On this day, the continuous winter snow finally stopped, the sun was shining brightly, and the sky was blue with white clouds.
All the common people of the capital city of Dayan Kingdom were up early, gathering along the road leading to the palace, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the heroes from the western border to receive their honors.
Because the battle on the western border was a complete victory and all the barbarian soldiers were captured for the first time in history, the people in the city had long been awaiting this day.
Therefore, Emperor Yanqing could not discreetly summon Liu Fang into the palace.
Therefore, a grand welcoming ceremony was arranged, with the Crown Prince personally leading the civil and military officials, along with members of the royal family and nobles, to greet the heroes outside the city gates. Afterwards, they all proceeded together to the palace, awaiting Emperor Yanqing’s awards and honors.
After the awards, there was also a banquet to welcome the envoys from the five countries to the capital, as well as a welcoming banquet for Liu Fang and her groups.
Thus, under the attention of the whole city, Liu Fang led three thousand soldiers from Liucheng, along with Tuoba Yaoheng and several other captives, and the barbarian envoys, riding slowly towards the capital and the imperial palace.
Crown Prince Murong Zhuo arrived early in the morning and waited at the pavilion ten miles outside the city.
[Ten miles = 16.09 kilometers]
This time he was properly dressed in the formal attire of the Crown Prince, riding a horse, and waiting quietly with a smile on his face. Behind him stood a group of civil and military officials, as well as royal family members.
As he watched Liu Fang and her entourage approach slowly, Murong Zhuo remained calmly seated on his horse, leisurely observing their arrival.
The second prince glanced at the crown prince, lowered his eyes, smirked slightly, and waited quietly.
Hong Bao, who was standing next to Murong Zhuo, was very excited. They’re here! They’re here! The show is about to begin! (＞ｙ＜)
Liu Fang led a group of people to the front of the prince and his entourage, stopped her horses, and dismounted gracefully. The soldiers also dismounted in perfect unison behind her.
The group knelt down respectfully, performed a deep bow, and together exclaimed: “We / I pay homage to His Highness the Crown Prince!”
Murong Zhuo smiled lazily and said, “Everyone has worked hard on the journey, please rise.”
“Thank you, Your Highness!”
Everyone stood up in unison, displaying disciplined military demeanor.
Murong Zhuo smiled and said, “His Majesty is waiting in the palace, please follow me.”
“Yes.”
Liu Fang and her group respectfully bowed, then mounted their horses once again.
Meanwhile, the barbarian delegation on horseback finally bowed to Murong Zhuo and said, “Greetings to His Highness the Crown Prince of Dayan Province!”
Murong Zhuoli ignored them, turned his horse around, and left with Liu Fang and the others.
Except for Liu Fang and his companions who followed slowly, the others: …
The officials from the Ministry of Rites quickly came forward and exchanged a few words with Tuoba Gangyou, and then the group slowly entered the capital.
As soon as the people in the city saw Liu Fang and the soldiers from Liucheng, they began to cheer loudly and filled with excitement!
Liu Fang raised her hand, and the soldiers escorting the carriage from behind tore off the white cloth covering the carriage. Suddenly, all the people fell silent!
The onlookers in front were puzzled until they saw Liu Fang and her group slowly approaching, their eyes widened: (⊙o⊙)!!
They saw Liu Fang and the soldiers from Liucheng, all dressed in plain white mourning attire, with hemp garments and mourning bands, escorting a carriage in the middle that stood upright, bearing a huge stone monument.
On the stone monument, engraved in bright red cinnabar, were countless names densely packed, striking at the hearts and eyes of everyone present. It involuntarily brought tears to their eyes and made them emotional!
These were the heroes who sacrificed their lives to defend Liucheng, the frontier, and the Dayan Kingdom!
Soon after, an even louder chant erupted: “Heroes! Heroes! Heroes!”
Tuoba Yaoheng widened his eyes and stared at the stone monument in front of him in disbelief!
Was this what she wanted to achieve?
His heart sank suddenly. Could their plan really be realized?
…………
Emperor Yanqing, who was waiting in the palace, suddenly froze when he heard the report from his subordinates.
They entered the capital dressed in mourning attire and carrying a stone monument with the names of the fallen soldiers, which stirred the emotions of the onlookers.
This was clearly a provocation to his imperial authority!
Was it telling him how much of a failure he was as an emperor? To the point where corruption was rampant in the capital, governance to be murky, and causing the soldiers and people of the entire western border to went hungry and cold
It’s simply outrageous!
Liu Fang, this girl was too arrogant and didn’t take him, the emperor, seriously at all!
However, he also understood that as the sovereign, he could not possibly punish her for this under the current circumstances where public opinion was overwhelming.
So, she did it on purpose!
It’s really abominable!
“Where have they reached now?” Emperor Yanqing asked coldly.
The eunuch who came to report replied respectfully: “Your Majesty, they have reached the Imperial City main street.”
In other words, they were about to arrive at the palace.
Emperor Yanqing had a cold face. He waved his hand to let the eunuch leave and fell into deep contemplation.
Today, with envoys from five countries present, he intended to see for himself what abilities this Liu Fang possessed.
If she jeopardized the integrity of the Dayan Kingdom, he could naturally suppress her without any qualms.
Humph, that insolent girl didn’t know her place. Let her be proud for a while.
Liu Fang and her entourage slowly entered the palace, and the huge stone monument naturally stayed outside the palace.
The gathered crowd of onlookers followed along the way.
Even upon reaching this point, they were unwilling to disperse. They even conscientiously formed a line and respectfully performed a solemn ceremony towards the massive stone monument!
Liu Fang saw this scene out of the corner of her eye, her heart warmed and she smiled gently.
Murong Zhuo glanced at her, then turned back and laughed secretly in his heart. This Miss Liu sure has quite the nerve!
The group dismounted, then slowly entered the palace and came to the main hall.
Civil and military officials, as well as royal family members, lined up and stood in place, leaving a vacant space in the middle for Crown Prince Murong Zhuo and the group led by Liu Fang.
Of course, it was impossible for all five thousand people to come in. There were only Liu Fang and Chen Fang with three captains, and Tuoba Gangyou with several officials from the barbarian envoys.
The other guards and soldiers temporarily waited in the plaza outside the main hall.
Zhenghe Hall was the largest main palace within the Dayan Kingdom’s imperial palace. It was located on the central axis of the entire palace complex, occupying the foremost position.
This hall was not open on a daily basis. It was only opened during special occasions such as major celebrations.
The space inside was very large and can accommodate thousands of people. The plaza outside was even larger and can accommodate tens of thousands of people.
The ninety-nine high stone steps outside were magnificent and majestic on their own!
Liu Fang led Chen Fang and several others to bow to Emperor Yanqing respectfully, “Liu Fang, the daughter of Liu Da, the General of Liucheng, pays her respects to Your Majesty!”
“Your servant XX pays his respects to Your Majesty!”
Emperor Yanqing sat on the high throne, wearing a bright yellow robe and a crown on his head, his expression was indifferent.
“Rise.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty!” The crowd stood up.
Emperor Yanqing looked at Liu Fang, who was standing respectfully in the middle with her head lowered. She has a stunning appearance and a graceful demeanor. At first glance, she looked just like those young ladies who were kept in their boudoir in the capital.
Yet, despite her respectful demeanor, her upright posture showed that she was not one of those naive girls in the boudoir, nor was she as weak and gentle as she appeared to be.
Dressed in plain clothes, she looked exceptionally frail, but also appeared particularly stern and formidable.
It should be said that she truly lives up to her reputation as a youthful genius, a heroine who single-handedly saved the Western Border from danger and defeated the barbarian army.
Her appearance was beyond Emperor Yanqing’s expectations. He originally thought that her appearance was exaggerated by rumors, but he didn’t expect it to be true.
No wonder it has attracted the interest of his eldest son.
Thinking of what Liu Fang had done, especially what she had done today, Emperor Yanqing’s unease grew even deeper.
Not only does she have such a beautiful appearance, but she also possesses an extraordinary mind and extraordinary achievements that even Emperor Yanqing cannot easily erase.
With someone like her, so young yet possessing such qualities, how could he not feel a sense of unease?
Emperor Yanqing’s silence did not last long. Today’s reward had been decided long ago. No matter what he thought in his heart, as a monarch, he had to reward Liu Fang for her meritorious service.
On the contrary, he had to suppress his unease and confer her the highest honors worthy of her achievements. Otherwise, not only would his prestige be damaged, but he would also be laughed at by other kingdoms and make the common people dissatisfied.
This was not a good thing.
Therefore, Emperor Yanqing was only silent for a moment before asking: “Are you Liu Fang, the daughter from the Liu family who saved the western border of our Dayan Kingdom from danger?”
Liu Fang bowed and replied, “Yes, Your Majesty, I am the one.”
Emperor Yanqing nodded slightly, very satisfied with her respect, and said with a smile: “Western border is a crucial border region of our Dayan Kingdom. It is thanks to you that the crisis was averted and the lives of hundreds of thousands of people in the borderland were saved. As the ruler of Dayan, I thank you!”
Liu Fang immediately knelt down and performed a deep bow, saying: ‘I am deeply honored and fearful! As a citizen of the Dayan Kingdom, born and raised in western border. It is natural for me to stand forward in times of danger. This is what I should do as His Majesty’s subject and I do not deserve Your Majesty’s thanks! The soldiers and civilians in western border are deeply grateful for your majesty’s grace. This time, with Your Majesty’s great favor, my uncles and elder brothers who guard the Western Frontier and I have had the fortune to come to the capital and receive Your Majesty’s commendation. We are immensely grateful! To serve Your Majesty in guarding the territory and to receive Your Majesty’s favor and commendation is a great honor for me and for the people of the western border! This shows Your Majesty’s wisdom and concern for the people of the Western Border day and night. I thank Your Majesty for your great favor!'”
Chen Fang and his men immediately knelt down and bowed, saying “We thank Your Majesty for your great favor!”
Emperor Yanqing: …
Others in the hall: …
Murong Zhuo almost laughed out loud. This blatantly obvious flattery was truly making him both amused and exasperated.
Miss Liu, are you doing this on purpose? The rewards haven’t been granted yet, and we don’t even know the details of the decree, yet you’re already expressing your gratitude. This… is clearly an attempt to elevate Father Emperor’s status. If there is something wrong with the decree, I am afraid that the Ministry of Rites, the Cabinet, and the official Hanlin Academy will be in big trouble. How could the emperor be at fault? Any mistakes would be the responsibility of those who drafted the decree. ╮(︶﹏︶)╭
What Murong Zhuo could figure out, basically everyone in this hall could understand as well..
Especially Emperor Yanqing, he suppressed the anger in his heart, forced a smile, and said with apparent pleasure: “Good, good, good. You are indeed the genius girl of our Dayan Kingdom, a heroine! Your reputation is well-deserved. Excellent. Now, announce the decree.”
