Reborn Lady - Chapter 350
Emperor Yongping had been patrolling the borders for more than half a year and finally returned to the capital in late winter. Consequently, the Crown Prince led civil and military officials out of the city to greet him.
Wei Luo also went.
The first thing they saw was the Emperor on his horse. He appeared a little tanned and thinner than when he set out, yet more robust. Though obviously in his fifties, he looked only in his early forties.
Wei Luo was delighted to see his father looking as powerful as a dragon and as fierce as a tiger.
The sixteen-year-old Dal Lng was already tall and rode behind Emperor Yongping on horseback. The other four grandsons of the Emperor sat in the carriage. When the carriage stopped, they jumped out and joined the Crown Prince and others.
Wei Luo finally laid eyes on his son, who had been away for nearly eight months. Noticing his slight increase in height and his tanned complexion, he observed a newfound restraint in his calm demeanor, unlike that of children of the same age.
“This son pays homage to his father,” Xiao Heng said, immediately coming to his father’s side after saluting the Crown Prince, gazing up at Wei Luo with bright eyes.
Wei Luo smiled, reaching out to squeeze his son’s shoulders. Yes, he was much stronger than before his departure.
After receiving Emperor Yongping, the ministers returned to their duties, while the Emperor, accompanied by his children and grandchildren, made his way back to the palace.
Empress Xu, the four concubines, and all the princesses were waiting in the palace. Emperor Yongping had his concubines to care for him, and the three sisters-in-law Xu Qingwan, Ji Xianxian, and Yin Hui all looked eagerly at their children. Seeing Xiao Heng’s tanned face, Yin Hui’s eyes became slightly moist. Despite being quite stable, tears welled up in her eyes. Ji Xianxian, upon seeing her thin Er Lang, couldn’t help but shed tears, but she hurriedly wiped them away.
A banquet was held in the palace to welcome Emperor Yongping, and there was no opportunity for private conversation during the banquet. It wasn’t until the banquet concluded that Yin Hui and Wei Luo took their three children into their carriage.
“Brother, I missed you so much,” Xiao Ning exclaimed, the first to throw herself into her brother’s arms.
Xiao Xun sat beside him, his eyes filling with tears as he gazed at his brother, his mouth curving into a smile.
Xiao Heng held his younger sister in one hand and his younger brother’s hand in the other, smiling warmly. “Did you obediently listen to Mother while I was away?” He asked.
Both Xiao Ning and Xiao Xun nodded eagerly.
The siblings had plenty to reminisce about from the old days, while Yin Hui and Wei Luo sat at the main seat and listened.
“Now that our son is back, you can ask him later,” Yin Hui remarked.
Back at the Shu Mansion, Xio Heng first took his family to see the gifts he brought back from the border. When the Emperor arrived in Beijing, the guards following Xiao Heng sent the little master’s luggage back to the mansion.
Xiao Heng gifted Sister Ning two fluffy, snow-white lambs, Brother Xun a pony from the grassland, and Father Wang a majestic Haidong from Liao (horse). He also presented his mother with a piece of white fox fur that he had hunted for himself.
In addition to his own family, xxIAO Heng brought back ten altars of wine to honor his great-grandfather Yin Yong.
Recalling his mother’s words that his great-grandfather enjoyed Piaoxianglou wine the most.
Yin Hui said happily, “With your filial piety, your great-grandfather will wake up laughing from his dreams.”
Knowing how kind his great-grandfather was to him, Xiao Heng felt it was important to be filial.
While Xiao Ning and Xiao Xun were looking for their respective gifts, Wei Luo took Xiao Heng to the study. Yin Hui considered following them but decided against it.
Wei Luo wasn’t sure how to broach family matters with his son, and what he wanted to know most was the Emperor’s experiences along the way. Though Yin Hui was curious, she understood that such topics were more suited for father-son discussions alone.
During the eight months since Emperor Yongping left Beijing, he encountered numerous civil and military generals. Those who were deemed good officials and competent generals received praise from him, while those who harmed the people and violated military discipline faced natural consequences.
Emperor Yongping’s intention to educate his five grandsons was transparent, as he didn’t conceal his actions from them and even encouraged them to observe.
On the journey back, Emperor Yongping tasked the five grandsons with composing essays about their border tour. They were given the freedom to choose their own topics and were instructed to submit them to him before returning to Beijing.
Upon hearing this, Wei Luo inquired, “What did you write?”
Xiao Heng’s topic was ‘Persuading Farmers’.
Throughout his travels, Xiao Heng witnessed the poor tenant with no land to work on in wealthy cities and counties, as well as vast stretches of uncultivated land in remote areas due to a scarcity of inhabitants. Thus, Xiao Heng proposed relocating people from densely populated regions with limited arable land to areas with sparse populations and ample fields. The government would allocate land, provide seeds and farming tools, and exempt taxes for the initial two to three years. Additionally, officials would be assigned to instruct the people in proper farming techniques to prevent the waste of land due to improper cultivation, with systems of rewards and punishments in place.
Wei Luo smiled and asked, “Was this idea your own, or did you come across it in a book?”
Xiao Heng said truthfully, “I thought of it myself.”
Wei Luo looked at his eleven-year-old son and believed that he was telling the truth.
In reality, the method of relocating people and persuading farmers mentioned by his son had existed since ancient times. Even after the first Emperor ascended the throne, this approach was vigorously implemented, a tradition continued by his father. However, given that most of the Emperor’s grandchildren were still young, they likely hadn’t learned about this yet. Therefore, Xiao Heng’s ability to conceive of the farming method himself and propose a series of corresponding measures made Wei Luo proud. Though not perfect, it was commendable.
“What did the Imperial Grandfather say?” Wei Luo inquired again.
Xiao Heng shook his head. “We haven’t heard anything since submitting our essays the day before yesterday. Grandfather hasn’t spoken to us about it either.”
Wei Luo fell silent for a moment before saying, “Then don’t dwell on it any longer. You don’t need to discuss this with others as you continue your studies.”
Xiao Heng understood.
After submitting their essays, the five brothers gathered to inquire about each other’s topics. Da Lang was unsure of what to say, so Xiao Heng refrained from providing too many details, only mentioning his belief in reclaiming more wasteland.
Comments for chapter "Chapter 350"
MANGA DISCUSSION
Geners
- Action (12)
- Comedy (29)
- Completed (31)
- Drama (30)
- Fantasy (24)
- FANTASY (1)
- Futuristic (4)
- Gender Bender (1)
- Historical (8)
- Manga (0)
- Novel (48)
- One shot (4)
- Original Novel (8)
- Psychological (7)
- Reincarnation (19)
- Romance (56)
- ROMANCE (1)
- School Life (7)
- Sci-Fi (6)
- Slice of Life (2)
- SUPERNATURAL (0)
- Supernatural (13)
- Thriller (2)
- Tragedy (3)
- Transmigration (13)
- Wuxia (1)
- Yaoi (8)
- Yuri (2)