"It's not too difficult. It can win the joy of Long Yan and eliminate the fatigue of traveling all the way. A mere beauty is nothing."
In the dim light of dawn, Lu Yuan could not clearly see the expression on Zhang Ao's face, and could only hear him speaking lightly.
Although she was not born and raised in an emperor's family, her father had been on conquests in the north and south since she could remember, and her mother had also served as a hostage in the Chu camp for two years. When he was in decline, he was repeatedly kicked out of the escape carriage by his biological father.
The family was pushed to the top of the waves several times, and fell to the bottom several times. The methods that were comparable to those of fighting against the turbulent palace in the pre-Qin period also entered her field of vision to some extent.
Therefore, it's not that she doesn't know or don't understand Zhang Ao's actions, it's just that she doesn't want to and can't bear to see him become like this.
What's more, there's always something a little weird about showing courtesy for nothing.
"Zhao Meiren's sword dance is really beautiful. I don't see her doing it very often. I don't know when she mastered it.
If I had known earlier, I would have asked her to teach me, so that I wouldn’t have to be clumsy. "
Lu Yuan complained.
Zhang Ao smiled, reached out and patted her head gently.
"It's the same as boxing and kicking kung fu. It's a child's kung fu that you have practiced since childhood. If you start practicing it halfway, you will definitely not be able to practice it well.
Just live your life well. With so many things in Zhao State, do you have to worry about it? "
"Is Zhao Meiren's hometown really Jizi North Korea?"
"Is this still false?" Zhang Ao asked in surprise,
"North Koreans prefer white to black, and they also like cranes. Haven't you seen that everything in her residence is embroidered with cranes?"
Lu Yuan turned his head and thought for a moment, then asked the question she was most concerned about.
"Then from now on, won't she have to return to Luoyang with her father?"
"Probably so. It depends on her luck."
After a moment of pause, Zhang Ao replied,
"If you can go higher and farther, who wouldn't want to?"
So, you are actually willing, or the place you really want to go to is the highest place in the world?
Lu Yuan asked him secretly in his heart, feeling as if half of his body had died overnight, and something new had broken out of the ground to replace it.
The dead half is the carefree young bride, who wakes up every day and can only see a corner of the sky on the top of the palace, and the trivial matters of jealousy and love;
The new flesh and blood belonged to the beloved daughter of the founding emperor and empress, the eldest sister of the prince, and the only princess of the Han Empire.
***
The palace servants who were still in charge of food had brought the prepared Pingdan food and stood in a line silently, waiting outside the palace.
Lu Yuan followed the trays they held and looked at them one by one. There were steamed cakes stuffed with dried dates and walnuts, porridge made of japonica rice, almonds and cheese, crucian carp soup, and the fried chicken that Liu Ji had praised so much the day before yesterday. Beef liver and roasted deer tripe are cut into small slices hot and spread on a lacquer plate.
After a while, the sky brightened, and the outlines of the palace walls and palaces gradually became clear. The yellow gatekeepers on night duty routinely inspected various palaces, extinguished the lights, and took down the hanging lanterns.
And a group of young palace attendants waiting for the morning rise quietly came out of the palace one after another, holding steaming lacquer bowls, large basins, silk handkerchiefs and other objects. Lu Yuan knew that his father and Zhao Meiren had already gotten up.
Lu Yuan raised his head slightly and felt the first ray of sunlight shining on his face, which actually had some warmth.
She took a deep breath of the cold morning air, and the wind blowing from the Xiongnu grassland in her breath carried the dust rising in the most hidden corners of Handan City. From now on, everything seemed to have something to do with her.
She nodded to Huangmen and stepped into the hall together with Zhang Ao.
***
After five days of repairs, Liu Ji and his entourage set out on their triumphant return journey amid the reluctant farewells of the Zhao monarchs and ministers.
Before leaving the palace, he said to Lu Yuan in a rare kind manner,
"You have grown up now and look a bit like a queen. Your mother and I are very happy.
If you are willing, when Zhang Ao comes to Luoyang for an audience, come with him and stay in the palace for a few more days to accompany your mother. "
"Well, father, have a safe journey, take care of yourself, and don't forget to continue drinking medicine."
Lu Yuan nodded, thinking about his mother, his eyes felt a little hot.
Zhang Ao quickly glanced at the graceful Zhao beauty behind Liu Ji, and then moved forward again.
"Your Majesty, the journey is lonely, why don't you just take Zhao Ji with you -"
"——No need, it's too much trouble."
After Liu Ji said this, he turned around and held the beauty's hand, smiling and saying,
"You can live here with peace of mind, and I will come visit you later."
"Yes, I will obey the imperial edict."
Zhao Meiren smiled, looked at Liu Ji affectionately, and bowed down.
Hearing this, Lu Yuan quietly looked at Zhang Ao and then at Zhao Meiren. Zhang Ao's disappointment could not be concealed, but Zhao Meiren's calm eyes showed a trace of relief.
Liu Ji's eyes searched the crowd. He nodded to Lu Shizhi first, then found Zhang Cang's white face and said to him,
"You're about to pull a trick right away, I'll be waiting for you in Luoyang.
Those officials who are familiar with government affairs that you mentioned a few days ago took advantage of the trick and brought them to Luoyang for me to meet.
Also, if there is any information from Liu Jing, please send it to me by express dispatch at 800 miles. "
After saying that, he looked around at the kneeling princes and ministers of Zhao.
"Okay, I'm back to the court, you don't have to leave the city, just say goodbye here.
Guard the Kingdom of Zhao for me and don't be careless! "
Liu Ji laughed loudly and boarded the imperial chariot. Everyone fell to the ground and shouted "Long live the mountains" to see the emperor off.
After the long motorcade had gone away, Zhang Aofang stood up slowly, reached out to help Lu Yuan up, and told her,
"Zhao Meiren's identity is different now, and she will never be able to live with other concubines in the future.
You arrange a separate palace for her and arrange a group of suitable people to serve her full-time, far away from everyone.
On weekdays, medical officers are asked to take pulse frequently, and the pulse records must be registered in a book. "
While Lu Yuan responded, he secretly thought, even if Zhao Meiren became pregnant in just a few days, what plans could he have for it?
***
Liu Jing, who was never forgotten by the emperor, was at the foot of Langjuxu Mountain, looking forward to the good news from the Central Plains.
After living on the grassland for these days, he was very talented and had basically mastered the daily vocabulary of the Huns. He even learned a lot about the farm work of the herdsmen.
Early that morning, Liu Jing had nothing to do. He was helping the old herdsman in the felt tent next door milk goat milk as usual. Suddenly he saw Nie San, a border businessman, wrapped in a brand-new black leather coat and grinning widely. It ran towards him from a distance like a bear.
At the beginning of the rebellion when Zang Tu announced the blockade of the border, the news reached the Xiongnu grasslands.
Lao Nie made his fortune through speculation. When he heard the news about the changes in Han Dynasty, he was a little eager to go back and look for business opportunities, but Liu Jing persuaded him to stop.
"Why can't you go?
Zang Tu's rebellion was probably going south from Jicheng to Luoyang. It’s probably safe for me to go to Yanmen County at this time. "
Lao Nie was puzzled.
"I advise you not to go, just listen to me.
I always feel that the imperial court has been prepared for this, whether in terms of manpower or deployment. They will send troops unexpectedly and quickly, block Zang Tu at the gate of his lair and beat him severely. "
