Chapter 693, Stealing the Spotlight
Mid-February was the anniversary of Grandma Gu's death, so Daohua did not return to Beijing with the Yan family. Instead, she waited until after the anniversary before slowly walking towards the capital with Gu Jian.
In ancient times, there were not many opportunities to travel far away. Daohua especially cherished this journey. She was not in a hurry to go to Beijing, but walked and stopped with Gu Jian, strolling around, as if they were going out for a trip.
On the third day after Daohua and Gu Jian left, a team of majestic cavalry arrived at Taohua Village.
Xiao Yeyang jumped off his horse and strode towards the top of Taohua Mountain. When he rushed into Taohua Temple, it was empty except for two villagers cleaning.
Upon learning that Daohua and Gu Jian had only been gone for two days, Xiao Yeyang was filled with regret. After offering incense to Granny Gu, he immediately led his men to chase them. Unfortunately, they did not encounter Daohua and Gu Jian until they reunited with the army returning to the capital.
The Yan family and their entourage arrived in Beijing in mid-February.
Yan Zhigao had lived in the capital once and knew where his house was. Without waiting for servants to pick him up, he took his family and went straight to Dongjiao Street.
When they arrived at the gate of Yan's mansion, Yan Wenxiu and his wife, who had received the news, were already waiting there.
Madam Li helped Old Madam Yan get off the carriage and looked around the mansion. Both the mother-in-law and the daughter-in-law were quite satisfied.
Old Madam Yan smiled and said, "Although it's not as big as Ningmen Mansion, it's much more magnificent."
Madam Li smiled and said, "The royal family's place is naturally more valuable than other places." As she said that, she took Madam Yan's arm and walked into the mansion. The two of them didn't care about being tired and toured the backyard with great interest.
Compared with the backyard of the Ningmen Mansion government office, there are far fewer courtyards in the capital. As there are many people in the family, Han Xinran did not dare to allocate the courtyards at will. He only cleaned up the old lady's courtyard and the main courtyard. The others were waiting for Madam Li to arrange.
After Mrs. Li knew about this, she left the most exquisite courtyard to her daughter without any hesitation or consideration. You know, their family was able to get this house because of their daughter.
As for Yan Yishuang, Yan Yihan and Yan Yile, since there were not many courtyards, they were allowed to live in the same courtyard.
Yan Yishuang was naturally a little dissatisfied with this, but her dissatisfaction was more directed at the sisters Yan Yihan and Yan Yile.
Yan Yishuang sat in the upper room angrily, watching the maid packing things. She glanced at the busy figures in the east and west wing rooms, and felt a little upset.
If the second sister and the fourth sister had not come to the capital with her, the eldest sister would definitely not live in the same courtyard with her, and then she would have her own courtyard.
Now I can only live in the same yard with others, and people are watching me when I go in and out. It’s so annoying!
While the women were packing up, Yan Zhigao rested for two days and then hurried to report to the Ministry of Revenue.
When the Minister of Revenue Xie Xingteng met Yan Zhigao, he did not make things difficult for him, but he was not very warm either. He just assigned him an unused task and had him taken away.
Yan Zhigao knew that he would be somewhat excluded when he first arrived at the Ministry of Revenue, but he didn't care much. After receiving the assignment, he went to familiarize himself with the Ministry.
As soon as the others left, Sun Chang, another assistant minister of the Ministry of Revenue, came in and looked at the Minister of Revenue in confusion: "Sir, Yan Zhigao is a man appointed by the emperor. Is it okay for you to do this?"
Sun Chang was promoted by the Minister of Revenue, so the Minister of Revenue would inevitably leak some inside information about his right-hand men.
The Minister of Revenue smiled and shook his head. "Although the Emperor values the Yan family, it's not easy for them to gain a foothold in the capital. You know, with Yan Zhigao's achievements in Ningmen Prefecture, he should have been transferred to the capital a year ago, but he didn't. Why do you think that is?"
Sun Chang's face suddenly became clear: "Someone is suppressing the Yan family?"
The Minister of Revenue smiled mysteriously and said, "Being an official in the capital requires more than just strong ability to do your job. It's hard to say whether the Yan family can gain a foothold in the capital."
Sun Chang's eyes flashed. It seemed that the person who suppressed the Yan family was of high status.
On the first day of March, the main streets of the capital were crowded with people who came to watch the army returning home. Every citizen wanted to witness the heroes defending the country.
At the beginning of the Si hour (9:00), the orderly army, led by Chu Gang, entered the city gate with solemn expressions.
As soon as the army entered the gate, they were warmly welcomed by the people.
Behind the army, a Jinling Guard muttered, "We, the Jinling Guard, played a significant role in bringing the war in the Northern Frontier to a close so quickly. But now, the army has stolen all the limelight."
Xue Xiangchen turned to look at Xiao Yeyang beside him: "What do you think?"
Xiao Yeyang replied calmly: "I will follow the commander's orders."
Xue Xiangchen snorted inwardly. He had never seen this guy so obedient before. Then he laughed and said loudly, "The glory that belongs to Jinling Guard cannot be taken away by anyone. Everyone, listen up, organize your team, and follow me to meet the emperor."
Hearing this, the Jinling Guards' faces lit up with joy. They lined up on their horses, raised their whips in unison, and rode into the city gate.
Because of the great victory of this battle, the emperor led all the civil and military officials to personally welcome the returning army at the palace gate.
Chu Gang and his soldiers were all excited about this.
At the palace gate.
Chu Gang and several generals dismounted and were about to salute the emperor when they heard the neat and clanging sound of horse hooves coming from behind.
In an instant, everyone, including the emperor, looked in the direction of the sound.
Seeing the Jinling Guards, dressed in uniform and riding tall horses with a solemn expression, rushing towards them, all the officials looked sideways. Even though they were far away, everyone still felt a strong sense of oppression.
Seeing the person coming, the emperor couldn't help but curl his lips, especially when he saw Chu Gang and the generals' unhappy faces as if they had stolen the limelight, the smile on his face deepened.
After a while, the Jinling Guards arrived at the palace gate.
All the Jinling Guards stopped their horses at almost the same time. Xue Xiangchen was the first to dismount, followed by the three young men behind him who were hard for anyone to ignore. After that, the rest of the Jinling Guards all dismounted in unison.
The momentum is well-organized and the troops are brave and majestic.
Xue Xiangchen knelt on one knee before the emperor, and the other Jinling Guards followed suit: "Your Majesty, I have fulfilled my mission and am returning with the Jinling Guards to report!"
The resounding voice echoed loudly above the palace gate.
The emperor raised his hand to signal the Jinling Guards to stand up, praised Xue Xiangchen a few words, and then his eyes fell on Xiao Yeyang behind him.
Looking at his nephew with a resolute face and extraordinary dignity, the emperor was sincerely happy. He took a step forward and patted Xiao Yeyang on the shoulder: "Good boy, you didn't embarrass me."
Xiao Yeyang's eyes instantly lit up with joy. Seeing Xue Xiangchen staring at him, he said modestly, "It's all thanks to the commander's good teaching."
The emperor looked at the grinning Xue Xiangchen, then looked at Chu Gang and the others who had been upstaged and had a sour look on their faces, and laughed loudly: "You are all meritorious officials. The palace has prepared a celebration banquet. Follow me into the palace."
As he spoke, he turned around and walked towards the palace gate, motioning Xiao Yeyang to follow him.
Xue Xiangchen, Chu Gang and others hurried to follow.
(End of this chapter)
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