Once the emotions of monarch and subject calmed, Emperor Changlong called his sons over. “Yingting, these are Our sons. It has been many years since you’ve returned to the capital, so you may not recognize them.
“This is the crown prince,” Emperor Changlong said, sighing. “Although he’s skilled in martial arts and knows the art of war, he’s lazy. If it wasn’t for Us forcing him to learn politics and how to govern the state, one would fear he wouldn’t even step foot into the imperial study.”
“This most humble general greets Your Highness the crown prince. Your Highness is noble and handsome, possessing an extraordinary and imposing manner.” Hua Yingting studied Emperor Changlong and the crown prince. “Your Highness’ eyes and nose are aesthetically pleasing. They resemble Your Majesty’s.”
And Emperor Changlong burst into a roar of laughter.
Raising his clasped hands, the crown prince returned a salute to Hua Yingting. “Great General is overpraising me. I am still lacking in many aspects.”
“This is Our eldest son.”
“This most humble general greets Prince Ying.”
Prince Ying found it somewhat strange. When describing the crown prince, his imperial father used a long string of adjectives. So why was it that during his turn, his imperial father only said a short sentence?
After wrapping up his sons’ introductions, Emperor Changlong insisted that Hua Yingting ride in the imperial sedan. Face red, Hua Yingting replied, “This most humble general is endlessly moved by Your Majesty’s kindness. But…” Again and again, he glanced behind him, and even his neck grew red.
Catching that appearance of his, Emperor Changlong understood Hua Yingting was afraid of his wife. He smiled. Patted his shoulder. “Nevermind, nevermind. We won’t be the villain today. It’s an immensely joyous affair that you and your wife have returned to the capital. If We cause you, Beloved Subject, to kneel once you return home, then We will feel terrible.”
“Your Majesty,” said a woman in red, a smile tugging at her lips. Valiant and formidable-looking, she approached Emperor Changlong and performed a full ceremony of paying respects. “It has been many years since we’ve last met. Your honored self’s graceful bearing has not changed since.”
To which Hua Yingting shrank his shoulders in, not a word leaving his lips.
“General Wei.” Emperor Changlong looked at the women in red before him. His tone carried deep emotion as he said, “We are growing old. Yet, General Wei is still as youthful-looking and beautiful as before.”
The Great State of Jin’s most famous general, General Wei Mingyue. From Emperor Changlong’s youth until now, she existed as a psychological shadow. He had not been sensible back then, and noticing Wei Mingyue’s extraordinary beauty, he had said a few frivolous words. Shortly after, he witnessed head-on as Wei Mingyue smiled while she slapped a stone bench to pieces.
From then on, whenever he laid eyes on Wei Minyue, his legs ached, fearing that she would accidentally snap off his leg. And because this psychological shadow was so great, all the women in his harem had appearances and temperaments opposite of Wei Mingyue’s.
After so many years had passed, even though Emperor Changlong had become a highly esteemed emperor, it only took one glance at Wei Mingyue to recall that stone bench.
As such, even if he knew that Hua Yingting was henpecked to the max, he found him a true hero, a true fellow man, a model example for men in the capital.
“Beloved Subject.” Emperor Changlong pushed Hua Yingting toward Wei Mingyue’s side. “Many thanks to the two generals for Great Jin’s heroic accomplishments. We are here to welcome you back and escort you into the city.”
“Alive, we are Great Jin’s people. Dead, we are Great Jin’s ghosts.” Hua Yingting and Wei Yue knelt together before Emperor Changlong. “It is this most humble general’s duty.”
“Long live Your Majesty,” husband and wife said, lying prostrate and kowtowing.
“Long live Your Majesty,” shouted the soldiers who had returned to the capital, loud enough to shake the heavens, to cause the whole country to tremble.
“It is Our life’s fortune to have you two great generals,” said Emperor Changlong among the shouts. He stooped to support the two of them to their feet, eyes moist once more.
“Let’s go. The palace has prepared a feast to celebrate your heroic deeds. Return with Us to the palace.”
Because the emperor brought the imperial princes to personally receive Hua Yingting at the city gates, Hua Yingting received much prestige. Lin Zhou watched as the emperor’s procession slowly disappeared from the city gates, sighing in admiration in secret.
Since time immemorial, famous generals were like beautiful women; typically, they would not live long.
Today, the Hua clan enjoyed much glory; in the future, they would need to practice much caution. They had defended the border for these past many years, with a record of repeated success. However, the Hua family had in recent times suppressed the fiercest and toughest Jinpo Country. The other small countries could not put up much of a fight. At the very least, it was enough to guarantee fifty years’ worth of peace for Great Jin.
During those fifty years, what would happen to the Hua clan?
“Father.” The Lin family’s daughter disembarked from the carriage. She noticed her father staring into space toward the city gates. Saw the Hua family receiving the emperor’s personal welcome. Yet, she and her family could only yield the way, hiding in a corner. She felt melancholic. Tried to console her father by saying, “You are honest and were low-profile when returning to the capital. Other people do not know you have arrived. Thus…”
“Silly child.” Lin Zhou smiled. “The Hua clan will have a moment of glory. As for what the future brings, only history books can comment on it. I am not thinking too much. You do not need to worry.”
His daughter was good at everything. Just, she was too sensitive. If she did not alter her personality, what’s to be done once she married into the imperial family?
Since the first light of dawn, Hua Liuli and Hua Changkong had prepared to head for the city gates and meet their parents. Once they discovered that the emperor would bring the imperial princes to welcome their parents in person, and even set up a welcoming banquet in the palace, brother and sister followed the people waiting inside the city to greet their parents.
There was still a long way from the city gates to the palace.
Although the streets were already empty of civilians, it was no match for the civilians’ enthusiasm.
Men and women crowded the upper floors of teahouses and restaurants by the road, watching the excitement. When the emperor’s procession passed by, they grew lively at once. Some threw flowers, others handkerchiefs. Still others threw banknotes.
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Hua Liuli heard the imperial guards shout, “Careful! Don’t accidentally fall.”
“General Wei, General Wei, look here.”
Hua Liuli was sure it was a young girl who had said that.
“General Wei, I want to marry you.”
Hua Liuli took in her mother’s elegant and graceful rear figure. Then, she shifted her gaze to the young girl on the upper floor of the teahouse, who was jumping as she waved her handkerchief. And her emotions grew very complicated.
Sister, there’s no future in liking a married general. Look for someone else to have feelings for.
“Never had I expected that after so many years, young girls would still like Mother so much,” said Hua Changkong, his tone holding much emotion. No wonder His Majesty’s procession traveled so quickly to get here. Looks like it’s to let the civilians conveniently throw flowers and cheer.
Emperor Changlong could return to the imperial palace early, but the imperial princes had to accompany the soldiers and officers. Prince Ying removed the flower that had been accidentally thrown on his head, a buzz in his ears.
The crown prince, who rode a horse in front of him, suddenly reined in his horse, coming to a stop. He turned around and looked at the Hua siblings who were following behind the princes. He beckoned them. “Third Young Master Hua, Commandery Princess Fushou, come forward.”
At once, realization struck Prince Ying. The crown prince wanted to make a good impression in front of Hua Yingting and General Wei. Prince Ying knew that Ji Yuansu, this bastard, liked to show off in front of his brothers. Liked to act like a good person in front of other people.
“Your Highness.” Holding onto the reins of her horse as she rode it, Hua Liuli had heard the crown prince call out to her. And she urged her horse before him.
“You haven’t met the two generals in a long time. Go forward and reminisce with them well.” Why are this girl’s eyes so bright and twinkling? It’s to the point that I feel happy and excited too. “Today is the day your family reunites. No need to adhere too much to etiquette.”
“Many thanks, Your Highness.” Hua Liuli felt more and more that the crown prince was a good person. Such a good crown prince. Yet in spite of everything, there were people who called him egotistical. So much shameless slander against him.
“Go.” The crown prince patted his horse. Moved to the side of the road.
As Prince Ying watched this scene, he rained curses at the other party in his heart. What he shows the world and who he is inside are totally different! Swindler, treacherous villain!
When husband and wife noticed their young child, gentle smiles lit up their faces. “Liuli, hurry and come to Mother’s side.”
“Mother.” Hua Liuli had her horse approach her mother. If there weren’t other people around, she would have jumped into Wei Mingyue’s arms.
Wei Mingyue reached out and touched her. “My obedient child, are you happy in the capital?”
“Yes, everything is fine.” Hua Liuli grabbed her hand. “It’s just that I missed Daddy and you.”
“We also missed you,” said Wei Mingyue, looking at her daughter’s eyes. Her own gaze was gentle, as if she were looking at the most precious treasure.
When the crown prince caught sight of this scene, he could not help but make his horse move even slower, giving the four family members space to talk.
These two generals treated their children truly like what rumors said: as if they were pearls in the palms of their hands.
“General Wei, you can’t take me as your wife, so let me marry you son!” someone screamed in the street.
Hua Liuli raised her head without a word. Shifted her gaze to the young ladies screaming on the upper floors. And she blinked at them.
Wasn’t the capital’s culture too open?
“My son will not!” Hua Yingting roared.
What’s going on with young girls these days? Let’s not talk about them fancying his wife, but they wouldn’t even let off his son?
All of a sudden, handkerchiefs and spice bags rained from both sides above, a cheerful and lighthearted atmosphere filling the entire street.
In a teahouse’s private room on the second floor, Commandery Princess Jiamin watched as those young girls accompanying her stuck their heads out the windows and looked around. Holding a teacup with both hands, she sipped her tea, not a word escaping her lips.
“Word has it that General Wei was a famous beauty in the capital,” one of the girls said. “Who would have thought that after so many years, she is as beautiful as ever?”
“I think… Hua Liuli is very pretty.”
“Quiet, you,” said another girl, sneaking a glance at Jiamin. “There are plenty of pretty children in the capital. What’s she worth?”
“But she’s not just pretty. She’s beautiful…”
“Did you people come out to drink tea or to judge someone’s appearance?” Jiamin placed her teacup on the table. Rose to her feet. “There’s a welcoming banquet in the palace this evening. I won’t accompany you people any longer.”
After Jiamin had left, the girls shared a look.
“You know Jiamin dislikes Hua Liuli, yet you still praise her as pretty. Are you stupid?”
“You can’t blame me. It’s because she’s too good-looking, and it confused me.”
“Fortunately, you’re not a man.”
“What?”
“Lecherous men can easily bring harm to other young ladies.”
“Good sisters have to help each other. We must humiliate Hua Liuli during the Birthday of the Flowers and help Jiamin vent her anger.”
“Don’t you people feel that we’re really resembling those unlikable extras from novels right now?”
“Shut up!” said everyone to that blabbering girl.
How were they extras? They were the resourceful advisers of the main character.
In order to illustrate how much importance the emperor placed on his subject who had achieved outstanding service, the welcoming banquet was grand to the extreme. Because Emperor Changlong was in such high spirits, he couldn’t help but drink a few more cups of wine. His words, both implicitly and overtly, made him seem close to Hua Yingdryting, as well as praise the latter.
The officials sitting at the bottom joined the emperor in praising the Hua clan. There were even some who lauded the guardian lion statues at the Hua estate’s front doors.
Sitting next to her mother in a lovable manner, Hua Liuli smiled from start to finish. Smiling bashfully, smiling with flushed cheeks as she received a heap of praise.
With her daughter by her side, Wei Mingyue merely drank two small cups of wine before refraining from touching the cup again. When the other womenfolk caught sight of this, they knew it was because mother and daughter had not met for many months, so must have many things they wanted to talk about. Thus, the womenfolk did not urge her to drink any more alcohol.
“Mother, when you and Daddy were escorting the Second Prince to the capital, did you encounter any people trying to break him free?” Using a pair of chopsticks, Hua Liuli helped pick and place food into her mother’s bowl. Moved the wine cup far away from her.
“Jinpo Country sent people to follow us to negotiate, afraid that we would toture their second prince,” Wei Mingyue replied, smiling. “There were people who tried breaking him out earlier, but they were not from Jinpo Country.”
“Are they trying to sow dissension?” In a flash, Hua Liuli understood the implications. Jinpo Country was arrogant in its behavior, pushing around many small countries. These small countries could not offend it. Could only use such a method to drive a wedge between Jinpo Country and Great Jin, exploiting the hostile relationship between them.
“I thought that Second Prince would commit suicide from anger,” whispered Hua Liuli. “Back on the battlefield, he was very domineering.”
“If one could live well, who would want to die?” said Wei Mingyue, a hidden meaning to her smile. “Nowadays, he has grown more well-behaved.”
“Did he continue to curse me?” asked Hua Liuli in a soft voice.
“Ah.” An arch of a brow. “He won’t dare to curse you again for the rest of his life.”
Once the welcoming banquet came to a close, the tipsy emperor said, “Yingting, we haven’t seen each other in many years. Why don’t we stay up together and talk all night?” He turned to Wei Mingyue. “What does General Wei think?”
Even though he was tipsy, Emperor Changlong subconsciously knew they needed Wei Mingyue’s opinion first.
The young officials were the picture of puzzlement. That the emperor wanted to speak to his subject overnight proved a great honor. Why did they need to ask General Wei?
However, the older officials revealed a profound expression that read “although I know the reason why, I shall not tell.”
“It is the fortune of this humble general’s husband.” Wei Mingyue rose to her feet. Saluted Emperor Changlong. Once she had finished speaking, she turned to look at everyone. The older officials dropped their heads. Only the confused and younger officials were still looking, doubt flickering bright in their eyes.
The older officials shook their heads in secret. Young people truly did not know how to treasure their lives. Seriously.
“Your Highness.” An official from the Imperial Court of Judicial Review rushed over to the crown prince’s side. “Jinpo Country’s Second Prince refuses to eat. He’s throwing a huge fuss and says he wants to see Commandery Princess Fushou.”
The crown prince shifted his gaze to his tipsy imperial father. Then, he said to that official, “He’s a prince of a small country who lost a war. What qualifications does he have to see an honorable commandery princess of my country? Let him make a fuss.”
“Understood,” said the official, withdrawing.
It was strange. General Hua was the one who had captured that second prince. So why did he seem so furious toward Commandery Princess Fushou?
On that night, the Hua family did not leave the imperial palace.
Wei Mingyue noticed how very familiar Hua Liuli was with Shoukang Palace, triggering a memory; her daughter had written in a letter that she had stayed in the empress dowager’s palace for a period. As such, Wei Mingyue went and thanked the empress dowager for the favor.
“This grieving one likes this child very much. If it weren’t for the fear that others would gossip, this grieving one would want to raise her by my side.” The empress dowager smiled at Wei Mingyue. “You have suffered at the border station these past many years.”
“Your Majesty the empress dowager should know the following,” she replied, returning the smile with a shake of the head. “When it comes this humble general, to guard our borders isn’t an act of suffering. Rather, staying in the inner courtyard is.”
It was usually ten to a hundred times harder for a female general than a male general to rise in the ranks. Fortunately, she met a wise ruler, and could follow her dream.
“That’s true. Women have it hard in this world. You are from the Wei family and have learned martial arts and the art of war. If we locked you up in the inner courtyard, it would cause you to suffer.” A sigh left the empress dowager’s lips.
If she hadn’t married the previous emperor back then, she would have been able to follow her aspirations. But the past was the past. She already accepted how things were. However, when things were all said and done, she still felt nostalgic.
“Your Majesty the empress dowager is still the only person who understands this humble general,” said Wei Mingyue as she personally poured hot tea for her. “Has Your Majesty the empress dowager been well these past few years?”
“Yes.” The empress dowager patted the back of her hand. “The emperor is very filial and the crown prince shares a very close bond to this grieving one.”
Sitting by their side, Hua Liuli thought, Even Her Majesty the empress dowager thinks the crown prince is great. Indeed, those people slandering the crown prince are deranged.
“Liuli,” said the empress dowager, turning to her. “You are frail. Go and return to your room earlier to rest.”
Hua Liuli was aware that she and her mother had other things to talk about. As such, she feigned ignorance and obediently stood, before excusing herself and leaving.
Once she had stepped foot outside of the main palace hall, the night wind felt chilly. She accepted the cloak Yuanwei had proffered and put it on, making her way to the side palace hall in soft and quiet steps. After taking a few of them, she caught sight of the many beautiful lanterns hanging in the garden. Stopped in her tracks, “These weren’t here last time, right?”
“Commandery Princess, your honored self has forgotten. Today is the day of the Lantern Festival,” said Yuanwei in a soft voice. “The palace servants made these lanterns by hand.”
A palace maid, who was guiding the way at the side with a lantern, was all smiles. “Commandery Princess, this is an old custom in the imperial palace. On the day of every Lantern Festival, there will be pretty lanterns hung in every palace. And they remain hanging until the next morning.”
“So many lanterns. They must be a sight for the eyes.” Hua Liuli gazed at the tassels of the lanterns that swayed in the wind. “I wonder how beautiful the palace is tonight.”
“If Commandery Princess wishes, you can go to the viewing platform. There, one can see the whole palace.” Then the palace maid recalled how Hua Liuli was sickly and suddenly felt like she had misspoken, promptly lowering her head.
“Where is the viewing platform?” asked Hua Liuli, curious.
The palace maid dared not speak. She looked at Yuanwei, requesting for help with her gaze.
A sigh escaped Yuanwei’s lips. “Commandery Princess, you are not in good health and the night wind is strong…”
“If one cannot admire the world’s beautiful scenery due to one’s frail health, what’s the point of living?” Hua Liuli gazed at the sky, laden with grief. A full moon hung above, shining bright and white.
Yuanwei dared not continue to urge her. She could only helplessly allow the palace maid to lead the way.
Thankfully, the viewing platform was not too far from Shoukang Palace; Hua Liuli did not walk for too long before she arrived. She looked up at the towering stone steps. Then turned to Yuanwei and said, “I suddenly feel tired. Let’s just return.”
No wonder one could admire a panoramic view of the entire palace from there. Such a high platform. Whoever stood up there could see more than half of the capital.
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Although Hua Liuli had this kind of reaction, Yuanwei was not one bit surprised. She supported Hua Liuli’s hand. Beamed as she said, “Commandery Princess, watch your step. This slave will support your honored self.”
“Who’s ahead?”
When Hua Liuli heard those soft and drawn-out words, she turned to look in the direction of their source. And she caught sight of an orderly line of palace maids approaching with lanterns. The crown prince sat on a sedan. From his expression, he didn’t seem to be in a good mood.
Their gazes met in the night, causing the crown prince’s countenance to change a bit. “Little girl of the Hua family, why are you here?”
“This official’s daughter heard that there was a viewing platform here, and wanted to have a look.” Hua Liuli curtsied toward him. “Is Your Highness headed there too?”
The crown prince angled his head up to look at the towering viewing platform. Disembarked from his sedan. His mood grew calm, to the point where it resembled apathy. “Yes.”
Noticing his bad mood, she tactfully prepared to slip away. “Since that’s the case, then this official’s daughter will not disturb Your Highness…”
“It’s hard to climb the stone steps. I will take you there.” The crown prince handed her a corner of his robes. “Hold onto it.”
She did. Blinked her large eyes. “Oh?”
“The most beautiful nightscape in the capital each year is during the Lantern Festival,” said the crown prince, leading Hua Liuli toward the stone steps. “It’s not just the imperial palace. Outside the palace is bustling with activity too.”
“There’s no curfew tonight?”
“Every year on New Year’s Eve, the Lantern Festival, the Qixi Festival, and the Mid-autumn Festival, there would not be a night curfew.” The crown prince walked at a snail’s pace. Occasionally, he would glance back at Hua Liuli. “It will be bright all night at the capital.”
The stone steps had been swept immaculate. As the foot of Hua Liuli’s dress was dragged across them, there came a rustle. When they had ascended halfway through the stairs, her pace slowed.
The crown prince turned to look at her. “Are you cold?”
Blankly, Hua Liuli shook her head.
But the crown prince removed his cloak and draped it over her. Wearing such a large cloak, Hua Liuli seemed like a young child. The hood covered half of her face. She let go off the corner of the crown prince’s robe she had been holding, then pushed lightly at the hood twice. In the end, because the hood was too large, it covered her whole face.
The crown prince reached out and helped her pull down the hood. He could not help but laugh.
“Your Highness.” Hua Liuli supported a dangling hair ornament. “It’s wrong of you to make fun of this official’s daughter.”
“Apologies. When I look at your current appearance, I find that you resemble a cat that has fallen into a ball of yarn.” The crown prince coughed dryly twice, smiles dying his beautiful eyes. “Come, I’ll lead you by the hand.”
And he extended his hand in front of Hua Liuli.
Suspiciously, she looked back at him.
“What’s a half-grown girl like you worried about?” Laughter spilled from his lips. Then he placed a handkerchief on the hollow of his palm. “Alright, the handkerchief will serve as a barrier.”
“This official’s daughter is not worried about myself.” She handed her hand over to the crown prince. In any case, she intended to raise handsome male pets in the future. She wasn’t afraid of people misunderstanding her.
No, she was afraid of this misunderstanding: that a good handsome man like the crown prince was involved with her.
Her body ran cold compared to the crown prince’s. His hand was as warm as a stove. As she took in his rear view, she thought, for certain, that her future handsome male pets would not be as handsome as him. And she could not help but feel sorrowful.
After one laid eyes on the most handsome man in the world, everyone else would appear ordinary.
She looked behind her, gaze falling upon the palace maids who followed them with lanterns. The bright lanterns flickered in the night, a magnificent view.
“We’ve arrived,” said the crown prince, his voice snapping her back to her senses.
Hua Liuli lifted her head for a look. And what she saw wasn’t the view of the palace. Rather, it was the bright street outside the palace gates, whose end could not be seen. And the flickering fireworks that appeared from time to time.
On the viewing platform, the wind proved strong. But because Hua Liuli was wrapped in the spacious cloak, she did not feel cold. She leaned forward on the perimeter wall. A good while later, she said, “What a beautiful sight.”
The crown prince stood behind her without a word.
“In the past during the Lantern Festival, did Your Highness come to this viewing platform?” Hua Liuli surveyed the far away scenery. And she clearly understood the phrase “the flourishing capital.”
Once the crown prince was at her side, he stood still. Gazed at the prosperous scene before him. “Mm.”
“It’s truly a sight for the eyes.” Hua Liuli’s dangling hair ornaments swayed from the wind. She expelled a warm breath of air. “Such a scene truly causes one happiness.”
The crown prince turned his head and looked at the girl by his side. He wanted to say something, yet did not utter a word in the end.
Below the viewing platform, Prince Ying and Miss Lin stood ten steps apart, the former who was meeting his future princess consort for the first time. His consort-mother had urged him to bring the Lin family’s daughter into the palace and admire the lanterns, citing the Lantern Festival as her reason.
What’s so good about looking at some lousy lanterns in the night?
However, he could not disobey his mother. So he brought the Lin family’s daughter out. In order to save trouble, he was too lazy to bring her anywhere else. He decided to take her to the viewing platform so that she could take her time enjoying the view.
However, once they reached the base of the viewing platform, Prince Ying noticed that the platform was already occupied. He could not help but complain a little, saying, “Whose brain has problems? They’d actually stand there and bear the cold wind?”
When Lin Wan heard these words, her expression stiffened. Should she be blaming herself for choosing the wrong fiance, or should she blame herself for having too acute of a sense of hearing?
The night wind gently blew, curling around the two of them. It was too awkward to put into words.
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