strictlysupreme Article 483 Nianchu
Article 483 Nianchu
In a corner of the study, a young boy was writing at his desk, his handwriting neat and elegant.
A woman's soft sobbing came from a palace pavilion; the sound seemed to be...
"What you will do in the future will not be just studying."
"Strategist?" Xie Yanli's voice rang out, bringing him back from the fragment.
Outside, that's what he calls him; Meng Ze's current role is military advisor and strategist.
Meng Ze's eyes sharpened, and he lowered his head, saying, "Yes."
Xie Jingchun glanced back at him but didn't ask any questions; she simply strode forward.
Meng Ze followed.
-
Royal study room.
"Your Majesty, Prince Xie and the others have arrived."
Xie Yanli led the group into the hall, with servants kneeling behind them to report.
Gao Xian was dressed in a bright yellow court robe today, with dragon patterns embroidered on his chest, making him appear even more majestic.
Xie Yanli and the others bowed and said, "Your Majesty, we pay our respects."
He raised his hand to signal everyone to dispense with formalities, but a rare smile appeared on his face. "Dispense with formalities. I have been waiting for you for many days."
"You are all great contributors to our victory this time, and I am very pleased."
Having said that, he waved to the eunuch: "Reward him!"
The eunuch outside the hall immediately announced loudly: "By imperial decree, the Crown Prince Xie is granted a thousand taels of gold, a hundred acres of fertile land, and the title of General Zhenguo, to be inherited by his descendants! Xie Jingchun is granted the title of General Huguo, General Shen is promoted to the second rank, and Military Advisor Liu Chuan is rewarded with five hundred taels of gold, appointed as Zhaoce Advisor, and his name will be recorded in history!"
The crowd knelt down again to express their gratitude.
Then Gao Xian said, "You may all return to your residences today. A banquet will be held three days later to celebrate our victory. At that time, the entire court will offer their congratulations."
Meng Ze stood in the hall, looking at the desk in front of him carved with a coiled dragon pattern. A stack of memorials was piled on the desk, and the air was filled with the fragrance of ink.
A display shelf made of Phoebe zhennan wood, a curtain made of Xiangfei bamboo hanging from it, and a bronze tripod engraved with "Chengqian Yong'an"...
He stood there, his back stiff, as if something was blocking his throat.
Everything here feels so familiar.
It's like... I've been here many, many times.
The next moment, his legs went weak and he staggered.
Xie Yanli reached out to support him, his gaze darkening as he asked in a low voice, "What's wrong?"
Meng Ze shook his head. "No, it's nothing."
Gao Xian also noticed this scene and glanced at Meng Ze a few more times.
But nothing unusual was noticed.
Yuanxi stepped forward, bowed, and led them out.
Passing through the corridor and heading out of the palace, the group was eager to get home as soon as possible.
Just as they were about to enter another corridor, a group of palace servants escorted the Empress Dowager as she slowly approached.
Xie Yanli and Xie Jingchun immediately bowed in greeting.
The Empress Dowager, adorned with a jeweled crown, appeared gentle and graceful. Upon seeing Xie Yanli, a smile appeared on her lips.
"Your Highness, you have made a great contribution to this triumphant return."
Xie Yanli respectfully replied, "It is all what this humble subject should do."
The Empress Dowager waved her hand, her gaze falling back on Xie Jingchun.
Just as he was about to speak again, he suddenly paused.
Her gaze fell on the unremarkable middle-aged man at the back of the crowd.
The man had simple features, a calm expression, and was looking down.
But the Empress Dowager was stunned for a moment.
Her gaze paused almost imperceptibly; those eyes, that expression, were so similar…
The Empress Dowager's heart tightened slightly. "Who is this...?"
Xie Yanli said, "He is Liu Chuan, a staff officer in the army. He also made many contributions in this great battle."
"Liuchuan?" the Empress Dowager murmured.
Meng Ze raised his eyes and met the Empress Dowager's gaze.
At that moment, Meng Ze felt as if he had been struck by lightning, his mind exploding with a deafening roar.
The images rushed into my mind like a burst dam.
He remembers this person!
A woman in magnificent palace attire stood quietly beside the emperor, holding a swaddled infant in her arms.
She smiled at him, her eyes gentle.
But deep within his eyes lay a hidden wariness, an undisguised murderous intent.
The look in her eyes now... is very similar.
Then, more memories came flooding back.
He sat at the desk in front of the imperial study, learning to write. A gentle woman beside him held his hand and softly taught him, "This character is pronounced 'qi,' and it's part of your name."
He was precocious and intelligent from a young age, and was praised by his teachers. Born as the eldest son of the emperor, he was naturally gifted.
Then came that chilling night, a night of rivers of blood—
He personally pushed Gu Qing and Nian Chu onto the carriage, shouting, "Go! Protect her and get away!"
“I… am Gao Qiyuan,” Meng Ze murmured, his voice trembling slightly.
His fingers trembled, and his head felt like it was about to explode.
He remembered, he remembered everything.
-
Night falls on Qinglan Courtyard.
On the table were steaming dishes and fragrant fruit wine.
Xie Jue raised his small teacup high, his smile beaming: "Celebrating the victory! Celebrating Father and Big Brother's return home!"
"Great!" Everyone burst into laughter and echoed in unison.
The atmosphere inside was warm and harmonious, with cups clinking and toasts being exchanged.
Meng Ze, sitting in the lower corner, remained expressionless throughout.
He smiled as he raised his glass in greeting, but said little, while a dark, misty look lingered in his eyes.
The atmosphere was so lively that no one noticed the deeper meaning in his eyes for a moment.
His gaze occasionally swept towards the outside of the courtyard, lost in thought.
After dinner, everyone drank tea for a while before leaving.
Meng Ze was the first to leave.
A quarter of an hour later.
Meng Zejing sat by the window, looking out.
It is May, and the locust flowers in the courtyard have already faded, but a faint fragrance still lingers under the eaves.
Everything was quiet, so quiet that you could hear the wind whistling through the roof tiles.
A cup of hot tea sat on his table, its turquoise lid lightly covering it, steam rising from it.
But he didn't touch it.
Meng Ze closed his eyes, seemingly taking a nap, but in reality, he hadn't slept a wink.
Scenes flashed through my mind like fleeting shadows.
Cheng Nianchu stood at the entrance of the embroidery room, her black hair half-tied up, her eyes clear and gentle, looking at him as if reflecting a thousand tender feelings, "Your Highness has returned early today."
She held the teacup, the aroma of tea swirling around her. She looked up at him, her eyes filled with unconcealed worry, and said softly, "Why are you out in the wind again? The imperial physician said you're not feeling well..."
The night rain pattered softly. She stood under the eaves, wearing his cloak, a few strands of hair clinging to her cheeks, damp from the rain.
Her eyes held a hint of stubbornness, yet her tone was gentle.
"It's alright if you take a while, I'll wait for you."
Those eyes, clear as water, revealed the simplest yet deepest love in the world.
Looking back now, it feels like a lifetime has passed.
She is dead.
She had just given birth when she was stabbed more than a dozen times, her chest was even cut open, and she died on a cold, simple wooden bed.
He didn't even get to take his last breath...
When Meng Ze opened his eyes again, he found himself in tears.