Capítulo 1227: Chapter 1221: Imperial Marriage Decree
Wei Zhong poured hot tea for Bai Qingyan, looking at the bustling scene of the night market in Feng County, he said with a smile: “The lives of the people in Feng County can be seen from the street scenes after dark! In impoverished places, at night… everything is pitch black, where would there be stalls? Even if there were stalls, people would have no spare money to visit, wouldn’t they? But now, look at this, it’s bright as day, though not comparable to Dadu City, it’s still lively enough.”
She took the teacup handed by Wei Zhong, holding the lid, her gaze shifting from the storybook to the outside market scene, bustling and noisy, with shouting and laughter rising and falling, filled with the essence of human life.
Bai Qingyan’s attention was drawn to a small wonton stall, where the stove made of mud under the oilcloth shelter burned vigorously, sending waves of heat out the chimney. A young child tugged at their mother, wanting wontons, and reached into the lady’s sleeve to take a coin, only to be reprimanded by the lady pulling on their ear.
This kind of market bustle was sothing Bai Qingyan quite liked.
The true prosperity of a nation is the prosperity of its common people.
She hoped that all the people could live such peaceful and lively days, for the people… this is the true wealth of the nation, truly calm waters and clear skies.
After having dinner at a restaurant, Wei Zhong intended for Bai Qingyan to stay the night in Feng County, but Bai Qingyan said: “Let’s go, I’ve seen enough to be at ease, let’s go into Tiann Pass first.”
Following the route back to Dadu City, she should now be at Tiann Pass. That day, Xiao Rongyan, though still gentle as usual, left like that, carrying such heavy injuries.
She knew Xiao Rongyan must be aware she was concerned about his injuries, afraid Xiao Rongyan would send a ssage to her… and she wouldn’t be there when it arrived at Tiann Pass.
If Xiao Rongyan sent a ssage, she wanted to see it imdiately.
The carriage rode out of Feng County, and by the ti they reached Tiann Pass, the gates were already closed. Wei Zhong showed the token, then they were allowed to enter.
But the news of Bai Qingyan’s arrival couldn’t be kept from the General guarding the city, and upon entering, the General invited Bai Qingyan to stay at the residence.
“Your Majesty, rest assured, knowing the day you would arrive, we’ve prepared the residence, cleared and tidy for you to stay, ensuring there’s no disturbance from any outsiders!”
Bai Qingyan waved her hand saying: “Resting at the posthouse will do, no need to trouble the General’s residence.”
Once settled, she asked the Bai family guard she sent ahead to Tiann Pass: “Any news from the front?”
Considering the days, if Xiao Rongyan had sent a ssage, it should have arrived already.
“There’s a battle report saying the young master and the lady have taken Luquan City, and are now on the way to Jingrong, reckoning they should have arrived by now!” said the Bai family guard.
Bai Qingyan nodded, and now throughout Xiliang, aside from General Cui Shanzhong, no other commanders could match the Bai family army, let alone having the Shuoyang army, proficient in siege warfare.
She asked again: “Any other news?”
The Bai family guard thought Bai Qingyan was asking about Bai Jinzhi’s news, quickly replied: “Yes, there’s also news from the Fourth Mistress and General Shen saying they have reached Gangdi, but have delayed the attack, waiting for the main forces of Zhou to arrive at Jingrong. Now, the Fourth Mistress and General Shen have split into two groups, one secretly heading north to Yunjing, ready to capture Li Tianjiao if he tries to escape.”
She looked at the Bai family guard, who felt guilty under her gaze, glanced at Wei Zhong.
Wei Zhong asked with a smile: “Any news from the Yan Kingdom? Is there any?”
“Not yet, generally speaking… news from Yan is sent directly to the young masters and ladies at the frontline, it’s likely that the young master and ladies are concerned about the eldest mistress being pregnant, and don’t want her to worry, so didn’t send the news.” The Bai family guard said with a smile.
“Alright, I understand… go rest!” Bai Qingyan smiled.
“Yes!”
After the Bai family guard retreated, Bai Qingyan sat silently on the soft couch for a long while.
No rush, her letter had just been sent out, once Xiao Rongyan sees the letter, he’ll certainly send a reply back.
“Eunuch Wei, you should go rest too, Chun Zhi will stay here to serve.” Bai Qingyan said.
“Yes!” Wei Zhong responded and withdrew.
Seeing Bai Qingyan opened the storybook again, Chun Zhi replaced it with a brighter lamp and brought over the day’s bought snacks and ginseng tea.
Noting Bai Qingyan’s keen interest, Chun Zhi worried it might upset Bai Qingyan, said: “I later learned to read and had looked at several storybooks with others, most of it is nonsense!”
“Hmm… I know.” Bai Qingyan turned another page, instead studying the paper used for the storybook.
Paper has always been expensive, but this Yunshang Shop would send storybooks like this using paper, indicating that the Yan Kingdom found a way to reduce paper production costs.
The storybook wasn’t thick, Bai Qingyan quickly finished it, it recorded the story roughly about… long ago when Murong Yu was alive, he intended to give ng Zhaorong, the first beauty of Yan Kingdom, to the Ninth Prince of Yan. But the Ninth Prince was violent and had no intention to marry, refusing even to et.
Later, the Ninth Prince of Yan pretended to travel and along a long street encountered a beggar woman holding a child, nearly knocked over by a nobleman’s carriage. He had her sent to the clinic, gave silver, and fell in love with this young woman at first sight.
After they t, both hid their identities, the Ninth Prince was ruthless to others but indulgent and caring to ng Zhaorong.
After Murong Yu’s passing, the Empress Dowager intended to fulfill the deceased emperor’s wish and grant marriage between the Ninth Prince and ng Zhaorong, but ng Zhaorong resisted to the death, being confined to the house by Minister ng, forbidden to go out.
The Ninth Prince couldn’t find ng Zhaorong and infuriated almost turned the entire Yan Kingdom capital over, even defying imperial orders and refusing marriage, declaring if the Empress Dowager insisted on the marriage, he would drag his nephew from the throne.
ng Zhaorong was confined at ho for several months, while the Ninth Prince assud ng Zhaorong abandoned him, becoming the feared Regent Prince in Yan Kingdom, his character increasingly more violent and terrifying due to ng Zhaorong’s “abandonnt.”
Unexpectedly, he encountered ng Zhaorong summoned by the Empress Dowager in the imperial garden, realizing a huge misunderstanding, all along they were supposed to be engaged.
Originally, they were about to marry, but then the Xiliang incident happened, forcing the Ninth Prince to lead the army, the Empress Dowager promised the Ninth Prince once the Xiliang matter calms, she would grant the marriage.
The story ended here marked as “to be continued.”
Having read the storybook, Bai Qingyan wiped her palms with the kerchief, took a sip of hot tea, no wonder such storybooks appear in Zhou, if it were in Yan Kingdom… it might have beco a banned book.
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