Chapter 230: Wait a Little Longer
At this time, the Firefly Fruit had already borne fruit. The small sapling in the flower pot bore a total of ten fruits, like a bunch of small flames burning brightly on the tree.
This is also the origin of the name Firefly Fruit because, in nature, this fruit looks like a small torch emitting light from afar at night, just like a firefly.
With a thought from Shen Xingnong, the ten fruits were harvested.
The Firefly Fruit was as big as a cherry tomato, red at the bottom and slightly yellow at the top, looking just like a small torch.
Shen Xingnong glanced at it and handed it to Chu Tiankuo: “What other medicinal herbs do you need?”
Chu Tiankuo took out a jade box and gestured for Shen Xingnong to place it on top.
These fruits were precious and needed to be stored properly. Fortunately, things placed in the space would never spoil.
Shen Xingnong put all the Firefly Fruits inside.
Chu Tiankuo then listed a bunch of names of medicinal herbs, which Shen Xingnong harvested one by one.
After finishing, Chu Tiankuo said to Shen Xingnong, “I’ll go and refine the antidote pills. Don’t go down the mountain tonight, just rest in the lounge?”
Shen Xingnong nodded: “Okay, no rush, rest well before refining.”
She had expended quite a bit of mental energy today and was feeling very tired.
So Shen Xingnong went to rest in the Silver Bead space, while Chu Tiankuo went outside to rest.
~
Imperial Palace
Chu Zijun did not return with the army. It was because Wei Feng pestered her every day. In front of so many soldiers, for the sake of his face and reputation, she pretended to be ill and lagged behind the army by a day, which was why she arrived today.
She didn’t expect Wei Feng to also leave the army and pester her all the way.
It was only yesterday that he caught up with the army on a fast horse and returned to the capital.
She was relieved that she hadn’t encountered him from the moment she entered the city today until she entered the palace.
The Emperor had been discussing with the ministers all day about how to arrange officials and garrison troops for the several new cities won back from Zhao Kingdom. Currently, some military generals were temporarily managing them. This matter was urgent and had to be arranged as soon as possible.
Hearing that Chu Zijun had returned to the palace, he asked Eunuch Lao to personally escort her back to the palace she used to live in and forbade anyone from disturbing her rest. Then, as soon as the discussion was over, he came to see his daughter.
Chu Zijun knelt on the ground and kowtowed to the Emperor: “Father, your daughter has returned!”
The Emperor hurriedly stepped forward to help her up, holding her in his arms, his eyes slightly red: “Zijun, you have suffered all these years. It is Father’s incompetence, and I have wronged you.”
Chu Zijun was his first child. Although she was a daughter, he loved and cherished her very much.
Back then, if it weren’t for the bigger picture, he wouldn’t have been willing to marry her off to Zhao Kingdom.
Chu Zijun’s eyes were a little sore, and she shook her head: “This is my responsibility. It wasn’t a hardship. Besides, am I not back now?”
Sacrificing herself to exchange for today’s situation was worth it.
She never regretted it.
Born as the Eldest Princess of Chu Kingdom, enjoying unlimited honor and glory, she naturally had to make sacrifices for this honor.
The Emperor released her. “Yes, you’re back! I want to make it up to you. General Wei requested an audience today, asking me to bestow a marriage upon him. I have already…”
Wei Feng had made great contributions this time and was bestowed the title of Valiant General. This time, the promotion was a bit high, but the Emperor intended to promote and compensate him. Everyone knew this, so no one raised any objections.
The Eldest Princess went to Zhao Kingdom for a marriage alliance in exchange for the peace of Chu Kingdom these past years. If anyone protested, the Emperor would probably be so angry that he would dismiss him from office!
After all, Wei Feng had remained unmarried for many years for the sake of the Eldest Princess. Now that the Eldest Princess had returned, and Wei Feng had also returned, their marriage would probably be put on the agenda.
Wei Feng was the Emperor’s son-in-law. Who would dare to protest?
Even those from the Liang faction wouldn’t dare, as the Xie family army had fled the battle and had already been stripped of their military power. They were currently being escorted back to the capital for trial.
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Chu Zijun’s expression changed, and she immediately said, “Father, if you want to make it up to me, don’t bestow me upon him! I only want to live a free and unfettered life alone in this lifetime. I really don’t want to get married again.”
The Emperor frowned. “Nonsense! How can Father watch you grow old alone? Besides, General Wei has waited for you for many years, his love is deep and sincere. Back then, if it weren’t for…”
Chu Zijun interrupted him, resolutely refusing, “Father, I don’t want to marry again. My mind is made up. If you force me, I will shave my head and become a nun!”
Brother Wei was very good, but she was no longer worthy of him.
He deserved a better woman.
She had already told him this countless times along the way, and the last time she even cried and threatened to die before he gave up. She didn’t expect that after returning to the capital, he would directly ask the Emperor for a decree.
“I won’t agree to this. I have already promised General Wei, and I have already drafted the imperial decree!” The Emperor felt the most guilt towards this daughter in his life. How could he watch her live alone for the rest of her life?!
Besides, she was a royal princess and was worthy of anyone!
Chu Zijun couldn’t help but cry, “Father, do you want to force me to death?”
Emperor: “…”
Since she was sensible, his daughter had never cried, not even when she went to Zhao Kingdom for the marriage alliance.
Seeing her cry like this, the Emperor was immediately at a loss.
He hurriedly said, “You can talk to General Wei yourself about this. Father won’t care anymore, okay?”
Wei Feng had waited for so many years, how could he give up? He believed that Wei Feng’s true feelings could move her.
Hearing this, Chu Zijun said with red eyes, “Father, your words count.”
“I am the Son of Heaven, my words are my bond. Don’t go back on your word later and come begging me to bestow a marriage!”
“I absolutely will not!” Chu Zijun said resolutely, then she changed the subject, “Father, when can she come out? I want to see her.”
Worried about eavesdroppers, she only used “she” to refer to her.
The Emperor looked in a certain direction and sighed softly, “Wait a little longer, wait a little longer, and it will be fine!”
~
Cold Palace, a certain palace, very large, heavily guarded layer by layer, no one was allowed to approach this Cold Palace within ten zhang.
Although this Cold Palace looked desolate on the surface, the room was heated by silver silk charcoal, and every piece of furniture and ornament was a rare treasure.
The Empress was lying on a soft couch reading a book, her legs covered with a whole piece of snow-white, glossy, and soft fox fur. As the saying goes, “Five-colored horse, thousand-gold fur,” such a piece of exquisite thousand-gold fur was only used as a footrest.
A palace maid and an old nanny were roasting sweet potatoes in the charcoal stove. The weather had gotten colder today, and roasted sweet potatoes were the best!
“Your Majesty, the sweet potatoes are ready.” The palace maid placed the roasted sweet potatoes on a white jade porcelain plate and respectfully presented them to the Empress with both hands.
Hearing this, the Empress put down her book, took the fragrant roasted sweet potatoes, and, not afraid of the heat, peeled them while blowing on them, eating hurriedly.
She liked to eat roasted sweet potatoes this way. She didn’t like the palace maids peeling them and putting them on a plate to eat with a spoon. It wasn’t fragrant enough, and it wasn’t hot enough!
Roasted sweet potatoes had to be eaten this way to be fragrant!
“Let’s have barbecue tonight! Prepare more meat and vegetables. Let’s eat together. After February, the weather will start to get hot! When it’s hot, barbecue won’t be as enjoyable. Let’s eat as much as we can.”
The most important thing was that her son and daughter had returned safely. Although she couldn’t see them for the time being, it was worth celebrating with a few good meals.
