Chapter 211: Ascending the throne as emperor, servants under skirt (finale)
Xie Yao and Xiao Yizi looked at each other and said seriously, "Your Highness is not only someone who stands shoulder to shoulder with me, but also my husband who will walk with me for the rest of my life."
This was the first time Xie Yao called him husband.
Xiao Yizi supported himself on the wheelchair armrests with both hands and slowly stood up!
His movements were slightly shaky, but he quickly steadied himself.
"The housekeeper said that my leg has recovered well and I will be able to walk in another six months. Don't worry." Seeing his princess's surprised expression, Xiao Yizi endured the pain in his legs, curved his peach blossom eyes, and spoke softly.
Originally, he wanted to wait until he could walk simply before showing it to Xie Yao and giving her a surprise.
But Xie Yao is about to go to war, and he hopes that she will be happy. A general should not have such concerns in his heart.
Everyone looked at the prince in shock.
Even the serious General Gu widened his eyes, and the eldest princess and Xu Susu's eyes trembled.
King Jingbei can actually stand up!
The two women suddenly seemed to have a feeling, looked at each other, and saw what the other wanted to say in their eyes: Son-in-law, it’s finally done!
The emperor had a complicated expression, and the emotions in his eyes kept changing. Finally, he whispered, "I knew that Ruhui would be able to stand up again."
Xie Yao's breathing felt a little hoarse. Usually, the prince would practice his legs in Liuxiayuan. Except for the time when she was assassinated, she had never seen him stand up.
It turns out that he is so tall.
Xie Yao took a step forward and gently put her arms around Xiao Yizi's waist.
This man always had a calm and pleasant aura about him, which made her feel at ease and gave her a second home.
The two quickly separated.
As Xie Yao climbed onto her horse, she quietly wiped away the tears from her eyes: "Xiao Yizi, wait for me to come back and I'll accompany you to see new scenery."
"It's a deal." There was a gentle smile in Xiao Yizi's eyes.
Xie Yao and Gu Zhaotang rode side by side and stood at the front of the team.
Honeysuckle and Baizhu were also in the team, heading to the northern border with 400 personal guards from the Princess's Mansion.
Xie Yao drew the long sword from her waist, pointing the blade north. "Yong State and the Western Rong have colluded to cause rebellion, causing the suffering of civilians and the sacrifice of soldiers for our country. Today, we march north, not for fame or fortune, but solely to protect the mountains and rivers of Dayan and to avenge the fallen civilians and soldiers!"
"Soldiers, follow me!"
Wherever the sword points, the soldiers behind follow their general, riding their horses north.
When the silver armor was about to disappear, the eldest princess became panicked. She remembered that eighteen years ago, Gu Zhaotang left her in this way and was sent to the northern border by the late emperor.
She hadn't seen him then, and she didn't want to see him this time either.
The eldest princess' eyes were as black as ink. Facing the howling wind, she shouted without regard for etiquette: "Gu Zhaotang, when you come back, will you be willing to be my consort?"
The rolling silver waves in the distance paused when they heard her voice, but no one stopped.
Soon, the soldiers completely disappeared at the end of the world.
Gu Zhaotang sat on his horse, his cold and resolute eyes fixed on the distance. He spoke silently and gave his answer: "It has to be me."
In the shadows, the princess seemed to hear him whisper in her ear: "Yes..."
A tear slid down her cheek and dissipated in the wind.
Xiao Yizi stood at the city gate, staring at Xie Yao's back until he could no longer see her, then he lowered his head.
There seemed to be a lingering trace of her warmth around his waist.
When Xie Yao returns, he will embrace his beloved woman in his arms without hesitation.
*
In March of the sixth year of Pingning, the Yong State colluded with the Western Rong and invaded Yun and Cang states.
Gu Zhaotang, the brave cavalry general, and Xie Yao, the lieutenant general of the border army and the princess of Yong'an, were ordered to fight in the northern border.
In the following four months, Princess Yong'an rushed to the north of the Ling Mountains to recover Yunzhou, saving the people of Yan from the dire situation. She eventually drove the Yong Kingdom out of Changfeng Pass, and the Emperor of Yong sent envoys to seek peace.
The Emperor promoted Princess Yong'an to Princess Yong'an!
Princess Yong'an refused to negotiate peace and personally led the Xihe Camp and 8,000 border cavalry on a thousand-mile raid, moving to the Huxiao Pass and completely defeating the Western Rong royal court.
As a result of this battle, the Western Rong people had no choice but to submit to Dayan for at least twenty years, and the same was true for the Yong Kingdom.
Afterwards, the Emperor of Yong said that he wanted to marry the Emperor's only daughter and make the Emperor of Yan's daughter the Empress of Yong.
Xie Yao immediately killed the envoy and said, "As long as I am here, there will be no marriage alliance with Yan State."
When two armies were fighting, the envoys were not killed. When the princess and the emperor in the court of the capital learned of her actions, they angrily rebuked her for her arrogance and gave her a thousand taels of gold and a mansion.
On the tenth day of the tenth month, Xie Yao returned to the court.
"Here they come! The army is back! Princess Yong'an is back!"
The crowd cheered, and then the roar of iron hooves trampling the dust, accompanied by the sound of bells and drums in celebration, rang out at the same time!
King Jingbei, dressed in a dark gold python robe, did not sit in his wheelchair, but stood at the front, his posture as straight as jade.
He led all the civil and military officials to welcome Xie Yao to the capital on behalf of the emperor who had caught a cold.
As early as a few months ago, King Jingbei, who was disabled in both legs, stood up.
The people in the capital originally feared him like a wolf and a tiger, but because he was the husband of Princess Yong'an, and Princess Yong'an had won so many battles, everyone's impression of him became much better.
Both sides of the road were crowded with people craning their necks, trying to look inside.
There were also imperial guards in golden armor, standing solemnly to maintain order for the victorious army to enter the capital.
When the bells and drums stopped beating, Xie Yao, along with four hundred soldiers from the Xihe Camp, the four hundred royal guards that Zeng had taken away, and three thousand elite warriors, rode into the city.
She was dressed in silver armor and a scarlet cloak, her expression was cold and calm, and her phoenix eyes contained the sharpness of someone who had walked out of a sea of blood and corpses.
Behind her, four hundred female soldiers of the Xihe Camp in armored uniforms also had sharp eyes and walked with vigorous and capable steps, living up to their reputation.
In the silence of the people, King Jingbei walked up to Xie Yao.
Under the gazes of countless people, the prince took the initiative to kneel on one knee in front of the princess and said in a low voice: "Your servant Xiao Yizi pays homage to Princess Yong'an!"
Xie Yao dismounted and helped him up, revealing a bright smile that was as refreshing as a long, cold wind. "My Lord, how are you?"
The corners of the prince's eyes flashed with a tender crimson. He suddenly stepped forward and embraced her in his arms: "Xiao Yizi, meet your servant, A Yao."
In the first sentence "Greetings", he was paying his respects to the princess who had made great military achievements as the King of Jingbei.
Then he said "Greetings", and he was just Xiao Yizi, Xie Yao's husband.
"May Your Highness the Princess be victorious!"
"Welcome the victorious princess back!"
"Long live the princess!"
"Long live the princess!"
When the common people and onlookers saw this scene, they burst into earth-shaking cheers. In the end, all of them converged into one sentence: "Long live the princess."
As a woman, Xie Yao achieved unprecedented achievements, and her personal prestige reached its peak at this moment.
During the past six months, Xie Yao has been victorious in every battle and has received continuous reports of victory. The men of Dayan admire her immensely, and the noble ladies of the capital regard her as a role model for women.
Especially the fact that she killed the envoy who came to marry the princess was known to everyone in Dayan.
Many women specially embroidered sachets and purses today, and picked flowers, throwing them to Xie Yao excitedly, as if she were the top scholar who threw fruits to fill the carriage.
Jingzhao Yin Du Yutang quickly ordered the imperial guards to protect the prince and princess to prevent the people from rushing directly to the princess.
Then, Eunuch Qing came again with the imperial edict, promoting Princess Yong'an to the rank of third-rank General Yunhui, and at the same time conferring her the title of Princess of Zhenyuan.
As she wished, Xu Susu was canonized as a first-rank lady.
On the long street, Xie Yao comforted her tearful mother, "Mother, Xie Yan has made great contributions in defending the city and is now the governor of Yunzhou. He asked me to bring you some gifts. They are some small things from the northern border. I have sent someone to Chengyuan."
Xu Susu: "Why bring up that little loser? He left without saying anything. I don't know when he'll be back. I'm just happy that my Ah Yao is safe."
Xie Yao chuckled: "Well, I'm safe and sound."
After comforting her mother, she continued walking with Xiao Yizi.
Xu Susu looked at their figures walking side by side, and her eyes became sore again.
Xie Yao turned around as if she sensed something and smiled sweetly at her mother.
In her new life, her mother gave her a home, and the prince gave her a second home.
The people from the Jingbei Palace and the Xu family seemed to have raised her again.
She also fulfilled the oath she had made, fought on the battlefield, and avenged her father.
Xie Yao quietly stared at the prince's legs and slowed down her pace.
The prince walked slower than ordinary people, and a little stiffly, and would frown because of the pain in his legs, but he walked very steadily, and others could never tell that he had any problem with his legs.
Bai Mi said, "In fact, the prince can walk much faster with crutches, but he just doesn't use them."
The prince rolled his eyes at him and said, "Give it to me—"
Bai Mi used the most domineering voice and said the most cowardly words: "Just go away, it's not like you haven't gone away before!"
Xie Yao threw the sachets and pouches that the women in her arms had given her into Bai Mi's arms and said, "What a pity! The general is still in the northern border and won't return to the capital for some time. Otherwise, the princess will be very anxious if she sees this."
The prince stared at her for a long time, then uttered, "Do you think I'm not anxious?"
Xiao Yizi raised his hand and gently brushed away a petal scattered in Xie Yao's hair, his eyes deep and hot.
She narrowed her eyes, gazing unblinking at the prince's handsome face. "Prince, after not seeing you for half a year, your demeanor is even more impressive."
"This king has to take good care of himself for the sake of a certain woman who likes to stare at him."
Xiao Yizi pursed his lips and took out a newly embroidered sachet from his arms, which was the one he was most satisfied with. It had a Vermilion Bird embroidered on it with gold thread.
He lowered his eyes, personally put his hand on Xie Yao's waist, and whispered: "I want everyone in the world to see, Ah Yao, you are my princess."
Inside this sachet, there is a copper coin that the prince secretly hid as wedding money on the day of their wedding.
He was willing to dedicate everything he had to Xie Yao.
"Also, none of their embroidery is as good as mine." The prince whispered again.
Xie Yao praised with a smile: "Well, my husband embroiders the best."
The prince's ears suddenly felt hot.
The two walked all the way to the end of the long street. The cheers finally stopped and the people gradually dispersed.
Xie Yao then asked, "What happened to the emperor?"
It was very unreasonable that the emperor did not come to greet her when she returned to the capital.
Yesterday, when she was about to arrive in the capital, Bai Su came to see her in advance. Under the order of the prince, she was asked to use the tiger talisman of the Jingji Camp to transfer Su Huai'en to the capital to guard the capital and prevent any unusual movements.
He did not say what the specific changes were.
Xiao Yizi said, "Five days ago, the Marquis of Anping went to the palace to pay his respects to the Emperor. Upon seeing Jiang Congyan, the Emperor's lady-in-waiting, he suddenly went mad and attempted to assassinate the Emperor in front of the palace, severely injuring him. He only regained consciousness last night."
Xie Yao's face darkened a little: "Marquis Anping is not dead yet."
"Li Yu has been imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison. His involvement involves the country and the people. Very few people know that the emperor was assassinated. They only say that he caught a cold and summoned the eldest princess and me to the palace to take care of him." The prince replied.
Marquis Anping had long known that Jiang Congyan was not dead, and then the emperor personally issued an edict announcing the divorce of the two.
No one expected that Marquis Anping would suddenly go crazy. Xiao Yizi described it very accurately - he went insane.
Xie Yao thought about it and asked, "What day was it five days ago?"
Eunuch Qing suddenly realized, "Your Highness, five days ago was the 100th day of the Empress Dowager's death. However, she burned herself to death in the cold palace, so no one will offer her a memorial service."
Xie Yao and Xiao Yizi followed Eunuch Qing to the emperor's bedroom.
Before she even entered, she could smell the strong smell of medicine and blood in the hall, which could not be suppressed even by burning ambergris.
The eldest princess came out from behind the screen and saw Xie Yao. Her eyes suddenly brightened: "Ayao, you are back, then-"
Xie Yao coughed and said, "There are still some things to deal with in the northern border. The general... marquis... master has not returned to the capital."
It was still difficult for her to call her master "father".
However, the general did not force it.
A few days ago, at the celebration banquet for the army's victory, Xie Yao called out "father" while drunk.
The general said, "Your last father died in such a tragic way. If you can't cry, then don't. This makes me terrified."
When the princess learned that Gu Zhaotang had not returned to the capital, her eyes darkened a little, and she suddenly made up her mind: "Since Ah Yao is back, I will set off tomorrow and head to the northern border!"
She is going to the North to chase her husband!
Behind the eldest princess, the emperor's extremely weak voice suddenly came: "Emperor, sister, please don't do that. How can I handle the affairs of state without you? What will I do if you go to the northern border?"
Xie Yao walked around the screen and saw that the emperor was covered with a thick brocade quilt. His face was as pale as paper and he looked much thinner than before.
The eldest princess shrugged her shoulders and didn't care much about her brother's safety. After all, he was not dead and it was said that he would not die.
"We still have the King of Jingbei. Besides, I am a woman and I dare not interfere in government affairs. Otherwise, the ministers in the court will start to shout again."
"Isn't it enough for my sister to meddle in government affairs? Oh no, what I mean is, I like you to meddle in government affairs!"
The emperor said, glancing at King Jingbei, and simply stopped being shy: "That's me, our Li family's kingdom. Even if I give it to you, I will never give it to Xiao Yizi!"
It was too difficult for him. Three months ago, when the Queen Mother set herself on fire in the cold palace, she told him that the reason why she had no children in seven years since she ascended the throne was because the Queen Mother had secretly drugged all the concubines in the harem!
The imperial concubine was able to give birth to his only princess because the empress dowager had not yet stopped taking the medicine and it was too late.
There have been endless wars this year, and the Emperor will not be singing and dancing, or holding beauty pageants in the capital while the generals are away fighting.
He didn't really want to hold a beauty pageant. Why would he need so many concubines? Wouldn't it be tiring?
Prince Jingbei lowered his eyebrows, looking like a loyal minister and a good general, harmless to people and animals.
The eldest princess continued, "Don't we still have Ah Yao? With her military achievements, prestige, and popular support, why not let her replace me?"
Emperor: "Yong'an...she, she is a woman after all!"
The King of Jingbei, who had been silent just now, suddenly raised his head with a deep gaze: "What's wrong with the woman?"
Xie Yao then asked, "What's wrong with the woman?"
The eldest princess stared at her dying brother with a smile: "What happened to the girl?"
Looking at the three people with the same expression on their faces, as if they would punch him to death if he answered something wrong, the emperor showed a pure smile.
"...Female, female is also good."
The emperor narrowed his eyes and made a decision.
After seeing the emperor, Xie Yao and Xiao Yizi left the palace.
"Send the gifts I gave to my grandfather and uncle to the Xu family. Wait, don't move that. That's a cushion I made for my grandmother." Xie Yao directed Rendong and Qiliang to move things to the palace. "This is a knife for Xiao Yunzhou, and that is rouge for my third aunt."
The prince looked at his princess quietly for a long time, then asked aggrievedly, "Ayao, where is my gift?"
Xie Yao's eyes were clear and gentle: "How could I forget this? The gift I gave to the prince was a woman."
For the first time, the prince was horrified: "I will never take a concubine in my lifetime!"
Madam Jingning, who had returned to the palace early, came out and said, "Son, look who I am."
Xiao Yizi was stunned.
The mother whom he had only seen in countless dreams appeared before him. Although her temples were already gray and her face bore the marks of time, she looked so real.
Xie Yao said: "Your Majesty gave me a home, and I will give you a home in return."
Madam Jingning turned out to be Yan Niang, whom she had picked up a few years ago.
When Yan Niang was picked up by Xie Yao, she had lost all her memories and only remembered the word "言".
It turns out that Xiao Yizi's father, the old Marquis of Jingbei, was named Xiao Zhengyan.
After the war in the north was settled, Yan Niang unexpectedly regained her memory and remembered who she was.
Once upon a time, Xie Yao saved Xiao Yizi's mother, and later, she found his mother.
Half a month later, the emperor was finally able to get up, and the first imperial decree he issued was to demote Anping Hou Li Yu to a commoner and confine him to the palace for life.
He welcomed Princess Yong'an back after her victory, and then appointed her as the Crown Princess!
The ministers were shocked and opposed, but their opposition was ineffective. They were secretly "persuaded" by the people of King Jingbei, the Princess's people, and Kong Qing and others who particularly wanted to have the credit of following the emperor.
It was already the summer of the following year when the emperor's health had completely improved.
After experiencing life and death, he was severely injured and completely depressed. He asked Xie Yao to be the regent and went to the palace to escape the summer heat for three months.
Three months later, the emperor found that the court made no difference whether he was there or not. Whenever the court officials had any questions, they would ask Xie Yao.
So the emperor found Princess Yong'an and said, "I invite you to ascend the throne!"
The princess refused, of course, just to be polite.
After court the next day, Xiao Yizi blocked Xie Yao's way and slowly knelt down in front of her.
He looked at Xie Yao, with only her in his eyes, and said word by word in a clear voice: "Your Highness, I am willing to be your scabbard, your blade, and your servant under your skirt. I will be loyal to you for the rest of my life."
Xiao Yizi was the one who persuaded Xie Yao to ascend the throne as empress.
Xie Yao helped the prince up and looked at the others. She saw that many court officials were looking at her with submissive eyes.
"The atmosphere has been built up to this point. It seems unreasonable not to ascend the throne."
She whispered in the prince's ear, "But if that's the case, the prince will always be second only to one person and above everyone else."
Xiao Yizi raised the corners of his lips and replied softly: "At night, if the princess is willing to let me be on top of you, that's enough."
Xie Yao's brain twitched, and she actually... nodded: "Okay."
Xiao Yizi couldn't contain his joy and hugged her.
So, all the civil and military officials who left the court saw that in the sunlight, the tall and upright prince held the princess who was always serious and cold in his arms.
The sleeves of the princess's scarlet court gown fluttered in the wind, and both of their faces were filled with bright smiles.
Anyone who saw this scene couldn't help but feel moistened in the eyes and moved in the heart.
…
The autumn weather is clear and the sun is shining brightly.
On the ninety-nine white jade steps, Xie Yao was wearing the imperial robe embroidered with golden phoenixes and the emperor's crown on her head. Her pair of ink-black phoenix eyes pierced through the jade beads, looking down at the vast mountains and rivers below her feet.
Xiao Yizi looked at her, and together with the civil and military officials behind him, he knelt down before her.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you. Long live the Emperor!"
The solemn ceremonial bells rang throughout the capital. The people in the capital were shocked when they heard the sound and knelt down in the direction of the empress.
The era belonging to Xie Yao has begun.
After the coronation ceremony, King Jingbei came to the empress.
"Xiao Yizi," Xie Yao took the initiative to speak, interlocking her fingers with his, her fingertips caressing his palm, "From now on, this vast land will be shared with you."
Xiao Yizi shook his head: "I don't want the throne, Your Majesty, please give me something practical."
"Then you're on top tonight."
"What about tomorrow night?"
"Tomorrow night, it depends on my mood."
"I obey the decree."
Xiao Yizi will always be Xie Yao's, her lover.
.
(End of full text)
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