Doted By The Regent King

Chapter 1837: Chapter 1775: Arrival at the Capital

The days flew by at lightning speed. By the time Wufu returned with Ah Jiu to the region of the Imperial City of Capital, the leaves had turned red, and it was late autumn, the season for appreciating chrysanthemums, drinking yellow wine, and eating fat crabs.

At the Ten Miles Pavilion outside the Capital, Ah Jiu’s entourage had long been waiting. When they saw Ah Jiu, they all saluted in unison, a glory befitting a prince.

Wufu lifted the carriage curtain, peering through the gap. She saw Ah Jiu, who had changed into a set of Four-Clawed Coiling Dragon robes and wore a purple gold crown, exchange a few pleasantries before boarding the carriage and leaving.

Yuan Ye approached the carriage curtain and respectfully reported, "Princess Consort, His Highness will first enter the palace. We shall escort you back to the mansion."

With Ah Jiu’s return, he naturally had to first enter the palace to pay respects to the Emperor and Empress Dowager, while Wufu and the others were to head straight back to Prince Jin’s Mansion.

"Very well." Wufu let down the curtain and closed her eyes.

Coming to the Imperial City of Capital, waves were sure to rise in the future. She also had to prepare herself.

"Inform our people to come to Beiyan," Wufu ordered in a deep voice.

Chi San, sitting at the front of the carriage, felt a chill in his heart. "Yes."

Yuan Ye and the others surrounded Wufu’s carriage closely, drawing much attention. Those who inquired discovered that inside the carriage was the Princess Consort who had reportedly been wed to Prince Jin. They frequently glanced over, attempting to catch a glimpse of her true appearance.

But the carriage was tightly surrounded, and the curtain was not lifted even a corner. Let alone her true appearance, they couldn’t even discern her figure.

...

In the palace, at Yangxin Hall, the Emperor Yan, dressed in bright yellow imperial robes, sat on the Dragon Throne, looking at Ah Jiu kneeling below, not calling for him to rise for a long time.

Ah Jiu had asked the captain of the Secret Guards to investigate matters concerning him and his Royal Mother. He was angered and found it unforgivable. How dare he?

And Jia Yi, when he thought of being brought before him, the look in that man’s eyes made him furious. He couldn’t help but instruct Commander Zhao to gouge out his eyes and ruin his senses and tongue, so he couldn’t discover anything.

Eunuch Lu’s forehead was sweaty. His peripheral vision glanced at the kneeling Prince Jin, wanting to remind the Emperor but dared not make a sound.

"Rise!" Emperor Yan finally spoke, allowing Ah Jiu to get up.

Ah Jiu stood up, looking at Emperor Yan, his gaze calm and indifferent, as if not knowing anything. Yet both knew clearly inside, things were different. The veil had been lifted by a slit, and no one could pretend it hadn’t been stirred.

"You’ve gotten darker, and thinner," Emperor Yan remarked after scrutinizing him, "You completed this case very well and even caught the big fish, Marquis Xuanwu. You’ve worked hard."

"It’s my duty," Ah Jiu replied.

"I’ve heard this case was completed so smoothly thanks to your Princess Consort?" Emperor Yan inquired, "Wasn’t she in Nanyue? How did she end up in the Northern Region?"

"It was a series of fortunate coincidences. Madam Zhou traveled from Nanyue, through the Northwest, to meet with me in the Northern Region. I wouldn’t call it merit; it’s all due to your deep blessings, Imperial Brother," Ah Jiu responded.

Emperor Yan squinted his eyes, leaning on the Dragon Throne, "Oh, do you truly believe I have deep blessings?"

Ah Jiu looked at him.

Their gazes met in mid-air, as if sparks were colliding.

"Enough. The matter of Marquis Xuanwu illicitly hoarding iron mines and forging weapons is treason, a death penalty. Bringing down this old fox is indeed a great merit. I will reward according to contributions."

"Thank you, Imperial Brother," Ah Jiu said, "I dare not ask for any other reward. Though Madam Zhou and I are wed, she has not yet been formally recognized in Beiyan. I dare to plead for her ennoblement."

"You truly are unwilling to let your wife suffer any grievance," Emperor Yan chuckled, then his smile faintly faded, seemingly reminded of something. "I have it in mind. Go pay your respects to the Royal Mother. You’ve been away from the Capital for many days, and she has been worried about you."

Ah Jiu’s heart gave a leap, but his face showed no expression. He bowed respectfully and withdrew.