Chapter 469 Extra Story: Each Finds Joy in Their Own Way 12
When He Jingru returned home, she was surprised to find Han Dong and Madam Kong there as well.
Her expression instantly turned cold as she said sharply, "What are you two doing here?"
"Naturally, we came to inform Lord He about what his eldest daughter has been up to outside," Madam Kong sneered. "No wonder Miss He is in no hurry to marry—she's been keeping a male courtesan outside. Truly eye-opening."
"Utter nonsense! How dare you spout such rubbish in the He residence!" Lord He was so enraged he was practically foaming at the mouth.
Earlier, the couple had only hinted at something, and he hadn't understood what they meant. Now it was clear—they were fabricating stories about his daughter.
"Whether it's nonsense or not, why not ask around outside?" Madam Kong retorted without backing down. "Our Han family was even considering taking He Jingru as a concubine to save her from lifelong spinsterhood. Who would have thought she'd stoop to such disgraceful behavior? Having her as a concubine would only tarnish my husband's reputation! Tsk tsk, Lord He, by indulging your daughter in such scandalous conduct, you should brace yourself for impeachment by the Censorate!"
He Jingru's younger sister grabbed a broom by the door and swung it at Madam Kong. "How dare you spread lies and slander my elder sister! My sister may be gentle and slow to anger, but I won't stand for this! Outside is one thing, but this is the He residence—we won't tolerate your foul mouth spewing nonsense! Get out, get out of our house!"
A group of He siblings, hearing the commotion, rushed out from the backyard and firmly shielded He Jingru behind them.
"Gentlemen use words, not fists. Everyone, stop this!" Han Dong quickly pulled his wife behind him. "We came here out of goodwill to inform you, and instead you turn on us? This is like the dog that bit Lü Dongbin—you don't recognize a good heart when you see one..."
"You're the dog! Your whole family are dogs!" The He eldest son struck Han Dong on the head with the broom. "Disgraceful trash, get out of here now!"
Han Dong and Madam Kong were unceremoniously driven out the door.
Just then, a troop of cavalry halted in front of the He residence. A soldier called out loudly, "Is this the residence of Sixth-Rank Official Lord He?"
Lord He hurried out, bowing as he ran. "Yes, this is your humble official's home."
"The entire He family, prepare to receive the imperial decree!"
At the forefront of the cavalry was Lin Dongdong.
As the Emperor's chief guard, he held more prestige than even the senior eunuchs. His presence to deliver the decree represented the current Emperor himself.
Dismounting from his horse, he unrolled the imperial edict and proclaimed in a clear voice: "By the decree of Heaven and the mandate of the Emperor, it is proclaimed: We have heard that He Jingru, eldest daughter of the He family, is devout in her duties, exceptionally talented, virtuous and dignified. Having consulted the ancestral hall... it is hereby decreed that He Jingru, eldest daughter of the He family, shall be established as Empress with golden registry and seal. The coronation ceremony shall be held three months hence... So ordered!"
When the decree was finished, every member of the He family stood frozen in shock.
Lord He looked up, unable to believe what he had heard. "This... honored official, was the decree read incorrectly, or have you come to the wrong place?"
He was merely a sixth-rank official—his daughter wasn't even qualified to serve the Emperor in the palace, let alone become Empress!
Lin Dongdong coughed lightly. "The decree was neither misread nor delivered to the wrong place. Lord He, Miss He, please accept the decree."
Lord He still found it impossible to believe, wondering if he had drunk too much wine and was hallucinating.
He Jingru stepped forward with her head bowed. "Your humble daughter accepts the decree."
"As the future Empress, Miss He need not kneel," Lin Dongdong said. "The Emperor is about to depart on a campaign, so the He family need not enter the palace to express gratitude."
Only then did Han Dong and Madam Kong, who had been watching from the sidelines, snap out of their stunned silence.Are you kidding me? He Jingru as the Empress?
Never mind how the Emperor took a fancy to He Jingru, just consider the disgraceful things she's done—is she fit to be the mother of a nation?
Without a second thought, Madam Kong jumped up and declared, "Your Excellency, He Jingru has been keeping a male courtesan outside..."
"Guards, slap her mouth!" Lin Dongdong said coldly. "Addressing the future Empress by her name without title is punishable by a month in the dungeon. Since it's your first offense, I'll let you off with a warning."
The guards beside him gave Madam Kong ten slaps across the face.
Stunned and disoriented from the beating, Madam Kong grew even more indignant. "The eldest Miss He keeps a male courtesan outside! How can someone like that be worthy of being Empress?"
Lin Dongdong smiled. "Then tell me, what did this male courtesan look like?"
Madam Kong hurriedly replied, "About this tall, wearing a jade crown on his head, with a jade pendant hanging from his waist..."
Lin Dongdong pressed further, "Was there a dragon carved on that jade pendant?"
Madam Kong nodded eagerly.
"Guards, seize her!" Lin Dongdong's expression suddenly turned furious. "How dare you call the current Emperor a male courtesan? It seems you have a death wish! And you, Minister Han, allowing your wife to insult the Emperor and Empress—I think you've grown tired of living! Take these two away, throw them into the dungeon, and let the Emperor deal with them personally!"
Han Dong's eyes widened in shock.
That elegant young man was the current Emperor?
How did He Jingru come to know the Emperor? And how did she manage to get him to appoint her as Empress?
She was just a woman he had discarded—how could she suddenly rise to such exalted status?
Though he had many more questions, no one would answer them. He and his wife were dragged away by officers and thrown directly into the prison.
Meanwhile, the entire court was in an uproar.
For the past two years, civil and military officials had daily submitted memorials urging the Emperor to take consorts and appoint an Empress, but he had ignored them all.
Who would have thought that, while they weren't paying attention, the Emperor would appoint the daughter of a sixth-rank official as the nation's mother? It seemed utterly absurd.
They wanted to confront the Emperor about this.
But the Emperor had donned his armor, mounted his warhorse, and led tens of thousands of soldiers north to the frontier.
The battle against the Northern Di lasted two months and, unsurprisingly, ended in a great victory. Vast territories in the northern borderlands were incorporated into the Great Jin's domain.
From its founding to the present, Great Jin's territory had continuously expanded, and now it was the largest suzerain state in the Central Plains.
After the victorious campaign, the Emperor returned triumphantly with his troops, welcomed by countless commoners lining the streets.
Chu Changsheng sat on the second floor of a teahouse by the street, standing at the windowsill and watching the soldiers entering the city gates. At the very front was her brother.
After more than two months apart, her brother had grown darker, and his aura had become more formidable. Through his actions, he had proven that he could not only govern the country and bring peace to the world through civil means but also mount a horse and secure the realm through martial prowess. He had become the irreplaceable young sovereign in the eyes of the people.
She was proud to have such a brother.
"Princess, look! That's Young Master Murong."
Following her maid's pointing finger, Chu Changsheng saw Murong Bi riding behind Chu Hongyu.
The moment she looked at Murong Bi,
the man raised his head and met her gaze.
Amidst thousands of people, their eyes locked—neither a moment too early nor a moment too late.
Chu Changsheng smiled.
Murong Bi smiled back.
He nudged his horse's flank, and the steed slowly broke away from the procession, entering a side alley.
He tossed the reins to a guard beside him, then strode into the teahouse, climbed to the second floor, and looked at the woman sitting by the window.
"Your Highness, I have returned."His voice warmed Chu Changsheng's heart.
At first, she thought she must find a consort eventually. After much consideration, she felt Murong Bi was relatively suitable, but she hadn't invested much emotion in the idea.
It wasn't until her brother issued the decree ordering Murong Bi to accompany the army that she began to worry about this man. She feared her decision might cost him his life.
Fortunately, he returned safely.
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