"Following the rules of the previous dynasty, we should have the ambition to restore the rites of the Jin dynasty."
"It might not be a bad thing."
Xie Guang replied, "In that case, the Marshal must have other considerations. Xie Ji, the Marshal has quite a few thoughts on his mind."
For example, he couldn't understand why the Grand Marshal had the Jin troops fight in the rear and sacrificed so many men. Now it seems that the Grand Marshal might also have the intention of weakening the Three Jin, and the weaker the Three Jin are, the easier they are to control.
"The traitor Huang broke the rules in Tianjing, and our Grand Marshal's decision to re-establish the rules shows that he is the mark of a wise ruler."
The three generals were unusually harmonious.
When the Xie generals behind saw that the general had dismounted, they dared not ride any further and all dismounted as well.
The Golden Palace was vast, with a square adorned with white jade railings. Many civil officials witnessed Marshal Xie's personal guards leading their horses on foot, while Marshal Xie and the Princess, as monarchs, naturally sat in their ceremonial carriages, perfectly in accordance with etiquette.
Upon seeing this, many civil officials felt their unease dissipate. Previously, they had feared that another ruler, even more perverse and lawless than Huang Ze, would come. Now, however, they had more expectations for the new ruler.
Taking the opportunity, Si Bogong said to the officials led by Duke Zheng, "Since his marriage, Marshal Xie has become much more composed. Although he used to be decisive and swift, that was all due to the war. As for the Tianjing Incident, you all know Marshal Xie's intentions, so you can rest assured."
Duke Zheng said, "Lord Sibo, we need you to say a few good words for us to Marshal Xie."
"Rest assured, Marshal Xie is fair and just and will not disappoint you," said Si Bogong.
As the luxurious carriage approached, Xie Lanzhi, clad in black armor, alighted from the carriage, a white sword sheath hanging at her waist. She felt everyone staring at her as she dismounted, then lowered her head in fear.
She raised her hand to help Si Xitong down from the carriage. Si Xitong was also wearing light armor, but it was silver-white scale armor, and her hair was not tied up. She wore the Xixian sword with a crimson sheath.
Seeing this, Xie and some other clerks were all distraught. But as Xie Lanzhi intentionally pulled Si Xiluan Tong to her side and tidied her hair at her waist, the clerks immediately lowered their heads and dared not question her anymore.
The act of tying up one's hair is a symbol of being a married woman. Si Xitong herself has already entered the ancestral hall, and according to the clan law, she is Lady Si of the Xie family. However, she did not tie up Marshal Xie's hair, and Marshal Xie even took the initiative to comb her hair. Doesn't this mean that Marshal Xie allowed her not to tie up her hair?
Since it was Marshal Xie's permission, no one else dared to say anything.
Their attitude has also drawn attention from others.
Xie Lanzhi knew very well that these people wouldn't dare to complain in the short term, but it would take a long time to truly gain their acceptance of the Empress.
The future depends on the Empress herself proving her strength.
Both the Empress's deduction diagram and her brother's inside-outside cooperation fully demonstrate the Empress's outstanding abilities.
What's lacking now is the power to exercise it.
Xie Lanzhi said, "The Cloud Ladder in the Golden Palace is where the monarch stays. We'll go up there together later."
Si Xitong said, "Lanzhi, don't be too anxious. My identity is not yet officially recognized, which is against ancestral rules. I'm afraid it will cause criticism."
The beauty, worried that she might unconsciously get too close to Xie Lanzhi, would remind her, her soft, fragrant breath always brushing against Xie Lanzhi's ear, making Xie Lanzhi blush. She could only reply, "It was my oversight. I thought I should establish your authority on the first day I arrived in the capital."
Si Xitong smiled slightly and said, "Thank you."
"I want to see Qinian now. Lanzhi, come with me."
Xie Lanzhi paused upon hearing this, then suppressed her emotions and said, "Let's not see each other for now. I think he's struggling with his relationship with you, and as his brother-in-law, I need to give him some time to prepare himself."
Si Xitong's heart also tightened with her words; the child might not understand her relationship with Lanzhi for the time being.
Besides her younger brother, she now has another person close to her, and she genuinely doesn't want to cause any friction with the person she cares about.
Si Xitong agreed: "You're right. That child doesn't know what happened to me in the Southern Region, so he'll be prejudiced against you. We need to give him some time to accept it."
"But where is he now?"
"Master Si said he hasn't had a moment's rest and is going to take revenge on everyone who bullied him." Xie Lanzhi's eyes narrowed as she said, "Once he's done venting and is willing to come back, he'll be eager to see you."
Si Xitong sighed softly, "I'll wait for him."
The two walked hand in hand through the path where civil and military officials were waiting, and entered the Golden Palace. The Golden Palace had been renovated before Xie Lanzhi arrived, and there were no signs of thieves. The dragon throne had also been renovated.
Xie Lanzhi stood in front of the Heavenly Ladder, neither going up nor intending to go up, so the palace servants immediately moved the dragon throne behind her.
"Marshal, please take a seat."
Xie Lanzhi looked at the dragon throne behind her and waved her hand, "Put it up, don't take it down."
The palace servants dared not question it and, together with others, lifted the ladder back into place.
The civil and military officials outside the hall quickly entered. Xie Lanzhi had two ordinary stools brought over. She sat on the right, and Si Xitong sat on the left to receive the officials' homage.
Facing these two figures who were second only to the emperor, the civil and military officials all kowtowed and said, "Greetings, Grand Marshal of the Southern Region!"
"Greetings, Madam Si/Princess."
A note from the author:
The thief can't escape.
Since I haven't updated for so many days, I'll release an extra day's worth of drafts to make up for it.
Thank you to all the little angels who voted for me or watered my plants with nutrient solution between 15:42:46 on November 18, 2021 and 17:33:00 on November 19, 2021!
Thank you to the little angel who threw the landmine: 3 virtual fires and 1 real fire;
Thank you to the little angel who watered the nutrient solution: 35105425 for 5 bottles;
Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to work hard!
Chapter 22 They all wanted to help each other.
The sounds of civil and military officials paying their respects mingled, and the shouts of "Madam" and "Princess" immediately identified which faction was calling out.
Moreover, both sides felt that they had done nothing wrong.
Only Sibo Gong's face turned red and then white.
Si Xitong's current identity may be somewhat controversial, but Xie Lanzhi's attitude has suppressed those who disagree.
She said, "Master Sibo, thank you for your help."
Xie Ji and Si Bo Gong stepped forward and said, "Your humble servants are here. Your subordinates are here as well."
Xie Lanzhi said, "You have made great contributions to the war against Mang, and I, the marshal, will reward you according to your merits."
"Thank you, Marshal," the two said in unison.
She added, “I arrived in the capital in haste and am not yet familiar with Jin etiquette. As a member of the royal family, you are just the right person to help me restore the elegance of the previous dynasty and sweep away the chaos.”
These words immediately made everyone realize the situation.
"All military and civil officials of Tianjing who have rendered meritorious service in wartime shall be rewarded according to their merits. Duke of Zheng."
The Duke of Zheng immediately stepped forward in a panic: "Your subject, Your subject is here!"
"The Duke of Zheng retained his title, while his eldest son was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Yong'an."
Duke Zheng immediately kowtowed and said, "Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty!"
The civil officials couldn't help but envy the Duke of Zheng, whose household now had another marquis. Both the duke and the marquis held real power and commanded 20,000 troops, which could be said to have strengthened the duke's position.
Xie Lanzhi did not seize Zheng Guogong's military power, because it was unnecessary. His influence was mostly confined to his small territory in Bingzhou, and even then, it was extremely scattered. She had bestowed upon him the title of Marquis, but without any reward of troops; it was merely a title. At most, they could recruit soldiers within the bounds of the military system, but even that required her approval. In this way, while Yong'an Marquis held real power, he was essentially controlling his own army.
As a father, I certainly wouldn't let my son be a lone commander.
The Duke of Zheng was so happy because preserving his existing power was enough. If he were to be promoted further, his achievements would overshadow the ruler.
Si Xitong nodded secretly. If past grievances were disregarded, the Duke of Zheng was indeed a capable candidate.
Seeing that she agreed, Xie Lanzhi made arrangements for others, asking Si Bogong to stay in Tianjing and postpone his return to Qijin.
Some of the young soldiers who sacrificed their lives to open the city gates were posthumously awarded the titles of Pacification Commissioner and Martial Virtue Grand Master.
Civil officials were listed in order.
Upon arriving in the capital that very day, Xie Lanzhi arranged all the official positions for Xie Ji, Xie Guang, and Xie Xia, retaining their titles as Left and Right Generals, and bestowing upon each of them a royal residence to serve as their official residence in Tianjing. Even Xie Shangguang was appointed as the Imperial Guard's Archer General.
Xie Lanzhi glanced at the other lowly subordinates, all of whom had been promoted three ranks and replaced their original superiors.
The tense atmosphere inside the hall suddenly turned into a joyous one because of Xie Lanzhi's official appointment.
After sealing the document, Xie Lanzhi thought of Si Xinian and felt a pang of regret. She wondered if the child would survive or meet the same fate as in the original story. Now, she could only leave it to fate.
Finally, she made an excuse that she was tired. The crowd dispersed.
The 150,000 Xie troops in Tianjing have further solidified the control of Tianjing and the Three Jins over the Southern Region, making it even less likely that the Northern Region and the Shi Kingdom would be foolish enough to send troops again. Tianjing has a superior geographical location, with the Southern Region to the south, the Three Jins in the central and southern parts, the tribes of the Eighteen Barbarians of the Northern Region to the west, and small towns and vassals to the north, all of which are subordinate to the Southern Region and are not a threat at most.
To the east lay the three tribes of Hu and Xiongnu, the most powerful Xiongnu regime in the entire north.
The north was originally the ancestral home of the Jin people for centuries, but now it has been invaded and occupied by the Hu and Xiongnu.
Nowadays, apart from the dying struggle of Shi Guofu, the entire south is almost Xie Lanzhi's territory.
After the Golden Palace was vacated, Xie's palace maids specially cleaned Lanzhang Palace to serve as Xie Lanzhi's sleeping quarters.
It was the Empress's original palace.
Xie Lanzhi followed Si Xitong as she led the way. The two walked one after the other on the smooth marble slabs on the ground, which were covered with mats so that they wouldn't slip.
The Jin Palace was vast, with red walls and green tiles, a treasure trove of natural beauty, every inch exquisitely crafted. Roads were adorned with white-carved arched bridges, and pavilions stood beside the water. High-rise vermilion towers rose above the ground.
If you happen to pass by, you can see several magnificent statues of mythical beasts sitting in the morning sun.
A magnificent and imposing palace.
In her previous life, Xie Lanzhi had to buy a ticket to visit the Forbidden City, and she couldn't even visit the deeper areas, as some areas were not open to the public.
Now she is in the Jin Palace and has the freedom to move around.
Xie Lanzhi sensed that Si Xitong's footsteps were gradually slowing down, and she thought they had arrived.
Si Xitong looked up at the plaque of Lanyi Hall.
The plaque of Lanyi Hall is somewhat rusty, but the outside of the hall is relatively clean. The huge red pillar supporting it has a crack and scratches on the top, with horizontal marks indicating that it is only about 1.3 meters high.
Si Xitong stroked the scratches with her fingertips, a look of nostalgia on her face.
"This is your height."
"Yes. My father and mother measured my measurements when I was ten years old." It was also the last time my mother measured my measurements.
Lanyi Palace is the original novel's residence of the Empress's deceased mother. To commemorate his late wife, Emperor Xicheng left the palace empty and forbade anyone to enter. The furniture and jewelry inside were all used by the Empress's mother and remained in their original places.
Those scratches are a mother's record of the years her child has grown up.
She offered, "Fu Feng, would you like to go in and take a look?"