jdhmnovel Chapter 369 A Move Made Many Years Ago
Chapter 369 A Move Made Many Years Ago
Yingyang settled down at the Prince Xian's residence and behaved himself for several days. However, just in case, Zhao Xuan immediately sent Shishu to follow Yingyang closely whenever he went out.
According to Shi Shu's report, Ying Yang was just wandering around Liyang City, showing interest in everything, and sometimes he could spend the whole day watching plays at the theater.
Even more remarkably, he ate his way through all the restaurants in Liyang City, and even tried the snacks from roadside stalls, seemingly forgetting his original purpose for coming to Liyang.
Find a wife and bring her home!
They didn't even inquire about the location of the General's Mansion, and never mentioned the name Qin Chuyun.
Zhao Xuan gradually felt relieved.
Just then, Gu Jiancheng also returned to Liyang after completing his mission.
Emperor Gu Li of Xia rewarded all his meritorious officials according to their merits.
Gu Jiancheng and Gu Zhanghua have already been granted the title of prince, and the two of them, along with Zhao Xuan, have naturally received many rewards.
Shi Shu risked her life to protect her master, and Emperor Xia made the decision to free Shi Shu from slavery and enlist her in the Imperial Guard in a sinecure, where she still served as Gu Zhanghua's bodyguard on a daily basis.
The most talked-about story is that the top courtesan of Dengyue Tower, who watched the flowing water, was a great contributor as a special envoy of both Xia and Song. His father, Hu Yiba, was granted a general amnesty and his freedom was specially granted.
The expenses for the Song navy were paid from the reparations paid by the Yue state.
Thus, after more than two months, the Xia Kingdom finally resolved the difficulties in its northern and southern borders and gradually returned to the peaceful and prosperous life of its people before the war.
?
The Yue Kingdom Palace.
In the imperial study room.
Emperor Tian Shang of Yue looked at the peace treaty signed with the Xia Kingdom on the table: a compensation of 500,000 taels of silver and the cession of a border city to the Xia Kingdom...
Tian Shang covered his face with his hands and sighed.
Wang Huai stepped forward and advised:
"Your Majesty must not be discouraged by a single defeat. Unifying the Qiankun Continent is no easy task! Fortunately, this battle has forced the Song Kingdom to reveal its trump card. From now on, we will no longer underestimate the Song Kingdom when formulating strategies. Your Majesty has ascended the throne. As long as you plan carefully, you will surely find new opportunities!"
"I understand everything you have said, sir!"
Tian Shang gritted his teeth and pointed to his heart.
"I have this burning anger inside me with nowhere to vent it! I was about to take Fengcheng, and the Song Kingdom stabbed me in the back!"
Wang Huai snorted coldly.
"Your Majesty, please calm down! I have long planned this. In a few days, I will stab Emperor Xia in the heart as well, an eye for an eye! I will avenge Your Majesty!"
Tian Shang was overjoyed.
"Sir, you actually have another trick up your sleeve?"
Wang Huai remained calm and composed, smiling slightly with confidence.
"Of course, it's time to put that move we made more than ten years ago to good use! It'll leave that Xia Emperor speechless and unable to complain!"
Just then, Tian Shang's personal eunuch, Shi Xiaofu, walked in with light steps and knelt down to give Tian Shang a deep bow.
The sound was clear and joyful.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations! Your Majesty is overjoyed!"
Tian Yuan leaned back in his chair and looked up at Shi Xiaofu, who was kneeling on the ground. He had been having a run of bad luck lately, with one misfortune after another. What good news could there be?
It's possible that Shi Xiaofu is just making a mountain out of a molehill to cheer himself up!
Tian Shang always had a little more patience with Shi Xiaofu than with others. It could be said that Shi Xiaofu was the only person in the world who witnessed the truth of that night.
He kept Shi Xiaofu by his side to serve him, his thoughts were very complicated, and sometimes even he himself couldn't understand them.
Is he trying to leave a witness to prove that he did nothing wrong that night?
Or should Shi Xiaofu constantly remind himself that the throne was hard-won and that he should be careful with his words and actions?
"Tell me, what joyous occasion could I possibly have?"
"Your Majesty, the imperial physician has just confirmed that Her Majesty the Empress is pregnant, almost two months along!"
Before Shi Xiaofu could finish speaking and before Tian Shang could react, Wang Huai had already cupped his hands in congratulations!
"Your Majesty is overjoyed! If the Empress gives birth to a prince this time, Your Majesty will have an heir, and the Yue Kingdom will prosper and continue for generations! The dynasty will last forever!"
"Great! Excellent! This is indeed a joyous occasion!"
Tian Shang slapped the table and cheered!
Thinking that he only had two daughters, Tian Shang couldn't help but feel immense hope for the Empress's pregnancy.
Things will turn around when they reach their extremes; after the worst comes the best!
He's had the worst luck ever; it's time for God to send him a dragon prince!
The dark cloud hanging over Tian Shang's head due to the defeat of the Yue Kingdom was dispelled by this joyous occasion.
?
Guan Liushui, as a special envoy of the Song State, facilitated the alliance between Xia and Song, resolving the crisis in Fengcheng. Guan Liushui did not accept any reward, but only hoped that the Xia Emperor would pardon his father, Hu Yiba, which the Xia Emperor naturally granted.
That day, Guan Liushui excitedly arrived at the suburban quarry, wanting to tell Hu Yiba the good news and pick him up.
When they arrived at the quarry, they saw Hu Yiba lying comfortably on a bamboo recliner, with a bamboo table beside him, on which sat a pot of tea and a teacup.
Wu Li, Hu Yiba's former capable subordinate, was also exiled to Tagan City with Hu Yiba. As he was only an accomplice, Wu Li had already served his sentence and been released when Hu Yiba returned to Liyang from Tagan City and entered the quarry.
At this moment, Wu Lizheng was squatting on the ground, massaging Hu Yiba's legs.
"father!"
Guan Liushui called out "Dad!" and immediately his eyes filled with tears. He rushed forward and squatted down next to Hu Yiba.
"Father! How have you been lately? His Majesty has granted you a pardon, and you are no longer required to serve your sentence here. Your son will come to take you away right away!"
Hu Yiba seemed to have expected Guan Liushui to come looking for him. He straightened up and reached out to pat Guan Liushui's head with satisfaction.
Wu Li hurriedly got up and stood to the side, just like he had done back then, as if waiting for Hu Yiba to give orders at any time.
Looking at his son's face, which was no longer childish, Hu Yiba felt quite gratified.
“My child, I’ve heard about everything you’ve done. It’s remarkable! You’re better than your father! The officials have already told me about His Majesty’s pardon. Seeing how accomplished you are, I’m truly happy. Your mother’s spirit in heaven will be at peace! However…”
Hu Yiba stood up from the recliner and saw the prisoners working not far away. He could hear the clanging of hammers hitting stones. He turned to look at Guanliushui.
His face showed an unwavering resolve.
He reached out and patted Guan Liushui on the shoulder.
"I appreciate your filial piety! However, I don't want to leave here..."
Guan Liushui was completely taken aback that her father would refuse her suggestion, and couldn't help but ask anxiously.
"Why? What's so good about this place?"
Hu Yiba smiled slightly.
“With your cousin in charge of the Heavenly Alliance, I won’t have much to do back home, and I don’t want to be idle all the time. But I can still make a name for myself at this quarry!”
Guan Liushui looked at the prisoners working in the quarry with a puzzled expression.
He thought to himself, "What kind of success can I possibly achieve here?"
Hu Yiba saw the doubt in Guan Liushui's heart and couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"Xiao Ling, let me tell you, there were several troublemakers here, but I've dealt with them all and they're all my underlings now! Before I came, they were always causing trouble and never had a moment's peace!"
“The Alliance Leader is right!” Wu Li, who was standing to the side, couldn’t help but interject. “The quarry workers are so bored they’re practically throwing their lives away. With our Alliance Leader around, none of these prisoners dare to cause trouble!”
Hu Yiba sighed and told Guan Liushui what was on his mind.
"Now that His Majesty has pardoned my crimes, I think I might as well become a small foreman in this quarry and manage them well. Besides, you will definitely stay in Liyang. It's so far away from you when I go back to Jinyang City that it's not easy for me to see you even once. It's better to be closer to you so that we, father and son, can see each other from time to time."
Guan Liushui looked at Hu Yiba's weathered face. Although he no longer had the imposing presence he once did, he now had a much gentler expression.
He couldn't help but take Hu Yiba's arm and help him sit down on the recliner.
“Father! I’ll rent a courtyard for you in Liyang City, and we can live together. When Dengyue Tower isn’t busy, I’ll come home, and we can chat, go shopping, and have a meal at a restaurant like ordinary people. If I’m in a good mood, I’ll have a couple of drinks with you. How does that sound?”
"well……"
Hu Yiba turned his head away, not wanting to look at the flowing water, actually not wanting his son to see his slightly red eyes.
"After everything that's happened, I've finally figured it out. I should have known better than to force you to practice martial arts. You can do whatever you want, as long as you don't kill, set fires, or commit crimes. Whatever makes you happy..."
"Father, that's all in the past, why bring it up again?"
Guan Liushui poured a cup of tea and handed it to Hu Yiba.
Hu Yiba took it and drank a sip.
"So your father doesn't want to be burdened by the affairs of the Heavenly Dao Alliance anymore. Over the years, your father hasn't had a proper conversation with you. He's just been scolding and beating you all the time... It will never happen again!"
Hu Yiba placed the teacup heavily on the table, as if to show his determination.
"Dad, you've worked hard all your life, it's time you enjoyed your retirement. I'll listen to you!"
Guan Liushui subconsciously wiped away the tears from the corner of her eyes and smiled as she spoke to Hu Yiba.
Hu Yiba punched Guan Liushui in the shoulder.
"Silly child, don't be coy! Hurry up and rent a place, then I'll let my father go to the Moon Tower to see my son's skills! I've heard that you're the champion of the Qiankun Continent singing and dancing competition! But I've never heard you sing or seen you dance even once!"
Guan Liushui excitedly grabbed Hu Yiba's hand and burst into tears of joy.
"Father! Hearing you say that makes me... I'm so happy..."
"Young Master, I... I still have myself! Can I live with you and the Alliance Leader?!"
Wu Li pointed to his face, his face flushed red as he pleaded.
Hu Yiba and Guan Liushui couldn't help but burst into laughter when they saw Wu Li's anxious expression.
"Of course, you can live with us too!"