Chapter 502: Chapter 283: Promise
The court had three stances.
Represented by Pri Minister Shu, the Radical Faction strongly advised launching the Western Expedition. This seed natural since both of Pri Minister Shu’s sons were in the military, and only through continuous warfare could they find more opportunities for advancent.
On the other hand, the Conservative faction led by the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Guo Chong, strongly recomnded a ceasefire. After all, every ti war broke out, the Ministry of Revenue had to fork out millions of silver, and no one wanted to burden themselves with so many issues.
Those remaining were the neutrals, who didn’t voice any opinions and only waited for Qi Yuan to deliver the final verdict, then echoed it.
“You all have good reasons,” Qi Yuan, sitting on the Dragon Chair, looked down at the crowd, “so whom do you think I should listen to?”
“Your Majesty’s decision is alone omnipotent, and we shall follow whatever decision Your Majesty makes.”
Pri Minister Shu took the lead, and all the courtiers knelt down.
Qi Yuan looked at the officials, and after a long mont, he spoke, “I think we should go to war.”
Pri Minister Shu visibly sighed in relief, “Your Majesty is wise.”
“However, with the eastern and southern fronts tense, we lack generals for the Western Expedition…”
“Your Majesty, I am willing to recomnd my two sons, for serving the country in battle is an honor for a subject.”
“Good, so virtuous, Pri Minister Shu.” Qi Yuan clapped his hands, his eyes deep and profound, “Bestow upon Pri Minister Shu the title Duke of National Protection, Shu Yi as General Zhao Wu, commanding an army of a hundred thousand, to campaign against Yuezhi.”
“As you command.”
After wrapping up this major issue, the rest were topics regarding personnel changes.
Shu Wan had already read the petition last night and wasn’t very interested at that mont.
She looked at her father and brothers standing in the court, feeling hardly any ripple in her heart.
To say she hated them, now there wasn’t much left.
Every era’s people bear the stamp of their ti, heavily influenced by economic foundations, social concepts, and traditional thinking.
Rather than saying Pri Minister Shu treated her as a tool, or her brothers treated her as a tool, it’s fairer to say, won in this era were all tools.
Noticing Shu Wan’s gaze, Pri Minister Shu glanced over.
However, standing in the hall, he could not look directly towards the Emperor, so it was just a brief glance.
Yet, that brief glance sohow sent a slight chill to the depths of Pri Minister Shu’s heart, for reasons even he didn’t know.
As the courtiers discussed state affairs, ti unconsciously reached noon.
Normally at this ti, Qi Yuan would give everyone an hour for lunch, then continue with the discussions.
But today, Qi Yuan exceptionally gave everyone the afternoon off, allowing the courtiers to return ho at noon.
Once the courtiers had dispersed, Qi Yuan didn’t take Shu Wan back to the palace but changed into ordinary clothes and left the palace with her.
It had been more than a month since Shu Wan returned to this era.
But as a daughter of an official family and a concubine, Shu Wan had little freedom to go out.
Now that she could stroll outside, Shu Wan felt very happy.
Qi Yuan did not overly suppress comrcial growth; the Beiling Dynasty’s comrce thrived, with streets lined with shops.
“Is there anything you want to buy?” Qi Yuan followed behind Shu Wan, “I’ll pay.”
“There are quite a few things.”
Shu Wan was soone who always managed her life well, no matter the circumstances.
Even now enshrouded in mysteries and facing an uncertain future, Shu Wan still wanted to purchase several pairs of beautiful earrings.
She was choosing carefully and didn’t notice Qi Yuan approaching. By the ti she slled Green Bamboo Fragrance on him, a White Jade Magnolia hairpin was already above her head.
Both of them were in n’s clothing, so to outsiders, it seed as if an exceptionally handso young man was sweetly coaxing another man.
The shop owner stood by, watching carefully for a long while, and considering that the hairpin was the most expensive item in the shop, he finally spoke, “Young master, this hairpin looks very beautiful on you, why not wrap it up?”
“Young master?” Qi Yuan repeated, then looking at Shu Wan’s appearance at the mont, his tone was tinged with a hint of amusent, “Indeed, let’s wrap them all up.”
“Certainly!”
The shop owner was overjoyed, quickly wrapping the jewelry for Shu Wan.
But Qi Yuan took it directly, “I’ll take it.”
The shop owner paused, “Oh, alright.”
Actually, he had thought about handing the items to Qi Yuan, who seed like the superior one, but Qi Yuan exuded such an imposing aura that he was a bit intimidated and thus didn’t dare get too close.
After leaving the jewelry store, Shu Wan also visited a porcelain shop and a silk store, eventually stopping at Ruyi Building.
In her past life, Shu Wan really enjoyed dining at Ruyi Building.
Modern chefs have good skills, but the ingredients and cooking thods differ from those of ancient tis, resulting in different flavors.
“Speaking of which, this is the first ti I’ve co here to eat,” Qi Yuan said as he poured Shu Wan a cup of tea. “I’ve always wanted to co, but never had the chance.”
“Your Majesty is busy with state affairs.”
“That’s not really it,” Qi Yuan’s gaze fell on Shu Wan’s hand, “I just wanted to co with you.”
Shu Wan’s hand paused slightly when picking up the chopsticks. She looked up and t Qi Yuan’s deep gaze, “Your Majesty, I am of low status.”
“Am I still low?” Qi Yuan’s eyes flickered slightly, seemingly pondering Shu Wan’s words seriously, “Just wait a bit longer, I will promote you again.”
“…”
Shu Wan was already a Noble Consort now; any higher promotion would make her the Empress.
Shu Wan looked at Qi Yuan with so surprise. How did she feel that Qi Yuan’s attitude towards her had improved even more than before she left the palace?
She carefully recalled the journey, making sure she hadn’t revealed anything, but Qi Yuan’s attitude change was still strangely swift.
“Your Majesty, I—”
“No need for more words.” Qi Yuan stopped Shu Wan’s speech. His gaze finally moved away from her hands, becoming even more gentle, “The position of Empress is the only one fitting for you.”
Qi Yuan’s gaze was too intense, as if the layer that covered it had been removed, revealing a heat intense enough to lt soone that had accumulated over the years.
Shu Wan instinctively turned her head, avoiding Qi Yuan’s gaze, “The dishes are here.”
“Yes.”
The al passed uncomfortably for Shu Wan, as Qi Yuan’s attitude towards her was exceptionally good.
He, an Emperor, personally arranged food and poured tea for her. Shu Wan couldn’t tell if he was treating her as a substitute or testing her.
The two didn’t leave the palace until the afternoon and had been playing for so long by the ti they finished their al that evening had already fallen.
“Your Majesty, shall we go back now?”
The palace gates were strictly guarded and would be locked after a certain hour.
“Yes.”
Qi Yuan left with Shu Wan, exiting the Ruyi Building to the gleaming street lamps that brightened the surroundings beautifully.
Looking at the variously styled lanterns, Shu Wan’s eyes moved slightly, about to say sothing, but she held back her words.
She turned her head and Qi Yuan had sohow taken her hand.
Qi Yuan’s palm, unlike his cold exterior, was extrely warm.
Feeling Shu Wan’s gaze on him, Qi Yuan slightly raised the corners of his lips, tightening his grip on her hand, “Let’s go back.”
“Yes.”
Shu Wan followed Qi Yuan back to the palace, but upon entering the gates, he led her up to the turret.
Standing at the highest point of the turret, they could almost overlook the entire Capital.
Shu Wan puzzled, “Is there sothing you needed? Why co here?”
“To fulfill a promise,” Qi Yuan turned his head, gazing deeply at Shu Wan, “A very old promise.”
With that, Qi Yuan raised his right hand and waved it slightly.
The next instant, sothing soared into the sky, and then, brilliant fireworks filled the whole sky.
The fireworks technology of ancient tis naturally couldn’t compare to modern tis; the fireworks that rose were only white sparks.
But as the Emperor, Qi Yuan could win with quantity.
Countless fireworks, bursting in the sky one after another, created a stunning spectacle of white, lighting up half the Capital.
In Shu Wan’s mind, mories from long ago suddenly surfaced.
Back then, she had first t Qi Yuan because she had fallen and was crying in the Imperial Garden.
At that ti, to stop her crying, the young Qi Yuan, who was still the Crown Prince, said many things to cheer her up.
Finally, Qi Yuan promised to take her to see the most beautiful fireworks next ti, and she barely stopped her tears.
“What are fireworks?” The then six-year-old Shu Wan had never seen them before.
“They are like golden rain from the sky; if you stop crying, I will take you to see them in the future.”
“Alright, it’s a promise.”
“It’s a promise.”
The promise made by the eleven-year-old Crown Prince, now separated by lifetis and bridging the chasm of ti, was finally fulfilled by Emperor Qi Yuan.
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