met free Chapter 715 Return to the Palace
Chapter 715 Return to the Palace
In a corner of southern Nanjing, there is a quiet courtyard with green vines climbing up the walls. Two locust trees at the gate sway gently in the breeze.
Qin Yan has been relying on Li Xueyan's careful care these days.
Li Xueyan was Jiang Lai's best friend. After her friend passed away, she treated Qin Yan as her own son and took great care of him.
That afternoon, sunlight filtered through the mottled leaves and fell onto the stone table in the courtyard.
Li Xueyan was practicing with a sword when she heard the gate creak. She looked up and saw Qin Yan walking in with a cloth bag on his back.
At this time in the past, Qin Yan was still studying classics and history with His Majesty, but today he returned early, which made Li Xueyan curious.
"Xiao Qin'er, you're back so early today? Can't your grandpa keep you a little longer?"
Li Xueyan stopped what she was doing and asked with a smile.
Qin Yan shook his head, his hair swaying on his forehead, and replied crisply, "Aunt Xue, Grandpa said that there is nothing to do these days, so I should not go out and go to school in the academy when the time comes."
Li Xueyan nodded slightly, her eyes inadvertently falling on the roll of paper tightly held in Qin Yan's hand.
The paper was carefully protected by Qin Yan. For some reason, Li Xueyan felt that it looked familiar and a strong curiosity surged in her heart.
"Xiao Qin'er, what are you holding in your hand? Bring it over to Aunt Xue to see."
She put down the sword in her hand and walked quickly towards Qin Yan.
Qin Yan handed it over obediently, and Li Xueyan took it with both hands and slowly unfolded it.
For a moment, her eyes froze, her breathing became rapid, and the smile on her face disappeared instantly, replaced by shock.
What was in front of him was actually a letter of appointment, and it was a letter of appointment granted to the Great General Shenwu!
However, the space where the name should be filled in was blank.
At the bottom of the letter of appointment, two lines of vigorous and powerful small characters caught the eye: Order of the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty, written by Li Chengqian.
Li Xueyan's hands trembled slightly uncontrollably. She looked up at Qin Yan, who was looking at her with a confused expression. She then looked down at the letter of authorization in her hand, and her heart was filled with shock.
She knew what this letter of appointment meant. As long as she filled in her name in the blank, any descendant of the Qin family who held it would be able to obtain a high position in the court. Even if it was just an honorary title, it would be enough to ensure the family's prosperity and wealth and enjoy a lifetime of honor.
At the same time, in a villa in Nanjing, Li Chengqian looked at the vegetation outside the window, but his eyes were a little wandering.
Beside him, the dragon robe lay quietly on the hanger. Li Chengqian turned around, reached out to take a set of coarse linen clothes from the hanger, and put them on slowly.
The rough fabric caressed his skin, making him feel a long-lost sense of comfort.
He looked at Hu Bugui who was waiting on the side with a gentle look.
"No, come back to Chang'an with me. Your family is still in Xianyang. You have been with me for so long, I am sure you miss them very much."
Hu Bugui was slightly startled when he heard Li Chengqian's words, and subconsciously asked, "Your Majesty? Aren't you going to bring along Xian Huai?"
Li Chengqian's eyes dimmed for a moment, and he shook his head slowly, a look of pain on his face: "Bugui, what happened to Ruzhao cannot happen to Xianhuai, I can't bear it anymore."
He paused, his voice becoming a little hoarse. "You know, I've been saying all my life that the world belongs to all, but in the end, no one is without selfish desires, and I'm no exception. I just hope that everyone is well and lives a good life."
"Being an emperor is so tiring. Being a saint emperor is even more tiring. It's better to be a human being!"
After saying that, he waved his hand gently, as if to shake off the heavy burden on his heart.
Hu Bugui nodded silently, with understanding and sympathy flashing in his eyes.
The two walked out of the villa together and headed towards Nanjing Railway Station.
Along the way, a breeze blew, blowing up the fallen leaves on the ground. Li Chengqian's clothes fluttered gently in the wind, and his back looked a little lonely.
Zhang Xianhuai followed from a distance behind. He was dressed in a black robe, his figure hidden in the dark, silently watching the back of His Majesty.
His eyes were full of reluctance until Li Chengqian and Hu Bugui boarded the train.
The train started slowly, making a "whoosh" sound. Zhang Xianhuai then slowly knelt down facing the train and kowtowed three times solemnly.
Sometimes, not having to say goodbye may be the best option for everyone.
He looked at Li Chengqian's back as he got on the train, feeling mixed emotions. He secretly thought that he didn't know if he would have the chance to see His Majesty again in this life.
Time flies. Only a year later, Li Chengqian returned to Chang'an and felt that everything was like a distant dream, as if he had been in another world for a long time.
The streets of Chang'an were still bustling with activity, the cries of hawkers could be heard one after another, and the crowds were bustling about, but Li Chengqian felt that he was out of tune with all this.
He was dressed in coarse linen clothes, like an ordinary old man, walking slowly on this familiar yet unfamiliar street.
There are shops lining the street, their signs swaying in the wind, and the air is filled with the aroma of various foods.
He had brought Su Zhi here again and again.
It was also here that I went shopping with my father. At that time, they were still there and everything was so good.
Only when you lose everything will you realize that everything was already the best at that time.
Supported by Hu Bugui, Li Chengqian walked step by step towards the palace that carried countless memories for him.
He lived in that palace for eighteen years. It contained his childhood dreams, the troubles of growing up, and the days and nights he spent working tirelessly for the country, occupying too many memories of his life.
Once upon a time, he ascended the throne with high spirits, determined to create a peaceful and prosperous era. Now, he just wants to take another look at this familiar land in the most ordinary manner.
Finally, they arrived outside the palace.
The palace gate stood majestically, and the guards at the gate were dressed in bright armor, holding spears, standing straight and showing their majesty.
Seeing Li Chengqian and Hu Bugui walking towards the palace gate, a guard immediately stepped forward and stopped them with his hand. He said in a serious but polite manner: "This is a restricted area of the imperial palace. No passing is allowed. Old man, this is not a place for sightseeing. Please turn back."
Li Chengqian didn't say anything, but slowly raised his head and looked at the guard calmly.
When the guard saw the old man's appearance clearly, he felt as if struck by lightning, cold sweat broke out on his back, and he almost cried out in shock.
He trembled and said, "Your Majesty?"
Li Chengqian shook his head slightly and said calmly, "He's just an old man. Go and inform him."
The guard swallowed hard, then gritted his teeth and knelt on one knee on the ground.
Upon seeing this, the guards beside him also knelt on one knee in unison.
The guard raised his head, his eyes filled with respect.
"Your Majesty, we are from Xianyang!"
"Your Majesty, I have attended your lectures at Xianyang National Academy. My father once followed General Qin in his conquest of Tubo, and also followed Your Majesty in his conquest of Goguryeo!"
He looked at Li Chengqian with bright eyes.
"I am willing to go through fire and water for your majesty, even if it means death!"