Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

They did not linger in the border city for long. The next day, Jia Lian accompanied Princess Zhaoyang on a leisurely stroll in Wutuo City for half a day. After a short rest at noon, he led his men to head towards Ganning Pass.

Meanwhile, his memorial to the court reporting that Princess Zhaoyang was safe was sent back to the capital at a speed much faster than he could walk.

Daming Palace, Southern Study.

When Emperor Ningkang received Jia Lian's urgent memorial, he slapped his desk and burst into hearty laughter.

The palace eunuchs serving nearby couldn't help but smile at Emperor Ningkang's reaction.

It has been almost two months since the Oirat prince rebelled, and I have never seen Your Majesty so happy.

The smarter ones had already guessed what was going on, but being of lowly status, they dared not make a move.

Dai Quan, however, was bolder. He stepped forward with a smile and asked, "What makes Your Majesty so happy? Why don't you tell us so that we servants can share in the joy?"

As a close attendant to the emperor, the most important skill is to observe people's words and expressions, followed by assessing the situation.

Knowing when to do what, when not to do what, and when to do what, and when not to do what, is essential for standing tall and sitting firmly.

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Having served Emperor Ningkang for decades, Dai Quan had a very clear understanding of the emperor's temperament and was very good at catering to him. Otherwise, he could not have become the Grand Eunuch of the Daming Palace and was respectfully called "Inner Minister" by people inside and outside the palace.

As expected, Emperor Ningkang, eager to express his joy, frankly said, "Jia Lian just sent word that he has returned to Han territory from the desert and successfully rescued the princess. He is currently escorting her towards Ganning Pass."

Upon hearing this, Dai Quan was overjoyed: "So, Her Highness the Princess will be returning safely soon? Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Majesty! This is truly a cause for celebration..."

Perhaps because Dai Quan's reaction was a bit exaggerated, Emperor Ningkang couldn't help but glance at him.

I didn't hold it against him.

No one knows how anxious he, the emperor, has been for the past month or so.

The mighty Celestial Empire was actually outmaneuvered by a prince of a vassal state!

If it weren't for the marriage alliance, he could have sat majestically on the dragon throne and reprimanded all the civil and military officials to demonstrate his imperial authority.

However, since his daughter was involved, he couldn't escape responsibility no matter what. After all, who would dare send his daughter to a marriage alliance without his approval?

Not to mention, Princess Zhaoyang was the Empress Dowager's darling and even her emotional support.

As a result, during this period, he not only had to try every means to quell the unfavorable opinions between the court and the public, but also had to face the Empress Dowager's deep and indifferent gaze every time he went to Weiyang Palace to pay his respects.

Although Wu Shiwei and others from Ganning Pass had previously submitted a memorial stating that the princess might be alright, no one dared to give him a definite answer.

And as time went on, even he began to think that something had probably happened to Jia Lian and Princess Zhaoyang.

He had even prepared for what methods he would use to safely bring his daughter back should Princess Zhaoyang fall into the hands of the Oirats or Tatars. Or, any other method that could minimize the negative impact on the Great Wei court.

Under these circumstances, Jia Lian suddenly sent back a message saying that he had safely brought the princess back...

What could be more gratifying news for him than this?

If the princess, and even Jia Lian, return safely this time, then frankly speaking, what does this incident amount to for the Great Wei court? It's just the death of a thousand or so officials, soldiers, and servants who were sent as envoys to the Oirat Mongols!

In fact, the enemy suffered far more casualties. By this logic, the court not only didn't lose face, but could even portray this event as a boost to national prestige and military might!

When it comes to such major policies, Emperor Ningkang knew that one person's plan was limited while two people's was superior. Therefore, he ordered that the four pillars of the court—the Grand Secretaries—be invited together to discuss good strategies.

After a discussion between the emperor and his ministers, and with the assignments being distributed, Emperor Ningkang was in an even more cheerful mood.

With a slight outstretched arm, Dai Quan, who was waiting beside him, immediately stepped forward, gently patted his shoulder, and said with a smile, "Once Her Highness the Princess returns to the capital safely, His Majesty will be able to give an account to the Empress Dowager."

"Hehehe, speaking of which, General Jia is truly a worthy general of His Majesty. He has rendered a great service to His Majesty this time."

Dai Quan had secret connections with many powerful figures in the capital. Although these were merely relationships based on mutual benefit and exploitation, they still constituted connections.

Among them, the Jia family, a once powerful and prestigious family, was naturally someone he wanted to curry favor with.

Although the situation had reversed many years ago, with the Jia family constantly trying to curry favor with him, this good relationship had never truly ended.

Not to mention, now that the Jia family has produced a concubine and a young official who has caught the emperor's eye, their future prospects are limitless, so he naturally has to reassess the Jia family's status.

Moreover, Jia Lian had been very polite to him when he was in the capital.

He could tell that Jia Lian also wanted to befriend him. Therefore, he was naturally even more willing to help Jia Lian.

However, given his special position, he didn't dare to openly include his own agenda; he simply mentioned it casually and reasonably.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Ningkang immediately turned his attention to Jia Lian.

He knew, of course, that the primary credit for the survival of the mission and even the restoration of much of the court's dignity would belong to Jia Lian.

Even Emperor Ningkang knew that Jia Lian had lived up to his high expectations this time, and it was no exaggeration to say that he had made a significant contribution.

Otherwise, even if he wanted to divert the attention of the literati, he wouldn't have allowed people to fabricate Jia Lian's heroic deeds and spread them throughout the entire Great Wei!

This can be said to have given Jia Lian extremely high prestige.

He even remembered that when news of Jia Lian leading troops to rescue Princess Zhaoyang returned, he had secretly thought to himself:

If Jia Lian can safely rescue Princess Zhaoyang, he will reward him handsomely.

Unexpectedly, Jia Lian actually did it.

As an emperor, rewarding and punishing are fundamental skills that one must learn from childhood to old age.

Almost the instant he received Jia Lian's message, he thought of several ways to reward Jia Lian.

Looking back now, however, many of those things were indeed not quite right...

"Dai Quan, tell me, what is the proper way for me to reward Jia Lian after his return?"

Emperor Ningkang's sudden question made Dai Quan realize even more that Jia Lian had probably truly caught the emperor's eye.

But he still smiled and said, "This servant is foolish and dares not speak recklessly, lest His Majesty laugh at me."

However, this old servant just overheard a Grand Secretary mention that it was because General Jia killed the Oirat prince that the Oirat were delaying the alliance treaty. Now that I think about it, they probably already have rebellious intentions...

Judging from the tone of these elders, it seems they intend to punish General Jia. This humble servant is dull and confused; I cannot understand.

"Hmph, those old fogies don't genuinely want to punish Jia Lian; it's just that whenever I want to promote someone, they subconsciously try to obstruct it. It's as if they're afraid my people will replace them, these old ministers!"

As Emperor Ningkang spoke, a hint of mockery and helplessness flashed in his eyes.

Upon hearing this, Dai Quan dared not answer the question.

However, he also indirectly reminded Emperor Ningkang.

If this time, due to some other concerns, Jia Lian is suppressed, then we have truly fallen into the trap set by those old guys.

When I try to argue with these old folks, they always try to pressure me with their righteousness and ancestral rules.

Now that someone has a legitimate reason to promote me, how can I be timid and hesitant?

They thwarted the thieves' plot, won two battles head-on, and even rescued the princess. Such merit deserves no reward whatsoever!

Even if those old folks still have something to say, at worst they can just bring up the Empress Dowager.

Emperor Ningkang also recalled that Jia Lian had once unexpectedly saved the Empress Dowager's life, and the Empress Dowager had ordered him to reward Jia Lian, but he declined, saying that Jia Lian was not qualified enough.

Now, it can be used as a pretext.

This would both silence the ministers and please the Empress Dowager.

However, although he was certain that external forces could not interfere with him this time, he still had some concerns in his heart.

Jia Lian is still young, and although he performed well this time, his future remains uncertain...

He had finally found a promising talent, and he didn't want to force him to grow too quickly.

After pondering this over and over, Emperor Ningkang suddenly flicked his dragon sleeve.

As the emperor of a country, why should I hesitate to select a minister I like to serve me?

If someone lacks qualifications and experience, just give them a chance to gain experience!

Jia Lian, Jia Lian, I'm giving you this opportunity, I hope you won't disappoint me too much.

Seeing that Emperor Ningkang had already made up his mind, Dai Quan did not dare to interfere any further. After Emperor Ningkang buried himself in his documents again, Dai Quan bowed and withdrew.

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