Starting with a Wei Wu soldier

Chapter 301 Triumphant Feast

The ninth day of the seventh month in the fifth year of the Qiming era. Chang'an City.

The march from Yunzhong to Chang'an took a full month. When the mighty army finally appeared outside Kaiyuan Gate, the entire capital was in an uproar.

The imperial road was packed with people. People of all ages lined the sides of the road, standing on tiptoe and craning their necks to catch a glimpse of the triumphant army. Shops closed, schools were on holiday, and even the merchants from the East and West markets suspended their business to join the crowds and watch the spectacle.

"They're here! They're here!"

A cheer erupted from the crowd.

On the horizon, first appeared banners. Dark dragon banners fluttered in the summer breeze. Then came the cavalry, a dark mass, their armor gleaming coldly in the sunlight. Next came the infantry, their steps precise and powerful. Finally, a long convoy, loaded with spoils of war, prisoners, and—that head in a wooden box.

When Chen Xing appeared on the imperial road, the cheers reached their peak.

"Long live! Long live! Long live!"

The roar was like a tidal wave, one wave after another, almost tearing down the city gates.

Chen Xing rode at the head of the procession, his expression calm and composed. He nodded slightly to the people on both sides, which drew an even more enthusiastic cheer.

Behind him, Dian Xiong rode ramrod straight, his back wound still not fully healed, his face beaming with pride. Zhou Hu followed closely behind, trying to keep a straight face, but couldn't help but smile. Further back were the soldiers returning from the northern deserts, each with a proud smile on their face.

Outside Kaiyuan Gate, Jia Wen, along with his civil and military officials, had been waiting for some time.

Chen Xing reined in his warhorse and dismounted.

Jia Wen led all the officials to kneel on the ground, their voices trembling:

"Your humble servant warmly welcomes Your Majesty's triumphant return! Long live Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty!"

Chen Xing stepped forward and helped him up personally.

"Prime Minister Jia, you've worked hard."

Jia Wen raised his head, his old eyes filled with tears.

"This old minister is not tired. Your Majesty... Your Majesty is the one who is truly tired."

The ceremony to enter the city lasted for a full two hours.

From Kaiyuan Gate to Chengtian Gate, the ten-mile imperial road was packed with people. Citizens crowded both sides of the road, scattering flower petals, setting off firecrackers, and cheering incessantly. The soldiers returning from the northern deserts became the brightest stars. Children chased after the troops, shouting "Heroes! Heroes!" while adults pointed at the spoils of war, marveling at their achievements.

The most striking feature was the head inside the wooden box.

As the wooden box containing the Snow Wolf Khan's head was raised high, a roar erupted from the crowd:

"Well done!"

"They deserved to die!"

"Long live Your Majesty!"

In that voice, there was anger, hatred, pleasure, and also—an indescribable sense of awe.

Chen Xing remained silent. He simply rode slowly, his gaze sweeping over the excited faces.

He saw people crying, crying their hearts out—they were the families of fallen soldiers, who had come to greet the spirits of their loved ones.

He saw people laughing, their faces streaked with tears—they were border residents who had been captured and then released; they could finally go home.

He saw people kneeling on the ground, kowtowing repeatedly—they were slaves who had escaped from the northern deserts; they had finally waited for this day.

He didn't say anything.

I just silently memorized each of those faces in my heart.

At the entrance of Chengtian Gate, Empress Murong Mingyue, along with her concubines, princes, and princesses, had been waiting for a long time.

Murong Mingyue was dressed in her finest attire today, adorned with a phoenix coronet and embroidered robes, dignified and solemn. Behind her, Su Xiaoxiao, in her Noble Consort's robes, remained calm; Lin Wan'er, in the attire of a Virtuous Consort, had slightly reddened eyes; and Lan Fenghuang, in the attire of a Wise Consort, kept tiptoeing and peering around. The three princes stood beside their respective mothers, the youngest, Chen Ke, being led by Lan Fenghuang, looking around with curiosity.

When Chen Xing came into view, Murong Mingyue took a soft breath.

It's been four months.

Four whole months.

Every day, she waited for this letter, for that news, for that person to return.

Now, he's finally back.

Chen Xing dismounted and strode towards her.

Murong Mingyue, fighting back tears, led the crowd in kneeling in submission:

"Your Majesty, I respectfully welcome your triumphant return!"

Before she could finish speaking, Chen Xing had already stepped forward and helped her up.

"Zitong," he said softly, "I'm back."

Murong Mingyue raised her head and met his gaze.

Those eyes were still the same eyes. Only, there were a few more fine lines at the corners of them.

She reached out and gently stroked his face.

"Your Majesty... has lost weight."

Chen Xing grasped her hand, applying slight pressure.

"You've lost weight too."

Their eyes met, and a thousand words were left unsaid.

Su Xiaoxiao, Lin Wan'er, and Lan Fenghuang stepped forward to greet him in turn. Chen Xing helped them up one by one, pausing briefly in front of each of them to say a few words.

"Xiaoxiao, thank you for your hard work in transporting military supplies and provisions."

Su Xiaoxiao smiled slightly: "It is my duty."

"Wan'er, the inscription is very well written. I like it very much."

Lin Wan'er's eyes were slightly red, and she gave a deep bow.

"Phoenix," Chen Xing said, looking at the blue phoenix, "your little insects have done a great service."

Blue Phoenix blinked, grinned, and as she smiled, tears streamed down her face.

Chen Ke tugged at his mother's clothes, tilting his little face up to ask:

"Mother, why is Father crying?"

Lan Fenghuang wiped away her tears, squatted down, and hugged him:

"Father didn't cry. Father is happy."

Night falls in the Taiji Hall.

The triumphant feast has officially begun.

The palace was brightly lit, with the sounds of string and wind instruments filling the air. Civil and military officials, noble ladies, and other dignitaries gathered in the hall. The tables were laden with delicacies from land and sea, and the cups were filled with imperial wine.

Chen Xing sat upright on the throne, with Empress Murong Mingyue seated to his side. The Noble Consort, the Virtuous Consort, and the Wise Consort sat in order. The three princes sat beside their respective mothers, the youngest, Chen Ke, whose eyelids were drooping with sleep, but he stubbornly refused to fall asleep.

Jia Wen rose and led all the officials in raising their cups:

"Congratulations on Your Majesty's triumphant return! Long live Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty!"

"Long live! Long live! Long live the Emperor!"

Chen Xing raised his glass and drank it all in one gulp.

Music resumed, and toasts were exchanged. Some rose to recite poems, some stepped forward to offer drinks, and some began to discuss the war in the northern deserts with great enthusiasm.

Nobuo sat at the head of the military officers, his back wound still not fully healed, yet his face was already flushed from drinking. He raised his wine cup and shouted loudly:

"You don't know! That wolf cub was standing right in front of the battle lines, pointing at His Majesty and cursing! Without saying a word, His Majesty just beheaded him with one stroke! It was so satisfying!"

The generals around him chimed in, embellishing the story and making the battle sound incredibly magnificent.

Chen Wei sat to the side, smiling without saying a word. He knew Dian Xiong was bragging, but he didn't call him out on it. Some things don't need to be taken too seriously.

Jia Wen sat at the head of the civil officials, stroking his beard and smiling. His gaze frequently fell on Chen Xing. This emperor, whom he had watched grow up, was now a true great ruler.

Su Xiaoxiao sat at the table, speaking quietly with the Ministry of Revenue officials beside her. She was already calculating how much money the war had cost, how much spoils had been captured, and how to balance the income and expenditure of the national treasury and the inner court.

Lin Wan'er sat quietly, occasionally exchanging a few words with the ladies of the court beside her. Her gaze would frequently drift to the man on the throne. She remembered the night before his departure, and the words he spoke by the window of the Wenhua Hall. Now, he had finally returned.

Lan Fenghuang sat at the table, idly poking at the dishes in front of her. She disliked these occasions; they were too noisy, too chaotic, and too many rules. But as the Virtuous Consort, she had to come. She secretly glanced at Chen Xing on the throne and saw him speaking quietly to the Empress. She then discreetly took out a small cloth bag from her sleeve, poured out a few pills, and put them into her mouth.

"Mother," Chen Ke rubbed his eyes, "I'm sleepy."

Lan Fenghuang picked him up and gently patted his back.

"Be good, wait a little longer. We'll go back once Father is done with his work."

Chen Ke nodded, leaned on her shoulder, and quickly fell asleep.

Murong Mingyue noticed this and smiled slightly. She whispered to Chen Xing:

"Phoenix is ​​a good mother."

Chen Xing nodded.

"yes."

At 9 PM, the banquet gradually ended.

Chen Xing rose and bid farewell to each of his ministers. When he reached Dian Xiong, Dian Xiong was so drunk that he could barely stand, yet he still insisted on bowing.

Chen Xing helped him up.

"Dianxiong, I told you I'd treat you to drinks when I returned. Did you enjoy the drinks tonight?"

Norio grinned and mumbled indistinctly:

"That was exhilarating...exhilarating...Your Majesty, if there's another battle like this, let me go again..."

Chen Xing patted him on the shoulder.

"Okay. I'll let you go next time."

Dian Xiong chuckled twice and was helped down by two bodyguards.

Chen Xing walked to the entrance of the hall and looked back.

Inside the palace, the lights were still bright. The courtiers were still chatting and laughing, the palace maids were still moving about, and the music was still echoing.

But what's meant to be scattered will eventually be scattered.

He turned around and strode out of the hall.

Behind them, Murong Mingyue, Su Xiaoxiao, Lin Wan'er, and Lan Fenghuang, along with the three princes, followed silently.

The moonlight, like water, spilled onto the glazed tiles of the Taiji Palace, casting a cool, clear glow.

Chen Ke was fast asleep, his head resting on Lan Fenghuang's shoulder.

Chen Heng tugged at Su Xiaoxiao's sleeve and whispered:

"Mother, isn't Father amazing?"

Su Xiaoxiao nodded.

"Yes. Very impressive."

Chen Heng's eyes lit up:

"When I grow up, I want to be as powerful as my father."

Su Xiaoxiao smiled slightly and didn't say anything.

Chen Qi walked at the back, silently watching the tall, straight back of the man in front of him.

He recalled what his father had said to him in a private audience before his departure:

"When I am not here, you are the eldest son, and you should share the burdens of your mother."

He didn't know if he had done a good job. But he knew he had tried his best.

The figure in front suddenly stopped.

Chen Xing turned around and looked at him.

"Qi'er."

Chen Qi strode forward: "Father?"

Chen Xing looked at him for a while, then suddenly reached out and gently ruffled his hair.

"well done."

Chen Qi was stunned for a moment, and his eyes gradually reddened.

He lowered his head and nodded vigorously.

Chen Xing turned around and continued walking forward.

Under the moonlight, his silhouette was so tall and so far away.

Chen Qi stood there, staring at that figure for a long time.

Until her mother's voice came from the front:

"Qi'er, hurry up and keep up."

He then came to his senses and quickly chased after him.

The night was dark.

The lights in Taiji Palace went out one by one.

Tomorrow will be another new day.