aunt, if...if mother wants me to take charge of Huainan, it is just a step for her to reach the pinnacle of power, will you still trust me with Huainan?" Lu Nianqing's question was very straightforward, which was beyond Su Qingwan's expectation. She really didn't expect that a boy of only thirteen years old could think so far and clearly. This should not be a problem that he should worry about at his age.
Why did he think about such a heavy future?
Could it be that the princess had revealed something intentionally or unintentionally, or given some hints? Su Qingwan pondered for a long time, raised her hand and poured a cup of milk tea for Lu Nianqing.
This milk tea is a specialty of Huainan. Milk is added to the tea. People in Kyoto and Jiangnan area are quite disgusted by this, thinking that milk destroys the original fragrance of tea. But in Huainan and southwest areas, people like this combination. Nianqing also liked it after arriving in Huainan, and he must drink a cup every morning.
"Nianqing, our Huainan fiefdom has been independent for six generations. Every generation of Huainan kings has no intention of power struggles, and they only care about the safety of the border and whether the people can live and work in peace. You must always remember this in the future. Defending the borders and expanding the territory, and ensuring the peace of the people, this is the ancestral motto passed down from generation to generation in the Huainan Palace. The Huainan Palace was tragically wiped out because the ancestors were unwilling to participate in the power struggle. Although the price was painful, I can understand my father's choice back then. As a general with a large army, you should be loyal to the people, not just to the royal family. Aunt, I don't care who sits on the throne, as long as the people can live a stable and peaceful life, it doesn't matter who it is." Su Qingwan said slowly in a gentle tone, "So, aunt will not impose any constraints on you. Since you have decided to hand Huainan over to you, aunt will trust you without reservation. No matter what choice you make, aunt will fully support you."
"No matter what choice I make, will you support me?" Lu Nianqing repeated Su Qingwan's words in disbelief, thinking to himself, even if I raise the Huainan army to support my mother, will you support me? Will you not blame me?
He knew that after his aunt came to Beijing, she would marry the regent Lu Jing, and Lu Jing and his mother were political enemies. In this case, wouldn't his aunt and mother also become political enemies? If Huainan finally chose to stand on his mother's side, would his aunt really not blame him?
"That's right. No matter what decision you make, auntie supports you." Su Qingwan said firmly, her eyes full of trust. "But auntie hopes that every choice you make, Nianqing, will not violate the ancestral precepts of the Huainan Palace. After all, our Huainan Palace has always been the most important line of defense on the border of Dayuan, and every decision is closely related to the fate of thousands of people. But then again, you are my only blood relative in this world. Even if you really make the wrong choice, auntie will bear the consequences with you."
Lu Nianqing's heart warmed, and a smile appeared on his originally serious face.
He was bound by strict rules since he was young and rarely smiled. Su Qingwan saw it and felt pain in her heart. Now that she saw him finally smile, Su Qingwan was filled with relief and joy.
"Aunt, I understand." Lu Nianqing said in a steady voice, "I will return to my roots and inherit the fiefdom of Huainan. I will also work hard in the future... to become your support." He knew very well that his aunt was like a hostage when she came to Beijing this time, and Huainan was her only support.
"No, Nianqing, you don't need to be my aunt's support. You just need to be your own support, and the support of the people of Huainan." Su Qingwan said softly, "My aunt's going to Beijing is a foregone conclusion. This is my aunt's own life. Every step is a choice made after careful consideration. No matter what the outcome is, my aunt will not regret it. On the contrary, you, who stay in Huainan alone, must be cautious in everything. You should listen more to the advice of General Xiaoning and Yun Zhizhou on weekdays. Yun Zhizhou is your uncle and the brother-in-law that your father trusted most when he was alive. He will never harm you.
General Xiao Ning has been with me for many years and is loyal to me. Although he is from the southwest, he is also trustworthy. You have just arrived in Huainan and have no relatives. You have no friendship with them before. You will have to spend more time to win them over and use them wisely. You should also learn the art of controlling your subordinates well on a daily basis. "
"I will definitely try my best!" After a long talk with Su Qingwan, Lu Nianqing had a clear direction in his mind, and he seemed more calm and determined.
Su Qingwan was about to go to the capital with Lu Jing. Lu Jing had already written to the princess, asking her to prepare food and supplies, and at the same time arranged for Ningyuan Hou and General Chen to lead troops to Huainan, which was about to send troops to attack Xilin. When the army set out, Su Qingwan would follow Lu Jing on the road to the capital.
Su Qingwan carefully prepared a grand ceremony to recognize the ancestors. She invited General Xiaoning, Yun Zhizhou, Zhang San and other close associates, as well as the clan forces in Huainan, and all the elders. She invited all the prestigious and capable people from all the clans in Huainan to come, just to be witnesses for Lu Nianqing.
At the ceremony, Su Qingwan personally wrote Lu Nianqing's name into the family tree. From then on, Lu Nianqing was officially renamed Su Nianqing. Once the imperial edict arrived, Su Nianqing would be able to officially succeed as the King of Huainan, and the entire Huainan fiefdom would follow his lead.
Huainan had just experienced a man-made disaster, and the city was still in mourning. It was not convenient for the palace to hold a large banquet. According to convention, such a formal and grand ceremony should have been held for three days to entertain guests from all over the world. However, considering the actual situation in the city, Su Qingwan had no choice but to cancel the banquet and only invited clan elders and officials to witness and complete the formal transfer of power.
Nian Qing didn't care about these. After worshipping the ancestors, he met the clan elders and officials one by one under the leadership of Su Qingwan. He had met many officials of the fiefdom before, so he didn't feel unfamiliar. He was raised by the eldest princess since he was a child. Although he was sent to the mountains to practice martial arts in his early years, he was exposed to the edge of the vortex of power. Now he can handle it with ease and without any restraint.
This was undoubtedly a major event in Huainan, but Lu Jing did not participate in it. Everyone knew that as the regent, he led troops to support Huainan and made great military achievements, but he never coveted credit. He knew that Nian Qing had just taken charge of Huainan and urgently needed to establish his authority, so he simply took the initiative to hide in the mansion and not steal Nian Qing's limelight.
Ten days later, the imperial edict arrived as expected, and Nianqing officially took over Huainan. The emperor followed Taizu's will and returned the fiefdom of Huainan. At the same time, the 30,000 troops led by Ningyuan Hou and General Chen were about to arrive. The army would arrive in Huainan six days after the imperial edict was delivered, and Su Qingwan was ready and would return to Beijing with Lu Jing.
Before returning to Beijing, she and Lu Jing hardly saw each other. She was busy taking Nianqing to get familiar with the affairs of Huainan every day, cherishing every minute with Nianqing, and often telling Nianqing about her brother's deeds when he was alive. Lu Jing understood this and did not disturb them too much, leaving them time to spend together quietly.
The next chapter changes the map
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