Becoming the Emperor’s Greatest Woe - Chapter 47

Chapter 47

 

The fire wall in the Liuyun Hall was burning especially well.

 

Outside the window, the weather was freezing cold, with snowflakes falling heavily, but the people inside had long since kicked their embroidered quilts to the foot of the bed.

 

The cold wind blew through the startled bird bell, creating a crisp sound.

 

It was still not dawn when Jiang Yuxun furrowed his brows and suddenly opened his eyes.

 

He took a deep breath, still startled, staring at the dark-colored floral patterns on the canopy, murmuring, “…That scared me.”

 

It was all because of Ying Changchuan!

 

Jiang Yuxun squeezed the quilt tightly in frustration.

 

After talking with Ying Changchuan for half the night, Jiang Yuxun had a nightmare.

 

In the dream, he had returned to the modern world, even becoming a top student, sitting in a spoken language exam.

 

Before Jiang Yuxun could react, Ying Changchuan, dressed in a suit and tie, walked into the exam room as the invigilator and chatted with him throughout the rest of the night in his dream.

 

It wasn’t until the startled bird bell rang that Jiang Yuxun mistook it for the bell signaling the end of class, finally waking up from his dream.

 

Ah, what kind of grudge is this!

 

Jiang Yuxun sat on the bed for a long while, gradually recovering from his stupor.

 

…

 

On New Year’s Day, the officials had a rest day and did not attend to state matters.

 

However, as the Minister of Personnel, Jiang Yuxun still had to verify the details of the grand feast with the officials of the Ministry of the Imperial Household.

 

The door to the front hall of Liuyun Hall slowly opened.

 

Jiang Yuxun took off his fox fur coat and handed it to the eunuch, walking inside at a steady pace.

 

Hearing his footsteps, the people busy in the corner of Liuyun Hall all looked up and stared at him:

 

“Master Jiang, please check if we need to send anything else to Zherou, aside from the silks, porcelains, and canopy?”

 

Jiang Yuxun quickened his steps and walked over, taking the list of gifts from their hands.

 

The people around him couldn’t help but glance at Jiang Yuxun’s eyes, exchanging puzzled looks… Why do Master Jiang’s eyes seem a bit dark under the rims?

 

During the previous dynasty, Zherou had frequently invaded and even used marriage alliances to force tribute.

 

There was still a princess there.

 

In the past two years, the Great Zhou had not openly broken ties with Zherou, and they still maintained a relatively “peaceful” relationship.

 

As was customary, on every New Year’s Day, the court would prepare a generous gift for her, to be delivered by an envoy traveling north to Zherou in the spring.

 

Jiang Yuxun looked at the list for a while and said, “How about we also send some medicinal herbs?”

 

“Yes, yes!” The official next to Jiang Yuxun immediately noted it down, speaking respectfully, “Zherou is bitterly cold, so it would be appropriate to send some medicinal herbs to the princess.”

 

The princess sent to Zherou for marriage was titled “Lianyi,” and she was about forty years old this year.

 

She was not a princess of the previous dynasty but the daughter of a relatively low-ranking noble.

 

Logically speaking, “Princess Lianyi” was titled by the previous dynasty and had little connection to the Great Zhou.

 

The officials showed such great respect for her not only because of her “princess” status but also because, from a bloodline perspective, she was the maternal aunt of the current emperor.

 

Liuyun Hall was extremely busy.

 

While flipping through the gift list, Jiang Yuxun also checked the prepared silks.

 

As he was looking, he couldn’t help but ask the people around him, “How has Princess Lianyi been in Zherou over the past few years?”

 

Zherou did not have historical records, and “Princess Lianyi” had left less than three lines of mention in the “Zhou History.”

 

But Jiang Yuxun was curious about this former princess who had lived in Zherou for over twenty years.

 

She might be the most knowledgeable person about Zherou among the people of the Great Zhou.

 

Seeing Jiang Yuxun ask, the official who had been noting the medicinal herbs quickly looked up and began to explain in detail:

 

“Replying to Master Jiang, Zherou’s king governs but does not rule. He lives in the royal court near our Great Zhou. Zherou’s vast grasslands and deserts are divided among the three kings. Two winters ago, the old king of Zherou passed away in the royal court. Now, Princess Lianyi is the regent queen of Zherou.”

 

The royal court of Zherou was very close to the Great Zhou, so although envoys traveled back and forth every year, they could never truly understand Zherou.

 

As he spoke, another person leaned forward and added, “Zherou was intimidated by His Majesty and dared not invade the Great Zhou, but they are still using the marriage alliances to force tribute from the smaller nations to the west. Last year, I took people to Zherou and even saw some rare treasures sent from the Western Regions in the royal court…”

 

He paused for a moment, as if recalling something, then gritted his teeth and added, “Zherou has become increasingly arrogant in recent years. They even kept the princes of several Western Regions nations hostage in the royal court as pledges…”

 

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuxun suddenly set down what he was holding and asked seriously, “Excuse me, sir, what kind of rare treasures did you see in the royal court?”

 

The official who had been to Zherou became serious as he carefully thought for a moment and replied, “Gold, silver, jewels, fruits, and delicious food – everything was complete.”

 

Jiang Yuxun immediately held his breath.

 

Just as expected!

 

Zherou was exceedingly greedy, eager to collect all the good things from the small Western Region countries that submitted to it.

 

If Jiang Yuxun was not mistaken, there must be wheat seeds among them.

 

Wheat originally came from the Western Regions, and the varieties there were even more diverse.

 

The nutritional value of wheat far exceeds that of millet. If the right varieties could be found and promoted there, it might quickly improve the physical health of the common people in Great Zhou.

 

Most importantly, wheat can support more people per acre than millet.

 

Jiang Yuxun couldn’t help but tighten his grip on the gift list.

 

The population of Great Zhou was mainly concentrated in the north, and finding wheat seeds was imperative.

 

He wanted to ask whether the official had seen wheat to confirm his guess.

 

But before he could speak, Eunuch Sang’s voice came from outside the hall: “The Emperor has arrived—”

 

Before the words had finished, Ying Changchuan had already entered the hall with Fei Jinyuan and Zhuang Yue.

 

As Jiang Yuxun was about to bow, he suddenly heard a sharp intake of breath.

 

He looked up and secretly glanced at Zhuang Yue, who was staring at his eyes in confusion.

 

What’s going on? Why is everyone looking at me?

 

In the next moment, even Ying Changchuan lowered his eyes and looked over.

 

After a moment of hesitation, he couldn’t help but speak in a soft voice: “Minister, didn’t you rest well last night?”

 

…Since when did Ying Changchuan care about his ministers so much?

 

Could it be because of the New Year, making him feel good?

 

Although Jiang Yuxun was a bit confused, he still truthfully answered: “Your Majesty, I did not sleep well.”

 

“Why?”

 

As Ying Changchuan spoke, everyone in the hall turned their gaze towards them.

 

No way, why ask so directly?

 

Thinking he had narrowly escaped the situation, Jiang Yuxun became nervous again.

 

Though he was used to losing face, being in front of so many people… still felt somewhat awkward.

 

Ying Changchuan gently lowered his eyes to look at Jiang Yuxun.

 

The snow had stopped, and the warm sunlight poured in through the open doors of Liuyun Hall, spilling across the floor.

 

It gave a faint golden glow to Jiang Yuxun’s eyelashes.

 

He seemed somewhat embarrassed and shifted his gaze.

 

After a few moments, he tried to lower his voice and quietly said: “…I may have been too absorbed in thinking about state affairs during the day, and last night, I seemed to accidentally dream of Your Majesty.”

 

As he spoke, his tone suddenly became somewhat melancholic.

 

It was obvious that the dream and his dark circles were all thanks to Ying Changchuan’s late-night chat.

 

The hall suddenly fell silent.

 

A light breeze swept the fine snowflakes, gently landing on the trembling petals of the peony.

 

While speaking, Jiang Yuxun’s eyelashes fluttered slightly.

 

Ying Changchuan’s hand, which had been hovering by his side, seemed to pass through time once again, touching that familiar soft sensation.

 

By some fortunate misfortune, Ying Changchuan did not ask Jiang Yuxun about the specifics of his dream in front of everyone.

 

Since he had lowered his voice, only the few people nearby had heard this audacious remark.

 

After an awkward pause, Jiang Yuxun quickly adjusted himself.

 

When the grand banquet for the New Year began, he appeared to have recovered to his usual self, with no difference from his usual demeanor.

 

It seemed his face had grown thicker.

 

—

 

In the evening, accompanied by the ringing of bells, the officials, nobles, and their families who had been waiting outside Xianyou Palace finally lowered their heads and slowly entered the hall.

 

The musicians played the gilded bronze flute.

 

It sounded like a phoenix singing in the heavens, resonating throughout the entire hall in an instant.

 

On the tables, coral and jewels were piled up everywhere.

 

But even these could not compare to the peony, the queen of flowers, in beauty and fragrance.

 

As soon as they sat down, before the flute had even stopped, the guests began to exchange glances, whispering to each other.

 

“…This, this is a peony.”

 

“Is it real or fake?”

 

“I just secretly touched it, and… it feels like it’s real!”

 

The shamans at the Listening Heaven Platform exchanged looks, their faces showing unmistakable fear.

 

The north wind lifted the palace curtains, making them flutter up and down.

 

The musicians changed to a different tune, and the sound of the qin and se joined the air.

 

The shamans slowly seated themselves, helping the diviner in light white robes settle down.

 

In the next moment, a shaman sitting to the left and behind Shang You glanced up at the hall. Seeing that the emperor had not yet arrived, he couldn’t resist leaning forward to smell the peony…

 

All of this was noticed by Shang You, but he did not intervene.

 

Unlike its luxurious appearance, the scent of the peony was very faint and delicate, only detectable when one drew close.

 

The shaman tightened his grip, leaning in deeply to sniff the petals…

 

The next moment, the subtle fragrance slipped into his nostrils like silk.

 

“Ah—”

 

The shaman’s eyes widened in shock as he staggered backward.

 

He tried to lower his voice, but still, the attention of the hall turned toward him.

 

“…This, this is impossible.”

 

The shaman stared, as if seeing a ghost, and reached out to slap the petals in front of him.

 

A second shaman, with a pale face, quickly stepped forward to restrain him, but the first continued to mutter, “The will of Xuantian, how can it be defied…”

 

At that moment, the music in the hall suddenly stopped.

 

The shaman’s words, along with the panic and fear in his voice, were clearly heard by everyone.

 

Indeed, hadn’t the Listening Heaven Platform declared that life and death of humans, animals, and even plants, were all decided by Xuantian?

 

The peony, being the king of flowers, had appeared here today, defying the will of Xuantian…

 

Did Xuantian’s words still hold power?

 

At this thought, everyone unconsciously turned their gaze toward Shang You, waiting for the diviner to offer a reasonable explanation.

 

Behind the crimson peony, Shang You slowly closed his eyes.

 

After a few moments of silence, he finally spoke, “Apologies, everyone, for the disturbance.”

 

He then lowered his voice, instructing, “Take him away, do not disturb His Majesty.”

 

“Y-yes, Lord Diviner…” another shaman trembled as he dragged the disoriented companion away.

 

Shang You finally forced a smile.

 

The peony itself had no fragrance, but at this moment, its simple scent turned into a ribbon, tightening around his throat.

 

Shang You opened his mouth, pausing for a few breaths before he spoke.

 

“…His Majesty is diligent in governance and beloved by the people; his culture and martial prowess are unmatched. This is a blessing for the empire and all its people,” he said, his hollow gaze falling on the peony as he spoke in a hoarse voice, “Today happens to be a festival, and I believe even Xuantian would send the peony to honor His Majesty.”

 

With that, he clenched his teeth tightly.

 

Though Shang You maintained a calm expression, inside, his thoughts were in chaos.

 

Like the shaman, he too did not know why these peonies had bloomed here…

 

The moment Shang You finished speaking, the musicians behind the screen began a new song.

 

The massive bronze bell was struck heavily again.

 

It vibrated, each toll resonating through Shang You’s heart.

 

“His Majesty has arrived—”

 

In the next moment, the sharp voice of the eunuch pierced through the entire Liuyun Hall.

 

A dark figure slowly appeared behind the Taotie-patterned screen.

 

The chamberlain knelt down, not yet pulling back the screen.

 

Emperor Ying Changchuan’s lazy voice came from the other side.

 

He smiled lightly, speaking slowly and without urgency, “Lord Diviner is mistaken.”

 

As soon as the emperor spoke, the drum and music stopped.

 

The Liuyun Hall fell into silence, with only the sound of each person’s shallow breaths and heartbeats in their ears.

 

Shang You felt like he was biting down on his teeth and swallowing blood.

 

He forced a smile, “Please correct me, Your Majesty.”

 

The chamberlain bent forward and slowly pulled back the screen.

 

On the five-layered seat, the emperor lazily swirled the wine cup in his hand and said, “The blooming of the peony is not the work of Xuantian’s power, but the achievement of Lord Jiang.”

 

Lord Jiang!

 

There were many officials named Jiang in the Great Zhou court.

 

But everyone had already assumed that the “Lord Jiang” mentioned by Ying Changchuan referred to Jiang Yuxun.

 

In an instant, everyone raised their eyes to look toward the center of the Liuyun Hall.

 

At this moment, Ying Changchuan gently raised his wine cup toward Jiang Yuxun.

 

Next to the snow-colored peony, the young minister of the state paused for a moment, carefully holding the wine cup with both hands.

 

At the New Year feast, Jiang Yuxun’s attire was more splendid than usual.

 

White jade, crystal, and turquoise hung together, shining brightly under the lamps.

 

But even all of these together couldn’t compare to the brightness of his eyes.

 

Jiang Yuxun smiled at the people in the hall. He didn’t hesitate to return the gesture to Ying Changchuan, looked into his eyes, and gently raised his hand, drinking the wine in one go.

 

The Liuyun Hall fell silent, and even the peony beside them seemed to fade into the background.

 

At the same time, Ying Changchuan also lowered his gaze and finished the strong liquor in his cup.

 

※

 

Ying Changchuan was never one to speak much at banquets like this.

 

Soon after, the New Year banquet officially began.

 

The musicians changed the tune again.

 

This time, someone began to sing along with the music.

 

“There is a terrace on the southern mountain, and leeks grow on the northern mountain. Music is the delight of the gentlemen, the foundation of the country. Music is the delight of the gentlemen, may their lives be endless…”

 

The atmosphere in Liuyun Hall became lively as everyone ate, drank, and gathered to admire the peonies closely.

 

Only Jiang Yuxun seemed preoccupied with the food.

 

“Such a beautiful flower! Is the one beside me called ‘Wulong Holding the Glory’?” Zhuang Youli asked quietly.

 

“That’s right,” Jiang Yuxun glanced at it and nodded, “Uncle also likes this flower. After the banquet ends, I’ll send someone to deliver it to your home.”

 

“Great!” Zhuang Youli’s eyes immediately brightened. “My mother will surely love it.”

 

With that, he picked up his wine cup and secretly took small sips.

 

Seeing this, Jiang Yuxun couldn’t help but click his tongue. “You’ve changed. You used to say you didn’t drink.”

 

“Ahem…” Zhuang Youli awkwardly looked away. “I’m not a child anymore, I can’t just listen to whatever my mother says.”

 

Jiang Yuxun smiled without speaking, and Zhuang Youli immediately glanced nervously to the other side.

 

—Lady Zhuang had also been invited to the banquet, and he was secretly avoiding her watchful gaze.

 

“Wine emboldens a hero” — this saying was truly not without reason.

 

After drinking a few cups of wine, Zhuang Youli gradually became bolder.

 

Being someone with a poor tolerance for alcohol, his face had already turned a pig-liver red.

 

Zhuang Youli held his wine cup and sighed towards Jiang Yuxun, “Ah Shun, you must be someone who dares to drink with His Majesty, right?”

 

“Hm?” Jiang Yuxun paused for a moment, then shook his head lightly, “I’m not sure about that.”

 

Zhuang Youli seemed to be a little drunk, as he gulped down strong liquor and mumbled, “The last time… uh, I saw…”

 

At this moment, the Liuyun Hall grew even louder.

 

The conversations of the crowd mixed with the sounds of the drums, gongs, and music, completely drowning out Zhuang Youli’s voice.

 

Jiang Yuxun listened for a while but still couldn’t understand what the other person was trying to say.

 

Curious, he leaned forward and put his ear closer to Zhuang Youli, “Wait, say that again, I didn’t catch that.”

 

“Okay,” Zhuang Youli cleared his throat and tried to speak clearly, “What I was trying to say is, the last time I saw someone drink like this was at my sister’s wedding.”

 

He nodded seriously toward Jiang Yuxun, “Isn’t it strange? Don’t you think?”

 

Jiang Yuxun: “What are you talking about?”

 

Zhuang Youli was really drunk!

 

Jiang Yuxun couldn’t help but take a gulp of wine to force himself to calm down.

 

He turned to the attendant behind Zhuang Youli and instructed, “Young Master Zhuang is drunk, please escort him out. Oh, and… make sure to avoid Lady Zhuang.”

 

He was truly being as kind as he could!

 

The chamberlain immediately stepped forward to support Zhuang Youli, “Yes, Lord Jiang.”

 

At that moment, Zhuang Youli’s expression suddenly became strange.

 

He opened his mouth as if to say something, but before he could speak, Jiang Yuxun silenced him with a sharp “shut up.”

 

Jiang Yuxun quickly leaned in and whispered into Zhuang Youli’s ear, “It’s fine to say this here, but if the emperor hears it, we’ll be in trouble. Understand?”

 

Zhuang Youli, terrified, nodded vigorously.

 

At the same time, he couldn’t help but glance behind Jiang Yuxun.

 

What was he looking at?

 

Jiang Yuxun was momentarily puzzled, then turned to see what Zhuang Youli was staring at.

 

In the next instant, he froze just like the young man across from him.

 

…No way, when did Ying Changchuan arrive?

 

How does he always appear out of nowhere!

 

“Your, Your Majesty…” Jiang Yuxun instantly straightened up.

 

Ying Changchuan gave a slight nod and casually said, “What just happened? How did my dear minister frighten Lord Zhuang like this?”

 

There wasn’t much strong alcohol at the banquet, only two cups per person.

 

Although Zhuang Youli couldn’t handle his liquor well, he wasn’t as drunk as Jiang Yuxun had been in the past.

 

The moment he saw Ying Changchuan, he became sober again.

 

He immediately looked at Jiang Yuxun with a pleading expression.

 

If it were an ordinary person being questioned by the emperor, Zhuang Youli would naturally not be so nervous.

 

But today, the one being singled out by Ying Changchuan was none other than Jiang Yuxun, the big sieve…

 

Jiang Yuxun: “…”

 

I really wanted to cover for you.

 

But…

 

Sorry, Zhuang Youli.

 

After a brief pause, Jiang Yuxun lowered his head slightly and tactfully shifted the blame onto his teammate, “Just now, Young Master Zhuang found it a bit… strange when he saw me drinking with Your Majesty. I advised him that it’s fine to say this in my presence, but he should never say it in front of the emperor.”

 

Zhuang Youli gave Jiang Yuxun a desperate look and slowly closed his eyes.

 

“On the southern mountain, there are mulberry trees, and on the northern mountain, there are poplars…”

 

On the other side of the screen, the musicians were still softly singing.

 

The wind blew, and fine snow gently landed on Jiang Yuxun’s nose.

 

Suddenly, everything around him went quiet.

 

But in the next moment, Jiang Yuxun did not see the emperor getting angry.

 

Instead, he heard a soft laugh.

 

“No worries,” Ying Changchuan said to the attendant beside him, “Take Lord Zhuang to rest, and bring him two jars of new wine.”

 

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

 

The attendant quickly stepped forward to support the dazed Zhuang Youli.

 

Jiang Yuxun was left utterly bewildered…

 

Not only did Ying Changchuan not get angry, but he even gifted the kind of new wine that was hard to come by.

 

Why was his mood so good today?

 

…

 

Ying Changchuan, who usually didn’t enjoy attending such events, didn’t stay too long.

 

After exchanging a few pleasantries, he left the Liuyun Hall with his entourage.

 

However, Jiang Yuxun didn’t feel completely at ease.

 

Once Ying Changchuan left, Jiang Yuxun couldn’t help but lower his voice and ask the little eunuch behind him, “When did His Majesty arrive?”

 

Hearing this, the eunuch immediately smiled and answered, “From the moment you approached Young Master Zhuang and heard him speak!”

 

“Cough, cough, cough…”

 

—

 

The New Year’s banquet lasted until late at night.

 

Jiang Yuxun was one of the last to leave the main hall of Liuyun Palace.

 

At this time, the Xianyou Palace had returned to its usual quiet.

 

Knowing his own limits, Jiang Yuxun had only drunk one and a half cups today.

 

Aside from his slightly reddened ears, there was no sign of drunkenness.

 

The snow started to fall heavily again during the night.

 

Jiang Yuxun couldn’t help but adjust his fox fur coat and stood in front of the rear palace, gazing toward the other side of Xianyou Palace.

 

The ancient New Year had much more of a festive atmosphere than the modern one.

 

The only regret was… it seemed there was something missing.

 

Just as he thought this, the sound of footsteps came from the distance.

 

“Lord Jiang, Lord Jiang…”

 

A little eunuch, holding a narrow wooden box, hurriedly appeared in front of Jiang Yuxun.

 

“What’s the matter?” Jiang Yuxun turned around and asked, curious.

 

The eunuch carefully held up the wooden box, “This is something the people from the Juanyue Hall sent to you on the emperor’s behalf, as a New Year’s gift.”

 

The “people from the Juanyue Hall” referred to the alchemists of the Listening Heaven Terrace.

 

Jiang Yuxun paused for a moment, quickly realizing what was inside the box.

 

He gently took the wooden box from the eunuch. “Alright, thank you.”

 

As he spoke, he placed a few pieces of silver into the eunuch’s hands.

 

“It’s no trouble at all!”

 

The eunuch quickly stepped back.

 

Jiang Yuxun held his breath, nervously and slowly opening the wooden box.

 

A familiar slender stick appeared in front of him.

 

As a modern person, Jiang Yuxun was more familiar with the other use of gunpowder.

 

A few days ago, when he visited the Juanyue Hall, he had tried to describe modern fireworks to the alchemist, but he hadn’t thought much of it.

 

…He didn’t expect that Ying Changchuan had actually had them make some for him.

 

It’s truly as if thoughts manifest!

 

Just when he was thinking that this New Year was lacking fireworks, the alchemists sent them over.

 

Jiang Yuxun carefully held the fireworks in his hand and walked slowly toward a palace lantern placed in the snow.

 

He lifted his robes and sat on the stairs, carefully using the flame to light the fireworks.

 

In the next moment, the slender stick in his hand emitted a warm light with a sizzling sound, like stars falling into his palm.

 

“Wow…” Though he had been prepared, Jiang Yuxun was still startled by the sudden burst of light.

 

He instinctively closed his mouth and glanced toward the distant palace doors, silently praying that Ying Changchuan wouldn’t hear it.

 

But the heavens were not on his side.

 

Jiang Yuxun hadn’t even finished his prayer when a dark figure appeared on the other side of the palace door.

 

The swirling snowflakes bloomed like white plums in the air.

 

Some even landed on Jiang Yuxun’s eyelashes.

 

He leaned against the stone lantern, sitting in the snow, and looked back at the emperor.

 

The fireworks illuminated Jiang Yuxun’s cheek and those eyes darker than the sky.

 

Ying Changchuan, who had intended to walk forward, suddenly stopped in his tracks upon seeing this, not wanting to disturb him.

 

It wasn’t until a firework had finished that Ying Changchuan slowly walked up to Jiang Yuxun’s side.

 

“Your Majesty—”

 

Jiang Yuxun, who had regained his composure, immediately stood up, preparing to salute Ying Changchuan.

 

But the emperor gently shook his head. “No need.”

 

Seeing that Ying Changchuan’s gaze was fixed on the fireworks in his hand, Jiang Yuxun hesitated for a few seconds before tentatively offering one. “Your Majesty, here’s a firework for you.”

 

After a brief pause, Ying Changchuan actually took it in his hand.

 

The snow continued to fall quietly, and the Xianyou Palace after the feast was even quieter than usual.

 

Even the palace servants on duty had greatly reduced.

 

Though Ying Changchuan knew how to handle it, he had never lit a firework himself.

 

Thinking of this, Jiang Yuxun lowered his voice and explained, “Your Majesty, you can try lighting it with the palace lantern.”

 

Saying this, he bent down first and lit one.

 

“Mm.”

 

The sizzling sound of the firework cut through the night’s silence.

 

There was no star or moon tonight, only the stars shining in their hands.

 

The glow from the fireworks illuminated the faces of Jiang Yuxun and Ying Changchuan.

 

Jiang Yuxun couldn’t help but laugh.

 

In the past life, there had always been jokes saying that gunpowder was born in China, but people only knew how to use it for fireworks.

 

This wasn’t true, but for some reason, Jiang Yuxun couldn’t help but think… even with weapons, people should never forget the fireworks.

 

The emperor’s voice was particularly soft. “What is it that makes you laugh, my dear minister?”

 

Jiang Yuxun looked at the small firework in his hand, his gaze especially focused. “I was thinking… the Great Zhou needs guns and cannons to defend, but it also needs fireworks to celebrate—both are equally important.”

 

Unlike when he had first arrived and only cared about survival, Jiang Yuxun couldn’t help but begin to envision the future of himself and the Great Zhou.

 

“…One day, there will be millions of fireworks lighting up by the Yi River, brightening the starless snowy night. By then, not just us, but the civil and military officials of the Great Zhou, as well as all the people, will be able to see these splendid fireworks on the New Year’s Day.”

 

Perhaps because the fireworks were so brilliant, Jiang Yuxun’s eyes had never been so bright.

 

Ying Changchuan’s heart skipped a beat at that moment.

 

The heavy snow drifted down, covering the red brick and dark walls, leaving only pure white between heaven and earth.

 

As they spoke, the firework in their hands finally reached its final moment of light, turning into a grayish pile in the blink of an eye.

 

A faint sense of disappointment and regret rose in Ying Changchuan’s heart.

 

However, Jiang Yuxun didn’t mind.

 

He adjusted his fox fur coat and carefully took the firework back from Ying Changchuan’s hand.

 

…This firework was a gift from the emperor. Since he was so generous, he couldn’t be stingy himself.

 

After mentally convincing himself, Jiang Yuxun finally took a deep breath and looked up at Ying Changchuan, giving him a light wink. “Happy New Year, Your Majesty.”

 

In the dark snowy night, it seemed that the world had brightened up once again.

 

Author’s Note:

 

*From the “Book of Songs, Minor Odes” – “There is a mulberry tree in the south mountain.”