Chapter 159 Part 2

 

On the same day, a celebration ceremony was held in the newly completed Zhenguo Tower.

The emperor was not present. All ceremonies were carried out by the crown prince Li Hui.

In front of the Zhenguo Tower, all civil and military officials were assembled in their appointed ranks. Envoys from many foreign kingdoms—Xifan, Bohai, Linyi, Zhenla, Cao, An, and more—stood solemnly among the crowd, alongside renowned scholars and figures from across the realm, numbering in the thousands. Each stood in silence at their place, awaiting the arrival of the auspicious hour.

“Dang—” “Dang—”

Amid the sudden sound of a great bell from the roof of the Zhenguo Tower, the great hall door slowly opened. One after another, the assembled guests entered. And then, the rumored mural was unveiled before everyone’s eyes. In the painting, a world forged by both gods and men loomed from above. It descended upon the mortal realm in majestic grandeur—as if real, yet also seemingly illusory. All who beheld it were shocked by its incomparable momentum. Their senses reeled, hearts surged. In that moment, there was nothing more they could do—nothing more they wished to do—but offer reverent awe and submission. Willingly, they bowed before the great imperial city, ceaselessly watched over by the favor of the gods.

After a breath-taking silence, an unknown white-haired scholar suddenly burst into tears: “It’s truly it! The verdant mountains endure, and Chang’an still stands! I never imagined I would live to see its return with my own eyes! I could die without regret!”

Amid his weeping, he fell prostrate before the mural in worship. One by one, the crowd followed suit, bowing together toward the vacant high seat at the center beneath the great painting.

As elegant court music began to play softly in the background, the Crown Prince Li Hui appeared accompanied by the Grand Chancellor and Grand Tutor, Pei Ji. After leading all present in another solemn bow to the vacant seat beneath the painting, he took his place at the secondary seat set to the side.

The ceremonial officer began to announce the conferred titles.

Linghu Gong, having long endured hardship on the frontier and rendered distinguished service in this campaign, was promoted to Guanglu Grand Master and appointed as the Minister of War. From this day forth, he would take up his post at court.

Xue Mian, Duke of Song, was awarded the title of General of the Auxiliary State in recognition of his merits.

Yuwen Zhi, hailing from a hereditary princely lineage and loyal to the orthodox court, was formally conferred the title of County Prince Xiping, appointed Governor of Shuzhou, and Grand General of the Zuowu Guard.

He Du was appointed King of Xifan and Grand General Wei Guard.

Lan Tai was awarded the title of General Zhongwu for his contribution in helping to quell the rebellion in the southwest.

The rest, aside from countless ordinary soldiers who received rewards, hundreds of others, because of their outstanding contributions, were also honored with titles, such as being appointed as officials or being granted nobility.

In this celebration held in Zhenguo Tower, every announcement was promptly reported by the ceremonial officer to the victorious soldiers outside to boast of their merits. Naturally, countless Chang’an citizens gathered near the Kaiyuan Gate. When many people from the West Market heard that Gu Twelve was awarded the title of Sixth Rank Zhaowu Commander and appointed Jinwu Officer for his merits, they erupted in cheer, everyone was in high spirits, sharing in his glory.

This celebration lasted until dusk.

All those who have made contributions would be rewarded.

Before the final palace banquet began, everyone thought that the emperor had another important decree to issue.

This was a special decree that came twenty years overdue.

Today, it would be the best opportunity for the emperor to issue it on this occasion.

In the beginning, the wrongful condemnation of the fallen heroes was a matter understood by all, though spoken by none. Now, so long as the court could present to the world a noble and unassailable justification, and restore to those martyrs the honor that was rightfully theirs, then in the annals written after the emperor’s time, the historians would not only record his military achievement in quelling the chaos and restoring the country, but also extol him for the virtue of self-reflection and the wisdom to correct his past errors—virtues worthy of placing him among the ranks of a wise ruler.

In the Zhenguo Tower, the court historian sat solemn and upright at the side, brush dipped in ink, listening intently, preparing to inscribe the final decree of the day. But unexpectedly, the Minister of Rites held no further edicts in hand. He turned toward the Crown Prince seated above and respectfully invited him to speak.

Li Hui hesitated and looked at Pei Ji.

Pei Ji looked calm and nodded slightly to him.

Li Hui paused, suppressed his doubts, and announced the start of the banquet.

Many people were caught off guard by the fact that the most important event of the ceremony would end in this way.

Among the officials, some old ministers who had witnessed the events of the two dynasties, such as Zheng Song, all looked disappointed.

Not only that — with the recent victory and the widespread fame of Pei Xiaoyuan, he had garnered immense support among the border troops. In Chang’an, the long-buried stories of the Shenhu Army resurfaced and once again became the subject of lively discussion in the markets and streets.

In taverns and teahouses, whenever the tale of the Shenhu General and the eight hundred martyrs who fought to the death at Beiyuan was recounted, it moved all who listened. And when people spoke of Lady Cui, who brought her son to plead for her late husband’s comrades, there was not a dry eye to be found. Hearing that the families and descendants of the Shenhu Army lived in the orchard lane, many enthusiastic people rushed to visit them and gave them money and gifts. Many frontier poems praising the heroism of the fallen had even made their way into Pingkang Lane, becoming the most popular new trend among guests. Singing girls competed to compose melodies for these poems, their zithers and lutes echoing day and night through the flower-lantern alleys — producing a bold, resonant sound like swords unsheathed.

Outside the Zhenguo Tower, the victorious soldiers looked at each other in bewilderment. He Jin, Chen Shao, Gu Twelve and many others, although they were promoted because of this war, did not expect that the emperor was still unwilling to redress the injustice of the Shenhu Army. In such a moment, who among them had any heart left to celebrate?

The people from the orchard lane, who had changed into fresh garments and made a special trip here today, waited in vain for the news they longed to hear. When it did not come, they quietly lowered their heads and departed. The surrounding crowd made way for them, offering silent sympathy as they passed.

The dignity of the monarch permits no blemish.

In the end, for the sake of his reputation, the emperor was ultimately unwilling to admit in front of the world that he had made a mistake in the past.

What else one could do about this except sigh?

Night fell again.

This disappointing episode during the day did not affect the festive mood of the following night in Chang’an.

Starting today, the curfew in Chang’an was lifted. The people would have three days of revelry. The whole city was decorated with lanterns and colorful lights, and the lane gates were open to each other. The East and West Markets and the nearby prosperous areas were crowded with people, with peddlers carrying loads selling all kinds of goods, and families strolling at night, filling the streets with laughter and joy.

Xuyu and Pei Xiaoyuan returned to Yongning Mansion, where they had not lived for a long time. After dinner, they let Qingtou, who had been unable to contain himself, and a group of male servants and maids go out to play freely. The two of them chose to not go anywhere. After closing the door, she sorted out letters by the silver lamp in the room, while Pei Xiaoyuan lay on his back on the bed, playing with Xiao Hu’er.

Most of the piled-up letters were ordinary greetings from the many ladies in Chang’an, which did not require a reply. There was only one letter, from Li Wanwan, which mentioned Lu Wenjun in addition to greeting her and wishing her a good spring.

After receiving careful treatment from the imperial physicians, she had finally begun to recover her memory. She recalled her identity, her parents, and her friends — all except for that heartless barbarian. She had completely forgotten, not remembering a single thing about him. The grand princess was completely relieved and overjoyed.

Perhaps it was the passing of another year, but the young lady seemed to carry more thoughts in her heart now. Li Wanwan sighed and said that she envied Wenjun very much. She laughed every day and was more carefree than before. She also asked Xuyu when she might be free, hoping to catch the last days of spring to arrange an outing with Wenjun.

After reading her letter, Xuyu picked up her brush to write a reply, occasionally glancing at the father and son nearby.

Xiao Hu’er was growing faster and stronger every day. His tiny fingers gripped the middle fingers of both of Pei Xiaoyuan’s hands. No matter how much Pei raised his arms, the child clung on tightly, dangling midair, kicking his legs and laughing gleefully.

Pei Xiaoyuan lifted him higher and higher, and finally, he even made Xiao Hu’er swing back and forth, as if playing on a swing. Xiao Hu’er kicked his legs harder and harder, and the laughter grew louder.

Xuyu was already distracted tonight, and couldn’t bear to watch any longer. She was afraid that Xiao Hu’er might fall and get hurt, so she put down her brush and walked towards them. Pei Xiaoyuan smiled, and before she could speak to stop him, he grabbed his son’s little fist in his hand, and placed it firmly on the inside of the bed, letting him crawl and play by himself.

Then, he extended out his other arm, grabbed her hand that was in front of the bed, and with a gentle pull, she fell beside him.

“Don’t worry, I’ve got it under control. Xiao Hu’er is very strong. Once he grabs my fingers, it’s hard to get it back.” His tone was casual, his gaze warm as he watched their son crawling around on the far side of him. Xiao Hu’er babbled nonstop, clearly eager to continue the dangerous game he and his father had just been playing.

Xuyu slowly lowered her gaze to his face.

“My dear…”

Finally, she called out to him.

As for when the court would rehabilitate the Shenhu Army, the emperor had nothing more to say except for his earlier statement that he would give an explanation.

But Xuyu understood the emperor’s intention very early on.

She knew that by now, Pei Xiaoyuan must surely understand as well.

It had been so long. By today, he likely no longer held much resentment over it.

But in her heart, she still felt deeply sorry.

“Today……”

She started to speak, but he turned to her and kissed her lips, silencing her.

“It has nothing to do with you. Hao’er, you don’t have to feel guilty.”

After kissing her for a while, he released her lips and spoke soothingly.

Xuyu’s eyelashes trembled slightly. She raised her eyes and met his gaze.

“My uncle came to see me today and said a few things. He was probably afraid that I wouldn’t understand. In fact, even if he didn’t say it, I would have guessed it a long time ago…”

He paused.

“Hao’er, your father is truly a ruthless person. Whether toward others, or toward himself, he always strikes without hesitation. He doesn’t care how others resent him, nor what name he leaves behind after death…”

Xuyu was silent.

He turned around and glanced at his son who was making noises beside him.

Just now, in order to stop him from crawling around and disturbing their kiss, he pressed his free hand against his son’s back.

Xiao Hu’er was pinned firmly to the bed by his father’s large hand, face down like a tiny turtle. He was straining with all his might to lift his head and body, limbs flailing in protest. But with a mountain pressing on his back, how could he possibly break free? His little face turned beet red with the effort, and he was so frustrated, looking on the verge of tears.

“Don’t think about it anymore. Tonight, Qingtou and the others are going out to play. Do you want to go too? How about we take Xiao Hu’er along and go out for a stroll together?”

Xuyu hummed. He smiled, let go of his struggling son, picked him up with one arm, lifted her up with the other arm, and turned over and sat up.

Just as they were about to tidy up and go out, they heard Yang Zai’en’s voice reporting from outside the door.

“Princess, Prince Consort, His Majesty has just sent a message asking you two to enter the palace.”

The two looked at each other, and then heard Yang Zai’en added:

“His Majesty also ordered that the young master be taken along as well.”

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