Chapter 530 Return and Reunion (Second Update)
Along with the soldiers, the old Marquis's carriage and Princess Ning'an's carriage also returned.
The old Marquis's limbs were broken, and even if Gu Jiao reattached them, the recovery wouldn't be quick. After arriving in the capital, he went straight back to the Marquis's residence.
Gu Changqing and Tang Yueshan escorted Princess Ning'an's carriage into the palace.
The emperor was very excited, not only by the triumphant return of the three armies, but also by the fact that Princess Ning'an, whom he had been separated from for so many years, had finally returned to his side.
The emperor first went to the imperial study to meet Tang Yueshan, Gu Changqing, and the generals, praising their performance in the battle without reservation: "...After the court session, I will reward them all handsomely!"
Issuing an imperial edict to reward meritorious officials is a major event, concerning the hearts of the people as well as the prestige of the royal family and the Zhao Kingdom. It must be read aloud in the Golden Palace in front of all civil and military officials.
"Your Majesty, I dare not claim credit!" Tang Yueshan cupped his hands and said solemnly, "Your Majesty, I suffered a defeat at Yecheng, causing the loss of nearly ten thousand soldiers to the imperial army. I am guilty and beg Your Majesty to punish me!"
After saying that, he lifted his skirt and knelt down.
The emperor walked around the desk, came to him personally, and helped him up, saying, "Grand Marshal, there's no need for this. Victory and defeat are common occurrences in war. Besides, it was the remnants of the previous dynasty who deliberately set up an ambush. When we left the capital, no one expected that the Chen army would invade the northern border of Zhao."
If Marquis Xuanping were here, this matter might have been resolved. Marquis Xuanping is shameless and doesn't feel ashamed even after suffering a defeat, but Tang Yueshan can't get over it.
He couldn't accept his defeat.
He felt ashamed.
The emperor was in a bind; how could he punish Tang Yueshan? Tang Yueshan had indeed lost in Ye City, but that was with 10,000 troops against 80,000 troops from the Chen Kingdom. Who could possibly win?
Even the emperor wanted to curse Tang Yueshan. Aren't you too arrogant? What makes you think that 10,000 shouldn't lose against 80,000? Do you think you're Xuanyuan Li, the God of War of Yan?
Even Marquis Xuanping wouldn't dare to make such a boast.
However, it's best for the emperor to keep these thoughts to himself; it wouldn't be appropriate to say them aloud.
These past few days he has been pondering his mother's way of employing people and has figured out many things. For example, Tang Yueshan's arrogance now seems to him to have some merit.
Tang Yueshan's arrogance comes with action, not just words. He will work hard for it and demand more of himself.
Tang Yueshan played a crucial role in making the Tang family archers famous throughout the six states, even on par with the archers of the Yan state.
"Ahem, there's no need for punishment. My dear minister, you have just rendered great service. If I were to punish you at this time, wouldn't that chill the hearts of the soldiers and the people?"
Tang Yueshan said with deep sorrow, "I am ashamed to accept this punishment! I beg Your Majesty to punish me!"
Gu Changqing said indifferently, "Grand Marshal Tang, you shouldn't make things difficult for His Majesty. You are a meritorious official, and it would be unwise for His Majesty to punish you. If you really feel guilty, you should accept the punishment yourself. I think Jiaojiao's needle torture would be quite good."
Tang Yueshan immediately shut up.
After leaving the palace, the two mounted their respective horses.
Just as Gu Changqing was about to ride away, Tang Yueshan suddenly called out to him: "You'd better take care of your mother's matter."
Gu Changqing frowned as she looked at him.
Tang Yueshan said, "Your mother is a member of the Ling family. If she is a spy, haven't you considered that members of the Ling family might also be spies?"
Gu Changqing was silent for a moment, then said, "My grandfather also suspected this possibility, but he had been investigating the Ling family for years without finding anything. He only knew that my mother had gone missing when she was very young and was found a year later."
Tang Yueshan asked suspiciously, "You mean the Ling family's daughter had already been replaced by someone else back then? Someone who looked similar—your mother?"
Gu Changqing nodded: "Based on the evidence my grandfather possessed, this is the most reasonable possibility."
Tang Yueshan tugged at the reins: "I advise you to keep a close eye on the Ling family. Better safe than sorry. Now that I know your secret, I'm practically an accomplice. Don't drag me into this."
Gu Changqing said calmly, "If that day ever comes, just pretend you don't know anything."
Tang Yueshan chuckled and said, "Then who can guarantee you won't bite me out of it?"
Gu Changqing ignored him and rode away.
Tang Yueshan clicked his tongue and shook his head: "Young man, you really have a bad temper."
Just then, several palace servants carrying purchased goods returned to the palace and accidentally bumped into Tang Yueshan's horse, causing the horse to neigh in fright.
Tang Yueshan flew into a rage on the spot: "Are you blind?! Are you looking for death?!"
Palace servant: "..."
On the way back, Gu Changqing did seriously consider the situation that Tang Yueshan mentioned. He ignored Tang Yueshan because he and Gu Chengfeng would never implicate Tang Yueshan unless Tang Yueshan betrayed them first.
During his time on the frontier, his grandfather talked to him a lot about his mother.
His grandfather had also worried that the Ling family might be hiding other spies, so he had been secretly investigating the Ling family all these years, but had not found anything.
However, there were a few servants and maids in the mansion who had been dishonest. After the Empress Dowager Jing's affair was exposed, my grandfather found out about them and dealt with them one by one.
In his view, the possibility that the Ling family has problems is not high.
However, as the saying goes, "better safe than sorry," Tang Yueshan was right; it's never a bad thing to be cautious.
After returning to his residence, Gu Changqing summoned several guards to keep a close watch on the Ling family before paying his respects to Old Madam Gu and Lord Gu.
Meanwhile, after meeting with Tang Yueshan and Gu Changqing's entourage, the emperor immediately went to Renshou Palace.
He met Princess Ning'an, whom he had not seen for many years, in the warm pavilion of Renshou Palace. Princess Ning'an was still wearing the clothes of the frontier. After recognizing Empress Dowager Zhuang, her eyes were red and there were still glistening tears in her eyes.
Twenty years have passed. She is no longer the spirited and charming young girl she once was. She is now a married woman, and the years and the wind and sand of the frontier have left their marks on her face.
She looked haggard and was very thin.
The emperor almost didn't recognize her.
What about Ning An, who was as beautiful as a peach blossom?
What about that innocent and carefree little sister?
Where is that little girl who used to cling to his arm and always playfully complained that he didn't have enough time to spend with her?
It's gone.
there is none left.
The hardships she endured on the frontier were etched on her face; if you didn't know she was a royal princess, you might mistake her for a commoner woman.
The emperor felt a sharp pain in his heart, as if pierced by needles!
Even the usually composed Empress Dowager Zhuang couldn't help but tear up.
"Your Majesty..." Princess Ning'an choked back tears as she knelt before the emperor.
The emperor helped her up, preventing her from kneeling: "Get up!"
Princess Ning'an shook her head with tears in her eyes, insisting on kneeling down: "This kneeling is right, Ning'an is guilty... Ning'an was blind... married the wrong person... let a wolf into the house... brought such war and disaster upon the people of Zhao Kingdom and the borderlands... it's all Ning'an's fault... Ning'an deserves to die..."
Her tears fell in large drops, landing on her wrinkled dress and on the gleaming floor.
The emperor held her shoulders tightly, his throat tightening with pain: "Don't say anymore... please don't say anymore..."
Princess Ning'an, unable to hide her self-reproach, said, "Ning'an must speak! The Empress Dowager and His Majesty have repeatedly obstructed Ning'an... It was Ning'an who insisted on her own way... Ning'an disobeyed the Empress Dowager and His Majesty... Ning'an deserves to die..."
The Emperor felt as if his heart was being torn apart by Ning An's tears: "You are my sister! I will not allow you to say such things! What happened back then is in the past. You were used by others, it was not your fault... Please do not blame yourself... Neither my mother nor I have ever held a grudge against you... Don't belittle yourself... Get up now!"
The emperor forcibly pulled Princess Ning'an up.
Princess Ning'an wept uncontrollably.
The emperor then looked at the twelve or thirteen-year-old boy sitting in a wheelchair beside him, his eyes flickering slightly, and asked, "This is...?"
Princess Ning'an turned to the boy and said, her voice choked with emotion, "Xian'er, quickly greet your uncle."
Compared to Princess Ning'an's breakdown, Huangfu Xian appeared much calmer. He didn't shed a single tear, nor did he show any sadness or excitement at the reunion.
He just stared straight at the emperor, seemingly unaware that such direct staring was extremely impolite.
"uncle."
He called out coldly.
This greeting was neither warm nor respectful, and neither the emperor, as an uncle nor as the ruler of a country, would be satisfied with it.
However, the emperor had always been endlessly tolerant of Princess Ning'an, so he did not hold Huangfu Xian's rudeness against him.
The emperor's gaze fell on Huangfu Xian's wheelchair, and he asked, "What happened to Xian'er's leg? Is it injured? Has the imperial physician been summoned?"
"Heh~" Huangfu Xian laughed coldly.
"Xian'er!" Princess Ning'an's expression turned solemn. "You must not be disrespectful to His Majesty!"
(End of this chapter)
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