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◎Ministers dare not offend their superiors, so she will show her favor.◎
The generals could only return to the capital once every three years, so Emperor Xingwu would always keep them in the capital to spend the New Year with their families, and then return to the border areas after the New Year.
Since Weiyuan Hou Meng Ji had returned to the capital, Princess Junjing Meng Yao moved out from the Imperial Concubine's place and reunited with her father and brother for a while before getting married.
In order to allow Meng Ji to personally send his daughter off to marry, Emperor Xingwu set Qin Bing's wedding date on the 21st day of the 12th lunar month, before the officials went on vacation, so that the officials of the Ministry of Rites could have a happy New Year. Otherwise, Meng Ji would have to leave on the 6th day of the first lunar month, and it would not be appropriate to set the wedding date at the end of the 12th lunar month or the beginning of the first lunar month.
When Meng Ji brought his two sons, Meng Changchuan and Meng Changhe, to the palace to express his gratitude and take his daughter home, Emperor Xingwu asked the Meng brothers, "Changchuan is 24, and Changhe is 21. Do you have anyone ready for marriage?"
Emperor Xingwu valued his founding heroes and was very familiar with the ages and personalities of the young men from each family.
Meng Ji said respectfully, "Before my wife passed away, she arranged a marriage for Changchuan. I plan to have them get married on the third day of the first lunar month. As for Changhe, I'll just have his sister-in-law arrange it for him."
The Imperial Concubine and Meng Yao were both present, and Qingyang had also come to see them off. Hearing this, her gaze fell upon the Meng brothers again. Meng Yao had explained that Meng Changchuan's fiancée was the daughter of a close friend of the Marquis's sister. Her family was a well-to-do merchant, and because Meng Ji was stationed at the border, the Marquis invited her and her daughter to stay at the Marquis' mansion every year. Seeing that the two children had a good relationship, the elders arranged the engagement.
Emperor Xingwu naturally knew about this and said, "Changchuan will be returning to Liangzhou after the New Year. How can we allow a newlywed couple to be separated? Let him take his wife with him. I'll have Concubine Gui and Yaoyao arrange a wife for Changhe. Someone has chosen one, and I'll grant them a marriage. You're too far away in Liaozhou, so I won't wait for your return to hold the wedding."
The emperor's grace was immense. Meng Ji, who had been missing his deceased wife because of his children's marriages, felt tears well up in his eyes. He knelt with his two sons and said tearfully, "I am a surrendered general. Your Majesty has treated me so well. I really have no way to repay you. I feel ashamed."
Emperor Xingwu laughed and said, "What's the difference between surrendered and unsurrendered generals? Those who can share my worries and protect my country are all good generals of the Great Qi. Don't bother with the previous one. Besides, it's only good for you that I want to use you. You, as the father, should guard Liaozhou well. The long rivers and long rivers should learn your skills well. When the old ones retire, the young ones should take over. The future peace of the Great Qi still depends on you."
Civil officials can rely on the imperial examinations held every three years to continuously select new people, and then pick out the most outstanding officials through years of screening in the officialdom. However, the talent of generals cannot be achieved overnight through simple military imperial examinations. Moreover, wars often break out suddenly, and there is no time to slowly select. The children of famous generals have the prestige left by their fathers to boost morale, and they can also learn how to be a general from an early age, making them more reliable. Then, rising stars can be found on the battlefield to replace the incompetent descendants of the generals.
The Meng family father and son took their leave with sincere gratitude to the emperor.
Emperor Xingwu asked the imperial concubine about the progress of the preparations for his second son's wedding. After the imperial concubine left, Emperor Xingwu looked at his daughter who was still there.
Qingyang said admiringly, "Father is so considerate of the Meng family that even Lord Meng was moved to tears."
Emperor Xingwu: "He is guarding the border for Great Qi. Father should relieve him of his worries. Yaoyao and his two siblings have all started families. He can rest assured that they are thousands of miles away."
How can an emperor just want his subjects to be loyal to him while turning a blind eye to their difficulties?
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Qingyang had attended the wedding banquet of his eldest sister and the wedding banquet of his eldest sister-in-law who married into the palace. Both times he had to attend the wedding banquet in the palace. Unfortunately, there were too many rules in the palace, and the joy was lacking in excitement.
This time when his second brother got married, Qingyang left the palace on the 19th day of the twelfth lunar month and stayed at his third brother's prince's mansion at night. During the day, the brother and sister went to his second brother's palace to join in the fun.
Qin Bing's palace is still the original Second Prince's Palace, but the plaque has been changed. After all, it was built according to the regulations of a palace from the beginning.
It was freezing cold in the twelfth lunar month, and only the pines and cypresses were still green in the garden. There was nothing much to see, so Qin Bing simply took his younger brother and sister for a walk and then went back to the warm room to sit.
Qingyang wanted to see his second brother's groom's suit in advance.
Qin Bing put it on confidently and showed it to his younger brothers and sisters with his head held high.
He was twenty, and Qin Ren was only seventeen. One had broad shoulders and a strong chest, the other still the leanness of a young man. Standing together, Qingyang suddenly missed the days when they all lived together in the Eastern Palace. At fourteen or fifteen, his second brother had been as lean as his third. Now, he looked like a man with a family and a career. His youthful arrogance had transformed into the authority of a prince. Even his third brother hesitated to approach his second brother, and his words became increasingly polite.
"What do you think? Isn't it too cheap for Meng Yao?" Qin Bing deliberately turned around and said proudly.
Qin Ren nodded in agreement. Qing Yang glared at his second brother and said, "You only know how to talk. What's the point of saying something that will only make Sister Meng angry?"
Qin Bing also glared at his sister who had spoiled his fun: "She's not here, so why can't I say a few words? Are you her sister or mine?"
Qingyang: "Okay, keep talking. I'll tell Sister Meng everything later."
Qin Bing looked a little panicked, and said stubbornly, "Whatever you say, I'm not afraid of her."
Qingyang: "Yes, you are a great prince, who are you afraid of? I am your sister, and I won't really gossip in front of my future sister-in-law. But if you don't change your bad habits, there will be many maids and servants in your house, including outsiders. If they hear you belittling Sister Meng, can you guarantee that they won't use your words to deliberately stir up trouble with Sister Meng?"
Qin Bing was in the wrong and pretended to lower his head to adjust his belt.
Qingyang: "I know that Second Brother likes Sister Meng. He even sent away the two concubines in the mansion, hoping to marry Sister Meng as soon as possible. I also know that Second Brother likes to bicker with Sister Meng. You two can bicker as much as you want, and outsiders won't know. But Second Brother is saying bad things about Sister Meng outside, making outsiders really think that you don't like Sister Meng, and therefore look down on or bully Sister Meng. Second Brother is happy?"
Qin Ren nodded silently, and after being glared at by his second brother, he pretended to drink tea.
Qin Bing said irritably, "Okay, okay, I've changed it, right?"
Qingyang: "You can change it or not, but next time you have a fight with Sister Meng, just don't ask me to speak well of you."
Qin Bing completely gave in and moved behind his sister, pretending to massage her shoulders. Qingyang thought he was not gentle enough and drove him away.
The next morning, everyone in Prince Jing's Mansion was busy. In the morning, the mansion entertained guests. When it was almost time, Qin Bing went to Weiyuan Marquis Mansion to pick up the bride. He had a lunch there and took a detour to pick up the bride. It was already dusk when he came.
Qingyang and Yan Zhenzhen watched the ceremony together in the front and saw several young noble sons serving as best men for his second brother. Among them were Xue Chuzheng, the 20-year-old eldest son of Xue Ye, the commander of the imperial army, Lu Chaoguang, the 17-year-old eldest son of Chengguo Duke Lu Zan, as well as Qingyang's third brother Qin Ren, who was very familiar to him, and Zhang Su, the third son of Weiguo Duke.
Yan Zhenzhen looked at the Third Prince, who was wearing a crimson brocade robe and had a particularly handsome smile, and whispered to the princess beside her, "When did my cousin become so close to Zhang Su?"
They all grew up together and knew each other well. Yan Zhenzhen remembered very clearly that even if Yuan Chongli had not been around, her cousin would still be surrounded by a group of noble sons who shared his interests. They were not the same kind of people as Zhang Su. The third prince was her cousin's younger brother, so there was no way he could escape being the best man.
Qingyang looked at the little sister whose face was pressed against his shoulder and explained softly, "Zhang Su and Xue Chuzheng, my second brother just doesn't get along with them, but he still admires them. Today is my second brother's wedding, and the best man is related to the dignity of the prince's mansion and the marquis' mansion. Of course, my second brother must choose a noble son with a good family background, talent and appearance. Zhang Su and the others have to give my second brother this face."
Yan Zhenzhen: "My cousin really doesn't give Li Fuyuan and the others face."
Qingyang followed Yan Zhenzhen's gaze and saw Li Fuyuan and others smiling among a group of children of nobles.
Qingyang thought that these guys who were good at having fun must have self-awareness. Even if not, how could they dare to get angry with the prince?
In the final analysis, the second brother was confused. Either he had been associating with Zhang Su and others from the beginning, or he had always been close to his former "brothers". Like today, he really couldn't please both sides.
.
As night fell, Qin Bing was made drunk and was helped to the bridal chamber by the two eunuchs Chang Ji and Chang Ping.
The palace gates had been closed long ago, and Qingyang would continue to stay at her third brother's place tonight. After the banquet, she walked side by side with her elder sister and Princess Yong, who came with them, in front of the female guests. As for Prince Yong, Lu Zan and other generals, they all went to the Weiyuan Marquis' Mansion for the banquet, so that they could drink and chat with Meng Ji. The people at the palace were all youngsters, and the two groups could not drink together.
Yongkang and Princess Yong did not get along well. When she came out, she saw Fu Kui waiting for her respectfully in front of the door. His former arrogance was no longer visible on his body. Yongkang smiled and let Fu Kui help him get into the carriage.
Before his third brother came out, Qingyang said goodbye to Aunt Wang and got on the carriage first.
It didn't take long before the sound of people bowing to their third brother came from the palace gate. Qingyang lifted a corner of the curtain and saw his third brother being supported by Zhang Su, drunk as a mud.
Qingyang was so angry that he lowered the curtain and quickly got off the carriage. He said to Fuan, who was holding the other side of his third brother, "You get in the carriage and take care of the Third Prince. I'll ride."
She didn't want to smell the alcohol on Third Brother, and she was even more afraid that he would vomit in the car.
Fu'an nodded repeatedly. He got into the car first, and then with the help of Zhang Su, he successfully dragged the third prince in.
Qingyang glanced around. The sixteen guards she had brought with her were all leading a horse in front and behind the carriage, but her eyes fell on a black horse led by a servant from the palace nearby. She asked, "Whose is this?"
The servant immediately replied, "It is Master Zhang Su's mount."
Qingyang went to see Zhang Su again.
Zhang Su agreed and said, "If Your Highness does not mind, I am willing to lead the horses for Your Highness and escort the two of you back to your residence."
Qingyang: "Okay, I'll trouble you tonight, Third Young Master."
Zhang Su took the reins from the servant, and after the princess mounted the horse and sat firmly, Zhang Su led the horse forward along with the carriage that was setting off at the same time.
Most of the families had gone to bed by then. Not far from Prince Jing's Mansion, the surroundings became quiet, with only the hazy moonlight from the waning half moon illuminating the way ahead.
Qingyang ordered the sixteen imperial guards to keep their distance and stand in front and behind the carriage. In this way, the only ones left by her side were Zhang Su, who was leading the horse, and Jie Yu, who was a horse's length behind.
It was a windless night, and the mink cloak on his body was enough to keep out the cold. Qingyang looked at Zhang Su, who was only wearing a brocade robe, and asked him to come closer before asking, "Are you cold?"
Zhang Su looked forward and said, "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I am not cold."
Qingyang: "I'm cold."
Zhang Su then turned around, his eyes moving up to the little princess's shoulders. Seeing that her cloak was all draped behind her, he reminded her, "Your Highness, please pull your cloak tighter."
Qingyang: "Give me the reins, you help me to tie them up."
Having spent ten years as a tutor in the Eastern Palace, Zhang Su was too familiar with the little princess's temper to refuse. He handed the reins to the little princess for the time being, and as he walked, he grasped the sides of the little princess's cloak and brought it in front of her. Because he was tall enough, he was able to do this movement very calmly, without any awkwardness or reluctance.
Just as Zhang Su was about to take back the reins, the little princess above him spoke again: "It's a rare occasion for your family to be together. Even if I leave the palace next time, you won't be required to accompany me. You should spend more time with the Duke and his wife."
Zhang Su nodded, facing forward and following the pace of his mount.
Qingyang: "Conquering the Pyu Kingdom is no easy task, and Deng Chong has a bad temper. But with your elder brother accompanying you, I believe you two brothers are united and should be able to handle it."
Zhang Su: "I will take good care of myself. Your Highness and the Third Prince don't have to worry."
Qingyang smiled: "I'm the one who cares about you, why are you mentioning Third Brother?"
Zhang Su was silent.
Qingyang raised his right foot and kicked him lightly.
Zhang Su instantly grasped the little princess's boot and put it back into the stirrup. After stepping back, he said sternly, "Your Highness is already grown up. You should not do such dangerous things anymore."
Qingyang: "My cloak is loose again. I'm cold."
Zhang Su had no choice but to come back and help the little princess put on her cloak again.
Qingyang lowered his head, looked at the jade-like face in front of him, and chuckled softly, "Yes, I have grown up, and my father is ready to find a prince consort for me."
Zhang Su paused, then put his hand down as if nothing had happened, his eyelashes drooping.
Qingyang knew his temper well and said nothing more.
They arrived at the Third Prince's Mansion and the carriage stopped first. Zhang Su pulled the reins to stop his horse.
The little princess stretched out her hand toward him, the meaning of which was self-evident.
Zhang Su hesitated slightly and stepped forward to help the person.
With Qingyang's current height, she could dismount by herself, but she first took her feet out of the stirrups, then put her legs together to one side, sat sideways and leaned towards Zhang Su.
It only took a split second for Zhang Su to jump down. He instinctively caught the little princess and held her tightly for fear that she would fall.
When he put his arms around the little princess' waist, the little princess also put her arms around his neck.
"Do you like it?"
Qingyang looked at the person in front of him and asked.
Zhang Su tilted his head, his chest heaving, as if he didn't hear or didn't understand, and he had no intention of asking further questions. He turned around and prepared to let her go.
The little princess cooperated and stood up, but the cloak on her shoulders fell off. Fortunately, Zhang Su grabbed it in time and it did not fall to the ground.
"Tie it for me." Qingyang ordered.
Zhang Su had no choice but to do as he was told.
Qingyang looked up and, as expected, met the pair of eyes that continued to avoid her. Qingyang smiled, using his tall figure to cover his eyes, and raised his hand to hold the hand that was tying the belt of her cloak. Although he had been holding the reins for her all the way, the hand was actually hot and trembling slightly for some reason.
"Come back well, I'll be waiting for you."
Since the ministers dare not offend their superiors, she will show her favor.
【Author’s words】
Here I come, 100 red envelopes, see you tonight~
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