Zipei was about to choose a gift when he suddenly felt sothing was off: "Young master."
"What’s the matter?"
"Is it appropriate for you to give a bow and arrow to the dainty County Princess Baoyi?"
Gu Lan smiled: "Zipei, there is a reason why girls don’t fancy you."
Zipei: ...
*
The next day in court, two officials accused Prince Rui of leaving camp and returning to the mansion privately two weeks ago, and also eting with the Minister of War, suggesting he had ulterior motives.
Rong Shuo argued that he only returned to the Prince Mansion once to celebrate his young son’s birthday, and it was on that day that the Minister of War ca to the mansion to deliver a birthday gift for Rong Yunhao.
"Prince Rui, the elite troops you brought back are already arrogant and lack control. What if your n rebel when you privately return ho? I think you are trying to cause a disaster!" an official persisted in reprimanding.
"Indeed, wasn’t the young prince’s birthday last year when you were not in the Capital City celebrated just the sa?"
Rong Shuo stood firmly in the center of the court, facing the allegations calmly and fearlessly.
The Emperor raised his hand, and the court fell silent.
"Report—! An urgent dispatch from eight hundred miles away, the Liang Country is showing signs of unrest at the Southern Border, and the army at the Southern Border is without a general to guard, leading to instability in morale."
This military report was not truly urgent; the Emperor felt Prince Rui had stayed in the Capital City long enough, and it was ti for him to return to the Southern Border to guard it.
He looked at Rong Shuo and said: "The army cannot be without a commander for a day. Since that’s the case, please depart imdiately, I entrust the Southern Border to you."
"I obey the order!" Rong Shuo took a deep breath and answered solemnly.
Then he added: "Emperor, may I ask for a two-day grace period? Tomorrow I need to hand over so matters in the military camp to others, and the day after is my young daughter Baoyi’s coming-of-age ceremony, I promised to accompany her."
In Rong Shuo’s heart, Baoyi and the young prince are his closest children. When he celebrated Rong Yunhao’s birthday recently, he noticed Baoyi’s sadness.
He owes his wife and children too much, not being able to be by their side all these years, leaving them worried about him, and truly feels ashad as a husband and father.
On the battlefield, there is no general who wins every battle; Rong Shuo also fears that every separation may be a farewell.
A girl’s coming-of-age ceremony is a significant event, and Rong Shuo doesn’t want to disappoint Baoyi.
However, before he finished speaking, an official who had just quieted down stood up again: "Prince Rui’s princely heir and County Princess Changle will be studying at the Imperial Family academy the day after tomorrow and cannot leave the palace, Prince, you’d better not accompany the County Princess and focus on going to the Southern Border."
"The matter of the military camp outside the Yan Suburb can only be handled by General Li and others, Prince should imdiately rush back to the Southern Border; delays may lead to changes."
"Personal affairs should be set aside in the face of national affairs; doesn’t Prince Rui understand this principle?"
Rong Shuo clenched his fist; he had already decided that even if he had to use his prince status, he would let Baoyi have this coming-of-age ceremony.
Suddenly, the Emperor spoke:
"The handover of military affairs is indeed tedious; Prince Rui requested an additional day, I grant it. As for County Princess Changle’s coming of age, I am also very pleased. The day after tomorrow I will command the Empress to host a banquet at Yonghua Palace, and eminent won of the court may enter the palace to celebrate for the County Princess."
"Then—"
Rong Jing’s alluring eyes looked deep and aningful at Rong Shuo, his tone carrying a hint of warning that only Rong Shuo could feel: "Prince Rui, I will let the civil and military officials celebrate for Changle; are you still not satisfied?"
Rong Shuo’s clenched fist powerlessly loosened.
Is he not satisfied?
Should he be satisfied?
No matter how the whole world celebrates Baoyi’s coming-of-age ceremony, this father, on this day, has to leave the Capital City and head alone to the Southern Border.
Yet, Rong Jing’s words closed off any rebuttal. The Empress, as the mother of the nation, personally hosts the banquet for Baoyi. What can he say?
After leaving the court, Rong Shuo hurried back to the barracks to handle military affairs, instructing a subordinate to relay the oral decree back to the Prince Mansion.
"Prince, the flood disaster in the Capital City has had a major impact, causing the military pay to be delayed, and rations have been late for a long ti, which is why the brothers in the army are dissatisfied. Even if you returned to the Southern Border, you couldn’t change this." the subordinate couldn’t help but complain.
"The Emperor clearly feels that you have stayed in the Capital City for too long and wants to rush you back to the Southern Border."
Rong Shuo wore armor and held a delicate lambskin, gently wiping his saber:
"At worst, I and the brothers will starve together. An unforeseen flood disaster is beyond the Emperor’s control, so I must return to the Southern Border to stabilize the situation. But... Baoyi and the rest have to be wronged; I promised to accompany Baoyi for her coming-of-age, but now I have to break my word."
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