"Proposing marriage?"
Bai Qian was stunned for a moment and didn't react for a long time. She was pulled onto the horse by Jiang He and then rode away.
Feeling the wind in her ears and the warm chest behind her, Bai Qian realized the situation: Jiang He said he wanted to go to the capital with her... to propose marriage?
"Didn't you say you wanted to stay in Lingzhou forever?"
A happy smile involuntarily spread across Bai Qian's face. She slightly raised her chin and asked loudly.
"If I stay in Lingzhou forever, won't I never be able to marry you?"
During the time Bai Qian had been in Lingzhou, every night after sending Bai Qian back to her courtyard, Jiang He would stand outside the courtyard for a long time, sometimes staring at the letter that Gu Qingyan had Bai Qian deliver.
Many things I hadn't understood before suddenly became clear after hearing about the women's college.
"And then what happens after the marriage proposal?"
When Bai Qian looked up, she saw the endless blue sky and the boundless land. At that moment, she felt that she had no regrets in this life.
"I will discuss the matter with the Empress and the Emperor before making a decision."
"What?"
Bai Qian could hardly believe her ears. "Jiang He, you...you mean you don't have to stay in Lingzhou either?"
Because of the deep-seated hatred between the Gu and Jiang families, Jiang He laid down his weapons and secluded himself in Lingzhou.
However, the emperor still retained the title of Marquis of Dingyuan, so that if Jiang He were willing to take up arms again one day, he could immediately have the identity to fight on the battlefield.
Everyone respected Jiang He's choice to go to Lingzhou.
Even the Empress herself didn't offer any advice.
The deep-seated hatred that has lasted for generations is probably a knot in the Empress's heart that is difficult to untie.
"Whoa—"
Jiang He tightened the reins, and the horse came to a stop with difficulty.
"The feud between the Gu and Jiang families should be buried with Gu Heng's death." As Jiang He said this, his heart felt as if it were being pricked by fine needles.
“Recently, I’ve been thinking about how Ayan is under tremendous pressure to clear the name of the Jiang family and let everyone know about the injustices suffered by the Jiang family’s ancestors.” Jiang He gripped Bai Qian’s hand tightly. “And Your Majesty, you asked me to bring all the people from the Dingyuan Marquis’s mansion to Lingzhou, which is equivalent to giving me an army.”
"Such sincere trust... if I stay in Lingzhou, I... I will feel guilty..."
Jiang He's eyes were tinged with a hint of crimson, especially when he heard that the Empress was facing off against the Great Wei. He felt both pride and worry.
"The Empress and the Emperor both just want you to feel at ease." Bai Qian snuggled into Jiang He's arms. "They also want you to feel at ease. In their eyes, you have too much to bear, and they feel sorry for you."
"I know."
Therefore, Ayan's letter contained no words about wanting him to leave Lingzhou; it was entirely about his recent situation with the Empress and his vision for the future of Daqing.
“Axi, I now know one more thing: Daqing is no longer just a family-oriented Daqing.”
Jiang He's eyes flashed with intense light, "When Ayan becomes the ruler of the world in the future, my Jiang family will also become a renowned clan, not just an ordinary clan that stays in Lingzhou."
besides......
If he really defends Lingzhou to the death, what will happen to Axi?
He couldn't bear to selfishly keep Ah Qian tied up in Lingzhou, nor did he want to do so.
"Jiang He!" Bai Qian's voice suddenly rose, "I respect you as a true man!"
Hahahahahahahaha!
Jiang He also laughed out loud, "What's the reason?"
"I can't explain why, but I just feel that you are exactly the kind of person I fell in love with at first."
The whip was raised again, and Bai Qian was overjoyed.
The man she chose was indeed the best general in the world.
......
At the same time, in the capital city.
Inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Gu Qingyan, who was engrossed in reviewing memorials, heard footsteps. Without even putting down his vermilion brush, he said, "Qin Wei, set the tea aside after it's brewed. I'll drink it when I'm done with my work."
Qin Wei, however, glanced at Gu Qingyan with a troubled expression, "Your Majesty..."
Upon hearing Qin Wei's tone, Gu Qingyan had a bad feeling.
"The prince has left the palace with the empress."
Snap—
The vermilion brush in Gu Qingyan's hand was snapped in two, and Qin Wei's heart trembled. The Emperor's martial arts skills were just as impressive...
"Did they say what the reason was?" Gu Qingyan suppressed his anger.
"Your Majesty, the Prince said he would like to take the Empress on an incognito visit to see how the girls' schools are doing in several cities near the capital, and also to see how well the people accept the girls' schools."
Not bad, at least they've given a respectable reason.
Gu Qingyan silently complained to himself.
"Did they say when they would return?"
Upon hearing this, Gu Qingyan noticed a slight change in Qin Wei's expression and knew the outcome.
"Just say that the Empress Dowager is unwell and needs to recuperate in Zhaoning Palace. No outsiders are allowed to disturb her." Gu Qingyan ordered, pinching his nose. What father would act like his own father!
Not only did he steal away the Empress Dowager, but he also made him, her son, clean up the mess.
On one side, Gu Qingyan was so angry that he almost couldn't approve the memorial. On the other side, Gu Lin and Jiang Yu, dressed in ordinary people's coarse linen clothes, walked openly on the street after disguising themselves.
"Wouldn't it be inappropriate for us to leave Ayan in the palace like this?"
Jiang Yu was a little worried, but Gu Lin handed her a string of candied hawthorns the next second. "With so many people watching over him, are you still worried that something might happen to him?"
Even if all else fails, there's always Wei Ruo with her sharp tongue; she can make A Yan suffer.
Seemingly understanding Gu Lin's thoughts, Jiang Yu playfully punched Gu Lin's arm, then earnestly began eating the candied hawthorn in her hand, "Are we almost there?"
"Almost there, we'll be there soon."
The girls' school was not a spur-of-the-moment decision; therefore, the locations in various places were decided in advance, and construction began early on in the areas near the capital. Now, the plaque for the girls' school has been hung up.
Under the sunlight, the four large characters "Girls' School" gleamed with golden light; they were written by Jiang Yu herself.
Many people stopped outside the girls' school, where the clear, melodious voices of students reading aloud filled the air, a sound that everyone found fascinating.
"This is the girls' school?" Gu Lin casually grabbed a burly man. "It sounds like there are quite a few girls studying inside!"
"Of course." The burly man smiled憨厚ly. "My daughter is inside too! Sending her in will not only exempt us from some taxes, but we won't even have to prepare our own writing materials."
"Everyone's scrambling to go!"
"It's so popular!" Gu Lin's eyes were full of amusement. "Is your daughter happy?"
"Happy? How could I not be happy!" The burly man laughed even more heartily. "My daughter said she wants to be grateful for the Emperor and the Empress Dowager's kindness, and she even said that one day she wants to kneel and pay her respects to the Empress Dowager!"
In an instant, Jiang Yu's eyes were filled with vibrant life.
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