strictlysupreme Chapter 1171 The Empress of Daqing
Chapter 1171 The Empress of Daqing
The army returned eastward, its banners unfurling in the warming winds of the plateau.
Li Che left Yu Daliang and 30,000 elite troops in the newly expanded territory, instructing them to build fortresses, cultivate land, and stabilize the new defense line with the Nu River as the boundary.
The remaining main force then escorted the imperial carriage and embarked on their return journey.
The winding procession, like a long dragon, moved slowly across the vast天地 (heaven and earth).
Li Che, riding on horseback, occasionally glanced at the unusually quiet princess carriage in the procession.
The curtains hung low, separating the inside from the outside, and seemingly also blocking out the sounds inside.
Compared to the Tibetan princess who was disguised in the camp that day, the person in the carriage now resembled an exquisite doll whose soul had been taken away, leaving only an empty shell of appearance.
Li Che knew exactly what she was thinking. The truth behind that bet stripped her of all dignity as a princess.
He didn't rush to bother her these past few days, but simply let her process things on her own first.
The team paused for a rest in a sheltered mountain hollow.
Li Che unfastened the gyrfalcon from his arm guard, gently flicked his wrist, and muttered a few words.
Xiaoqing shot into the sky like a bolt of lightning, circled a few times, and landed steadily on the window frame of Princess Zhuoma's carriage.
It folded its wings, tilted its head, and peered curiously inside with its golden eyes.
Inside the car, Zhuoma, who had been sitting quietly with her eyes down, was startled by the sudden visitor.
Looking up, I met Xiaoqing's bright and lively gaze.
She was taken aback at first, then her eyes revealed an instinctive love and curiosity for vibrant life.
She leaned forward slightly, subconsciously reaching out her finger to touch the pure white feather that symbolizes good fortune in Tibetan legends, but stopped halfway, her fingertips trembling slightly.
Just then, the sound of horses' hooves rang out beside the carriage window.
Li Che rode closer and looked into her eyes, which reflected Xiao Qing's figure, through the carriage window. He said, "You can touch it. It recognizes its own people and won't hurt anyone."
Upon hearing this, Zhuoma quickly withdrew her hand, straightened her back, and resumed her dignified demeanor.
He then lowered his head through the car window and whispered, "Greetings, Your Majesty."
Li Che didn't mind her restraint and smiled: "I still remember the courage and cleverness of the princess who dared to disguise herself and infiltrate my army camp before. Why are you so reserved now?"
Zhuoma raised her eyes and glanced at him, her gaze complex: "Since Your Majesty knew the truth all along, why didn't you tell me back then?"
Li Che shook his head and said calmly, "If I told you that your younger brother used you to gain a new title, would you believe me? You'd probably think I'm trying to drive a wedge between you and your brother, wouldn't you?"
"Some things, no matter how much others say, are not as unforgettable as seeing them with your own eyes."
Zhuoma's eyes involuntarily reddened slightly, and she quickly turned her face away.
Seeing her reaction, Li Che continued, "I have heard that you have never left Lhasa since you were born. Your world consists only of that city and those people."
Zhuoma remained silent, which was taken as tacit agreement.
“But now, you’ve come out.” Li Che’s voice seemed to have a magical quality. “Look, the world outside is vast and the scenery is completely different. This is only the edge of the plateau.”
"When you return to the Central Plains, you will find that Daqing has thousands of miles of rivers and mountains, cities like stars, abundant resources, and a multitude of people that are beyond your imagination."
"Next, I will make a southern tour to see the misty Jiangnan region and the waves of the sea... I will take you to see them all. This world is so vast that even I, the ruler of the world, cannot see it all in my lifetime."
He paused, his gaze returning to her face: "Now that you have married me, you are the Empress of Daqing. From now on, you are first and foremost my concubine, and only then the former Tibetan princess."
"In this land, no one will look down on you because of your origins, but will respect you only because of your status."
Why trap yourself in the past, wasting your energy and sorrow on those who have abandoned you?
Zhuoma listened intently, a crack already opened in her mind by Li Che's words.
She was intelligent from a young age, and during her studies, she longed for the Central Plains.
She never imagined that the world in the book would one day truly be related to her.
“Your life did not end the moment you left Lhasa,” Li Che concluded. “On the contrary, it was that moment that began a new chapter. Not everyone has such an opportunity.”
"Zhuoma, don't let it down."
Princess Zhuoma sat quietly in the carriage, digesting every word Li Che said.
She looked at the white eagle quietly preening its feathers on the window frame, then at the young emperor outside the carriage with his deep and peaceful gaze, and the ice in her heart finally began to crack.
Yes, now Tibet is just a name for her homeland, and it's no longer worth her feeling sad about it.
And the Central Plains, which he longed for, was opening its arms to him. So why was he wallowing in self-pity?
When she looked up again, the confusion in her eyes had faded considerably: "I understand."
Li Che grinned. It's so much easier to coax young girls in ancient times, especially a princess.
In modern times, would you think you could win someone over without spending a few days and presenting several gifts? Dream on!
Li Che raised an eyebrow, deliberately drawing out his words: "Hmm? What?"
Zhuoma was taken aback at first, then realized what she meant, and two faint blushes appeared on her cheeks: "Your Majesty... I understand."