Chapter 226: The Phoenix Seal as Betrothal Gift
Yan Jiu said meaningfully, “If His Majesty does this, everyone in the world will think that I, Yan, am deeply trusted by His Majesty.”
Gu Changxiao put down his wine cup, looked at the snow outside the hall, and said in a deep voice, “So what?”
Yan Jiu raised an eyebrow. “Don’t forget that rumors of you being ‘impotent’ once spread, and you’ve always suppressed memorials from officials prohibiting the selection of concubines.”
Yet you kept me overnight in the palace and want me to return to the border city with you… Aren’t you afraid of rumors spreading? I’m even more afraid!
But this was just teasing. Yan Jiu knew very well the reason Gu Changxiao insisted on taking him away.
He didn’t trust himself.
By keeping him in the border city, he worried about his close interactions with Miss Ling, so he specially issued an edict for him to attend the enthronement ceremony in Chang’an.
And by keeping him in Chang’an, he worried that he would secretly win over those powerful people. With his help, even with Han Xing here, he could split the empire!
So Gu Changxiao wanted to take him back to the border city. It was likely that for many years to come, he wouldn’t be allowed to leave Yanzhou City. Those whom His Majesty didn’t trust were either killed or dismissed.
Only he, the head of the Yan Clan, who was credited with meritorious service in the eyes of the world, had no reason to kill, nor would he kill, yet he was still uneasy.
Yan Jiu picked up his wine cup and looked at the gray night sky, starless and moonless, a scene of desolation, much like his heart.
Who in the world would have thought that both His Majesty, who was skilled in both civil and military arts, and he, the head of a noble family of a hundred clans, had their destinies changed by a woman.
Miss Ling, I don’t even have the right to call you ‘Suisui’, yet His Majesty regards me as a confidant and a powerful enemy.
But this is also good. As long as I exist, as long as I am feared by His Majesty, then His Majesty will cherish you even more.
Miss Ling, do you know how much I regret it? I regret that on the journey to the Northern Frontier, there were so many opportunities, and I could have confessed my feelings to you, but I didn’t.
I regret even more that on that night at the Northern Frontier Royal Court, His Majesty climbed the mountain wall of the Divine Palace, and I could only watch from below.
If I had also climbed up, would I still have had a chance to win your heart?
Looking at the contents of his cup, Yan Jiu smiled. Since becoming the head of the family, he had not drunk a single drop of alcohol, only tea.
But now he felt that in the rest of his life, he would probably drink often. Only the feeling of being drunk and lightheaded could pull him out of that regret.
With a “clang,” the wine cup in Yan Jiu’s hand fell to the floor. He had already fallen asleep, leaning lazily against a pillar.
Gu Changxiao’s mouth twitched slightly, his face filled with disdain. He had long heard that Yan Jiu only drank tea and not alcohol, but it turned out he couldn’t hold his liquor!
To be unable to hold even a small drink with me is truly embarrassing.
Gu Changxiao took off his cloak and threw it over him, covering him. If he caught a cold and fell ill at this time, he would have a reason not to travel with him.
Only after Gu Changxiao had finished drinking did he call for palace servants: “Help the head of the Yan family to rest.”
The palace servants looked at Yan Jiulang, who was covered by the imperial robe, with a mixture of shock, fear, and envy. The head of the Yan family was truly favored by His Majesty!
He got drunk in front of His Majesty, yet he wasn’t scolded for improper conduct in front of the hall, and His Majesty personally draped an imperial robe over him.
Such a relationship, there was no second person in the world!
Thinking of the powerful people His Majesty had killed after his enthronement, if they saw this scene, their eyes would surely turn red with jealousy.
It turns out that His Majesty is not a cold-blooded and heartless tyrant who shows no compassion to his subjects; it’s just that the subjects he favors are General Han and the head of the Yan family.
If Yan Jiu knew that he would be gossiped about by the palace servants regarding his relationship with Gu Changxiao, and that this matter would likely spread throughout the empire, because anything the emperor did, if he didn’t issue a gag order, it would easily spread.
Think of Emperor Wu of Han scratching his head with Empress Li’s hairpin, and from then on, everyone in the world loved to wear their hair in a bun.
If it were rumored that His Majesty draped his imperial robe over the drunken Yan family late at night to keep him warm, Yan Jiu would probably regret it to death and never touch a drop of alcohol again in his life.
I wonder what Miss Ling in the border city would think if she heard this rumor?
Jinsui would certainly laugh heartily, and even maliciously write small novels about the emperor and the powerful minister, hehehe…
Three days later, Gu Changxiao officially set off back to the border city, or rather, historical records called it Li Da Wu Qiong City. This shows that naming requires caution.
The reason for three days later was strongly requested by Yan Jiu, with a resolute attitude that if His Majesty didn’t agree, he wouldn’t leave.
Because three days later was Miss Yan’s return visit day, and he didn’t want the Yan family to be without a master when his sister returned, as it was said to be inauspicious and the bride would be bullied by her in-laws.
Gu Changxiao really wanted to say, who in Han Xing’s family could bully Miss Yan? Since your sister met Han Xing, she’s been beating him up every few days.
It’s quite strange that Han Xing could fall in love with this woman who used to beat him!
Uh, I myself can fall in love with a woman who once disguised herself as a man, stripped me, took my waist token, and impersonated me to do so many earth-shattering deeds… Well, it’s normal for Han Xing to fall in love with Miss Yan.
Gu Changxiao used these three days to hold a sacrifice at the Imperial Mausoleum and officially announce the capital relocation. Some powerful people would remain in Chang’an to guard the Imperial Mausoleum.
But most of them had to move to the border city. Chang’an had been the capital city for a thousand years, the center of culture, commerce, strategy, and politics. The suburbs of Chang’an were within a hundred miles.
This vast land, every inch of which was soaked with the blood of soldiers and commoners, also flowed with the scent of rouge from palace servants’ washes, the sweat of Guanzhong men, and the tears of Guanzhong women…
This was once the dream capital of the world, but due to an invasion by the Hu people and a war of succession, it withdrew from the historical stage of Han politics.
Gu Changxiao also gave the remaining powerful people an important task, which was requested by Jinsui. Although he didn’t understand the deeper meaning, Jinsui’s requests were always correct.
Therefore, Gu Changxiao’s order was very strict: plant trees. Yes, when the remaining powerful people heard this edict, they were all stunned.
Plant trees? What kind of task is this? His Majesty is relocating the capital, yet he asks us to plant trees in Chang’an?
Is this an insult to us?
Gu Changxiao felt that it would be difficult to explain to them in a way they would understand, so he let the Imperial Observatory explain.
Because of the large-scale construction in successive dynasties, the ancient trees in the Qinling Mountains have become increasingly scarce, vegetation has decreased, the Yellow River has become increasingly sandy, and the land has become increasingly barren. If this continues, Guanzhong will eventually become like the area outside Yumenguan, with less farmland and frequent natural disasters…
As expected, the powerful people didn’t understand and still felt that His Majesty was insulting them.
What severe sandification of the Yellow River? Barren land? Excessive felling of ancient trees? What does it have to do with us?
Until the Imperial Observatory summarized it in another way: “The feng shui of Chang’an has been damaged by the Hu invasion. Only by planting many trees can the feng shui be restored and the Great Xia’s reign be prolonged.”
Alright, that’s much easier to understand. It was originally a place with beautiful mountains and clear waters, a treasure land of feng shui, so trees should be planted!
The powerful people no longer felt that His Majesty was insulting them, but rather very pleased. His Majesty valued the Imperial Observatory, which meant he valued divine will, and that was good!
They were really afraid that His Majesty would become a tyrant who didn’t believe in heaven, and their lives would be even more difficult in the future.
When Jinsui in the border city learned of this, she quietly wrote in her diary, “Friends of future generations, I started preventing desertification and planting more trees a thousand years in advance!”
Miss Yan’s and Han Xing’s return banquet should have been lunch or dinner, but the Yan family held an early banquet because they had to depart with His Majesty at noon.
Miss Yan’s eyes were teary. The last time she left home was to go to the Northern Frontier, but the situation was different now. Having married, her home where she had lived for over a decade became her maiden home.
She said reluctantly to Yan Jiulang, “Brother, you must visit me in Chang’an often.”
Yan Jiu did not pat her head as he used to. His sister had already styled her hair as a married woman, and he could no longer pat her head as he did when she was a child.
He simply hummed softly, “After the New Year, I’ll let your Second Brother visit you.”
The subtext was that he couldn’t come. Judging by His Majesty’s demeanor, he wouldn’t agree to him coming to Chang’an.
He looked at Han Xing and said nothing, but Han Xing understood and immediately said, “Eldest Brother, rest assured, I will protect Miss Yan well and will not let her suffer any grievances.”
Yan Jiu motioned for Han Xing to follow him to the study and gave him a key: “This is the key to the entrance of the Yan family’s underground tunnel. If absolutely necessary, send Miss Yan in.”
Miss Yan might not have felt it, but both Han Xing and Yan Jiu understood what the powerful people who remained in Chang’an would face when His Majesty went to the border city.
Those restless powerful people, those unwilling gentry, and His Majesty even spared the life of Prince Yu’s son, they would surely cause trouble in secret.
It’s funny, looking through historical records, the more powerful a dynasty, the more likely it is to have rebellions.
This is because when a dynasty is powerful, the powerful people, gentry, and local tyrants also become powerful. And when they reach a certain level of power, they will set their sights on the dragon throne, thinking they are also qualified to sit on it.
Just like the feudal kings in the Han Dynasty loved to rebel, and the sons-in-law in the Tang Dynasty loved to plot rebellion…
According to Suisui, their vision is too narrow. Why always look inward? Look outward! If you used the military strength for rebellion to expand the territory, our land could be even larger.
Han Xing, Miss Yan, and Yan Jiu went to see Gu Changxiao together. The first two, along with the powerful people and officials of Chang’an, saw His Majesty off.
Gu Changxiao looked at their faces, and the more he looked, the more he felt they were suppressing something.
He sneered inwardly, “Hmph, you’re all so eager for me to leave? Just wait, if you don’t handle things well, I’ll issue kill orders from the border city!”
He instructed Han Xing, “I’m leaving Huo Zi’an with you. With the Imperial Guards he leads, you’ll definitely be able to keep an eye on these people.”
Act freely, don’t be afraid of trouble. As long as the border is safe and the people are unharmed, I won’t care about anything else.”
Han Xing quickly cupped his hands and said, “Your Majesty, rest assured, your subordinate will guard Chang’an City!”
Gu Changxiao patted his shoulder, “I know you can’t bear to leave the border city. Don’t worry, at most three years. As long as Chang’an is peaceful, I will definitely let you return to the border city.”
Wei Yingniang and Li Linfeng were also left behind. They were taken to live at Han Xing’s residence because young Yingniang had to guard her parents’ graves and would go to the border city after three years of filial mourning.
Miss Yan was very happy. At least there were two familiar faces from the border city at home. Although they were still children, they were precocious due to their experiences and could chat with Miss Yan perfectly.
It was also a coincidence that since Gu Changxiao’s departure, it had not snowed in the Northern Border. And Jinsui had finally opened up the road between the border city and the Sixteen Prefectures of Yandi, officially welcoming His Majesty back to the capital city.
Although the speed of the forced march slowed down a bit due to the wind and snow, with so many post stations along the way and thorough preparations, they still arrived at the border city before the New Year.
Yan Jiu was so sick of riding a horse that he swore he would never travel with Gu Changxiao again.
Gu Changxiao left the convoy transporting supplies far behind, but he ordered a bundle of something to be carried with him and must arrive at the border city with him.
Yan Jiu was not curious about what it was, because he could guess.
Jinsui did not guess. She, Cheng Yu, Li Heng, and the officials were welcoming Gu Changxiao in Yanzhou City.
When she saw a bundle on Gu Changxiao’s horse, she thought it was something important like the imperial seal.
When the officials knelt to welcome His Majesty, Jinsui did not kneel but performed a woman’s salute.
Gu Changxiao did something that he had previously envied Hei Hu for: he pulled the person he loved onto his horse in front of thousands of people and galloped away.
He actually did the same.
In front of all the officials, he pulled the stunned Jinsui onto his horse and held her tightly.
He said to the officials, “Rise, return to the capital!”
And he himself, with Jinsui, galloped away.
“Where is Taoist Master Ling?”
Jinsui shouted, “At the Taoist Temple.”
The wind was too strong, and she inhaled cold air as she spoke, so she pulled up her scarf to protect her nose.
“Gu Chang… Your Majesty, what are you doing?”
Really, after waiting in the wind for so long, this reunion is completely different from what I imagined.
Moreover, you’ve ascended the throne and become emperor, why are you still so reckless in your actions?
If Liu Yun were here, he would say I’ve corrupted you again. Heaven and earth as my witness, I’ve become much more steady in my actions now.
Believe it or not, look, of the hundreds of officials sent to the border city, I only cut off one finger.
Soon, Gu Changxiao and his personal guards arrived at the Taoist Temple.
Grandpa Ling didn’t go to welcome the emperor today and was wondering when the emperor would arrive. As it turned out, he had arrived right at his doorstep.
Grandpa Ling quickly called Jin’an and the Taoists to salute and greet Gu Changxiao.
Gu Changxiao dismounted and helped Grandpa Ling up. He took down the bundle from his horse. It was the Empress’s phoenix seal and auspicious robes.
He said solemnly, “Taoist Master Ling, I have come today with the phoenix seal as a betrothal gift, to ask for Suisui to enter the Central Palace.
Please, Master Ling, personally choose an auspicious day for me to marry Suisui.”
Jinsui let out an “Ah,” her mouth half-open as she looked at Gu Changxiao. Grandpa Ling looked bewildered, and she looked bewildered too.
No, you ran back to the border city so quickly, and you haven’t even attended morning court for a day, and you want to get married!
How badly do you want to get married!
“Um, can I say something?” Jinsui raised her hand.
Gu Changxiao turned to look at her, “Suisui, I can’t wait any longer. I know we made a promise that we could only get married after defeating the invaders.
However, I want to give you a legitimate status to stay by my side, I want to give you the best of everything, I want to guard the world alongside you.
Will you marry me? Don’t worry, I will build a navy, defeat the invaders, and pacify the four seas.”
Looking at his sincere eyes and his gaunt cheeks, Jinsui felt her heart tremble. In both her lives, she had never felt so valued by anyone.
She really couldn’t refuse. As Gu Changxiao said, only by becoming Empress would she have the right to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Emperor and do what she wanted to do.
“Yes, I am willing to marry you.” Jinsui met Gu Changxiao’s expectant gaze and said this firmly.
Just then, Cheng Yu arrived with some officials.
Gu Changxiao took Jinsui’s hand, raised it high, and announced to all the officials, “Today, I propose to marry Miss Ling as my Empress. Issue an edict, the Ministry of Rites shall immediately prepare for the wedding ceremony of myself and the Empress!”
