She Came to Heal, Stayed to Conquer

As expected, early the next morning, a Hidden Guard reported everything that had happened in the Prince Mansion last night to Emperor Jing in detail.

Inside the Imperial Palace.

After receiving the full report from the Hidden Guard, Emperor Jing chuckled, glancing at the flickering candlelight that had yet to extinguish, his face filled with the confidence that no matter how one tried, they’d never escape his grasp.

”Haha, it’s good that he’s angry. I’m worried he won’t be. Zhao Zun, that guy, is not as wise as his Princess Consort. It seems that although Princess Cangzhou is a village girl, she’s sensible. She spoke rightly; the entire Da Jing Dynasty is mine. So what if Zhao Zun makes enemies tremble? Where I send you, Zhao Zun, you must go. Before me, whether you’re a dragon, you must coil, or a tiger, you must lie still. Hahaha...”

Emperor Jing was complacent about easily handling and suppressing such a hero as Zhao Zun.

”Can’t figure it out? Humph! Today, I’ll personally see if you’ve figured it out yet.”

Emperor Jing muttered to himself and then called Chief Eunuch Li Zhongxin.

”Go prepare some New Year’s gifts, and we’ll head to Prince Xiaoyao’s mansion to visit the newly appointed King of Cangzhou,” Emperor Jing said to Li Zhongxin.

Li Zhongxin was startled and bowed, ”Your Majesty. You are the Emperor, where in this world does the Emperor go to a subject’s home to wish them for the New Year?”

”You don’t understand, do as you’re told.” Emperor Jing was visibly impatient.

”Uh...” Li Zhongxin hesitated for a moment, wanting to speak but refraining, and merely replied respectfully, ”Yes, this old slave will handle it right away.”

Shortly after, Li Zhongxin returned, followed by several little eunuchs, bringing gifts, casual clothing, and breakfast.

After having breakfast, Emperor Jing and Li Zhongxin changed into casual clothes, and the master-servant pair left the palace in disguise.

...

Perhaps even the heavens knew to welcome the New Year; last night on New Year’s Eve, snow and winds were raging, but today, before dawn, the wind and snow had completely stopped.

The eastern horizon cheerfully bestowed the first warm and bright rays of the sun for the New Year.

Last night, Zhao Zun returned to the mansion and started smashing things in anger. This morning, he came to greet the old madam. The old madam understood his frustration but couldn’t help laughingly scolding him a bit: causing a fuss during the New Year is unlucky!

Zhao Zun pouted, amusing Han Lei.

To dispel the misfortune and bring back the New Year mood, Han Lei secretly took out two large speakers from her space, letting Zhao Zun personally hang one on the wall of the back garden of the mansion, where it played warm and cheerful music.

The other was hung on a big tree behind the main gate of the mansion. The speakers played jubilant songs like ”Today is a Good Day” and ”Congratulations on Getting Rich.”

Yesterday, in the palace for the banquet, Zhao Zun didn’t eat a reunion dinner with his family. But on the way back to the capital, he and his trusted aides ate barbecue skewers made by Han Lei, thinking it would be interesting to eat this for the New Year.

So, Han Lei set up a grill in the back garden and prepared a barbecue.

The warm sun shined brightly, and everyone ate barbecue, listened to music, and drank in the back garden, making for an unconventional New Year.

The old madam, as the master hostess of the mansion, certainly didn’t forget anyone in the household.

The old madam had Han Lei prepare food and wine for the gatekeepers, naturally also sending someone to invite Ms. Qin to join the festivities. But she played hard to get, claiming she couldn’t get used to the food, so she refused to come.

The old madam didn’t know that Ms. Qin didn’t want to come because when everyone began to eat and drink in the back garden, she sneaked out of the mansion.

They closed the main doors and were eating and drinking in the back garden, unaware that Han Lei had turned the street at the mansion gate into a bustling pedestrian street with just one speaker.

Xuanwu Street, being very close to the Imperial Palace, was lined with residences of the royal family and dignitaries. The nearby houses were constructed with green bricks and tiles, and equipped with tall gates.

Usually, this street was solemn and deep, with commoners not daring to approach.

But today, it transformed into a vibrant marketplace. The songs played through the speaker drew many citizens, creating a bustling crowd.

Stalls were set up everywhere along the street, vendors shouted, people strolled, creating a lively scene, so much so that large carriages couldn’t pass.

Sigh~~

Today is a good day

Everything you wish for comes true

Today is a good day

Open the door and greet the spring breeze

...

The joyful and festive songs echoed continuously under the bright sunlight.

The residents of the prestigious homes wanted to send their servants out to drive the crowd away but were stopped by the auspicious and festive music.

After all, today was New Year’s Day; one shouldn’t chase away auspiciousness and joy. So, they let the citizens add vitality to the street, feeling it was actually quite nice.

Emperor Jing’s carriage got blocked from afar by the crowded throng of people. He could only dismount from the carriage, dispatch the Hidden Guard to various spots, and then walked with Li Zhongxin to Prince Xiaoyao’s Mansion.

From a distance, he could already hear the music. This was something he’d never heard before. He could guarantee that none of the palace musicians could perform such excellent music.

On the contrary, that novel and lively tune was very similar to the one Zhao Zun and Han Lei performed at last night’s palace banquet.

Peddlers along the street and the pedestrians wore cheery expressions.

Some pedestrians sang along, while others couldn’t help but raise their hands, gesture to the beat of the song, and sway their heads, immersed in the joyous world of music.

Some vendors, so enthralled by the music, even forgot they were supposed to be doing business.

Where did this music come from?

Emperor Jing was curious and followed the music until he reached the gate of Prince Xiaoyao’s Mansion.

No need to ask, this must have been concocted by Zhao Zun and Han Lei, those two ”music players.”

At this moment, in the garden of Prince Xiaoyao’s Mansion, a dozen barbecue grills were neatly arranged.

The entire staff of the mansion was grilling barbecue here. The sizzling aroma of the skewers filled the air with smoke. On a stone table at the entrance of the distant garden, a black speaker was playing music performed with the horsehead fiddle.

After being informed by the gatekeeper that everyone was having a reunion meal in the back garden, Emperor Jing stopped him from announcing his arrival and entered the mansion, the further he went, the quieter the music on the street became until it vanished.

Going further in, there was music again.

However, this time the music was completely different from that on the street.

The street’s music was lively and festive, instantly creating a New Year’s atmosphere. But here, the music was melodious and suave, ethereal and elegant like celestial music.

The more Emperor Jing listened, the more at ease he felt, and as he followed the music and reached the back garden, the horsehead fiddle song had just ended, and the speaker switched to an exuberant tune, with music like a waterfall bringing a refreshing sensation.

The drumming sound reverberated, causing flower branches to quiver lightly and evoking excitement and zeal.

Emperor Jing was startled and stopped in his tracks.

He felt something bouncing in his chest, as if it was about to leap out, making him want to swing to the music.

He wanted to ask Li Zhongxin if he felt the same. But turning back, he saw Li Zhongxin, holding a tray, already twisting his hips!

That sight was exceedingly comical.