The army returned in triumph, and the emperor was overjoyed.
Emperor Zhao Changheng held a celebration in the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
The generals of Youzhou were rewarded one by one for their merits.
The successful subjugation of the neighboring countries was largely due to the brilliant strategies of Han Wenzheng, a scholar of the Hanlin Academy.
The emperor commended Han and promoted him to the position of compiler.
He was promoted directly from a sixth-rank Hanlin Compiler to a fifth-rank Grand Secretary of the Wenyuan Pavilion.
His promotion of three ranks in quick succession shocked the court and the public.
As for King Zhao Changqing of Yue, his contributions are beyond question.
However, he was already second only to the emperor, and his rank could not be promoted any further; he could only be rewarded with material gifts.
Money, houses, land...
The emperor also whispered to his younger brother, "Is there anything else you want? Tell me privately after the victory banquet."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Changqing's eyes lit up.
It was a rare occasion for the generals, who had been stationed at the border for so long, to come to the capital to attend a victory celebration banquet.
Everyone started drinking heartily, clinking glasses and toasting each other until they were completely drunk.
Emperor Zhao Changheng, unable to hold his liquor, left early, leaving the others to drink freely.
Zhao Changqing had something on his mind, so he didn't stay long.
He quietly slipped into the imperial study and knelt before Zhao Changheng.
"Your Majesty, your younger brother desires a reward."
It was rare for his younger brother to ask him for anything, but today he actually did, which made Zhao Changheng feel very satisfied.
"Fourth brother, get up first. Just tell me what reward you want."
Zhao Changqing remained kneeling without moving.
"Your Majesty, I would like to request an imperial decree to grant us a marriage."
Zhao Changheng was quite surprised: "Whom do you want me to bestow a marriage upon?"
Zhao Changqing knelt even more firmly on the ground, and even kowtowed: "Your Majesty, please grant my brother and Han Xiuzhuan's mother a marriage."
The air suddenly fell silent for a moment.
Those who hear this need a moment to react.
Just as Zhao Changheng was about to say something, he suddenly heard a loud voice.
"No! I disagree!"
Then, two little figures crawled out from under the curtain of the imperial desk.
"Wenqi? Wenyi? What are you doing under the Imperial Desk?" Zhao Changqing asked in surprise.
Zhao Wenqi scratched his head: "I...I saw Fourth Prince come in and wanted to play hide-and-seek with him."
Zhao Wenyi looked somewhat embarrassed: "I was dragged in by Wenqi."
Okay, that's something Zhao Wenqi is capable of doing.
Zhao Changqing suddenly thought of something else: "Wenqi, why don't you agree?"
Zhao Wenqi put his hands on his hips and said, "Fourth Imperial Uncle, what will happen to me if you marry Auntie?"
Now it was Zhao Changheng's turn to be confused.
"No... what does your fourth uncle getting married have to do with you?"
“It’s related, very related!” Zhao Wenqi said seriously. “If you two become a couple, you’ll often sneak off to play together, hiding from the children. Then I won’t be able to play with my aunt as often.”
Zhao Changqing's ears burned: "How could that be?"
“Yes, that’s how it was. Father and Mother were always like that!” Zhao Wenqi said, looking at his father.
Father Zhao Changheng also felt a little hot.
But there's no way to refute it.
He and the Empress were always deeply in love.
Before ascending the throne, they weren't as busy as they are now, and the two were inseparable, often finding excuses to send the children away so they could enjoy time alone together.
Zhao Changheng couldn't help but cough lightly: "Ahem... well... your Fourth Imperial Uncle can't stay single forever... so you're not going to let him get married?"
Zhao Wenqi rolled his eyes: "Fourth Imperial Uncle can marry other people, but this aunt is mine, and he can't marry her."
Hearing him say that, Zhao Changqing's stubbornness flared up.
He said coldly, "I've made up my mind to marry her, and your objections are useless."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Wenqi angrily turned around and tried to pull Zhao Wenyi away.
"Brother Crown Prince, tell me, do you also not want Fourth Prince to marry Aunt?"
When Zhao Changqing saw him pull the Crown Prince into the battle, he felt as if a weight had been lifted from his heart.
The Crown Prince is dignified and never speaks carelessly, much less acts recklessly like that brat Zhao Wenqi.
Crown Prince Zhao Wenyi nodded solemnly: "Yes, I also disagree with Fourth Imperial Uncle marrying Aunt."
Zhao Changqing was dumbfounded.
What happened to being solemn and not acting recklessly?
He didn't understand, and Zhao Changheng, who was listening to their conversation, understood even less.
"Wait a minute!" He held out his hand to stop them from continuing, "You two children, explain to me first, what is your relationship with Han Xiuzhuan's mother? Do you know her? When did this happen?"
Zhao Wenqi eagerly spoke up: "Father, I know her, I know her. When I was in Jizhou, my aunt was so good to me. She would give me tree bark to eat, elm seeds from the trees, and even have Brother Ali teach me how to wash clothes. She also let me feed the chickens..."
The emperor rubbed his temples.
Feeding the prince tree bark? Making the prince do chores?
This doesn't sound like it's for his own good...
The emperor had no choice but to turn to the crown prince.
It's unrealistic to expect Zhao Wenqi to explain complex matters clearly; the Crown Prince's description is more reliable.
"Your Highness, come and explain to me what's going on between you two."
The Crown Prince is indeed reliable.
Each and every case was explained clearly.
After listening, Zhao Changheng finally understood the whole story.
His eyes held a complex expression as he looked at his fourth brother, who was still kneeling on the ground.
It turns out that Han Xiuzhuan's mother was a woman from the Han family of Jizhou.
It turns out that the reason why the fourth prince was unwilling to be made a king was because of this person.
Now, the reason for requesting the imperial decree to grant marriage is also for this person.
After all the twists and turns, it's still the same person.
He had met He Youyou before.
I have some understanding of it.
I admire it very much.
Now, after hearing what the Crown Prince said, he realized that she had actually been very good at educating the two children.
She deserves a lot of credit for Wenqi becoming who she is today.
He is insightful, wise, courageous, and magnanimous.
He did not object to such a woman marrying his fourth brother and becoming the Princess of Yue.
but……
The second prince, hands on his hips, said, "Fourth Imperial Uncle, give up. My brother, the Crown Prince, and I will not allow Father to bestow a marriage upon you."
The King of Yue said coldly, "Even if you don't grant me the marriage, it doesn't matter. I've already told Youyou that I'll go find her as soon as I leave the palace."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Wenqi's eyes widened in surprise.
Without saying a word, she pounced on Zhao Changqing, wrapped her arms around his neck, and hugged him tightly.
"Wherever you go, I'll go. I won't let you succeed!"
Upon seeing this, Zhao Changheng quietly tugged at the Crown Prince's sleeve.
"Ahem, Fourth Brother, this arranged marriage... I'll think about it some more. You two have fun on your own, I'm taking the Crown Prince with me."
With that, he pulled the Crown Prince along and quickly left the Imperial Study.
Let the two brats sort out their own business.
At night, there was a knock on the door of the Han residence.
A guest has arrived.
He Youyou came out to greet them, but was somewhat surprised.
"Minzhi? It's you?"
The person who arrived was none other than Cheng Tingrui.
Cheng Tingrui forced a smile, but couldn't hide the sadness in his eyes: "Who does Youyou think it is?"
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