Chapter 70
After all, Mingcheng is the most powerful city in the Central Plains today, with a history even older than Youcheng. As the saying goes, a lean camel is bigger than a horse; it's not something that ordinary people can subdue. In the battle between the two cities, Yu Xi would have to personally fight.
Ling Huanchen looked at Yu Xi steadily and said, "I will wait for the king to come back."
The threat from the Fengming tribe has been resolved, and he believes that Youcheng will win this battle.
The next day, Yu Xi personally assumed the command, leading the troops into battle alongside other generals. This final battle lasted several days. The Youcheng army pursued the victory, repeatedly conquering the prefectures and counties of Mingcheng, advancing northward until they reached the Mingcheng royal palace.
At this point, Mingcheng had been captured, and the King of Mingcheng had hanged himself. From then on, there was no mention of Mingcheng. News quickly spread, and the surrounding small towns voluntarily surrendered upon hearing the news. Now, only Xiancheng remained to be conquered.
Dealing with Xiancheng is different from dealing with Mingcheng. There are no famous generals in Xiancheng, and the king of Xiancheng has always been used to a comfortable life. The reason why he can still survive is because he enjoys the achievements of his predecessors.
Yu Xi temporarily set up his palace in the original Mingcheng Palace. He did not need to fight in the battle of Xiancheng himself, and assigned all the tasks to several generals accompanying the army.
Initially, the Central Plains had only the Ge royal family, which was the original Mingcheng. The rest were side branches. As the side branches grew stronger, multiple cities emerged.
Yu Xi took Ling Huanchen up to the palace tower and looked down, almost giving them a panoramic view of the entire royal city.
"Does Huanchen like this place or Youcheng?"
The setting sun shone on the two of them, casting two long shadows. Ling Huanchen tilted his head to look at him, "Your Majesty, are you considering where to ascend the throne?"
"It mainly depends on where Huanchen wants to live?" Yu Xi took his hand, and the two walked side by side on the city wall.
Ling Huanchen thought about it carefully and said, "I still prefer Youcheng."
Yu Xi curled her lips, "What a coincidence, me too."
The two smiled at each other, and Ling Huanchen felt that his whole body was warmed by the sunset, and his heart had never been so peaceful and calm as it was at that moment.
The ending of his previous life had been rewritten, and in the future he would walk with the people around him for a long time. Not only them, but also those lovely people who were still waiting for them to return to the palace in Youcheng.
"Report!"
A guard quickly ran up to the two men, knelt down and presented the letter.
Ling Huanchen glanced at him from the side and asked, "Are you from Xiancheng?"
After reading the letter, Yu Xi handed it to Ling Huanchen, "Yes, the King of Xiancheng has agreed to surrender."
Although this battle is a foregone conclusion, it would undoubtedly be a good thing for the people if the fighting could be reduced.
"Your Majesty, isn't it time to come up with a reign title?"
Yu Xi said indifferently, "I've thought about it. How about using the character Chen?"
Ling Huanchen was stunned when he heard the voice, "Is this... decent?"
Yu Xi pinched his cheek and said with a smile, "I said it's done."
Half a month later, Yu Xi officially proclaimed himself emperor, taking the name Chen. His royal capital remained in the original Youcheng Palace. The Yuluan Palace was renamed the Chenxi Palace, and Ling Huanchen was crowned emperor and empress.
On the day of the enthronement ceremony, the whole country celebrated and shouted "Long live the emperor". Ling Huanchen was also present and accepted the congratulations of all officials together with Yu Xi.
In Chenxi Palace, Xiaoqi and Yunhe were busy cleaning and arranging the place. Although Ling Huanchen had instructed to keep everything simple, times were different now and how could the residence of the Emperor and Empress not be meticulously prepared?
"Yes, that's it. No, it's on the left." Xiao Qi put his hands on his hips and looked up. "A little further to the left, that's right. The glass lamp on the other side is hung upside down."
"Xiao Qi."
As soon as Yun He left, Xiao Qi immediately ran over and said, "Sister Yun He, do you have anything to tell me?"
"The little princess is clamoring to catch crickets to play with. Go and stay with the nanny. I'll take care of this."
Xiao Qi scratched his head. "Other little girls over one year old like dolls, why does our little princess always like to play with crickets?"
Yun He glanced at him and said unhappily, "It's all because of you. You always catch crickets to amuse the little princess. Now the princess is thinking about her. Why don't you go quickly?"
"I'm going to go!" Xiao Qi covered his forehead, afraid that Yun He would raise her hand to hit him, and ran faster than anyone else.
At this time, the emperor and empress's sedan chair had arrived at the door of Chenxi Palace, and Yunhe hurried to meet them.
"Master, the emperor didn't come back with you?"
Ling Huanchen waved his hand, signaling Yun He that he didn't need to support him, and walked down steadily. "The Chen Kingdom has just been established, and the Emperor must have many things to do. Where's Xian'er? Is she awake?"
Yun He hesitated for a moment and said truthfully, "She's awake. Nanny and Xiao Qi are with her. Master, do you want to see the little princess? I'll go and bring her here."
"No need." Ling Huanchen walked into the hall, followed by a group of palace servants.
"Do you think I don't know that Xiao Qi is taking her to do mischief every day, and you're still covering for her?"
Yunhe pursed her lips, lowered her head and said nothing.
"Just play, just be careful and safe." Ling Huanchen recalled the scene of Yu Xi climbing trees when she was a child, and couldn't help but smile. It's true that birds of a feather flock together. Even though they are not related by blood, they can be as naughty as her father.
A palace attendant hurried into the hall and reported, "Your Highness, General Qi requests an audience."
Qi Yu? Why did he come suddenly?
Ling Huanchen sat down in the main seat and said, "Let him in."
After a while, Qi Yu followed the palace servant into the Taoist hall, looking around, seeming very anxious.
"I pay my respects to Your Highness!"
"General Qi, please excuse me." Ling Huanchen noticed his absent-minded look and had a guess. "General Qi is here to see Yunlou? He hasn't been here in the past few days. Didn't he attend court?"
Ji Yunlou is the imperial teacher now, so he should not be away from the court.
Qi Yu shook his head like a frost-bitten eggplant, "No, he's been sick and hasn't been to the morning court for three days."
Ling Huanchen pondered that even if the two had quarreled before, they had not been seen for more than a day. Besides, for someone like Ji Yunlou, isn't pretending to be sick just avoiding people?
"I've really never seen him. What happened between you two? Did you have a fight?"
Qi Yu sighed, "It's fine that we had a quarrel. Three nights ago, we drank a little too much, and then... then he disappeared."
Ling Huanchen raised his eyebrows, as if he had heard something he shouldn't have.
At this time, the palace attendant who was guarding the gate came in again and reported, "Your Highness, the Imperial Master wishes to see you."
Ling Huanchen blinked, and whoever he said would come. He stopped Qi Yu who was about to rush out, "If you go now, what if he runs away again?"
Qi Yu hesitated for a while, gritted his teeth, and turned behind the screen after Ling Huanchen's repeated signals.
Ji Yunlou entered the hall, bowed, and then took a seat. He hesitated for a long time without saying a word.
Ling Huanchen sighed almost inaudibly. Why did he have to worry about the emotional problems of his subjects?
"Yunlou didn't come to see me to sit in meditation, did he?"
Ji Yunlou clenched his hem, then released it, "Your Highness, I, your servant, have made a mistake."
"Huh? What's confusing?" Ling Huanchen asked deliberately.
"Your Majesty, on the night three days ago, I drank too much and became unconscious, so that, so that I and Qi Yu..." Ji Yunlou hesitated for a long time and couldn't say it.
Seeing that he didn't continue, Ling Huanchen tried to comfort him, "I think Qi Yu is sincere to you, and you are not indifferent to him either. Why don't you consider changing your identities and facing each other?"
"But I... am calm and don't want to involve anyone else."
Just as he finished speaking, Qi Yu suddenly jumped out from behind the screen and blocked Ji Yunlou's way. "Ji Yunlou! After you sleep with me, is that all?"
Ling Huanchen's eyes widened slightly. What had he just heard? Wasn't it Qi Yu who started it first?
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to... It's my fault. You can hit me or punish me if you want. I won't fight back."
Qi Yu glared at him angrily, "I told you, I did this voluntarily. I like you, so just tell me what you want, in front of His Highness."
Ling Huanchen never thought that one day he would become a witness.
"Let's talk about it when we get back." Ji Yunlou looked at Ling Huanchen, went up to grab Qi Yu, and took him out.
"You haven't said yet, do you want me to..."
"If I don't want you, who else do I want?"
"Why didn't you say so earlier?"
The two pushed and shoved each other until they reached the door of the hall, and finally remembered to say goodbye to Ling Huanchen, and then they pulled each other out of the hall.
Ling Huanchen: “…” What is going on?
"Master, the emperor asked you to pick a date, saying it is for the wedding of the prince and Miss Zuo Er." Yun He came in after the two men left and handed the almanac to Ling Huanchen.
"Since everything is ready." Ling Huanchen flipped through the book, "Let's set it for the third day of next month."
The marriage of the only prince of the dynasty and the daughter of the prime minister, the first wedding since Yu Xi's ascension to the throne, was bound to be grand and solemn. The entire royal city was immersed in jubilation, even more lively than the New Year's Eve.
On the wedding day, Ling Huanchen and Yu Xi sat together in the main seat, accepting the kowtows from the newlyweds. As the saying goes, an elder brother is like a father. Yu Xi had been protecting Yu Zhao since he was born, and he deserved this kowtow both publicly and privately.
"The ceremony is over!"
Amidst the deafening sound of gongs and drums, all the civil and military officials toasted their glasses to celebrate in the Prince's Mansion. Ling Huanchen looked at this grand scene, quietly poured a glass of wine at his feet, and turned around to pour more.
"Huanchen, don't drink too much." Seeing that he had already poured his fourth glass of wine, Yu Xi held the wine pot further away, "This is the last one."
Ling Huanchen laughed, "Okay, one last glass." The extra glass was a toast to the past life.
As the old saying goes, a night of spring is worth a thousand pieces of gold. The front yard of the prince's mansion was bustling with activity, and the newlyweds had already been sent to their bedroom.
Ling Huanchen claimed to be drunk, so Yu Xi picked him up and went back to the palace without saying a word. When he arrived at the palace, Ling Huanchen insisted on taking a bath, so Yu Xi dismissed everyone and took him to the hot spring.
Three glasses of wine were not enough to make him drunk. Ling Huanchen took advantage of the alcohol, held Yu Xi's hand and slowly walked into the hot spring.
Yu Xi let him do whatever he wanted, watching the man dive into the pool with a smile on his face.
"Huan Chen?"
Suddenly, the ice-blue shark's tail emerged from the water, stirring up a wave. Then, Ling Huanchen emerged from the hot spring, with a bright red pattern totem printed on his back, winding down along his spine.
Yu Xi couldn't help but touch the mermaid tail, which circled around his fingertips, as if playing with him.
Ling Huanchen turned around and asked, "Is this similar to the first time you and I met?"
Yu Xi held Ling Huanchen's shoulders and closed the distance between them. "This is what it looks like."
People say that life would be wonderful if it could just be like the first time we met.
And he was thinking that life was just like the first time he met her.
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