He looked at them – they all seemed to be carved from the same piece of jade stone, with exceptionally fine quality.
“Two years ago, on my birthday, Father Emperor gave me a pair of jade stones, tributes from local regions. It’s said these two jade stones were mined from the same location and were naturally formed as if they were originally one piece, though their patterns differed slightly. One’s pattern resembled a soaring dragon, the other’s pattern resembled a phoenix!” Murong Li’s eyes were full of smiles. “I heard that Sister Bai… no, I should change how I address her now – it’s Ninth Aunt! I heard Ninth Aunt gave birth to auspicious dragon and phoenix twins, which reminded me of these two jade stones. I had craftsmen carve them into dragon and phoenix jade pendants and dragon-phoenix seal stones as gifts for my younger brother and sister!”
When the two children were mentioned, Xiao Rongyan’s features seemed to be tinged with warmth from the candlelight. He closed the wooden box, reached out to pat Murong Li’s head, took the heavy wooden box from Murong Li’s hands, and said in a low voice: “Good, Ninth Uncle will certainly deliver them and tell your younger brother and sister that these are gifts from their big brother!”
“Mm!” The smile in Murong Li’s eyes carried a childlike quality.
Afterward, Great Yan’s Emperor personally accompanied the Regent out of the mansion, seeing the Regent off outside the city, clearly demonstrating to all of Yan his regard for the Regent.
Yan’s court officials had been waiting outside the city for a long time. Seeing His Majesty riding in the imperial carriage out of the city together with the Regent, they hastily knelt in salute.
Murong Li descended from the carriage together with Xiao Rongyan, escorting Xiao Rongyan to his carriage. His words carried much guilt: “It’s hard work for Ninth Uncle to travel for Yan. A-Li feels very sorry about this. Originally, A-Li should have gone personally to show more importance.”
“Your Majesty is Yan’s Emperor and should naturally remain to guard Yan. If negotiations fail and Great Zhou insists on fighting Yan, it would be unsafe for Your Majesty to be in Great Zhou! This Prince’s going is most appropriate.” Xiao Rongyan looked down at his little nephew who was looking up at him, bending to whisper in Murong Li’s ear: “While Ninth Uncle is away, if there are matters in court you’re uncertain about, you can discuss with the court ministers and have them propose solutions, but the final decisions must be made by you! A-Li… at this point, it’s time for you to demonstrate your abilities.”
Hearing these words, Murong Li’s eyes suddenly grew warm. Originally, Ninth Uncle wanted to hide him behind, taking on all the dirty and corrupt matters himself. Ninth Uncle said he only needed to grow up to become a virtuous ruler without any stains.
But now that Yan had decided to merge with Great Zhou, differing from Yan’s previously established national policy, he needed to demonstrate his abilities to gain the court ministers’ recognition and trust!
“I’ve already instructed the ministers of the ‘Regent’s Party’ – they will listen to you, the Emperor, in all matters. Feel free to make bold decisions. As for your mother’s side… I’m taking your uncle Zhong Xingxiao with me, so you’ll be able to properly control these ‘Empress Dowager Party’ members afterward!” Xiao Rongyan gripped Murong Li’s shoulder firmly. “Ninth Uncle knows you can do it!”
Murong Li nodded with tears in his eyes: “Ninth Uncle, rest assured. A-Li… will certainly not disappoint Ninth Uncle!”
Xiao Rongyan nodded. He had no worries about Murong Li. Though Murong Li was young, his wisdom far exceeded his age.
“Protect A-Li well in Yan’s capital!” Xiao Rongyan then turned to instruct Murong Ping.
Murong Ping clasped his fists: “Ninth Uncle, rest assured. A-Ping will certainly protect His Majesty with his life!”
Watching Xiao Rongyan board his carriage, Murong Li turned his head and wiped away tears with his sleeve. Though he knew Ninth Uncle’s journey wasn’t particularly dangerous, he still couldn’t help worrying.
Only after the troops escorting Xiao Rongyan and Yan’s court ministers had slowly moved into the distance did Murong Ping remind Murong Li: “Your Majesty, Ninth Uncle has gone far. Let’s return to the palace!”
Murong Li nodded: “Mm, let’s go back!”
·
The day after the Great Zhou Emperor’s carriage returned to the palace, Bai Qingyan appeared at the morning court, breaking the previous rumors that Bai Qingyan had suffered complications from premature birth and forcing herself to rush to Xiliang.
News that Yun Jing had been taken had also been sent back to the capital, though it was still unknown whether Yan or Great Zhou had gained Yun Jing, only that both countries’ armies were still within Yun Jing city.
At this time, many court ministers believed that Bai Qingyan’s decision to station troops at Yan’s border was wise, given Yan’s betrayal of the Great Zhou that led to the Fifth Young Master and Seventh Miss of the Bai family being captured.
Seeing Bai Qingyan attend morning court, ministers suggested that if Bai Qingyan didn’t plan to destroy Yan and wanted the people and soldiers to rest and recover, she could send envoys to Yan demanding that Yan withdraw its troops from Yun Jing!
If Bai Qingyan planned to attack Yan, she should take advantage of Yan’s main forces being trapped in Xiliang by Great Zhou’s army, and with Great Zhou having justification for war, cleanly capture Yan’s capital, capture Great Yan’s Emperor and Empress Dowager alive, and quickly end this battle.
Bai Qingyan, sitting on the dragon throne, smiled and said: “Whether to fight or not, there’s no need to be too hasty now. Duke of Righteousness Bai Jinxiu, Bai Qingqi, and General Shen of the Bai family army are in Xiliang and will certainly not let Yan’s main forces leave Xiliang by even half a step. Before I departed for Xiliang, I had Wei Zhong go ahead. Wei Zhong met with Yan’s Regent Murong Yan in Xiliang. Yan’s Regent said… regarding Yan’s betrayal of Great Zhou, he asked Great Zhou to give him a month and a half, and after a month and a half, he would certainly give Great Zhou an explanation. Counting the days… It’s only ten more days to wait.”
Grand Commandant Lu, Minister of Works Shen, Grand Tutor Dong, and Lu Jin all understood clearly in their hearts that their Emperor was waiting for the Ninth Prince of Yan to send over strategies for the two countries’ merger.
“Moreover, Yan’s Regent has also said that Yun Jing should belong to our Great Zhou! Having Yan’s army remain in Yun Jing city now is… for the convenience of our Great Zhou!” Bai Qingyan’s speech was measured, making Great Zhou’s court ministers feel her confidence and put their minds at ease.
“Your Majesty, since Your Majesty has your plans, we ministers will follow your commands. But… there is one matter that should also be prepared!” Grand Commandant Lu smiled and bowed to Bai Qingyan before saying, “The meritorious officials from this campaign to destroy Xiliang should all receive the rewards they deserve! This would also boost the morale of our Great Zhou’s soldiers!”
With that, Grand Commandant Lu took out a memorial and respectfully held it above his head: “This is what I discussed with Minister of Works Shen and Grand Tutor Dong – a rough draft of rewards. Please review and revise it, Your Majesty.”
Grand Commandant Lu always managed to do exactly what touched Bai Qingyan’s heart. Previously, when Bai Qingqi and Bai Qingyu returned, Bai Qingyan hadn’t rewarded them, waiting to reward everyone together after destroying Xiliang and establishing their achievements.
Naturally, all the meritorious generals from the destroyed Xiliang were to be rewarded.
Such as Uncle Shen, General Shen Kunyang, and others.
From the letter A-Qi had Wei Zhong bring back to her, Bai Qingyan also mentioned one person – Wang Qiulu…
Wang Qiulu was originally a famous general in Nandu’s army. This time in the Bai family army, he willingly served as vanguard. Wang Qiulu was among the first batch to charge into Yun Jing city with Bai Jinxiu, showing exceptional bravery.