Chapter 315 Let’s go back together
Half a month later, Princess Zhaohua officially entered the court as the crown prince and began to take charge of state affairs.
Daxia's conquest of Sheng State also made other countries plot against and fear Daxia, so they were ready to take action, and even imposed restrictions on Daxia's trade activities in many ways, and even intended to unite other countries to encircle and suppress Daxia.
It was not until the war really broke out and the Great Xia cavalry crushed the capital that the various countries gave up their desire to go to war under the terrifying and treacherous tactics and absolute suppression by force.
The country whose capital was crushed by the Black Armor Army quickly surrendered, but was destroyed because of its advocacy of war. It was incorporated into the territory of Daxia and governed by counties.
With the lessons learned from the previous incident, within a year, all the countries in the Central Plains sent envoys to the court and signed tributary agreements with Daxia one after another.
From then on, Daxia became the undisputed greatest power in the Central Plains, drawing tribute from all corners of the world. According to the new system, only the emperor of Daxia could be called "Jun," while the rulers of other vassal states could only be called "Guozhu," clearly distinguishing between high and low.
Two years later, the previous emperor abdicated and Princess Zhaohua Lin Zhaoyue succeeded to the throne, becoming the first empress since the founding of Daxia.
After the empress ascended the throne, her former aide, Su Changxue, though not granted a formal position, often accompanied the empress, participating in confidential discussions and managing secret affairs. Both the court and the people alike referred to him as "Master Su." He was known for his elusive nature and his calculated tactics. Though he held no official position or title, he wielded the power of life and death, his words determining the fate of the court.
The commander of the Flame Army, Xia Yu, who had made outstanding military achievements, was personally named king by the empress because of his great victory on the border and his outstanding military power. He became the first queen in the history of the Xia Dynasty and was feared by all.
Xiao Tingye, the former head of the Privy Council, still held a high position at court, wielding immense influence and power. However, the court officials gradually noticed that this Lord Xiao was increasingly frequent in and out of the palace, his whereabouts elusive. While some secretly observed this, no one dared to speak publicly. Instead, some officials, both overtly and covertly, petitioned the Empress to "distinguish loyalty from treachery and not be seduced by beauty."
Since Pei Wanxing entered the cabinet, he was appreciated and recommended by many university scholars, and within half a year he became the head of the cabinet.
Although she has not yet been officially appointed as prime minister, all the civil and military officials in the court know that with her talent and influence, it is only a matter of time before she becomes prime minister.
Everyone sighed and said that Master Pei had raised such an outstanding daughter that he would probably wake up laughing in his dreams.
The man who used to argue with Lord Xiao in the court has now become a big shot in front of Her Majesty the Queen, Lord Pei.
Although in a sense, Lord Xiao was a favorite of Her Majesty the Queen, Lord Pei and Lord Xiao did not get along and often had different political views and argued with each other in the court.
One day, Ming Xi stood quietly in the imperial study, watching Lin Zhaoyue calmly reviewing memorials. He couldn't help but ask, "Your Majesty seems to never interfere in the disputes between Xiao Tingye and Master Pei?"
Lin Zhaoyue took up her pen and wrote slowly, "If there is only one voice in the court, then wouldn't I, the monarch, become a mere decoration?"
Mingxi was puzzled.
But he soon figured it out, "So Lord Pei and Xiao Tingye are acting?"
In Mingxi's opinion, Pei Wanxing is loyal to Her Majesty the Queen, and Xiao Tingye is also a mad dog tied up by Her Majesty the Queen.
Since they both belong to the same master, why are they arguing endlessly? What confuses him even more is that Pei Wanxing, who used to treat Xiao Tingye like a rat meeting a cat, now dares to repeatedly confront him.
Lin Zhaoyue paused with her writing and smiled meaningfully, "It's not just acting."
Mingxi stared at the rice paper on the table, and suddenly seemed to think of something.
"Is it Su Changxue?"
He recently discovered that Su Changxue and Pei Wanxing were very close.
Could it be that the person behind Pei Wanxing is Su Changxue?
Lin Zhaoyue smiled but said nothing.
Mingxi already understood.
Su Changxue had always been wary of Xiao Tingye's excessive power, and had an old grudge against him. Therefore, he secretly nurtured Pei Wanxing, allowing him to openly rival Xiao Tingye. The Empress, in tacitly allowing this situation, was not only playing a double-faced rivalry with the ministers, allowing one to play the villain and the other to ensure the smooth flow of government and maintain a balanced court, but also using the power of the two to counterbalance other factions and prevent any one faction from dominating.
Even though Xiao Tingye holds a great importance in her heart, His Majesty still keeps everything firmly under his control in terms of power politics.
The court situation is like a chess game, and she is always the one holding the pieces.
Her Majesty is so clear-headed that Mingxi admires and respects her even more.
When Mingxi was lost in thought, Lin Zhaoyue's words rang out softly.
"Mingxi, do you want to go home?"
Mingxi was suddenly stunned, and her blue pupils trembled.
Lin Zhaoyue looked at him, her lips curved slightly. "What? Have you forgotten the deal we made?"
Mingxi was stunned for a moment, her eyes full of water.
He knelt respectfully and prostrated himself before her.
He almost trembled as he spoke, choking with sobs with each word: "Ming Xi, I have never forgotten."
He has been waiting for this day.
But I dare not hope for this day.
He was looking forward to it, but also afraid.
He wanted to go home, but he was afraid that if he left her, she would never want him again.
Even though she had promised him, he was still afraid.
Her cool hand gently fell on his cheek, soft and with a faint and familiar fragrance that belonged only to her.
"Then let's go back." She chuckled and added, "Let's go together."
Linyue Palace.
Xiao Tingye was only wearing casual clothes, and even the buttons of his clothes were not fully buttoned, when he met Su Changxue who came to the palace.
His black hair was hanging down wantonly, without even a bun, and he looked as if he had just crawled out of bed, his hair was so messy that it seemed a little too unruly.
And this Linyue Palace is clearly the bedroom of Her Majesty the Queen.
This can't help but arouse people's imagination.
But the people in the palace seemed to have gotten used to it. Even at the morning court the next day, Lord Xiao and Her Majesty the Queen left the bedroom one after the other, and they were used to it.
The two of them sat quietly under a lush osmanthus tree. On the stone table lay an unfinished game of chess, with black and white pieces intertwined, concealing a mystery.
Su Changxue knew at a glance that this unfinished game must have been left by her and the person in front of her.
Xiao Tingye picked up the teacup and took a sip. The fragrance of the tea was refreshing, but it couldn't hide the temptation in his voice. "If I remember correctly, Shenli Valley has always had a tradition of not serving in the imperial court. But Master Su—although he is not in the imperial court, his heart is always with the court of Great Xia. He is even willing to personally cultivate a student like Pei Wanxing."
Su Changxue made no secret of it, and the corners of her lips curled up slightly. "Pei Wanxing is your majesty's confidant. I taught her to check and balance Lord Xiao. After all, I don't want Lord Xiao to become a hidden danger to your majesty."
Xiao Tingye's face turned cold, and a chill condensed in his voice: "Hidden danger?"
Su Changxue raised an eyebrow. "One must be on guard against others. After all, since ancient times, there have been concubines in the harem with ill intentions, right? So what if they sleep in the same bed? Even if their hearts are not together, they are still the same. Even if they share the same bed, they can have different dreams, let alone the king and his subjects?"
Xiao Tingye's calm voice was filled with coldness: "Then I can clearly tell you, Master Su, that all your wishful thinking will fail in this life."
Su Changxue chuckled softly, raised her eyes and met his, her gaze clear and sharp: "Then, it's best to do so."
He knew that the other party's words were both a warning to him and a way of telling him that he would never see the day when he betrayed her.
Thaksin.
But believing does not mean not being on guard.
He could calculate anyone except her, and they were all just pawns in the chess game.
He thought, for the person in front of him.
Maybe the same.
Xiao Tingye curled his lips slightly, "Master Su, you must also be careful. After all, I will never show mercy to those who betray her. If that day ever comes..."
He stared at Su Changxue, his words slowing down, each word cutting through the air, "I will tear you into pieces."
When the two looked at each other, they saw expectation and threat in each other's eyes, and the murderous intent they revealed was not concealed at all.
It seems that everyone wants to see that day, but also doesn't want to see that day.
After a long time, they smiled at each other, raised their glasses and drank, the wine flowing down their throats.
The breeze blew through the treetops, ruffling his clothes, and the cold murderous intent just now seemed to dissipate without a trace.
Spring of the 350th year of the Xia calendar.
A carriage slowly drove out of the capital, accompanied by personal guards in front and behind.
The handsome young man driving the car was beaming with joy, unable to conceal it. Only Mu Ying beside him asked softly, "Your Majesty, are you really not going to tell Lord Xiao and Young Master Su?"
Lin Zhaoyue was reading Xiao Qi's new storybook with great interest. Upon hearing this, the corners of her lips curled up slightly and she said nonchalantly, "Why tell them? If they have the guts, they'll come after us."
Ming Xi grinned happily, "That's right, why tell them? It will make them anxious to death."
Mu Ying touched her nose and couldn't help laughing when she thought of the anxious looks of the two people.
Sure enough, Lin Zhaoyue had just left the capital.
Immediately afterwards, two people galloped out of the palace, their horses' hooves raising a cloud of dust. They were so fast that even the palace gate guards couldn't see who they were and could only stare blankly with dust on their faces.
At the same time, in Pei Mansion.
Pei Wanxing looked at the secret order in his hand, suddenly stood up, and slammed towards the wall.
The young man who was serving beside him hurried forward to stop him: "Sir, why are you doing this?"
Pei Wanxing looked up at the sky in grief and anger, and let out a long howl: "Ahhhhh——!"
"Your Majesty actually abandoned me and ran away!!"
And left behind such a huge mess!!
At the end of the secret order, there was a line of words written solemnly:
"Pei Aiqing, you must work hard!"
(over)
Easter Eggs:
On Lin Zhaoyue's way to the Mermaid Kingdom, the barrage that had disappeared for a long time appeared again.
[Hello? Princess, can you still see me? ]
【Ahhh, I, Hu Hansan, am finally back! !】
Lin Zhaoyue raised her eyes and was stunned.
[I knew we'd meet again! Where are we now? Holy crap! The princess finally becomes empress! !]
[I cried so hard, I knew the princess wouldn't let us down! ]
[Princess, is this the golden barrage you lost or the pink barrage you lost? Or do you want both?]
【Hey, where is the princess going now? 】
[Of course, I have to help Mingxi restore his country! ]
[I know a little about this! Princess, let me tell you, the Mermaid Kingdom...]
Seeing the familiar comments and tone in front of her, Lin Zhaoyue's eyes slowly filled with tears, and the corners of her lips couldn't help but curl up.
At the moment when the vision blurred.
But my eyes were flooded with countless identical subtitles.
【I want to accompany the princess to see this world!!】
…
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