Chapter 192
Two years after leaving the capital, Zhou Xianyao used to look forward to the day she returned to the capital.
But to this day, when she saw the two big words “Jinling” engraved above the Bei’an Gate, her state of mind was no longer the same as before.
Her three brothers, the death of the dead, devaluation of the devaluation, the seclusion of the seclusion, good thing that the fourth brother is still there, just ahead of the carriage, and she went to face the father that makes it difficult for them to love again.
On this journey, they do not live in the official post, do not use the ceremonial weapon, just pretend to be ordinary people, stop and go, slow and easy to kill time. At the same time, it also gave Enji enough time to regain and reorganize the military strength of the entire Northern Realm, and rearranged the defense to prevent the invasion of the country’s army.
Trapped in the palace for more than ten years, Zhou Xianyao’s knowledge of the country’s customs, mountains, rivers, lakes and oceans was not as much as the two years on the North True Grassland.
Rong Xiangmian was the same. She had always hoped to go out of the capital and travel all over the country.
This way, unlike the north so rushed, Zhou Xian Yang accompanied them to a lot of novel places, see the Yellow River nine curves, the Yangtze River into the sea, Lingzhou villages, see and eat and play …… even spent three months.
This day, Jinling Bei’anmen guarding the city, it is Yuh Wang and his wife out of the capital to go to Daqiuzhuang when met Tian Lei.
If it is not with Rong Xiangmei since childhood, at the moment he really can not believe that this wearing a rough dress, is the Rong family’s fourth miss.
“My goodness! You are finally back!” He quickly ordered someone to report to Rong Xiangwang.
During the time the emperor was in the capital, he had only received a letter from Zhou Xian Yang from the border, saying that the affairs of the Northern Realm had subsided, and that he was receiving Princess Zhaoren to return to the capital to save her family. But the assassination on the road, in order to avoid exposing their whereabouts and endangering their lives, a group of people prepared to travel in disguise, temporarily interrupting contact with the outside world.
And should have traveled with them Song Ye Xing, surprisingly not a secret letter came, the emperor does not know how the situation ahead, whether to fight? Enji is dead or alive? Did he bring it back? All do not know!
Later, or listen to the border garrison to report, said the horse plague seems to have passed, the major tribes have returned to their original position, but Enji is still not whereabouts, for the time being can not let the army of the North hastily action.
When that group of generals who followed Song Ye Xing to the north returned to the capital, the emperor realized that, at the border, the assassins of the Northern True Country had repeatedly attacked the official post at night, and for the safety of the princess, they decided to conceal their whereabouts. In order to cover their tracks, Song Ye Xing ordered them to return to the capital separately. These generals who followed him northward were of such low rank that no one even thought of sending any letters to the imperial court.
Thus, the emperor just completely lost track of his party.
This day, the emperor in the palace even lazy to listen to Chen Rixin read, when the heart is restless, Rong Xiangwang fast horse whip into the palace report: “Yu Wang and Princess Zhaoren back to the capital, has arrived outside the North Security Gate.”
“Oh? She has arrived in Jinling?” The emperor’s heart wondered how there was no news along the way, and then appeared to Jinling, and asked, “Is Enji traveling with her?”
Rong Xiangwang said, “Enji is not on this trip.”
The emperor was puzzled in his heart, but on the face still put on the appearance of the dragon’s heart, ordered Shen Duzhi to go to pass the decree, pick an auspicious day, when the princess rested, to host a banquet in the Daming Palace, and invited the royal relatives to list, welcome the princess provincial relatives.
In the afternoon, Chongzheng Hall, the emperor looked at a few children, dressed so shabby, and all thin circle, the heart steeply born a wave of guilt. It can be seen, all the way to the dusty, a few of them can not care about changing clothes, directly into the palace to face the saint.
Located in the center of the hall is Zhou Xian Yao, she held the child, kneeling in the hall, tears filled eyes, trembling voice called: “Father! My daughter has returned ……”
Two years have not seen, the emperor also wet eyes, quickly step down the dragon chair, to the temple to help up Xianyao, pinching her wrist, is thin better, the skin is also dark. And touched that chubby meatball in the arms of Xian Yao, a moment of sadness.
“Hong Yue, this is your maternal grandfather, call people ah ……”
“Outside …… cook father ……” Hong Yue just learned to speak, lisp is not too clear, babbling, extraordinarily cute.
The emperor smilingly received his first little grandson, laughed: “Good child, born real leather. Unlike you, you were weak and sickly as a child, making father and your mother consort worry a lot!”
A bitter smile crossed Zhou Xian Yao’s face, saying, “Father Emperor and Mother Consort, how have you been these past two years?”
“Alas, I’m sure you’ve also heard from Yang Xian that your several sinful brothers have all been dispatched by me! Giving birth to so many sons, all of them are not as filial as you! Not to mention them …… is your mother consort, worry about you, afraid of you in the North True Country accident, this period of time can’t eat, can’t sleep well …… Fortunately, some days ago, Xian Yang came to the letter, said that your matter has been resolved, she only then rest assured. I’m only afraid that, right now, the Fu Ning Palace has already prepared the dishes you love to eat …… I will go with you at noon to the Fu Ning Palace to have a meal.”
“The dishes in the palace, Xian Yao had eaten too much before, and always felt tired and picky. But on the grassland, eating sizzling mutton and roasted whole sheep every day, and all the time I miss the simmered ham with chicken juice and bamboo shoots in the palace, the shrimp balls with pineapple,…… and the steamed crispy cheese with sugar made by my mother,…… I really miss my father and my mother’s consort so much… …” said Zhou Xianyao and jumped into the emperor’s arms and cried.
The emperor held a large small, mother and child two children, a good meal comfort and complain: “At first it was your glance on the Enji, had to marry to the grassland. Otherwise, how can I give up? I would rather you stay in the capital all your life, even the princess house are early for you to build a good, but you do not want to live …….”
This scene even the side of Shen Duzhi and Duan Fei look at all red eyes. The whole palace, the emperor is only to this daughter, will show this kind of unusual father’s appearance.
Father and daughter said a moment of intimate words, the emperor asked: “how only you come back, Enji does not accompany you back to the province?”
Zhou Xian Yao wiped her tears, “He was going to send me, but everything in the country was still unstable, and we were assassinated at the border. I was the one who told him to go back and take care of his own affairs first, or else he wouldn’t feel at ease after all, and it wouldn’t be safe to come on the road.”
“Well, that makes sense.” The emperor also asked Zhou Xian Yang how the situation in the Northern Realm was, and Zhou Xian Yang reported back one by one truthfully.
When it came to Sang Yan’s hijacking of the princess and being killed by him with an arrow, the emperor couldn’t help but applaud and said that he wanted to reward all the people who had infiltrated Bei Zhen, rescued the princess, and stopped Sang Yan’s rebellion this time.
Seeing that the children were all a little tired, the emperor did not ask more questions. He just looked outside the hall and asked, “Song Ye Xing didn’t come back with you?”
At this point in the conversation, several of the children all had heavy faces. The emperor’s heart flinched as he saw Zhou Xian Yang open his travel bag and take out a gray clay pot, “General Song, sacrificed.”
“What?” The emperor was shocked, and Zhou Xian Yao cried, “Shortly after we departed from the borderlands, someone took advantage of the night to assassinate Enji and I. The situation was so chaotic and dark that we couldn’t see anything, and it was only when our escorts calmed the matter that we realized that General Song had died behind the door of our room. If it wasn’t for him sacrificing his life to save us, I guess my daughter would already have no life to see you ……”
Rong Xiangxian also silently wept, turning over a bloodied garment from his traveling bag, half of the tiger talisman lay there quietly.
The emperor’s eyelids jumped a little, this is the command to conquer the north army to swing north of the military talisman, as long as the Song Ye Xing handed over to conquer the north army garrison chief, both can take effect, order eighty thousand army.
If this thing fell into the hands of Zhou Xian Yang, he could immediately take the army south to force the palace.
Obviously, Xian Yang had never thought of doing so. He took the tiger talisman and presented it to the Emperor: “Fortunately, this tiger talisman did not fall into the hands of assassins, avoiding a huge disaster. Otherwise, the hundred years of friendship between the Northern True Kingdom and the State Dynasty may have to change from now on.”
The emperor’s mind quickly turned, guessing that Song Ye Xing was also preparing to assassinate Enji that night. Unfortunately, he was confronted by assassins, and in the darkness, the two fought and died at the hands of the assassins.
However, he always felt that there was something wrong with this matter. The emperor’s plans are not known to outsiders. Right now, the North True Country chaos settled, Enji took over the country, the princess became the queen, safe back to the capital to save their relatives, everything is in the eyes of outsiders, the best situation.
He has any dissatisfaction is not good to vent at this time, just order, reward Chang Guo Gongfu, especially compassionate Song Ye Xing’s wife and children.
Chongzheng Hall to face the end of the saint, their party went to see the imperial noble consort and Hui noble consort. The princess and the child stayed at the Fu Ning Palace, while the Yul Wang couple went straight to the Chang Guo Gong Fu with the urn.
The palace’s inner officer read out the emperor’s rewarding imperial decree in front of him, praising Song Ye Xing for his heroic sacrifice to save the princess, and the whole house cried bitterly.
A pair of three-year-old twins, is the age of playfulness, do not yet know what is death, what is the father will never come back.
Watching the crowd cry, all learn to fake fake dry howling, howling Rong Xiangyu heart sadness, kneeling on the ground embracing the two children, let out a painful cry.
Rong Xiang see with mixed feelings, the jar of “ashes” to the second sister, she has been on the ground can not get up.
When the officials left the house, Zhou Xian Yang was dragged by the crowd to talk about Song Ye Xing’s journey, trying to figure out how he died. Rong Xiangmian took the opportunity to have Xiao Nan help Rong Xiangyu back to her own courtyard.
After dismissing her left and right, and no one was around, Rong Xiangmian softly attached herself to her ear and spat out four words, “Brother-in-law didn’t die.”
Rong Xiangyu’s gray eyes abruptly flashed with a strange radiance, teardrops still hanging on her cheeks, “You’re not lying to me, are you?”
Rong Xiangyu’s right hand was raised, “Xiangyu has never told a single lie to his sister, if there are any false words let me not die.”
“Don’t say such words, I believe you just! But …… why did he fake his death?”
“Brother-in-law has his own plans, this is related to your entire Chang Guo Gongfu family life matters, you can only tell Chang Guo Gongfu one person, otherwise I am afraid that his body can not carry. I’m afraid he won’t be able to handle it. If it leaks out, everyone will have to die. Sister just don’t worry, I guarantee that it won’t be long before you’ll all be reunited as a family.”
Rong Xiangyu stared at her sister in a daze, a light flashing in her mind.
“I understand, I know this is a big deal.”
Rong Xiangmian hugged his sister again, telling her to still make a sad gesture in front of outsiders.
After settling the matter of the Duke of Chang’s residence, Rong Xiangmian went back to the Yulong Mansion together with Zhou Xianyang.
It’s been a long time since they’ve been back, and when they see the familiar gate and plaque, both of them feel a little emotional. This first hurdle is passed, next, the real danger of Yü Wang Fu has just begun.
The two men looked at each other, their eyes bland but firm.
“Your Highness! Your Highness!” The concierge quietly surveys for a long time before confirming that it is the Yü Wang couple who have been away for a long time, and busily rushes to welcome them out.
Entering the second door, Linlang and the girls all embraced each other, hugging each other and wiping away tears. They said she had lost weight, gotten a tan, and didn’t look very energetic.
Zhou Xian Yang held his arms on the side, watched the scene of the girls for a while, and saw that none of them looked at himself, silently asked people to prepare hot water, and went to the purification room first.
The two of them cleaned up, and then went to the Buddha Hall together to offer incense to Mother.
“Thank you Mother for blessing us in heaven, this trip was mostly smooth despite the risks. Next, please ask Niang to bless him and his mother as well.”
With his eyes closed, Xiang Xiang made a devout wish to his mother’s divine lord tablet.
Zhou Xian Yang just quietly gazed at her side face, its delicate and delicate silhouette, without a single distraction in his heart. It had been a long time since there was such a quiet moment, just the two of them, where they could think of nothing else.
Of course, when no one was around at midnight and they returned to the bedroom to rest, it was a different story.
On this familiar bed and couch, with the luminous beads rolling on the pillow, Zhou Xian Yang kissed Xiangmian all over her body in detail, starting with her eyes.
Her eyes were mesmerized as she looked into the dimness of the top of the bed, as if trying to make out bits of stars from that darkness.
When Zhou Xian Yang realized it, he covered up and pecked her lips, smiling and teasing her, “Remembering that time in the grassland?”
Upon hearing this, Xiangmian’s already hot face got hotter and hotter, and she was so angry that she gave him a blow with her knee, but didn’t deny it.
Zhou Xian Yang took advantage of the situation and fished out her legs, bullying her while saying in her ear, “Autumn is here, find a chance, take you to the paddocks in the outskirts of the capital …… to hunt.”
“Well ……” Rong Xiangmian’s vague voice spilled out of his throat, and he didn’t know whether to promise him, or because of something else.
Yu Wang this time to the north, not only successfully rescue the princess, but also put an end to the risk of the northern real country rebellion to raise troops to the south, in the country in the family is a great work.
Ministers in the court, looking at the current situation, some of them can not wait to pat him on the back, on this please the emperor to set up the crown prince, in order to stabilize the world.
The emperor is pondering over the past few days, think things are not quite right, take the opportunity to declare Zhou Xianyang into the palace, asked in detail about the matter of the northern realm.
When asked why he gave Enji the prescription for the plague, Zhou Xianyang said cautiously, “It was my fault for not examining the landscape in detail. Although the two tribes in the Northern True Kingdom and the Nair Royal Court seem to be far away from each other, the water system actually comes from the same source. When the following people were doing their work, they didn’t think much about it and just pitched in at the source, so much so that Enji’s herd of horses also contracted the plague. My son thought that if his king’s army was also incapacitated by the horse plague, how would he be able to fight against Sang Yan and how would he be able to protect Xian Yao? At that moment, he took it upon himself to give him the formula.”
The emperor added, “Haven’t you ever thought that with Enji getting this boost, the Northern True Kingdom will be united, and the iron cavalry will move south and invade our dynasty?”
“Invade my dynasty?” Yang Zhou Xian laughed, “Going south is just a big banner for Sang Yan to pull for his own rebellion. Unlike Enji, he has no ambition and loves Xianyao very much. That night, when Sang Yeon abducted Xian Yao, En Ji preferred to let the tiger return to the mountain for her safety. He loves Hsien Yao so much, how could he let her be sad?
Besides, Father only needs to go to the Nair grassland to take a look and he will know that the endless green shade, the beautiful sky, and the clouds almost touching the ground are really like what Li Taibai wrote in his poem, ‘It should be the heavenly immortals who are wildly intoxicated, rubbing the white clouds into pieces indiscriminately’. Although the Northern Realm is not as affluent as the Central Plains, there is a different kind of free world, galloping horses, campfire roast meat, also enough to comfort life. Most of the people there don’t know about Jinling, let alone invading the south.”
The emperor hummed: “A trip to the north, you like it there. Since you like it, why don’t you want to take that grassland for yourself?”
“Take it for myself?” Zhou Xian Yang was a bit surprised, “What is possession? In this world, not all beautiful things should be owned by oneself. Besides, it is there, as it should be, and if I am lucky enough to enjoy it in my life, then I have owned it. If in order to own it, I have to go to war, trample on the grassland and kill people, what kind of love is that? In the future, if I have time, I will send Hsien-yao to the Northern Realm again, and I will be able to appreciate it again, and that will be enough.”
Looking at this son who entered the capital because of his war achievements, but is not keen on building up his career, the emperor has a belly full of anger with no place to spread it, he thought for a moment and said, “Recently, the ministers have written letters to persuade me to set up a national capital early. What do you think?”
Zhou Xian Yang looked aghast: “Father is in the prime of his life, why are you talking about the state capital? As I see it, it is just some opportunists, who previously clung hard to those royal families, and now that they see that their brothers are losing their power, they are afraid that they won’t be able to rely on them in the future, and they are playing their attention to the three of us, stirring up trouble, and it’s very detestable!”
“You are smart.”
“This kind of thing, two years ago, Xian Yang was in the capital, see also understand.”
The Emperor was satisfied with his son’s candor, and finally he asked, almost in a suppressed voice, “Xian Yang, Enji should have a great deal of trust and friendship for you. When Xianyao finishes her province, you can send her back to Bei Zhen, and this time, if you can result in En Ji and take down Bei Zhen country, so that Xianyao can return to our dynasty on behalf of the child and claim submission, I will make you the Crown Prince!”
Finally, finally the words from his heart were spoken.
Zhou Xian Yang didn’t move to look at his father, whose eyes were full of gloom in front of him, and blurted out, “I can’t do it.”
“What did you say?” The Emperor couldn’t tell if he was angry or surprised for a moment.
“I can’t do it! I will never harm Xian Yao for the sake of the crown prince position, letting her lose the love of her life at such a young age. Letting her child, since young, lose his father. I believe that Xianhui and Xianzhao will also not make this choice. If father valued my son, trust my son, want to establish my son as the crown prince is fine, if I want my son to kill my brother-in-law, take down the northern realm as a condition, that can only show that my son’s virtue is not enough, to use other people’s blood to increase their own bargaining chips, my son thinks I don’t deserve to be this crown prince.”
A sentence said, Shen Du Zhi sweat out, stand aside, the atmosphere do not dare to breathe.
The emperor’s face changed again and again, and finally sighed deeply and told King Yu to go back.
In Zhou Xian Yang stepped out of the Chongzheng Hall, the emperor suddenly called him again: “Your body, how is it?”
To this endless concern, Zhou Xian Yang somewhat did not react, he turned back and said: “Has recovered seventy to eighty percent, close combat has not yet reached the former level, bow and horse riding and shooting ……”
“Who asked you this? I am asking you …… with the Wangfei …… can be okay?”
“Good, I have not quarreled with the Wangfei for a long time.”
The emperor propped up his forehead and intoned, “I’m asking you, you’ve been married for over a year and still don’t have a child, you ……”
Zhou Xian Yang swept a glance at Duan Fei and Shen Du Zhi who were stifling their laughter and was greatly embarrassed, “Everything is normal for my son.”
“Then it’s because Wangfei was drugged by Zhang to hurt her body in the first place. If you don’t want to take a side consort, so be it, you can pick one or two understanding maids from the Wangfei’s side, and if you have a child in the future, it will be credited to the Wangfei’s name, which is the same.”
Zhou Xian Yang immediately said, “Thank you father for your concern, my son has long promised the crown princess that she will be the only one in her life. A child can be absent, a promise to the crown princess cannot be broken.”
After saying that, Zhou Xian Yang saluted and left.
Leaving a bewildered Emperor sitting in the dragon chair, “This kid, to me this dragon chair, really no thoughts at all?!”