send troops
Around 3 PM, two imperial guards were patrolling in front of the main gate of the palace. The sky was filled with colorful clouds, which made the golden glazed tiles shine brightly and magnificently. The three large characters "Tianming Hall" further proclaimed its supreme status.
The sound of hooves shattered its carefully constructed majesty and solemnity. Qi Guanlan glanced at it a few times before losing interest. The Imperial Guards' intimidating tricks were nothing new. He simply threw down the reins, not even bothering to utter a word, and strode over the high threshold.
At this hour, with no official documents to read, my uncle is in the best mood.
Following the towering palace walls and passing through layers of palace gates, Qi Guanlan skillfully climbed the steps. The white jade bricks of Yangtai Hall were smooth and shiny. Eunuch Wen was guarding the door. Even without going in, he knew that his cousin, the Crown Prince, had angered his uncle again. Today was an unfortunate day for him.
What kind of person do you actually like?
"What is it about these young ladies that you don't like?"
Qi Guanlan paused slightly, vaguely guessing what had happened. His uncle had probably talked himself hoarse, but his cousin was still silent. He sighed and gave a look. Eunuch Xiao skillfully led away several eunuchs.
The Crown Prince said something, and the uncle moved slightly, as if he was about to be punished according to family rules. Qi Guanlan walked into the hall and his gaze fell on the Crown Prince's hair ornament. Fortunately, it was just a feint. The uncle was half a head taller than his cousin.
The Crown Prince seemed to sense something and suddenly turned around. His narrow eyes were slightly upturned with excitement. Compared to his calm and dignified uncle, the Emperor, he had similar eyebrows but was half-tied with a golden crown. His slightly curled hair was obediently draped over his shoulders. He was dressed in a red silk riding outfit with frost-leaf patterns, and his arrogant spirit was written all over his face.
Thanks to his aunt's lower half of his face, his wandering life turned into a carefree adventure, without any trace of gentlemanly conduct. "Hey, little cousin, who bullied you again? I'll avenge you."
Why does he sound so much like Wen Ruo coaxing a child? He's not that childish. Qi Mingshuo loves to sneak out of the palace, travels incognito, and likes to befriend people from the martial arts world. He's picked up some rough and unruly airs and calls everyone "big brother," which his uncle has been complaining about for a long time.
Qi Hao sat upright on the couch, his bright yellow dragon robe adorned with a landscape painting by Master Changchun, a final work of art, which perfectly complemented the handsome face of the emperor before him. Upon seeing Qi Guanlan, his previously troubled expression eased slightly, and his tone softened a bit. "What are you standing there for at the door? Have you really been wronged?"
"Uncle, cousin, this is a big deal."
Qi Guanlan strode across the threshold and ran to the bedside, kneeling down with a thud. "Your Majesty, a group of bandits has appeared at Yan'an Temple in Xiangshan. They are robbing and looting in five nearby villages, including Zhuxi Village and Huangshi Village. General Gu has killed more than twenty people, but the leader has fled. I request Your Majesty's permission to send the Thousand Feather Battalion to suppress the bandits."
Qi Hao paused for a moment. He had only glanced at his nephew, but he seemed to have gotten a bit darker. His face used to be fair and smooth like a peeled egg, but now it looked like it was about to be marinated. No wonder Rong Jing had come to ask him to come home. Gu Yu really didn't hold back at all. How was he going to find a wife?
The Crown Prince secretly breathed a sigh of relief as he turned to the side; his father had finally shifted his focus. The three men were lost in their own thoughts, and the hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
"Uncle?" Qi Guanlan looked up and saw that he was silent. He couldn't help but feel grief and indignation. Did his uncle not believe him?
Following his gaze, my heart skipped a beat. My mother and the Empress had arrived without a sound.
Oh no, we've been exposed!
Mother and son are of one mind. Two more people entered through the outer gate. The Empress was dressed in an ivory riding outfit, with two gold and gemstone flowers in her hair. She deftly removed a leather wristband.
As soon as she entered the hall, the gilded bronze incense burner with lotus flower design in the center was filled with the fragrance of incense. Her nose twitched slightly, and there was a hint of disdain between her brows. She quickened her pace a little, it seemed that the newly presented incense did not suit her aunt's taste.
Inside, silver charcoal burned in the four corners of the room, making it warm as spring. After walking a few steps, she took off her phoenix-patterned pomegranate-red cloak, her red lips slightly curved, her eyebrows raised, a half-smile on her face.
Rong Jing seemed unable to believe her ears. She rushed in, worried and reproachful, "Such a big thing happened, why didn't you tell me? Are you hurt?"
"No, Mother has no say in sending troops again." Gu Yu stopped me from speaking, so Qi Guanlan lowered his head, looked at his reflection on the floor, and muttered a few curses under his breath.
Qi Mingshuo stopped pretending to be dead, swept his hem up with an air of heroic grandeur, knelt on one knee, and stared intently at the two people sitting on the couch with his sharp phoenix eyes, "Your subject is willing to share the burdens of Father Emperor."
Qi Guanlan's lips twitched a few times. Such a big thing, why was his cousin acting like a hero? He was only a year older than him.
“Uncle, don’t hesitate. General Gu is still waiting for me to go back. Besides, there’s still a second-in-command in the village. The chief hasn’t gone back yet, so he’s probably going to come out and rob again. The villagers will really have no way to survive.”
When Rong Jing heard that he wanted to go back, she couldn't help but worry. The Empress sat on the other side of the long couch, scrutinized him for a while, and smiled brightly and charmingly, "Since Shuo'er is so ambitious, why not give him a contingent of imperial guards to go and suppress the bandits?"
Qi Mingshuo's face lit up with joy; his mother understood him best. Qi Hao frowned, his imperial face slightly angry. "Lingrou, the Crown Prince has never led troops before, let alone those ruffians from the Thousand Feather Camp. Isn't this too frivolous?"
Xue Lingrou picked up the hexagonal purple clay teapot on the coffee table, poured herself a cup, took a sip, then sipped it slowly. Only after the tea was empty did she leisurely put down the cup and say:
"He always says that studying behind closed doors is like engaging in empty talk; this time, we'll see what he's capable of. If he fails, he can forget about ever venturing out of the palace again."
Seeing that she liked it, Qi Hao poured her another cup. His expression softened, and they started discussing things back and forth as if no one else was around. Qi Guanlan was dumbfounded. "Uncle, you're too easily swayed," he said, still trying to win her over. "Uncle, Gu Yu wants the Thousand Feather Camp."
My uncle is a man of his word. Once he nods, the matter of the Crown Prince leading the troops is settled and a done deal, but my uncle's mission will be ruined.
Rong Jing: "When have you ever listened to Gu Yu?"
With his troublesome son's matter put aside, Qi Hao's expression softened, and he said with great comfort, "It seems that my decision was right. Lan'er has only been in Qianyu Camp for a few days, and he is already so sensible. What else do you have to worry about?"
Rong Jing pondered for a moment, then took out the newly obtained imperial edict from her sleeve, tore it into several pieces, crumpled it into a ball, and changed her mind, saying, "Your Majesty is right, then let's wait until the end of the year!"
Why didn't anyone tell me? Qi Guanlan hurriedly snatched the package from his mother's grasp, opened it, and looked on the verge of tears. He glared angrily at his cousin and said, "Brother, catching bandits is one thing, but shouldn't you also help appease the villagers?"
Qi Mingshuo smiled slightly, patted his shoulder and said, "I'll leave this to you, little brother. If we brothers work together, we can overcome anything."
Qi Guanlan's face fell. He had just said he would help him get revenge, but it turned out he was just talking. If he wanted to leave the military camp, his only option now was for Gu Yu to take pity on him.
His brows furrowed deeper and deeper, and suddenly, he heard his mother ask, "You want ten thousand taels for these people?"
A ripple appeared in Qi Guanlan's eyes. How could his mother be so clever? Was this eavesdropping, or leaking secrets? "Mother, what do you say, should we save her or not?"
"Of course we must save them!" Princess Rongjing was radiant, she had never been so cheerful. Her son had grown up. She smoothed the wrinkles on Qi Guanlan's shoulders and said firmly, "They are all citizens of Qi, it is what the Qi family should do. Mother has misunderstood you this time."
"Just say that Mother is understanding. I'm going to use Mother's name to prepare porridge. If General Gu asks about it later, Mother, just pretend you don't know anything. Don't let it slip."
Rong Jing nodded, then turned to look at her elder brother, "Brother, providing relief to the villagers will require a large sum of money. Do you really expect your nephew to come up with the money? You know his character; he can't keep any money on him."
Qi Hao remained calm and was about to answer when Qi Guanlan jumped out, retorting, "Who said that? Mother, you're underestimating me again. I just earned two thousand taels of silver. I've already bought rice, flour, steamed buns, and other common foods. I'll send them to Yan'an Temple after I leave the palace."
Where did you get the money?
"I knew Lan'er was wise in her foolishness!"
The brother and sister spoke in unison. The emperor's words had touched their hearts. Qi Guanlan was radiant and patted his chest, "I have my own way. You just wait and see, Uncle."
This isn't how you coax a child. The Empress glanced at the charlatan beside her, somewhat worried, and asked, "Does Lan'er know roughly how many households there are?"
Qi Hao looked at the Empress and gently shook his head. Then, turning to Qi Guanlan, he softly placed the bait down, "If Lan'er can accomplish this task and report it successfully, I will reward her handsomely!"
Xue Lingrou instantly understood; she probably felt that he had been wronged before and wanted to take this opportunity to make amends to him openly and legitimately.
Sure enough, Qi Guanlan opened his eyes wide. Sunlight shone through his deep eye sockets onto his smooth and straight nose, making the slightly blunt tip of his nose glow pink. Joy was written all over his face, and it warmed people's hearts even on a cold day.
Once his uncle said that, it was hard for him not to push his luck. He said, "Could you send troops from the Thousand Feather Camp? I am now a member of the Thousand Feather Camp."
Xue Lingrou shook her head, but Qi Mingshuo began to ask curiously, "Why must the Thousand Feather Camp send troops? What's wrong with the Imperial Guard? They protect the safety of the palace and are well-trained. Books say that speed is of the essence in war. The Thousand Feather Camp is far away, but the Imperial Guard can arrive tonight. It seems that the Imperial Guard is more suitable."
"We haven't found their lair yet, so there's no use in rushing!" Qi Guanlan replied smugly, his mouth preceding his brain. After realizing what he'd said, he quickly covered his mouth, a flash of annoyance in his eyes. Damn it, he'd let it slip.
He was careless. His eyes darted around for a moment, but he decided to give up and ran to Qi Hao, pleading, "Uncle, please, if I don't complete the task, Gu Yu says the punishment will be doubled, and your nephew will be beaten to death."
Qi Mingshuo choked. Sending troops without finding them? Gu Yu wanted to use this fool to act first and report later. Qi Hao chuckled. You actually believe me when I'm just trying to scare you? But he still nodded, "Granted!"
"Uncle is wise! Can your nephew ask for another reward for someone?"
Qi Guanlan scurried out of the palace gate, a calligraphy and painting hanging at his waist, and went to Zhao Heng's residence. In less than half an hour, he came out with a big smile. Ten thousand taels, it's a sure thing!
He'll return it to Wen Ruo when he has the chance, since it was something he got for her anyway. He can't wait to go back to Yan'an Temple to see Gu Yu's surprised expression.
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