jdhmnovel Chapter 213 The Warmth and Rebirth of Xijing Kingdom
Chapter 213 The Warmth and Rebirth of Xijing Kingdom
As Jiang Liushen, Jia Xiaoyan, and Jiang Youan's convoy slowly entered the border of Xijing Kingdom, the news spread like wildfire across the land. The people excitedly relayed the news, their faces beaming with barely suppressed excitement and joy.
At the border checkpoint of Xijing Kingdom, a dense crowd had already gathered. Elderly people, leaning on canes and supported by their children and grandchildren, stood shakily at the front, tears of excitement glistening in their cloudy eyes; children ran and laughed among the crowd, waving homemade colorful flags that read "Welcome back, Your Majesty"; young men and women stood on tiptoe, craning their necks to look around, hoping to catch a glimpse of the Emperor as soon as possible.
As the convoy drew closer, the cheers of the people grew louder and louder. Shouts of "The Emperor is back! The Emperor is back!" rose and fell, echoing through the sky. Jiang Liushen sat in his carriage, listening to the enthusiastic cheers, his heart filled with emotion. He slightly lifted the curtain and looked out. He saw that both sides of the road were lined with people, their faces radiating sincerity and enthusiasm—a testament to their trust and love for their ruler.
Jia Xiaoyan sat beside Jiang Liushen, deeply moved by the scene before her. Looking at the simple, honest people, she felt a surge of affection for the land of Xijing. "Liushen, your people truly love you," she whispered. Jiang Liushen turned to look at her, his eyes filled with tenderness and determination: "This is all because they trust me, and I will never betray that trust."
Jiang Youan excitedly jumped down from another carriage and ran to Jiang Liushen's carriage, shouting, "Father, look, everyone has come to welcome us!" Jiang Liushen smiled and patted his head, "Yes, Youan, you must also cherish these people and be a good ruler." Jiang Youan nodded vigorously, "I will, Father!"
The convoy slowly came to a stop, and Jiang Liushen stepped down first. He wore a bright yellow dragon robe and a crown, his posture upright and his demeanor majestic. Upon seeing the emperor, the people knelt and bowed, shouting, "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!" Jiang Liushen strode forward, helped up an elderly man with white hair, and said in a loud voice, "Everyone, please rise. There's no need for such formalities. I, Jiang Liushen, have been gone for so long, causing you all to suffer." The old man was moved to tears, "The Emperor's return is a blessing for our Xijing Kingdom. Our suffering has been worthwhile!"
At this moment, a young mother, holding her child, approached Jiang Liushen. Tears welled in her eyes as she said, "Your Majesty, after you left, we longed for your return day and night. Now that you're back, we feel at ease." Jiang Liushen looked at the child in her arms, gently stroking the child's face, and said, "Don't worry, now that I'm back, I will make Xijing Kingdom better and better, and ensure you all live good lives." The child giggled at Jiang Liushen's gesture, and the surrounding people laughed along, making the atmosphere even more lively.
Jia Xiaoyan alighted from the carriage, dressed in magnificent attire, and gracefully walked to Jiang Liushen's side. The people, seeing this beautiful woman, couldn't help but whisper among themselves. Jiang Liushen, noticing this, introduced her to the crowd: "This is Jia Xiaoyan, who will be your Empress in the future. She is intelligent and kind, and will surely be able to govern the Xijing Kingdom well with me." Jia Xiaoyan smiled and nodded to the people: "It is my honor to be a member of the Xijing Kingdom. I will work with the Emperor to bring prosperity to everyone." The people knelt down in greeting, welcoming their future Empress.
Surrounded by a large crowd, Jiang Liushen and his entourage headed towards the capital of Xijing Kingdom. Along the way, the people spontaneously formed processions, following behind the caravan, creating a long line of people. Shops on both sides of the road hung red lanterns and pasted festive couplets, immersing the entire Xijing Kingdom in a joyful and peaceful atmosphere.
When they arrived at the city gates of the capital, they found the gates wide open, and the gate towers filled with civil and military officials. Upon seeing Jiang Liushen, they all knelt to greet him. The prime minister, leading the group, quickly descended the tower and approached Jiang Liushen, saying excitedly, "Your Majesty, you have finally returned! These past few months, we have been waiting for you day and night." Jiang Liushen helped the prime minister up, saying, "Thank you all for your hard work. These past few months, the Western Jing Kingdom has been fortunate to be under your care."
As they entered the capital, the streets were brightly lit and bustling with activity. People lined the streets, holding flowers, to welcome them. Children weaved through the crowds, tossing flowers to Jiang Liushen and his party. Jia Xiaoyan, watching this lively scene, was deeply moved. She turned to Jiang Liushen and said, "Liushen, look, everything here is full of life and hope." Jiang Liushen grasped her hand and said, "It's all because of you. You gave me the courage and strength to return here."
Amidst cheers, Jiang Liushen and his entourage arrived at the palace. Inside, palace maids and eunuchs were already lined up, kneeling to greet him. Jiang Liushen entered the main hall, sat on the dragon throne, and looked at everything familiar before him, his heart filled with emotion. He surveyed his surroundings and addressed the civil and military officials: "I, Jiang Liushen, have returned this time determined to restore the glory of the Western Jing Kingdom. We must reform corrupt practices, develop the economy, and ensure that the people live a prosperous and peaceful life." The officials knelt down and accepted the order: "Your Majesty, we will certainly do our utmost to assist you!"
Jiang Youan ran around the palace with great curiosity, his eyes filled with surprise as he looked at the magnificent palaces and exquisite decorations. Jia Xiaoyan looked at him and said with a smile, "Youan, this is your home from now on, so don't get lost." Jiang Youan said mischievously, "I won't get lost, I want to explore every corner of the palace."
That evening, a grand banquet was held in the palace to celebrate Jiang Liushen's return. Civil and military officials, as well as members of the imperial family, gathered together to raise their glasses in celebration. The banquet was filled with singing, dancing, and laughter. Jiang Liushen and Jia Xiaoyan sat in the main seats, watching the lively scene before them, their hearts filled with happiness and contentment.
After the banquet, Jiang Liushen and Jia Xiaoyan went to the Imperial Garden. The moonlight was like water, and the air was filled with the fragrance of flowers. They strolled along the pebble path, enjoying the rare tranquility. "Liushen, seeing so many people welcoming you today makes me truly happy," Jia Xiaoyan said softly. Jiang Liushen stopped, looked into her eyes, and said, "All of this wouldn't have been possible without your help. In the future, we'll face even more challenges together. Are you afraid?" Jia Xiaoyan shook her head firmly: "No, as long as you're here, I'm not afraid of anything."
The two embraced, the moonlight bathing them in a beautiful glow. In this tranquil night, the future of Xijing Kingdom was filled with hope and anticipation. Jiang Liu knew that with Jia Xiaoyan by his side and the support of the people, he would surely lead Xijing Kingdom to prosperity.
The next morning, sunlight streamed onto the glazed tiles of the palace, reflecting a dazzling light. Jiang Liushen arrived at his study early and began handling state affairs. He carefully reviewed each memorial and discussed the nation's development plans with the Prime Minister and several ministers. Jia Xiaoyan also came to the study. She sat quietly to the side, watching Jiang Liushen's focused expression, her heart filled with admiration.
“Liushen, is there anything I can do to help you?” Jia Xiaoyan asked softly. Jiang Liushen looked up and smiled, saying, “Your presence here is the greatest help you can give me. However, if you have any ideas, you can share them, and we can discuss them together.” Jia Xiaoyan thought for a moment and said, “I think we can strengthen trade with other countries, introduce advanced technology and culture, and promote the development of Xijing Kingdom.” Jiang Liushen’s eyes lit up upon hearing this: “Your idea is excellent. We can send people to neighboring countries to investigate and formulate specific plans.”
Just then, Jiang Youan rushed in, holding a book in his hand. Excitedly, he said, "Father, I read a book about governing the country today. It has many interesting ideas. Let me tell you about it." Jiang Liushen smiled and asked him to sit down, patiently listening to his account of the book's contents. Jiang Youan spoke vividly, and Jiang Liushen and Jia Xiaoyan frequently asked questions, discussing the topics with him. Seeing Jiang Youan's earnest expression, Jiang Liushen felt a surge of satisfaction. He knew that the future of Xijing Kingdom held promise.
In the days that followed, Jiang Liushen and Jia Xiaoyan devoted themselves wholeheartedly to governing the country. They went deep into the countryside to understand the people's hardships and formulated a series of policies that benefited their livelihoods. Thanks to their efforts, the economy of Xijing Kingdom gradually prospered, and the lives of the people improved day by day.
As time went by, Jia Xiaoyan developed a deep bond with the people of Xijing Kingdom. She frequently visited the elderly living alone and impoverished children, bringing them warmth and care. The people affectionately called her "the kind-hearted Empress."
Meanwhile, Jiang Youan was also studying diligently in the palace. He not only learned cultural knowledge, but also horseback riding, archery, and governance. He was determined to become a good ruler like his father and protect the people of Xijing Kingdom.