Within the Imperial city, the streets were filled to the brim. Laughter, cheers, from young and old, everyone celebrated. Stores were set out, fireworks were lit in the sky, lanterns covered the stars. It was a rare time for Mo Nation, and the citizen celebrated it to the fullest.
Within the crowd, everyone began making way as a carriage made its way through them. There was a mark significant to them, a mark of the Tang. At once, they knew who was within the carriage. General Tang... and even as they made way, their cheers got louder and louder.
From within the elegantly designed carriage, Tang Qingshan sat on the seat across from Lu Fengmian. His face was as calm as always, eyes glimmering as they sat in the near darkness, only lit by a small candle.
Lu Fengmian sat across from Tang Qingshan with a small smile on his face, listening to the boisterous noise from outside, the joy of all the citizens. Tang Qingshan had returned at the darkness of night, sneaking back into the camp and gathering up everyone as he spoke about what Mo Chou had planned.
Without even a moment of rest, they had set off right away. Packed into a carriage, Lu Fengmian could only watch as they made their way towards the palace. Feeling the tremors from the horses, Lu Fengmian asked, "Qingshan, are you sure it is alright for me to enter the palace?"
Hearing this question, Tang Qingshan nodded his head with certainty, "Of course. Your position in the outcome of this war is high, and without you, I wouldn't have been able to get as far as I did. With your character, it is safe to say that no one will be able to pick a fight with you. You'll be by my side at all times, there's no need to worry about what the other ministers will say." Tang Qingshan had dressed up today, wearing more extravagant robes of black and red.
Lu Fengmian was dressed in a white robe, with light blue sewing on it. It was a plain robe, yet on him, the material suddenly seemed ten times more expensive. The robe was handmade by Lu Yingyue, along with some additions by the original soul.
Lu Fengmian closed his eyes, able to feel the voices that were now much lighter. Right away, he knew that they had arrived near the palace. Very soon, his speculations were cleared.
"Tang Junwang*, His Majesty has sent me to guide you into the banquet." It was a familiar, slightly feminine voice. Standing outside of the carriage, Li Yu stood, slightly bowing as he waited for them to step off.
Tang Qingshan felt the carriage come to a stop fully. Soon, the doors were opened by a servant and Tang Qingshan stepped off first.
With large steps, Tang Qingshan stepped off as he glanced at Li Yu. Soon, Lu Fengmian also came off, staring at Li Yu with gentle eyes.
Li Yu stared at Lu Fengmian, his eyes quickly removing as he asked Tang Qingshan, "Junwang*, is Young Master Jiang not here with you?"
Tang Qingshan merely replied, "He has some matters that have caught up to him. Today, someone else will accompany me."
Li Yu stared at Lu Fengmian, the man who was standing out by a bit. "This Young Master, how shall this servant address you?" Li Yu cautiously asked.
With that, Lu Fengmian asked, "I have no status and no fame, I am merely the General's subordinate. There is no need for such formality."
Li Yu stared at Lu Fengmian for a quick second before he nodded his head, standing up straight. "If that is so, then please excuse my behavior then. Junwang*, Li Yu will guide you into the palace. His Majesty has also ordered for me to relay some news for you."
With that, everyone began walking into the palace. The palace walls were high, with red walls painted and bricks laid on the ground. There were many different manors, different pavilions for each different part ruled by a different consort of the Emperor's. Of course, the best place was reserved for the Emperor, Empress Dowager, and the new Empress.
Lu Fengmian was not paying attention to what Tang Qingshan was talking about with the eunuch. In fact, his eyes were wandering around the palace. Although he had entered a world like this before, he had never had the chance to come out like this. It even made him surprised about just how big a palace could really be.
Taking a quick glance towards Tang Qingshan who was speaking with the eunuch, Lu Fengmian caught the eyes of a small little girl looking at him. He sent her a small smile, watching as the girl hurriedly turned away. The girl was a princess. Lu Fengmian didn't know who, but the past soul's memories were slowly resurfacing.
It was only when Tang Qingshan stopped that Lu Fengmian realized how far they had walked. Li Yu stood at the doors, pointing to the guard near the doors as the guard announced, "Eldest son of the Tang Family, Tang Junwang* has arrived."
The doors were opened, and Tang Qingshan and Lu Fengmian both walked in without a waver in their heart. Although, Lu Fengmian did take a step behind, to show that his status was not above Tang Qingshan's. No matter what he wanted to do, his status was not high. One wrong move would implicate him and Tang Qingshan.
"Long live Tang Junwang, may you live for ten thousand years."
Everyone turned their eyes towards them, the chattering slowly got quieter as they examined Tang Qingshan before their eyes turned to Lu Fengmian. As soon as they had assessed everything, they resumed their conversations.
Xiaoxi led Tang Qingshan and Lu Fengmian to their designated place, on the right next to the Emperor, showing just how high his status was and how much Mo Chou valued him.
As they took a seat, two maids were behind them, standing quietly and poised.
The Emperor had not arrived yet, it was only normal that he would be the last to arrive.
As Lu Fengmian took a seat to the right of Tang Qingshan, the maids didn't leave a moment as they poured a cup of tea for them.
Lu Fengmian observed everything, and in a low tone, he asked, "Who are all of these people? I can recognize most of them but there are a few new faces." Lu Fengmian sat elegantly, leaning in to speak with Tang Qingshan. Among all of these nobles and officials, he did not look out of place. His mannerism was perfect, and if anything, only his heavenly features were too outstanding.
Tang Qingshan grabbed the cup, looking at it carefully before he took a sip. In a whisper, he replied, "No need to bother learning of them. They aren't of any importance at the moment. Just focus on any weird movements, I'll take care of all the talking."
At this moment, from a few table to the right of them, a voice was heard. "Tang Junwang has come back from his long days at war. With victory achieved, His Majesty will definitely reward you."
Tang Qingshan turned to the man who had spoke. It was a man catching to his years, with a beard and a head of gray hair. Without a change in his expression, Tang Qingshan merely replied, "Duke Xiao's words are too heavy for me. It is merely my duty to protect this nation when I still have the chance to. It is a blessing to have cured His Majesty from this worry."
Xiao Weichan, a Duke of the first rank, laughed as his hand grabbed his beard, running his hand down it. "Tang Junwang, every word I've said is correct. You have successfully destroyed the Li's with a mere three weeks. It is only normal that you will receive a reward for such hard work."
"The Duke's word is correct. Tang Junwang has returned once more with another victory, it is only normal that a reward will be given to him." From another table, Fu Gongsun, a Duke of the third rank, echoed in turn. In his hand, he held a cup of wine, a maid standing by him and pouring more wind into his cup.
Tang Qingshan's eyes flickered. He should've known that these old foxes wouldn't give him any time to rest. But even so, he leisurely drunk his tea. So long as they didn't bring Lu Fengmian into this, Tang Qingshan would be able to handle everything.
Just then, the voice from outside was heard once more.
"His Majesty, the Emperor has arrived."
The doors opened up to reveal Mo Chou walking in, striding gallantly with Li Yu walking behind him.
Everyone stood up at once, bowing as they said in unison, "Long live His Majesty, the Emperor, may you live for ten thousand years!"
Mo Chou took a seat upon the highest seat in the room before he said, "You may rise."
With that, everyone took a seat in their respectful places.
Lu Fengmian stared at Mo Chou as he fixed his robe, his eyes looking once and then away. The Emperor was not as tyrannical as he would've thought. Of course, it was only understandable as Tang Qingshan was friends with him.
"As Our officials know, We have won victory at war. We have called upon some of Our Ministers to celebrate and give you your due rewards."
"We thank Your Majesty for such grace."
As if everyone knew the procedure, they didn't hesitate to thank Mo Chou.
Mo Chou's eyes drifted around the room, stopping by Tang Qingshan and Lu Fengmian before he looked away. Waving his hand, he commanded, "Li Yu, read the decree."
Li Yu took out a scroll, unrolling it as he began to list out the individuals who had contributed to the war. Just as Li Yu opened his mouth, the guard's voice from outside was heard once more.
"Yue Junwang has arrived."
(Mo Shen, Mo Shenrong (Deep Honor), Prince of Yue/Yue Junwang, 24 years old)
Walking in, a man dressed in green robes was seen. He was Prince Yue, Mo Shen, Mo Chou's only brother that was still alive. Unlike Mo Chou, he did not carry the distinct trait of the Mo Imperial Family. He did not possess the blue eyes that were carried from emperors to emperors. He had a smile on his lips, eyes roaming as he walked straight towards Mo Chou, stopping before the steps as he bowed and said, "Long live His Majesty, the Emperor, may you live for ten thousand years."
"You may rise." Mo Chou's facial expression remained the same, not changing even as he stared at his enemy right before him.
Mo Shen smiled and nodded, turning to his seat. It was a step below Mo Chou's, on the same level as Tang Qingshan's. This being the case, their tables were across from one another. With this, Mo Shen had a perfect view of Lu Fengmian. His eyes flickered while looking at Lu Fengmian, but seeing that Tang Qingshan had caught his eyes, he looked down and drunk a cup of tea.
Li Yu scanned everyone and seeing Mo Chou nod, he continued. As he began his words, everyone who was rewarded came and accepted the scroll, bowing and thanking Mo Chou.
Finally, it was Tang Qingshan's turn.
"Tang Qingshan, the General and Junwang, His Majesty has bestowed upon you fifty chests of gold along with a new pavilion and the Jianxen Spear. His Majesty has also bestowed upon you the Military Seal for your victory, giving you full commandment of Mo Nation's 200,000 soldiers that the previous Emperor has taught." Reading this, Li Yu's voice was loud throughout the room.
Hearing the final words of the decree, everyone couldn't help but freeze. To give Tang Qingshan the Military Seal was the same as giving him full control of Mo Nation's soldiers. While his rank was still the same, it was already extremely high. He was a Junwang and also a General while he was not even part of the Imperial Family. Now, he also held the military in his hand, at free will, he could do whatever he wanted.
Tang Qingshan bowed before Mo Chou, sticking his hand out as Li Yu placed the scroll in his hand. "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness." Accepting the decree, he stood up as he side-eyed Mo Chou, whose lips slightly rose.
Once everyone was rewarded, it was now Lu Fengmian's turn. Lu Fengmian had no title, he did not have any fame or power. It was going to be trickier to accept his rewards. Luckily, it seemed that Mo Chou was planning to reward him in secret, else everyone would target him next. Lu Fengmian breathed a breath of relief when he was sure that Li Yu wouldn't continue.
"No need to be so tense, ministers. Today is a day to celebrate as We have won the war." Mo Chou knew that with him here, none of the ministers would have enough bravery to stick their noses into Tang Qingshan's business. And even if they wanted, they wouldn't be able to refute against his orders unless they wished for death. Well, maybe Mo Shen would be a different deal.
With his words, the ministers relaxed, knowing well that the Emperor would let them relax for this moment so long as they don't offend him. Secretly glancing towards Tang Qingshan and the man by him, everyone began speaking, cups of wines were being drowned.
Mo Shen glanced towards Tang Qingshan, debating whether or not he should speak. But seeing as how Mo Chou's eyes were also on him, Mo Shen decided to lay low for the moment. He didn't need to worry, Mian Shu had already made his way towards him and they begun speaking.
Mo Chou beckoned Li Yu to come near him as he leaned into his ear and whispered. Li Yu nodded his head as he got this order, walking over to Tang Qingshan and Lu Fengmian as he said, "His Majesty has ordered for you to follow him."
Glancing over at Mo Chou, Tang Qingshan stood you at once with Lu Fengmian following after him. Lu Fengmian kept his eyes focused on Mo Shen, the man who kept staring his way. His hands were itching to rio out the man's eyes that were starring daggers into him.
But without another word, the two followed Mo Chou who walked out of another door away from the entrance.
They could already hear Li Yu's voice announcing that Mo Chou had left early.
"So, this is the man you were speaking of?"
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Junwang- It means Prince of Second Rank, which is a pretty high status under the Emperor, Empress Dowager, Empress, and Qinwang, who is a Prince of First Rank. This title can be bestowed on someone in the imperial family, but it can also be bestowed to someone who has achieved great honors for the nation. Usually though, this title isn't normally bestowed to outsiders, and that being said, Tang Qingshan can also be classified as a prince of the same ranking as Mo Shen, who has Imperial blood running through him. That means that Tang Qingshan has the same amount of power, if not, more than Mo Shen does.
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