Her guards

Chapter 284 Entering the Imperial Palace

Outside the capital city, inside the Dajue Temple.

Smoke curls upwards, and the sound of chanting lingers.

Yang Luo bowed and kowtowed before his mother's memorial tablet, remaining seated for a long time until footsteps sounded behind him.

The footsteps were hesitant, as if unsure whether to approach.

“Your Majesty,” Yang Luo stood up and turned around, smiling, “please come in and offer incense to my mother. She used to be angry with you, but now that you have avenged her and doted on her daughter so much, she won’t be angry with you anymore.”

The emperor's expression was complicated: "Her hatred is all because of me..." He then looked at Yang Luo, "You are also my daughter, it is only right that I dote on you."

Yang Luo handed him a stick of incense: "There is no such thing as 'should' or 'shouldn't.' Besides, you are not only my father, but also the sovereign of the world. I did something so audacious that it even threatened the peace of the world. It is only right that my mother and I are grateful to you."

The daughter before him had returned to her previous kind and understanding self.

The emperor said, "A-Luo, you don't need to think so much about me. Just say what you want to say and be yourself."

Yang Luo smiled and said, "I have already laid bare myself before His Majesty once, and His Majesty did not reject me. So now I am my true self."

The emperor smiled, took the incense from her hand, and quietly looked at Yang Tong's memorial tablet for a moment before placing the incense on it.

Yang Luo bowed to him, and then they walked out of the main hall together.

"Longxi has begun its post-rebellion recovery efforts, and it's time to reward our meritorious officials," the emperor said, looking at Yang Luo. "Have you really thought through your request?"

Yang Luo nodded.

"I figured it out."

"Your Majesty, from my..."

The moment after dying and being reborn.

"...At the moment I escaped death in the rainy night in Baima Town, every step I took and every choice I made was what I wanted."

"...and all of them are proven to be correct choices."

Thinking back to how she had analyzed her choices point by point and asked him if he had done the right thing, he thought about it carefully afterwards and realized that if he were in her shoes, he would have done the same.

So, she really is his daughter, just like her father.

The emperor couldn't help but laugh.

Yang Luo looked at the emperor and smiled sweetly.

"Father, do you believe me?"

She rarely addressed her father as "Father Emperor".

The emperor knew why; it wasn't because her position was illegitimate, but rather because of her mother's wishes...

Yang Tong does not acknowledge him as her husband.

Her daughter, following her mother's wishes, refused to acknowledge him as her father.

just now……

The emperor turned and glanced back at the main hall.

In front of Yang Tong, his daughter finally called him "father".

The emperor laughed heartily.

"I believe you," he said. "I believe you."

……

……

After the heavy snow, the imperial city became crystal clear.

Inside the quiet palace, several palace maids changed the palace lanterns under the corridor to red, making the red and white lanterns even more dazzling.

The tightly closed window was suddenly pushed open halfway, startling several palace maids who saw Princess Heisei standing by the window.

Since withdrawing from the Imperial Academy and the Empress recuperating and closing the palace gates, Princess Heicheng has almost never stepped out of her palace. She even keeps the doors and windows tightly shut and only reads inside.

If the palace maids outside make any noise, they will displease her and be immediately driven out of the princess's palace.

In just a few months, the palace staff at the Princess's Palace have been replaced several times.

“Princess,” a palace maid said in a trembling voice, “we, we’ll pick them right away.”

Another excuse came to mind: "His Majesty is celebrating his victory today, so we should join in the festivities."

Princess Heisei did not reprimand her, but stared at the palace lanterns in a daze.

The palace maids dared not speak again.

A silence fell over both inside and outside.

"Today is a celebration of victory," Princess Heisei's voice rang out slowly. "So, is she going to be granted the title of princess?"

Although she didn't say her name, the palace maids immediately knew who she was referring to.

Miss Yang.

Although everyone now knows that Miss Yang is the emperor's daughter, and the emperor has announced it to the court, it has never been proclaimed by imperial edict, nor has it been registered in the royal register, nor has it been given a specific title.

The emperor had been waiting for an opportunity, and now that opportunity had arrived.

Princess Heisei twitched the corners of her mouth and smiled.

"She has made such a great contribution, so it's only natural that she should be granted the title of Princess."

The palace maids exchanged glances. If she were to be named the eldest princess, it would be a declaration to the world that Yang Luo was the emperor's eldest legitimate daughter.

Empress Chai was indeed the second wife, and Princess Heicheng was relegated to a lower position after her.

Princess Heisei's face turned deathly pale.

This day has finally arrived.

Actually, this day has come before.

"Princess—Princess—"

A palace maid rushed in.

"Account banned, banned."

Princess Heisei looked at her, and the palace maids present also looked over, their expressions filled with fear.

If Princess Heisei is in a bad mood, they'll probably be kicked out again.

"Princess, she has been granted the title of Princess." the person announced loudly.

Princess? Everyone was stunned.

Princess Heisei was even more incredulous and pushed open the other window, almost leaning out.

"How could it be a princess?"

A princess is one rank lower than a duke.

They were merely members of the royal family.

“Yes, absolutely.” The palace maid nodded and said, “I saw the golden book; it’s for Princess Pingyang.”

Pingyang.

She does resemble her.

But, the princess cannot be compared to her, the princess.

Therefore, she is still the Emperor's only first daughter!
Princess Heisei clenched her fist and a smile bloomed on her face.

……

.......
The sun was high in the sky. Today's court assembly was a little late, and all the civil and military officials who were qualified to attend the court had arrived. The area outside the main hall was packed with people.

Everyone was talking about the rewards that had been announced in advance. Besides the military generals, a woman was also being discussed by everyone.

"She was granted the title of Princess."

"Whether it's a princess or not, she's a distant relative and also a titled noble."

"Yes, otherwise how could we discuss the mother's identity? After all, no one knows Yang Tong..."

"It's not good to talk about what happened before; what's past is past."

The officials were satisfied with the result, and somewhat relieved.

Then someone else had an idea.

"Have you heard? The Embroidered Robe Bureau has also finalized its appointments."

The officials looked somewhat disgusted.

Wei Jiao and Wei Cui died together in Longxi. I thought the Embroidered Uniform Guard would be disbanded, but His Majesty actually appointed new people.

"Who is it that doesn't care about their reputation?" everyone asked in hushed tones.

But they couldn't get any information from the Ministry of Personnel; they were unusually tight-lipped, and no one from the Embroidered Uniform Guard dared to inquire either. Just then, the Director of Ceremonies shouted.

"Enter the palace."

At the same time, drums and music began.

The officials hurriedly entered the main hall in order, stood in place, the drums and music stopped, a few whips were cracked, and the emperor came out, and the officials kowtowed.

The emperor told him to rise.

"Summon Princess Pingyang, the Embroidered-Robe Commandant, to an audience."

The Master of Ceremonies called out loudly.

The summons were relayed out one after another, and soon someone walked in from outside. All the officials turned around and were instantly dazzled.

The newcomer was dressed in a bright red robe and wore a princess's ceremonial hat.

This Miss Yang is no stranger to everyone; she has been frequently visiting the palace these days, holding meetings in the Hall of Diligent Governance, but she always dresses simply in her attire...

Now we can openly have a legitimate status and wear fine clothes.

However, this gorgeous dress was red on the outside and had no patterns, but the lining turned black as she walked.

It looks like dried blood.

As the thought flashed through his mind, an official couldn't help but shudder, recalling the last time Miss Yang entered the palace covered in blood.

Now, the heir of the Marquis of Yongwu is said to have died on the battlefield, and the Marquis of Yongwu's family has been given a pension and reward.

But the truth had already spread privately.

It was Yang Luo who killed the heir of the Marquis of Yongwu.

too frightening.

Thinking back to that scene...

The official couldn't help but tiptoe slightly, trying to get a better look, and even sniffed hard. This time it wasn't blood, was it?

The officials nearby paid no attention to her attire, only looking behind Miss Yang—

"Wasn't the Embroidered-Robe Commandant summoned to the palace?"

"Where is the Embroidered-Robe Captain?"

Why is it only Miss Yang?
Is this Embroidered-Robe Commandant even more insane than Wei Jiao? He completely ignores His Majesty's summons.

The officials exchanged glances and whispered among themselves. Miss Yang stepped forward and bowed to the emperor.

"Princess Pingyang, Embroidered-Robe Commandant Yang Luo, pays respects to Your Majesty."

The officials inside the hall paused, their lively gazes momentarily frozen.

What's the meaning?
Princess Pingyang, Embroidered-Robe Commandant, Yang Luo?

Was it Yang Luo who went to the audience in place of the Embroidered-Robe Commandant?
The emperor looked at the woman who was bowing and nodded with a smile: "Princess, you may rise."

The eunuch standing nearby respectfully gestured, "Captain, please take your place."

Yang Luo stood in the empty spot where Wei Jiao had once stood.

The stagnant hall suddenly erupted into noise.

……

……

"How can this woman be an official!"

"Your Majesty, this won't do!"

"This is ridiculous!"

"Unprecedented!"

"I will bestow upon you the title of Princess, a mansion, and even more than that, but you must serve as an official!"

"This is the Embroidered Uniform Guard! How could a woman be here!"

Yang Luo stood inside the hall, listening with a smile to the overwhelming clamor, responding to each and every one of them.

"My lords, please do not be anxious."

"You've said it's something unprecedented, so let me give it a try and see if it works."

"If you don't try, it will always be something unprecedented and absurd."

"My lord, whether I am qualified to be the Embroidered-Robe Captain or not, let's start with you and see if I can find out if you have committed any serious crimes such as embezzlement, corruption, or treason."

"You, you, you're threatening me!"

"Your Majesty—"

But no matter how noisy it was, the emperor sat on the dragon throne with a smile and unwavering resolve.

"This was requested by Princess Pingyang in recognition of her service in the Longxi rebellion. I am a man of my word, and merit will be rewarded. As for what will happen in the future—"

He looked at Yang Luo in the line of officials.

"Then we'll see if Princess Pingyang is up to the task."

Yang Luo bowed deeply and said, "Your subject will certainly not fail Your Majesty's high expectations."

Because the event was so shocking, the King of the East Sea did not participate in the commotion and stood there, his heart filled with only a mournful cry.

what happened?

He had a grudge against both of the previous Embroidered Uniform Guards?!

Can't he have a better life?
……

……

As the court session ended, the commotion not only did not disappear, but actually grew even louder.

Yang Luo ignored the surrounding discussions and pointing fingers and slowly walked out of the main hall.

She refused the title of princess.

Firstly, it was for her mother's sake. Her mother had abandoned the emperor, and she could not betray her mother to become a princess.

Furthermore, taking a step back is a way to advance one's official position.

She refused the title of princess, and the emperor would always feel indebted to her.

In this way, she could still enjoy the favor of a princess, and in addition to the favor, she could also hold real power.

“Father, your supreme authority has brought me both calamity and glory.”

"My journey to this point is just like your journey to the throne."

"Therefore, please let me succeed Wei Jiao as your Embroidered Uniform Guard."

"I'm doing this for you, and also for myself."

That was all she wanted.

This is also Yang Luo's most authentic self.

For the sake of others, the purpose is for oneself.

As Mo Zheng said, good people are rewarded, and to be rewarded, one must be a good person.

Yang Luo looked towards the west.

By now, Hong Lin, Tao Hua, and Zhang Sheng should have already left the border and be about to meet Mo Zheng.

That letter will also be given to Mo Zheng.

In her letter, she wrote, "Mo Zheng, I saved your life. You still owe me. You must be my protector."

If the world of Great Xia cannot accommodate her in the future, Mo Zheng, then you may overturn this world.

"Captain."

A group of embroidered-clad women bowed in unison, causing Yang Luo to look away.

She glanced at them and nodded.

"Return to the Embroidery Bureau."

As she spoke, a woman in embroidered clothes knelt down in front of the carriage.

Yang Luo smiled, lifted her skirt, and stepped onto the back of her embroidered dress to get into the carriage.

The horses' hooves clattered as a dense mass of embroidered-clad figures, surrounding a magnificent carriage resembling auspicious clouds of five colors, slowly departed from the imperial city.

(End of full text)

　Hey, I finished writing it all in one go today, so I won't leave it for tomorrow. It's been so long, so I'll say goodnight to everyone. See you in the next book~~ There will be a separate chapter for the final chapter.

　　(End of this chapter)