My low-key cultivation of immortality was discovered by the emperor in my diary.

A month passed quietly.

The capital city gradually emerged from the shadow of disaster and regained its former glory.

The damaged streets and alleys have been gradually restored to their original state, and pavilions and towers have been rebuilt, making the once bustling scene even more prosperous than before.

The city was bustling with activity, filled with the sounds of people.

Vendors carried their wares on their shoulders or in their hands, or shouted their wares loudly. The dazzling array of goods shone brightly in the sunlight, attracting the attention of passersby.

Teahouses and taverns were bustling with activity once again, lanterns and flags of various colors swayed gently in the breeze, laughter filled the air, and vitality permeated the air everywhere.

Those powerful and wealthy families, who may have abused their power for personal gain and oppressed the people in the past, have all restrained their behavior under Chu Lengyu's intimidation.

The atmosphere in officialdom was cleaned up, corruption and bribery were greatly reduced, and people's lives were naturally more comfortable than before, with more genuine smiles on their faces.

At the city gate, long queues could be seen, with people carrying their bags and looking excited.

As materials from other places arrived one after another, gentry, students, and craftsmen from all over the country gathered here, making the post stations and inns in the capital city even busier, with people and carriages coming and going in an endless stream.

Nowadays, people from all over Kyushu rarely sit together to share their experiences and observations.

They talked about the local customs and traditions of their hometown, exchanged their skills and knowledge, and the sense of unfamiliarity between them gradually disappeared.

Diplomatic delegations from other countries also arrived in this ancient and prosperous capital, adding a touch of exoticism to the city.

The envoys brought gifts and cultural artifacts from their respective countries. Their clothing varied, and they spoke different languages, but their faces all showed curiosity about Bactria.

The missions not only brought precious gifts from their respective countries, but also presented the world with the exotic cultures and customs of their homeland.

Music, dance, painting... each has its own unique charm and appeal, leaving people in awe.

The prosperity and profound cultural heritage of the Great Xia Dynasty also broadened the horizons of foreign envoys.

As the end of the year draws near, a festive atmosphere permeates every corner of the capital city.

From government officials to ordinary citizens, everyone was filled with eager anticipation.

The capital city was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers in advance, and the market was bustling with activity. As soon as you stepped into the street, the aroma of all kinds of delicious food wafted through the air.

The market was packed with people buying New Year's goods, and the stalls were filled with all kinds of products, from food to toys, from new clothes to accessories, a dazzling array that was hard to resist.

At the morning court session, the officials gathered in the Golden Palace to report to the emperor on the preparations for the New Year.

"Your Majesty, preparations for the New Year are now complete both inside and outside the capital, creating a joyous and peaceful scene. This is truly a sign of national prosperity and the will of the people."

"People live in peace and contentment, and the market is booming. There are also kind-hearted families who donate money and clothes to help refugees celebrate the New Year."

"In addition, the borders are stable this year, and diplomatic missions from various countries have brought tributes and are staying at post stations and inns, waiting for an audience."

On the dragon throne, the emperor listened to the reports from his ministers, a satisfied smile on his face.

The emperor was already aware of these matters. Although the Great Xia Dynasty had suffered calamities this year, overall, things were still progressing positively.

As the year draws to a close, it will be a new beginning.

The emperor, with a slight sigh, paused for a moment and then said, "The sealing of the imperial seal will begin tomorrow, so let's arrange to receive them on the first day of the Lunar New Year!" (Note)

"Yes." The subject accepted the order without objection.

The emperor slowly stood up, looked around at the assembled officials, and said firmly, "Although this year has been full of ups and downs, I am deeply gratified to see the people living in peace and prosperity. My dear ministers, you have worked hard."

The ministers responded in unison: "May the Great Xia Dynasty enjoy peace, prosperity, and strength!"

After the court session ended, the emperor habitually went directly to the Imperial Study, only to remember that the imperial seal would be sealed the next day, and he would no longer need to review memorials, so he could take a few days off to rest.

He felt a long-lost sense of ease and comfort, and slowly sat back down in his seat, but his gaze involuntarily fell on the stacks of memorials waiting for review on the desk.

Whether thick or thin, they all bear the aspirations of all living beings.

But at this moment, the emperor was not in a hurry to deal with it. Instead, he was in an almost leisurely mood, thinking about how to make use of this rare moment of leisure.

After a year of hard work and countless affairs, the emperor could only unload his burdens at the end of the year, yet he was content with it.

After all, as long as he sits in this position, he is the ruler of all people and the king of the world.

Whether it's the respect and obedience of the officials, the love and admiration of the concubines, or the adoration of the children, these are not things that can be obtained simply by sitting on the dragon throne. The emperor believed that he had done his best in terms of the effort behind these achievements.

But now, because of Chu Lengyu's existence, he has a vague new idea.

The emperor couldn't help but wonder whether he should invite Chu Lengyu to the New Year's Eve banquet this year.

Although he thought she was too lonely being alone outside, he was also afraid that the strict rules of the palace would displease her.

After a moment's hesitation, the emperor first summoned Hongfu in.

Upon hearing the sound, the chief eunuch Hong Fu, who was standing outside the door, entered, bowed respectfully, and replied, "This servant is here. What are your orders, Your Majesty?"

"I ask you, how are the preparations for the New Year's Eve banquet going in the harem?" the emperor asked.

The New Year's Eve banquet was not only a feast, but also a display of imperial majesty, which could not be compromised.

"Your Majesty, preparations are underway throughout the palace," Hong Fu replied cautiously. "The Empress herself is overseeing the process, and all arrangements have been made."

The Empress was in charge of the six palaces, and she oversaw everything from the banquet arrangements and the selection of dishes to the selection of music and dance and the guest list.

Upon hearing this, the emperor nodded slightly, feeling somewhat relieved.

For more than a decade, the Empress had been his wise and capable assistant. With her overseeing things, the Emperor naturally felt at ease.

He smiled gently and said, "Very well, then the Empress shall make proper arrangements for the New Year's Eve palace banquet."

Then the emperor summoned the commander of the night guards.

Without the emperor's prompting, the commander of the Night Guard replied, "Your Majesty, the information on the various delegations has been thoroughly investigated. Please review it."

As he spoke, a list was presented to him.

The emperor unfolded the list of delegations, and the delegation from the Great Qian Kingdom was naturally listed first.

For a long time, it was the Rong tribe that was too active and kept harassing the border, to the point that the emperor almost forgot that the Great Qian was the most troublesome opponent.

In terms of territory, population, and wealth, the Great Qian far surpasses other countries, second only to the Great Xia.

The emperor squinted at the delegation from the Great Qian Kingdom. Not only was the leader a famous general from the Great Qian Kingdom, but there was also a prince among them.

"The fifth prince of the Great Qian Dynasty, Helian Ting. Why is there a blank space after his name?" the emperor asked, his tone slightly serious.

The Night Guard Commander explained:

“Your Majesty, I have contacted the spies planted in Daqian. There is very little information about this Fifth Prince, and there seems to be something fishy going on.”

"According to the investigation by the undercover agents, Helian Ting left the palace with his birth mother when he was young, and his whereabouts are unknown afterward."

"It wasn't until half a year ago that he reappeared in the Great Qian Palace, and for some reason, the Qian Emperor valued him highly and treated him exceptionally well."

"In the six months since returning to the royal family, Helian Ting has performed exceptionally well. He seems to have superhuman strength and is often accompanied by a giant wolf. He once drove the giant wolf to harm more than ten people, and even bit the Third Prince Helian Zhang to death in a quarrel, but the Emperor Qian did not punish him."

Upon hearing this, the emperor became somewhat interested in this person.

Unlike the Great Xia, which emphasized Confucianism and Legalism, the Great Qian Dynasty was more similar to the Rong people in its customs, believing in strength and respecting only the strong. Emperor Qian himself was no exception.

The Great Qian Dynasty does not establish an heir apparent. The many children of the royal family will engage in a fierce battle after reaching adulthood, but only one will emerge victorious and inherit the throne.

Before the outcome is decided, the Qianlong Emperor will only show favor to one of his most favored descendants.

But this favor is a double-edged sword.

Although Helian Ting received excellent treatment, he also became a thorn in the side of all the princes and princesses of this generation, like a conspicuous target.

If he hadn't died, he would very likely have been the next Emperor Qianlong.

And now, this descendant whom Emperor Qianlong favored the most has actually joined the delegation and arrived in the capital.

What is Daqian planning?

The emperor then asked, "What rumors are circulating within the Helian clan regarding him?"

“There is indeed a rumor that…” The Night Guard Commander paused before continuing, “Helian Ting is the chosen one.”

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Note: This is from Baidu. The emperor sealed his writing brush on the 26th day of the twelfth lunar month, also known as sealing the imperial seal, and ceased attending court to handle state affairs. He resumed writing on the first day of the first lunar month.