Chapter 0042: Apology

Chapter 0042: Apology

The powerful clans were somewhat difficult to deal with, but the three elders were simply three honest men.

They had little power to begin with, and the previous governor of Chenliu had deliberately ignored them. Though they were called the three elders, no one had taken them seriously for a long time.

This time, when summoned by Qu Yunmie, they were flattered and agreed to everything he said. Eventually, even Qu Yunmie felt embarrassed about being too harsh and stood up to personally escort them out.

Xiao Rong did not follow. He narrowed his eyes slightly, watching Qu Yunmie's uneasy demeanor, and then an idea formed in his mind. *

On the seventeenth of May, the new plaque for the marquisate was finally ready. The four large characters—Northern Pacification Palace—written by Chancellor Gao himself, were engraved on it. As the plaque was hung, Xiao Rong and others watched from the side.

Yu Shaoxie sighed, "I still think calling this place a palace is inappropriate."

Xiao Rong: "What can we do? We can't call it a royal palace. Just looking at the gate, it's clear this isn't a royal palace. If we insist on calling it that, people would really laugh their heads off."

Yu Shaoxie: "…"

So why must we live here? Wouldn't it be better to build a royal palace somewhere else?

In Yu Shaoxie's mind, even if Qu Yunmie were to ascend the throne, it would be ten or eight years down the line. They couldn't let Qu Yunmie make do with living here for so long.

However, whenever he brought up the matter, Xiao Rong would change the subject. He sensed that Xiao Rong had a reason for insisting on living here and calling it a palace, but since he wouldn't say, Yu Shaoxie could only guess.

Qu Yunmie was also there, seemingly indifferent to the name Northern Pacification Palace. To him, it was just a place to live.

With the plaque hung, there were no fireworks or traditions of setting off firecrackers. They would burn firecrackers during the opening ceremony, but since they had been living here for so long, doing it now felt strange.

Thus, everyone clapped briefly and then dispersed to attend to their own affairs. Qu Yunmie called his horse over, preparing to visit the camp outside the city.

Suddenly, Xiao Rong stopped him and looked up, asking, "Is Your Majesty busy today?"

Qu Yunmie paused slightly, "Not busy."

Xiao Rong smiled, "Then how about we go for a walk together? It's been almost ten days since the Northern Pacification Army arrived. Does Your Majesty want to see what changes have occurred on the streets?"

Qu Yunmie: "…"

After only ten days, what changes could there be?

Still, he dismounted gracefully and looked at Xiao Rong, waiting to walk with him.

Xiao Rong: "…Your Majesty, please change into casual clothes first."

Wearing riding attire and armor on the street, you're afraid others won't recognize you as the Northern Pacification King?

Qu Yunmie's expression changed slightly. Although he didn't say it, Xiao Rong knew he was thinking, "How troublesome." …

Xiao Rong remained resolute, and Qu Yunmie reluctantly went inside to change.

A moment later, Qu Yunmie reappeared, tugging awkwardly at his new clothes, and slowly walked down.

Hearing footsteps, Xiao Rong turned around and was momentarily stunned.

Qu Yunmie was wearing a scholar's robe, a deep purple robe that nearly touched the ground. Accustomed to wearing the riding attire invented by the Hu people, Qu Yunmie didn't know what to do with the extremely wide sleeves. He should have worn an outer robe, but whether he didn't want to or forgot, his lean waist was exposed.

Ancient scholars wore swords, both as scholars and swordsmen. Xiao Rong had never known what such scholars looked like until now.

He pursed his lips slightly, unsure why he wanted to laugh. It wasn't because Qu Yunmie looked bad; in fact, Xiao Rong thought he looked quite good. But inexplicably, he wanted to laugh.

Suppressing the urge, Xiao Rong approached Qu Yunmie and adjusted his sleeves, then smiled, "Your Majesty looks great. Let's go."

Xiao Rong turned and walked ahead, and Qu Yunmie followed, taking a few steps before suddenly stopping.

He felt…that Xiao Rong seemed to like him in these clothes.

Xiao Rong looked back in confusion, "Your Majesty?"

Qu Yunmie paused, then continued walking, "Coming." *

One graceful and elegant, the other heroic and dashing, they immediately drew everyone's attention as soon as they stepped onto the street. Qu Yunmie habitually glared at them, and at that moment, Xiao Rong softly said, "Hospitality."

Qu Yunmie: "…………"

Qu Yunmie reluctantly looked away, focusing instead on the inanimate objects around him.

Looking around, he noticed something different and said to Xiao Rong, "These houses don't seem as dilapidated as before."

Xiao Rong also looked at the houses, "Yes, it's thanks to the Northern Pacification Army. In the past few days, they've repaired all the houses in the city. The distant counties haven't finished yet, but the main city is fully repaired."

Qu Yunmie was surprised, remembering that Xiao Rong had suggested sending thousands of soldiers to help the citizens. Was this the result of that suggestion?

At the time, Qu Yunmie hadn't thought much of it, but now he realized that repairing the city made it look much better.

Xiao Rong could tell what he was thinking from his expression. He chuckled inwardly, thinking that this was just the beginning. Repairing the city was a small gain; the real gain was mending the relationship between the soldiers and the citizens.

Just the other day, Jian Qiao told him something, and Xiao Rong purposefully led Qu Yunmie towards that direction.

It was the house where the old man had come out with an axe, ready to fight to the death. Xiao Rong stood under a tree nearby and quietly pointed in that direction, gesturing for Qu Yunmie to look.

Qu Yunmie looked at the household in confusion, then he froze.

Because he saw a Northern Pacification Army soldier wearing the most ordinary military uniform standing in the courtyard. This person was grinning like a silly dog, chopping wood in the yard with all his might while smiling foolishly at a woman nearby.

The woman also smiled, holding a bowl of water, feeding him a sip every now and then, shyly saying, "My dear, the water from the well you dug is truly sweet."

Qu Yunmie: "…………"

The Northern Pacification Army soldier chopped wood even faster, his axe moving so swiftly it seemed to leave afterimages. If he could perform this well in the army, Qu Yunmie would definitely remember his name instead of only recognizing him by his uniform.

He turned his head back, speechless, as Xiao Rong chuckled. "This is the first couple in Chenliu where a Northern Pacification Army soldier married a civilian. They performed their wedding ceremony two days ago. Newlyweds, they are. General Jian granted him three days off, and he'll return to the army tomorrow."

Qu Yunmie widened his eyes. "He actually got time off?!"

Xiao Rong: "……"

Qu Yunmie had forgotten everything else but remembered these three days off. "When did the Northern Pacification Army have such a rule, granting leave for marriage? Which army is so lax?! That Jian Qiao, acting on his own!"

Xiao Rong was impressed by his reaction and quickly stopped Qu Yunmie, who was about to go find Jian Qiao. "It's not General Jian's doing; I arranged it! I told General Jian that from now on, any soldier who marries during peacetime will get three days off! Only for the first marriage, though. There won't be such benefits for subsequent marriages or taking concubines. Marriage is a significant event for everyone, and now is a peaceful time. It's just three days without drills. What's wrong with that?!"

Qu Yunmie opened his mouth.

Because no other army does this!

But before he could say it, he remembered that other armies wouldn't send soldiers to build houses either. Qu Yunmie paused, then said, "Indeed, it's peaceful now, but soldiers are different from civilians. They need to stay alert every day. Too much rest makes them slack, and it's not easy to regain that vigilance."

Xiao Rong was taken aback; he didn't understand these things. He pursed his lips and lowered his head, expecting Qu Yunmie to revoke the benefit. Instead, Qu Yunmie continued, "For newlyweds, three days off is fine, but you can't do this again in the future. If you want to reward soldiers, promote them, grant them military merits, distribute spoils, or pay bonuses. But when it comes to rest, you must be cautious."

Surprised that Qu Yunmie agreed, Xiao Rong, who had prepared for a harsh criticism and revocation of the order, felt relieved and warmed. He couldn't help but smile. "Your Majesty, rest assured. I won't interfere with military affairs anymore."

Then he explained himself further. "I wasn't trying to interfere with military matters this time, but such situations will increase. The people see the efforts of the soldiers and naturally trust them, marrying their daughters to them. As the leader of the Northern Pacification Army, Your Majesty should encourage and even reward such unions because the deeper the bond between Chenliu and the army, the higher the people's recognition of Your Majesty."

At the end, Xiao Rong awkwardly smiled. "I thought this way, but due to my ignorance, I almost made a big mistake."

Qu Yunmie: "……"

Is Xiao Rong apologizing to me?

No, he didn't apologize, but he acknowledged my superiority.

Qu Yunmie suddenly felt happy but didn't know how to express it. Seeing Xiao Rong's rare humility, he chuckled softly. "You don't have to be like this. I know that whatever you do, it's for me."

Xiao Rong: "…………"

Well, that works too.

After all, doing it for you means doing it for me.