The three-day period passed in the blink of an eye.
Inside the residence of the Earl of Sincerity, Xu Qinghuan got up early and shed the lazy demeanor she had shown at home in the past few days.
In front of the bronze mirror, Qingque carefully put on the official robe of the first-rank imperial concubine for her.
On the deep cyan brocade, the patterns of long-tailed pheasants woven densely with red and gold threads glistened with a cold light.
On her head, the nine-halcyon and four-phoenix pearl crown that she had casually tossed aside a few days ago was now worn upright on her hair bun.
Four jade bead strings hung on both sides of her cheeks, and a jade belt was tied around her waist. Her makeup was solemn and dignified.
In the side wing room, Xu Zhan had already changed into the kirin robe of a third-rank brave general.
The red brocade with gold embroidery wrapped around his iron-tower-like body.
His empty right sleeve was tightly tied with a black rope.
Two carriages were already waiting at the steps, just waiting for the siblings to go out.
Soon, Xu Wuyou stood with his hands behind his back on the doorsteps, watching his younger brother and sister come out in full regalia.
"Elder brother, we're leaving," Xu Zhan said in a deep voice.
Xu Wuyou nodded.
Xu Qinghuan lifted her skirt and got into the carriage. The cyan curtain of the carriage fell.
The carriage rumbled and drove in the direction of the imperial city.
The snow had just stopped, and the dawn light was faint.
The imperial road outside the Chengtian Gate was already filled with carriages and sedan chairs of various government departments and noble families.
The officials were divided into two groups according to the convention of civil officials on the east and military officials on the west, whispering to each other in small groups.
When the two green-silk carriages of the Xu family drove into this area, the buzzing conversations around suddenly died down.
Countless pairs of eyes shot out from the collars and sleeves of the official robes.
There was curiosity, caution, but more envy in those looks.
The carriages finally stopped outside the Meridian Gate.
Xu Zhan jumped out first, lifted the curtain with one hand, and helped Xu Qinghuan out of the carriage.
The chief eunuch of the Imperial Household Department had been waiting by the threshold early.
As soon as he saw them, he immediately greeted them with a beaming smile and bowed extremely low.
"Your humble servant pays respects to the Marquis of Pacifying the North and Magistrate Xu. Your Excellencies have had a long and arduous journey. Please follow your humble servant into the palace quickly."
This eunuch knew that Xu Qinghuan didn't like to be called "madam", so like others, he called her "Magistrate Xu".
When the court officials queuing up for the imperial inspection saw the chief eunuch's behavior, their expressions all changed.
The Imperial Household Department was the emperor's servants. This kind of flattery was enough to show the great favor the Xu family currently enjoyed from the emperor.
Among the crowd, several officials from the Jiangnan aristocratic families exchanged a subtle look, and the fear in their eyes deepened a bit.
...
When they reached the steps below the Fengtian Gate, a sedan chair was smoothly carried from the side and stopped steadily below the red steps.
The two of them saw that it was Xu Jie!
He reached out to adjust his black gauze hat on his head, then looked up. His eyes happened to meet those of the Xu siblings who were walking up the steps.
Xu Jie's gaze paused for a moment on Xu Zhan's empty sleeve, then swept over the nine-halcyon and four-phoenix pearl crown on Xu Qinghuan's head.
He just stood there, slightly raising his hand and bowing in salute.
Xu Zhan and Xu Qinghuan immediately returned the salute respectfully.
Xu Qinghuan wasn't that stupid. She knew exactly who this was!
Xu Jie! The most powerful person besides the emperor, and this old fox...
Thinking of the plot in the original novel, Xu Qinghuan couldn't help shivering.
The two of them didn't say a word to each other and quickly walked up the steps.
After entering the Fengtian Hall, they saw that hundreds of red candles illuminated the hall brightly. The ground heater was burning vigorously, dispelling the winter cold.
The Imperial Food Office had already set up more than a hundred tables in the hall.
There were already many court officials and their families waiting in the hall.
When everyone saw that it was Xu Qinghuan and Xu Zhan coming, the discussions suddenly became louder.
To everyone's surprise, the leading eunuch led Xu Zhan to the very front of the military officials' row, a position right next to the seats of the imperial princes!
Xu Qinghuan was led to the front of the ladies' seats on the other side. Even the seats of the principal wives of several princes were beside hers.
Such a seating arrangement clearly put the Xu family in a precarious situation...
Everyone felt a sense of unease.
The court drums sounded, and the important officials of the Six Ministries, the Nine Ministers, and the governors of various provinces in the capital entered the hall one after another and took their seats.
When passing by the Xu family's seats, several officials forced out a fake smile and bowed in salute, with hidden probes in their words.
A military official from the Jiangnan region who was a doctor in the Ministry of War stroked his beard and seemingly warmly struck up a conversation:
"My lord marquis is decisive in battle in the northern border. Now this hall is full of the atmosphere of prosperity and culture. I wonder if my lord marquis can sit comfortably with that scabbard that has been stained with blood?"
Xu Zhan nodded expressionlessly and coldly retorted:
"Without us shedding blood and fighting hard at the border, where would you, my lord, be sitting here in comfort listening to music? Naturally, I can sit more comfortably than anyone else."
The doctor's smile froze. He gave a cold snort and left awkwardly.
Not long after, the court musicians in the hall played the Zhonghe Shaoyue.
The sounds of the great bells and large drums echoed, presenting a scene of a prosperous and peaceful era.
Among the ladies' seats, several imperial concubines from the Jiangnan aristocratic families exchanged glances and were about to step forward to strike up a conversation.
Just then, Xie Yunwan left her seat.
She directly ignored the hints from the several noble ladies beside her, picked up the teacup on the table, and walked straight to Xu Qinghuan's seat.
"Miss Xu! Long time no see!" Xie Yunwan stood still, slightly bowed, and her attitude was extremely respectful.
Xu Qinghuan looked up, and a flash of joy crossed her face. "Oh! Miss Xie."
"I've been studying Miss Xu's notes on natural philosophy recently," Xie Yunwan said.
"The new ideas in those notes have really enlightened me."
Xie Yunwan's voice clearly reached the surroundings, and her tone was full of admiration. "I'm so glad to see you today. I must ask you for some advice in person."
As soon as she said this, the noble officials and ladies around who were about to strike up a conversation immediately froze.
The core figure of the Jiangnan aristocratic families publicly showed favor and took sides with the Xu family, directly disrupting their plans.
Suddenly! A loud announcement silenced the whole hall.
"His Majesty, the Emperor, is coming—"
Eunuch Li and a group of other eunuchs accompanied the old emperor as he ascended the throne from the back hall.
The old emperor was still wearing his regular bright yellow dragon robe today. He walked to the carved imperial throne and sat down.
His face was expressionless, and his sharp eyes slowly scanned the court officials below the steps.
Everyone present cooperated perfectly, all flicked their sleeves and knelt on the ground, performing the three kneels and nine kowtows ceremony.
"We your humble servants pay respects to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty live long, long, and ever longer!"
The shouts of "Long live the emperor" immediately rang out.
The old emperor slightly raised his hand. "All of you, rise! Serve the wine and the dishes!"
After the court officials sat down again, the palace servants of the Imperial Food Office filed in.
They were holding octagonal trays painted with gold on red lacquer in their hands.
As the blue-and-white porcelain bowls painted with dragon patterns were uncovered one by one, eight-treasure wild duck, roasted venison, and bear paw stewed in fine wine appeared in front of everyone.
There were also palace maids in green and cyan palace costumes walking gracefully, holding jade wine pots, and pouring the Western Regions tribute wine that was as amber-colored as honey into the golden cups in front of the court officials' tables.
The wine gurgled, and the mellow fragrance of the wine filled the air.
Soon, after all the meals were served, the old emperor picked up the golden cup in front of him and let out a hearty laugh.
"Today's imperial banquet is held to celebrate the pacification of the northern border of our Great Qian Empire."
"In the battle at the Zhenbei Pass, the soldiers fought bravely and opened up a way out. This is the blessing of heaven upon our Great Qian!"
Chief Grand Secretary Xu Jie immediately stood up and led the court officials to raise their cups.
"Your Majesty's boundless fortune and far-reaching prestige have made the border turn the corner from danger. We your humble servants toast Your Majesty and our Great Qian!"
The emperor and his officials in the hall drank together. The ceremony was solemn, and everyone showed their grace.
After all these ceremonies, Xu Qinghuan was exhausted.
After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the eunuch finally announced that they could start eating.
Xu Qinghuan finally seized the opportunity to indulge in a hearty meal once again!
Those sitting beside her were extremely astonished...
So, was Magistrate Xu's eating manner so unrestrained?
After three rounds of drinks.
The old emperor placed the golden goblet in his hand on the table with a dull thud.
Immediately afterwards, the observant Eunuch Li stopped the music in the palace hall.
The old emperor's gaze passed over the royal princes and landed directly on Xu Zhan.
"Xu Zhan," the old emperor said slowly.
"I'm here," Xu Zhan immediately stood up.
"I read the military report. It says that you led only two hundred remnant cavalrymen to launch a night attack on the camps of the five - ten - thousand - strong central army of the Helian tribe and burned down nine Huihui cannons," the emperor said.
"I've been wondering in the palace how such an extraordinary feat could be achieved," the old emperor leaned forward slightly and asked curiously, "Tell me and all the officials in detail. How did those two hundred men accomplish this among thousands of enemy troops? How many casualties were there?"
According to the rules in the officialdom, at this moment, the general should show fear, attribute all the credit to the emperor's kindness, and then weep bitterly to describe the miserable situation of his own side to show weakness.
However, Xu Zhan didn't plan to do so. He remembered his younger sister's instructions clearly: He must put on an act today and keep it up!
Xu Zhan left his seat and stepped out. After standing upright, he said in a loud voice,
"Your Majesty!
"The wind was strong that night. I ordered all two hundred cavalrymen to take off their armor and abandon their long spears and iron shields. They held their tongues and wrapped the horses' hooves. They only carried short knives, fire - thunder pots and fire - god bombs!"
He told everything without reservation and even with pride, "The barbarians were careless, thinking that our army would never dare to leave the city.
"So I led my men to sneak into their equipment camp in the dark. We poured naphtha and lit the fuses, and those nine Huihui cannons were instantly engulfed in a sea of flames!"
At this point, Xu Zhan's expression was almost like that of a storyteller.
"Once the fire - thunder pots exploded, the barbarians' tents along with the people inside were torn into pieces!
"Severed hands and feet, along with flesh and blood, flew into the air like rain!
"The Helian people made a stupid move.
"They piled up the poisoned corpses smeared with dead - person paste used for attacking the city beside the fire.
"Once exposed to the high temperature, the bellies of those poisoned corpses burst open.
"The poisoned flesh and blood was all swept into the central tent of the barbarians' army. Fifty thousand people trampled on each other in the poisonous smoke, and the barbarians' flesh rotted into a pool of yellowish water!"
After Xu Zhan finished speaking, the palace hall fell silent.
Many well - pampered civil officials turned pale instantly upon hearing these details.
Some even covered their mouths to hold back the churning in their stomachs.
Seeing this, an official from the Ministry of War stood up and wanted to accuse Xu Zhan of being disrespectful in the presence of the emperor and using vulgar language.
But when he saw that neither the emperor nor Eunuch Li showed any signs of dissatisfaction, he sat down again, his back drenched in cold sweat.
After the old emperor listened, a strange look flashed in his eyes.
He didn't say anything and remained silent for a while.
"Good!" Sure enough, the old emperor suddenly clapped his hands and laughed heartily, "What a fearless battle without armor! You have the demeanor of ancient famous generals! Our men of the Great Qian should have such valiant spirit!"
"Eunuch Li! Quickly offer the imperial wine!"
Seeing that the emperor had set the tone, the officials immediately put on smiling faces and raised their wine cups in agreement.
They repeatedly praised the Xu family for being loyal through generations and said that a valiant father would not have a cowardly son.
Eunuch Li carried the imperial wine to Xu Zhan's seat.
Xu Zhan knelt on one knee and took the wine cup.
"I thank Your Majesty for your great kindness!"
He tilted his head and gulped down the strong wine in one go.
