Chapter 839 The Grand Finale (Part 2)
Three days later.
Dafeng changed the country's name to Zhao, Gu Qianhan ascended the throne as emperor, and Shen Wantang was made empress.
Duke Gu Rongchang then became the retired emperor.
The change of emperor did not have much impact on ordinary people; in fact, they were quite happy because the new emperor, Gu Qianhan, reduced various taxes as soon as he took the throne and encouraged the development of agriculture and commerce.
As evening fell, a sky full of red clouds rose, illuminating the entire capital city in a magnificent display.
Wearing a veil, Shen Wantang walked through the bustling streets. She heard people talking about the new emperor and her, the new empress, from time to time. She smiled faintly, not caring much about the good or the bad.
Because she believed that Gu Qianhan would be a wise ruler, and that in the coming decades, the people would be able to live in peace and prosperity.
Du Juan followed beside Shen Wantang. Since they were out and about, she used her old form of address: "Young Madam, where are we going? There are so many people here. Aren't you... a little unsafe?"
Shen Wantang smiled and shook her head: "It's okay, I'm wearing a veil, so no one knows who I am. Besides, even if I didn't wear a veil, probably not many people would recognize me."
Qin Xin was quite excited to be out strolling through the market again: "Oh, Du Juan, don't worry, there are people protecting our master in the shadows! Otherwise, would the young master have let our master come out?"
Shen Wantang felt somewhat helpless. Indeed, Gu Qianhan was not entirely at ease letting her come out. Originally, he was going to come along, but he had too many important and trivial matters to deal with and simply couldn't spare the time.
Therefore, Gu Qianhan directly sent the powerful Feng Shuo to follow behind.
However, Feng Shuo's face was much more recognizable than Shen Wantang's. Too many people in the capital knew him, so he wore a mask today, only revealing his forehead and eyes.
Halfway through the market, Shen Wantang encountered her target – Gu Qianning.
Gu Qianning disliked the palace and even had nightmares every night, so she stayed in her newly acquired princess residence for the past two days. However, she found the princess residence boring, so she invited Shen Wantang out to play.
"Ah Tang!"
As soon as Gu Qianning saw her, she waved excitedly and ran over to Shen Wantang.
Just as she grabbed Shen Wantang's hand, about to say something more, she spotted Feng Shuo not far behind Shen Wantang.
Her eyes widened immediately: "The one surnamed Feng? Ah Tang, what's he doing here?!"
Shen Wantang was surprised that Gu Qianning recognized Feng Shuo even though he was wearing a mask. Knowing that the two of them didn't get along, she quickly said, "Your second brother sent him, not me. But if you're really annoyed by him, I can make him leave."
Gu Qianning hesitated for a moment, then turned around and glared at Feng Shuo before saying, "Forget it, let him come along. Although he's not a likable person, his martial arts skills are incredibly high. With him around, your safety will be well guaranteed, A-Tang."
Shen Wantang smiled and said, "A Ning is much more soft-hearted towards him now!"
Gu Qianning lowered her head and remained silent.
Because she already knew Feng Shuo's past, she finally understood why Feng Shuo was willing to risk his own life to follow Gu Qianhan in plotting a rebellion and killing the emperor.
His mother was pitiful, and Feng Shuo was also pitiful.
She suffered misfortune, but at least she grew up, so her psychological resilience is much stronger.
But Feng Shuo began to suffer misfortune from childhood. That damned former emperor even deliberately kept him by his side as a guard, making him witness his mother being humiliated time and time again.
After a long while, Gu Qianning asked in a low voice, "A-Tang, what reward did that guy surnamed Feng ask my second brother for?"
Shen Wantang almost burst out laughing: "Didn't he ask for the reward that he wouldn't have to bow to you, Princess, in the future? Have you forgotten so quickly?"
Gu Qianning raised an eyebrow: "Hmm? Wasn't this just a joke he made to annoy me?"
"Does Feng Shuo look like the kind of person who would joke around?"
Gu Qianning couldn't help but look back again, and Feng Shuo, as if sensing something, also looked at her.
The silver mask covered half of his face, obscuring his sharp features.
Yet, his eyes still held a sharp edge, revealing his extraordinary ruthlessness.
Gu Qianning withdrew her gaze and shook her head: "He certainly doesn't seem like the type to joke around, but Second Brother said he's done a good job, surely he wouldn't just accept such a vague reward, would he? That would be too..."
That's so stupid!
Shen Wantang knew what Gu Qianning hadn't said, but she didn't think Feng Shuo was stupid.
On the contrary, Feng Shuo is very smart and knows when to advance and retreat.
He neither took credit nor sought recognition; he continued to serve as the emperor's bodyguard, calmly as if nothing had happened.
Shen Wantang said softly, "Feng Shuo did only accept that one reward and didn't ask for anything else."
"However, your second brother has already arranged for Feng Shuo's mother to have a completely new identity. She will remarry into the Dingxuan Marquis's mansion as his second wife. Her title of First-Rank Imperial Lady has also been prepared. She has both substance and prestige."
"In addition, Feng Shuo will no longer serve as an imperial bodyguard. Your second brother wants him to go to the army and become a third-rank military officer. From now on, he will be a military officer."
Gu Qianning nodded: "As expected, it has to be my second brother. He has considered everything. I think Feng Shuo will be very satisfied. He probably didn't want to be a royal guard anymore."
"yes!"
Otherwise, Gu Qianhan wouldn't have let Feng Shuo come out with her directly. What kind of imperial guards would accompany the Empress on her outings?
"Ah Tang, look! There's a street performance up ahead! Let's go check it out!"
Gu Qianning pulled Shen Wantang and squeezed into the crowd.
Shen Wantang felt more relaxed than ever before and squeezed to the front with Gu Qianning.
After watching the acrobatic show, the two of them strolled around and bought things, sometimes food, sometimes strange little trinkets.
The maids carried large and small bags, but none of them dared to object.
Granny Yan had no choice but to speak up: "My ladies, that's enough. Stop eating. If you eat any more, you won't be able to digest it, and you'll have stomach aches when you get home tonight!"
"Oh dear, didn't we just buy this colorful windmill? Why are you buying another one? The carriage won't be able to hold it all!"
"Why are you buying fish again? We already have so many koi at home, we can't even count them all. We can't possibly bring these live fish back! If you really want them, please come back another day, another day..."
As Granny Yan was trying to persuade them, a detached voice suddenly rang out from ahead.
"It's alright, just buy it. Jixiang, send someone to deliver everything to your home."
"Alright, young master!"
Shen Wantang turned her head in surprise, and then saw Gu Qianhan standing tall and elegant in the dim light, looking at her with a smile.
"My husband!"
Gu Qianhan walked to her side, pushed aside her troublesome younger sister, and took Shen Wantang's hand: "Madam, did you enjoy your shopping?"
Shen Wantang smiled and nodded: "Glad! What brings you here?"
"I was worried about leaving you alone out there, so I came to keep you company and pick you up to go home."
Gu Qianning followed behind the two of them. Upon hearing this, she secretly rolled her eyes at her brother and couldn't help but mutter, "What do you mean, 'a person'? Am I not a person? Isn't that guy surnamed Feng a person?"
Feng Shuo's voice drifted from behind her: "You can curse yourself, don't drag me into it."
Gu Qianning deliberately slowed down a few steps, estimating that Feng Shuo was about to approach. She seized the opportunity and stomped hard on his foot.
"hiss!"
"Oh dear, young master, have you sprained your ankle? You should go home and see a doctor, don't wander around outside!"
"I didn't sprain my ankle, I was stepped on by a dog."
"Hey, you surnamed Feng, who are you calling a dog?!"
"I wasn't talking to you, why are you in such a hurry?"
"I was the one who stepped on you!"
"Well, it's good that you admit it. Remember to send the money for the medicine to my residence. It doesn't have to be much, just a thousand taels of gold will do."
"Are you trying to rob me? A thousand taels of gold? I won't give you a single penny!"
...
Shen Wantang couldn't help but smile as she listened to the two of them arguing again in the back.
Looking at her smiling face, Gu Qianhan felt relaxed and happy: "I'll accompany you out more often in the future."
Shen Wantang tilted her head slightly: "Is this okay?"
"Why not?"
"I see you've been so busy these past few days that you haven't even had time to eat."
"Things will get better after this period. I've already delegated some of my official duties to my father. He can't just enjoy life; he has to work too."
Shen Wantang couldn't help but chuckle: "That's a great idea!"
"Next spring, I'll take you to Jiangnan. I remember you said you wanted to go."
Shen Wantang's eyes lit up: "Really?"
"certainly."
"I thought we wouldn't be able to go anywhere anymore!"
"No, although I will indeed be subject to considerable restrictions, overall I still have some freedom, and you have even more freedom."
Shen Wantang squeezed Gu Qianhan's hand: "I'm not a playful child anymore. We've gained certain powers, so naturally we have to bear the corresponding responsibilities. Things are already good enough as they are now. Let's continue on this path together."
Gu Qianhan also tightened his grip on her hand, and he chuckled, "This has always been my wish to grow old with you, and this time, it can finally come true."
(—The End—)
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