The Prime Minister's Darling
Chapter 1132 - 1132 552 Jiaojiao Falls off the Horse (Second Update)

Chapter 1132: 552 Jiaojiao Falls off the Horse? (Second Update) Chapter 1132: 552 Jiaojiao Falls off the Horse? (Second Update) The Dowager Empress glanced at Xiaojiu brushing snow off the Begonia tree with her wings, and swoosh, hid the preserved fruit box, “Oh! Xiaojiu has taken the preserved fruits away!”

Once again, Xiaojiu found herself bafflingly shouldering the blame: …!!

…

After the fifteenth day of the first month passed in Zhan Country, the imperial court sessions would begin. The Emperor, anticipating the upcoming court meeting, meticulously prepared in the Imperial Study Room, perusing memorials presented by the cabinet and various voices he had had his spies collect from the common folk.

Among these was a rather high call for the ennoblement of Princess Ning An as the Protectorate Grand Princess, with the people’s praise entirely in her favor as if she had been an indispensable force in this campaign.

The Emperor, who favored Ning An, naturally had no objection to the people’s laudation of her—his only hesitation stemmed from thinking of the ambitious Huangfu Xian.

A eunuch approached from outside, and Wei Gonggong softly stepped out to hear a few whispered words, then gestured for the person to leave.

Thereafter, he turned and entered the Imperial Study Room: “Your Majesty, the Crown Prince Gu requests an audience.”

“Summon him,” said the Emperor.

The Emperor held Gu Changqing, who had rendered great service, in high esteem these days.

Gu Changqing, clad in unadorned brocade, entered and saluted, “This humble official pays respects to Your Majesty.”

The Emperor, wearing a pleased expression, said, “No need for excessive formality. Have you come to present a matter to us?”

“Precisely,” Gu Changqing replied earnestly. “This official wishes to leave the Capital City for a few days to visit the families of Deputy Commander Zhao and Staff Officer Qi. They both performed admirably in this battle and could have survived, but instead chose to perish along with Chen Country’s commanders to save their soldiers and the people of Lingguan City. This official desires to personally bring back their military plaques.”

Shrouded in horse hide, the journey remains unfinished, and all that can be brought back to one’s hometown is but a military plaque that proves their identity.

This had always been Gu Changqing’s plan, only that the incident at Xianle Inn had brought the trip forward. After he consoled the families of the two men, he would investigate the background of the young master from Xianle Inn.

The Emperor could not refuse such a request.

Letting out a sigh, the Emperor nodded, “Go then. We shall bestow your reward upon your return to the Capital City.”

Gu Changqing saluted, “This official does not seek reward but only for Zhan Country to thrive and its people to be at peace, the governance to be smooth with harmony among the people, for the populace to be well-fed and clothed with men tilling the fields and women spinning the yarn, not to suffer from the calamities of war and be displaced any longer.”

Was that not what the Emperor himself wished for?

As a subordinate nation, Zhan Country could not match the top three countries in either economy or military might. Despite the appearance of peaceful harmony among the Capital City’s residents, in truth, in harsh borderlands like theirs, the common folk scrimped and saved, struggling to feed themselves.

Yet, Yan Country, which also possessed a vast expanse of frosty plains, managed to achieve prosperity for its people, sparing them from the suffering of hunger and cold.

If possible, he truly wanted to learn from Yan Country, to see how its ruler had transformed a lesser state into the strongest nation among the six in mere decades.

Having received the Emperor’s permission, Gu Changqing set off that very day from the Capital City, accompanied by two military officers of the Gu Family, so no one suspected he harbored any other motives.

Gu Changqing’s visit today stirred a not insignificant ripple in the Emperor’s heart, suddenly making him feel as if his reward was perhaps not sufficient?

After much consideration, the Emperor called for Wei Gonggong, “How is Lord Marquis’s injury?”

Wei Gonggong smiled, “It is said to be no serious concern now; he can move about on the ground, though not as agile as before. Gu Jiao said that with some proper restoration, he should fully recover!”

The Emperor grunted in acknowledgment and said, “Send someone to the Marquis Residence of Ning An to escort Lord Marquis to the Imperial Palace; I have matters to discuss with him. Remember, let the carriage travel slowly, do not jostle Lord Marquis.”

“Shall I personally make the journey?” Wei Gonggong inquired.

“That will do,” the Emperor replied.

Consequently, Wei Gonggong personally went to the Marquis Residence and brought Lord Marquis back to the Imperial Palace.

Although Lord Marquis could move around, he wasn’t able to walk for long. His limbs had all been broken but had since healed—nevertheless, they still required nurturing.

The Emperor had him carried in a sedan chair directly to the Imperial Study Room, an honor of the highest degree.

Once inside the Imperial Study Room, the Emperor immediately offered him a seat.

“Your Majesty,” Lord Marquis, flattered by the honor, attempted to rise and respond.

The Emperor gestured with his hand, “Please sit, Gu Aiqing. You are a pillar of my reign. In the border conflict, you too contributed greatly.”

The Emperor was well aware of Lord Marquis’s role in the campaign. Had it not been for him, Gu Jiao and Gu Chengfeng would not have gone to the border, and without them, Zhan Country would have lost a remarkable military officer, and another city in the borderlands, countless citizens would have perished from the plague… And the Emperor might have forever lost Ning An, his sister.

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