Chapter 228: Make it public and announce it to the world
Upon hearing the news that Shang Yuwan had woken up, Shang Mingqi, who had been weakened by Bai Xiao's training, immediately became energetic.
"Master, I'm going to see my cousin!"
After he said this, he ran towards Shang Yuwan's room.
Bai Xiaoye shook his head and asked the messenger, "What are your plans for the future? Is there anything you need me to do?"
The guest said, "Go shopping for wedding supplies with the deputy host."
Lu Heying took his men to Qu Qiguo to help Yi Buyuan kill Yi Busheng, and then returned to Dayu smoothly. When he and Lou Ke returned, they learned that Shang Yuwan and Xiao Qingxu had both fallen into a coma and that Baijialou had suffered heavy damage.
Xiao Qingxu was still asleep, and Yao Lao was injured and needed recuperation. The heavy responsibility of Baijialou fell entirely on Lu Heying's shoulders, and he was so busy that he hadn't had a good rest until today.
"Oh, something about getting married... what?!" Bai Xiaoye was shocked. "Getting married? Why is the host so anxious? Didn't Lord Shang just wake up?"
The guest was silent for a moment, then said, "It was Lord Shang who proposed it himself, and it was set for seven days later."
Before he finished speaking, Bai Xiaoye also ran away: "I'm going to see Master Shang!"
Guest: “…” It’s obvious that he ran to watch the host’s fun.
On the other side, Shang Yuwan discussed the recent situation of Dayu in the past two months with Xiao Qingxu and Xiao Qinggu, and was very pleased with Xiao Qinggu.
"The deposed Crown Prince and... she disrupted the government of Dayu. Following the death of the previous emperor, His Majesty... didn't execute all of those private soldiers, adding to the bloodshed. Instead, he dispatched them to the borderlands as laborers to build the city walls. While there were some potential risks, it did provide some peace of mind for the people of Dayu—as long as they believed the emperor wasn't a tyrant, even if he initially showed some softness, it didn't matter."
The lower classes just wanted a peaceful and tranquil life, and didn't particularly care who sat on the throne. Now that she and Xiao Qingxu were both here, they wouldn't let Xiao Qinggu face those monsters alone. When the time came, the two sides could just take turns playing the good cop and the bad cop.
Xiao Qinggu felt a little embarrassed by her praise and scratched his head, "There are no outsiders here now, so just call me whatever Big Brother calls me, and that's fine."
Shang Yuwan smiled and said, "Okay. Fifth sister."
Xiao Qinggu's face lit up with joy.
Xiao Qingxu continued, "When we were both away, it was Censor Baili, Minister Yuan, the Supreme Court Minister, and Master Cheng who assisted Fifth Sister in stabilizing the court. However, aside from their contributions, Fifth Sister herself was decisive in her decisions when she took the throne, leaving those old men unable to find fault with her."
Qiu Bo Ke tried to cause trouble once, but was stopped by Bai Li Pu and Yuan Ji on the spot.
Of course, it wasn't just Bailipu and his men who helped Xiao Qinggu gain a foothold in such a short period of time; the Xu family also contributed significantly. While Shang Yuwan and Xiao Qingxu were comatose, the Xu family's eldest master and old lady sent letters to the generals of the three directions, North, South, and East. Soon after, carrier pigeons from the three generals arrived in Kyoto, clearly stating their stance on Xiao Qinggu's side.
Song Pingsheng of Luzhou City even made a frank report to Prince Zeng, who in turn expressed his loyalty to Xiao Qinggu. With Prince Zeng taking the lead, the other vassal states also expressed their positions and attitudes.
Fortunately, after Shang Yuwan and Xiao Qingxu were no longer by Xiao Qinggu's side, he did not appear to be a useless fool.
After ascending the throne, she took the opportunity of announcing the late emperor's repentance edict to expose the truth about Xiao Qingji and Xiao Tong's false accusation that Shang Junhu was collaborating with the enemy and plotting rebellion. She then posthumously conferred the title of Great General Protecting the Nation on Shang Junhu—the highest honor for a general in Dayu, making him the first person in Dayu history to receive this title. Lu Xu was also posthumously conferred the title of "Lady of the State of Lu," a rank higher than the first-rank Imperial Concubine.
Xiao Qinggu announced the truth about Xu Zhiyao's death to the world and personally ordered Zhao Lan to choose between a three-foot white silk and a cup of poisoned wine. Zhao Lan didn't even cry that day, and drank the poisoned wine without hesitation.
Xiao Qinggu was a woman, but she couldn't send all the concubines home. She simply let them stay in the harem, and those who wanted to leave could leave on their own. As long as they didn't do anything bad, Xiao Qinggu didn't care what they did. Keeping a woman was nothing more than spending some money on manicures and new clothes, and Xiao Qinggu believed she could still afford it.
Concubine Yue died on the first day after Xiao Qinggu ascended the throne. Before her death, she murmured strange words such as "life is impermanent".
The Shang family's innocence was cleared, and those who had previously defended the Shang family in secret were finally able to speak openly about the family's unwavering loyalty to Dayu. Suddenly, the Shang family's reputation soared. Before Shang Yuwan even woke up, those people had already sent numerous gifts to the palace. Add to that Xiao Qinggu's reward, and the Prince Qi's treasury was nearly overflowing.
At a young age, Shang Mingqi was favored by girls from several families, and Twelve was also approached by many matchmakers to inquire about marriage - no matter whether they came for Shang Mingqi or Twelve, all the matchmakers were scared away by Twelve's gloomy and murderous aura.
The girls' schools in Jingdu and Jincheng still existed, and Xiao Qinggu had explained the situation for both schools and the female students there, stating that the schools, the female students, and the rebellion had nothing to do with each other. It was a pity for the students at the Jingdu girls' school; they were all infected with the Gu by Xiao Tong and died along with him.
For some reason, Xiao Qinggu wasn't affected by the Zi Gu. Perhaps it was absorbed by her own toxicity? Poison Granny couldn't explain it, so she decided to stay in the palace for a few more months, waiting for Xiao Qinggu's condition to stabilize before going to see Master Shanhe.
Lang Jiang sent a lot of good things in the name of friendship. Because of Xiao Qingji and Xiao Tong's deeds, the people of Dayu were not happy with Lang Jiang, but Xiao Qinggu still accepted the gifts with a smile and returned the gifts according to the rules.
Although Xiao Qinggu appeared magnanimous and forgiving, he actually ordered the defense of Yanmen to be strengthened. Xiao Qinggu reduced taxes and labor service in many areas of Dayu, and the people of Dayu praised and cheered for this.
Xiao Qingxu said, "Lieutenant General Yang's body has been properly placed and sent to Yanmen for burial."
Shang Yuwan suddenly asked: "How is he...?"
Xiao Qinggu knew who she was asking about. "Zhang Jiuquan's health has deteriorated a lot. In a few days, Shang Mingqi will also go to Yanmen for training. He said that the position of General Zhenxi has been inherited by the Shang family for generations, and he wants to take it back in a fair and square manner."
Shang Yuwan's eyes dimmed slightly. Zhang Jiuquan...is he about to give up?
Speak of the devil, Shang Mingqi rushed in from the doorway: "Cousin!"
Shang Yuwan restrained his expression and smiled at Shang Mingqi who was running over.
"Cousin, how are you feeling?"
Shang Yuwan saw that the child's skin had darkened considerably and chuckled, "That's great. I can see you off on the day you leave Beijing."
Shang Mingqi was stunned for a moment, then realized, "My cousin knows everything?"
"They told me." Shang Yuwan nodded. "Which day exactly?"
Shang Mingqi answered obediently: "Next month, in early September."
Shang Yuwan hummed, "It's just right for me to get married before leaving with my cousin."
Shang Mingqi was startled, and turned to look at Xiao Qingxu who was staring at Shang Yuwan absentmindedly: "You you you..."
Xiao Qingxu looked over and saw Shang Mingqi saying "you" for a long time, but couldn't say the rest of the words.
Shang Mingqi suddenly pointed at Xiao Qingxu and shouted, "You beast!"
"My cousin can't even get out of bed right now, and you want her to marry you again! You're worse than a beast!"
Twelve: “…” The beast doesn’t seem to be my son-in-law.
Xiao Qinggu: “…” Big brother’s status is no longer the same as before, this kid really dares to scold him.
Xiao Qingxu: “…” Forget it, just curse me.
Shang Mingqi was about to say something when Shang Yuwan said, "It's not him who wants me to marry him, it's me who wants to marry him."
Shang Mingqi suddenly fell silent.
After a moment, he looked at Shang Yuwan and returned to his previous obedient appearance: "Then I will carry my cousin to get married."
Twelve nodded, "I'm still a dowry girl."
Xiao Qinggu raised his hand and said, "I'll come to the feast!"
Shang Yuwan and Xiao Qingxu looked at each other and smiled without saying anything.
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