VBNWDW - Chapter 131
Chapter 131
In the distance, the sky gradually turned from azure to white. The Capital was shrouded in a chilly white mist, the streets deserted and empty, with only the watchman's calls echoing through them.
Just then, the clatter of horse hooves sounded from a street corner. The carriage driver deliberately avoided people, winding through secluded alleys before stopping a dozen meters from the Luo Family residence.
Ruan He and Li Shigui, who were waiting inside, lifted the curtain and looked out with some anxiety.
If they delayed any longer, the Capital would begin to stir. Officials would be rushing to the morning court session, and vendors would be scrambling for good spots. If they were pushed to the side, they would have no business all day, a whole day's hard work wasted.
The driver was an old hand from the princess's manor. Though he didn't understand the reason for their errand, he was sensible enough not to speak or ask questions, simply looking in the same direction as them.
Li Shigui was impatient by nature. After watching for a moment, she was about to lower the curtain, muttering, "Why isn't she here yet?"
Ruan He glanced at her. Before she could speak, her ears twitched at the sound of footsteps. She said in a low voice, "Someone's coming."
The three of them held their breath, their gazes fixed on the opposite corner. They first caught sight of a familiar black robe, and only then did they breathe a sigh of relief, their hearts settling as they continued to watch.
The person who arrived was indeed Zhong Jueyu, who had been out all night. She was still in yesterday's attire, but perhaps because a night had passed, the details were not as crisp as before. For instance, her wooden hairpin was slightly askew, and the hem of her robes was much more wrinkled.
Coupled with Zhong Jueyu's pale face in the morning light and the faint dark circles under her eyes, she seemed inexplicably weary, lacking her usual sharp demeanor.
"Your Highness," the three called out, signaling their presence.
Zhong Jueyu waved a hand to show she had heard.
As she reached the carriage, the servant who would normally bring a footstool was absent. Li Shigui and the others didn't mind; their Grand Princess was not some delicate young master or miss who couldn't manage such a small step.
So they overlooked Zhong Jueyu's sudden pause, simply watching her, urging her to hurry with their gazes.
Zhong Jueyu's eyes swept over the three of them, a flicker of emotion passing through her gaze, but she said nothing. She merely raised a hand to grip the side of the carriage. As she stepped up, she seemed to brace her lower back for a moment before quickly entering the compartment.
The driver immediately cracked the whip, and the wheels began to roll once more.
Li Shigui, having lowered the curtain, blinked, a sense of confusion in her heart. Why did she feel that when Her Highness had walked over, her legs had seemed a bit strange, like the awkwardness that comes after being sore and weak?
She looked up and saw Ruan He also frozen in place, apparently suspecting the same thing.
Last time, her difficulty walking could be explained by her carrying the little Daoist, but this time…
Li Shigui's pupils dilated in an instant, her face a mask of disbelief.
Their Highness was actually the one…!
"Out," a slightly hoarse voice from behind interrupted her thoughts.
Their bodies moved faster than their minds. They subconsciously leaped from the carriage. It was only after they were running alongside it that they belatedly processed what had happened.
"Her Highness is…" Li Shigui was both bewildered and incredulous.
Even the ever-perceptive Ruan He was a bit dazed, the shock too great to process all at once.
Li Shigui could only wrestle with her thoughts. Although there was a distinction between master and servant, the three of them had grown up together before joining the army. They usually didn't fuss over inconveniences; at most, the others would just turn their backs. But now, Her Highness had kicked her and Ruan He out of the carriage, risking being seen!
Li Shigui took a deep breath and couldn't help but sigh. A Highness with a partner, in the end, had grown distant from them.
Inside, the person was unaware of their wild thoughts. She truly had no other choice.
The previous night had been a late one, only quieting down in the latter half of the night. Zhong Jueyu had barely slept before she had to get up. She could only wash up hastily, dress, and hurry over, avoiding the servants. As for the ink stains on her body, there was simply no time to deal with them, which was why she had driven them out of the carriage.
The red sun gradually appeared on the horizon, half of its body already peeking over the edge of the city walls. The smoke from cooking fires rose along with the crowing of roosters and the barking of dogs, and people carrying goods began to walk along the streets.
After a long while, a voice finally came from within the carriage.
"Come in."
Ruan He and Li Shigui were nimble. With a push and a step, they lifted the curtain and were inside in an instant.
Zhong Jueyu had already changed into a different set of robes—a purple one with a four-clawed python design, delivered from the Imperial Wardrobe yesterday. According to the system of Great Liang, bright yellow was for the Son of Heaven, apricot yellow for the Crown Prince, followed by purple, vermilion, green, and cyan.
Previously, although she was the Grand Princess, her official rank only permitted her to wear vermilion. During the morning court session, she even had to yield to the Prime Minister. But outside the court, the Prime Minister had to bow to her and address her as Your Highness, Princess Dening.
Now, by virtue of her military achievements, she had earned the title of General of Agile Cavalry and changed into a purple robe, rightfully placing her beneath only two, yet above ten thousand.
However, Zhong Jueyu, wearing the purple robe for the first time, showed little pleasure. She leaned back in the carriage, her eyes half-closed, and instructed, "Call me when we reach the gate."
She looked utterly exhausted.
Seeing this, Li Shigui instantly cast aside her chaotic thoughts and quickly agreed.
Ruan He had already sat down beside her, carefully tidying her hair.
Although Her Highness disliked complexity, her status demanded it. No matter what, she had to wear one or two matching ornaments.
The bronze bells hanging outside the carriage jingled. After two more turns, they reached the main road. The number of carriages increased, all bustling toward the imperial palace in the center.
The red sun hung in the clear sky, its light glinting off the glazed tiles. The grand hall, filled with officials in court robes of various colors, was silent, save for the minister standing in the middle who was speaking.
Zhong Tuming, seated on the Dragon Throne, leaned against the armrest, incessantly rubbing his furrowed brow, the look of vexation on his face unabated.
Ever since their great victory over the Liang state, the morale of the Chu army had reached its peak. After a brief rest in the captured cities, they had already set out for another location. According to spies, the Chu side was already vowing that a debt of blood must be paid in blood, demanding that the Crown Prince of Great Liang pay with his life for the Second Prince of Chu.
Zhong Jueren had already been badly frightened on the battlefield, and now he suffered from insomnia every night. No matter how many prescriptions the imperial physicians wrote, he could not find a moment of peaceful sleep.
At this moment, he stood before all the civil officials, in the position closest to the throne. The apricot-yellow dragon robe that once fit him now hung loosely on his frame. In just a few short days, he had lost a great deal of weight, resembling a skeleton.
The civil officials below him also wore worried expressions. As subjects, they could only watch as the state of Chu pressed closer step by step, powerless to do anything. How could they not be frustrated?
Only the Prime Minister, standing behind the Crown Prince, maintained a solemn posture. Though he too was worried, he was calmer and more composed, like an anchor amidst the officials, preventing the others from completely losing their heads.
On the other side, half were old generals left from the previous dynasty. Though aged, they were inexplicably robust, their simple, wide robes exuding the aura of armor.
Behind them followed a younger generation of officers. These were the young generals who had returned with meritorious service under Zhong Jueyu. Their ranks were slightly lower, and they had rarely even attended morning court. They weren't paying close attention to what others were saying, their gazes fixed on the Grand Princess, ready to follow her orders completely.
The official finally finished speaking. Zhong Tuming didn't know whether to be relieved or to keep his somber expression.
Was he supposed to be grateful that the mountainous terrain at the border had slowed the Chu army's advance these past few days, causing them to waste most of their time on the road?
Zhong Tuming finally spoke. "The Chu army grows bolder with every battle. It seems they intend to point their blades at the Capital. My dear ministers, what solutions do you have for this?"
Though he spoke to all, his gaze was fixed on Zhong Jueyu below.
Among the military officials, she was the only one in a purple robe. Though her figure was not as imposing as those around her, she stood as straight as a green bamboo.
The military officials, who were usually suppressed by their civil counterparts, saw her standing at the forefront and no longer cowered as before, as if they had found their backbone.
Zhong Jueyu was pondering. Perhaps due to the lack of rest these past two days, her mind was a bit slower than usual. It took her a good while to sort through the events of the last two days.
The state of Chu had now advanced to Qingzhou. Qingzhou was a region of towering mountains and precipitous ridges. The founding emperor had expended considerable effort to conquer this land, but later, he had also relied on this place to avert several crises. This was why everyone could still stand here with some measure of composure.
Having cleared her thoughts, Zhong Jueyu stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "The state of Chu is arrogant. Though a defeated nation, they have used a groundless pretext to tear up the treaty, scorned the magnanimity and benevolence of Great Liang, harmed our people, and seized our cities."
Seeing her finally step forward, Zhong Tuming immediately straightened up, his eyes shining as he watched her.
Even though Zhong Jueren was unwilling to look at her, he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
As for the others, the civil officials watched intently, while the military officials puffed out their chests, their faces filled with a pride that suggested they shared in her glory.
Zhong Jueyu knelt on one knee and declared, "This subject requests a command! I implore Your Majesty to dispatch troops to attack the Chu army, recapture Xuzhou, and seek justice for the common people!"
Zhong Tuming immediately stood up, a smile he couldn't contain touching the corners of his eyes. He said, "It shall be as you say!"
The generals behind Zhong Jueyu quickly stepped forward, shouting in unison, "We subjects are willing to follow Her Highness, Princess Dening, to vanquish the Chu army!"
If he had seen this scene in the past, Zhong Tuming would have been furious, thinking these men lacked respect for hierarchy and followed only Zhong Jueyu. He would have suspected Zhong Jueyu of deliberately forming cliques to usurp his power.
But now, with the Chu army pressing so close, he had been worried sick for over a month. The Crown Prince had grown thin; how could he have fared any better?
Now that someone was finally able to shoulder the heavy responsibility, he couldn't help but rejoice, despite any other thoughts.
Before he could speak again, a young eunuch suddenly rushed in from outside the hall. Unless it was a matter of utmost urgency, the morning court was never to be disturbed.
Zhong Tuming's expression darkened, thinking there was more trouble from the border. He clasped his hands behind his back and watched the young eunuch hurry over.
The young eunuch ascended the steps in a few strides, leaned in close to the emperor's ear, and whispered a few words.
Zhong Tuming's expression shifted from suppressed anxiety to delight, and finally, he couldn't help but laugh out loud.
The court officials looked on in confusion, only to hear the emperor laugh and say, "Master Luo has finally come out of seclusion and is willing to serve our Great Liang!"
As his words fell, the court instantly erupted.
"Master Luo! Didn't he say he wished to devote himself to mountains and rivers and refused to serve in the court?"
"Indeed. Back then, His Majesty personally went to the mountain forest where he lived in seclusion, but Master Luo shut his doors and refused to see him. So why now?"
"Come to think of it, since the fall of the previous dynasty, the Luo Family has not served in the court for three generations. But now, so suddenly…"
Regardless of the officials' discussions, the emperor on the high platform could not stop smiling.
He had accomplished something even the founding emperor could not. And he hadn't even taken the initiative; the Luo Family had bowed their heads themselves, asking to serve in the court.
He couldn't help but feel smug. So what if they were the head of the great families? After being suppressed by the imperial family for so long, they still had to bow their heads and become subjects. His imperial father and the founding emperor had been too benevolent, allowing the Luo Family to walk all over them and build their reputation on the court's back.
"Come! All of you, with me! I will personally leave the palace to welcome Master Luo!" he exclaimed with a laugh, walking straight down from the dais.
The others hurriedly followed, their expressions equally surprised and delighted.
That was the Luo Family, after all…
Court robes of various colors followed the dragon robe out the doors, heading toward the square paved with white jade.
But the only two figures in purple court robes tacitly fell to the back. Or rather, the Prime Minister did not follow closely, and the Grand Princess deliberately slowed her pace.
Seeing her, Meng Yunshan's expression turned slightly serious. He called out, "Your Highness."
Although they had no interaction in court, Meng Yunshan and Zhong Jueyu's relationship was quite good. During festivals, Meng Yunshan would even send someone to deliver gifts to the Grand Princess's manor, observing all proper etiquette.
The reason for this was that both Zhong Jueyu and the late Empress had shown him favor and helped his career.
Meng Yunshan came from a humble background. When he came to the Capital for the imperial examinations, he had even borrowed the examination fee from a friend. He had already decided that if he failed this time, he would return to his hometown and become a tutor for a wealthy family's son.
In fact, he had nearly failed that year. He usually just buried his head in his books. Though talented, he was rigid and had no idea how to add ornate language to his writing. His overly plain and direct style made the chief examiner frown.
Fortunately, the late Empress happened to retrieve his examination paper that day. Seeing his talent, she rescued him, giving him a rank that, while not among the top scholars, was enough to allow him to stay in the Capital.
Afterward, Meng Yunshan's career in the court fluctuated. Due to his background, he could never truly gain a voice, until Zhong Jueyu appeared at court. She recognized his talent and secretly helped him several times, finally making Zhong Tuming take him seriously. Before Zhong Jueyu left, he had become the Prime Minister.
Therefore, Meng Yunshan had always been extremely grateful to the mother and daughter. When Zhong Jueyu had gone to war against Chu, it was thanks to his maneuvering and care in the court; otherwise, who knows what kind of trouble Zhong Tuming and his son would have caused.
Zhong Jueyu spoke in a low voice, "Master Luo has finally agreed to enter the court. His Majesty will surely attach great importance to him. He will likely first grant him a second-rank position, then bestow upon him the title of Prime Minister. With such great favor, he will rally the scholars of the realm to serve Great Liang."
Meng Yunshan forced a smile. "Master Luo is a man of great talent. His willingness to serve His Majesty is a blessing for Great Liang and its people. As long as Master Luo is willing, what does it matter if this official gives up this post?"
Zhong Jueyu raised an eyebrow, her tone peculiar. "Is that so? In my heart, Master Luo cannot compare to Prime Minister Meng."
These words fell like a clap of thunder.
Meng Yunshan's eyes widened. He was about to say something, but he saw Zhong Jueyu shake her head, stopping him. She added, "After court is dismissed, I ask that Prime Minister Meng linger for a moment."
"It has been a long time since I have sat down for a cup of tea with Prime Minister Meng."
With that, Zhong Jueyu did not linger, but quickened her pace to walk ahead.
The only two purple robes were already conspicuous, and them standing together would inevitably make people think if anyone with a mind for it noticed.
Besides, she still had to keep Luo Qiyuan stable right now. She couldn't just dawdle at the back. If Luo Qiyuan saw her, who knows what he might think.
There could be no mishaps now…
Zhong Jueyu suddenly looked up at the sky. It was a fine day. The red sun hung high, but not a single cloud was in sight, leaving only a vast, clear sky, like the purest of gemstones.
She smiled, walked straight ahead, performed a student's bow, and called out, "Master Luo."
Most of the people around her did the same.
Luo Qiyuan, being led by the emperor, looked toward her through the crowd and nodded with a smile.
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