Chapter 781: Returning From The Border
The threat that had been looming over Xin for so many years was now no longer there. It was slightly hard to believe.
However, it was true.
Their soldiers have done it.
One had to know that now including the enemy area in Xin territory, Xin was bigger than before. The thing that was most to be benefitted was that the enemy Empire didn't touch the neighboring Empire. There was a long river and then hills between the two Empires which reduced the threat of war or danger to a great extinct and the relations between that Empire and Xin were already good.
Hence, there was now no need to keep so many soldiers on the border continuously. They could keep some but the danger was visibly less.
In the Xi Manor, since the day his child had kicked, Xi Ying would always place his hand on his wife's stomach whenever he was beside her.
The child would always kick whenever it would feel his presence.
The realization filled his heart with joy. He couldn't wait for the child to come out. He never expressed it in front of his wife but a large part of his heart wished that it would be a daughter.
He wanted a daughter who looked like his wife.
He wanted to witness Rui's childhood somehow and that is the only way he could think of. However, he also didn't want Li Rui to think much about it so he never expressed his wish in front of her.
Even if she gave him a boy, it would be their son.
He could always manage one more brat.
.
.
.
In Yi and Li Manor, everyone was also waiting for the people to return while in the Imperial Palace, Zhao Zhang Wei felt that things were much better between him and Yi Huiqing since the day she had collapsed suddenly.
Yi Huiqing was surprised the next day when she woke up early to get ready for the training and Lin Daiyu informed her that she didn't need to do so anymore.
It was then Lin Daiyu told her mistress that the Emperor had dismissed the old Momo and especially ordered them not to disturb the Empress in any way.
Yi Huiqing was shocked.
Getting trained by the Old Momo after becoming an Empress was a norm that no one had dared not to follow in the past.
How could she do it!
Although she didn't like the training, she knew that life in the palace might become hard for her if she didn't follow the norm. And now, Yi Huiqing wanted to live a peaceful life forgetting her past and having the hope for a peaceful future.
She couldn't go to see the old Momo now since Zhao Zhang Wei himself had ordered otherwise. If she did then she would be going against the Emperor's order.
Hence, she could only talk to him regarding this matter when they were having breakfast.
"Your Majesty, this one got to know that Your Majesty doesn't wish that this one gets training from the old Momo."
In front of her question, Zhao Zhang Wei's eyes narrowed for a moment and he looked at his wife as he said
"Yes."
Yi Huiqing waited for him to say more but when he didn't she sighed and spoke again
"Your Majesty, that might make the ministers in the Imperial Court unhappy. Why doesn't Your Majesty.."
"Is that why you didn't tell me anything?"
Yi Huiqing who was interrupted by him looked at him with a somewhat startled expression on her face.
Seeing her not responding to his question at all, Zhao Zhang Wei smiled bitterly and said
"Qingqing, did you not realize that they were bullying you intentionally?"
She did actually.
She knew from day one that the old Momo looked down on her. She might be from a noble family but her background was nothing like the background that the previous Empress had.
Or perhaps it was the previous Empress' actions that made the old Momo very disappointed.
And that's why the old Momo was very strict with her and always reminded her that she was ought to bow her head in front of her husband because he was the Emperor of the nation.
She didn't know which one of them was that the old Momo felt but she could feel her contempt for herself.
However, she didn't complain.
Because she didn't know who could back her up. Was there anyone in this Imperial Palace who could back her up? If she made a fuss, then she might be blamed by the ministers in the Imperial Court.
Now that she was the Empress she had to be careful with her each and every action.
Now looking at Zhao Zhang Wei's calm face on which she could easily see the displeasure, Yi Huiqing felt that perhaps she was wrong.
Perhaps..
"Qingqing, you don't need to get any training."
She heard his words and came out of her trance.
Zhao Zhang Wei smiled and put his hand on hers that was placed on the table. She unconsciously wanted to pull her hand back but resisted.
"My Empress doesn't need to bow her head in front of anyone."
When he said these words, his eyes never moved away from her eyes and she didn't know why but her heart felt slightly warm after hearing those words. historical
Was he this caring because he also wanted to a harmonious relationship between them?
Is not that so?
Yi Huiqing thought that she could also corporate if Zhao Zhang Wei wanted that. That would give both of them peace. Perhaps in the past she always wanted more and hence in the end, all she got was hurt.
Now she didn't want more and she felt at peace with this much.
So she nodded her head and said
"This one will follow Your Majesty's words."
Zhao Zhang Wei felt satisfied hearing her words. He was especially pleased when he saw that she didn't resist his touch.
He didn't wish to leave the hand but knew that she had to have her breakfast. Reluctantly, he could only loosen his hold.
Both of them silently had their breakfast but this time, Zhao Zhang Wei found this silence precious because Yi Huiqing was by his side.
He thought as long as he worked hard he could mend everything.
On the other hand, inside her new courtyard, Shaolin was burning in envy after every night when her maidservant informed her that the Emperor again went to Empress' chambers.
She couldn't even think straight after last night and hence she devised a plan. A plan that she decided to implement in a few days.
The next morning, General Li with others returned from the border.
The Imperial City was crowded as people came out of their houses and looked at the soldiers and General Li walking on the road and going to the Imperial Palace.
They cheered loudly for Li Clan.
When General Li entered the Imperial Court, Zhao Zhang Wei praised him very much.
Afterward, he also remembered what the soldier had told him and said
"General Li, Zhen wants to see Li Chen, Li Diu, and Yi Lei."
The ministers were not aware as to why the Emperor was suddenly calling these two but when the two entered the Imperial Court, everyone was slightly shocked.
Yi Lei did have a scar when he left back then. However, his scar was very light now. It could not be seen at all unless one would stand close to him. It could be said that the scar would perhaps disappear in the coming days.
This shocked those who remembered that he had a scar.
On the other hand, the second young master of Li Clan who had a very much fair face before now had a deep scar on his face.
Li Chen's face was emotionless as he walked to the center of the Imperial Court with Yi Lei and then bowed his head.
"Soldier Yi Lei, Soldier Li Diu, and Soldier Li Chen had shown great courage during the difficult times of the Empire. The three entered the enemy Empire fearlessly and directly captured the Emperor of the enemy Empire alive. For such a courageous act, Zhen grants the three the title of commander in the Army."
The ministers were surprised to hear the Emperor's words but immediately praised the three.
General Li looked proud as he looked at the three while the three immediately kneeled down and thanked the Emperor.
The news soon spread in the Empire.
The bravery of the three increased people's trust in Li Clan. Yi Clan was not less praised by everyone.
However, it was only Li Rong who was not happy when she heard this.
Because she didn't hear this only.
She also came to know that her son now had a deep scar on her face. The scar could only come if he had been in a dangerous situation.
The thought increased her resentment toward the second household and she suddenly wished that her son would withdraw from the army.
And that was she proposed to her husband when he came back.