Chapter 193: Celebrating the New Year
Gu Changxiao naturally remembered that Jinsui had once said that in her dreams, she saw the Book of National Destiny written by the Sanqing, and that in the future, Japan would become the greatest enemy of the Han Chinese.
He had also kept this matter in mind, but at present, he did not have the capability to go out to sea. His most important enemy was Prince Yu, so he had not brought up the matter of going to sea to destroy Japan.
At this moment, hearing Jinsui solemnly mention it again, even linking the destruction of Japan to her marriage, he realized how important this matter was in Jinsui’s heart!
He immediately said solemnly, “Don’t worry, Suisui. I haven’t forgotten about destroying Japan either. As long as I have the ability to build a navy, I will personally lead an expedition to Japan!”
Jinsui smiled, “In that case, let us both prioritize our great cause, and put our personal affections aside. Or, would you dislike me for being old?”
Gu Changxiao asked in surprise, “What are you saying? I’m three years older than Suisui!”
Jinsui joked, “That’s different! If a girl isn’t married after twenty, the imperial court will fine her.
If I haven’t destroyed Japan before I turn twenty, you can’t dislike me for being old!”
Gu Changxiao knew she was joking, but he still said very seriously, “Then I will definitely destroy Japan before Suisui turns twenty!”
“Then I will work hard to earn money and help you build the navy.”
After their playful banter, Gu Changxiao pulled a red rope from his collar. One end of the red rope held a jade pendant that was warm from his touch:
“Destroying Japan is my duty as a prince of Great Xia. How could it be considered betrothal gifts?
This warm jade was left to me by my mother. I give it to Suisui today.”
As he spoke, he took it off and placed it around Jinsui’s neck. “To me, this jade pendant is far more valuable than a thousand treasures. It’s no exaggeration to say it’s my most cherished possession.
With this jade, I express my heart. Suisui, I, Jun Yanqing, will cherish you, treasure you, and never fail you in this life.”
Jinsui said emotionally, “I will cherish it.”
A confession and a gift, this counts as a token of betrothal, right? Uh, I should give a return gift too.
But she didn’t have anything so personal, worn for a long time, and so valuable. Neither Father Ling nor Mother Ling had left her anything.
She thought for a moment and said, “Gu Changxiao, can you go out for a while?”
Although Gu Changxiao was confused, he didn’t say a word and went to guard the door outside. Jinsui immediately entered her space, wanting to find something unique to give to Gu Changxiao.
Weapons made of refined iron and hand crossbows were a bit too intimidating as betrothal gifts. Suddenly, she saw the camera and thought of something.
She immediately took a three-inch passport photo of herself, printed it out, cut a small piece, sealed it with glass water, and turned it into a glass pendant with her photo on it.
She also tied it with a red rope and put it in a sachet. Although this item was not valuable, it was unique in the world and very suitable as a token of betrothal.
“This is my return gift. I hope you don’t dislike it.”
Gu Changxiao thought the sachet contained a lock of her black hair, but when he opened it, he found it was a miniature portrait of her.
It was still such a lifelike miniature portrait, and he was greatly surprised, “What an amazing painter! He has painted Suisui so beautifully. How could I dislike it!
If we are separated briefly in the future, with this miniature portrait, I can think of Suisui and long for her.”
It was too cheesy, Jinsui’s face turned red, “Let’s not! The soldiers will laugh at us.”
Gu Changxiao wouldn’t have said such things before, but when he discovered that saying them made Suisui reveal her girlish shyness, he liked to tease her more and more.
Suisui had been pretending to be a man for too long, sometimes so spirited that she forgot she was a girl. Only at these times would her face turn red, her eyes filled with shyness, and she wouldn’t dare to meet his gaze.
At these moments, Suisui was truly beautiful.
Gu Changxiao never tired of looking at her. The more he wanted to see her, the more he liked to tease her.
“Where is this painter now? Can he be invited to the border city to paint portraits of Suisui and me?” Gu Changxiao looked at the miniature portrait, and the more he looked, the more he felt the painter was extraordinary.
He had also studied painting, but to paint so vividly that it was indistinguishable from a real person was too difficult!
Jinsui chuckled, “They wander all over the place. Perhaps we’ll meet them one day.”
Outside, the soldiers’ joyful shouts of New Year greetings could be heard. Jinsui said, “It’s time to hand out red envelopes.”
A bonfire was lit, and a soldier was playing a huqin. Jinsui’s heart stirred, and she took out a bamboo flute to play in harmony with him.
After they finished playing, everyone cheered. She then smiled and said, “I’ll sing a new song for my brothers.”
She played the cheerful “Happy New Year” and “Gong Xi Fa Cai.” Haha, in her previous life, these were the songs heard everywhere during the New Year.
The melody was too lively, and Hei Hu couldn’t help but start dancing with his arms, like a dancing bear.
His good friend ‘Guangtou Qiang’ also joined in, and Gu Changxiao also got into the spirit, leading dozens of his personal guards in a war dance.
With a saber in one hand and a shield in the other, they danced with fierce killing intent, very passionate.
Jinsui hastily arranged a chorus, singing a relatively simple adapted version of “Unity is Strength.”
She even added her own touch, changing all the enemies in the lyrics to Japanese.
Hei Hu and the others roared with their rough voices. While “unity” wasn’t quite conveyed, the “strength” was certainly palpable.
Amusingly, the entire army loved this song and wanted to learn it. Jinsui felt it was time to form a military choir.
Although we may not be as skilled in singing and dancing as the Northern Frontier People, the atmosphere of the New Year is here. The main thing is to be happy. Whether the singing is good or the dancing looks like a monkey’s is not important.
Finally, the most joyous part arrived: Leader Ji was distributing red envelopes!
A large box of red cloth-wrapped red envelopes was brought over. Jinsui and Gu Changxiao distributed them together, wishing each other “Happy New Year.” The entire army received the same amount, two taels of silver each, regardless of whether they were generals or ordinary soldiers.
Don’t think it’s little; a border soldier’s monthly military pay isn’t even two taels of silver!
Everyone was overjoyed, and the Northwest Army shouted “Leader Ji” with much more sincerity.
Gu Changxiao did not give out red envelopes, but he had rewards for merit, which would be presented after returning to the border city.
The Meteor Horse that had fainted in the snow while delivering a message had not delivered its message upon arrival. Gu Changxiao specifically assigned it to deliver a message on its return trip.
After receiving his red envelope, he set off first to deliver a message to the border city, informing them that both princes had returned!
This New Year, although Prince Li was at the border and celebrated in the wilderness, the happiness, joy, and emotion were all real.
Moreover, he and Suisui had confessed their feelings to each other, and the betrothal gifts they exchanged, Gu Changxiao was extremely satisfied with!
Meanwhile, Prince Yu, who was celebrating the New Year in the Imperial Palace in Chang’an, found no joy despite facing a table full of delicacies and rare dishes, eating them without any taste.
“Mother Empress, the Northern Frontier envoy is expected to arrive in Chang’an on the eighth day of the first lunar month. What should we do? I have tried every possible way to stop them, but it was useless.”
The Empress, dressed in magnificent and elegant robes, was reclining on a couch eating a beauty-enhancing dessert. Seeing Prince Yu in a panic because of the Northern Frontier delegation’s arrival in Chang’an,
she said with some disappointment, “It’s just an envoy, what is there to fear? Arrange for your own people to receive them, don’t let them interact with outsiders, and send them away once their business is done.
Even if some rumors spread, they will be harmless. Your most urgent task now is to kill Jun Yanqing. Once he is dead, who else in the world will oppose you?”
Hmph, whether the old emperor is faking his illness or is truly ill, since he dares to be ill, I have the means to ensure he never recovers!
She glanced at Prince Yu, thinking her son was not very capable. The path was paved for him, but he was too hesitant and indecisive due to too many scruples, repeatedly missing opportunities.
She had told him to send more troops to intercept Jun Yanqing, but he worried that sending too many people would leak the matter, resulting in that bastard Jun Yanqing successfully escaping back to the border city.
This time, Jun Yanqing was ordered to go to the Northern Frontier, a perfect opportunity to assassinate him! Prince Yu was worried that sending his own people to intercept him in the Left Wise King’s territory would leave a handle. It was meant to be done through the Left Wise King, so why take the risk again?
As a result, that bastard actually killed the Left Wise King, supported the young lad Batel to become king, and now wants to send an envoy to Chang’an to cause trouble!
Even if the envoy exposes my collusion with the Left Wise King, so what? The Left Wise King is dead. I’ll just say you colluded with King Batel and framed me. What can you do?
“Jun Yanqing doesn’t even control Yandi. What use are his meager border soldiers? As long as you prevent him from regaining control of the Northwest Army, let him fend for himself at the border city.”
The Empress truly couldn’t understand why Prince Yu was so nervous. In this vast world, your eyes shouldn’t always be fixed on that corner of the border city.
“But Mother Empress, the people I sent have learned that this envoy carries private correspondence between you and the Left Wise King.”
The Empress snorted disdainfully, “Private letters can be forged. As long as I say it’s fake, it’s fake!”
The Empress’s eyes darted, and a sense of unease settled in her heart. This unease did not stem from Jun Yanqing, but from her own son.
She knew her son too well. While he was indecisive, when he was ruthless, he was even more so than herself. If he feared that his dealings with the Left Wise King would be exposed, it was entirely possible he would seal off the palace.
Her father and brother had not discussed major matters with her recently. They held great power in the imperial court and were Prince Yu’s right-hand men. Prince Yu dared not harm her, but her father and brother might.
She, a daughter of a concubine, had climbed to the position of Empress. She had seen too many instances of betrayal. In her father’s eyes, the interests of the gentry were paramount, and she and her short-lived legitimate elder sister were merely tools.
Now that they had better tools, which was Prince Yu, she would definitely be abandoned if things became serious.
The Empress said casually, “I haven’t seen Qi’er for many days. I miss that little fellow quite a bit. Tomorrow, have the wet nurse bring him to Ci’en Hall to stay for a few days. I, too, will enjoy the happiness of holding my grandson.”
Prince Yu’s heart skipped a beat. Qi’er was his legitimate eldest son, born to Miss Lin, and was only three months old. Why did Mother Empress suddenly want him to come to the palace?
After Prince Yu left the Imperial Palace, he immediately found Duke Gu and informed him of the Empress’s instructions. How could Duke Gu not understand his daughter’s intentions?
He snorted coldly, “Pay no attention to her. Just say Qi’er is unwell. If she insists on seeing him, send Qi’er to the Gu Manor as a guest.”
Prince Yu still didn’t understand, “Grandfather, why does Mother Empress want to see Qi’er at this time?”
He didn’t believe the Empress missed her grandson; the Empress found crying children most annoying.
Duke Gu glanced at him, also disappointed, but it was good that Prince Yu was like this. A wise ruler would not allow the imperial relatives to become too powerful, and Prince Yu’s current governance relied entirely on him.
“Don’t worry about what your mother wants. Find a way to investigate what evidence the Northern Frontier envoy has brought. We need to prepare in advance.”
“How is the handling of the Northwest Army affairs?”
“Don’t worry, Grandfather. All the officials you recommended have been installed. Jun Yanqing’s confidantes have either been demoted or expelled from the army.”
Duke Gu raised an eyebrow, “Did they not resist?”
“There were a few uprisings, but they were all suppressed. With Jun Yanqing gone, those junior officers and soldiers are no match.”
“Were there any who became bandits?”
“There were some. There are many bandits on the border, but they are still not a threat.”
Duke Gu said gravely, “We must guard against whether they have truly become bandits or have secretly gone to the border city.”
This was something Prince Yu hadn’t considered. It was thousands of miles from the Northwest to the border city. How could they possibly break through the checkpoints to reach the border city?
However, he did not refute Duke Gu, only replied, “This King will send people to keep an eye on them.”
“I asked you to inquire about the actual situation in the border city from officials and merchant caravans from Yandi. Have there been any developments?”
Speaking of this, Prince Yu became angry, “A minor official in the Ministry of Personnel was previously a clerk in the border city and was highly trusted by Jun Yanqing. I have repeatedly asked him about the situation in the border city, but he has avoided answering.”
Duke Gu’s expression immediately changed, “You are a prince supervising the nation. Do you need me to teach you how to deal with such a minor official?”
Prince Yu quickly replied, “Grandfather, don’t worry. This King will soon make him speak.”
Wei Qingquan’s family ate their New Year’s Eve dinner with worried expressions. He had been at the border for several years, and his greatest hope was to return to the capital. He never expected that even after returning to the capital, he would still face so many difficulties.
And now, he had been taken control of by Prince Yu’s men, and he didn’t know when disaster would strike.
“Lingniang, you and Yingzhi should leave!” Wei Qingquan’s wife, Huang Lingniang, shook her head firmly and held his hand,
“It’s already difficult enough to send Yingzhi away. If I also disappear, the people secretly monitoring us will quickly discover it, and then even Yingzhi won’t be able to escape.
Besides, husband, we have been separated for so many years. We have finally reunited, and I don’t want to be separated from you again.
Whatever we face, let us face it together as husband and wife!”
Tears streamed down Wei Qingquan’s face. His feelings for his wife could not be expressed with mere gratitude. During his years at the border, the Huang family had repeatedly asked Lingniang to divorce him, but Lingniang refused.
She had painstakingly waited for him to return with their daughter. Finally, he returned to Chang’an with achievements and military merits, but he only obtained a minor official post and was constantly harassed by Prince Yu’s men.
And now, it was no longer harassment; Prince Yu’s blade was already at his throat. He would never betray Lord Li and accuse him of baseless crimes.
But he also didn’t want to implicate his family, which was why he had spent a large sum of money to bribe a vegetable farmer to help transport their daughter out of Chang’an.
Although Yingzhi was only eight years old, she was intelligent from a young age. In the years her father was away, she had matured earlier than her peers.
As long as she left Chang’an, with the secret help of the Huang family, Yingzhi could safely reach the border city and receive the protection of Lord Li, and she would survive.
His only wish now was for his daughter to survive.
Yingzhi’s tears streamed down her face, “Father, Mother, let your daughter stay with you! Our family, forever together.”
Wei Qingquan said solemnly, “Yingzhi, remember, your journey to the border is not only to save your life but also to deliver a message to Lord Li.
The Prince Yu faction is guilty and fearful because the Northern Frontier envoy is about to arrive in Chang’an, and they are trying to smear His Highness.
Not only us minor officials and clerks who have returned from the border city, but also merchants, gentry, and officials who have been to the border, as well as His Highness’s former confidantes, will be interrogated and become witnesses to baseless charges against His Highness.”
