On the seventh day of May, Xiao Yuan returned to Chang'an without any notice, otherwise hundreds of officials would have to greet him outside the city, making everything complicated.
This trip was necessary and of great significance. It not only allowed Xiao Yuan to understand the sentiments of the people, but also to compare the actual conditions of the people with the memorials to see if there was any deception.
On a larger level, an emperor can understand the various conditions of the country he governs and can make better policy decisions.
Chang'an Imperial Palace.
Towering and majestic palaces are located everywhere, with wide roads, hundreds of steps, Jiangshan Sheji, and the court meeting hall. The entire imperial city is extraordinary and magnificent.
All over the palace, there are many imperial guards, their waists straight and their black golden dragon flags fluttering in the wind.
Seeing Xiao Yuan, the Imperial Guards on both sides knelt down on one knee.
Not long after, the doctor's order, Guan Chao, also rushed over and saluted, "Your Majesty."
"Yes." Xiao Yuan responded, concisely and concisely: "Inform all officials and go to court tomorrow."
"No!" The latter accepted the order with his fists clasped.
After returning, Xiao Yuan did not go to the study, but strolled to Gu Xue's bedroom.
There is the melodious sound of the piano, and the moving notes are continuous, just like a clear spring and a stream flowing in a mountain stream, which makes people relaxed and happy.
At this time, in the courtyard, the eldest daughter Xiao Qingluo was playing the piano, while Xiao Qinghe was sitting on the side with her sister, holding her cheeks with her little hands and closing her eyes with a look of enjoyment.
The weather in May is still very good. Under the sycamore tree, the girl is wearing a cyan antique dress. Her skin is better than snow, her facial features are exquisite, her eyes are exactly like her mother's, and she bows her head to the strings of the piano. She is beautiful.
This is the eldest princess of Great Qin.
"Your Majesty." The maid outside the courtyard immediately saluted Xiao Yuan when she saw him.
"Hush!" Xiao Yuan signaled to be silent. The palace maid quickly lowered her head, held her hands in front of her, and stood respectfully.
He listened quietly until the song ended, looking at his two little cotton-padded jackets with a warm smile on his face.
"Listen well, sister! I want to learn too!" Xiao Qinghe yelled and circled around her sister. She had the same lively temperament as her mother Zhong Duoduo.
"Haha! Qingluo is great, this song deserves to be the sound of nature." Xiao Yuan also walked in with a hearty smile.
Seeing him, the two little cotton-padded jackets were happy at the same time: "Father!"
Then they all ran over, one on each side, and took his arm.
Especially Xiao Qinghe, Xiao Yuan couldn't help but laugh and said: "You are so old, but you are still so clingy."
"Qinghe misses his father." The little princess coquettishly said.
"Okay, okay, my father misses you too." Xiao Yuan said, and was pulled by his two daughters to sit under the tree. Xiao Qingluo went to pour a cup of hot tea, while Xiao Qinghe surrounded him and asked questions.
As the father and daughter chatted, the female violinist in the palace who was responsible for guiding the eldest princess also came over and saluted: "See your majesty."
"Yes." Xiao Yuan nodded to indicate.
The latter said: "The princess's talent in piano art is rare in the world. Today, she is already outstanding."
"Oh? Really?" Xiao Yuan looked at Xiao Qingluo with a smile: "Our Da Qin princess is naturally so smart."
Xiao Qingluo was very knowledgeable and reasonable: "No way, Master Yunqin is just praising Qingluo."
"Princess, you are too modest. Your piano skills are indeed very good. After a while, I am afraid that I will have nothing to teach you." The piano master said, and he also said wisely: "Your Majesty, it is already getting late, so I will teach you." Don’t bother me anymore.”
"Okay, Master Yunqin, thank you for your hard work." Xiao Yuan nodded.
"Your Majesty's words are serious, I will leave." The latter bowed respectfully and left.
After he left, Xiao Yuan said earnestly: "Daughter, piano art can be regarded as a hobby, but it should not be tiring. It can be done in your free time. Do you hear me?"
"Oh." Xiao Qingluo responded: "But mother asked me to be proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting."
"Don't listen to your mother, you just need to be happy about this and that." Xiao Yuan said and looked at Xiao Qinghe again: "And Qinghe, if you two can grow up carefree, that's it. What makes my father happy the most, nothing else matters."
"Father, it's the best!" Xiao Qinghe was as happy as a little bird, hugging Xiao Yuan's arm and saying with expectation: "Then there will be no need to go to the academy in the future."
Xiao Yuan said with a straight face: "How can that be done, studies are still very important."
"Ah? Father is lying!" Xiao Qinghe said aggrievedly.
Under the sycamore tree in the courtyard, Xiao Yuan was amused by two little cotton-padded jackets, making him laugh from time to time. This scene was extremely heartwarming.
That night, he also stayed at Gu Xue's place. The couple hadn't seen each other for many days, so it was natural for them to have some intimacy.
After the lingering, Gu Xue nestled in his arms, the blush on her face had not faded, and she said softly: "Qingluo has grown up, and will soon be in her prime. Let's talk about marriage by then."
Mentioning this, an inexplicable picture flashed through Xiao Yuan's mind. The other party was acting carelessly, waving a folding fan in a pretentious manner, and even hugged Xiao Qingluo, arrogantly saying: Your Majesty, my carriage should be safe in the palace.
"What's going on!?" He suddenly exclaimed in shock, almost unable to resist turning over and sitting up.
Gu Xue was startled and patted him lightly: "What are you doing!"
"Huh?" Xiao Yuan was afraid when he thought about it. How could his precious daughter, a juicy cabbage, be raped by a pig? He swallowed: "No, it's nothing, my brain just twitched."
Pfft, Gu Xue was amused, rolled her eyes at him charmingly, nestled into his arms again, and rested her head on his chest: "What nonsense are you talking about."
Xiao Yuan put his arms around her shoulders and said, "Well, it's too early to talk about marriage after you get haircut. There's no need to think about it now."
"But according to ancient rituals, after a woman has her hair tied, she is of marriageable age."
"What nonsense ancient etiquette. In short, my daughter is still young. She must not have sex between men and women before she is eighteen years old." Xiao Yuan said seriously.
"Huh?" Gu Xue was quite surprised. She was stunned for a moment before smiling softly: "Is this the worry and panic coming from the old father?"
Xiao Yuan laughed dryly: "I don't know why, but I feel a little scared. When I was on the southern and northern expeditions, and millions of troops were fighting, I never felt like this."
"I understand, understand, who can give up his daughter." Gu Xue stroked his cheek.
"Go to sleep."
"Um"
The next day, on the hundred steps outside the court meeting hall, hundreds of civil and military officials were entering the court in groups.
Not long after, Xiao Yuan stepped inside wearing a black and red emperor's uniform, a crown on his head, and twelve strings of jade beads on his forehead.
The ministers who had already been lined up on both sides knelt down and saluted, saying in unison: "Your Majesty, I am here to see you, long live my emperor, long live long live—"
"Your Majesty, please stand down." Xiao Yuan waved his sleeves and took a seat directly above.
"Thank you, Your Majesty——"
