Seeing Emperor Xuanzhi falling from the sky, Jiang Changning's mouth twitched slightly, "Your Majesty, there is no need to fight like this, right?"
Emperor Xuanzhi laughed and said, "This is what you call having a plan and I have a ladder."
"Master is playing games with his own wife, but he is so serious about it. It makes me very sad. Can't you give in to me?" Jiang Changning held her heart and acted weak.
"It is the master's fault, madam, please don't be angry. The master would like to apologize to you." Emperor Xuanzhi bowed.
"Master, will you just apologize verbally?"
Emperor Xuanzhi smiled and leaned close to Jiang Changning's ear, "Master, I am willing to atone for my sin with my own body."
"No." Jiang Changning stretched out his hand and pushed him away. "It's been a long time since we played chess. Let's play a game."
"Okay." Emperor Xuanzhi really enjoyed playing chess with Jiang Changning. Now, the only person who dared to beat him in chess was his queen.
When the boat is sailing on the river, no matter how beautiful the scenery on the shore is, it will become boring after looking at it for a long time.
Fortunately, every three days, we can go ashore to the nearby small town to play, which is quite interesting.
We traveled and stopped like this, and arrived in Hangzhou in late May.
Hangzhou, formerly known as Lin'an and also known as Qiantang, is known as a paradise on earth.
The pier was decorated with lights and colorful lanterns, and gongs and drums were beating. Local officials in official uniforms and the city's celebrities and gentlemen welcomed the emperor and empress with great fanfare.
Although Emperor Xuanzhi was a pragmatic emperor, he couldn't help but smile with pleasure when he saw these, but he still had to warn, "Although this move is out of sincere respect and love, it will waste material resources and I am very sorry. I regard all the people in the world as my own children. As long as every household is prosperous and there is no need to put up colorful curtains, I will be very happy."
The old man with white hair and beard, who was leading the group of celebrities and gentlemen, was very good at making jokes. "Your Majesty is a great leader in the world and loves the people like his own children. You deserve to be admired by all the people. It is our blessing and honor to be able to come and welcome Your Majesty."
Jiang Changning, wearing a bright red phoenix robe, stood gracefully one step behind Emperor Xuanzhi, smiling as he listened to his cordial conversation with the old man.
The imperial palace in Hangzhou is located on Gushan Mountain.
Gushan is located between the Inner Lake and the Outer Lake of West Lake. It is the largest island in West Lake, surrounded by blue waves and lush flowers and trees.
It is almost June, and the West Lake at this time is just like what is described in the poem, with endless green lotus leaves reaching the sky and red lotus flowers reflecting the sun.
The palace here is in the typical Jiangnan garden style.
The layout is free, the architecture is simple, the halls are arranged at will, the structure is not bound by a fixed style, and the pavilions, terraces, corridors and thresholds are winding in between, which is a reflection of the rigid symmetry of palaces, temples and houses.
Compared to the grandeur of the imperial palace, this place appears to be more compact and exquisite.
"It's nice here." Jiang Changning chuckled.
"Hangzhou City is your hometown, we can stay here for a few more days." Emperor Xuanzhi said with a smile.
Jiang Changning smiled and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
After arriving in Hangzhou, Emperor Xuanzhi met with officials and handled government affairs.
Jiang Changning summoned all the members of the Jiang clan, and she returned home in glory to meet her natal family.
The people who came to see Jiang Changning were from her grandfather's cousin's lineage, and in terms of seniority, they were her uncle and aunt.
The Jiang family has few descendants, and she is the only one left in Jiang Changning's grandfather's lineage.
This great uncle had one son and four daughters, but all four daughters have passed away, leaving only the son.
Uncle Jiang is nearly fifty years old and has only three daughters. The eldest and second daughters are both married, and the third daughter wants to stay at home and marry into the family.
"Your Majesty, Master Jiang and Madam Jiang are waiting outside." The eunuch came in to report.
"Please let them in." Jiang Changning had met her uncle and aunt several times before leaving Hangzhou. She had a good memory and recognized them at a glance.
"I, a common woman, pay my respects to Her Majesty the Queen. May Her Majesty live long and healthy." The Jiang couple saluted.
"Uncle and aunt, there is no need to be so polite. Please stand up and take a seat." Jiang Changning held them with both hands.
"Thank you, Queen."
After the two men sat down on the chairs, Jiang Changning kindly asked about their family situation, the harvest in the fields, and Uncle Jiang's participation in the imperial examination.
The box contained a complete set of gilded head ornaments, which was perfect as a gift for Jiang Sanniang as an addition to her makeup.
Uncle Jiang does not hold an official position. According to the laws of the Qin Dynasty, Jiang Sanniang, the daughter of a commoner, cannot wear gold-plated jewelry. However, since it was awarded by the Empress Dowager, she can keep it as a family heirloom.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Madam Jiang said happily.
"I'm afraid I won't be able to attend the wedding, so please ask my aunt and cousin to congratulate me." Jiang Changning said with a smile.
"Your Majesty is so polite." Mrs. Jiang said with a smile.
After chatting for a few more words, Mr. Jiang and Mrs. Jiang left, and Jiang Changning also gave them some gifts.
Polite and distant relatives.
After meeting his relatives, Jiang Changning changed out of his gorgeous robe and put on a light summer shirt, then walked slowly along the bluestone path.
Not long after she ascended the observation tower, Emperor Xuanzhi arrived and asked, "Are you happy to see your family?"
"Happy." Jiang Changning was smiling, but it was not reflected in his eyes.
Emperor Xuanzhi hugged her from behind and said, "Tomorrow we will go to pay respect to our father-in-law and mother-in-law."
"Okay." Jiang Changning replied softly.
He held her quietly and said nothing more.
She leaned quietly in his arms without saying a word.
Hangzhou is her hometown, where she has lived for nearly ten years, but it is also her sad place where her parents are buried.
The next day, Emperor Xuanzhi and Jiang Changning wore plain clothes and went to the Jiang family's cemetery.
Jiang Changning has lived in the capital for many years and has been unable to come back to visit her parents' graves, but she asked someone to help.
There is not a single weed on the graves of her parents and grandparents, and the tombstones are clean and free of dust.
"Grandfather, grandmother, father, mother, Ning'er is here to see you." Jiang Changning knelt in front of the grave.
Emperor Xuanzhi knelt beside Jiang Changning, who was startled, "Your Majesty!"
"Even though I am the emperor, I am also the son-in-law of the Jiang family. How can I not perform the etiquette of a junior when I come to the tombs of my grandfather, grandmother, father, and mother?"
Jiang Changning's eyes sparkled with tears, and he cried, "Grandfather, grandmother, father, mother, he is Ning'er's husband, he is the emperor of Daqin, and he treats Ning'er very well."
"Grandfather, grandmother, father, mother, I will treat Ning'er well and grow old with her. This time we are here to pay tribute to you as husband and wife. Next time, I will bring our children along."
Jiang Changning looked at him sideways, "Your Majesty, are you telling the truth?"
"Don't joke."
Tears fell from Jiang Changning's eyes, "Thank you."
"Don't cry." Emperor Xuanzhi reached out to wipe her tears. "Grandfather and his family are in heaven. Seeing that you are living such a good life now, they will be relieved."
After paying homage to the elders of the Jiang family, the couple left without staying for dinner.
In the carriage, Emperor Xuanzhi said with a smile: "I'll take you to eat something delicious."
"I'm from Hangzhou, and I'm the one who took you to eat delicious food." Jiang Changning corrected him.
"Then I'll have to trouble you, Madam, to take me out to eat something delicious." Emperor Xuanzhi said with a smile.
"Great." Jiang Changning smiled.
(End of this chapter)