kvmb Chapter 259 Imperial Order
Chapter 259 Imperial Order
Nan Yimu received praise at school and then begged for dried bean cakes. Jun Xinyue then went to Hefang East Street and bought bean cakes and snacks, filling a basket.
Jun Xinyue emerged from Hefang East Street and saw banners fluttering in the wind. She recognized Xing Tianqi's banner, and she recognized An Liangchen. Were these the soldiers who had fought against Beirou returning?
Jun Xinyue followed the crowd of onlookers, her ears filled with the sounds of discussion:
The victory was a cause for celebration, and the Crown Prince personally led the way!
Guess who's in that coffin?
I know, I know. Look at those people, there aren't any women. General Yuan must be dead.
That old cow eating young grass? If she dies, the unruly youngest son of the Nan family will be free.
Old Li, how dare you speak like that? That kid is a good-for-nothing and doesn't deserve General Yuan at all.
What a pity, what a pity!
……
Jun Xinyue followed for quite a while but couldn't find Yuan Feng and Nan Fei.
Everyone was talking about Yuan Feng, but there were clearly two coffins. The more she thought about it, the more something seemed off, and she ran all the way home.
Madam Nan was fiddling with two amulets when she saw her and said with a smile, "I went to Puji Temple to get two amulets for Xiaofei and Afeng, and hung them in Xiaofei's room. Master said that since the Yuan family has been given up, they will stay at home when they come back."
Jun Xinyue's heart was still pounding. She gave a few perfunctory words and went back to her room.
Nanshan pushed open the door and saw Junxin spinning around the room like a top: "Xinyue, what's wrong?"
Jun Xinyue grabbed him: "Why are you only just getting back?"
Nanshan said, "I ran into Scholar Li on the street and we chatted for a while. He said his daughter is three years old and he doesn't want to send her to a girls' school. He wants to dress her up as a boy and send her to Wensi Academy so she can keep Yimu company. What do you think?"
Jun Xinyue had no time to pay attention to these things and said urgently, "Xingtian Cavalry is back. I heard they won a battle, and the Crown Prince personally went to the city gate to welcome them."
Nanshan immediately said, "Xiaofei is back too. Mother said the Yuan residence has been given up, so they have to stay at home. Have someone tidy up the rooms, and I'll go tell Mother..."
As Nanshan spoke, he headed to find Madam Nan.
Jun Xinyue pulled him tightly: "I saw...I heard...Yuan Feng didn't come back..."
"Haven't returned?" Nanshan asked. "What do you mean?"
Just as Jun Xinyue was about to recount everything she had seen and heard on the street, the steward came running over: "Young Master, the imperial decree has arrived, go and receive it quickly."
The one who delivered the imperial decree was Eunuch Li, who served the emperor, not An Liangchen's attendant.
The edict said:
Generals Nan Fei and Yuan Feng dedicated themselves to serving the country, guarding the borders, and defeating the Northern Rou, achieving outstanding feats and demonstrating utmost loyalty. They are hereby posthumously granted the title of Marquis of Champion.
Nan Zhong served as an official for many years, and was known for his integrity and uprightness. He was promoted to Minister of Justice and granted the title of First-Rank Imperial Lady to Lady Nan Zhang.
Nanshan, a young man of great talent and composure, was promoted to Vice Commissioner of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices.
This is it.
The hall fell silent; no one had reacted: Dedicate oneself to the country? Posthumous conferment? Posthumous conferment meant bestowing a title after death—who had died?
Eunuch Li coughed and announced loudly, "Nan Zhong, receive the imperial decree."
When Nan Zhong heard his name called, he stood up blankly, then knelt down again with a thud, saying, "Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty."
In Nan Zhong's eyes, death was an adult matter. But Nan Fei, his lively and mischievous youngest son, the youngest son who could drive him crazy, he hadn't even grown up yet! How could he be dead?
And Yuan Feng, who has been a general for so many years without incident, how could this happen so suddenly?
Eunuch Li stepped forward, bowed, and placed the imperial edict in Nan Zhong's hands: "Lord Nan, please accept my condolences."
Faced with the imperial edict, Madam Nan couldn't help but sob softly, but dared not cry out loud.
Eunuch Li then said, "By the Crown Prince's decree, Lady Nan must enter the palace immediately without fail."
Wanshou Palace has always been the place where emperors and empresses lay in state. Now that the Yuan family has been given up and Nanfei has married into the family, it is understandable that the two of them, who sacrificed their lives for the country, would rest in Wanshou Palace.
Nan Hua knelt on the prayer mat, sobbing uncontrollably. This was her dearest younger brother, her best senior sister and friend, her greatest support and backing…
An Liangchen sat next to her, holding her shoulder, and listened to her crying, feeling extremely sad.
Upon hearing the news, the emperor and empress rushed over to comfort Nanhua.
Hearing the Empress's bland words of comfort—that the dead cannot be brought back to life—Nanhua slowly stopped crying, feeling increasingly desolate.
The relationship between ruler and subject was nothing more than one of exploitation. In their eyes, the deaths of Nan Fei and Yuan Feng were no different from the deaths of countless other generals on the battlefield.
When Jun Xinyue arrived at Wanshou Palace, she saw the character "奠" (meaning "offering sacrifice") facing the main gate. Although she had prepared herself mentally, her heart still trembled violently. Just as she was about to perform the salute, An Liangchen stopped her.
An Liangchen was very humble: "Sister-in-law, there's no need for such formalities. I'll trouble you to spend more time with Nanhua these next few days."
Jun Xinyue replied softly, "I know. Ahua has always been fond of Xiaofei, and he also has great respect for General Yuan and Afeng."
Nan Hua hung his head, motionless, dejected and lonely, as if he could neither hear nor see anything.
Jun Xinyue slowly sat down next to Nanhua and tentatively hugged him.
Nan Hua didn't struggle, leaning against Jun Xin Yue's chest. Jun Xin Yue embraced her, gently stroking her back.
An Liangchen watched for a while before finally feeling somewhat relieved and leaving. Dexi saw him and immediately greeted him, "Young Master has arrived."
Luo An stood outside the warm pavilion, gazing intently at the laurel tree before him. His hands were clasped behind his back, his posture upright and otherworldly, unlike that of an ordinary person.
An Liangchen suddenly seemed lost in thought. Nan Fei's laughter and scathing remarks were merely superficial. When it came to living a carefree and unrestrained life, Luo An was the one to take the cake.
"You are very well-informed."
"A letter has arrived from Chongming Island."
The two spoke at the same time, and asked simultaneously, "What did you say?"
After a few seconds of silence, An Liangchen said, "You go first."
Luo An took out a letter and handed it to An Liangchen: "A letter from Xu Sheng."
To my brother Luo An: It is as if we are face to face that this letter is written to you.
I had hoped to catch up with my brother after our separation, but he returned home first. I waited for him on Chongming Island for a long time, but he knew I was waiting and did not return. We are brothers, yet he avoids me like a snake; I am deeply saddened by this.
My brother is at home with his family, while I am alone on Chongming Island, gazing at the moon, overwhelmed with sorrow. Please, brother, bring my birthday invitation back to Chongming Island soon so we can reminisce about our separation.
If the younger brother is disrespectful, the elder brother will not be friendly; if not friendly, then hostile. Remember this well!
The inscription was not signed by a name, but rather bore the gold seal of a general, making the threat quite obvious.
An Liangchen asked, "His birthday card?"
Luo An said, "He asked me about my background before, and I said I didn't know. At that time, he was busy fighting the war and couldn't do anything to me, so I thought the matter would just be dropped."
It turns out that Xu Sheng never intended to give up. Judging from this letter, Xu Sheng's victory was not for the sake of conquering the world, but to gain the strength to seek the truth about his origins.
Luo An had no idea that there was also Lord Dongyang and the Empress, as well as Old Master Luo's friends, so many servants in the Luo family, and people who served in the same court as Old Master Luo...
Someone will eventually find out. Even if it was just picked up off the street, it should still have a birth certificate on it.
Moreover, Xu Sheng simply did not believe that Master Luo would really pick up a child at random; he also did not believe that a child picked up at random could grow up to be like him.
If even with the combined strength of Dongyang, they cannot find out the origin of a child, then Xu Sheng will mobilize the entire nation to investigate thoroughly.