The news of the Qin King's victory over the Western Regions spread through the streets and alleys of the capital like the wind.
The common people rushed to spread the news, and people were talking about this great event in bars and teahouses.
"Qin King is mighty. This great victory has further enhanced the prestige of our Jing Kingdom!" an elderly man said, stroking his beard.
"Yes, with a hero like the Qin King, our lives are also more stable!"
"……"
The entire capital was filled with a festive atmosphere.
The people cheered and were excited. Some were beating drums and gongs in the streets, while others set off firecrackers.
Children were laughing and running on the streets, shouting "Long live the Qin King, prosperity of our Jing Kingdom!"
Merchants hung up red lanterns in celebration of the hard-earned victory.
A young scholar on the street excitedly wrote poems praising the Qin King, attracting a crowd of people to gather around and admire him.
Some artisans decided to create a statue of the Qin King as a gesture of admiration.
The entire capital was bathed in joy, full of happiness, and the Qin King's victory had become the proudest honor in the hearts of the people.
The Imperial Study.
When Xuanyuan Zan heard the children of the people shouting "Long live the Qin King," he couldn't help but furrow his eyebrows slightly.
He knew that his younger brother had no desire for the throne and was completely loyal, devoting his heart and soul to the country.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have pushed him to the throne so eagerly during the royal succession.
Thinking about it, his eyebrows relaxed again.
But the children of the people shouting "Long live the Qin King" left an imprint in his heart.
The kind-hearted Palace.
The empress was leaning on a soft couch, twirling a string of Buddhist beads in her hand, and closing her eyes to meditate.
Aroma from an incense burner beside her rose in a wispy mist, filling the sleeping chamber with a faint sandalwood scent.
Li Maoma was hurrying in, her skirt flapping with the wind, disrupting the path of the rising mist.
She respectfully performed a bow, "Your Majesty, what a joyous occasion. The Qin King has won a great victory in the Western Regions, and the news of this triumph has spread throughout the capital."
The empress opened her eyes and her gaze met Li Maoma's, her expression filled with surprise as she said, "Is that really true?"
Li Maoma's face lit up with a smile as she quickly replied, "Your Majesty, it is indeed the case. Every street and alley in the capital is talking about this event, praising the Qin King's bravery."
The empress's face was even more radiant with joy, and she joined her hands together and prayed to the heavens: "Thank you, thank you, my son has emerged victorious in peace, which is indeed a blessing for our Jing Kingdom."
The palace maids and eunuchs kneeling beside her echoed in unison, "Congratulations to Your Majesty, celebrate with Your Majesty."
The empress's expression was full of reassurance, and she sighed with emotion: "The Qin King has had great ambitions since he was young. Now that he has achieved such great military victories, it does not warrant the sorrow of this mother. I hereby issue a imperial edict, giving rewards to all echelons in the palace, to celebrate this joyous event together."
"Thank you for the honor, Empress Mother."
The palace maids and eunuchs once again knelt to the ground, their faces showing great joy.
The empress couldn't help but burst into laughter, and her gaze fell on Li Maoma. She couldn't help but ask, "When will the Qin King return to the capital?"
Li Maoma's face showed a hint of worry as she curtsied and replied, "Your Majesty, this old servant truly does not know."
The empress furrowed her brow slightly and sighed softly, "Never mind. It must be a long journey, and with the war just over, there are many matters to attend to. I only hope that my son returns safely as soon as possible."
Li Maoma thought of the children of the people shouting "Long live the Qin King," "Your Majesty, regarding the children of the common people..."
The look on her face was one of wanting to speak but stopping short, as if she couldn't finish her words.
The empress frowned slightly, "Speak your mind, why all the hesitation?"
Li Maoma looked at the empress and, not daring to conceal, told her about the children of the people shouting "Long live the Qin King" in the streets and alleys.
And even the fact that some artisans are planning to create a statue of the Qin King was not withheld.
Upon hearing this, the empress's face instantly darkened, and a look of concern flickered in her eyes.
"Long live the Qin King?"
The empress murmured to herself, her Buddhist beads spinning in her hand, and the sound carried a weighty tone.
After a moment of silence, she slowly said, "The Qin King and the emperor are both from my loins. Such talk, if it gets out, would not be beneficial for the two brothers. It might bring about unnecessary troubles."
Li Maoma quickly nodded in agreement, "Your Majesty, what you said is very true. This old servant is also worried about it."
The empress gently massaged her temples, pondering for a moment, and said, "Send a message down that the officials should pay attention to the public's chatter. We must not let this event spread unchecked. We don't want it to affect their brotherly bond and the prestige of the imperial family."
Li Maoma quickly replied, "Yes, Your Majesty, this old servant will go and make the arrangements immediately."
The empress stood up, walked to the window, and looked out at the scenery outside. She worriedly said, "But I hope the Qin King can safely return. May he not be burdened by these malicious rumors and may their brothers work together to uphold the glory of our kingdom."
The Qin King's Mansion, Ming Xin Pavilion.
Yu Yao was also happy to hear the news of the Qin King's victory and the conquest of the Western Regions, feeling joy for him.
But upon hearing that common people and children in the streets shouted "Long live the Qin King," her eyebrows furrowed deeply again.
She was well aware that Xuanyuan Cheng did not have such ambitions. If he did, the throne would have been his long ago.
However, such rumors spreading to the palace would certainly arouse the king's suspicion. For both Xuanyuan Cheng and Qin Wang's Mansion, it wouldn't be a good thing.
She paced back and forth inside the room, looking worried.
Xiangling watched from the side and couldn't help but say, "Master, the rumors from the common people may bring trouble to your son."
Yu Yao stopped in her tracks, sighed, and said, "Yes, Xiangling. The victory of my son is a good thing, but the cheering voice may cause jealousy in the heart of the emperor. It's not a good thing for Qin Wang's Mansion."
It's likely that there will be a rift between the two brothers because of this.
Xiangling furrowed her brow, but such matters are not something a little servant like her should worry about.
Yu Yao pondered for a moment, turned, and took out a bag of silver from the cabinet, handing it to Xiangling. Lowering her voice, she said, "Xiangling, take this bag of silver and find some children and beggars. Have them shout on the streets that Qin Wang is mighty and His Majesty is long live. You must guide public opinion in this way to dilute the inappropriate cheering voice before. Remember to be very careful when carrying out the task, do not let others discover any clues."
Xiangling took the silver, also realizing the seriousness of the matter, and nodded solemnly, "Master, please be assured. I will be extremely careful and will not disgrace my mission."
"Very well, be careful."
Yu Yao lightly patted her hand and said.
"Servant understands."
Xiangling quickly left with the silver, going around the garden pavilion and leaving Qin Wang's Mansion soon.
Yu Yao was pacing back and forth in the room with her hands on her stomach. Her eyebrows were knitted tightly together, and she mumbled to herself: "I hope this move will have some effect. Otherwise, the days ahead may not be peaceful…"
She waited anxiously in the room, her heart always hanging in the balance.
Unknowingly, it was already dinnertime.
Xiangju carefully attended to her meal, and the table was covered with exquisite dishes.
Yu Yao's gaze wandered, she had no appetite, but for the sake of her child, she forced herself to eat a little.
At that moment, Xiangling, breathless, ran back.
Xiangling put down her chopsticks and looked at Xiangling with an anxious expression, asking urgently, "Xiangling, how is it?"
Xiangling bent over, gasping for breath, only then speaking as she calmed down, "Master, it was relatively smooth. The children and beggars did as we said. As for the change in public opinion, it may take some time to know."
Yu Yao nodded slightly, the worry in her eyes not dispelled, "I hope it works. It's best not to cause any more trouble."
"You all go and have your meal. There's no need to attend to me."
She waved her hand, stood up, and noticed that only half of the food on the table had been eaten. "Take this food and eat it. I'm full."
She said this and lay down on the bed to read a novel.
Xiangling and Xiangju were quite pleased.
The mistress is favored by the master and is pregnant, so the food she eats naturally tastes much better than what the little servants eat, many times better.
The mistress has very good manners when having meals, and she will only use one side of each dish.
Xiangling and Xianghu took the dishes from the table and privately divided them up, then went to eat.
