Translator – Xiao He Lian
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Chapter 104
Thick black fog appeared in front of Lu Yan’s eyes…
14th of the eleventh month, the seventeenth year of Yuanqing.
At dawn, the thick morning fog slowly spread all around, and the gray sky and the gray city walls gradually merged into one.
The snowflakes slowly fell and turned into frost when they hit the ground.
The once bustling East and West Markets have long lost their liveliness; the streets were now sparsely populated. Chang’an, which had been ravaged by disaster, was now in ruins.
The emperor seeking taoism completely gave up his power after entering the temple. The Xu family was very powerful and everyone in the court respected the Crown Prince.
With one plague and two months, the court was completely replaced,
Those old officials who were lucky enough to survive all learned to be humble and to be modest. They thought they were shrewd and worldly-wise, but in the end, they were forced to the end by a woman in the harem.
If they want to see the emperor, the only chance was at the end of the year when all nations will come to pay tribute.
At least, Emperor Chengyuan was still the emperor of the Jin Dynasty. As the emperor, he had to personally receive and entertain envoys and foreign lords who came to pay tribute.
However, they also knew in their hearts that even if they met the emperor, they would be powerless to save the situation.
The Jin Dynasty followed the tributary system of previous dynasties and established special institutions for receiving tribute envoys and foreign lords – the Court of state ceremonial and the Ministry of Rites. They were responsible for the reception, banquet, welcoming and commendation ceremonies.
The personal safety of the envoys was still the responsibility of Jingzhao Prefecture.
The list of tribute envoys was delivered to Lu Yan in early November.
Lu Yan nodded and looked at the list, frowning. Yang Zong bowed and said, “Master, the ceremony for the enthronement of Princess Rong’an will be held tomorrow.”
Princess Rong’an[mfn](Here the Princess title not of the royal princess but a county princess)[/mfn], also known as Empress Xu’s niece, Xu Yiqing.
Lu Yan leaned back, rubbed his brow with his index finger, and said in a deep voice: “How is the investigation of Taoist Master Ge going?”
“I checked his background and found that he is unpredictable and has no problems. I think he has some real skills. But there is one thing: he had contact with the eunuchs around Empress Xu more than a year ago.”
A year ago, the Xu family had laid out a very long plan.
Lu Yan knew that if Taoist Master Ge didn’t have some real skills, Empress Xu wouldn’t use him, and he couldn’t deceive the Emperor to this extent. He tapped the table with his index finger, “What about the plague in Luoyang?”
Yang Zong clenched his fist and said, “Master, do you really want to continue investigating?”
“Say it.”
Yang Zong handed over a list and whispered, “It’s almost the same as what the master said. The plague spread to Chang’an was indeed caused by humans. It has something to do with the Sun family.”
A smile appeared on Lu Yan’s lips. It was closely related to the Sun family, then it definitely was the Xu family who did it on purpose.
“Who else has seen this list?”
“We only have one secret agent, but he has already…” Yang Zong did not say the rest, and Lu Yan understood it.
“Please take good care of his family.”
Lu Yan looked out the window.
He doesn’t know since when, but the daytime in Chang’an has become so gloomy.
“Master, the Grand Princess asked me to bring you a message.”
Lu Yan raised his eyebrows and motioned for him to speak.
“The Grand Princess said that since you have set a date for your wedding with Princess Rong’an, that there are some things that you should still pay attention to.”
Lu Yan put down the list of tribute envoys in his arms and said calmly: “I know my limits.”
The north wind was biting and Lu Yan was wearing a black cloak, holding a lantern, and walking on the snow.
He pushed open the door of Chengyuan and looked at the orange halo not far away, and his heart inexplicably tightened.
Everyone in the capital knew about his marriage to XuYiqing, but he doesn’t know how long he can keep it from her.
When Shen Zhen saw him coming, she took a step forward and undressed him very skillfully. She had always had a sensitive nose and she knew he had been drinking as soon as she got close to him.
She walked to the side silently, poured a cup of warm water, and put it in Lu Yan’s hand, “My Lord, drink some water so as not to upset your stomach.”
Lu Yan took a few sips, then put down the cup, looked at the pale little face in front of him, and couldn’t help but lower his head to kiss her.
Seeing that he had such intention, Shen Zhen hugged his waist and raised her head in response.
The candle flame flickered and their breathing became more rapid.
The snow outside the window was falling heavier and heavier.
When his love reached its peak, he held her little hand and asked her to call his name. Her delicate voice broke, and the veins on his forehead bulged at the word “Shi Yan”, and he collapsed in silence.
Her breathing gradually evened out. Lu Yan leaned against the edge of the bed and reached out to touch her face. Her small face was so small that he didn’t dare to use any strength at all.
It has been a year since she moved into Chengyuan.
The four seasons of spring, summer, autumn and winter change outside, as if they have nothing to do with her.
“Do you find it boring living here alone?” Lu Yan asked as he fixed her sideburns.
“Yes.” Shen Zhen looked up at him, “But I know you are doing this to protect me.” She knew that as long as she leaves here, she would not be able to protect herself.
Lu Yan curled his lips but said nothing.
She has always been so sensible.
At this moment, his thoughts were very simple. As long as the Emperor rescinded his order, he would ask to be transferred to another place at the beginning of next year and take her away from the capital.
Whether it is Yangzhou or Suzhou.
He reached his palm into the quilt, patted her leg, and whispered, “You can still get up.”
Shen Zhen’s face turned slightly red, and she uttered an almost inaudible “hmm”.
“My head hurts. Go get the list on the table.”
Shen Zhen put on a coat, held an oil lamp in her hand, walked to the table, and saw the list he mentioned.
“Is this the one your Lordship was referring to?”
Lu Yan nodded, “Open it and take a look. This is the list of envoys from various countries who will visit at the end of the year.”
Shen Zhen opened it and read from right to left.
Zhaowu Nine Surnames: Kang, Shi, An, Cao, Shi, Mi, He, Huoxun and Wudi[mfn] (The nine desert oasis states in Central Asia during the Sui and Tang dynasties in China, namely the “Zhaowu Nine Surnames”, include Kang, Shi, An, Cao, Shi, Mi, He, Huoxun and Wudi. They were located on the ancient Silk Road and were good at business for generations. After the Western Turks were pacified in the middle of the Tang Dynasty, these nine states surrendered to the Tang Dynasty and then began to merge with the Han people in the Central Plains. Some of these states became the origins of some Chinese surnames.)[/mfn]
The Tocharian Kingdom south of the Amu Darya River.[mfn] (Tocharia , also known as Doukhari , Tuhuluo , Tuheyi , Tuhuolu , and Duhuolu, is an ancient country recorded in ancient Chinese documents. It was founded by the Tocharians and its territory was located in the southwest of the Pamir Plateau and the Amu Darya River Basin, which is now Afghanistan .)[/mfn]
Japan, Goryeo, Silla and Baekje in the east.
To the west lies the Nepalese kingdom, while to the northeast lies the Khitan, Xi, and Shiwei kingdoms.
And to the north lies the The Shatuo tribe[mfn](The Shatuo tribe (also known as Shaduo ) was a tribe under the ancient Western Turkic people in Central Asia . It was once dependent on the Tang Dynasty and Tubo , and entered Daibei .)[/mfn], Xueyantuo [mfn](Xue and Yantuo were originally two tribes. The Xue tribe originally called themselves “Xue”. After annexing the Yantuo tribe, they changed their name to Xueyantuo. During the Northern and Southern Dynasties , they lived a nomadic life in the southwest of the Altai Mountains and the Irtysh River area, with a few remaining in the Yudujin Mountains . Their military strength is huge.)[/mfn]……..
Uighur!
Shen Zhen’s eyes flashed, however, the second prince of the Uighurs will not be coming with his family.
Shen Zhen lowered her eyes and whispered, “Thank you, My Lord.”
Lu Yan squeezed her palm and said, “I know you are worried about Princess Yonghe, so I sent someone to the Uighurs to bring you some news.”
Shen Zhen looked at him.
She interlocked her fingers with his in a somewhat flattering manner.
The man smiled and said bluntly, “The Second Prince of the Uighurs treats Princess Yonghe very well. It is not an exaggeration to say that he favors her. He didn’t bring her here this time, probably because of the Shen family.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Shen Zhen suddenly realized.
That is right.
Princess Yonghe married into the Uighurs for the sake of friendship between the two countries. If she came back and found that the Shen family was destroyed, her father was imprisoned, and her brothers and sisters were missing, how heartbroken she would be…
Shen Zhen’s eyes were slightly red. He took a deep breath and murmured, “As long as Second Sister is doing well, that’s all.”
Lu Yan raised his hand and ruffled her hair to comfort her.
——
As the end of the year approached, envoys from various countries arrived in the capital one after another, and Emperor Chengyuan finally showed up.
In the 17th year of Yuanqing, the Jin Dynasty suffered from constant disasters, but the number of people coming to pay tribute was the largest in history. It is conceivable that many vassal states had different purposes for coming this time.
In order to save the reputation of the royal family, the Court of state Ceremonial replaced all the silver chopsticks used in state banquets with golden chopsticks.
On New Year’s Day, all the countries paid homage to the emperor in the Hanyuan Hall[mfn](Hanyuan Hall was the main hall of the Daming Palace in Chang’an City, the capital of the Tang Dynasty. It is a world cultural heritage and a landmark building of the Tang Chang’an City .)
[/mfn] of the Daming Palace[mfn](Daming Palace, the main palace of the Tang Empire , the political center and national symbol of the Tang Dynasty)
[/mfn].
As a third-rank minister in the court, Lu Yan had to accompany the emperor.
When the dinner began, before anyone even entered the hall, the sound of stringed instruments had already filled the entire inner courtyard of the imperial palace.
The majestic and solemn palace gate opened slowly like the gate to heaven. Envoys from various countries, dressed in gorgeous costumes and holding a wide variety of tributes, stood outside the hall.
Emperor Chengyuan sat outside, his whole body looked haggard, but his eyes were exceptionally bright.
“Let the people enter the hall!” said Emperor Cheng Yuan.
As soon as the words fell, the envoys bowed one after another with the courtesy of the Central Plains, and shouted in unison, “Long live the Emperor.”
Afterwards, each party presented gifts one by one, including lions, antelopes, amber spices, good horses, leopards, precious jades, and wine bottles. Those that were convenient to hold were carried, and those that were not convenient to hold were written on the gift list.
All nations came to pay tribute to him and revered him as the Son of Heaven. Faced with such a scene, who would remain unmoved?
Emperor Chengyuan was moved, and so was the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince glanced at the throne that was so close to him, and his scalp went numb.
What was once out of his reach was now within his reach.
The lights in the center of the hall were bright as day, and there was delicious food and beautiful women everywhere.
The music began, and sixty-six actors danced around the pillars. Halfway through the dance, an oriole voice began to recite a blessing, and the performance took turns.
Lu Yan felt slightly uneasy and whispered to Yang Zong, “Why are the Emperor’s personal guards different?”
Yang Zong said: “The Emperor’s own guards have all stayed in the Taoist temple to protect the dragon qi[mfn](Dragon Qi, a Chinese word, is pronounced lóng qì, which means the aura of an emperor , and also refers to the fragrance of borneol.)[/mfn].”
Princess Jing’an continued, ” After the state banquet, there will be a family banquet. If you want, let’s talk about it at the family banquet.”
“This son understands.”
Princess Jing’an raised the cup to her lips and whispered, “Did the people from the court of state Ceremonial search the envoy before they entered the palace?”
Lu Yan shook his head, “They said they had searched it, but the person in charge of the court of state ceremonial is Xu Kanglin.”
Xu Kanglin, the younger brother of Xu Xiang.
At this time, Empress Xu tilted her head and said, “Is the Grand Princess’s headache better? You have been ill for several months, and I am very worried.”
Emperor Cheng Yuan looked at his sister, narrowed his eyes, and took a deep breath. “Jing’an, when I was in the temple, I was most worried about you. If you feel unwell, tell me and I will find an imperial physician to treat you.”
Princess Jing’an looked at her brother who couldn’t even speak coherently, and her heart couldn’t help but tremble slightly, “It’s an old problem. I have worried Your Majesty and the Empress.”
Emperor Chengyuan frowned and said in a hoarse voice: “An old problem…”
Before Emperor Cheng Yuan finished speaking, the crisscross curtains in the hall suddenly caught fire, and the fire spread in an instant with the wind…
Empress Xu covered her chest and exclaimed, “Why are you still standing there?”
Someone shouted, “The main hall has run out of water! Quickly get water!”
“And sand.”
Emperor Chengyuan stood up tremblingly. One of the sixty-six actors suddenly jumped onto the table, used his arm as a bow, and took out several short arrows from his chest.
It shot towards the direction of Emperor Chengyuan.
Empress Xu fell to the ground in fear. Lu Yan pushed the Grand Princess aside and quickly caught one of the arrows, shouting, “Protect the Emperor!”
But humans in the end were not as fast as arrows.
Lu Yan stood in front of Emperor Chengyuan.
Several arrows passed through his ears, and several arrows stabbed straight towards his chest……
A moment later, a stream of blood surged up his throat, turning into a hot and sweet taste. his body gradually tilted, and more spots of blood appeared on the golden and brilliant hall.
Princess Jing’an’s pupils shrank slightly, and it felt like a heavy stone fell on her chest. When the ringing in her ears began, she screamed, “Yan’er!”
A night of indulgence and joy suddenly turned into chaos, like a ridiculous farce.
Before Lu Yan closed his eyes, he took a look at the gradually blurry carved beams and painted buildings.
He curled the corners of his lips slightly.
For the people of Great Jin.
To fulfill the duties of a courtier.
For the merit of rescuing the emperor.
