Ji Zeyu had indeed made up his mind. The next day, he handed over the memorial to the Emperor.
Pang Xiao still said the same thing, "Ah Lan, if you want to travel around, then go ahead. But don't forget to come back. You have a home in the capital. I'll keep your Duke's Mansion, title, and official position for you. "
The high and mighty Emperor still referred to himself as "I" when he said these words to Ji Zeyu.
He wasn't pretending to be close to him, nor was he trying to be approachable. Ji Zeyu knew that Pang Xiao had always trusted and been close to him from the bottom of his heart. Unlike Li Qitian, who had become high and mighty after taking over the throne. Even when they were close to each other, he was just putting on a show for others to see.
Ji Zeyu's eyes reddened. Such a good Pang Xiao …
He hurriedly lowered his head to hide his surging emotions. After a long time, he bowed and said in a hoarse voice, "Thank you, Emperor. This subject is eternally grateful."
"Why are you so polite?" Pang Xiao hurriedly helped him up and sighed, "Have you decided on a date to leave? Where do you want to go first? I'll send you off then. "
"Emperor, you're busy with court affairs …"
"No matter how busy you are, there's still time," Pang Xiao didn't wait for Ji Zeyu to finish his words and made a strong decision.
Ji Zeyu felt both sweet and bitter in his heart. Suddenly, he didn't want to leave.
But he didn't say anything. He just bowed his head in tacit agreement.
After the court meeting, his colleagues all expressed their regret for Ji Zeyu's decision. Although he had already resigned from his position, they knew from the Emperor's attitude that even if he became an idler, he was still the Emperor's sworn brother and the most respected idler. Therefore, their attitude towards Ji Zeyu could only be more intimate and respectful. They didn't dare to slight him at all.
Ji Zeyu returned to the Duke's Mansion. Looking at the huge courtyard, he felt at a loss.
He had been carrying a heavy burden on his shoulders for too long. Now that he had been relieved, he didn't know how to live his life well.
Ji Zeyu wandered aimlessly around the mansion, and by the time he came back to his senses, he was already back in the stable.
The snow-white horse was proudly tied up in the stable. Just by looking at the shape of its bones, one could tell that it was different from the rest.
It seemed to have a mind of its own. When it saw Ji Zeyu, it raised its head. Its shiny fur glowed faintly under the sunlight, making it look exceptionally beautiful.
Ji Zeyu stepped forward. White Cloud moved closer to him, lowered its head, and intimately rubbed against Ji Zeyu's face.
Ji Zeyu stretched out his arms and hugged the horse's neck tiredly. He closed his eyes and buried his face in it.
Forget it, so be it.
%
The next day, the Chamberlain of Dependencies received the envoys from the Southern Yan. The envoy respectfully presented a "generous gift" dripping with blood, which was enough to shock the entire court.
In the Throne Room, there were two exquisite boxes containing two human heads that had been specially treated with embalming.
Because the old man and the young man had died peacefully. Everyone saw it very clearly.
They were Gu Shixiong and the Yuchi Yan.
"Greetings to the Emperor of the Great Xin Dynasty! Our Emperor has always admired the Emperor of the Great Xin Dynasty. Even when chatting with the officials, he would always mention the heroic deeds of the Emperor of the Great Xin Dynasty. The Yuchi Yan and Gu Shixiong were the remnants of the Dayan. A few days ago, they hid in the Southern Yan. They actually had the intention to contact their former subordinates!
"Now that the Great Xin Dynasty is peaceful and the people are at peace, the people are finally able to live a peaceful life. How could we allow people like them to ruin it? My Emperor made a prompt decision and offered the heads of the two. Firstly, it was to stabilize the country. Secondly, it was to show the sincerity of our country to the Emperor of the Great Xin Dynasty. I hope that the Emperor of the Great Xin Dynasty will understand. "
Pang Xiao looked down at the Yuchi Yan and Gu Shixiong's heads in the boxes. He was silent for a while before he said: "Although the Yuchi Yan is the ruler of a fallen country, he is still the ruler of a country. The Yan dynasty's imperial mausoleum still has a place. Let's send the Yuchi Yan back to the imperial mausoleum in the old capital of the Yan dynasty. As for Gu Shixiong, he assisted the three emperors. Although his position is different from ours, we cannot deny his loyalty. This old man can only be respected and buried."
"The Emperor is wise!" The officials cheered in unison. Pang Xiao's action made them admire him very much. After the Yuchi Yan joined the Li Qitian, he often opposed the Emperor when he was still the Prince Zhongshun. Now, the Emperor was willing to let him be buried in the Yuchi family's imperial mausoleum and give the Yuchi Yan and Gu Shixiong dignity. A hundred years was already benevolent.
The Southern Yan envoy saw Pang Xiao's attitude and cold sweat almost dripped down. He said: "Emperor, our Southern Yan is located in a corner of the sea. Our country is small and weak. We really don't want to have any more disputes. These years, our country is only trying to stabilize and develop."
Pang Xiao smiled and just nodded.
The Southern Yan envoy lowered his head and didn't dare to look directly at the Emperor. He said: "Therefore, the new Emperor really doesn't need to be so cautious. Even if the Southern Yan border doesn't have the Southern Pacifying Army, and there aren't dozens of warships outside Southern Yan's coastal defense, Southern Yan will definitely not be disloyal to the Great New Wave!"
The Southern Pacifying Army was currently guarding the border between the two countries in the south. This group of men who had just returned from the battlefield, even their spirit was different from ordinary soldiers. When they stood there, they were filled with murderous intent. Just a casual roar was enough to make the Southern Yan border army tremble with fear. They were afraid that the other side would directly attack.
The Southern Yan border was near the sea. They thought that they had the final say in the sea. But who knew that at some point, there were dozens of warships of various sizes approaching and surrounding Southern Yan's coastal defense.
The Southern Yan emperor and officials really couldn't think of any other way. That was why they deceived the Yuchi Yan and Gu Shixiong who had fled to the Southern Yan border. After killing them, they offered their heads as a show of sincerity and asked for peace.
When they heard that there were dozens of warships surrounding Southern Yan's coastal defense, the officials didn't know what was going on.
Pang Xiao smiled and said, "These warships are the ones that the Northern Ji Country had docked at the Golden Harbor. At that time, the previous Emperor intended to dismantle the warships to build the Imperial Mausoleum. It was thanks to Lu Yun's many efforts that these warships were protected. Otherwise, our Daxin's coastal defense would still be a big hidden danger. If we were to allocate funds to build more warships, firstly, it would be difficult to find an old craftsman. Secondly, the cost would be huge.
I am very grateful. "The officials were suddenly enlightened. Those who were simple-minded only thought that Lu Yun was doing his best to protect these warships. But those who were more flexible had already guessed that the current Emperor must have made some efforts. Otherwise, with just Lu Yun, a scholar, no matter how powerful his family was, it would be difficult to transport the warships away from the Golden Harbor.
While the officials were discussing, the Southern Yan envoy was already sweating profusely. Seeing that Pang Xiao ignored him, he hurriedly said, "Daxin's Emperor, our Southern Yan Emperor has always been grateful to you for saving his life. He also knows the strength of Daxin. Our Southern Yan is willing to pay tribute year after year and be a subject. We are willing to be a subordinate of Daxin."
As he spoke, he pressed his forehead against the ground. He was afraid that Pang Xiao wouldn't agree, so he looked over.
In fact, an army that had just experienced the baptism of war was the most difficult to resist. If they really went to war, the ones who would suffer would be the common people.
Pang Xiao smiled and comforted the envoy with a few words. He instructed people to treat him well and not neglect him. He didn't make a clear statement.
And the more Pang Xiao acted like this, the more uneasy the envoy felt. When he left the capital and rushed back to Southern Yan, he was on tenterhooks all the way, afraid that Pang Xiao would order people to attack.
Regarding the issue of Southern Yan, the officials were divided into two rows. Some wanted to fight, and some felt that it was urgent to postpone the discussion.
This topic was discussed for half a month, but there was still no conclusion.
On the other hand, Qin Huaiyuan's group had already finished their preparations during this period of time.
Thirty li outside the capital, Qin Yining was dressed like an ordinary noble lady. With tears in her eyes, she knelt in front of Qin Huaiyuan, the Sun Clan, and Madam Zheng. She kowtowed solemnly.
"Father, Mother, Grandmother. I don't know when we will be able to see each other again. Father, Mother, Grandmother, please take care of your health. Don't overwork yourself with state affairs. Your daughter will always pray for your health. When things are settled here, your daughter will go and see you. "
Qin Huaiyuan smiled and went forward to help Qin Yining up.
However, Qin Yining refused to get up. She choked with sobs and said, "If it weren't for me, Father and Mother wouldn't have decided to stay in that kind of place and suffer. Your daughter can't be filial by her side and has to burden Father and Mother. Your daughter feels guilty. "
"Silly child." Qin Huaiyuan helped Qin Yining up and patted her back. "You just have to stay here and take care of your husband and children. Father's decision wasn't purely for your sake. This is what father truly wants to do. Father can find a direction to work hard in and work hard willingly. This sense of accomplishment is as sweet as syrup. You don't have to bear such a heavy burden in your heart. "
Qin Yining nodded. She held back her tears, not letting them fall.
Cao Yuqing hugged Brother Zhao's shoulder and said with a smile, "Don't worry. We will take good care of Brother Zhao. I guarantee that the next time we meet, Brother Zhao will be an indomitable little man."
Qin Yining almost couldn't hold back her tears at the mention of the child she had to part with.
Brother Zhao, however, raised his head like a little adult. "Mother."
Qin Yining squatted in front of Brother Zhao and touched his fair little face. She tapped the little red mole between his eyebrows and smiled.
Brother Zhao also smiled. "Mother, if someone bullies you, you can come and find me."
Brother Han was unconvinced. "With me here, no one will bully Mother!"
The two children stuck out their tongues and made funny faces at each other. The originally sad atmosphere was suddenly diluted.
Pang Xiao respectfully bowed to Qin Huaiyuan and the other elders. "Father-in-law, please rest assured. I will never go back on my words. In this life, I will only be good to Sister Yi. Now, whatever I say is futile. Fortunately, time will prove everything I say. "
Qin Huaiyuan smiled and didn't answer. He only said, "Take care."
"Take care."
Liao Zhibing and the others had been waiting for a long time with the brothers of the Qingtian Alliance. They helped Qin Huaiyuan and the others into the car.
Pang Xiao patted Mu Jinghu's shoulder and said, "Blockhead, thank you for your hard work."
"It's not hard. Don't worry, I will send Uncle Qin and the others to a safe place. After that, we will return to Tianji Valley."
Pang Xiao smiled and said, "With you here, I am naturally relieved."
Qiu Feishan, who was beside Mu Jinghu, hugged Brother Yan. Fang Hailing held Lian Xiaozhou's hand and bowed to Pang Xiao and Qin Yining together.
"Sister, we are leaving." Lian Xiaozhou's eyes were red and swollen like walnuts. She came forward and hugged Qin Yining.
Qin Yining patted her back and still held back his tears. He smiled and said, "Silly girl, don't cry. From now on, it will be your own life. Live well. If you are not Ru Yi, you can come back. As I said, my place will always be your home. "
"En!" Lian Xiaozhou nodded heavily and hugged Bing Tang and Ji Yun again. "Sister Bing Tang, Sister Ji Yun, take care of yourselves."
"You too." Bing Tang sobbed. After Lian Xiaozhou was brought back by Qin Yining, she had always liked to stay by her side. She also especially cherished the little girl who could not even speak at that time. Now, they had their own families and lives.
She did not know when she would see them again after this farewell.
Everyone got on the carriage. Qiu Feishan also got on the carriage with Brother Yan. Mu Jinghu rode beside the carriage and waved goodbye to Qin Yining and Pang Xiao with a smile.
"Jia!" The coachman waved his whip and the carriage set off on the official road.
Qin Yining and Pang Xiao stood there with Brother Han.
Brother Zhao leaned half of his body out of the carriage window and waved vigorously at Qin Yining and Pang Xiao.
Seeing that they were really going to separate, Brother Han, who was smiling and making funny faces, finally burst into tears.
"Brother! Brother! "Brother Han chased after them for two steps but stopped abruptly. He covered his face and cried loudly.
What answered him was Brother Zhao's cries from inside the carriage.
The tears that Qin Yining held back all morning finally fell, but he still refused to let go of his waving hand until the carriage completely disappeared from sight.
%
This was a secluded valley. Everything was green and the wind blew, bringing with it the unique fragrance of green grass.
In the valley, there was a huge mansion built beside the mountains and water.
At this time, a woman with a round figure and medium length hair, wearing a loose cultivator's robe, was sitting on a drunkard's chair and waving a cattail leaf fan. There were two small stools in front of her. A man and a woman sat on her left and right. The scene was somewhat solemn.
"This celestial lady has the ability to see through heaven and earth. I know the past 500 years and the future 500 years. With a pinch of my fingers, how can I not know what the Emperor is thinking? If I'm alive, he won't let me go! Why don't I do him a favor? Look, this celestial lady is living a carefree life now. I won't get involved in those rotten things anymore! "
"Master, you … you really … lied to me so bitterly. How many tears have I shed for nothing!"
Mu Jinghu's face was ashen. Just as he finished complaining, Tian Jizi smacked him on the head with a fan.
"Little brat, I don't blame you for only caring about your good brother and not caring about my life or death. You're blaming me for not being completely dead? Back then, in order to save the Qin Clan, I lost half of my reputation. Even if I schemed against her and wanted to kill her, I've already paid for what I should have done. Her man has ascended the throne and become the Emperor. What else do you want me to do, huh? Do you want me to die before you're satisfied? "
"That's not what I meant. But, isn't it not good to deceive Zhi Xi like this? "
"Not good?" Tian Jizi sat up straight. "Do you know how hard it was for me to pretend to be dead?! That Qin Clan was like a monkey. If there was even the slightest flaw, I wouldn't be able to get away. Let me tell you, it wasn't easy for me to have the peaceful days I have now. If you dare to tell anyone, you won't be a member of the Tian Ji Sect anymore! "
Mu Jinghu was silent.
After all, he was greatly indebted to the Tian Ji Sect. He didn't want to betray the sect.
Qiu Fei Shan said, "Let's listen to Master. What's more, hiding Master's life and death won't affect the matter between the Emperor and the Empress, right?"
Mu Jinghu raised his eyes and looked at Tian Jizi. After a long struggle in his heart, he finally nodded.
In any case, with him watching, it wouldn't be convenient for Tian Jizi to go out and continue to swindle people after faking her death. Thinking about it, there wouldn't be any big problems, right?
Tian Jizi once again leaned back on the drunkard's chair and leisurely rocked back and forth.
"Hey, you guys, don't think that the current Emperor is a fool. He's much more shrewd than that guy Li Qitian. Li Qitian wasn't cut out to be the Emperor, yet he still insisted on sticking a big onion into the pig's nose. Look, what kind of end did he end up in? Life imprisonment, unable to beg for life, unable to beg for death! This was also the result of his insistence!
"Just like the Lu Family, such a big family with complicated roots, Li Qitian, that idiot, actually allowed it to exist? Aristocratic families are so powerful, they're a big threat to the imperial power! Li Qitian didn't think about how to disintegrate and remove them, but instead relied on aristocratic families. He's simply pushing himself onto the path of a puppet, pei! "
Tian Jizi spat. When she turned her head, she saw Qiu Fei Shan.
She slowed down her speech, but each word was sonorous and powerful, "The current Emperor will not allow a family like the Lu Family to exist. He will not allow aristocratic families to be so powerful that they can infiltrate the officialdom of the imperial court, because he has seen with his own eyes the harm such aristocratic families can do to the imperial court. "
Qiu Fei Shan's face was a little stiff.
Tian Jizi unceremoniously rolled her eyes, "Hey, some people claim to be smart, but in the end, they're digging their own graves. Even if you're deceiving a fool, you should know when to stop."
Mu Jinghu blinked and said, "Shizun, she has already severed her relationship with the Qiu Family. Even if the Emperor wants to deal with the Qiu Family, it has nothing to do with her."
"Is that so? That's good. " Tian Jizi smiled and waved her fan, "I want to eat watermelon, I want to eat sweet and sour pork, I want to eat Dongpo Pig Knuckle!"
The topic changed too quickly, making Mu Jinghu stunned for a moment.
Qiu Fei Shan hurriedly stood up and said, "I'll go to the kitchen to prepare." Then she quickly left.
The courtyard was silent again. Tian Jizi covered her face with her fan, as if she was asleep.
Mu Jinghu stood up and walked towards the kitchen.
%
The red sun slowly jumped out of the clouds, the sky was full of rosy clouds, almost connecting with the golden sea in the distance.
Qin Yining looked at the two men not far away, not saying a word.
Pang Xiao frowned and looked at Ji Zeyu, who was wearing a wide-sleeved white robe, "Ah Lan, are you really going to go out to sea with the merchant ship? If you want to relax, where can't you go? The sea is very windy and dangerous. If you meet the barbarians, you can't understand what they're saying. When you're on the sea, you can only see water everywhere. What's so fun about it? "
Ji Zeyu smiled, raised the horsewhip and said, "Even if I'm going out to sea, I'll bring this whip with me. If I don't come back, and you find this whip in the future, it means … "
"Nonsense!" Pang Xiao angrily rebuked.
When he was searching for Qin Yining and the situation was at its worst, Ji Zeyu gave him the horsewhip to make it easier for him to command his subordinates. The Dragon Stallion Army soldiers in the northern borders all recognized that horsewhip. In exchange, Pang Xiao also gave his horsewhip to Ji Zeyu, and Ji Zeyu used Pang Xiao's horsewhip until now.
Ji Zeyu turned to look at Qin Yining, who was not far away, and smiled. He took the reins from the servant behind him and led the shiny white horse over slowly.
Qin Yining looked at Ji Zeyu with a complicated gaze.
"Empress. I stole this horse from you years ago, and it has followed me everywhere since then. Now that I'm going out to sea, I'm giving it to you. I hope you can take good care of it. "
As he spoke, he handed the reins to Qin Yining.
Under the morning light, Ji Zeyu's bony hands were half hidden in his wide sleeves as he handed the reins to Qin Yining.
Qin Yining slowly raised his hand and took it.
White Cloud seemed to know that its master was leaving, and it leaned down and rubbed against Ji Zeyu affectionately. Ji Zeyu smiled and patted it. His warm smile was like he was treating his own child.
Ji Zeyu smiled.
"Empress, what's yours will always be yours. Now, it's returned to its rightful owner."
"Take care." Qin Yining seemed to have something stuck in his throat, and he could only say this.
Ji Zeyu smiled and nodded. He turned around and patted Pang Xiao's shoulder. Then he picked up the horsewhip and strode towards the small boat docked at the Golden Harbor. He borrowed the momentum of the small boat to move towards the large merchant ship. The servants and guards accompanying him hurriedly bowed to Pang Xiao and Qin Yining, and then quickly followed.
Pang Xiao's furrowed eyebrows gradually relaxed as he watched Chu Yang's slender figure jump from the small boat onto the rope ladder. He then stepped on the steps and boarded the big ship. Pang Xiao shouted, "Be careful and come back soon!"
It was unknown if Ji Zeyu heard him from the side of the ship, but he just waved his hand at him.
The boatmen shouted, and the merchant ship raised its sails. With the wind blowing, it sailed towards the sea in the morning light.
Qin Yining led the white horse and stood beside Pang Xiao. They watched as the ship went further and further away until it became a black dot on the sea surface. Only then did they look at each other.
Pang Xiao smiled and said, "Let's go. Golden Harbor hasn't been here for a long time. I'll take you out to play for two days before going back."
Qin Yining raised his eyebrows, and his large eyes were full of ridicule. "Playing with me? Aren't you afraid that the imperial censors will accuse you of not attending to the court?"
"Let them be. It won't be too late to think about it when I really delay the court. "As he spoke, he domineeringly pulled Qin Yining towards Golden Harbor City.
Behind him, Huzi hurriedly led several Jinghu Wei servants to quickly follow with a smile.
A gust of summer wind with the smell of the sea blew past. It blew past Qin Yining's hair, past Pang Xiao's smiling handsome face, and past the faint footprints on the grass behind them, making a happy rustling sound.
The morning sun had risen.
It was a brand new day.
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