The Eldest Daughter Is Beautiful and Saucy
Chapter 1596: Finale (2)
Chapter 1596 Finale (Part 2)
No one knew the situation in Yan State better than Xiao Rongyan and Murong Li, and Shen Tianzhi had also been in Yan State for some time. All the vassal kings and their families had returned to Dadu with Bai Qingyan.
There are no vassal kings in the territory of Yan State to hinder the implementation of the new laws of the Great Zhou. Bai Qingyan wants to leave the task of implementing the new laws of the Great Zhou to Xiao Rongyan, Murong Li and Shen Tianzhi.
Xiao Ruojiang did not follow Bai Qingyan back this time. Xiao Ruojiang planned to travel around Yan territory himself and revise the most detailed map of Yan State. Bai Qingyan also agreed.
When entering the territory of Da Zhou and reaching Bao’an, Bai Qingyan saw Zeng Shanru, who was tanned.
After Bai Qingyan settled down in Bao’an City, Zeng Shanru hurried over to see him.
Bai Jinzhi felt relieved when he saw Zeng Shanru, who had turned as black as charcoal. He said to Sima Ping, “It turns out that I’m not the only one who gets tanned! Zeng Shanru was so white when she left Dadu, but now she’s turned as black as charcoal.”
Seeing Bai Jinzhi’s gloating look, Sima Ping crossed his arms over his chest with a faint smile on his lips: “Prince Gao Yi has given up comparing skin color with women and wants to compare with men now? He has a really broad mind!”
Bai Jinzhi, who was just happy, suddenly turned faceless. She glared at the fair-skinned Sima Ping, then turned and left.
Sima Ping looked at Bai Jinzhi leaving angrily with a smile on his face, but when he thought of Lu Yuanpeng… the smile immediately disappeared…
Lv Yuanpeng had been sent back to the capital earlier. Bai Jinzhi thought that Lv Yuanpeng had returned to the capital to recuperate, but she didn’t know that Lv Yuanpeng had already…
If Bai Jinzhi knew that Lu Yuanpeng didn’t make it, this matter… would probably be something that Bai Jinzhi would never be able to get over!
Sima Ping’s eyes, whose smile gradually faded, seemed to be covered by a layer of haze. He knew that what Lu Yuanpeng said was all said in anger, but he took it seriously… He had not accompanied Lu Yuanpeng to the State of Yan. If he had come, perhaps this result would not have happened.
He had never thought of competing with Lu Yuanpeng for Bai Jinzhi. Lu Yuanpeng was the only friend in the world who was completely devoted to him. If possible… he was willing to protect the two of them for a lifetime of happiness and joy.
·
Zeng Shanru held a mahogany square box carved with a picture of spring and stood respectfully under the corridor with a half-rolled bamboo curtain with her head bowed. It was not until Wei Zhong came out after reporting to her and opened the curtain for her that Zeng Shanru lifted up the hem of her gown, stepped into the door, and climbed up the wooden stairs to the second floor.
The second floor of this pavilion also has eight vermilion-painted red pillars supporting a double-eaved green-tiled roof with flying eaves. It is ventilated on all sides, with Xiangfei bamboo curtains half-hanging, which is cool and refreshing. It is similar to the Shaohua Courtyard in Shuoyang Bai Mansion, and it shows the layout and background of the builder of this house.
Zeng Shanru went upstairs and saw Xiao Rongyan sitting next to her eldest daughter, frowning and reading the memorials. She was surprised. Wasn’t their eldest daughter’s husband Xiao Rongyan already…
He recalled the rumor that the husband of the Great Zhou Emperor, Xiao Rongyan, was the Ninth Prince of Yan State. Although he was surprised, he also understood… The eldest lady did not hide the fact and let him meet her because he was one of their own.
Zeng Shanru put the mahogany box aside and bowed politely: “Zeng Shanru, greetings to the young lady! Greetings to the brother-in-law…”
Hearing this name, Xiao Rongyan raised his head and looked at Zeng Shanru, but he didn’t remember seeing this person before.
“Didn’t I tell you that kneeling is not customary here? Get up quickly! You’ve gotten quite tanned. Nanny Tong would definitely be distressed if she saw you.” Bai Qing smiled as he spoke. He licked the ink from the brush in his hand. Seeing that Zeng Shanru was in good spirits, he smiled and said, “You left Dadu in June last year, saying that you were going to look after the rice fields. Later, I saw a memorial sent by the Ministry of Revenue in Dadu, which mentioned that the rice harvest in September was indeed not good, but later the harvest of late rice improved…”
Zeng Shanru’s smile deepened when she mentioned this. She couldn’t hide her joy and nodded, “That’s why, seeing that it’s almost time to plant rice, Lord Wei from the Ministry of Revenue has helped and ordered people to promote the proven effective method of planting rice to the people. I think we can get a good harvest when the harvest season comes!”
“Then why did you come to Bao’an again?” Bai Qingyan asked with a smile.
“The wheat harvest is about to begin. Lord Wei pointed to Bao’an and asked Shanru to try the farmland here to see if the wheat yield can be increased!” Zeng Shanru said with a smile.
Seeing Zeng Shanru’s confident look, she asked, “Do you have an idea?”
“In the past, after harvesting wheat, most people would burn wheat straw as firewood, although straw is flammable but not as durable as firewood. People thought that applying farmyard manure could make the land fertile, but… Shanru thought that instead of doing that, it would be better to ferment the straw and farmyard manure and use it as fertilizer, which would make the land fertile.”
Bai Qingyan nodded: “Okay… If you can increase the yield of rice fields and wheat fields this time, it will be a great contribution to the people.”
If Zeng Shanru really succeeded, with such a contribution… he should be awarded a title.
In this way, Nanny Tong can be said to have finally made it through.
Zeng Shanru quickly said that she didn’t dare to say, “Shanru was just doing her job, how dare she take credit for it!”
“By the way, Shanru also ran into Mr. Qin who had been recuperating in our Bai Mansion. When Mr. Qin learned that the young lady had already recovered the Kingdom of Yan, he seemed to have known this would happen. However, Mr. Qin was supervising the construction of the canal and could not spare time to congratulate the young lady. He asked Shanru to tell her… that the young lady would definitely be a wise ruler who would create a prosperous era, and that he admired her in his heart.”
Bai Qingyan nodded, it was a pity… Qin Shangzhi, such a talented person, was only willing to build canals for the Great Zhou and was unwilling to work for her.
A loyal minister does not serve two masters. This is also Qin Shangzhi’s choice, and she has no choice.
Zeng Shanru saw the elder girl’s expression of regret, and hurriedly pushed out the mahogany square box beside her, saying with a smile: “On the birthdays of the two young masters, Shanru did not have time to rush back to the capital to celebrate for the two young masters. Now I am busy with the work in the wheat field and cannot spare the time, so I dare to ask the elder girl to take back the birthday gifts that Shanru prepared for the two young masters!”
What Zeng Shanru brought was not something valuable, but a pair of colorful hibiscus of excellent quality, which were smooth, delicate and pure. He thought of carving a pair of seals for the two young masters in the future.
Who knew that he didn’t have time to go back for the two young masters’ birthdays in March, and now he can’t go back to the capital with the eldest girl. He can only ask Bai Qingyan to take the gifts back. After all, it is his intention.
“Ayan and I also missed the two children’s birthdays.” Bai Qingyan couldn’t help feeling regretful. His mother wrote to say that during the “Zhuazhou” ceremony… Kang Le held a pen in one hand and a small bow and arrow in the other. Xile originally grabbed a golden abacus, but after seeing Bai Qingyun, he dropped the abacus and grabbed Bai Qingyun’s hand.
Xiao Rongyan also had regrets in his heart, but… after their family reunion, they would never have to be separated again. Xiao Rongyan was happy in his heart. He gently held Bai Qingyan’s hand and stroked the back of her hand with his thumb: “In the future, we can still spend many birthdays with the two children and make up for what we owe them.”
Zeng Shanru lowered her eyes with a smile on her lips. This must be the end of all the suffering their eldest daughter has endured!
I don’t know whether their eldest brother-in-law pretended to be the Ninth Prince of Yan for the sake of the eldest girl, or… it was the Ninth Prince of Yan who surrendered for the sake of the eldest girl.
No matter what, Zeng Shanru could see that this son-in-law loved and respected their eldest daughter very much, so they, the loyal servants of the Bai family, felt relieved.
On the first day of May in the third year of Yuanhe, the Emperor of the Great Zhou arrived in the capital city.
The Queen Mother of the Great Zhou and the King of Xing wanted to lead all the ministers and officials to welcome him in front of the Wude Gate.
After losing his youngest grandson, General Lu’s hair turned white almost overnight. He looked listless and looked more than ten years older.
It was also through this incident that he finally understood… how the families of the Zhenguo Palace felt as generations of men had died on the battlefield protecting the country and the people. He also understood why the Bai family was so determined to unify the world.
The Bai family has had men who died in battle in every generation, just as Your Majesty said at the palace banquet when she was still the eldest daughter of the Bai family… It is true that the Bai family has been a family of generals for hundreds of years, and the heroes of the Bai family did not sacrifice their lives for military merit or power. Among the hundreds of tablets in the Bai family ancestral hall, which one did not die to protect the country and the people!
At first, General Lu was just heartbroken for the Bai family, but now that his own sons have died in the battlefield, he knows how heartbreaking the pain is. Putting himself in their shoes… It is not easy for the Bai family to get to where they are today.
Before dawn, General Lu put on his official uniform and was supported by his eldest son and grandson Lu Yuanqing as he stepped out of the study and prepared to go to Wude Gate. He saw his granddaughter Lu Fenglang, who was not wearing official uniform but plain clothes.
“Feng Lang? Why aren’t you wearing official uniform?” General Lu frowned and looked at Lu Fenglang and asked.
Lu Fenglang’s eyes were red, and she looked as thin as a bag of bones. Her clothes hung loosely on her body, and she had lost her previous spirit. She knelt down and bowed to General Lu and her father, saying, “The war broke out in the Dongyi Kingdom, and the King of Hancheng and many naval officers and soldiers died in the battle. This was all caused by Fenglang’s stubbornness and self-righteousness! Fenglang…I will go to His Majesty to apologize.”
Taiwei Lu sighed, asked Lu Yuanpeng to help Lu Fenglang up, and said slowly: “Fenglang, if you were a man, you knew your mistake and apologized to His Majesty, and all the officials would praise you! But you are a woman, and you said this in public… Others will use your story as an excuse to say that His Majesty should not appoint women as officials! The world is harsh on women, and His Majesty is trying hard to change it. Even if you feel guilty, you should swallow this matter for the sake of the overall situation! If you admit your mistake, you will feel relieved, but it will cut off the way out for other women and ruin His Majesty’s overall situation. Do you understand?”
Lu Fenglang had not thought of this, and her expression became even more guilty. Just as her grandfather had said… His Majesty had not punished her, and she felt extremely guilty. Only by speaking out about this could she feel relieved.
But…if her mistake destroyed other women’s future, her crime would be unforgivable.
“Go change into official uniform and go with grandfather to welcome His Majesty!” said General Lu.
“Yes!” Lu Fenglang responded with tears in his eyes.
·
In the capital city, the people got up at the crowing of cocks and rushed to the long street to grab a good seat so that they could witness the elegance of their Majesty.
Now that the State of Yan has surrendered, the Great Zhou has been unified, and the chaotic times have come to an end. The people are cheering and singing and dancing.
Over the past hundred years, the world has been plagued by chaos and turmoil. How many people have lost their countries and families, how many people have been forced to leave their homes, and how many people have lost their relatives and friends.
After the world is unified, it will be one family. There will be no more wars, no more flames of war, and the world will be peaceful… A peaceful and prosperous sea is no longer a goal, but the way the world is today.
The eyes were hazy in the morning light, and in a moment… they broke through the clouds.
The golden light was so bright and dazzling that it covered half of the capital city.
The west gate of the capital was opened, and soldiers in armor stood on both sides, blocking the people who stretched their necks to look out…
Someone shouted at the top of his voice: “Black sail and white python flag! His Majesty is back!”
The agitated crowd stretched their necks, trying to get past the soldiers who were blocking the crowd and be the first to catch a glimpse of His Majesty.
Inside the luxurious double-eaved Que Lou (Que Lou) overlooking the street, the eight partitions with carved plum blossoms were opened wide, and the servants bent over and quickly placed the embroidered cushion inside the railing. The famous prostitute Kanna, wearing a veil and holding a pipa, sat down on the second floor with her sisters, waiting for His Majesty to return with his troops. She wanted to play a song for His Majesty, “Peace and Prosperity in the Sea” which she had just composed for His Majesty.
The famous prostitute Kanna became famous all over the world for her song “General Bai’s Marching Song”. Many people spent huge sums of money to become Kanna’s lover and have a glimpse of her face, but were all turned away.
Unexpectedly, Kanna appeared on this sparrow tower today.
In the distance, the long army that was winding like a black dragon was moving in the same way and slowly approaching, and one could even feel the trembling under one’s feet.
Led by Bai Qingyan in silver armor, Bai Qingqi, Bai Jinxiu, Bai Qingyu, Bai Jinzhi, Bai Jinzhao, Bai Jinhua and Bai Jinse were on both sides of him, all wearing silver armor, and their bodies were shining with cold light under the dazzling golden light of the early morning.
The sons and daughters of the Bai family were dressed in silver armor, with their sharp edges still hidden. They came in the morning light, exuding a righteous spirit that stood tall and upright.
Older people may still remember the scene when King Zhenguo led the Bai family’s men to war.
They had not been able to see the King of Zheng State return with the sons and daughters of the Bai family in triumph, but now they could see their own Majesty returning with the sons and daughters of the Bai family in high spirits, how could they not shed tears and feel proud…
The Bai family in Zhenguo Palace never produces useless people.
The Bai family has been loyal and brave for generations. After suffering a great disaster, they were reborn from the ashes and produced an emperor who unified the world.
The sound of horse hooves was getting closer and closer, and the soldiers outside the city gate were heard shouting: “Welcome to your majesty’s triumphant return! Long live the Great Zhou! Long live your majesty!”
The people inside the city gate were suddenly overwhelmed with emotion. Some elderly people were choking with sobs, some women and children were infected and burst into tears, and some even shouted “Long live the city!”
The people knelt down and shouted before the army entered the city…
“Welcome to your majesty’s triumphant return! Long live the Great Zhou! Long live your majesty!”
“Welcome to your majesty’s triumphant return! Long live the Great Zhou! Long live your majesty!”
“Welcome to your majesty’s triumphant return! Long live the Great Zhou! Long live your majesty!”
Kanna was moved by the loud voices of the people. She couldn’t help but stand up holding her pipa, leaning on the red railing with one hand to look outside the city gate.
She watched Bai Qingyan, dressed in military uniform and with his hair tied up, slowly enter from outside the city gate, followed by the descendants of the Bai family who were also dressed in silver armor.
The golden light of the morning sun shone on the sleek woman, just like the one Kanna had seen in Shuoyang before. Her appearance was stunning and extraordinary, but no one dared to have the slightest blasphemous heart, as if she was the most holy and dazzling place in the world, as if any difficulty in the world was not worth mentioning in front of her.
She had never seen anyone with such a majestic and awe-inspiring aura that made people dare not look at him closely.
Although she didn’t dare to admit it and although she knew that she was of humble status, Kanna truly loved the emperor from the bottom of her heart and admired this woman from the bottom of her heart.
“Kanna…” The sister behind Kanna called Kanna.
Kanna came back to her senses and sat down on the embroidered cushion. Her white fingers, which were so soft that you could hardly see the knuckles, gently covered the strings and she let out a long breath…
Suddenly, the sound of a piano as loud and clear as thunder rang out from above the Que Tower.
Bai Qingyan raised his head and looked towards the top of the Que Tower, and saw a veiled woman playing the pipa in the morning light.
Kanna noticed Bai Qingyan’s gaze and looked towards him bravely. Seeing Bai Qingyan’s deep eyes, which were clearly black and white, and his warm smile like the morning sun, Kanna’s ears turned red and she played the piano even harder.
“I heard that this is Kanna, who composed ‘General Bai’s Marching Song’. Her new work ‘Peaceful Sea and Clear River’ is said to be written for Sister He to unify the world!” Bai Jinxiu whispered to Bai Qing.
Bai Qingyan nodded and had to admit… although Kanna came from a brothel family, she was truly talented.
“Let’s have a palace banquet on the eighth day of the first lunar month. Let Kanna come to the palace to perform!” Bai Qingyan said.
She really wanted to listen to the whole piece of music, but her mother, aunt and seventh brother were still waiting for her at the palace gate, so she didn’t dare to delay.
“Okay…” Bai Jinxiu responded with a smile.
“Mother! Mother!”
Bai Jinxiu suddenly heard the cry of a young child and looked up… Above the restaurant, she saw Qin Lang holding Wang Ge’er and looking at her.
Bai Jinxiu was surprised, but when she saw Wangger, her eyes couldn’t help but turn red again. As a mother, she owed Wangger a lot.
Bai Qingyan also followed Bai Jinxiu’s gaze and looked at Wang Ge’er, smiling at him…
“Aunt!” Wangger called out to Bai Qingyan again. Wangger grew up in the palace when he was a child. He and Xiaoba often went to Bai Qingyan’s place and were very close to her.
Qin Lang also hurriedly handed Wang Ge’er to the wet nurse and bowed to Bai Qingyan.
Bai Qingyan responded, and out of the corner of his eye he saw a general on horseback who seemed to have met his family, so he turned around and took a look…
Unexpectedly, Liu Pinggao was seen leaving the team, sitting on horseback and bending over to talk to a woman in the crowd. The woman, with her hair combed in a bun, was kneeling on the ground without getting up, looking up at Liu Pinggao with a bright smile.
Bai Qingyan raised his eyebrows and looked away. Hong Qiao?
The extremely loyal maidservant who used to be beside Prince Liang had made a scene in front of the Bai residence. Later…after Prince Liang died, Bai Qingyan thought these people were dead too. How come they were involved with Liu Pinggao again?
“Ayu…” Bai Qingyan turned sideways and called out.
Bai Qingyu pulled the reins closer to Bai Qingyan: “Sister…”
“Did you go when Liu Pinggao of Anping Army got married?” she asked.
Bai Qingyu looked back and saw that Liu Pinggao had already returned to the team: “Not yet.”
“Go check out Liu Pinggao’s new wife. The one Liu Pinggao married…maybe she was a maid who was loyal to King Liang during the Jin Dynasty.” Bai Qingyan said.
“Don’t worry, sister. I’ll send someone to check right away!” Bai Qingyu pulled the reins, slowed down a few steps, and ordered Yang Dong to check. “Once it is found that Liu Pinggao’s new wife is the King of Liang’s woman, there is no need to arrest her. Tell Liu Pinggao how to deal with her and let him decide for himself.”
“Yes!” Yang Dong responded.
Dong had been waiting in front of the palace gate for a long time.
Seeing Bai Qingyan finally coming over on horseback, leading the Bai family’s sons off their horses…
The court officials knelt on the ground and shouted “Long live the emperor”.
Bai Qingyan only looked at her mother, knelt on one knee and said, “Bai Qingyan, the eldest daughter of the Bai family, return to the capital safely!”
“Bai Qingqi, the third son of the Bai family, has returned to the capital safely…”
“Bai Jinxiu, the second daughter of the Bai family, has returned to the capital safely…”
“Bai Qingyu, the fifth son of the Bai family, has returned to the capital safely…”
“Bai Qingjue, the seventh son of the Bai family, has returned to the capital safely…”
“Bai Jintong, the third daughter of the Bai family, has returned to the capital safely…”
“Bai Jinzhi, the fourth daughter of the Bai family, has returned to the capital safely…”
“Bai Jinzhao, the fifth daughter of the Bai family, has returned to the capital safely…”
“Bai Jinhua, the sixth daughter of the Bai family, has returned to the capital safely…”
“Bai Jinse, the seventh daughter of the Bai family, has returned to the capital safely…”
The news of returning safely to the capital made the ladies of the Bai family burst into tears, and also made Bai Qingyun, who was sitting in a wheelchair… burst into tears.
Peace and security…
These are the four words that the Bai family likes the most.
They once hoped that every soldier who went to war would come back and say these four words…
This is the deepest love that everyone in the Bai family has for their offspring.
No matter what, just come back safely.
“Hurry! Hurry up!” Mrs. Dong held up her daughter with one hand and her son with the other, choking with sobs, “As long as you are safe, it’s good! As long as you are safe, it’s good!”
“Mother, we have lived up to the expectations of our ancestors, grandfather, and father… and finally unified the world!” Bai Qingyan tightly grasped his mother’s hand, “Mother… In the future, the descendants of the Bai family will no longer have to go to the battlefield, and each of them can be safely in the arms of their parents!”
“Good! Good!” Dong nodded, tears streaming down her face. “If the ancestors of the Bai family and your grandfather, father, and uncles are still alive, they will definitely be very pleased!”
Bai Qingyan looked at the ministers who were kneeling on the ground and had not yet stood up, shook his mother’s hand vigorously, and said, “Everyone, please stand up!”
Dong Qingping stood up with tears in his eyes, looked at his niece, and bowed again with pride: “Congratulations to Your Majesty for unifying the world!”
“Uncle, please stand up!” Bai Qingyan helped Dong Qingping up and his eyes fell on General Lu, who looked a dozen years older. “General Lu…”
“Your Majesty, my old minister, congratulations!” With tears in his eyes, General Lu congratulated Bai Qingyan sincerely.
“General Lu…” Bai Qingyan helped General Lu up and whispered, “If it weren’t for Lv Yuanpeng protecting King Gao Yi and fighting his way out of the encirclement and bringing in reinforcements, I would not have been able to come back! Lv Yuanpeng saved my life and the lives of the soldiers who survived! It’s easy for us to say our condolences, but only after experiencing it do we know how painful it is! General… Fortunately, our descendants will no longer have to fight in the future, and will no longer have to sacrifice on the battlefield.”
Commander Lu suddenly burst into tears. He choked and nodded. The sadness that had been buried deep in his heart for a while surged up and he couldn’t stop his tears.
At this moment, he wished that little bastard Lu Yuanpeng would jump around and call him “Weng Weng”. It didn’t matter if it made his head buzz, as long as he was still alive.
If he had known this would be the outcome, he should not have stopped Lu Yuanpeng and King Gao Yi. What family honor did he want… What future plans did he have? He even lost his grandson.