Among them, the most surprised one was the Queen. More than a month ago, she took Shi Aohan as her adopted daughter. Although the Emperor had given his consent, he had never shown any concern. Not only was there no title, but no rank had been bestowed either. It was she who had planned to petition for Shi Aohan to be named a county mistress after the period of mourning for the Empress Dowager was over.
Now, in such a short time, the Emperor was going to bestow rewards on Lu Wanning. You should know that her own niece, He Chan, didn't even have a rank yet.
In an instant, the Queen smiled and waved her hand, saying, "I'm just like the Emperor. I dote on Zhaoyang the most. Come here, Zhaoyang. This is a pair of new Dongzhu earrings I just got. I'll bestow them on you to congratulate you on being promoted to a princess."
Lu Wanning immediately stood up, knelt in front of the Queen, and thanked her, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty the Queen, for your reward. However, I can't accept the Dongzhu earrings."
The Queen was taken aback for a moment, then said with a beaming smile, "Silly girl, what are you talking about? You're not only a princess bestowed by the Emperor, but also my most beloved niece. Whatever good things I have here, I've always kept you in mind."
Lu Wanning shook her head and said, "It's not like that. It's just that only the mistress of the harem can own and wear Dongzhu. I saw that pair of Dongzhu earrings on Your Majesty the Queen. They're so beautiful. If you bestow them on me, I can only admire them in a box. Wouldn't that be a pity? If Your Majesty the Queen really dotes on me, it would be better to bestow some other things."
The Queen was quite angry inside. Lu Wanning was so old. She had gotten all kinds of good things, let alone Dongzhu. She had hinted to Mrs. He before and scolded Lu Wanning with words of treason. But Lu Wanning always pretended to be crazy and stupid and went to the Empress Dowager and the Emperor to act coquettishly. Why wasn't she crazy and stupid this time?
The Emperor also laughed and said, "The Queen is really. Zhaoyang was ignorant when she was young and didn't understand the regulations. It was okay for her to dress beyond her rank. But now that she's grown up, how could she not pay attention to these things?"
The Queen then nodded with a smile and said, "Your Majesty is right. I just thought Zhaoyang was too plain. Look, the clothes on her are just ordinary, and there's not even a single adornment in her hair. This is not like her usual character."
Lu Wanning didn't defend herself. She just hung her head slightly.
The Emperor felt heart - aching. His mother had passed away, and the whole Great Zhou had to observe the period of mourning. But perhaps only he and the entire Lu family were truly filial. Why was Lu Hongxi ill? Why had Zhaoyang lost so much weight? Wasn't it because they also remembered the Empress Dowager in their hearts?
"Zhaoyang, come here to me. Someone, remove this plain duck and prepare roast duck."
The eunuch was shocked and quickly advised, "Your Majesty, you once issued an imperial edict that no one should eat meat during the hundred - day period of mourning. Now it's only been fifty days. This doesn't comply with the rules."
The Emperor waved his hand and said, "That's for others. My Zhaoyang is still young and in the stage of growing. How can she only eat vegetarian food?"
Lu Wanning didn't refuse. But when the roast duck was served, she only took one bite and then stopped eating.
The Emperor asked, "Is it not to Zhaoyang's taste?"
Lu Wanning shook her head and said, "I'm very grateful for Your Majesty's kindness. It's just that the food in my palace is about the same. Roast duck is my favorite food. So in the past in the Shoukang Palace, this dish was often prepared. I used to like it, but now it just tastes like wax in my mouth."
"Since it tastes like wax, remove it."
After all this commotion, most of the banquet was over. They couldn't drink or enjoy themselves, and even chatting merrily was not allowed. Everyone ate with a lack of interest. But since the Emperor didn't leave, no one else could leave either.
At this time, an eunuch led a scout into the palace hall quickly. The scout shouted "Long live the Emperor", knelt on the ground, and presented a letter in his hand, saying, "Your Majesty, this is the latest battle report from Luocheng. Please take a look."
He looked anxious and was trembling all over. He couldn't even wait until the palace banquet was over. It could be seen how urgent the battle situation was.
The Emperor motioned for Sheng Jinyu to read it first, and then took it over to read himself.
Sheng Jinyu was greatly shocked. He knelt on the ground and said, "Father, I volunteer to assist General Fengtian!"
The Emperor stared at the battle report and couldn't say a word for a long time.
The whole palace hall was dead silent. No one knew what had happened. The Crown Prince was extremely annoyed. Fu Rongxuan hadn't been sent out yet. If Sheng Jinyu really led the troops there, it would be extremely difficult for him to take action against the Lu family.
It seemed that Sheng Jinyu and Lu Hongxi had colluded with each other long ago.
So, did this incident of Lu Hongxi make the Emperor let down his guard against him? No. He must be feigning illness today. It was probably taught by Sheng Jinyu. Otherwise, with his stubborn character, how could he have come up with such a sly method?
Should he also volunteer to lead the troops?
The Crown Prince was just a step too late. Other military generals in the court knelt on the ground one after another and petitioned to lead the troops to reinforce.
The Emperor turned his gaze to Sheng Jinyu on the ground and slowly shook his head, saying, "How can A Yu go? You're my son. You've read the letter too. The city lord of Luocheng has been captured. The two generals of the Lu family have retreated from Hanshui to Jingliang. The situation is so dangerous. You..."
Sheng Jinyu raised his head and said firmly, "Father, I'm your son, but I'm also a son of the Great Zhou. Defending the country is my bounden duty. My humble body, if it can do something for the people of the Great Zhou, should be willing to sacrifice myself without hesitation."
The Minister of War said, "Your Highness, Prince Yu, you're a prince. You're a thousand - year - old noble. You mustn't go this time."
Sheng Jinyu held his head high and continued, "I've been learning both literature and martial arts since I was a child. I've read and memorized military books and strategies. Since I was thirteen years old, I've followed General Zhen and General Mao in two major battles and six minor battles, and I've won them all. I know that Father is reluctant to let me go. But which family's people in the world are willing to let their sons go? For the country and the family, they're willing to go. So am I."
The Emperor stared at Sheng Jinyu. After a long time with a glint in his eyes, he shouted, "Good! You're really my son. I grant your request!"
Lu Wanning looked at Sheng Jinyu in disbelief. Was he crazy? Did he know what it meant to go on an expedition at this time? Prince Yu's influence in the capital was already not as strong as that of the Crown Prince. If he left, wouldn't he just hand over the capital to others? In the whole Great Zhou, the power structure was complex, and the greatest powers were all entrenched in the capital. By doing this, wasn't he sacrificing one thing for another and just giving up the position of the crown prince?
Moreover, it was a battlefield, a battlefield where swords and arrows were merciless.
Lu Wanning couldn't control herself, and tears kept streaming down her face.
The Emperor half - smiled and patted Lu Wanning on the shoulder, saying, "Zhaoyang, I haven't even cried. Why are you crying?"
Lu Wanning choked with sobs for a long time and said, "I... thought of my elder brothers. When the second elder brother left the capital, I was so worried about the Empress Dowager that I didn't pay much attention. The eldest elder brother left the capital at night to avoid making us worried. At that time, I was still sleeping soundly in bed... Now seeing His Highness Prince Yu risking his life, I thought of my elder brothers..."
She was really in great pain and lowered her head, constantly wiping away her tears.
Just at this time, Lu Hongxi walked unsteadily, supported by his princess, and came out. He knelt on the ground and petitioned, "Please, Your Majesty, take back your order. I'm the marshal of the Great Zhou. This battle can only be fought by me."
Sheng Jinyu looked at Lu Hongxi calmly and said, "I still remember the teachings of General Lu when I met him some time ago. Both you and I belong to the Great Zhou and are members of the royal family. When we enjoy the people's love and high - ranking official positions and generous emoluments, we should know how to be grateful. General Lu, now it's the world of us young people."