CHAPTER 674: CHAPTER 654: JOYFUL EVENT

After negotiations between Dugu Jing and Xie Xun concluded, the High Priest and the Cabinet accelerated their discussions, and most of the terms were agreed upon. Dugu Jing and the two princesses remained in the Capital City, while Xie Xun dispatched Nuanyang and Feiying along with the High Priest to Ningzhou, carrying Xie Xun’s royal decree. Preparations began at the Twelve States and Ningzhou border for the resettlement of the Beiman people.

The matter of whether the two princesses would enter the palace was conspicuously absent from the agenda. Both Dugu Jing and Xie Xun deferred the decision, opting to revisit it either after the Beiman King arrived in the Capital City or once all Beiman civilians had been properly resettled. After all, the princesses entering the palace symbolized a bridge between Beiman and Beining, but whether this bridge was still necessary remained to be determined.

Xie Xun had already made clear his reluctance to take on concubines, and Dugu Jing also preferred the two princesses not to enter the palace. After years of strife, Beiman women were ill-suited to the role of palace concubines.

Once this was clarified, the proclamation spread across the realm: Beiman had surrendered. The war at the Ningzhou border was completely halted. Upon hearing the news, no one felt more joy than the border soldiers. After years of relentless battles, the land was finally pacified. Xie Xun had truly achieved peace across the realm. Within Beining’s borders, only Sannan remained unreturned. The surrounding minor countries, which were already Beining’s tributaries, dared not invade. Beining’s overall strength had grown, and its territory expanded further.

This was truly a cause for great celebration!

The Cabinet then began deliberations on how to formulate policies for resettling the Beiman people. Precisely where and how to place them posed a significant challenge, and Beining was about to face an immense test.

Still, Beiman’s surrender marked the first step forward. Whatever challenges arose thereafter could still be overcome.

The civil and military officials were brimming with joy, and even the clans displayed scenes of cheerful jubilation. Regardless of how fiercely the clans and the Imperial Family contended internally, those conflicts were domestic matters. Beiman’s surrender was a boon for all of Beining.

With Beiman subdued, Sannan was now merely a tidbit to address. When it returned would depend entirely on Xie Xun’s mood and what measures he chose to employ in bringing Sannan back. The initiative rested firmly in Beining’s hands.

When Beiman declared its surrender, Han Ziqi erupted in rage, cursing Dugu Jing and the Beiman people for their weakness in yielding. Years of fighting, he said, had amounted to nothing. Dugu Jing ignored Han Ziqi’s provocations, and the Minister of Honglu Temple tactfully suggested that the Sannan Envoy should take its leave from the Capital City. With the New Year approaching soon, this was the first New Year since Beining’s founding. The entire nation was abuzz with new hope, as the Capital City prepared for celebrations and had little time for hosting the envoy. Han Ziqi, realizing he had overstayed his welcome, met with Xie Jue briefly before departing with the envoy back to Sannan.

In December, the Capital City was brimming with joyous moment after joyous moment.

Zhang Boju and Zhang Boxi successively married, bringing jubilance to the Zhang Family. Grandmaster Zhang, who had been languishing for some time, revitalized upon hearing of Beiman’s surrender.

Under the new dynasty, the court exuded vigor and promise. A wise ruler and capable ministers worked in harmony, fostering prosperity and unity. The burgeoning scene was unexpectedly remarkable, as the most turbulent half-year of the new dynasty had passed. With Beiman’s surrender, stability solidified completely. Xie Xun’s imperial authority was unassailable. Even the old ministers had come to terms with reality, acknowledging that continuing to oppose would only harm their descendants.

Zhang Boju’s marriage also signified the thawing of relations between Grandmaster Zhang and the new emperor. As an indispensable member of the Cabinet, Zhang Boju’s wedding saw extravagant bestowals from Xie Xun, demonstrating imperial favor.

Zhang Boxi’s union with Princess Xue Lan notably involved the Empress contributing to the bridal gifts and offering congratulations.

Most surprisingly, Lin Helin had also become engaged, with plans to marry the eldest granddaughter of Zhongzhou’s Yang Family come summer. The match was Lin Helin’s own decision, with the wedding date set swiftly.

The engagement was completely unforeseen, catching Xie Xun and Xie Jue off guard. Until it was brought up, there had been no prior whispers. Madam Lin mentioned the marriage casually during a chat with Fengyu when visiting the palace.

When Fengyu spoke of it to Xie Xun, he too was utterly perplexed.

Among the seven great clans, the Lin Family ranked as the preeminent aristocratic powerhouse, with influential figures scattered across the realm. The Xie family was second, though years of wartime losses left only the Marquis Zhenbei’s branch—a sparse bloodline. Despite this, the family maintained extraordinary influence and dominance. Now, with Xie Xun’s ascension, the clan’s ranking shifted, placing the Xie family first. Meanwhile, the Yang Family from Zhongzhou, firmly rooted in academia, historically united through local alliances and rarely sent daughters to marry into the Capital City.

Why, then, had Lin Helin suddenly decided on an alliance with the Yang Family?

"What did Aunt say?" Xie Xun asked curiously.

Fengyu shook her head. "She doesn’t know either. She even asked me whether I knew anything about the Yang girl’s character. I spent my time in West State and have never interacted with Zhongzhou’s noblewomen. If Aunt doesn’t know, I have even less of an idea."

Xie Xun rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Regardless of the bride’s origins, the engagement was undoubtedly good news. The elders had never interfered in Lin Helin’s marital affairs, which left Xie Xun wondering why neither Uncle nor Aunt seemed anxious. Apparently, they had planned this all along.

The Yang girl was nineteen this year, a perfect age for marriage next year.

"I thought my cousin would marry the Third Miss of the Zhang Family. Who would’ve guessed he’d marry someone from Zhongzhou?" Xie Xun said in puzzlement. Among the clans, there were plenty of eligible women whose backgrounds were well known. Why had he chosen someone from Zhongzhou?

"The Third Miss from the Zhang Family... She seems to be the most sought-after lady in the Capital City," Fengyu remarked, recalling gossip shared by Fang Lingjun. The Third Miss had become the darling of the clans’ matriarchs, the ideal choice for a first daughter-in-law.

"Indeed. I’ve heard she’s talented, virtuous, and dignified—a paragon of the perfect first daughter-in-law."

The matriarchs of the clans had sharp judgment. With such glowing reputation, she was certainly an exceptional candidate. Just like Feng Shu back in her day: if not for her early betrothal, the clans’ matriarchs would have vied for her as their daughter-in-law regardless of her lower status.

"Wasn’t the Third Miss of the Zhang Family being considered for Fang Chuning?"

"...It didn’t work out," Xie Xun replied with a nuanced expression, recalling that Fang Chuning hadn’t spoken to Second Brother during recent court sessions. Even after court adjourned, they didn’t leave together—as if declaring, "We’re not close." It seemed they’d had a falling out.

"With Cousin engaged, what about Second Brother?" Xie Xun asked hesitantly. "If he keeps delaying, how are we supposed to justify it?"

Fengyu pretended not to hear, offering no comment. Even while recuperating, Xie Xun seemed to take on countless concerns.

"Ayu, what do you think?"

"No one’s urging him; what’s there to justify?"

"I’m urging him!" Xie Xun exclaimed confidently. "Without urging marriage, when will Ruyi get a younger brother?"

Fengyu: "..."