After walking for a few more miles, we heard the sound of drums and firecrackers that resounded through the sky ahead. In the bluish-white smoke, we could vaguely see the emperor's ceremonial guards and fluttering flags.
Zhao Jingyu and Xie Nanjia got out of the car, mounted their horses again, and walked side by side in front of the team.
Xie Nanfeng followed them.
The familiar scenery came into view, the sound of drums and music reached their ears, and even the calmest people on weekdays could not help but burst into tears.
When I arrived in front of the welcoming team, I saw the bright yellow ceremonial guards, the emperor sitting on the dragon throne wearing a bright yellow dragon robe, the civil and military officials standing respectfully behind him, and the countless people of the capital city who lined the roads for miles. My tears turned into blood that boiled in my chest.
When he left, he was charged with murder, but when he returned, he was honored and was personally welcomed by the emperor and congratulated by the people. This honor was probably the first since the founding of the Great Zhou Dynasty.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince returns victoriously. May His Highness live a thousand years and a thousand thousand years!"
The ministers all knelt on the ground and shouted "Long live the emperor".
The people also knelt down and shouted: "Long live His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"
The identity of Prince Zhao Jingyu had long been made public in the capital. Initially, a large number of people did not recognize his abilities and character. However, ever since the victory report came from Nanzhao, his heroic feat of capturing Nanzhao City and capturing the King of Nanzhao alive within two days spread throughout the court and the country, instantly reversing people's prejudices and doubts about him, and he became a hero that people in the streets and alleys competed to praise.
When they heard that the emperor would personally go out of the city to welcome his triumphant return, the people followed him spontaneously, wanting to be the first to see this most brilliant, heroic and extraordinary prince in the legend.
Therefore, although Zhao Jingyu had not yet officially appointed the crown prince, some ministers who were good at flattering the emperor and pleasing him took the lead in calling him the crown prince. Seeing that the emperor had no objection, other officials also changed their words.
So, before Zhao Jingyu returned, he had already changed his identity.
The truth is that Xie Nanjia hasn't officially married him yet, otherwise she would be called the Crown Princess by now.
"Hasn't there been a major reshuffle in the court? Why are there still so many flatterers?" Xie Nanjia joked with a smile while riding on his horse.
Zhao Jingyu said: "Flatterers also have their uses. For example, right now, I feel very comfortable listening to them."
Xie Nanjia: “…”
This man hasn't done anything yet, but his potential to be a tyrant has already been exposed.
When they got closer, everyone dismounted and, led by Zhao Jingyu, paid homage to Song Wanji.
Su Jincheng stood beside Song Wanji, looking at his sister eagerly, feeling as if they had not seen each other for many years.
Cheng Zhiye and Zhou Yuncheng had already arrived, standing in the team and looking at Zhao Jingyu from a distance, but they could not move forward because of their low level.
Song Wanji was extremely excited. He got off the sedan chair and personally helped Zhao Jingyu, Xie Nanjia and Xie Nanfeng up. He held Zhao Jingyu with one hand and Xie Nanfeng with the other, and nodded repeatedly, saying, "Good! Good! Good! My good children, you are finally back!"
Xie Nanjia is a girl, so Song Wanji can't be too close to her, so he deliberately praised her: "My daughter-in-law is really a heroine!"
The ceremonial officer brought up the wine, and Song Wanji filled four glasses with his own hands and drank with the three men, congratulating them on their victorious return to the court.
After drinking the wine, he stood shoulder to shoulder with the three men, facing the officials and the people, and once again accepted the worship of the people.
Dingyuan Marquis Xie Zhanting and Xiaoguo Duke Su Xian stood at the front of all the officials, looking at their children with eyes full of pride.
Zhao Jingyu, Xie Nanfeng and Xie Nanjia walked forward and bowed deeply to the three of them respectively.
The three fathers were very excited, but as it was not appropriate to act too casually on such an occasion, they held back their tears, helped the three children up, patted their shoulders and said, "good kids."
All the civil and military officials were extremely envious of these three. Looking at the courtesy the emperor showed to the three young men, one can imagine the status of these three men in the court in the future.
Song Wanji watched with a smile, and after they finished their ceremony, he personally led Xie Nanjia and Zhao Jingyu to the four-horse apricot-yellow canopy chariot that was specially prepared for them.
Xie Nanfeng received a purebred Arabian horse bestowed by the emperor. Song Wanji personally pinned a red flower on him and ordered him to walk at the front of the team and lead the team back to Beijing.
As the ceremonial music began, the people stepped aside, and the large group of people turned around and slowly marched towards the capital under the leadership of Xie Nanfeng.
From here to the South City Gate, it is a full nine miles. Both sides of the road are filled with enthusiastic people, and the thunderous cheers sent the team into the city gate.
Once inside the city, there were huge crowds of people and it was extremely lively. People who could not leave the city were all waiting on the streets, beating drums and gongs, singing and dancing to welcome the prince's return. Many big merchants even sent their employees to the streets to distribute money and celebrate.
The scene was even more lively than last year's triumphant return of General Wuan.
In fact, in terms of merit, Zhao Jingyu is naturally not as meritorious as General Wu'an in expelling foreign enemies. The reason why it is so lively is that officials from all parties want to please the emperor and curry favor with Zhao Jingyu in advance, so they mobilized the people and merchants to come up with these nonsense things.
Fortunately, today is a festive day, and everyone is very happy. No one will care about these trivial matters. The emperor is happy that his son is loved by the people, and even Zhao Jingyu himself enjoys this exaggerated enthusiasm.
Xie Nanjia once again confirmed his potential to be a tyrant, and reminded him amid the noise: "A person who loves vanity and glory cannot be a good emperor."
Zhao Jingyu waved to the crowd and said disapprovingly, "What man doesn't like to be admired? That's why he needs a good wife like you!"
Xie Nanjia: “…”
When the team entered the imperial city, the noise gradually died down. The people were separated outside the imperial city and continued to celebrate, while the civil and military officials followed the emperor into the palace and attended the celebration banquet prepared for Zhao Jingyu in Taihe Hall.
The banquet was filled with melodious music, laughter, fine food and wine, and clinking glasses, creating an atmosphere of joy and peace.
Because Xie Nanjia was a girl, the emperor specially prepared a seat for her and ordered Concubine Xian and Concubine Zhen, who were temporarily in charge of the harem affairs, to come and accompany her.
During the banquet, a minister suggested that Zhao Jingyu live directly in the palace. Concubine Xian also told the emperor that the Eastern Palace had been cleaned up in advance and Zhao Jingyu could move in at any time.
Song Wanji asked Zhao Jingyu for his opinion, but Zhao Jingyu bluntly stated that he did not want to live in the place where Song Jingxing had lived.
That arrogant tone instantly brought people back to their previous impression of him.
There's nothing we can do about it. He just made a great contribution and he's the emperor's only son. He deserves to be so arrogant.
Song Wanji really doted on Zhao Jingyu to the extreme. Not only did he not think Zhao Jingyu was arrogant, but he smiled and said, "If you don't want to live here, forget it. I will discuss with the ministers later to tear down the East Palace and rebuild it. You can tell the people in the Ministry of Works what style you like and let them build it according to your preferences."
Ministers: “…”
You old man have already made all the plans, why are you still discussing with us
Zhao Jingyu said: "Then I will ask Xiu'er later. I will like whatever Xiu'er likes."
Ministers: “…”
Well, this one is more casual.
Concubine Zhen said to Xie Nanjia with envy: "Miss Xiu'er is so lucky."
Xie Nanjia said politely: "No, no, it's Zhao Jingyu who is lucky to marry me."
Concubine Zhen: “…”
This is really a case of if you are not from the same family, you won’t enter the same door.
The banquet lasted until sunset. Zhao Jingyu didn't want to stay in the palace, so the three of them said goodbye in front of the hall and went home with their fathers.
Xie Nanjia quietly asked Zhao Jingyu to go and see the young master for her after returning to Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, and she would make time to go and see the child as soon as possible.
"Don't worry, I know." Zhao Jingyu said, "I don't want to move into the palace too soon just to make it easier for you to visit the child."
These words instantly hit the softest part of Xie Nanjia's heart. She stared at Zhao Jingyu in a daze, tears almost coming out.
When she returned to the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion, she saw from afar that the lanterns outside the mansion gate were full of people standing. Before the carriage stopped, everyone rushed forward, calling her name and surrounding the carriage.
“Xiu’er, my Xiu’er…” Sheng Qingyun was walking in front, and tears already covered her face before she saw anyone.
As soon as Xie Nanjia got out of the car, she hugged her and burst into tears, "Xiu'er, I miss you so much!"
"Mom, I miss you too!" Xie Nanjia hugged her back, and only then did she feel like she was really back home. "I am an unfilial daughter and have made you worry."
“Sister, sister…” More than a dozen brothers from the Su family came over and called her.
Several aunts also came forward, wiping their tears and saying that she was finally back.
"Okay, okay, go in first. The two old people are waiting to see their granddaughter!" said the young Duke Su Xian.
The whole family surrounded Xie Nanjia and went to the old lady's yard.
The old duke and the old lady had been waiting impatiently, so they sent their maids to check outside again and again. Finally, they heard the maid shouting, "The young lady is back." The old couple then supported each other and went outside to greet her.
As soon as Xie Nanjia entered the yard, he saw two elderly people standing outside the door looking in.
"Grandfather, grandmother!" she called happily, trotting over, lifting her skirt to kowtow to the two elders, but was stopped by the old duke.
"After such a long journey, my Xiu'er must be exhausted. It's better not to have these customary ceremonies." The old Duke said happily, "Stand up straight so that grandpa can take a good look at you. Wow, I haven't seen you for a few months, and you have grown taller..."
"Is it taller? Let me see." The old lady pulled Xie Nanjia to her side, looked her up and down for a few times, nodded and said, "Yes, you are taller, but also thinner. You must have suffered a lot outside. You should stay at home and take care of yourself starting tomorrow."
As they were talking, everyone came into the house, sat in the full house, and asked Xie Nanjian about his experience in Nanzhao.
"Our Xiu'er is so amazing. I heard that even the emperor praised her as a heroine!" The second wife said proudly.
"Why does a girl need to be so powerful? It's best to live a peaceful and stable life." Sheng Qingyun said.
"It's not bad to be a little bit stronger. Xiu'er will be in charge of the six palaces in the future. If she's not strong, how can she control others?" The old lady said, "But then again, when did Xiu'er learn the skill of archery? How come I don't know?"
Xie Nanjia explained: "In the past, there was nothing to eat on the farm, so I made a bow and slingshot and ran around the mountains to hunt game. Over time, I naturally became proficient in it."
"So that's how it is. Poor child, he has suffered so much outside." The female relatives were all heartbroken.
But the men didn't believe it. How could hunting game be the same as fighting in a war? What's more, shooting someone on the city wall while riding a horse. Not to mention that she was a girl, even soldiers who had been fighting for years could not guarantee that they would hit the target.
However, since Xiu'er refused to tell the truth, they tacitly remained silent and did not expose her.
After talking for a while, Sheng Qingyun was worried that his daughter would be tired, so he suggested that Xie Nanjia go and rest first and talk tomorrow.
So everyone got up and said goodbye and went back to their own residences. The Su brothers were not good at talking too much in front of their elders, so they didn't say a few words to their sister. Before leaving, they made an appointment with her to go and play with her tomorrow afternoon.
After everyone had left, Xie Nanjia was about to leave with her parents and brothers, but the old lady stopped her, took her hand, and apologized to her guiltily, saying that she had done many things wrong in the past and asked her not to take it to heart.
As the most honorable woman in the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion, it was really difficult for the old lady who had always had the final say such words. Xie Nanjia certainly would not argue with her. She smiled and said that she had forgotten the past long ago and only remembered the kindness of her grandmother.
The old lady was relieved and asked her to go back and rest quickly and come back to talk early tomorrow morning.
Sheng Qingyun hadn't seen her daughter for a long time and didn't want to be separated from her for a moment, so she insisted that Xie Nanjia go to Qionghua Courtyard to sleep with her.
Xie Nanjia understood her feelings, so he followed her wishes and went back to Qionghua Courtyard with her to rest.
The mother and daughter lay in the same bed, heads against each other, talking to each other sweetly.
"Let's put everything else aside tomorrow and go to the general's mansion to see your aunt. She has been worried about you these days and has not been able to eat or sleep well." Sheng Qingyun said.
When Xie Nanjia heard this, he wished he could get up and go see his mother right away.
"Okay, let's go early tomorrow morning," she said. "I miss my aunt, too."
"Then go to sleep!" Sheng Qingyun said, "After you have a good night's sleep, dress up beautifully and go see your aunt, so that she won't think you are not having a good time outside."
"Yeah." Xie Nanjia agreed and closed his eyes obediently.
She was so tired that as soon as she closed her eyes, she felt sleepy.
In a daze, she seemed to hear Sheng Qingyun say something again, which seemed to be related to Zhao Jingyu.
But her eyelids were so heavy that she couldn't open them, so she didn't care and fell into a deep sleep.
On the way to the general's mansion the next day, she suddenly remembered this and casually asked Sheng Qingyun about it.
Sheng Qingyun looked strange, and after hesitating for a long while, he whispered, "A few days ago, a girl came from the northwest, saying that she was Zhao Jingyu's childhood sweetheart..."
"What?" Xie Nanjia's eyes widened immediately. Before Sheng Qingyun could finish, she asked anxiously, "What kind of girl is she? Where is she?"
"People..." Sheng Qingyun paused, holding her hand and said, "I told you not to worry, the people are living in Dingyuan Marquis Mansion now!"
(End of this chapter)