Jiaohua

Chapter 1639 Zhao Yu Returns to the Capital
What was found was Song Zhiyi's body.

Song Zhiyi hanged himself in a side room of a concubine's palace, in a narrow gap behind a canopy bed.

He was dressed in the clothes of a palace attendant, and there was no one else with him.

Xia Zhaoyi went over to take a look, entrusted Song Zhiyi's funeral arrangements to Wang Yitai, and had nothing else to say before returning to sleep.

Song Zhiyi's reign as emperor was short-lived, and his ascension to the throne was illegitimate. He also committed an unforgivable error upon entering the capital. Furthermore, he failed to achieve unification of the country over the years, resulting in extremely limited loyalty from his subjects and the people.

He was once powerful and feared, but his death seemed light and weightless, far less impactful than the shock and terror that Li Ju caused to the people of Yong'an when he abandoned the city.

His funeral was also simple, and soon, an unmarked grave appeared on the outskirts of Beijing.

On the very night after Shen Lie led his troops away, a fast horse galloped from the north, carrying a letter. The messenger traveled smoothly all the way and personally delivered the letter to Xia Zhaoyi.

The letter was sent by Zhao Yu from Zhengbei.

After reading it, Xia Zhaoyi chuckled speechlessly: "Zhao Yu and I have a grudge."

Yan Ziyan asked curiously, "General, is it that dashing and dissolute playboy from Zhengbei?"

“I wrote him a letter before I came to Yong’an, telling him to be prepared to come back. He is now negotiating with me.”

"Negotiate terms? How can that be considered holding a grudge?"

"Because when I was in Hengxiang, I made several conditions for his strategist, not only asking him to help me investigate several cases, but also asking for ten years of mining rights in Rouling Prefecture, the southwesternmost of the twelve prefectures in Zhengbei."

Yan Ziyan nodded, not understanding either, but being impatient, she said directly, "Then let him not go back!"

Xia Zhaoyi said, "Okay, then don't go back."

She had barely finished speaking when another messenger was brought in from outside.

The messenger in front was still inside. He met his gaze and exclaimed in surprise, "How come you..."

The messenger coughed lightly, stepped forward, bowed respectfully to Xia Zhaoyi, and said solemnly, "General Xia, I am a messenger under the command of Prince Zhao of Zhengbei. I have come to deliver a confidential letter for your perusal."

He took out a letter sealed with wax from his pocket and presented it with both hands.

Xia Zhaoyi opened the letter, which said that the previous letter was just a joke and that she shouldn't be angry. He was already on his way with his troops and didn't need any conditions.

Xia Zhaoyi glanced at the date he was coming, and sure enough, it was tomorrow.

Judging from this speed, he set off immediately after receiving her letter.

The letter concluded by saying that she was satisfied with the troops he brought.

Xia Zhaoyi raised her eyes and said, "How old is your young master? How can he be so childish and foolish?"

Judging from the expression on the face of the first messenger, he had no idea that there would be a second letter.

The second messenger said sheepishly, "General Xia, please don't be angry. Our heir said that he will come to you personally to accept the punishment after he arrives in Yong'an."

Xia Zhaoyi instructed Yan Ziyan to lead two messengers down to be treated well.

The following day, Zhao Yu arrived as scheduled.

Xia Zhaoyi personally rode to pick him up.

Upon meeting Xia Zhaoyi, Zhao Yu poured out his grievances to her, saying that he had encountered 30,000 Yan troops led by Wu Shaoning on the road. Perhaps they had been spotted by the Yan army's scouts, so Wu Shaoning blocked their way and almost attacked them.

Xia Zhaoyi rode beside him on horseback and said calmly, "You have 80,000 troops, are you afraid of Wu Shaoning's 30,000?"

Zhao Yu chuckled, "Who can blame me when Yan Jun's reputation is so widespread? Even I, the young master, am deafened by it in Zhengbei." Xia Zhaoyi glanced at him, intending to roll her eyes at him, but suddenly burst into laughter, a smile both helpless and radiant.

"What are you laughing at?" Zhao Yu raised an eyebrow, looking at the smiling girl on horseback.

Xia Zhaoyi raised her chin towards the road ahead: "Look, the weather is fine and sunny, and people are coming and going."

Zhao Yu looked ahead at the street, which was lined with shops on both sides, their banners fluttering in the breeze. People gave them some space, but the street was still bustling with people. A gentle breeze carried the aroma of food. The sky was bright and clear, a scene of vibrant prosperity.

Zhao Yu asked, "What does this have to do with your sudden silly grin?"

Xia Zhaoyi gave him a cold look, pulled on the reins to speed up, and ignored him.

That smile just now was just a sudden realization to her that Zhao Yu hadn't changed at all; he was still carefree and unrestrained.

Back then, Li Qian's scions of noble families all experienced changes. As the chaotic world surged forward, the old order collapsed and new powerful clans emerged. Amidst this shattered landscape, Zhao Yu remained unchanged.

Although I know he must be suffering inside, after all, Zhengbei is bitterly cold, but he can definitely digest these hardships. After all, the bitterness that can't be suppressed will show on his face.

Seeing Xia Zhaoyi suddenly speed up, Zhao Yu called her name and chased after her.

Chasing after her all the way to the palace, Xia Zhaoyi didn't stop. Her mount swiftly entered the palace gates. Zhao Yu stopped, looked up at the palace, and sighed inwardly.

Ji Sheng chased after him, and as he got closer, he looked up and asked, "Young Master, what are you looking at?"

"I'm finally back," Zhao Yu said with emotion. "I thought I would never have the chance to come back in this lifetime."

Following Ji Sheng, Guo Zihao and others also arrived.

Zhao Yu's main army remained outside the city, led by Zhao Tang and Tao Yinhe.

However, the army that entered the city was also quite large, numbering over three hundred.

Zhao Yu turned to look at the soldiers and said to Guo Zihao, "Sir, look, before, our soldiers couldn't even get into the Imperial Street, but now they're coming straight to the palace gates."

Guo Zihao said, "Yes, Miss Ali doesn't care about these things. If she wanted to, she could set any rules she wanted."

Zhao Yu smiled.

He was handsome, with a face like jade. Back in the capital, he and Mu Tingyu were both considered the epitome of handsome men.

Later, the two Shen brothers entered Yong'an, and their faces were so striking that everyone who saw them was amazed.

Zhao Yu still felt very dissatisfied when he thought about it.

Guo Zihao hadn't seen Zhao Yu smile like that in a long time: "Your Highness, what are you laughing at?"

Zhao Yu said, "I suddenly realized that Ali and her sister are so alike, they have the exact same temperament. They are like her, carefree and unrestrained, cynical and resentful of social hierarchy and the ways of the world."

"It sounds quite unruly."

“Yes…right,” Zhao Yu’s handsome face darkened, “I have to go to the Duke of Dingguo’s mansion to take a look. That shameless woman Yan Qinglin has taken over the Duke of Dingguo’s mansion. I don’t know how the small courtyard that I renovated for Zhaoyi back then has been ruined.”

Guo Zihao said helplessly, "Your Highness, you should go into the palace first."

Xia Zhaoyi's office was located in the Six Ministries, very close to the palace gate.

However, Xia Zhaoyi was only responsible for picking up Zhao Yu today. After Zhao Yu entered the palace, he was received by Feng Ping and others.

After Zhao Yu sat down, he looked around and waited, but the girl did not appear. He asked Feng Ping, "Where is Ali?"

Feng Ping smiled gently and politely: "The general is busy with other matters, and there are other things waiting for her."