Chapter 148 Qingping County Lord

Half a month later, the army returned to the imperial city in a mighty manner with flags flying and horses' hooves thundering.

Jun Zechen first rewarded the soldiers.

And the reward from the empress was truly extremely heavy.

Today, An Shun read out the imperial edict loudly in front of all the officials in the solemn and dignified Taiji Palace:

"The Emperor, in compliance with the Will of Heaven, proclaims:

My queen is gentle in nature, dignified, virtuous and kind.

When I went to war against Canglang, she presented the Canglang topographic map to assist the army and made an invaluable contribution. She is truly as brave as any man.

She was specially given the honorific title of "Empress Shuntian Huimin" to show her wisdom and virtue.

The Empress's father, Su Hongyu, raised and educated his daughter in a proper way, and worked hard for my country.

Now he is conferred the title of Duke, and given the name of Duke Jing'an, with a fief of one thousand households, and he will enjoy eternal glory.

The Empress's mother was kind, gentle and docile. She taught her daughter etiquette and raised her daughter with virtue.

Now she is conferred the title of Lady of Rongguo, and is bestowed with a hundred pieces of brocade and silk and ten hu of bright pearls.

In the battle against Canglang, Su Jingxuan charged into the enemy's ranks, outshining all the other troops in bravery and performing exceptionally well.

He was promoted to the position of Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, hoping that he would remain loyal and brave and make contributions to the emperor and the country.

I appreciate that.”

Su Hongyu and Su Jingxuan hurried to the front of the hall, knelt down respectfully, put their hands on the ground, and loudly expressed their gratitude.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

After Su Jingxuan returned to his seat, Su Hongyu, who understood the greater good, continued:

"Your Majesty, I am deeply grateful for your grace in conferring the title of Duke.

However, I feel that I am old and my energy is declining. I am afraid that I will not be able to perform the duties of Shangshu Ling and will fail the trust placed in me by Your Majesty.

Now that my daughter has become the queen, and Your Majesty has been very kind to me and my family, I am filled with nothing but gratitude.

However, for the sake of a clean court and smooth government affairs, I am willing to resign from the post of Shangshu Ling.

Let talented and wise men take on the responsibility, share your Majesty's worries, and work for the well-being of the country.

I hope Your Majesty will grant my approval."

In Su Hongyu's opinion, Jingxuan has already entered the officialdom and his official position is not low.

The other members of the Su family have also made achievements in the court. Now the Su family can truly be considered to be in a high position of power. In addition, the daughter of the Su family is the empress, which adds to their nobility.

He was also honored with the title of Duke of the Kingdom, and it was time for him to abdicate and make way for others.

If the Su family had too much power, the officials in the court would be dissatisfied.

Now, the Su family is full of glory.

Jun Zechen tried to persuade him to stay, but Su Hongyu still insisted, so Jun Zechen agreed.

As an emperor, Jun Zechen likes ministers who understand current affairs and also likes ministers who are smart.

It's really great that the Su family can raise children like Yaoyao and Su Jingxuan.

Kunning Palace.

On the same day, Jun Zechen also issued an imperial decree to confer the title of Princess of Qingping County on Qi Wanyin, the daughter of the former champion general.

Su Jingyao knew that Jun Zecheng had this plan before and was not surprised, but she still asked her father about the origin of the Lord of Qingping County.

Former champion general Qi Zhenyue is the Queen Mother's younger brother.

Six years ago, when Jun Zechen went to war outside the Great Wall, Qi Zhenyue was also among them.

At that time, Qi Zhenyue was fighting against the nomadic people near the Canglang Kingdom. He was careless and unfortunately died in the battle.

Qi Zhenyue has been guarding the border outside the Great Wall for many years. Although he has a wife and children in Beijing, fate plays a trick on him. After saving a wild woman, he falls deeply in love with her.

The woman later gave birth to Qi Wanyin, the ruler of Qingping County.

But this Canglang woman was actually the princess of Yuzhou in Canglang Kingdom, and she was of noble status.

Naturally, her family would not allow her to fall in love with Qi Zhenyue.

The father of Princess Canglang threatened her mother's safety and finally forced her to return to Canglang Country.

Qi Zhenyue was disheartened by the loss of his beloved woman and was unwilling to return to Beijing.

In desperation, he sent his daughter back to the capital.

However, as a prominent family, the Qi family has strict rules and regulations and does not acknowledge Qi Wanyin's identity at all.

So she pleaded with the Queen Mother, who was the Empress at the time, to take care of her.

But the Queen Mother was a person who attached great importance to family background, and she was quite dissatisfied with the fact that the wolfish woman seduced her brother and gave birth to a daughter.

However, since she was her brother's daughter after all, the Queen Mother would not treat Qi Wanyin too badly, but her attitude was not close.

When Jun Zechen was seventeen years old, he returned from the battle and brought back the sad news that Qi Zhenyue had died in battle.

Qi Wanyin also left the palace at that time and returned to Canglang, to her mother.

She was only fourteen years old at that time, and she has been in Canglang for six years. Now she is twenty years old.

After Su Jingyao found out about Qi Wanyin's background, she thought about the different look on Jun Zechen's face when he talked about this woman.

I don't believe at all that there is no grudge between Qi Wanyin and Jun Zechen.

Was it because her father died in battle that Qi Wanyin left the capital?

Or is it because Jun Zechen married Ling Yue?

What's more, she is already twenty years old and has not yet married.

Su Jingyao sat on the couch, supporting her chin with one hand and narrowing her eyes slightly.

While he was lost in deep thought about Qi Wanyin, Miaoyun walked in briskly with a bright smile on her face.

"Master, after the morning court session ended today, the eldest son was appointed as the Minister of War and was summoned to the Palace of Heavenly Purity by His Majesty."

Miaoyun bowed slightly.

"Someone just reported that the eldest master wants to see you and is waiting for you at Qianyuan Gate."

Miaoyun said this with a hint of joy in her eyes.

"Then let's go, don't keep my brother waiting too long."

Su Jingyao perked up instantly when she heard the news.

Then he put down the hand that was supporting his chin and stood up swiftly.

Soon, Su Jingyao's phoenix chariot arrived at Qianyuan Gate.

Su Jingxuan had been waiting here for a long time. He was dressed in court robes, and his body was as straight as a pine tree.

But his face is a lot darker than before.

Su Jingyao sat in the phoenix sedan chair and saw that her brother had become much darker. She couldn't help but hold her forehead with her hands.

Is the ultraviolet light strong in the north?

Why is it so dark?

Being dark doesn't suit her aesthetic taste.

However, this thought only flashed through my mind.

When Su Jingxuan saw the phoenix chariot stop and his sister appear, he quickly bowed respectfully.

"Your humble servant pays respects to Her Majesty the Empress." He bowed his head and bent his waist.

Outside, Su Jingyao looked dignified and calmly accepted her brother's greeting. She said slowly, "Brother, get up."

Su Jingyao got off the phoenix sedan chair, and Su Jingxuan walked up to her and walked side by side with her towards the palace gate.

"Brother, what do you want to see me for today?"

Su Jingyao tilted her head slightly, looked at Su Jingxuan with watery eyes, and asked softly.

Su Jingxuan looked a little embarrassed, with a blush creeping up her ears.

He pursed his lips and hesitated for a moment.

"Sister, do you know the Lord of Qingping County?"

When Su Jingyao heard the name, a hint of strangeness flashed across her eyes for a moment, then disappeared in an instant.

Then, she raised the corner of her mouth and glanced at her brother with a smile.

He said jokingly in a light tone: "Of course I know. I heard from His Majesty that the Lord of Qingping County made a great contribution in the recovery of Canglang this time."

"Yes, it was she who told us that Canglang was moving the food and grass from Yiyuan City, and Your Majesty guessed that Canglang might be preparing to use the empty city plan."

Su Jingxuan nodded and spoke seriously.

"Then why did brother mention her today?"

Su Jingyao already had some guesses in her mind, but she pretended not to know, blinked her eyes, and asked curiously.

"After I got home, I heard that my mother was going to hold a Qushui Banquet for me in half a month. I wanted her to cancel it, but she said that my sister had already agreed to go to the Qushui Banquet in half a month."

Su Jingxuan frowned, with helplessness and distress on his face.

"So no matter how much I persuaded her, she just wouldn't agree to cancel it."

He sighed and shook his head helplessly.

"Brother, why do you want to cancel it? In the past, you always said that men cannot start a family if they don't establish a career. Now that you are still young and have been promoted to the rank of fourth-rank minister, it's time for you to get married."

Su Jingyao said with a smile on her face and a hint of teasing in her eyes.

"I already have a woman I like, so there is no need to hold a Qushui Feast."

Su Jingxuan's face flushed slightly and she spoke a little shyly.

"Is it the Lord of Qingping County?"

Su Jingyao raised her eyebrows, with a hint of curiosity in her eyes.

"Well, on the way back to the court this time, I had a lot of exchanges with the Qingping County Lady. She is elegant, knowledgeable, and cool, like the first snow in winter. I want her to be my wife."

There was a gleam in Su Jingxuan's eyes.

When talking about the Lord of Qingping County, a warm current seemed to surge in my heart and a smile appeared on my face unconsciously.

When Su Jingyao saw her brother like this, her curiosity grew stronger.

She tilted her head slightly and stared at Su Jingxuan with her beautiful eyes.

He asked, "Does the Lord of Qingping County know what my brother is thinking?"

"I haven't expressed my feelings to the Qingping County Lord yet. After all, the time is too short."

Su Jingxuan frowned slightly.

"Then we can continue to hold this Qushui Banquet. How about inviting the Lord of Qingping County to attend? This way, my brother can get to know the Lord of Qingping County better."

Su Jingyao suggested seriously.

"And mother, you are not only inviting women to this Qushui Banquet, you will also invite other noble sons in the capital, and it is not just for you."

Su Jingyao spoke neither fast nor slow.

"Mother has been named Lady Rongguo by His Majesty. I don't know how many ladies in the capital want to make friends with her. I'm sure all the invitations have been sent out. Now you're canceling the invitation. Isn't this embarrassing for her?"

Su Jingyao looked a little solemn, and her eyes showed concern for her mother's face.

Su Jingxuan didn't know much about the personal relationships among the women of the noble families.

At this time he lowered his eyes, lost in thought.

After a moment, he raised his head.

"Sister, you are very thoughtful. In this case, let's hold the Qushui Banquet as usual. I just don't know if the Lord of Qingping County is willing to come."

There was obvious worry in Su Jingxuan's tone, and he really looked like someone who was in love.

My brother hadn't fallen in love for many years, but I never expected that when he did, he would be like this.

"That's fine. I will personally invite the Lord of Qingping County in the name of the Queen."

Su Jingyao raised the corners of her mouth and her eyes were gentle.

Su Jingxuan finally felt relieved and breathed a sigh of relief.

If the Princess of Qingping County did not come, he was afraid that his mother would choose another woman for him.

Su Jingxuan showed a grateful expression on his face, and quickly bowed and said, "Thank you, sister."

Along the way, Su Jingyao and Su Jingxuan talked a lot.

She listened carefully to her brother's description and had some understanding of the Qingping County Lord in Su Jingxuan's mind.

The Princess of Qingping County, who grew up in the imperial palace, had a very good demeanor and temperament.

Also, because he had been to the frontier and the wolf country, he was knowledgeable, kind-hearted, and understood all kinds of customs and cultures.

On the surface, she is a cool beauty, but in reality, she is warm and caring.

All in all, in my brother's eyes, this is a perfect woman with nothing wrong with her.

Xu Xiurong looked at the Queen and her brother walking side by side from afar, her eyes full of envy that she couldn't retract for a long time.

She looked lonely, as if her heart was filled with mixed feelings.

How long has it been since you last saw your family?

I heard before that there would be a woman accompanying the army returning to the court, and that this woman had made great contributions.

Xu Xiurong's family background is not prominent, and she has always been isolated from the news. In this deep palace, she is often on the edge of the news.

Fortunately, I am now on good terms with Yan Zhaoyi, and I can occasionally learn some things about the previous dynasty from her.

This woman was canonized as the Princess of Qingping County. She was your Majesty's cousin and had lived in the palace for a period of time when she was a child.

The status of the Queen and the eldest prince was too secure, and she no longer expected to be able to move His Majesty's cold heart.

But she didn't want her Sixth Prince to not receive any attention from His Majesty.

Xu Xiurong actually hopes that there will be a woman who can win the heart of His Majesty again. Otherwise, what hope do these lonely women who are waiting in the harem have?

A dark light flashed in Xu Xiurong's eyes.

"Qingyi, spend some money to tell the mayor of Qingping County that I want to make friends with her."

"Yes, Master."