Reborn as the Crippled King's Beloved-Chapter 257 - Kai Xuan Returns to Beijing Discusses

Chapter 257: Chapter 257: Kai Xuan Returns to Beijing, Discusses Achievements and Rewards

Chapter 257 -257: Kai Xuan Returns to Beijing, Discusses Achievements and Rewards

Murong Jiu did not want to give birth prematurely.

She hoped the twins could reach full term and be born in better health.

Moreover, she was already more than a month pregnant before marrying into the Prince Mansion, so a premature birth would make the timing even more questionable.

Even if she were to give birth at full term, it would still have to be reported as being a month premature.

She did not want the twins to suffer from any rumors or gossip.

Reflecting on her past life, she felt she owed them a great deal.

Luckily, the Third Prince was severely injured, and the Second Prince was under house arrest, deeply mired and unable to act effectively.

She cared for her pregnancy with peace of mind, paying extra attention to her diet.

In a few days, the grand army triumphantly returned to the Capital City.

Murong Jiu wanted to welcome her father and brothers at the city gate, but Jun Yuyan dissuaded her.

“The city gate will be crowded, and it could be troublesome if you get squeezed. Stay inside the mansion. I believe as soon as your father-in-law and the others return to the capital and meet the Emperor, their first task will be to see you. You will see them soon enough; no need to rush this moment.”

That made sense.

Today, the Capital City was exceptionally lively. Chun Tao mentioned that to welcome the victorious return of the grand army, people voluntarily hung lanterns at their doors and the stores did the same, creating a festive atmosphere.

Where there are many people, it’s easy for chaos to ensue.

If it weren’t for her pregnancy, she would certainly have joined the excitement, but now she could not.

“I know, don’t worry. I definitely won’t run around. You should leave now, or you’ll be too late.”

She smiled and pushed Jun Yuyan, who was reluctant to leave, out the door.

As the grand army celebrated their triumphant return, he, being a distinguished general, had to ride back with the troops, mounted on a tall horse and dressed in armor, looking imposing as he accepted the cheers and adoration of the people.

Jun Yuyan took a few steps forward, then suddenly turned back, leaving a gentle kiss on her forehead.

Her cheeks instantly flushed red.

Chun Tao and Hong Yi were right there!

Usually, his kisses were when they were alone together.

Looking at her blushing face, Jun Yuyan couldn’t help but think she looked more beautiful than even the hardy camellias blooming nearby.

“Ah Jiu, wait well at home for my return.”

“Alright.”

Murong Jiu watched him stride away.

After Jun Yuyan left, time seemed to drag on endlessly for Murong Jiu. She had the guards report constantly from the city gate, bringing updates to her directly.

An hour later, the guards relayed that the grand army had reached just outside the city gates, singing their triumphant songs and playing victorious music.

However, the Emperor did not personally welcome them, instead sending a few ministers to meet and reward the troops.

The people seemed somewhat dissatisfied, believing that Prince Ling and General Fu’s significant contributions deserved the Emperor and high ministers’ personal reception.

But despite their dissatisfaction, they dared not speak openly. Upon seeing the grand army, the citizens cheered and jubilated, creating a scene of emptiness like no person was left at home.

Upon the grand army’s return, they proceeded to the Imperial Ancestral Temple to report their victory to heaven and ancestors, offering thanks for their protection.

They presented various war spoils, including captives, for processing.

Among the captives was the Second Prince of the Xiongnu, who was reportedly very robust and tall. During nearly a month of captivity, he had become drastically emaciated, looking worse than a beggar.

“This Second Prince was one of the chief commanders of the Xiongnu. After they occupied cities of Great Yan, he ordered the slaughter of all young and middle-aged men who couldn’t escape in time, sparing only the old and weak who couldn’t resist, using them for building fortifications. Young women were captured for the Xiongnu soldiers’ tents, and countless children were also cruelly killed. Seeing the Second Prince in such a miserable state felt like justice for many.”

The guard explained why the Second Prince had become like that.

Because abusing prisoners tarnishes the dignity of a great nation, captives are generally not treated poorly, though they aren’t given fine food either.

However, the Second Prince of the Xiongnu had enraged everyone. The soldiers had seen the early horrors endured by ordinary citizens in captured towns, which were nothing short of hellish for those people.

After the towns were retaken, hundreds of women had committed suicide in the name of honor alone.

Countless elderly knelt on the ground, crying to the heavens in desperation, presenting a scene of immense misery.

All of it was caused by the Xiongnu army, and this prince had directly issued the orders. His influence trickled down, causing unspeakable suffering.

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After the Second Prince was captured alive, nobody openly did anything to him, but every night, people would sneak up and beat him. His food was even worse, laced with various “ingredients.”

Chun Tao and Hong Yi were filled with righteous indignation.

Chun Tao said, “This man truly deserves to die! I don’t know how the Emperor will deal with him, but I really hope he will be torn into thousands of pieces.”

Murong Jiu shook her head, “The Shanyu of the Xiongnu only has three sons. His eldest died early in a pack of wolves, and his youngest is just over ten years old. He has only this one adult son; he can’t just abandon him.”

“As long as a sufficient ‘ransom’ is delivered, the Emperor will hand him over to the Xiongnu envoy.”

This ransom naturally consisted of gold, silver, livestock such as cattle, sheep, horses, and more. This time, Great Yan had a complete victory, sending many soldiers to the frontier pass to deter the Xiongnu and force them into submission as a vassal state, requiring them to send envoys with tribute every year.

Would the Shanyu of the Xiongnu dare to disagree?

Of course, he wouldn’t.

Although her life trajectory was different from her previous life, in her last life, Jun Yuyan also led the soldiers of Great Yan to victory, with the Second Prince equally becoming a captive.

The Emperor had the Shanyu of the Xiongnu send a hostage over, and indeed he sent his third son to be the hostage.

This was because the third son was born to a Han woman during a drunken tryst, and was not favored by the Shanyu.

Regardless of whether the Xiongnu would continue to submit, the fact was that they were now severely weakened.

This Second Prince was the lifeblood of the Shanyu of the Xiongnu; he couldn’t fail to save him.

Thinking of this, Murong Jiu was even more impressed with Jun Yuyan’s intellect.

Capturing the Second Prince was certainly no fluke, but the result of a meticulous plan by him and his family.

While Chun Tao and the others were still seething with indignation, she was already thinking of how to support those poor citizens in the first cities to fall.

Money could be earned again, but their grief would be hard to erase in a lifetime.

All she could do was to provide them with as much material support as she could.

Merchant convoys from overseas continued to deliver a steady supply of grain and smoked meat, with Manager Chai trading them for the needed porcelain, silk, colored glaze vases, tea, and other items in exchange.

These food supplies were sent to the army at the frontier pass, some were used by the Imperial Court for disaster relief, some were sold at low prices in grain stores, and another portion was sent to other less severely affected areas. There, it was not sold but used to set up feeding stations to prevent starvation.

After all, the population of Great Yan was too vast, and Murong Jiu couldn’t take care of everyone’s needs; she could only save as many as possible.

It was going to snow soon, with freezing temperatures making it even harder to survive the winter.

This year’s winter was very harsh, heralding a bountiful year to come.

As long as people could endure it, they would see hope next year.

At the frontier pass, Murong Jiu decided to send not only food but also thick cotton clothes and blankets.

She also didn’t forget the soldiers stationed at the frontier, adding a bit of warmth to their winter as much as possible.

With these thoughts in mind, the guard came to report that after the memorial service at the Imperial Ancestral Temple, the Emperor had summoned the main generals and others into the palace.

The discussions of merits and rewards were probably next.

Murong Jiu’s lips curled up in a slight smile.