1123

Chapter 1123

Welcome, Welcome, A Warm Welcome!

When the sky lit up, it was time to set off, bringing his wife along, Xuan Tianming boarded the imperial carriage, arriving early at Chun Palace to meet up with Imperial Concubine Yun and Xiangrong.

The four people were all sitting in Xuan Tianming’s imperial carriage. After all, this carriage was the largest one. However, the imperial carriages belonging to Feng Yuheng and Xuan Tianhua did not stay idle in the capital, following behind the largest imperial carriage! Those two imperial carriages were filled with Imperial Concubine Yun’s “sincerity”, all of them were the dowry to be delivered to An Shi. Excluding the good things transported out from Winter Moon Palace, she even searched Chun Palace and Yu Palace, finding a lot of good things to take. Even so, Imperial Concubine Yun still felt rather insecure, constantly asking Feng Yuheng: “Ah-Heng, do you think there are too little things? I already said that there are more things in the Old Man’s storage and wanted Hua-er and Ming-er to take more things out, but both of them did not go, this is really a little too shabby and will make Third Girl suffer an injustice.”

What could Feng Yuheng say? She could only advise: “Imperial Concubine Mother, there is already a lot, those two carriages can buy a castle, how can it be called shabby?”

Xiangrong was more overwhelmed by the unexpected favour, wringing her handkerchief with some force, speaking in a rather troubled tone: “Madam, this is not little, this is too much. With these things arriving at Ji An Prefecture, it will scare my mother.”

“How so?” Imperial Concubine Yun slapped her thigh, her whole demeanour changing to that of that time when she disguised as “Brother Tian”, where was any sign of delicateness of a woman, being as bold as a man. She put her arm around Xiangrong’s shoulder, saying: “You are marrying to Hua-er as a first wife, Chun Palace’s first wife, you are worthy of such valuable dowry.”

Xuan Tianming smirked. “When I delivered the dowry to Ah-Heng in the past, you were not this enthusiastic?”

Imperial Concubine Yun’s gaze became sharp: “I was not enthusiastic? Wasn’t it because you were too enthusiastic and did not even wait for me to take action! You searched my Winter Moon Palace for all the good things and took them.” As she spoke, she started to recount the past events to Feng Yuheng: “During that year, I felt that a lot of things were missing from my palace in the span of one night. The servants said that half of the storage was emptied and I even considered the possibility that I was robbed! And the result? This boy carried all of that to the Feng family. Ah-Heng! I’m not saying this because I do not like you! It was just that Feng family that time…… tskk, they were irritating, I was even thinking, what is Ming-er thinking? Why was he this eager about the marriage with the Feng family?”

Xuan Tianming rolled his eyes, “How about now?”

“Right now I feel that you really made the correct decision!” Imperial Concubine Yun slapped her thigh, “But after my Winter Moon Palace was ransacked by you once before, it is not that easy to accumulate it up again. Therefore, even though the things given to Third Girl are not few, when compared to the treasures in the past, it is lacking by much.” As she spoke, she patted Xiangrong’s shoulder, comforting her: “Third Girl, you should also be more open minded, Ah-Heng is your older sister, don’t be too picky over these things, and you cannot feel like you were dealt an injustice!”

Xiangrong waved her hands repeatedly, her tears close to coming out, “Madam, these things are really too much and too good, XIangrong does not feel like this is an injustice at all, I feel like I cannot bear all of this instead! Xiangrong’s is thankful for Madam’s great kindness, Xiangrong……”

This girl was anxious, there were so many words of gratitude she wanted to say in her heart, but she was unable to say them, instead those tears flowed out instead, evoking feelings of pity from the others.

Feng Yuheng only helped her continue the topic, not holding back, telling her own younger sister: “Imperial Concubine Mother wants to give you the best, then you are worthy of the best. Do not always think about how you are my sister from a concubine, when you marry Seventh Brother in the future, based on the husband, you will be my older Sister-in-law.”

The people in the carriage chatted and laughed, making for a relaxing atmosphere. In addition, Imperial Concubine Yun was more unreserved once she left the palace, not caring about rules or etiquette, acting like Brother Tian again. The group also chatted happily and Xiangrong did not feel restricted anymore.

When it was past noon and they ate lunch, Imperial Concubine Yun who knew how to take care of herself, leaned against the wall of the imperial carriage and started to nap lightly, Xiangrong also showed some drowsiness. Xuan Tianming gave Feng Yuheng a look, Feng Yuheng left a maid in the imperial carriage to serve the pair and told Xuan Tianming in a playful manner: “The weather is rather good, let’s both go outside to ride the horses! It’s rare for us to take a trip, it will be a pity if we did not enjoy it.”

Without waiting for Xuan Tianming to reply, Imperial Concubine Yun mumbled: “Just go, just go! The two of you are used to crazy things, it’s boring to be cooped up in the imperial carriage, hurry up and go!”

The two looked at each other and smiled, getting up to exit the imperial carriage. When they mounted their horses, Xuan Tianming was heard saying: “Before we left, Seventh Brother asked me to give him the military tally, Heng Heng, I am not so petty to feel concerned about that military tally. In this world, other than myself, the two people I trust the most are you and Seventh Brother, for such an important thing like the military tally, I will not give it to anyone, but if it was given to you or Seventh Brother, I am not worried at all. But this time…… I keep having the feeling that something is not right this time, what do you think, am I overthinking this?”

Feng Yuheng nodded, “You are overthinking this, Seventh Brother wants to inspect the troops in your place, without the military tally, how would he be able to do that? The army will first be led east by Seventh Brother, we will quickly settle the matters at Ji An Prefecture, once everything is settled, you should quickly rush towards the east, meeting up with Seventh Brother, then have him come back to the capital.”

She comforted Xuan Tianming like this, but in fact, it was not as if she really had no thoughts on it at all. In her opinion, Xuan Tianhua’s suggestion was not that reasonable, it was not that the matter was not reasonable, but what for someone like Xuan Tianhua, this did not make sense. It was just that until now, no one knew which part did not make sense, she did not want to add on more troubles for Xuan Tianming, so she could only give some counselling, acting relaxed, but in her actions, she was hoping for the journey to be as quick as possible.

The contingent heading to Ji An Prefecture set off, and at the capital, Xuan Tianhua set off on horse almost immediately, heading towards the north city gate. With Xuan Tianming’s military tally in hand, it would be easy for him to travel over the Barrier Mountain to inspect the large army, even though the army said that they only acknowledged Xuan Tianming, Xuan Tianming also said before, if he was no longer around one day, Feng Yuheng and the Seventh Prince were also their masters.

At this moment, Xuan Tianhua only had one thought in his heart, which is faster! Go a little faster! He had to arrive before Xuan Tianming rushed over to the eastern border from Ji An Prefecture, commencing the battle between Da Shun and Zong Sui before that, then think of ways to obstruct Xuan Tianming’s movements such that he was unable to interfere in this battle.

The Seventh Prince was leading the army to battle in place of the Ninth Prince, this news could not be hidden from the court, but people also knew the story behind this matter, knowing that the Seventh Prince had set his eyes on Feng family’s third daughter, asking His Highness the Ninth Prince to propose the marriage in his place, so they did not think it was strange. They truly only thought that the Seventh Prince would lead the soldiers for part of the journey, then the two would exchange places when the Ninth Prince rushed over.

Only the regent Sixth Prince Xuan Tianfeng felt some worry. He kept having the feeling that his Seventh Brother was not the type to like a woman to the point where he would ask Old Ninth to request for marriage, but he did not have the leeway to think about it any deeper. The task of regent was too heavy, so heavy that he did not even have time to relax properly and read a book. He could only forcefully push down this vague worry and hope for a safe journey to the eastern border.

Ji An Prefecture was still brimming with life everywhere, as Feng Yuheng’s test area for future technologies in the ancient era, everyone who lived in the fief never felt that their living environment and atmosphere was very different from the outside world. That place was like paradise on earth, and people smiling widely could be seen everywhere, whether they knew each other or not, people greeted each other on the streets, all of them feeling happy that they could live here.

The shops, restaurants, tea houses and inns on the street were very different form the outside world. Even though Feng Yuheng was in the faraway capital, letters would be sent to this place every month. An Shi, the Bai father and daughter and Qian Fengshou conducted business by strictly following what was instructed in the letter, protecting this fief. Under Feng Yuheng’s guidance, their views and way of thinking had expanded, gaining a deeper understanding of Feng Yuheng’s series of changes, so they also improved more on the implementation.

Currently, people who live outside the fief found it hard to imagine what “pension” and “medical insurance” were, and even less people understood what “12 years of mandatory education” meant. But the citizens in the fief were very familiar with these, the citizens frequently said, with these insurances, it looked like they had paid a lot of money to the fief, but in fact, the ones who benefit were themselves. Without mentioning the other things, just the fact that medical insurance could be used when they get examined at Hundred Herb Hall was enough to excite the people.

An Shi received the letter Feng Yuheng sent in advance two days ago, and after knowing that not only would Xiangrong and Feng Yuheng return, His Highness the Ninth Prince and Her Highness Imperial Concubine Yun had followed along as well, her emotions were complex. She knew why the other party had come, but because of this, her heart had been feeling conflicted the past few days.

A concubine in the palace came personally, with such a high status applying pressure, she had to agree to this marriage whether she agreed or not. But she had a feeling, there would not be a good ending if Xiangrong married the Seventh Prince. That was her daughter, her heart felt pained.

Eventually, the three imperial carriages filed into Ji An Prefecture neatly. Because An Shi told Qian Fengshou about this in advance. Once Qian Fengshou heard that Imperial Concubine Yun and the Ninth Prince were coming, he was very nervous and also very excited, and the final result was that he organised a grand welcoming ceremony, such that when Feng Yuheng and the others just arrived, they heard the sounds of firecrackers being ignited and the beating of drums outside the imperial carriage, and people were shouting “Welcome, welcome! A warm welcome!”

She became speechless……

Imperial Concubine Yun still did not understand what was happening, and after hearing the commotion outside, she asked Xuan Tianming: “Did we just happen to arrive when someone is getting married? This is a good thing! We also came to deliver dowry, encountering a marriage when we enter is a good sign!”

Xuan Tianming did not agree with Imperial Concubine Yun’s guess at all, he told Imperial Concubine Yun: “It’s not a marriage, it is likely directed at us.”

Huang Quan, who lifted the curtain to take a look outside spoke then: “It really is directed at us! They are welcoming Madam to Ji An Prefecture!”

Imperial Concubine Yun became excited, slapping her thigh and saying: “The people at Ji An Prefecture are sensible!”

As she spoke, she wanted to stand up and leave the imperial carriage, but Xuan Tianming pulled her back: “Where are you going?”

“They are welcoming us! We cannot continue to sit inside the imperial carriage, right? I am going outside to take a look and at least greet the people.”

“You can give up on that!” Xuan Tianming pulled her back in frustration, “It’s fine that you call yourself Brother Tian on the way. Since you’re surrounded by familiar people, you can act however you want. But in front of outsiders, even if you have to pretend, bring out your demeanour of an imperial concubine!”

Chapter 1123

Welcome, Welcome, A Warm Welcome!

When the sky lit up, it was time to set off, bringing his wife along, Xuan Tianming boarded the imperial carriage, arriving early at Chun Palace to meet up with Imperial Concubine Yun and Xiangrong.

The four people were all sitting in Xuan Tianming’s imperial carriage. After all, this carriage was the largest one. However, the imperial carriages belonging to Feng Yuheng and Xuan Tianhua did not stay idle in the capital, following behind the largest imperial carriage! Those two imperial carriages were filled with Imperial Concubine Yun’s “sincerity”, all of them were the dowry to be delivered to An Shi. Excluding the good things transported out from Winter Moon Palace, she even searched Chun Palace and Yu Palace, finding a lot of good things to take. Even so, Imperial Concubine Yun still felt rather insecure, constantly asking Feng Yuheng: “Ah-Heng, do you think there are too little things? I already said that there are more things in the Old Man’s storage and wanted Hua-er and Ming-er to take more things out, but both of them did not go, this is really a little too shabby and will make Third Girl suffer an injustice.”

What could Feng Yuheng say? She could only advise: “Imperial Concubine Mother, there is already a lot, those two carriages can buy a castle, how can it be called shabby?”

Xiangrong was more overwhelmed by the unexpected favour, wringing her handkerchief with some force, speaking in a rather troubled tone: “Madam, this is not little, this is too much. With these things arriving at Ji An Prefecture, it will scare my mother.”

“How so?” Imperial Concubine Yun slapped her thigh, her whole demeanour changing to that of that time when she disguised as “Brother Tian”, where was any sign of delicateness of a woman, being as bold as a man. She put her arm around Xiangrong’s shoulder, saying: “You are marrying to Hua-er as a first wife, Chun Palace’s first wife, you are worthy of such valuable dowry.”

Xuan Tianming smirked. “When I delivered the dowry to Ah-Heng in the past, you were not this enthusiastic?”

Imperial Concubine Yun’s gaze became sharp: “I was not enthusiastic? Wasn’t it because you were too enthusiastic and did not even wait for me to take action! You searched my Winter Moon Palace for all the good things and took them.” As she spoke, she started to recount the past events to Feng Yuheng: “During that year, I felt that a lot of things were missing from my palace in the span of one night. The servants said that half of the storage was emptied and I even considered the possibility that I was robbed! And the result? This boy carried all of that to the Feng family. Ah-Heng! I’m not saying this because I do not like you! It was just that Feng family that time…… tskk, they were irritating, I was even thinking, what is Ming-er thinking? Why was he this eager about the marriage with the Feng family?”

Xuan Tianming rolled his eyes, “How about now?”

“Right now I feel that you really made the correct decision!” Imperial Concubine Yun slapped her thigh, “But after my Winter Moon Palace was ransacked by you once before, it is not that easy to accumulate it up again. Therefore, even though the things given to Third Girl are not few, when compared to the treasures in the past, it is lacking by much.” As she spoke, she patted Xiangrong’s shoulder, comforting her: “Third Girl, you should also be more open minded, Ah-Heng is your older sister, don’t be too picky over these things, and you cannot feel like you were dealt an injustice!”

Xiangrong waved her hands repeatedly, her tears close to coming out, “Madam, these things are really too much and too good, XIangrong does not feel like this is an injustice at all, I feel like I cannot bear all of this instead! Xiangrong’s is thankful for Madam’s great kindness, Xiangrong……”

This girl was anxious, there were so many words of gratitude she wanted to say in her heart, but she was unable to say them, instead those tears flowed out instead, evoking feelings of pity from the others.

Feng Yuheng only helped her continue the topic, not holding back, telling her own younger sister: “Imperial Concubine Mother wants to give you the best, then you are worthy of the best. Do not always think about how you are my sister from a concubine, when you marry Seventh Brother in the future, based on the husband, you will be my older Sister-in-law.”

The people in the carriage chatted and laughed, making for a relaxing atmosphere. In addition, Imperial Concubine Yun was more unreserved once she left the palace, not caring about rules or etiquette, acting like Brother Tian again. The group also chatted happily and Xiangrong did not feel restricted anymore.

When it was past noon and they ate lunch, Imperial Concubine Yun who knew how to take care of herself, leaned against the wall of the imperial carriage and started to nap lightly, Xiangrong also showed some drowsiness. Xuan Tianming gave Feng Yuheng a look, Feng Yuheng left a maid in the imperial carriage to serve the pair and told Xuan Tianming in a playful manner: “The weather is rather good, let’s both go outside to ride the horses! It’s rare for us to take a trip, it will be a pity if we did not enjoy it.”

Without waiting for Xuan Tianming to reply, Imperial Concubine Yun mumbled: “Just go, just go! The two of you are used to crazy things, it’s boring to be cooped up in the imperial carriage, hurry up and go!”

The two looked at each other and smiled, getting up to exit the imperial carriage. When they mounted their horses, Xuan Tianming was heard saying: “Before we left, Seventh Brother asked me to give him the military tally, Heng Heng, I am not so petty to feel concerned about that military tally. In this world, other than myself, the two people I trust the most are you and Seventh Brother, for such an important thing like the military tally, I will not give it to anyone, but if it was given to you or Seventh Brother, I am not worried at all. But this time…… I keep having the feeling that something is not right this time, what do you think, am I overthinking this?”

Feng Yuheng nodded, “You are overthinking this, Seventh Brother wants to inspect the troops in your place, without the military tally, how would he be able to do that? The army will first be led east by Seventh Brother, we will quickly settle the matters at Ji An Prefecture, once everything is settled, you should quickly rush towards the east, meeting up with Seventh Brother, then have him come back to the capital.”

She comforted Xuan Tianming like this, but in fact, it was not as if she really had no thoughts on it at all. In her opinion, Xuan Tianhua’s suggestion was not that reasonable, it was not that the matter was not reasonable, but what for someone like Xuan Tianhua, this did not make sense. It was just that until now, no one knew which part did not make sense, she did not want to add on more troubles for Xuan Tianming, so she could only give some counselling, acting relaxed, but in her actions, she was hoping for the journey to be as quick as possible.

The contingent heading to Ji An Prefecture set off, and at the capital, Xuan Tianhua set off on horse almost immediately, heading towards the north city gate. With Xuan Tianming’s military tally in hand, it would be easy for him to travel over the Barrier Mountain to inspect the large army, even though the army said that they only acknowledged Xuan Tianming, Xuan Tianming also said before, if he was no longer around one day, Feng Yuheng and the Seventh Prince were also their masters.

At this moment, Xuan Tianhua only had one thought in his heart, which is faster! Go a little faster! He had to arrive before Xuan Tianming rushed over to the eastern border from Ji An Prefecture, commencing the battle between Da Shun and Zong Sui before that, then think of ways to obstruct Xuan Tianming’s movements such that he was unable to interfere in this battle.

The Seventh Prince was leading the army to battle in place of the Ninth Prince, this news could not be hidden from the court, but people also knew the story behind this matter, knowing that the Seventh Prince had set his eyes on Feng family’s third daughter, asking His Highness the Ninth Prince to propose the marriage in his place, so they did not think it was strange. They truly only thought that the Seventh Prince would lead the soldiers for part of the journey, then the two would exchange places when the Ninth Prince rushed over.

Only the regent Sixth Prince Xuan Tianfeng felt some worry. He kept having the feeling that his Seventh Brother was not the type to like a woman to the point where he would ask Old Ninth to request for marriage, but he did not have the leeway to think about it any deeper. The task of regent was too heavy, so heavy that he did not even have time to relax properly and read a book. He could only forcefully push down this vague worry and hope for a safe journey to the eastern border.

Ji An Prefecture was still brimming with life everywhere, as Feng Yuheng’s test area for future technologies in the ancient era, everyone who lived in the fief never felt that their living environment and atmosphere was very different from the outside world. That place was like paradise on earth, and people smiling widely could be seen everywhere, whether they knew each other or not, people greeted each other on the streets, all of them feeling happy that they could live here.

The shops, restaurants, tea houses and inns on the street were very different form the outside world. Even though Feng Yuheng was in the faraway capital, letters would be sent to this place every month. An Shi, the Bai father and daughter and Qian Fengshou conducted business by strictly following what was instructed in the letter, protecting this fief. Under Feng Yuheng’s guidance, their views and way of thinking had expanded, gaining a deeper understanding of Feng Yuheng’s series of changes, so they also improved more on the implementation.

Currently, people who live outside the fief found it hard to imagine what “pension” and “medical insurance” were, and even less people understood what “12 years of mandatory education” meant. But the citizens in the fief were very familiar with these, the citizens frequently said, with these insurances, it looked like they had paid a lot of money to the fief, but in fact, the ones who benefit were themselves. Without mentioning the other things, just the fact that medical insurance could be used when they get examined at Hundred Herb Hall was enough to excite the people.

An Shi received the letter Feng Yuheng sent in advance two days ago, and after knowing that not only would Xiangrong and Feng Yuheng return, His Highness the Ninth Prince and Her Highness Imperial Concubine Yun had followed along as well, her emotions were complex. She knew why the other party had come, but because of this, her heart had been feeling conflicted the past few days.

A concubine in the palace came personally, with such a high status applying pressure, she had to agree to this marriage whether she agreed or not. But she had a feeling, there would not be a good ending if Xiangrong married the Seventh Prince. That was her daughter, her heart felt pained.

Eventually, the three imperial carriages filed into Ji An Prefecture neatly. Because An Shi told Qian Fengshou about this in advance. Once Qian Fengshou heard that Imperial Concubine Yun and the Ninth Prince were coming, he was very nervous and also very excited, and the final result was that he organised a grand welcoming ceremony, such that when Feng Yuheng and the others just arrived, they heard the sounds of firecrackers being ignited and the beating of drums outside the imperial carriage, and people were shouting “Welcome, welcome! A warm welcome!”

She became speechless……

Imperial Concubine Yun still did not understand what was happening, and after hearing the commotion outside, she asked Xuan Tianming: “Did we just happen to arrive when someone is getting married? This is a good thing! We also came to deliver dowry, encountering a marriage when we enter is a good sign!”

Xuan Tianming did not agree with Imperial Concubine Yun’s guess at all, he told Imperial Concubine Yun: “It’s not a marriage, it is likely directed at us.”

Huang Quan, who lifted the curtain to take a look outside spoke then: “It really is directed at us! They are welcoming Madam to Ji An Prefecture!”

Imperial Concubine Yun became excited, slapping her thigh and saying: “The people at Ji An Prefecture are sensible!”

As she spoke, she wanted to stand up and leave the imperial carriage, but Xuan Tianming pulled her back: “Where are you going?”

“They are welcoming us! We cannot continue to sit inside the imperial carriage, right? I am going outside to take a look and at least greet the people.”

“You can give up on that!” Xuan Tianming pulled her back in frustration, “It’s fine that you call yourself Brother Tian on the way. Since you’re surrounded by familiar people, you can act however you want. But in front of outsiders, even if you have to pretend, bring out your demeanour of an imperial concubine!”