In the past, how elegant was Yu Lang, deeply trusted by the Crown Prince, and also the legitimate son of the Dingbei Marquis Mansion, even if he was as unromantic as a piece of wood, he was once the dream of maidens.
Now...
Marquis Wuding sighed quietly in his heart.
The legitimate bloodline of the Gu Family is afraid to come to an end, and Gu Lao Liu is useless, unable to support the family, even a declining household like the Xu family dares to look down on him.
Is the Emperor now using Gu Jinghui to make the most of what he has, or does he feel guilty for the Gu Family because there’s no one to succeed for the Da Xing Kingdom?
That’s really hard to say.
His mind was spinning endlessly, but his face remained full of admiration. He turned his head to the crowd, laughingly praising, "If we talk about the best in archery today, it must be the Dingbei Marquis, right?"
The crowd responded in unison: "Indeed!"
King Tushan sneered slightly; if even the War God is not the best in archery, then who is?
Could Da Xing produce another master archer like Yang Youji?
Ha-ha...
He always refrained from competing with these brute warriors, knowing he couldn’t win, so he went along with the crowd, randomly shooting a few arrows, and then looked around casually – he wasn’t wrong, if King Jin doesn’t make an appearance now, he’ll be too late.
As for the ordinary soldiers’ archery, the Emperor has little interest.
King Tushan couldn’t relax, waiting anxiously until the grand review was about to conclude, then yawns subtly spread among the crowd on Huying Platform. Suddenly, a bright red glow rose over the Imperial City, coloring the dark blue night with an eerie bright red, and even the tall imposing city walls couldn’t overshadow it, the whole city of fire trees and silver flowers appeared insignificant.
"What is that?" King Tushan’s voice was filled with delight: "Could it be that King Jin’s delayed arrival... was because he was preparing this in the city to celebrate Imperial Grandmother’s birthday?"
Living in the cracks for too long, the ingenious tactics were always effortlessly available.
Though he couldn’t steal the spotlight, he could deliver good news.
Who doesn’t like a magpie that brings good news?
Looking at Prince Qi, who seemed untainted by earthly dust, King Tushan felt a secret sense of pride.
This kind of thing, born noble Prince Qi would never think of.
It’s undeniable that mice have their own way, cats have their own path.
The Empress Dowager, who had been dozing off, suddenly opened her eyes and craned her neck with a smile of delight: "Didn’t expect this child to be so considerate."
Empress Lin glanced at the Crown Prince, who sat beside the Emperor, struggling to maintain composure despite his illness, and she smiled flatteringly: "Indeed, after waiting so long, it shows grandiosity."
The Emperor also perked up, gazed towards the Imperial City, and laughed: "What trick is this child up to? Want us to see something strange at Huying Platform? Is it to release Kongming lanterns to celebrate a birthday?"
The civil servants answered: "Emperor, you’re wise, looking at the Imperial City nightscape from Huying Platform, Kongming lanterns would be splendid, no matter how ingenious King Jin is, he can’t surpass the Emperor."
The Emperor laughed heartily: "After all, I am his father, isn’t it said that ginger is spicier when old?"
The crowd eagerly anticipated the spectacle that would follow the red glow.
Only Prince Qi frowned slightly.
King Tushan quietly nudged him, whispered: "What’s wrong with you? Aren’t you curious what King Jin is up to?"
Prince Qi rolled his eyes: "You really think he did this? If it were him, someone would have reported it to the front long ago."
King Tushan was suddenly startled, staring at Prince Qi with wide eyes.
"Indeed... considering his ways... then, what could it be?"
If it truly were as Prince Qi predicted, it would be a terrible misfortune.
King Tushan, weighed down by concerns, nearly concealed his entire body in shadow.
Marquis Wuding and others pulled their horses to a stop, gazing at the dazzling red glow, their hearts filled with uncertainty. As the Minister of Military Affairs, he knew every arrangement of the grand review. When he saw the red glow over the Imperial City, he immediately shifted his gaze to the distant Minister of War.
Marquis Wuding: ?
Minister of War: ...
Abandoning the staring contest with the Minister of War, Marquis Wuding searched for Marquis Gu’s figure, but couldn’t find it.
At this moment, Marquis Gu had long retreated into the formation, hidden among a group of red-clad young men, like a mud ox entering the sea.
After deliberation, Marquis Wuding rode forward with a solemn expression: "Report to the Emperor, Empress Dowager, the Imperial City is far from here, if we can see the red glow enveloping the sky, it must be a massive fire. I believe there might be other intentions."
The civil servants surrounding the imperial steps were all busy racking their brains to flatter, only upon hearing this did they come to realize.
"To see it from so far, it must be a massive fire..."
"Not less than a mile..."
"Don’t speak recklessly, the Imperial City is worth gold at every inch, where would one find such a large open space."
"This..."
Could it be that King Jin torched a mile of dwellings?
Cold sweats ran down everyone’s backs.
The Emperor’s expression slightly changed, not wanting to say anything ominous during the Empress Dowager’s birthday, merely asked: "What’s going on? Men, quickly send someone to investigate."
The Empress Dowager retracted her smile, her brows dropped, and the well-maintained face lost its usual joyful and harmonious appearance.
Sitting behind the stage, Qin Yuan, who made some guesses, also turned to seek Marquis Gu’s figure. At that moment, a warm hand reached over, holding the hand she placed on her knee. Qin Yuan drew back her gaze, turning slightly to obediently smile at Old Madam Gu beside her: "Mother, are you feeling cold?"
Old Madam Gu quietly said: "Something’s amiss tonight, we mother and daughter should be careful."
Qin Yuan nodded.
Old Madam Gu added: "Old Third is here, you don’t need to be too afraid, otherwise what’s the point of them being men?"
Qin Yuan gave a gentle smile, obediently responded: "Mother, I understand."
Old Madam Gu gently stroked Qin Yuan’s delicate slender hand twice, let out a long breath: "Mother knows you’re a smart child, much smarter than Old Third. But no matter how smart, you’re still a child, mothers always wish for the young ones to be safe and sound. Mother’s not saying anything about that rascal Old Third, he’s tough. You’re a lovely and delicate girl, don’t learn from him."
Qin Yuan focused and looked at Old Madam Gu, suspecting for a moment that her mother-in-law knew something, but facing Old Madam Gu’s affectionate gaze, she dismissed the thought.
Taking advantage of the crowd’s distraction, Qin Yuan leaned lightly against Old Madam Gu’s shoulder, whispering coquettishly: "Mother loves me so much, I don’t know how many lifetimes I’ve earned this blessing."
Old Madam Gu smiled even more lovingly.
Yelv Guza, dressed in Yelv Clan attire, withdrew his gaze from Qin Yuan and her mother-in-law, shook his head full of disheveled hair, and suppressed the surging malice in his heart, stood up, bowed deeply, and earnestly said: "Esteemed Emperor, the wise and courageous Daxing Emperor, please permit your most loyal subject Yelv Guza to speak sincerely, if such a fire occurred in Northern Border, surely something significant has happened to the clan, or foreign enemies invade, war is imminent."
Pausing, he added: "The brave and battle-hardened Dingbei Marquis would surely agree with Yelv Guza’s words."