Chapter 157 The Prince Guards the National Gate
Jiang Wan smiled and touched his sister's dog head.
"I'm not leaving this morning or tomorrow night, why are you crying? Besides, I'm just leaving the capital, not never coming back."
"Then I can't bear to leave you either."
Jiang Han rubbed his sister's shoulder affectionately, his voice soft and full of brokenness.
"Sister, what will I do if you leave? Who will help me fight against Jiang Lao San in the future? Wuwuwu..."
A look of speechlessness hung on her sister's face.
"Okay, look at your pretty face, you're almost crying like a cat. Hurry and wipe away the tears. Do you still want to be that beautiful, dignified and virtuous person?"
The crying stopped abruptly. Jiang Han, who was reminded, quickly took out a handkerchief to wipe away his tears, and then sat aside with great grace.
It can be seen that the girl is reluctant to part with her sister, but it is obviously not much.
It was not until noon that the whole family, young and old, gathered together for a meal, and then Jiang Wan waved his sleeves and took himself back to the palace.
The days that followed were relatively peaceful.
After Li Laosi ran to the emperor and made a scene twice, he finally succeeded in winning the establishment of 5,000 private soldiers.
The couple weren't the greedy type; they knew when to quit. They also knew they'd be gone after the Lunar New Year, so Jiang Wan was incredibly busy during the period leading up to the holiday.
She had to pack and arrange her dowry, attend banquets from time to time to say goodbye to relatives and friends, and go to the palace every now and then to pay her respects to the emperor and chat with the empress.
Time is like flowing water, and with the spinning tops turning day and night, it quickly pulls us to the end of the year.
It was snowing on the day of the palace banquet and it was extremely cold outside.
Therefore, the emperor and empress were very considerate and after the ministers and ladies paid their respects, they generously let them go home after lunch.
In the evening, it turned into a family dinner.
The harem hall had a fire wall, so it wasn't too cold sitting there, but the food was almost completely cold by the time it was delivered. The food was covered in white grease, and the mere sight of it made one feel full.
Jiang Wan sighed inwardly. Li Chengxiu, who was sitting on the side, saw that his wife was only drinking fruit wine, so he brought the plum cake in front of her over and whispered to her.
"This dish is inedible. You should eat some snacks first, and then we can go home and eat hotpot."
"Um."
Jiang Wan picked up the pastries to save face, and after being very dignified and particular in front of others, trying to finish three pieces in the best possible manner, she complained in a low voice.
"Didn't they have pots for the palace banquet last year? At least they could have something hot. Why are they all on plates this year? I couldn't ask too much about lunch because there were so many people around. But this evening, it's a family dinner, so why are they still serving cold dishes?"
"Why else?"
Li Chengxiu motioned his wife to look towards the upper left corner. Seeing the Crown Princess sitting next to the Crown Prince, with a calm and dignified demeanor, he curled his lips speechlessly.
"My Queen Mother has been having a headache these past few days, so we've temporarily changed the host of this palace banquet! Some people look down on the pots we made when we were little, thinking they're not elegant enough."
Following her husband's gaze, she happened to meet the Crown Princess's gaze. The two sisters-in-law smiled politely and nodded, then each looked away.
Jiang Wan reached out and quietly tugged at her husband's sleeve, signaling him to control the expression on his face.
"Okay, I get it. Stop pouting. We're leaving soon anyway, so it's better to keep things simple."
"I know, just have two more bites of snacks."
When Li Chengxiu was making pastries for his wife, the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess stood up, holding wine glasses and saying some auspicious words in front of the Emperor and the Empress.
"Father, today is the end of the year.
Looking back over this year, Dayu has gradually become prosperous under the rule of your father. I, your son, truly admire your father's achievements and am deeply grateful for the hard work you put into handling state affairs.
I, your son, offer a toast to your father.
May my father, the emperor, and my mother live in good health. I also hope that under my father's wise rule, Dayu will prosper, enjoy a harmonious society, and enjoy peace and prosperity for the people!"
The prince's auspicious words were very beautiful, and the princess also echoed a few nice words. The emperor and empress were so happy that they both raised their hands and picked up the wine cups in front of them.
"Your Highness is right! Hahahahaha, I also hope to see the day of peace and prosperity soon!"
The Emperor laughed heartily, and, showing great respect to the Crown Prince, he lifted his glass and drank it all in one gulp. The Empress simply smiled and said nothing, glancing at the Crown Princess for a moment before also covering her face with her sleeves and finishing the drink.
After the Crown Prince and his wife retreated and sat down, Prince Jing, accompanied by his Princess Jing, Prince Qi, accompanied by his Princess Qi, and the fifth prince and two older princesses, including several ladies in the main seats, all came forward to toast the Emperor and Empress and say auspicious words.
After the round of toasts, the wine made people feel warm and everyone started talking.
Prince Jing was the first to speak.
"Hey, Lao Si, how's your packing going? When are you planning on leaving?"
"Bah! Do you even know how to talk on New Year's Day? Even if you, Li Laoer, are on your way, I won't be on my way!"
Li Chengxiu didn't tolerate people who picked fights, so he opened his mouth and spitted back. Li Yuxiu was so angry that he slammed the table and glared.
"Li Laosi, I'm your second brother!"
"Even if you are my second uncle, you can't do that!"
Li Chengxiu suddenly stood up from his seat.
"You're cursing me like that on New Year's Day? If this weren't in public, I'd save some face for you. You'll be done for if I don't!"
"Who are you calling my father? My father is sitting on the throne. Are you planning to kill your father and usurp the throne?"
Li Yuxiu also had a grim expression and refused to give in, and the more he spoke, the more off-topic he became, so Jiang Wan also stood up.
"Second brother, you are just talking nonsense when you are drunk. Who doesn't know that my prince has an upright character and is truly loyal to his father and the emperor?
He's been guarding the border for the country in Dongling Prefecture for several years. Even if he hasn't made any contributions, he's certainly worked hard, right? How could His Royal Highness Prince Jing say such heartbreaking words to hurt a loyal person?
Could it be that you are unwilling to leave the capital in such a disgrace, and deliberately use my prince as an excuse? But I am afraid I will disappoint you."
The beautiful Princess Qi has a somewhat cold smile.
"Although my prince has been honest and straightforward since childhood, he understands the principles of loyalty to the emperor, love for the emperor, and respect for his father and brothers. He also believes that as a prince, he must love his country and his people.
Yesterday at home he told me that he would bid farewell to his father today, and would lead the entire Qi Palace to his fiefdom on the ninth day of the new year.
Although our Prince Qi's fiefdom is not as prosperous as Prince Jing's, my prince said that the emperor and the crown prince are in charge of the country in the capital, and the border should be watched over by the princes and nobles.
The king dies for the country, the prince guards the country's gates!"
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