Wearing a book, hooking him up

Half a month later, the army returned to the imperial city in a mighty procession with flags flying and horses' hooves thundering.

Jun Zechen first rewarded all the soldiers.

The reward given to the empress was truly extremely generous.

Today, Anshun read out the imperial edict loudly in front of all the officials in the solemn and dignified Taiji Palace:

"It is God's destiny, the emperor decreed:

My queen is gentle, dignified, and kind.

When I went to war against Canglang, she presented the Canglang topographic map to the army and made an invaluable contribution. She is truly as brave as any man.

She was specially granted the title of "Empress Shuntian Huimin" to show her virtue and ability.

The Queen's father, Su Hongyu, raised and educated his daughter in a good way, and worked hard for my country.

He is now conferred the title of Duke, and is given the name of Duke Jing'an, with a fief of a thousand households, and will enjoy eternal prosperity.

The Queen's mother was kind and gentle. She taught her daughter etiquette and raised her daughter with virtue.

Now she is conferred the title of Lady of Rongguo, and is bestowed with a hundred pieces of brocade and ten hu of pearls.

In the battle to attack Canglang, Su Jingxuan charged into the enemy lines, was the bravest among the three armies, and performed outstandingly.

He was promoted to the position of Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, hoping that he would remain loyal and brave and make contributions to the emperor and the country.

Admire this. "

Su Hongyu and Su Jingxuan hurried to the front of the hall, knelt down respectfully, put their hands on the ground, and shouted "Gratitude".

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty."

After Su Jingxuan returned to his seat, Su Hongyu continued, knowing the righteousness of the matter:

"Your Majesty, I am deeply grateful for your grace and the title of Duke.

However, I realize that I am old and my energy is declining. I am afraid that I will not be able to perform the duties of the Minister of the Chancellery and will fail your Majesty's trust.

Now that my daughter is the queen, and Your Majesty has been very kind to me and my family, I am filled with nothing but gratitude.

However, for the sake of the integrity of the court and the smooth running of government affairs, I am willing to resign from the post of Shangshu Ling.

Let capable people take responsibility, share your Majesty's worries, and seek benefits for the country.

I hope Your Majesty will grant my approval."

In Su Hongyu's opinion, Jingxuan has now entered the officialdom and his official position is not low.

Other members of the Su family have also made achievements in the court. Now the Su family can truly be considered to be in a high position of power. In addition, the daughter of the Su family is the queen, which makes them even more precious.

He was also honored with the title of Duke, and it was time for him to abdicate and let others take over.

If the Su family becomes too powerful, the officials in the court will also be dissatisfied.

Now, the Su family is full of glory.

Jun Zechen tried to persuade him to stay, but Su Hongyu still insisted, so Jun Zechen agreed.

As an emperor, Jun Zechen likes ministers who know the times and are smart.

It's really great that the Su family can raise children like Yaoyao and Su Jingxuan.

-

Kunning Palace.

On the same day, Jun Zechen also issued an imperial decree to confer the title of Princess Qingping on Qi Wanyin, the daughter of the former champion general.

Su Jingyao knew that Jun Zecheng had this plan before and was not surprised, but she still asked her father about the origins of Princess Qingping.

Former champion general Qi Zhenyue is the Queen Mother's younger brother.

Six years ago, when Jun Zechen went to the frontier, Qi Zhenyue was also among them.

At that time, Qi Zhenyue was fighting with nomadic people near the Canglang Kingdom. He was careless for a moment and unfortunately died in the battle.

Qi Zhenyue had been guarding the border for many years. Although he had a wife and children in Beijing, fate played a trick on him. After saving a Canglang woman, he fell deeply in love with her.

The woman later gave birth to Qi Wanyin, Princess of Qingping County, for him.

But this Canglang woman is actually the princess of Yuzhou in Canglang Kingdom and has a noble status.

Naturally, her family would not allow her to fall in love with Qi Zhenyue.

Princess Canglang's father threatened her mother's safety and eventually forced her to return to Canglang Kingdom.

Qi Zhenyue was disheartened by the loss of his beloved woman and was unwilling to return to Beijing.

In desperation, he sent his daughter back to the capital.

However, as a prominent family, the Qi family has strict rules and does not recognize Qi Wanyin's identity at all.

So she begged the Queen Mother, who was the Queen at the time, to take care of her.

But the Queen Mother was a person who attached great importance to family background, and she was quite dissatisfied with the fact that the Canglang woman seduced her brother and gave birth to a daughter.

However, since she was her brother's daughter after all, the Queen Mother would naturally not treat Qi Wanyin too badly, but her attitude was not close to her.

When Jun Zechen was seventeen years old, he returned from the battle and brought back the sad news that Qi Zhenyue had died in battle.

Qi Wanyin also left the palace at that time and returned to Canglang and her mother.

She was only fourteen years old at that time, and she has been in Canglang for six years. Now she is twenty years old.

After Su Jingyao found out about Qi Wanyin's background, she thought about the different expression on Jun Zechen's face when he talked about this woman.

I don't believe at all that there is no conflict between Qi Wanyin and Jun Zechen.

Did Qi Wanyin leave the capital because her father died in battle?

Or is it because Jun Zechen married Ling Yue?

What's more, she is already twenty years old and still unmarried.

Su Jingyao sat on the couch, supporting her chin with one hand and narrowing her eyes slightly.

When he was lost in deep thought about Qi Wanyin, Miaoyun walked in briskly with a bright smile on her face.

"Master, after the morning court session ended today, the eldest son was appointed as the Minister of War and was summoned to the Palace of Heavenly Purity by His Majesty."

Miaoyun bowed slightly.

"Someone just reported that the eldest master wants to see you and is waiting for you at Qianyuan Gate."

Miaoyun said this with a hint of joy in her eyes.

"Then let's go, don't keep my brother waiting too long."

When Su Jingyao heard the news, she instantly perked up.

Then he put down the hand that was supporting his chin and stood up swiftly.

Soon, Su Jingyao's phoenix chariot arrived at Qianyuan Gate.

Su Jingxuan had been waiting here for a long time. He was dressed in court robes and his body was as straight as a pine tree.

But his face is a lot darker than before.

Su Jingyao was sitting in the phoenix chariot. Seeing that her brother had become much darker, she couldn't help but hold her forehead with her hands.

Is the ultraviolet light strong in the north?

Why is everything dark?

Darkness doesn't suit her aesthetic.

However, this thought only flashed through my mind.

When Su Jingxuan saw the phoenix chariot stop and his sister appear, he quickly bowed respectfully.

"Your humble servant pays respect to Her Majesty the Queen." He bowed his head.

Outside, Su Jingyao looked dignified, calmly accepted her brother's greeting, and said slowly: "Brother, get up."

Su Jingyao got down from the phoenix chariot, and Su Jingxuan walked up to her and walked side by side with her towards the palace gate.

"Brother, what do you want to see me for today?"

Su Jingyao tilted her head slightly, looked at Su Jingxuan with watery eyes, and asked softly.

Su Jingxuan looked a little embarrassed, with a blush creeping up his ears.

He pursed his lips and hesitated for a moment.

"Sister, do you know the Princess of Qingping County?"

When Su Jingyao heard the name, a strange look flashed across her eyes for a moment, then disappeared in an instant.

Then, she raised the corner of her mouth and glanced at her brother with a smile.

He said jokingly in a light tone: "Of course I know. I heard from His Majesty that Princess Qingping made great contributions in the recovery of Canglang this time."

"Yes, it was she who told us that Canglang was moving the food supplies from Yiyuan City, and that's why Your Majesty guessed that Canglang might be planning to use the Empty City Strategy."

Su Jingxuan nodded and said seriously.

"Then why did brother mention her today?"

Su Jingyao already had some guesses in her mind, but she pretended not to know. She blinked and asked curiously.

"After I got home, I heard that mother was going to hold a Qushui banquet for me in half a month. I wanted her to cancel it, but she said that my sister had already agreed to go to the Qushui banquet in half a month."

Su Jingxuan frowned, with helplessness and distress on his face.

"So no matter how I persuaded her, she just wouldn't agree to cancel it."

He sighed and shook his head helplessly.

"Brother, why do you want to cancel it? In the past, you always said that men cannot establish a career or start a family. Now that you are still young and have been promoted to the rank of fourth-rank minister, it is time for you to get married."

Su Jingyao said with a smile on her face and a hint of teasing in her eyes.

"I already have a woman I like, so there is no need to hold a Qushui Feast."

Su Jingxuan's face flushed slightly and he spoke a little shyly.

"Is it the Princess of Qingping County?"

Su Jingyao raised her eyebrows, with a hint of curiosity in her eyes.

"Well, on the way back to the court this time, I had a lot of exchanges with Princess Qingping. She is elegant, knowledgeable, and cool, like the first snow in winter. I want her to be my wife."

There was a gleam in Su Jingxuan's eyes.

When talking about Princess Qingping, a warm current seemed to surge in his heart, and a smile unconsciously appeared on his face.

When Su Jingyao saw her brother like this, her curiosity grew stronger.

She tilted her head slightly and stared at Su Jingxuan with her beautiful eyes.

He asked, "Does Princess Qingping know what my brother is thinking?"

"I haven't expressed my feelings to Princess Qingping yet. After all, the time is too short."

Su Jingxuan frowned slightly.

"Then we can continue to hold this Qushui Banquet. How about inviting Princess Qingping to attend? This way, my brother can get to know Princess Qingping better."

Su Jingyao suggested seriously.

"Besides, my mother is not only inviting women to this Qushui Banquet, but also other nobles in the capital, not just for you."

Su Jingyao spoke in a leisurely tone.

"Mother has been named Lady Rongguo by His Majesty. I don't know how many ladies in the capital want to make friends with her. I'm sure the invitations have all been sent out. If you cancel it now, won't that make her lose face?"

Su Jingyao's expression was a little solemn, and her eyes showed concern for her mother's face.

Su Jingxuan didn't know much about the interpersonal relationships among aristocratic women.

At this moment, he lowered his eyes and fell into deep thought.

After a moment, he raised his head.

"Sister, you are indeed thoughtful. In that case, let's hold the Qushui Banquet as usual. I just wonder if Princess Qingping is willing to come."

There was obvious worry in Su Jingxuan's tone, and he really looked like he was in love.

My brother hadn't fallen in love for many years, but I didn't expect that when he did, it would be like this.

"That's fine. I will personally invite Princess Qingping in the name of the Queen."

Su Jingyao raised the corners of her mouth and her eyes were gentle.

Su Jingxuan finally felt relieved and breathed a sigh of relief.

If Princess Qingping didn't come, he was afraid that his mother would choose another woman for him.

Su Jingxuan showed a grateful expression on his face, and he quickly bowed and said, "Thank you, sister."

Along the way, Su Jingyao and Su Jingxuan chatted a lot.

She listened carefully to her brother's description and had some understanding of the Princess Qingping in Su Jingxuan's mind.

Princess Qingping, who grew up in the imperial palace as a child, had a very good manner and temperament.

Also, because he had been to the frontier and the Canglang area, he was knowledgeable, kind-hearted, and familiar with all kinds of customs and cultures.

On the surface, she is a cold beauty, but in reality, she is warm and caring.

All in all, in his brother's eyes, this is a perfect woman with nothing wrong with her.

-

Xu Xiurong watched from afar as the queen and her brother walked side by side, her eyes filled with envy that she couldn't retract for a long time.

She looked lonely, as if her heart was filled with mixed feelings, with indescribable emotions surging in her mind.

How long has it been since you last saw your family?

I heard before that there would be a woman following the army returning to the court, and that this woman had made great contributions.

Xu Xiurong's family background is not prominent, and she has always been isolated from the news. In this deep palace, she is often on the edge of the news.

Fortunately, I am now on good terms with Concubine Yan, and I can occasionally learn some things about the previous dynasty from her.

This woman was canonized as Princess Qingping. She was your Majesty's cousin and lived in the palace for a period of time when she was a child.

The positions of the Queen and the eldest prince were too secure, and she no longer expected to be able to move His Majesty's cold heart.

But she didn't want her Sixth Prince to not get any attention from His Majesty.

Xu Xiurong hopes that there will be a woman who can win the heart of His Majesty again. Otherwise, what hope do these lonely women who are waiting in the harem have?

A dark look flashed in Xu Xiurong's eyes.

"Qingyi, spend some money to pass on a message to Princess Qingping. I want to make friends with her."

"Yes, master."