The Bad Guys: Everyone, let’s revive the Tang Dynasty together!

Chapter 493 He stood there, it was only natural, that's how it should be.

After the Mid-Autumn Festival, the sunlight has lost its summer heat and become mellow and gentle, generously showering the Central Plains. The wind comes from the north, carrying the coolness of the borderlands, but it cannot dispel the sweltering atmosphere surrounding Bianjing.

A massive caravan, shrouded in the dust of a long journey, was slowly making its way along the wide official road toward the central capital of the realm. The camels and horses neighed, banners fluttered, and the people on board wore various clothes, their appearances all slightly different from those of those in the Central Plains.

The endless stream of carriages and horses, the so-called eighteen tribes of the northern desert, as well as the chieftains and leaders of the Tuyuhun, Tatar, Shiwei, Dangxiang, and Uyghur tribes, along with the envoys and princes of the Balhae Kingdom who had come from afar with their distinctive attire, and even the envoys of the peninsula regimes such as Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla who were filled with trepidation, were all unusually quiet.

From the moment they crossed the Great Wall and entered Youzhou, a silent awe began to accumulate in their hearts, leaving them dazzled and mesmerized.

As they approached Bianjing, the whispers among the carriages and horses thinned out, replaced by an almost oppressive silence. The powerful chieftains, accustomed to the wind rustling through the grass and galloping horses, were now mostly silent, their eyes peering through the carriage curtains or from their horses, constantly surveying their surroundings, their depths filled with undisguised astonishment.

Upon entering the Central Plains, the official roads were compacted with a mixture of loess and gravel, becoming smooth and level, wide enough for several horse-drawn carriages to travel side by side. Ditches crisscrossed the roads, their water flowing smoothly, clearly dredged regularly. Although the autumn harvest was over, the fields, near and far, remained orderly, the soil deeply plowed, awaiting the sowing of winter crops, showing no signs of desolation.

The village houses were neatly arranged, mostly made of mud bricks and thatched roofs, yet remarkably tidy. Wisps of smoke rose from the chimneys, conveying a sense of peace and tranquility. The villagers, their faces glowing, hurried along, busy with their livelihoods. Upon seeing the large procession of foreigners, they glanced around curiously but showed little fear, quickly returning to their tasks. A few children even chased after the procession for a short distance before being gently pulled back by the adults.

The official road was wide and smooth, its ruts meticulously maintained, demonstrating a strong mobilization and organizational capacity. Post stations stretched along the road, supplies plentiful, and messengers and caravans came and went in a constant, yet orderly fashion. In the fields, farmers toiled, their faces bearing the marks of labor, but showing no signs of malnutrition. Occasionally, they would straighten up and glance at the vast procession, their eyes filled with more curiosity than fear; some even pointed and whispered among themselves at the nomadic nobles.

This was completely different from the war-torn, desolate Central Plains that the nomadic nobles had imagined. In their memories, or in the oral traditions passed down from their ancestors, the Central Plains was a land of wealth and power, but for hundreds of years it had often been mired in chaos, with regional warlords ruling and the people suffering. Yet what they saw before them was a scene of order and vitality.

Seeing this scene, however, was a more direct source of fear than that brought by weapons, pressing down on the hearts of every visitor to the grasslands and inspiring such dread.

"Look over there!"

Among the envoys from the three peninsulas gathered together, the Baekje envoy suddenly lowered his voice and pointed to a huge camp in the distance. The other peninsula envoys craned their necks to look, only to see that it was not a military camp, but rather a place where countless laborers, under the command of officials, were digging a channel in the Yellow River and building dams.

The sounds of chanting could be faintly heard, the scene was grand yet orderly.

"Such manpower...such a project..." The Silla envoy murmured. Silla had been established for eight hundred years, and its people were naturally knowledgeable. They knew all too well the immense mobilization and control required to organize a project of this scale, and thus sighed.

"This King of Qin is indeed no ordinary man."

What alarmed the envoys from the three kingdoms even more were the patrolling soldiers they encountered along the way.

Their armor was gleaming, their weapons were polished to a shine, and they marched in an orderly fashion. Their eyes were alert but not undisciplined, and they rigorously checked passing merchants and travelers, but did not harass or extort them.

Occasionally, officers riding by would ride past, their gazes sweeping over the delegation with scrutiny, but without provocation, merely a calm, routine formality. This disciplined deterrent, however, was far more intimidating to the envoys from the three kingdoms and the nomadic steppe warriors who knew the power of force than any show of bravado.

"Their armor is probably difficult for our swords and arrows to penetrate."

"The warhorses are so strong, and they're better fed than ours..."

The envoys from the three kingdoms were filled with unease and anxiety. In their whispers, their initial desire to spy on the Central Plains was shattered. Their original arrogance and disdain were completely crushed by what they saw and heard, turning into indescribable pressure and fear.

They couldn't understand why the Central Plains, after a century of chaos, could still have such a scene. At the same time, they finally understood why the powerful northern deserts, the arrogant Bohai Kingdom, and even the great powers of the Central Plains such as Jin, Yan, and Shu, as well as the former hegemon Zhu Liang, had all been defeated or submitted to that King Qin.

As we drew closer to the walls of Bianjing, their majestic outlines gradually became clearer on the horizon, like a crouching behemoth, silently and arrogantly displaying the power of civilization.

In the center of the procession, inside the most luxurious carriage, Shuliduo lowered a corner of the curtain. The dim light inside the carriage illuminated her expressionless face. She turned to Yelü Yaoguang, who sat upright opposite her.

Yelü Yaoguang's brows had lost some of their youthful naiveté, replaced by a calm and thoughtful air. Yet, as he gazed at the majestic city in the distance, his lips remained tightly pressed together, and his fingers unconsciously fiddled with the embroidery on his robe, revealing his inner turmoil.

“Yaoguang,” Shuliduo’s voice was steady, “we will arrive in Bianjing in a little while. Have you remembered what the Empress Dowager said before?”

Yelü Yaoguang gave a muffled "hmm," his gaze still fixed on the bustling land outside the window that felt unfamiliar and oppressive to him.

Seeing his expression, Shuliduo's gaze suddenly turned stern: "Yaoguang, you must remember this well. The future of the northern desert and the survival of all the tribes on the grasslands depend on your next words and actions. In this matter, your mother cannot help you."

Yelü Yaoguang stiffened slightly and finally turned to look at his mother.

“If you can see the King of Qin today,” Shuliduo said bluntly, staring into his eyes and enunciating each word clearly, “you must lead the people in a full kneeling ceremony. Remember, it is kneeling. And you must never call him Father Khan again. He is now the ruler of both the Central Plains and the grasslands, the actual sovereign of everything within your sight. His eldest son has been established as the heir apparent. You must lead the people to call him ‘Your Highness the King of Qin’ and refer to yourself as ‘your subject.’”

Yelü Yaoguang wanted to say a few more words, but when he saw Shuliduo's stern gaze, he lowered his head and said, "Mother, I have remembered. When meeting His Highness Prince Qin, I will lead the crowd to address him as 'Your Majesty' or 'Your Highness Prince Qin,' and will never mention the old title again."

“Very good.” Shuliduo’s gaze softened slightly, but she only nodded slightly. “It’s good that you understand. This is not the grassland, and things are different now.”

Yelü Yaoguang remained silent for a moment, his gaze fixed on the approaching shadow of the giant city outside the window, and asked softly, "Mother, are we, the tribes of the grasslands, destined to forever grovel at the feet of the Central Plains dynasty like this?"

Shuliduo didn't answer immediately. She followed her son's gaze, the outline of Bianjing City reflected in her eyes. After a long while, she slowly spoke: "It's not entirely about groveling. Yaoguang, you must understand what the King of Qin wants. What he wants is not simple submission and tribute, nor the kind of one-sided oppression that the Central Plains dynasties used to exert. What he wants is 'Great Harmony'."

"Datong?" Yelü Yaoguang repeated in confusion.

"The Han and the Hu are one family, and the world is unified."

Shuliduo paused for a moment, then explained to him, “The King of Qin wants to eliminate barriers, facilitate trade, standardize writing, regulate cart axles, and establish ethical norms within his territory. What we need to learn is not just the superficial etiquette, but also the underlying systems and culture. We want the people of the grasslands to gradually settle down, study, and engage in commerce, ultimately becoming part of his 'world' like the Han people. This path is more difficult and slower than simple conquest, but it is also… more far-reaching. Yaoguang, what you will need to do in the future is lead your people to learn and adapt, and then find the best place for our people in this new order. This is assimilation, this is integration.”

Yelü Yaoguang listened intently. His mother's words opened a new window for him, revealing a vast and unfamiliar landscape. He didn't quite understand, but he could sense the weight of his mother's words and the ambition of his father, the Khan.

So he nodded heavily: "Your subject understands. I will watch carefully and learn diligently."

The delegation of over a thousand envoys finally arrived outside Bianjing City. Before they even entered the city, the majestic city walls, towering pavilions, throngs of people, and bustling city noise combined to create an overwhelming aura that rushed towards them, making all the visitors from the grasslands feel breathless.

The faint sounds of bells and drums coming from the direction of the imperial city added to the solemnity and grandeur.

Outside Fengqiu Gate, a dark mass of imperial guards stood solemnly on both sides, silently exuding an aura of authority. Officials from the Ministry of Rites were already waiting there, neatly dressed and behaving with impeccable manners. Even more striking was a group of several hundred young soldiers, their clothing a blend of Han and non-Han styles, disciplined, and with sharp eyes—this was the "Qin King's Righteous Army," composed of hostages who had submitted to various tribes.

Subsequently, under the loud announcements and guidance of the ceremonial official, the large delegation split into two: one group went to the official post station outside the city, while the other group, with its core members, slowly entered the city under guidance.

Upon entering the city gate, the sounds and sights instantly transform.

The streets, as wide as a plaza, are lined with shops, their flags fluttering in the breeze, and throngs of people, their cries of vendors, laughter, and the sounds of carriages blending together.

The grandeur of the architecture, the bustling city life, the worldly composure on the faces of the locals, and even the curious rather than fearful glances cast at their strangely dressed group, all deeply impressed these grassland travelers once again.

An indescribable sense of cultural disparity, mixed with awe for the man who controlled it all, arose spontaneously in their hearts.

Some of the newly arrived chieftains seemed a little lost, their eyes darting around. Fortunately, the members of the hostage army had not been in the capital for long and had not forgotten their poor relatives on the grasslands. They familiarly reminded them of the precautions and explained the etiquette and rules of the audience.

However, their tone inevitably carried a subtle sense of superiority as "people of the Celestial Empire," as well as a deep reverence for the rules of the Celestial Empire, which inadvertently allowed everyone to witness once again the man's unquestionable authority in such a powerful Central Plains.

So the entire half-day and half-night were spent in designated lodgings, bathing and changing clothes, and learning the etiquette of audience, with no one allowed to be careless.

The next day, there will be a meeting.

In the square in front of Jiaolan Palace, armored soldiers stood in rows, banners fluttering. Civil and military officials stood solemnly according to their rank, utterly silent. The steppe delegation, led in by the Ministry of Rites, was also uneasy. Even those who were extremely curious dared not make any small movements in the ranks, and some even kept reciting the etiquette they had learned at night.

At the exact hour of Chen (7-9 AM), a carriage arrived, escorted by hundreds of knights in bright armor, each wielding a spear. As Xiao Yan stepped down from the carriage, a thunderous roar of "King Qin" erupted, accompanied by a cacophony of drums and music. The overwhelming pressure emanating from this single individual caused the grassland delegation walking in the procession to feel their hearts tighten, filled with dread.

Upon entering the main hall, Zhu Youzhen had clearly been waiting anxiously for some time. He knew better than anyone what today's grand court assembly meant, so he was pale-faced but with a hint of pleading and expectation. His wretched appearance greatly disappointed the curious grassland heroes.

But it doesn't matter, since all eyes and all focus are on the young man in imperial robes who sits alone below the steps.

Outside the hall, the sky was clear for miles, and inside, hundreds of people were silent. However, from beginning to end, Xiao Yan simply sat there calmly, his gaze sweeping over the ministers and foreign envoys, naturally becoming the absolute center of the entire hall, with an imposing and majestic aura.

Guided by the master of ceremonies, Yelü Yaoguang and the other envoys entered the hall in order. Heavy footsteps echoed in the silent hall. Yelü Yaoguang took a deep breath, steadily stepped out of the ranks, and arrived before the imperial steps.

Following the etiquette he had learned long ago on the grasslands, he skipped over the emperor on the throne, faced Xiao Yan, first straightened his robes, then bowed deeply and spoke loudly in fluent Chinese.

"Your subject, Yelü Yaoguang, on behalf of the various tribes of the northern deserts, the Tuyuhun, the Tatars, the Dangxiang, the Uyghurs, the Bohai... and envoys from distant lands, pays his respects to Your Highness, the Prince of Qin!"

Yelü Yaoguang performed quite well. In such a scene, in front of hundreds of people, even though he was a little nervous, he was clear-headed enough, which made Xiao Yan smile with satisfaction.

"The King of Qin swept across the six kingdoms, pacified the world, and his civil and military achievements are unparalleled throughout history. His benevolence extends far and wide, winning the hearts of all people and subjugating all barbarians. This is the mandate of Heaven, beyond human power to achieve. Your Highness's benevolence allows us, the defeated generals, to continue our troops; Your Highness's magnanimity allows us, the people of the borderlands, to be bathed in the king's grace. His achievements surpass those of Qin Shi Huang and Emperor Wu of Han, and his virtue is comparable to Yao, Shun, Yu, and Tang."

However, due to nervousness, Yelü Yaoguang's praise was somewhat hesitant, but it ultimately revealed sincere admiration. The officials in the hall, including Han Yanhui and Jing Xiang, all nodded slightly, their faces showing approval.

Yelü Yaoguang paused, crossed his arms, raised his head, and tried his best to make his voice louder:

"Throughout our journey, we have witnessed the Central Plains' abundance and prosperity, the people's peace and happiness, and the army's formidable strength—truly an unprecedented golden age. We are filled with sincere admiration and profound respect. Therefore, we, the tribes of the northern grasslands, wish to submit to Your Majesty forever, acknowledging you as the ruler of all under heaven, guarding our borders, and obeying your commands! For this reason, all the tribes of the grasslands request that Your Majesty be honored with the title 'Heavenly Khan'! May the Heavenly Khan shine eternally like the sun and moon, bestowing boundless grace and protecting all living beings of the grasslands!"

Having said that, he took the lead and bowed deeply. Behind him, the densely packed envoys from various tribes, regardless of how much they understood, all followed his lead, bowing in unison and echoing, "We humbly acknowledge Your Majesty as the Heavenly Khan!"

As a result, the sound of kowtowing rose and fell, creating a very impressive scene.

All eyes were focused on Xiao Yan. His expression was calm, neither happy nor angry. His gaze slowly swept over the kneeling crowd, then over the expectant faces of the civil and military officials in the hall.

He pondered for a moment, but did not immediately respond to the honorific title. Instead, he slowly rose and offered a slight gesture of support, saying, "You have all come a long way and must be tired. Please rise."

"Heavenly Khan..." After everyone stood up, he spoke, "This is a great honor bestowed upon me by the people of the grasslands, and it is also an auspicious sign of the unity of the Han and the Hu people and the unification of the world. Therefore, I have no choice but to accept it."

He paused slightly, then continued:
"Having received this title, I, the King, shall faithfully fulfill my duties. From this day forward, all who wish to cease hostilities and follow the King's rule, regardless of whether they are Han or non-Han, are my subjects. I will treat everyone equally; under the law, all are equal. Merit will be rewarded, and transgression will be punished. I will open trade, facilitating the exchange of goods; I will teach you agricultural and sericultural skills to help you live in peace and prosperity; I will enforce the law, prohibiting private warfare between tribes. However, having entered the land of China, you must abide by the unified laws, pay taxes, and perform corvée labor without fail. I hope you will remember my words today, remain steadfast in your duties, diligently cultivate the land, forever serve as my bulwark, and share in peace. If you harbor rebellious intentions or bully the weak, do not blame me for the ruthlessness of the law. Do you understand?"

Yelü Yaoguang immediately kowtowed: "We will remember the teachings of the Heavenly Khan. All the tribes of the grasslands will abide by the law, submit to him forever, and dare not have any disloyal thoughts!"

Xiao Yan nodded slightly, signaling them to stand up.

Immediately afterwards, officials from the Tian Ce Mansion read out the list of rewards, including porcelain, tea, grain, farm tools, etc. The rewards varied from department to department, and a series of specific policies for the grasslands were announced.

Upon hearing this, regardless of what the so-called envoys from Bohai, Goguryeo, and the other three kingdoms thought, the leaders of the various tribes on the grasslands finally showed expressions of relief and gratitude, and once again kowtowed to thank Heaven for its grace.

At that moment, Han Yanhui, holding a jade tablet, stepped forward steadily and announced loudly:
"Your Highness! Now that the northern border is secure and all nations pay tribute, the Mandate of Heaven has been bestowed upon us, and the people's hearts are with us. The Emperor, knowing his own lack of virtue, wishes to emulate Yao and Shun and abdicate the throne. This is an act in accordance with Heaven and the people; the throne and the imperial power should belong to the virtuous. Your subject, Han Yanhui, humbly begs Your Highness, for the sake of the people and the eternal stability of the nation, to obey the Mandate of Heaven and ascend the throne as soon as possible!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Jing Xiang, Li Maozhen, Zhang Wenwei, Yang She, Li Si'an, Wang Jingren, the officials of the Tian Ce Mansion, and even all the civil and military officials of the court bowed in unison and echoed him, their voices resounding throughout the hall: "Your Highness, we earnestly request that you obey the will of Heaven and assume the throne as soon as possible!"

Zhu Youzhen, sitting on the throne, trembled violently as if burned, and then almost rushed to speak.

"King Qin! Your Majesty's achievements are unparalleled, and your virtue matches Heaven and Earth! I... I am of meager virtue and limited ability, unworthy of the throne, and I am filled with worry day and night, fearing only that I have failed the people. Now, auspicious omens appear frequently, and barbarians from all directions come to pay homage; this is Heaven's will for Your Majesty! I wish to follow the example of the ancient sages and abdicate the throne to Your Majesty... so that the world may be at peace and the people may be healthy. I hope Your Majesty... will prioritize the well-being of the nation and will not refuse!"

He read it very quickly, and before Xiao Yan could respond, he waved earnestly to Ding Zhaopu beside him.

Ding Zhaopu dared not delay, and hurriedly presented a scroll of bright yellow imperial edict, reading it aloud in a trembling voice. It was nothing more than a self-admission of his own lack of virtue, praise for the Prince of Qin, and a declaration of his willingness to abdicate. He was both excited and nervous, but fortunately, his pace remained relatively steady, allowing everyone inside and outside the hall to hear him as clearly as possible. Xiao Yan stood quietly, his face calm. All eyes in the hall were focused on him, some earnest, some excited, some awestruck… yet all were completely silent.

Xiao Yan remained silent, his gaze sweeping over every face in the hall, from the excited ministers to the awe-inspiring envoy from the barbarian kingdom, and finally to the terrified Zhu Youzhen on the throne.

Only then did he slowly speak, saying with emotion: "When I first raised my army, I only wanted to restore order to the world and save the people from suffering. I never coveted the divine weapon. With the rise of regional warlords and the chaos in the world, I had no choice but to take up my sword and sweep away the heroes, all for the sake of restoring peace to the world."

His gaze swept over the assembled officials, and he shook his head: "Now, although the Emperor is willing to abdicate, I am of meager virtue and fear I will fail the hopes of the people. Moreover, the south of the Yangtze River is not yet pacified, a false emperor has usurped the throne, and the world is not yet unified. How dare I sit securely on the throne?"

This was the third time Yelü Yaoguang had declined the offer. The atmosphere in the hall grew increasingly heavy, and the bewildered chieftains of the grasslands became even more confused. Even Yelü Yaoguang, who knew some of the history of the Central Plains, was somewhat stunned amidst the turmoil in his heart.

Han Yanhui, however, immediately led his men to kowtow again, his words even more earnest, explaining the state of the nation, the will of the people, and the legacy of their ancestors, until he was almost in tears:

“If Your Highness does not assume the throne, the world will be without a ruler, the people will be filled with fear, and war may break out again! We are not speaking for Your Highness alone, but for all the people of the world! We humbly beseech Your Highness to consider our advice!”

The assembled officials descended in unison once more: "We humbly request Your Highness's consideration!"

The steppe delegation dared not delay and immediately prostrated themselves in kowtow.

Xiao Yan looked at the officials kneeling all over the ground and remained silent for a long time. The hall was so quiet that you could hear each other breathing.

Finally, Xiao Yan sighed deeply: "Gentlemen...why force me like this?"

After a moment, he pressed his hand to his belt, looked around, and said loudly, "So be it! Heaven's mandate is vast, and the people's hearts are earnest. Beset by internal and external troubles, all have placed their hopes on this throne. For the sake of the nation's stability, for the sake of the people's well-being, and for the sake of continuing the legitimate line of the Li Tang dynasty, I dare not refuse any longer. This heavy responsibility for the future, for the sake of all living beings, I... will take it on!"

"Long live my emperor! Long live! Long live!"

In an instant, led by Han Yanhui and Jing Xiang, all the civil and military officials, along with the foreign envoys and even the eunuchs and palace maids beside the throne, knelt down in unison. Shouts of "Long live the Emperor!" swept through the entire Jiao Lan Palace like a tsunami, spreading even beyond the palace walls. Countless armored soldiers knelt down on one knee, their weapons standing like a forest, bowing their heads like the tide.

In an instant, civil and military officials kowtowed with excitement, and many veteran ministers were moved to tears. The steppe delegation also knelt down to offer their congratulations.

Zhu Youzhen also knelt down and bowed his head, letting out a long sigh as he banged his head on the ground, as if he had finally unloaded a heavy burden and was left feeling completely exhausted.

Xiao Yan stood calmly in the hall, his hand on his belt, accepting the worship of the crowd. He immediately ordered the Tian Ce Mansion, the Secretariat, and the Privy Council to jointly organize the enthronement ceremony, select an auspicious day, decide on a reign title, and announce it to the world.

The court assembly quickly dispersed, and Zhu Youzhen was temporarily placed in his former palace. The fate of him and Zhu Wen and other members of the Zhu clan had not yet been discussed, so he simply went to wait for specific arrangements.

After accepting the repeated congratulations from the officials and the delegation, Xiao Yan set off to return to the Qin Prince's residence. Shuliduo was specially ordered to accompany him.

Whether she knew this was going to happen or not, Shuliduo changed into a dress that conformed to the etiquette of a noblewoman in the Central Plains, yet still retained the style of the northern desert.

In her demeanor, she deliberately restrained the ruthless decisiveness she had as the Empress Dowager of the Northern Desert, becoming dignified and proper, with lowered eyes and a submissive demeanor, yet she was not entirely timid. After all, the composure she had cultivated over the years could not be completely concealed.

The vermilion gates of the Qin Prince's Mansion were wide open, and the square in front of the gate was spotless.

Unexpectedly, the Empress herself, along with Ji Ruxue, Jiang Chen, Qian Wu, Yelü Zhiwu, Bago, Miao Chengtian, Li Cunren, and other women from the palace, were already waiting in front of the main gate.

Although the Empress was still in her postpartum confinement period, she had almost fully recovered. Dressed in a bright red palace gown with a fox fur coat for warmth, her phoenix eyes were calm, exuding an air of dignified grace befitting an empress. Ji Ruxue stood slightly behind her, her beautiful face showing gentleness mixed with a hint of barely perceptible tension. The other women stood in order behind her, their expressions varying—some curious, some scrutinizing, and some calm.

The imperial carriage came to a stop, and Xiao Yan stepped down first. His gaze swept over the crowd waiting in front of the gate, lingering for a moment on the Empress and Ji Ruxue. His brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, as if he was concerned about why the Empress had come out to greet him personally, but he ultimately said nothing more.

As he appeared, led by the Empress, all the women in front of the palace gates bowed in unison, their voices clear and melodious: "Welcome, Your Majesty..."

Xiao Yan couldn't help but chuckle, but he didn't say anything like "no need for formalities" as usual. He simply took two steps forward, naturally reaching out to support Xue'er and the Empress, and said gently, "It's windy, why bother coming out to wait?"

The Empress straightened up slightly at his gesture, a faint smile on her lips: "Now that Your Majesty has accepted the abdication and your title is established, some rules need to be set. It is only right that I personally welcome you."

Ji Ruxue also gently shook her head, indicating that it was alright.

At this moment, Shuliduo had already stepped down from the carriage. After Xiao Yan introduced her to the Empress and the others with a smile, she smiled and slowly stepped forward, stopping a few steps away from the Empress. Then, following the etiquette of the Central Plains, she gracefully performed a curtsy: "Shuliduo from the Northern Desert greets Your Majesty. May Your Majesty be in good health, and may His Highness the Crown Prince enjoy lasting blessings."

After bowing, Shuliduo did not immediately rise. Instead, she slightly raised her eyes to look at the Empress and continued, "Throughout our journey, the Central Plains have been prosperous and the people are grateful for Your Highness and Her Majesty's kindness. They all say that Her Majesty's benevolence is evident, and that she is a model for the world, truly a blessing to all people. Today, having seen your face, I know that these words are true. Shuliduo is filled with admiration and will certainly abide by her duties in the future, taking Her Majesty as her role model."

The Empress's phoenix eyes flickered slightly as she carefully examined Shuliduo for a moment. Seeing that she was beautiful yet dignified, with proper manners and respectful speech, she understood why Xiao Yan treated her differently.

But she simply raised her hand to support him gently, and then walked down to personally take Shuliduo's hand.

"Your Majesty has come from afar and must be tired from your journey. There's no need for such formalities; please rise and speak. I have heard of your contributions to stabilizing the situation for the King in the northern desert. From now on, we will be family in the same household, so there's no need for such politeness."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Shuliduo then stood up as instructed, letting the Empress hold her hand, her posture still humble and obedient.

Xiao Yan watched from the side and saw that the two had not had any disagreements at their first meeting and the atmosphere was quite harmonious. His brows relaxed, so he said, "Let's not stand here in the wind. Let's go inside and talk."

As he spoke, he naturally reached out and carefully protected Ji Ruxue's side, leading them to turn around and walk into the mansion.

The Empress held Shuliduo's hand and did not immediately let go, as if they were truly close sisters, and walked inside together. Shuliduo lagged slightly behind, her gaze turning to the surrendered officials and Qianwu and the others beside her.

The surrendered minister was very familiar with her. Upon seeing this, he merely smiled faintly with an ambiguous meaning, waved his fan, and gracefully followed Xiao Yan.

Qianwu, who was walking slightly behind, stepped forward at the opportune moment, gave Shuliduo a slight curtsy, and said with a gentle and proper smile: "I am Qianwu, and I will temporarily take charge of the miscellaneous affairs of the mansion. If Your Majesty needs anything, please feel free to give me your orders."

"Thank you for your trouble, Miss Qianwu." Shuliduo nodded politely in response, her gaze lingering for a moment on Qianwu and the women behind her, including Bago, which she could tell was of high status in the household.

Her gaze naturally drifted to Yelü Zhiwu, who stood quietly at the back of the crowd. Today, she was wearing a light-colored Central Plains-style ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), and when she saw Shuliduo looking at her, she merely tilted her head slightly.

Shuliduo paused almost imperceptibly, and the Empress, who was holding her hand, immediately noticed. The Empress then understandingly released her hand and said gently, "You and your daughter haven't seen each other for a long time, and you must have a lot to talk about. There are no matters to attend to in the palace at the moment, so why don't you go to a quiet place to chat?"

Shuliduo glanced gratefully at the Empress before nodding slightly to Yelü Zhiwu.

The Empress gestured for Qianwu to lead the way. Qianwu understood and stepped forward to Shuliduo, saying softly, "Your Majesty must be tired from your journey. Please follow me."

Shuliduo greeted the Empress and the others again before following Qianwu and Yelü Zhiwu toward an exquisite villa deep within the palace. Yelü Zhiwu naturally followed beside Shuliduo.

Passing through several moon gates, we were far removed from the hustle and bustle of the front hall.

Along the way, Yelü Zhiwu would occasionally whisper to her mother about the pavilions, waterside terraces, flowers, trees and shrubs they passed, her tone light and cheerful, clearly indicating that she was quite familiar with the environment.

Shuliduo listened silently, carefully observing her daughter. After not seeing her for several months, her daughter's complexion had indeed changed a lot; the soil and water of the Central Plains seemed to be very nourishing.

Her innocent and carefree temperament remained unchanged, but her large, clear eyes seemed to have gained an indescribable, gentle radiance. Her clothing and hairstyle were now entirely in the style of a lady from the Central Plains. A ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) accentuated her snow-white skin, and the swaying of her hair ornaments added a touch of tranquility, making her originally overly extroverted shamanistic aura appear somewhat more restrained.

Upon arriving at the villa, Qianwu made sure the maids prepared hot tea and snacks, then tactfully withdrew, leaving the two of them alone.

The door closed softly, leaving only the two of them in the room. Shuliduo, holding her daughter's hand, sat down on the soft couch by the window, her gaze tracing her daughter's face inch by inch. A thousand words welled up in her throat, but ultimately condensed into a soft, complex call: "Zhiwu..."

"Mother?" Yelü Zhiwu sat obediently, blinking her big eyes.

"Is everything alright here... in this Prince Qin's residence? Is no one really bullying you? If you have suffered any grievances, be sure to tell your mother." Shuliduo's voice was very low.

Yelü Zhiwu thought about it seriously for a moment, then shook her head: "Well... it's all good. Everyone... has been very kind to me, really very kind." She paused, her fingers unconsciously twisting the tassels of her sash, "It's just that... there are more rules than on the grasslands, but I'm slowly getting used to it."

Seeing that her daughter's expression seemed genuine, Shuliduo felt somewhat relieved. She pondered for a moment, then her tone became even softer, as if she were asking casually, "Then... what about the King of Qin? He's so busy with state affairs, it must be difficult to see him, right? How... does he treat you?"

Yelü Zhiwu's eyes seemed to brighten. She tilted her head, as if trying to organize her thoughts: "He... is very busy. But recently he has been in the manor quite often, so I have seen him quite a few times. Sometimes he even has Qianwu take me out to the street. Mother, I feel... he is different from all the men we have met before."

"Oh? How is it different?" Shuliduo's heart skipped a beat, and she lowered her voice even further.

"Um……"

Yelü Zhiwu pondered deeply, his brows furrowing slightly. "The warriors in the royal court either stare at me like wolves because I am a shaman, an Aogu, or they kneel before me as if I were a goddess, also because I am a shaman. The tribal chiefs either want to use me or are afraid of me... all because I am a shaman. It's been like this since I was a child, and I don't think there's anything wrong with it. But he's different."

She stood up and walked around, as if recalling certain moments: "He looked at me... just at me. Not at a shaman, or anything else. His eyes were deep and bright, as if they could see through many things, yet they were also very... calm. When he spoke to me, it wasn't like he was talking to a goddess, nor was it like he was trying to win me over, it was just... very ordinary. He would ask me if I was used to the place, if I was used to the food, and even if the stars in the Central Plains were as bright as those on the grasslands..."

She paused, a faint blush rising to her cheeks, her voice softening further: "Once I tried to sense him with my shamanic powers... but it was like encountering a very deep and heavy mountain, like a boundless sea, warm but unfathomable. And, he seemed... to sense it immediately, but he wasn't angry, he just... seemed to find it very interesting."

Yelü Zhiwu turned to look at Shuliduo: "Mother, I can't explain it. But he's just different. He's different from all the men I've met, from Father, and from everyone in the grasslands and the Central Plains. It's like... it's like he's standing there, it's only natural, it's how it should be."

After saying that, she thought for a moment and said seriously, "He also said that he would definitely have a fair and square competition with me."

Shuliduo listened quietly. Aogu's words were simple, even somewhat incoherent, but the heartfelt, innocent yet intense feelings were like the clearest stream of water, presented to her without reservation.

As someone who has been through it all, how could she not understand the things behind this "difference" that even the person involved might not be fully aware of?
A mix of emotions welled up inside her. There was a sense of relief, a bittersweet feeling, and a deep, indescribable sense of loss.

Yelü Zhiwu is undoubtedly the new generation of goddess of the northern desert. She has been able to communicate with spirits since childhood, which is why she was able to follow the high priest to learn magic. Moreover, she surpassed her master and quickly acquired complex knowledge and supreme power.

It was precisely because of this that Shuridor was able to quickly establish the authority of the royal family and cultivate a group of loyal followers through religion. However, as a result, Aogu did not have a normal childhood, which led to her being too simple-minded and creating her somewhat naive and innocent personality.

Perhaps, under the prestigious title of the number one in the northern desert, this personality will never change.

But now that this pure and passionate emotion has been born, where will it ultimately lead? And in this vast and unfathomable Central Plains, beside that emperor whose mind is as boundless as the ocean, is it a blessing or a curse?

Looking into her daughter's eyes, still pure, yet now subtly reflecting the presence of others, a thousand words ultimately turned into a silent sigh. She reached out and gently embraced her daughter, stroking her hair, and whispered, "...If you are doing well, then your mother is at ease."

She could say nothing more, nor did she know where to begin. The trajectory of fate had already begun its unpredictable deflection the moment they set foot on the Central Plains, whether in the past or now.

Xiao Yan was unaware of the conversation between Shuliduo and Yelü Zhiwu. With the matter settled, Xiao Yan dined with everyone that evening. Halfway through the meal, he suddenly mentioned his upcoming short trip away from the capital for a few days.

The women were all somewhat surprised upon hearing the news. The Empress put down her silver chopsticks and asked with concern, "The enthronement ceremony is imminent, and there are many complicated matters. Although Lord Han and Lord Jing are handling the preparations, all the officials cannot do without you, my husband. What business do you have that requires you to leave the capital at this time?"

Xiao Yan smiled, walked to the window, and looked at the leaves in the courtyard outside the window that were beginning to turn yellow. His gaze became somewhat distant, as if he was remembering something from a long time ago, yet it seemed like it was just yesterday.

“There is one more promise,” he said slowly, his voice carrying a rare gentleness, “that has not been fulfilled.”

Hearing this, the women were curious, but seeing that he had no intention of elaborating, they did not press him further. Only Ji Ruxue, after a moment of stunned silence, suddenly chuckled, as if she knew what Xiao Yan was referring to.

(End of this chapter)