oo!""Alright, Mother, you can rest assured, I'll make the arrangements." 。"Tao Hongying took a handkerchief and wiped the corners of her daughter's mouth. " 。The bowl was a bit bigger, and Jia Yin ate...Jia Yin nodded forcefully, her eyes reddened.

"Grandma, that's right! That's right! My father and my stepfather won the battle! They took back Jiangbei from the barbarians! When we have a chance later, we can go back to our hometown too."

"This doesn't matter, as long as your father and the Marquis return safely!" Li Laotai wiped away her tears, "I've waited for ten years! Finally, we won, finally no more war!"

Outside the carriage, the common people were getting increasingly excited and started to spread the news.

The whole city of Xin'du seemed to pour out onto the streets, regardless of whether they were family or friends, familiar or not, all joining in the joyful cheers and sharing in the happiness!

Then, the joyous cavalcade bearing the news of victory marched all the way to the palace. The message soon reached the imperial study.

The Emperor and several important ministers were present when, suddenly, news of victory arrived. The ministers couldn't help but stand up and rejoice with great joy.

Year after year of northern campaigns was a great test and burden for Tianwu.

But one cannot avoid the Northern Expedition, for offense is the best defense!

The peace and tranquility of the Jiangnan region are all thanks to the victory in the Northern Campaign!

Now, with the land unified under one rule, the northern border has been reclaimed, driving those barbarians beyond Tianwu. It's truly a complete end to our great worries!

"Peace and prosperity throughout the land, a time of great tranquility, is just around the corner!"

"Great! Great! The northern campaign has finally been victorious!"

Numerous high-ranking officials clamorously voiced their approval, some even rolling up their sleeves to kneel and prostrate themselves. They chanted "Long live the emperor!" showering him with congratulations.

As a result, the emperor's expression was somewhat strange.

This should be a joyous occasion.

But the emperor's expression was calm, not a hint of joy. It was as if the victory in the northern campaign was a trivial matter.

No, look closely, even a hint of anger flickered in the Emperor's eyes...

Angry!

The heavy ministers were as if doused with a basin of cold water, all passion and excitement extinguished in an instant.

If they were fools, they wouldn't have reached this position.

They had a pretty good idea of how the Emperor felt about the Northern Campaign troops before this.

Now that the Northern Expeditionary Force has achieved a complete victory, unifying the empire under its rule, it is a cause for celebration throughout the land.

But the Emperor was different.

Because the credit belongs to Marquis Xinting and the Northern Expeditionary Army, not to His Majesty, Emperor Tianwu!

The high officials were all bowing their heads and dared not speak another word.

As for the Emperor, after a long pause, he slowly said, "Such a great victory is indeed a cause for celebration! The Northern Campaign army lacked supplies and faced fierce barbarians, yet they were able to achieve such a decisive victory. It was truly not easy."

The ministers all nodded, feigning agreement.

As expected, the emperor’s next words were, “Previously, I asked Xinting Hou to temporarily postpone the battle for safety's sake. Unexpectedly, he still defied my orders and launched an attack. This is a victory! If there had been even a slight mishap, what we would be hearing now would be news of a disastrous northern campaign!”

Everyone lowered their heads another three points.

Just then, the prince rushed back in a hurry.

He just glanced at the crowd and then stepped forward to speak to the Emperor, "Father Emperor, you didn't get a good rest last night. Tomorrow, you have to send Mother Empress on her final journey. Why don't you rest early Nothing is more important than your Dragon Body!"

Perhaps pleased by his son's concern, the Emperor's face improved somewhat, and he waved to the crowd.

The high officials, as if granted amnesty, hurriedly retreated.

The Crown Prince supported the Emperor to the inner hall for a rest, but the Emperor didn't keep him long. He found an excuse and ordered the Crown Prince to leave.

The prince had just stepped out the door when the Emperor smashed the jade paperweight on his desk!

"Uncle, I'm about to die, do you still want to fight me over these empty titles"

"Aren't you loyal Why can't you just let me do this!

"

"I just want to take the achievement of unifying the world to my grave and explain to my ancestors why you wouldn't fulfill my wish!"

Anxiety, anger, and unwillingness were all transformed into fury, destroying everything on the desk!

Until the house was deathly silent, for a long time, a gray-clothed man walked out from the corner of the wall and knelt in the middle.

"Take everyone with you to the north, to..."

Outside, the dusk wind was still sweltering, and the cicadas in the trees were singing their lungs out, as if they were protesting for someone or mocking someone loudly!

The prince stood in the corner, holding a small fox and stroking its smooth fur.

The little fox was comfortably squinting its eyes, occasionally yawning.

The prince chuckled, tapping the creature's head and saying, "Does your master know you're so lazy You seem to want to sleep every minute of the day!"

The little fox grumbled in protest, objecting to something.

It's a pity the Prince didn't understand, but Master Yi, hearing the commotion, hurried over.

"Your Highness, this old servant will prepare a room for you. Please go and rest for a while"

"No need, Father has given me an errand to attend to." The prince smiled warmly and instructed, "Father just accidentally knocked over a table, it would be troublesome for Yi the steward to clean up after him."

Yi Zongtang bowed his head and quickly agreed.

Then the prince carried the little fox away...

Master Yi stood still for a long time before returning to the study.

The Emperor had calmed down, standing by the window, gazing at the burning clouds outside, lost in thought.

Master Yi led the eunuchs to quickly clean up the mess and replace the old items with new ones.

The study was instantly restored to its neat and tidy appearance, as if it had never experienced the "storm."

Just as Yi Zongguan was about to offer the emperor a cup of tea, the emperor suddenly asked, "With the northern campaign coming to an end and the Marquis returning, what do you think he will do first"

Yi Zongguan's scalp went numb, but there was no one else in the room. He couldn't even feign death.

Then, he could only reply, “Your Majesty, the Marquis will naturally come to the palace to see you and hand over his military power. This has been the case for many years.”

The emperor remained silent and replied, "Is that so And what about the second thing"

Yi Zongguan really wished he were mute. He racked his brains and added, "Old slave speculates that it's probably best to go home and have a good rest. After all, the Northern Campaign lasted several months, with poor food and sleep..."

The Emperor wasn't sure how satisfied he was with the answer, and after a long silence, he changed the subject.

"How long has the prince's concubine been gone"

Yi Zongguan was stunned for a moment before remembering who the princess consort was. He quickly replied, "Your Majesty, at the time, the princess consort offended the princess, and the prince was very angry. So, he has been in seclusion, thinking things over, and hasn't come out..."

"Speaking of which, there are no parents in the world who don't love their children. Even I dote on my third princess. The Duke of Dingbei must be sleepless and worried about his daughter who made a mistake. Pass him a message, when he has free time, come to the palace once, I will allow him to visit the concubine."

The Emperor gave a few instructions, then waved his hand as if moved by inspiration.

Yi Zongguan couldn't figure out the emperor's thoughts and could only obey orders.

He retreated and immediately sent the young eunuch to find the Northern Marquis' messenger.

It happened that tonight the Duke of Dingbei was on duty at the barracks. He couldn't figure out what the emperor was thinking.

But the Emperor showed mercy and allowed him to visit his daughter. That can't be a bad thing, can it

That foolish daughter, he had long wanted to scold her a few times.

I put all my effort into getting her near the crown prince, it wasn't to have her neglected and confined!

Of course, most importantly, he needs to apologize to the Emperor for not raising a good daughter.

Only time will tell what the Emperor truly thinks.

Today's update is here!o Tai brought Dongmei and He Mama, along with several others, to help Li Yong and Hui Niang's family move their belongings to the village head's house. Then they began preparing dinner. 。Unfortunately...