BSI Chapter 133 Will Empress Li Yang also attend the wedding ceremony?
Chapter 133 Will Empress Li Yang also attend the wedding ceremony?
Liyang Imperial Palace, Phoenix Hall.
The night was as dark as ink, pressing heavily on the glazed tiles of Tianqi City.
Inside the hall, twenty-four red-gold dragon-shaped candlesticks burned silently, illuminating the core hall where the empress handled state affairs as bright as day.
The candlelight reflected off the gleaming black jade floor, casting a warm glow that contrasted sharply with the deep night outside the hall.
Zhao Qingxue sat behind the rosewood imperial desk, her dark robe with gold phoenix design gleaming with a dim and luxurious luster under the candlelight.
Nine lifelike phoenixes embroidered with gold thread adorn the robe, their eyes inlaid with blood diamonds that shimmer with an eerie light as the light and shadow shift, as if they were about to burst forth from the robe and soar to the heavens.
She did not wear an imperial crown; most of her long black hair was loosely tied up with a single white jade phoenix hairpin, while the rest of her hair cascaded down to her waist, the ends swaying gently at her waist.
That stunningly beautiful face was now slightly lowered, her gaze fixed on a letter she had just opened.
The letter was made of bright yellow brocade reserved for the Qin royal family, and the seal was stamped with the sealing wax of the Qin state seal.
A five-clawed golden dragon coils around the eight ancient seal characters "Received the Mandate of Heaven, May Your Life Be Long and Prosperous", majestic and solemn.
This is an invitation letter written by Qin Mu himself.
Empress Zhao Qingxue of Liyang is invited to the Qin Imperial City in three days to witness the ceremony of taking a concubine.
Zhao Qingxue's gaze slowly swept over the letter, scrutinizing every single word.
Her fingertips gently traced the exquisite cloud patterns on the brocade, feeling the rich and luxurious texture that belonged to royalty.
After a long while, she slowly raised her head, her deep purple phoenix eyes shimmering with unfathomable light in the candlelight.
A faint, yet meaningful smile appeared on that stunningly beautiful face.
"interesting."
She spoke softly, her voice clear and cold like the clinking of jade stones, echoing in the empty hall, carrying a natural majesty and penetrating power.
"Is Qin Mu... demonstrating his power against me? Or...?"
She paused, a hint of amusement flashing in her eyes:
"Is he announcing to the whole world that he dares to take even the daughter of the Xu family as a concubine, and even dares to marry Xu Longxiang's sister?"
Three steps in front of the imperial desk, Chancellor Zhang Julu stood with his hands at his sides.
This veteran official, who had ruled the Li Yang court for decades, had a slightly furrowed brow and his white beard trembled gently in the candlelight.
He wore a dark purple robe with crane patterns, a black gauze turban, and had a lean face with sharp, eagle-like eyes.
"Your Majesty," Zhang Julu's voice was steady and solemn, "this journey will likely be... fraught with unpredictable dangers."
He paused, carefully choosing his words:
"Qin Mu is a man of unpredictable and cunning behavior. First, he displayed his ruthless methods on Qinglan Mountain, and now he has forcibly taken Xu Fenghua as his concubine. It is clear that he wants to completely break ties with the Xu family and the Northern Border."
"His choice to invite His Majesty to the ceremony at this time is probably... more than just 'attending the ceremony'."
Zhao Qingxue gently placed the invitation on the imperial desk, leaned back slightly against the back of the rosewood chair.
The chair back was carved with a pattern of nine phoenixes facing the sky, which complemented her black robe with gold phoenixes.
"Is Zhang Xiang worried that this is a trap?" she asked, raising an eyebrow, her tone revealing little emotion.
"This old minister dares not make a rash judgment," Zhang Julu bowed slightly, "but one must always be wary. After all, the Great Qin Imperial City is not Tianqi City; that is Qin Mu's territory. If he truly intends to harm Your Majesty..."
He didn't finish his sentence, but the meaning was already quite clear.
Even emperors are not immune to danger when they are on someone else's territory.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Qingxue smiled gently.
The laughter was soft, yet it carried a sense of composure and confidence that suggested complete control.
She slowly stood up, the hem of her dark-colored robe with gold phoenix design brushing against the black jade floor, making a slight rubbing sound.
She walked to the imperial desk, reached out and took a purple-haired brush from the brush holder. The brush handle was made of fine sandalwood, and the nib was made of the tail hair of a snow wolf from the northern border, which was soft and elastic.
"trap?"
She repeated those two words, her smile deepening.
"Does Prime Minister Zhang think Qin Mu would dare to attack me at this time?"
She picked up her brush and slowly wrote two characters on the spread-out Xuan paper—
dare not.
The calligraphy is powerful and vigorous, penetrating the paper and exuding an undeniable domineering aura.
"First,"
Zhao Qingxue put down her pen, turned around and looked at Zhang Julu.
"The Great Qin is currently beset by internal and external troubles. Xu Longxiang in the north is holding considerable military power, Liang in the west is eyeing us covetously, and the old ministers in the court are already dissatisfied with Qin Mu's debauchery and tyranny. If he dares to act against me at this time, it would be giving Li Yang an excellent excuse to send troops."
She paused, then held up her second finger:
"Secondly, I will bring sufficient forces with me on this trip. Li Chunfeng will accompany me, along with three thousand elite Imperial Guards. If Qin Mu truly intends to take action, he must be prepared for a full-scale war with Li Yang."
"third,"
Her gaze fell upon the deep night outside the palace, her eyes gleaming with wisdom.
"And most importantly—what Qin Mu wants most right now is not to go to war with Li Yang, but rather..."
She turned around, her deep purple phoenix eyes staring directly at Zhang Julu:
"Assimilate the Xu family."
Zhang Julu was startled!
"Your Majesty means..."
"If Xu Fenghua enters the palace, Xu Longxiang will surely rebel."
Zhao Qingxue's voice was calm, yet every word was clear, like a heavy hammer striking people's hearts: "This is a trap set by Qin Mu, a trap that forces Xu Longxiang to rebel."
She walked slowly back to her desk and sat down, her fingers lightly tapping on the invitation:
"And I am just a pawn he uses to restrain Xu Longxiang."
A flicker of realization crossed Zhang Julu's eyes, followed by a deep worry:
"Since Your Majesty has seen through this situation, why do you still..."
"Why go?" Zhao Qingxue interjected, a sharp glint in her eyes. "Because I also want to see just how capable Xu Longxiang really is."
She paused, then added:
"I'm even more curious to see what tricks Qin Mu is up to."
A brief silence fell over the hall.
The candlelight flickered, casting dappled shadows on their faces.
Looking at the young empress before him, Zhang Julu felt a mix of emotions welling up inside him.
Five years ago, when Zhao Qingxue ascended the throne, everyone thought that Liyang was doomed.
A woman becoming emperor is unprecedented in history.
Opposition was rampant in the court, and the princes on the borders were eager to make a move.
It was she who suppressed the rebellion with swift and decisive measures, and won people's hearts with a policy of appeasement.
In five years, she rescued Liyang from internal and external troubles, making it even stronger than under the previous emperor.
Now, she is about to personally step into the den of dragons and tigers in the Great Qin.
"Your Majesty," Zhang Julu took a deep breath, "even so, this trip still requires utmost caution. This old minister suggests that General Gu Jiantang secretly mobilize 100,000 elite troops and station them on the east bank of the Lancang River. If there is any change in the capital, they can cross the river to provide support at any time."
Zhao Qingxue nodded:
"Alright. You can handle this."
She paused, then said:
"Furthermore, have the Ministry of Rites prepare a generous gift. Since Qin Mu has invited me to attend the ceremony, I naturally cannot go empty-handed."
"Yes," Zhang Julu replied with a bow. "And the gift list..."
"Prepare according to imperial rites," Zhao Qingxue said slowly. "It should be dignified, respectable, and reflect the grandeur of Li Yang."
A meaningful glint flashed in her eyes:
"I want to see what kind of expression Qin Mu will have when he sees the gift I sent."
One day later, at Chen Shi (7-9 AM).
Outside Chengtian Gate, outside the Liyang Imperial Palace.
The autumn wind was bleak, swirling up the fallen leaves of the sycamore trees on both sides of the palace road. The golden leaves twirled in the air before gently falling to the ground.
A large honor guard is ready to go.
Three thousand elite imperial guards, all clad in black armor and red robes, stood solemnly like a forest, wielding long halberds.
Warhorses neighed, armor clashed, and a chilling atmosphere filled the air.
At the very front of the procession were three gilded imperial carriages.
The first carriage was the largest, pulled by eight pure white horses. The carriage was decorated with a pattern of nine phoenixes facing the sky, and the windows were covered with black crepe gauze. It was the Empress's imperial carriage.
The second vehicle was slightly smaller, pulled by four black horses, and decorated with Bagua (Eight Trigrams) patterns. It was the carriage of the Imperial Advisor Li Chunfeng.
The third vehicle was for accompanying officials and gifts.
At this moment, Zhao Qingxue was standing on the high platform of Chengtian Gate, looking down at the ceremonial guard below.
She changed into a more formal court dress today.
The background is black, with the sun, moon, stars, mountains, and rivers embroidered in gold thread, symbolizing "all land under heaven belongs to the king".
He wore a bright yellow dragon-patterned cloak with black sable fur trim, which fluttered gently in the autumn breeze.
Wearing a twelve-tassel flat crown, the pearl and jade tassels swayed slightly, obscuring most of her face, revealing only her well-defined jawline and her deep purple eyes that seemed to see through everything.
Two people stood beside her.
On the left is Prime Minister Zhang Julu, dressed in a deep purple robe embroidered with cranes, his face solemn.
On the right is the Imperial Preceptor Li Chunfeng, wearing a faded blue Taoist robe, holding a white jade whisk, with white hair and a youthful face, exuding an air of otherworldly elegance.
"Your Majesty," Li Chunfeng began slowly, his voice ethereal and distant, as if it came from beyond the heavens.
"On this journey to Qin, this old Taoist priest will protect Your Majesty throughout. If there is any unusual activity, this old Taoist priest will ensure Your Majesty's safety."
Zhao Qingxue nodded slightly:
"With the Imperial Advisor here, I am naturally at ease."
She paused, then turned to look at Zhang Julu:
"Prime Minister Zhang, during my absence from court, I entrust the affairs of state to you. In case of any urgent military matters, you may send a message to me by carrier pigeon."
"Your Majesty, this old minister obeys the decree." Zhang Julu bowed deeply. "Your Majesty... please take care of yourself."
Zhao Qingxue smiled, a smile that was somewhat blurred by the jeweled tassels of her hair, yet it exuded composure and confidence.
She turned around and slowly walked down the platform.
The black dragon-patterned cloak unfurled behind him, like a phoenix spreading its wings.
Outside Chengtian Gate, the honor guard knelt down in unison, shouting "Long live the Emperor!"
"Respectfully bidding farewell to Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"
The sound was like thunder, echoing in the autumn sky.
Zhao Qingxue boarded the imperial carriage, and the curtains slowly fell.
"Let's set off!"
The official in charge of ceremonies announced the news in a clear and melodious voice.
Three thousand imperial guards led the way, and the ceremonial procession slowly began, like a giant dragon awakening, winding its way westward toward the Qin imperial city.
The wheels rolled over the bluestone pavement, making a dull sound.
The autumn wind whips up fallen leaves, sending them dancing in the air as if bidding farewell to this departing group.
Inside the imperial carriage, Zhao Qingxue sat alone.
She raised her hand and gently lifted the veil of the carriage window, gazing out at the receding Liyang Palace.
The palace, which she had managed for five years and now completely controlled, gleamed with a golden light in the morning, solemn and dignified.
"Qin Mu..."
She murmured the name, a complex light flashing in her eyes.
There was curiosity, vigilance, fighting spirit, and... a hint of indescribable anticipation.
A worthy opponent is a worthy opponent.
This world has been lonely for far too long.
Now, finally, an opponent has emerged whom she can take seriously.
"Let me see what you're really made of."
She lowered the carriage curtain and slowly closed her eyes.
In his mind, however, he had already begun to deduce the various situations that might be encountered after entering the Qin capital, and... how to deal with them.