20demayo Chapter 166 Separation is for a better reunion
Chapter 166 Separation is for a better reunion
In a secluded garden in Xijing Kingdom, Xiao Jingchuan and Jiang Liushen sat facing each other, sipping fragrant tea and discussing matters between the two countries.
Sunlight streamed through the window lattice, creating a tranquil and peaceful atmosphere inside the room.
At this moment, the bodyguard Tian Qing rushed all the way and finally arrived at the villa. He was covered in dust and his clothes were soaked with sweat, but he didn't bother to rest and went straight to Xiao Jingchuan's room.
"Your Majesty!" Tian Qing called out loudly from outside the door, his voice tinged with urgency.
Xiao Jingchuan frowned slightly, noticing the unusual tone in Tian Qing's voice, and quickly said, "Come in!"
Tian Qing pushed open the door and entered, kneeling on one knee and presenting the letter from the Nanzhao Kingdom with both hands: "Your Majesty, the Emperor Emeritus has ordered me to personally deliver this letter to you."
Xiao Jingchuan's heart tightened, a nameless worry welling up inside him. He took the letter, and seeing the familiar handwriting, his hand trembled slightly involuntarily. He quickly tore open the envelope, unfolded the letter, and eagerly scanned its contents.
As Xiao Jingchuan read on, his expression gradually became serious.
The floods in the south have displaced countless people, and the harassment by the barbarians on the northern border has also made the situation tense. The affairs of the court are complicated, and although my father is temporarily handling them, he is clearly overwhelmed.
"Damn it!" Xiao Jingchuan cursed under his breath, clutching the letter tightly in his hand.
Seeing Xiao Jingchuan's expression, Jiang Liushen guessed what had happened and asked with concern, "Jingchuan, what happened?"
Xiao Jingchuan took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down, and said, "The Nanzhao Kingdom is now beset by internal and external troubles. The south is suffering from severe floods, the northern barbarians are harassing the border, and there are many affairs piled up in the court. My father..." At this point, Xiao Jingchuan's voice choked slightly, "My father can hardly hold on by himself. He hopes I will return soon."
Jiang Liushen nodded slightly, a look of understanding on his face: "Jingchuan, this is a matter of national importance and cannot be delayed. If you need to go back, I will do my best to support you."
Xiao Jingchuan stood up and paced back and forth in the room, quickly planning his next move.
He knew that the Nanzhao Kingdom was at a critical juncture and that he had to return as soon as possible to stabilize the situation.
"Brother, I'm truly sorry about this. I had hoped to spend more time with you during my trip to Xijing Kingdom, but unexpectedly, a sudden change occurred at home." Xiao Jingchuan stopped and looked at Jiang Liushen, his eyes filled with apology.
Jiang Liushen waved his hand and said, "Jingchuan, there's no need for further words between us. You can go back and take care of your domestic affairs. If needed, Xijing Kingdom will certainly provide assistance."
Xiao Jingchuan nodded, his heart filled with gratitude for Jiang Liushen's understanding and support. He turned to Tian Qing and said, "Tian Qing, quickly prepare the horses and luggage. We'll set off for Nanzhao immediately."
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Tian Qing accepted the order and left, quickly preparing for the return journey.
Xiao Jingchuan then turned to Jiang Liushen and said, "Brother Jiang, I left in such a hurry this time that I was unable to properly thank you for your hospitality during this period. Once I have dealt with my domestic affairs, I will definitely come to visit you again."
Jiang Liushen smiled and said, "Jingchuan, there's no need for such formalities between us. I look forward to you resolving the Nanzhao Kingdom's problems soon, so we can have a proper get-together again."
Composing himself, Xiao Jingchuan bid farewell to Jiang Liushen and strode out of the room. He went to the courtyard and saw that Tian Qing had already prepared the horses and luggage, waiting for him.
Xiao Jingchuan mounted his horse, glanced back at the villa, and secretly vowed to resolve the Nanzhao Kingdom's problems as soon as possible and restore peace to the country.
"Let's go!" Xiao Jingchuan gave the order, spurred his horse, and galloped off towards the Nanzhao Kingdom. Tian Qing followed closely behind him, and the two figures quickly disappeared at the end of the road.
Along the way, Xiao Jingchuan was extremely anxious, wishing he could return to the Nanzhao Kingdom immediately.
His mind was filled with images of the tragic plight of the disaster-stricken people in the south and the soldiers fighting valiantly on the northern border.
He was well aware that as the ruler of a country, he bore a heavy responsibility.
After several days of travel, Xiao Jingchuan finally returned to the royal palace of the Nanzhao Kingdom. Without taking a break, he went straight to the court and summoned his ministers to discuss countermeasures.
In the imperial court, the ministers breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing Xiao Jingchuan's return. Xiao Jingchuan surveyed the assembled officials with a resolute gaze and said, "My esteemed ministers, our Nanzhao Kingdom is currently facing internal and external troubles..."
I am aware of the situation. Now, we must work together to solve the immediate problem.
Subsequently, Xiao Jingchuan began to arrange various matters in an orderly manner.
He ordered increased relief efforts for the flood-stricken areas in the south and dispatched more officials to assist in the relief efforts; at the same time, he deployed elite troops to the northern border to strengthen defenses and ensure that the invasion of the barbarians was repelled.
Under Xiao Jingchuan's command, the entire Nanzhao Kingdom worked together to actively address various problems.
The disaster relief work in the south gradually got on track, and the affected people were properly resettled; the situation on the northern border also gradually stabilized, and the harassment by the barbarians was effectively curbed.
After finishing these matters, Xiao Jingchuan finally had time to visit his father, Emperor Xiao Han. When he arrived at Xiao Han's residence and saw his father's slightly tired face, he felt a pang of heartache.
"Father, your son has returned. I'm sorry to have troubled you." Xiao Jingchuan walked up to Xiao Han, knelt on one knee, and said.
Looking at his son, Xiao Han smiled with relief: "It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back. Now that the court has you, I can rest assured."
Xiao Jingchuan stood up, grasped Xiao Han's hand, and said, "Father, you have sacrificed too much for the court and for your son. From now on, let your son take on this responsibility. You should rest well."
Xiao Han nodded, his heart filled with pride and joy for his son.
He knew that his son had grown into a qualified monarch who could lead the Nanzhao Kingdom to prosperity.
"Why haven't Nan Yi and Yao Yao come back? And why hasn't your mother come back, always talking about Liu Li?" Xiao Han missed his mother and children who used to chatter in his ear.
Xiao Jingchuan handed the tea in his hand to Xiao Han: "Father, Liuli and the children will be back soon. I will write a letter to them now."
Inside the royal palace of Xijing Kingdom, sunlight streamed through the carved window lattices, illuminating Gu Liuli's desk.
Gu Liuli was sitting at the table, meticulously embroidering a flower and bird picture. The stitches were fine and lifelike.
At this moment, a palace maid hurried in, holding a letter in her hand. She curtsied and said, "Princess, the Prince Consort has sent a letter by fast horse."
Gu Liuli paused slightly, her embroidery needle stopped, and a hint of surprise and anticipation flashed in her eyes.
She quickly put down her embroidery, took the letter, and began to read. The letter contained Xiao Jingchuan's strong, vigorous handwriting, and his words were filled with longing for her and the children, as well as his eagerness for their early return, as he had already settled the affairs of the Nanzhao Kingdom.
Gu Liuli's lips curled up slightly, her eyes filled with a gentle smile, but the thought of saying goodbye to her brother Jiang Liushen, Jia Xiaoyan, and others made her...
A pang of reluctance welled up in her heart again. She sighed softly, carefully folded the letter, put it in her bosom, and stood up to instruct, "Go and call Yi'er and Yao'er here, and prepare our luggage for the return journey."
Before long, Xiao Nanyi and Xiao Nanyao came skipping and hopping in.
Little Nanyao immediately threw herself into Gu Liuli's arms, tilting her little face up and asking, "Mother, what do you want to see us about?"
Gu Liuli gently stroked Xiao Nanyao's head, then looked at Xiao Nanyi and said softly, "Yi'er, Yao'er, Father has sent a letter. He said that the affairs of Nanzhao Kingdom have been resolved and that we should go back."
Xiao Nanyi's eyes lit up for a moment, then dimmed again. He whispered, "But, Mother, we have to leave here. I'm reluctant to leave my uncle and aunt, and my little brother."
Little Nan Yao pouted, her eyes reddening, "Yes, Mother, I don't want to leave. I still want to play with my little brother."
Gu Liuli felt a pang of heartache and hugged the two children tightly, gently comforting them, "I know you're reluctant to part with them, and your mother is reluctant too. But your father is waiting for us in Nanzhao Kingdom, and our family must stay together. Besides, we will have the opportunity to visit your uncle, aunt, and little brother in Xijing Kingdom again in the future."
Xiao Nan Yi and Xiao Nan Yao nodded as if they understood, though they were still reluctant to part, they knew they had no choice but to leave.
Afterwards, Gu Liuli brought Xiao Nanyi and Xiao Nanyao to Jiang Liushen's study to say goodbye. Jiang Liushen was slightly taken aback when he saw them enter, but then he understood and a look of reluctance appeared on his face.
Gu Liuli walked up to Jiang Liushen, gave a slight curtsy, and said softly, "Brother, Jingchuan has sent a letter asking us to return to Nanzhao Kingdom. We apologize for the trouble we caused in Xijing Kingdom this time."
Jiang Liushen sighed softly, stepped forward, took Gu Liuli's hand, and said, "Silly girl, don't be so formal. You are my sister, and this will always be your home. But the journey is long, so you and the children must be very careful."
Gu Liuli nodded, tears welling up in her eyes: "Brother, don't worry, I will take good care of myself and the children. Brother, please take care of yourself too. If you need anything, just send someone to Nanzhao Kingdom to let me know."
Xiao Nan Yi and Xiao Nan Yao also stepped forward. Xiao Nan Yi said, "Uncle, we have to go now. I will miss you. I will practice my sword diligently and show you my progress when I come back next time."
Xiao Nanyao tugged at Jiang Liushen's sleeve, choking back tears, and said, "Uncle, please remember to think of us. I will send you the paintings I made."
Jiang Liushen knelt down and hugged the two children, his voice trembling slightly: "Okay, your uncle will miss you. You must listen to your mother and be good, sensible children."
After bidding farewell to Jiang Liushen, Gu Liuli led the children to Jia Xiaoyan's palace. Jia Xiaoyan was holding the little prince and smiled when she saw them enter.
Xiao Nanyao ran to Jia Xiaoyan's side, looking at the little prince with eyes full of reluctance: "Aunt, we are going back to Nanzhao Kingdom. I will miss you and my little brother."
Jia Xiaoyan was slightly taken aback, then a hint of disappointment flashed in her eyes, but she still smiled and said, "Yaoyao, Yiyi, your aunt will miss you too. The journey is long, so you must listen to your mother and stay safe."
Xiao Nanyi stepped forward and said, "Auntie, when I grow up, I will protect my little brother. I will also bring him all sorts of wonderful things from the Nanzhao Kingdom."
Jia Xiaoyan nodded, her eyes full of relief: "Okay, Auntie believes in you. When your little brother grows up, we'll send him to Nanzhao Kingdom to play with you."
Gu Liuli stepped forward, took Jia Xiaoyan's hand, and said softly, "Xiaoyan, we don't know when we'll meet again after this separation. Please take good care of yourself and the little prince."
Jia Xiaoyan gently patted Gu Liuli's hand and said, "Don't worry, I will. You and the children should also be careful on the road."
Finally, Gu Liuli, accompanied by palace maids and guards, left the palace of Xijing Kingdom with Xiao Nanyi and Xiao Nanyao. Xiao Nanyi and Xiao Nanyao sat in the carriage, frequently looking back, their eyes filled with reluctance.