Chapter 970 Why did you all come together?
There was no morning court session today, but Yuwen Yuan did not slack off. He got up early to practice a set of boxing techniques, ate some simple soup noodles, and then spent the rest of the day writing furiously at his desk. The memorials he reviewed piled up into two large stacks. He only looked up when it was almost noon and immediately felt his neck stiffen and almost get twisted.
"Ouch..."
He let out a soft cry, and Liu Yu, the eunuch serving him, hurriedly stepped forward to help him sit up and gently massaged his shoulders to loosen his muscles and bones.
Yuwen Yuan moved his neck and asked, "Has Yu Mingli returned?"
Liu Yu said, "Eunuch Yu hasn't returned yet."
Yuwen Yuan paused for a moment, then said, "Bring me the tea."
Liu Yu immediately went to the side to brew him a cup of tea and carefully presented it to him. Yuwen Yuan took a sip, but the aroma of the tea did not dispel the gloom in his heart, nor did it ease his furrowed brows. After pondering for a while, he took another sip and then handed the teacup to Liu Yu. Just as he picked up his pen to continue reviewing the memorials, he felt his wrist was also extremely sore. He couldn't help but frown and rub his wrist.
"Getting old..."
Hearing him mutter like that, Liu Yu immediately said, "Your Majesty is just trying to fool us. There is no one in the entire palace more vigorous and powerful than Your Majesty."
Yuwen Yuan smiled wryly, "Almost fifty years old, and still so vigorous..."
Just then, someone came to report that Consort Zhang and Palace Attendant Han were requesting an audience.
Yuwen Yuan said, "Let them in."
As he spoke, he rotated his neck and wrists, finally feeling a bit more relaxed in his shoulders and wrists. He looked up and saw Zhang Yuping and Han Yuhui walk in. They both bowed and greeted him. Yuwen Yuan waved his hand to tell them to rise, and then said, "You two came together. Is there something you need?"
Zhang Yuping immediately stepped forward: "Your Majesty, I have been discussing the celebration of His Majesty's birthday next month with Han Shanggong these days. We have drafted a booklet, which roughly outlines the celebration process, the list of invited guests, and the items to be used in the celebration. Please review it, Your Majesty."
After saying that, he handed over the booklet in his hand.
Yuwen Yuan took it, flipped through a couple of pages, and said, "I've already told you not to be too extravagant and wasteful, you all..."
Although he said this, his tone did not seem entirely opposed. Especially when he saw that envoys from various countries in the Western Regions and the maritime kingdoms were to come and pay homage, he couldn't help but think of the poem Yu Mingyue had written before—"The palace gates open to the heavens, and the officials of all nations pay homage to the emperor." This should be considered the greatest hope of all emperors throughout history. It was because of that poem that he had slightly changed his opinion of Yu Mingyue. However, when it came to his own situation, he still hesitated.
Han Yuhui smiled and said, "Your Majesty, please look at the list of items to be used in the register. It is already very frugal."
He said, "This is still not good."
"..."
"Actually, I was already hesitant about whether or not to hold this birthday celebration."
Zhang Yuping hurriedly said, "It's His Majesty's fiftieth birthday, how can we not hold a birthday celebration? What kind of talk would that be?"
Yuwen Yuan said, "I was thinking that there is still a war going on in the Eastern Capital. If I celebrate my birthday in such a grand way, what will the soldiers on the front lines think?"
Zhang Yuping and Han Yuhui exchanged a glance, and Zhang Yuping immediately said, "His Majesty's fiftieth birthday should be celebrated properly. How can it just pass by casually? Besides, aren't the soldiers on the front lines fighting for His Majesty and for the Great Sheng Dynasty? If the court doesn't make any gesture for His Majesty's birthday, how can we demonstrate the prestige and reputation of our dynasty?"
Yuwen Yuan looked at her, his gaze seeming to soften slightly.
Han Yuhui added, "His Highness Prince Qin is already a brave and skilled warrior. If he can capture Luoyang for His Majesty in a month, then it should be a cause for celebration. His Majesty's birthday is a perfect opportunity, isn't it?"
Zhang Yuping immediately replied, "Yes, Prince Qin is filial and will surely capture Luoyang for His Majesty within a month!"
Upon hearing this, Yuwen Yuan's eyes flickered even more intensely.
Yuwen Ye has been leading his troops on the expedition for over a month. He had originally wanted to send an additional military supervisor to the army, but after much deliberation, he decided against it. Although some discord arose between him and Yuwen Ye after the Battle of Longmendu, he still understood his son's military talent very well and knew that without him, the Yuwen family might not have been able to establish themselves through military merit in such a chaotic world, let alone inherit the Great Dynasty.
Therefore, he was very confident that Yuwen Ye could take Luoyang.
However, there was no news from the front lines, and he was completely unaware of the battle situation in Luoyang, which put him in a somewhat passive position. As a result, he was still unable to make a decision on whether or not to send troops to aid Xiazhou.
If what Zhang Yuping and Han Yuhui said is true, and Yuwen Ye can really take Luoyang before his birthday, that would be wonderful.
If not...
Yuwen Yuan sighed and said calmly, "You shouldn't say too much about these things. Things on the battlefield can change in an instant, and it's beyond human control."
The two exchanged a glance and immediately replied, "Yes."
Just as Yuwen Yuan continued to review the remaining procedures without showing any further resistance, a young eunuch suddenly ran in from outside the Liangyi Hall, peering inside with a somewhat flustered expression. Liu Yu immediately went out to greet him, and the two exchanged a few words in hushed tones outside the door.
Yuwen Yuan looked up and asked, "What is it?"
Liu Yu immediately returned and said, "Your Majesty, news has come from Chengqian Palace that Princess Qin wishes to see Your Majesty."
"she?"
When Shang Ruyi was mentioned, Yuwen Yuan's face showed a complicated expression. He put down the book in his hand, remained silent for a while, and then said, "What is she doing seeing me? The matter has not yet been investigated. If she says the same things as a few days ago, then tell her not to say anything more."
Liu Yu immediately replied, "This servant will go and report back right away."
After saying that, he was about to walk out, but just as he reached the door, he heard Yuwen Yuan's voice behind him: "Wait a moment."
Liu Yu stopped, and Yuwen Yuan lowered his head and pondered for a moment before saying, "Have someone bring her here. I also want to hear what she has to say after these past two days."
"Yes," Liu Yu replied, then turned and left.
Yuwen Yuan then ordered two eunuchs to come over and separate the reviewed and unreviewed memorials from the table. After tidying up the table, they brewed him a new cup of tea. Just as he finished doing all this, he saw Liu Yu walk in with several people.
Leading the way was Shang Ruyi.
But following behind her were not only Tu She'er, who had been taking care of her in Chengqian Palace these past few days, but also Chu Ruoyan and her group from Jinyuyuan, and even a little palace maid named Woxue who was holding a pale-faced eunuch in her hand, kneeling outside the door waiting.
Yuwen Yuan was taken aback: "What's going on? Why did you all come together?"
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