Rebirth: Making a Fortune in Ancient Times

Zhao Bei mumbled awkwardly.

Hearing his mutterings, Xia Yu smiled and picked up the newly served tea from the 19th teacup, saying...

"You've already done it, why are you worried about what others will think of you?"

"I... wasn't I just trying to give the princess some prestige?"

"Well, thank you. I'll explain to Lord Shen when I get back to the capital. You, General Zhao, aren't the kind of person who bullies others by relying on your power. You did that just to give me face. Is that alright?" After drinking some hot tea, Xia Yu felt much warmer and was in the mood to joke with him a bit.

"Then let's not bother!"

That very evening, many people developed fevers. Zhao Bei informed Xia Yu of the situation, and they stayed in the town for two more days until those with fevers recovered before continuing their journey. This delighted the manager of Zuixiaolou; he hadn't encountered such a VIP customer in years. He even accepted three ten-tael gold ingots. He truly wondered what noble person wearing the official hat was.

When passing through the county and prefectural cities, local officials, upon hearing that it was the carriage of Princess Wenfu Zhenguo, all sent invitations to pay their respects, but Xia Yu politely declined them all. After a hurried journey, they finally returned to the capital within half a month. Upon seeing the high city walls of the capital, everyone breathed a sigh of relief; they had finally arrived.

The day before, Zhao Bei had sent a messenger on horseback ahead of them to deliver the message to the capital. As they drew closer to the city gate, Zhao Bei, who was at the front, could see many people standing there, apparently there to welcome them, but they were too far away to make out their faces.

He turned his horse around and walked to Xia Yu's carriage.

"Princess, someone has come to greet you at the city gate."

"Alright, I understand." Xia Yu held a small mirror in her hand, while two maids behind her opened a jewelry box to select suitable jewelry. During her journey, Xia Yu's attire had been simple. But now that they were about to enter the city, she would inevitably have to talk and exchange pleasantries with people, and dressing as she had the previous days would no longer be in accordance with etiquette.

As they approached the city gate, Zhao Bei finally saw the person in the bright yellow dragon robe standing at the front. He quickly dismounted, sent someone to inform Xia Yu, tidied his appearance, and strode towards the figure in bright yellow.

"Your subject Zhao Bei greets Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"

"General Zhao, you must be tired from your journey. Please rise!" Zhou Luo said gently yet authoritatively.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Zhao Bei respectfully thanked the Emperor before rising. He then stepped aside to wait for Xia Yu to come and pay her respects to the Emperor.

"Sister..." Zhou Luo looked excitedly at the figure walking towards her and quickly went to meet it.

“Luo…Your Majesty…” Xia Yu was also very excited when she saw Zhou Luo, who had grown much taller than he had three months ago.

Zhou Luo held Xia Yu's hand, her eyes glistening with tears.

Xia Yu spoke in a voice that only the two of them could hear.

"Luo'er, your sister is back. Hold back your tears. You are the emperor now."

"Mmm," Zhou Luo nodded firmly, looking up at the sky as if observing the weather. When she looked at Xia Yu again, the moisture in her eyes had disappeared.

Zhou Luo took Xia Yu's hand and walked back, where civil and military officials were still standing to greet them.

"Your subjects pay homage to the Princess Zhenguo, may the Princess live a thousand years!" Everyone knelt before Xia Yu, bowing devoutly and respectfully. Xia Yu's deeds at Jialing Pass had already spread far and wide, and because of the mysteriously appearing grains and herbs, her deeds had almost been hailed as miracles.

Although everyone knew there might be exaggerations in the rumors, they couldn't deny that Princess Wenfu deserved the most credit for relieving the crisis at Jialing Pass. Furthermore, she made indelible contributions to the subsequent recapture of several cities occupied by rebel kings. Now, the title of Princess Wenfu, the Guardian Princess, is truly deserved, and everyone wholeheartedly agrees.

"Please rise, gentlemen." Those familiar with Xia Yu, and those not, all came forward to inquire after the princess. Xia Yu smiled and dealt with them one by one, but seeing the increasingly enthusiastic ministers, she could only look to Zhou Luo for help. She couldn't understand why the old men who had once treated her coldly were now so warm and welcoming.

Zhou Luo found Xia Yu's disheveled state amusing. But to avoid his sister's wrath later, he coughed lightly, his fist to his lips. Then, Zhou Luo glanced at the eunuch who had come to deliver the imperial decree.

Li Changshou's original name was Fushou, a very auspicious name, but it was changed to Li Changshou because it offended Princess Wenfu's title. He was Li Dequan's adopted son, and because of his intelligence and wit, Zhou Luo placed him by her side, gradually replacing Li Dequan.

Seeing the emperor's attitude, Li Dequan understood the saying "a new emperor, a new court," and instead of being angry, he wholeheartedly taught Li Changshou the things he should pay attention to when serving the emperor. This earned him Li Changshou's sincere respect.

Li Changshou understood the Emperor's meaning, first coughing twice, then chanting...

"Princess Wenfu Zhenguo, receive the imperial decree." Upon hearing this, the lively atmosphere immediately quieted down, and everyone knelt down to receive the decree.

The imperial edict was full of praise for Xia Yu, making her feel a little guilty. Was she really that good? However, the final rewards still gave Xia Yu a small thrill. Zhang Youtie was granted the title of Marquis of Dingguo, a hereditary title for three generations, while her mother, Lady Liu, was granted the title of First-Rank Imperial Lady. The Zhang family was then awarded ten thousand taels of gold, two hundred servants, and a marquis's mansion was ordered to be built, with the Ministry of Works selecting a site and completing it as soon as possible.

Just as Xia Yu finished thanking the emperor and accepting the decree and was about to get up, she heard Li Changshou's voice rang out again.

"General Zhao, receive the imperial decree."

Those who had just tried to get up had no choice but to kneel down again and continue listening to the rewards bestowed upon them.

After another round of lavish praise, the Emperor finally bestowed upon Zhao Bei the title of Third-Rank General Zhenyuan, awarded him ten thousand taels of gold, and granted him a mansion in the capital. All other meritorious officers and soldiers would also receive rewards; the imperial edicts would be delivered to them shortly.

After the imperial edict was read aloud, Xia Yu deliberately showed a hint of fatigue as he looked at the officials who were about to come forward to offer their congratulations.

"The Princess and the generals have traveled a long way to escort the prisoners to the capital. Let them go into the city and rest first. The Emperor will host a banquet for the generals tomorrow night. We can talk about it then." Shen Jingheng, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up to help Xia Yu and Zhao Bei out of their predicament.

"Yes, yes, Grand Tutor Shen is right, and these prisoners should be thoroughly interrogated." Upon hearing Shen Jingheng speak, someone immediately echoed his sentiments.

Xia Yu finally escaped the crowd's enthusiasm and was able to go back to rest. Zhao Bei previously had no residence in the capital, and although the Emperor had just bestowed one upon him, it was impossible for him to move in immediately. Therefore, Zhao Bei and his returning soldiers were arranged to stay at the post station of the Honglu Temple. It was probably the only place in the entire capital that could accommodate a thousand people.