Gu Yuzhi recovered from his injuries in April of the following year, when the northern desert was in the spring, when grass grew and birds flew, and all things were growing.
He received the emperor's decree, selected the gifts, and, together with Chief Secretary Xie, Imperial Physician Qin, and others, finally arrived in the capital before the Dragon Boat Festival.
Gu Yuzhi lifted the curtain, his big eyes wide with curiosity: "Master Xie, I've finally seen what the market in the capital looks like."
He had only heard his fifth brother talk about it before, and this was the first time he had truly experienced the prosperity of the capital.
Unlike the lively Wu dialect of Jiangnan, the bustling atmosphere of the capital was filled with familiar accents, and even the hawkers' cries sounded much more welcoming.
If he weren't in such a hurry to go to the palace to see his elder brother, he would have loved to stroll around the market.
Chief Secretary Xie glanced out the window, then lowered his eyes and said, "Once His Highness has finished his audience with the Emperor, he can naturally experience it properly."
Although Your Highness is young, you are still a prince with a fiefdom. It is not appropriate for you to live in the palace. Before returning to the capital, you will definitely stay at the Prince of Qin's residence.
The Prince of Qin's Mansion was originally the Prince of Chu's Mansion, and the plaque was personally inscribed by the Emperor before the young prince decided to return to the capital.
Gu Yuzhi pouted, then lifted the curtain to take another look, thinking to herself that it would be great if Teacher Shu were here, as Teacher Shu had never seen such a bustling street before.
The carriage entered the palace unnoticed, and, as instructed by Gu Yuchen, went straight to the outside of the Imperial Study.
Zhao Xi came out to greet them early. He saw Gu Yuzhi wink at someone next to him, who quickly told them to pack up the gifts. Zhao Xi himself stepped forward with a smile and said, "Oh, Your Highness, this old servant has missed you so much."
Gu Yuzhi chuckled and said, "Eunuch Zhao Xi, I can tell from your expression that my imperial brother treats you very well."
How could he possibly miss him to death? When he was in the palace, he could only see Zhao Xi at palace banquets.
However, Gu Yuzhi considered himself an adult and understood that such hypocrisy was necessary in interpersonal relationships.
He had thought that this hypocrisy would be even more pronounced after seeing his elder brother, but to his surprise, Gu Yuchen, whether out of guilt or because the Sang Dynasty was currently enjoying peace and prosperity and had received its annual tribute, only inquired about Xinliang's development before letting him leave the palace.
The reward given to him was delivered to the Prince of Qin's residence before he even returned home.
This solemn and grand procession let the people of the capital know that the great hero, His Highness the Prince, had returned to the capital.
As a result, not long after Gu Yuzhi left the palace, the streets were blocked by people. No one knew who had discovered his whereabouts, but flowers, fruits, and other items of all sizes were thrown at the carriage.
Every citizen shouted, "Your Highness the King of Qin is mighty! Your Highness the Prince is mighty!"
Gu Yuzhi wanted to lift the curtain to take a look out the window, but was stopped by Chief Secretary Xie.
He advised in a low voice, "Your Highness, you are currently enjoying great popularity, it would be best to lay low for a while."
After this battle, not only has His Highness won over tens of thousands of soldiers in the northern deserts, but the hearts of the people of the world are also with him!
As the emperor, he would certainly be wary of the young prince, so it would be best for the young prince to keep a low profile and be a truly carefree prince from now on.
Gu Yuzhi looked up at Xie Changshi, then covered his mouth and chuckled softly, "Xie Changshi, I know what you're worried about, but you really don't need to worry, because..."
He shrugged: "I don't have a military tally."
Without a military tally, one cannot mobilize soldiers, and without soldiers, one cannot rebel.
That is probably why the Emperor did not show any fear.
He puffed out his cheeks: "And I know all this too. My brother sent me to the northern desert because of a prophecy made by the master."
He rested his chin on his hands and thought to himself that no matter how absurd his elder brother's decision was, he was at least very satisfied.
In Xinliang, he was a prince, and he was in charge of everything. Whatever he wanted to eat or do, Chief Secretary Xie and the others would try their best to accommodate him.
But without the master's prophecy, he would still be in the palace, and his life would certainly be no different from before, let alone learning so much.
He gently tapped his face with his hands, saying, "Chief Secretary Xie, I am very satisfied, truly! After returning to the Northern Desert with my mother and settling things with Xinliang, I will begin to travel around!"
While he was in the palace, he had already made arrangements with his elder brother, who was very supportive and hoped that he would record everything he saw and heard, and also make a copy for him.
Thinking of this, Gu Yuzhi secretly smiled again. It's better to be a carefree prince. Like his elder brother, he was trapped in the palace, with endless memorials to deal with every day. What's so good about that? He was exhausted!
He muttered to himself, "Liu Dianyi took Brother Tian Shu and the others to pick up Old Master Cheng. I wonder where they are now."
Ever since learning that Mr. Cheng had agreed to go to Mobei to serve as the dean, Gu Yuzhi had people rush to build the academy as soon as spring arrived, thinking that Mr. Cheng could move in directly after arriving.
Chief Secretary Xie smiled slightly and glanced out through the gap in the curtain. The people outside the window were still very enthusiastic, and the Imperial Guards had rushed over upon hearing the commotion and were carefully maintaining order.
"Not only that, His Highness also agreed to your previous proposal to establish a charity."
Gu Yuzhi had not heard of this matter and was utterly shocked: "Are you serious? My brother even agreed to this?"
Chief Secretary Xie nodded slightly: "Yes. Moreover, the Emperor has issued an edict encouraging women with a skill but no family to support them to go to the northern desert."
It's a good thing that more women go to Xinliang, as this can also help solve the marriage problems of the single men in Xinliang.
Gu Yuzhi never expected that all his worries would be resolved after just one night's sleep!
The carriage circled around to the back gate of the Prince's mansion. Gu Yuzhi jumped off the carriage with a smile, lifted the hem of his clothes, and took a few steps down the steps: "Mother, Mother!"
His elder brother was willing to let him take his mother to Xinliang, and he would never be separated from his mother again!
At the moon gate, a graceful and noble woman was looking at him with tears in her eyes. Gu Yuzhi stopped in his tracks and murmured, "Mother."
Looking at this slender but determined little boy, Consort Tai Xian burst into tears of joy. She stretched out her hands to him and said in a gentle voice, "Little Six, come here quickly and let your mother take a good look at you."
Gu Yuzhi then rushed forward, knelt down with a thud, and kowtowed three times to Consort Taixian: "Mother, I missed you so much!"
Consort Tai Xian hurriedly bent down to help him up, gently wiping away the tears on his face. Looking at the faint scars on his face, she felt so heartbroken that she couldn't say a word and could only hug him tightly.
Chief Secretary Xie and Imperial Physician Qin exchanged a glance and quietly slipped out. Just as they were about to speak, a servant approached from the opposite direction: "Chief Secretary Xie, Imperial Physician Qin, this bag was brought by the Northern Di people when they delivered their annual tribute. They said it looks very much like something in His Highness's painting..."
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