Chapter 104 Reunited, Standing Side by Side, A Bright Future Ahead...
Luoyang was indeed as prosperous as imagined. The streets were wide, lined with newly green willows and locust trees, and the markets were bustling with activity, displaying a dazzling array of goods. Shops from all over the country stood side by side, and even the canal wharves were grand in scale, teeming with people, a scene full of vitality.
The emperor was diligent in his duties, personally handling everything after returning to the capital. Since arriving in Luoyang, Shi Wan had found an excuse to stay at an inn outside the palace. There was an unspoken understanding between the two, and they did not disturb each other.
Shi Wan did not intend to stay long, but Luoyang was so prosperous that the more she got to know it, the more she discovered it exceeded her expectations. The people praised the current emperor highly, and the reduction of taxes and levies, as well as the reform of the bureaucracy, all of these things gave the old capital a new vitality.
Outside the palace, all was peaceful and serene; inside, the dust of war had not yet settled, and layers of pressure were already mounting.
In late March, as the Qingming Festival approached and preparations for the ancestral worship ceremony were underway, a secret rumor circulated among the court officials: His Majesty had returned from his southern tour with an unidentified woman by his side, and that she had been placed somewhere in Luoyang.
For a time, people's hearts were unsettled, and the long-suppressed matter of establishing an empress was once again frequently mentioned.
Inside the Qianqing Palace, Jiang Xu had just finished reading the memorials when several senior officials outside said they had something to report. As soon as they entered, before they could even exchange a few words about politics, one of them, using the pretext that the Empress needed to preside over the ancestral worship ceremony, brought up the old topic again: "Your Majesty, you have been on the throne for three years, and the position of Empress has been vacant for a long time. This matter concerns the foundation of the country and the state."
"With the Qingming Festival approaching and the ancestral worship ceremony just around the corner, the fact that the six palaces are without an occupant is probably not a good omen!"
Seeing this, another old minister immediately chimed in, "Yes, Your Majesty, please prioritize the stability of the country and decide on the appointment of an empress as soon as possible to reassure the people."
Upon hearing this, the others echoed in agreement, though some harbored ulterior motives and seized the opportunity to suggest praising their own daughters for their virtuous and gentle conduct.
Jiang Xu sat high at the head of the table, his expression unchanged. His gaze casually swept over two of the ministers who had not spoken. These two stood like clay or wooden statues, eyes downcast, seemingly oblivious to their own thoughts. When they noticed the emperor's gaze, they merely lowered their heads even further.
"I will make my own decision on this matter." Jiang Xu's voice was calm. As soon as he spoke, the low discussions and admonitions below subsided. "The ancestral worship ceremony can proceed according to the old customs."
The people below exchanged glances, all looking shocked. His Majesty had previously said "Do not mention this matter," but now it had become "He has his own decision."
It seems... the previous rumors might not have been true!
After everyone left, Shi Wan stood beside Jiang Xu and respectfully bowed his head, saying, "Madam went to the vicinity of Wenyuan Pavilion. The autumn examinations are approaching, and students from all over the country are here."
Shi Wan was not in high spirits throughout the journey. It wasn't until she arrived in Luoyang and wandered around alone that she seemed to regain some of her former self. Jiang Xu saw this and couldn't help but feel even more bitter.
Dark, heavy clouds reappeared between his brows, lingering for a long time. After a long while, he whispered, "Change your clothes and go to Wenyuan Pavilion."
*
As the autumn imperial examinations approached, the Wenyuan Pavilion in western Luoyang was a gathering place for the nation's most talented individuals.
Looking around, all you see are elegant colors like green, white, and blue. Students, some carrying bamboo baskets full of books, others holding scrolls, chat quietly in twos and threes in the teahouse or under the shade of trees.
Shi Wan stayed there for a short while and soon felt herself surrounded by the scents of tea and ink. The students, full of youthful vigor, were a sight to behold. After observing them for a while, she began to casually stroll around the area.
The autumn imperial examinations also brought business opportunities, with many vendors waiting nearby to sell books, local specialties, and a wide variety of other items.
As Shi Wan was making her selection, she suddenly heard a familiar voice beside her, low and husky, rising up and entering her ear.
She was startled and looked up, only to find herself unexpectedly locked in eye contact with Jiang Xu. The man was dressed casually, but his aura became momentarily disordered due to the sudden closeness. His tall shadow loomed over her, and all her thoughts seemed to be laid bare at that moment.
This feeling is extremely familiar.
Shi Wan subconsciously took a half step back. "What are you doing here?" But as soon as she spoke, she felt a pulling sensation on her wrist. It wasn't as strong as before, but rather like a puppy wagging its tail in pleading. It was gentle, but not so easy to break free from.
She tried but couldn't free her hand, so she simply pursed her lips and remained silent, her thick eyelashes drooping as she stared blankly at a spot on the ground.
Jiang Xu naturally sensed the suspicion in her words. He concealed his displeasure, his voice trembling slightly, "I didn't mean to follow you, it's just that Luoyang is a crowded and dangerous place, and I couldn't help but worry about your safety." His voice grew even more bitter as he spoke, "Are you happy to see the new person?"
Upon hearing this, Shi Wan felt a little annoyed, but considering Jiang Xu's many changes in the past, she hesitated for a moment before replying slowly, "Are you reminding me?"
Jiang Xu dared not anger her, so he could only silently lower his eyes. Shi Wan chuckled, "Your Majesty has quite the refined taste. You say you're protecting me, but isn't it actually surveillance?"
"Of course not."
"No?" Shi Wan took the opportunity to break free of his wrist. "Your Majesty is busy with countless affairs of state. I never thought you would have time to care where I go and who I meet."
"A commoner?" Jiang Xu paused, staring into Shi Wan's eyes, which held no emotion whatsoever. He felt a surge of jealousy that he couldn't quite contain, and could only listlessly say, "They are not a good match."
"The autumn imperial examinations are approaching, and Luoyang is full of talented people."
"If you are interested in making friends, you must... carefully discern them, and not be misled by frivolous words." These words sounded like a reminder, but the unease and subtle probing in them made Shi Wan feel increasingly conflicted.
“While men are known for their charm, I, a humble woman, am also mindful of my own boundaries.” After saying this, Shi Wan unconsciously looked at Jiang Xu’s expression again. The man’s eyes were long and narrow, and the emotions in his eyes were just as they had been before. Perhaps it was because they were close by, or perhaps it was because they hadn’t seen each other for many days, but this familiar conversation made her feel a little dazed once again.
A subtle, dense tug at her heartstrings, like thousands of threads entwining her, was so vividly present that she couldn't ignore it. Just like Jiang Xu, the moment he appeared, she subconsciously lost some of her attention.
Shi Wan composed herself and tried to turn her thoughts away.
However, both the conversation with Zhang Yiwen and the other outstanding students around me were like a gentle breeze passing by.
Jiang Xu kept a close eye on the person opposite him. When he noticed something amiss in her expression, he immediately asked, "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
Unexpectedly, the look that Shi Wan looked at was even more indescribable.
As the sun set, the afterglow of dusk shone through the alley behind Shi Wan. As if sensing something, she turned her head slightly, her fair face appearing somewhat unreal in the twilight and lamplight.
It seemed as if it would vanish in the next moment.
His heart clenched with pain. Recalling her several attempts to escape under his previous coercion, he could only endure it. His Adam's apple bobbed slightly, and he dared not be presumptuous. After a moment of silence, he abruptly changed the subject, "The Ministry of Rites... has submitted the list of candidates to be made empress."
Shi Wan stood still, her tone calm and unreadable. “I have been traveling through Luoyang these past few days and have witnessed firsthand how well His Majesty governs. The city is prosperous and the world is at peace. It is only natural for the court officials to urge us now.”
"Your Majesty... should appoint an Empress as soon as possible to secure the nation."
A gentle breeze stirred, and the sashes of their clothes lightly brushed against each other, intertwining and swirling. Jiang Xu's heart was in turmoil. He caught a glimpse of Shi Wan's blinking eyelashes and added a touch of seduction to his tone, "Wan'er, do you know... who I want?"
Jiang Xu thought the answer he would get this time would be the same as before, but to his surprise, Shi Wan looked up first, staring straight at him with a shocking impulse and a faint determination, "Then, Your Majesty, do you know what I want?"
"I know." Jiang Xu sensed something was off and quickly promised, "I will correct it and try my best to do so."
Seemingly to corroborate, he firmly stated, "Just like before."
Seeing his cautious demeanor, Shi Wan couldn't help but recall the last time Jiang Xu handed her the iron hairpin; its dark, faint glow was still undeniable.
She turned slightly to the side and suddenly looked up at the sky not far away. "The sunset in Luoyang is quite different from that in Jiangsu and Zhejiang. It seems... to be more dazzling."
"but......"
"Not bad."
Her amber eyes scrutinized every change in his expression. Seeing that he had suddenly realized something but remained frozen in place, she suddenly curved her lips into a smile.
His heart pounded, and he was overwhelmed with joy, but this time, Jiang Xu only moved a little closer to her, standing side by side, and together they looked at the sunset, a fiery, burning beauty.
It was dazzling and mesmerizing, like a dream.
......
The news of the emperor establishing an empress came extremely suddenly, accompanied by equally swift and decisive measures. Some people attempted to take this opportunity to recommend their daughters to serve in the palace, but all were turned away.
Perhaps because of his constant thoughts, everything seemed to move at a faster pace.
Although Shi Wan's attitude softened somewhat, she still lived outside the palace. Her establishment as empress was merely a pretext, and she did not reside in any of the palace halls thereafter.
The court officials had some complaints about this, but they couldn't withstand the Emperor's powerful methods. Seeing that he personally took the future Empress to see the academies he was overseeing, to see the bustling scene of merchants traveling from place to place, and even casually spread out memorials in front of the new Empress without any intention of concealing them, the psychological acceptance of the crowd increased considerably.
By the time they realized there was no way to change the situation, the ceremony for establishing an empress was already imminent.
On May 19th, the sky was clear and the breeze was gentle.
Outside the palace, bells and drums resounded, and white jade steps stretched from outside Chengtian Gate all the way to the front of Taiji Hall. On both sides, civil and military officials stood solemnly and silently.
Shi Wan was dressed in an empress's robe, solemn and luxurious. Light and shadow fell around her, and the intricate cloud patterns, adorned with pearl ornaments, shimmered with light as she moved. Shi Wan's eyes flickered and briefly met Jiang Xu's gaze.
Beside the distant mountains, forsythia has already bloomed, and clusters of emerald green are full of vitality.
At the bottom of the long steps, the two walked hand in hand forward.
Just then, clear and brilliant light shone over the towering eaves of the palace, falling perfectly on my side, creating a scene of gentle tranquility.
A gentle breeze blew by, and Shi Wan couldn't help but look up.
Beneath our feet, the road ahead is bright.
The light flows.
(End of text)
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Author's note: I need to adjust my mindset. I feel a bit conflicted about these two books. I will start writing the next book after I have the full manuscript saved.
See you again someday! Thank you for reading this far! [Laughs]
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